Removal of a capsule from a capsule holder

Abstract

A capsule processing machine (1) for preparing a beverage from a capsule (5) having a body (50) containing an ingredient and a peripherally projecting flange (51) comprises: a capsule holder (10) with an upwardly oriented mouth (12) for receiving the capsule (5) via the mouth (12) so that the capsule flange (51) extends generally in parallel to the mouth (12); a capsule transfer device (30) having a capsule guide (31) for guiding the capsule (5) from the capsule holder (10) to a used-capsule evacuation area (40). The capsule guide (31) comprises a pair of facing slides (311, 312) having each a holding section (311a, 312a) configured to hold the capsule (5) between the slides (311, 312) under the flange (51) and hold the capsule (5) above the capsule holder (10). The capsule transfer device (30) comprises a capsule mover (35) for moving the capsule (5) from the holding section (311a, 312a) to the used-capsule evacuation area (40).

Claims

1. A capsule processing machine for preparing a beverage from a capsule having a body containing an ingredient and a peripherally projecting flange, the capsule processing machine comprising: a capsule holder defining a cavity with an upwardly oriented mouth for receiving the capsule via the mouth so that the capsule flange extends generally in parallel to the mouth; a capsule transfer device having a capsule guide for guiding the capsule from the capsule holder to a used-capsule evacuation area; the capsule guide comprising a pair of facing slides having each a holding section configured to hold the capsule between the slides under the flange and hold the capsule above the capsule holder; and the capsule transfer device comprises a capsule mover for moving the capsule from the holding section to the used-capsule evacuation area; wherein the capsule guide comprises at least one stop element for immobilizing the capsule on the holding section, the capsule mover being configured for driving the capsule from the holding section over or beyond the at least one stop element to the used-capsule evacuation area.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the capsule mover comprises a capsule pusher and/or puller for pushing and/or pulling the capsule from the holding section to the used-capsule evacuation area.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein one or both slides of the pair of facing slides comprise(s) a structure selected from the group consisting of: a wire or stripe or rail; an introduction section leading to the holding section for guiding the capsule to the holding section prior to receiving the capsule in the cavity of the capsule holder via the mouth; and an evacuation section between which and along which the capsule slides to the used-capsule evacuation area under the effect of gravity.

4. The machine of claim 1, wherein the holding section extends generally in parallel to a plane generally containing the mouth of the cavity.

5. The machine of claim 1, wherein the holding section extends in a generally horizontal direction to an evacuation section that extends down from the holding section, the pair of facing slides comprising an introduction section leading downwards to the holding section for guiding the capsule to the holding section prior to receiving the capsule in the cavity of the capsule holder via the mouth.

6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the capsule holder comprises a support and an ejector, movable relatively to the support, the ejector being configured to raise the flange of the capsule above the capsule holder so as to facilitate seizure of the capsule between the slides under the flange.

7. The machine of claim 1, wherein the capsule holder is in fluid connection with a machine outlet.

8. The machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one stop element comprises a pair of stop elements for immobilizing the capsule on the holding section, the pair of stop elements facing one another on each slide of the pair of facing slides.

9. The machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one stop element is configured to penetrate the body of the capsule when the capsule is driven over the at least one stop element by the capsule mover.

10. The machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one stop element is formed by a bent part of a slide of the pair of facing slides.

11. The machine of claim 10, wherein the at least one stop element is configured to be urged away by the capsule when the capsule is driven over the stop element by the capsule mover.

12. The machine of claim 1, comprising a top part, located above and facing the capsule holder, the capsule holder and the top part being relatively movable: into a relatively distant position for inserting the capsule into the capsule holder and for removing the capsule from the capsule holder with the capsule transfer device; and into a relatively close position for extracting the capsule in the capsule holder.

13. The machine of claim 12, wherein the capsule guide comprises at least one connection part, each slide having a pair of extremal connection parts, connected to the top part so that when the capsule holder and the top part are relatively moved: into the relatively distant position, the capsule guide is relatively moved away from the capsule holder; and into the relatively close position, the capsule guide is relatively moved against the capsule holder.

14. The machine of claim 12, which has a main machine body having an outside housing, the top part being configured to telescope into and out from the main body between the distant and the closed positions.

15. The machine of claim 12, wherein the top part comprises an opening for supplying the capsule to the mouth of the capsule holder.

16. A method of processing a capsule in a machine comprising a capsule holder defining a cavity with an upwardly oriented mouth for receiving the capsule via the mouth so that the capsule flange extends generally in parallel to the mouth; a capsule transfer device having a capsule guide for guiding the capsule from the capsule holder to a used-capsule evacuation area; the capsule guide comprising a pair of facing slides having each a holding section configured to hold the capsule between the slides under the flange and hold the capsule above the capsule holder; and the capsule transfer device comprises a capsule mover for moving the capsule from the holding section to the used-capsule evacuation area, the method comprising: holding the capsule between the slides under the flange to hold the capsule above the capsule holder, wherein the capsule guide comprises at least one stop element for immobilizing the capsule on the holding section; and moving the capsule with the capsule mover from the holding section to the used-capsule evacuation area, the capsule mover driving the capsule from the holding section over or beyond the at least one stop element to the used-capsule evacuation area.

17. A combination of a machine for preparing a beverage from a capsule having a body containing an ingredient and a peripherally projecting flange comprising: a capsule holder defining a cavity with an upwardly oriented mouth for receiving the capsule via the mouth so that the capsule flange extends generally in parallel to the mouth; a capsule transfer device having a capsule guide for guiding the capsule from the capsule holder to a used-capsule evacuation area; the capsule guide comprising a pair of facing slides having each a holding section configured to hold the capsule between the slides under the flange and hold the capsule above the capsule holder; and the capsule transfer device comprises a capsule mover for moving the capsule from the holding section to the used-capsule evacuation area and a capsule for being handled by the slides and the capsule mover, wherein the capsule guide comprises at least one stop element for immobilizing the capsule on the holding section, the capsule mover being configured for driving the capsule from the holding section over or beyond the at least one stop element to the used-capsule evacuation area.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described with reference to the schematic drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of part of the outside of a machine according to the invention in a capsule loading configuration;

(3) FIG. 1a is a cross-sectional view of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged view of the perspective view of FIG. 1 in which part of the machine has been cut away to show the inside of the machine;

(5) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a machine's capsule guide holding a capsule;

(6) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of part of the outside of the machine in a capsule extraction configuration;

(7) FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view of the machine shown in FIG. 4;

(8) FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of part of the outside of the machine of FIG. 1 when a capsule is being removed from the capsule holder and evacuated to a capsule evacuation area; and

(9) FIGS. 5a, 6a, 7, 8 and 9 are perspective views of the machine partly cut away to show the inside of the machine when a capsule is being removed from the capsule holder and evacuated to a capsule evacuation area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIGS. 1 to 9 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a capsule processing machine 1 and parts thereof in accordance with the invention.

(11) Machine 1 is configured for preparing a beverage from a capsule 5 having a body 50 containing an ingredient and a peripherally projecting flange 51.

(12) The beverage can be prepared by circulating a liquid into such capsule 5 and centrifugally driving such capsule 5.

(13) Machine 1 has a capsule holder 10 delimiting a cavity 11 with an upwardly oriented mouth 12, such as a mouth 12 generally contained in a horizontal plane, for receiving capsule 5 via mouth 12 so that capsule flange extends generally in parallel to mouth 12. For instance, capsule holder 10 is drivable in rotation by a motorized drive axis 14. See FIGS. 1a and 4a.

(14) Machine 1 includes a capsule transfer device 30 having a capsule guide 31 for guiding capsule 5 from capsule holder 10 to a used-capsule evacuation area 40. See FIGS. 3 and 8. Evacuation area 40 may include at least one of an evacuation channel 41, e.g. an inclined evacuation ramp 41, and a used-capsule collector 42. See FIG. 1a.

(15) Capsule guide 31 includes a pair of facing slides 311,312 having each a holding section 311a,312a configured to hold, e.g. seize, capsule 5 between slides 311,312 under flange 51 and hold capsule 5 above capsule holder 10. For instance, holding section 311a,312a is configured to lift capsule 5 above capsule holder 10 and/or maintain the capsule above the capsule holder while the capsule holder is withdrawn under the capsule. See FIGS. 1 and 6a.

(16) Capsule transfer device 30 comprises a capsule mover for moving capsule 5 from holding section 311a,312a used-capsule evacuation area 40. For example, capsule mover 35 comprises at least one of a mechanical, electromechanical, magnetic and electromagnetic actuator. See FIGS. 7 to 9.

(17) Capsule mover 35 may include a capsule pusher and/or puller for pushing and/or pulling capsule 5 from holding section 311a,312a to used-capsule evacuation area 40.

(18) For instance, capsule mover 35 is configured to mechanically move capsule 5. Capsule mover 35 can be translationally and/or pivotally mounted. Capsule mover 35 may form an arm that is mounted on a pivoting axis 36 for pivoting between a collapsed position and a deployed position with a portion 37 configured to intercept capsule 5 on holding section 311a,312a and to move capsule 5 to used-capsule evacuation area 40 when arm 35 is pivoted from the collapsed position to the deployed position. See FIGS. 7 to 9.

(19) One or both slides 311,312 of the pair of facing slides 311,312 may have a wire or stripe or rail, such as a grooved rail or a head rail, to form slide 311,312. See FIG. 3.

(20) One or both slides 311,312 of the pair of facing slides 311,312 can include an introduction section 311c,312c leading to holding section 311a,312a for guiding capsule 5 to holding section 311a,312a prior to receiving capsule 5 in cavity 11 of capsule holder 10 via mouth 12, such as an introduction section 311c,312c along which capsule 5 slides to holding section 311a,312a under the effect of gravity. For instance, introduction section 311c,312c is angled downwards towards holding section 311a,312a. Introduction section 311c,312c may form an extension of holding section 311a,312a e.g. an extension 311c,312c downwardly angled to holding section 311a,312a. See FIG. 3.

(21) One or both slides 311,312 of the pair of facing slides 311,312 may include an evacuation section 311b,312b between which and along which capsule 5 slides to used-capsule evacuation area 40 under the effect of gravity. For instance, evacuation section 311b,312b is angled downwards from holding section 311a,312a and/or configured to hold capsule 5 between slides 311,312 under flange 51. See FIG. 3.

(22) Machine 1 typically includes a top part 20, located above and facing capsule holder 10. Capsule holder 10 and top part 20 can be relatively movable, such as movable automatically e.g. by a motor. See FIGS. 1a and 4a. For instance, capsule holder 10 and top part 20 are relatively movable: into a relatively distant position for inserting capsule 5 into capsule holder 10 and for removing capsule 5 from capsule holder 10 by using capsule transfer device 30; and into a relatively close position for extracting capsule 5 in capsule holder 10, such as a position in which capsule holder 10 and top part 10 form a generally confined extraction chamber.

(23) Capsule holder 10 and top part 20 may be translationally relatively movable from the distant position into the close position and vice versa, e.g. along an axial direction 11 of cavity 11 and/or along a straight line 11. See FIGS. 1a and 4a.

(24) Top part 20 may have a lid arrangement 21 cooperating with mouth 12 of capsule holder 10, e.g. a lid arrangement 21 drivable in rotation via a motorized drive axis 14. See FIGS. 1a and 4a.

(25) Lid arrangement 21 can have one or more capsule opening elements 22, such as piercing blades and/or pins. See FIG. 4a.

(26) Lid arrangement 21 may have a liquid inlet, e.g. a central inlet 23, for feeding a liquid into capsule 5 and/or a liquid outlet 24, e.g. one or more peripheral outlets 24, for evacuating liquid from capsule 5. See FIG. 4a.

(27) Lid arrangement 21 can have an axis of rotation 14, lid arrangement 21 being rotatably mounted in an outer housing and/or frame of top part 20. See FIG. 4a.

(28) As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, capsule guide 31 can have at least one connection part 32, each slide 311,312 having for instance a pair of extremal connection parts 32, connected to top part 20 so that when capsule holder 10 and top part 20 are relatively moved: into the relatively distant position, capsule guide 31 is relatively moved away from capsule holder 10, optionally for withdrawing capsule 5 held by holding section 311a,312a out of cavity 11 of capsule holder 10; and into the relatively close position, capsule guide 31 is relatively moved against capsule holder 10, optionally for introducing capsule 5 held by holding section 311a,312a into cavity 11 of capsule holder 10.

(29) Capsule holder 10 can have at least one controller (FIG. 5a), e.g. a control face 13 along which capsule guide 31 is guided between the relatively distant and close positions, for moving holding section 311a,312a: away from capsule body 50 and from under flange 51 of capsule 5 when capsule holder 10 and top part 20 are relatively moved to the relatively close position; and against capsule body 50 and under flange 51 of capsule when capsule holder 10 and top part 20 are relatively moved to the relatively open position.

(30) Capsule guide 31 can be configured to return automatically against capsule body 50 or away from capsule body 50, e.g. by being mounted to top part 20 via a bias element such as a spring and/or by being made of a resilient element such as a spring element.

(31) Machine 1 may have a main machine body 1, such as a main body 1 having an outside housing, top part 20 being configured to telescope, e.g. vertically, into and out from main body 1 between the distant and the closed positions. Capsule holder 10 can be in main body 1.

(32) Top part 20 may include an opening 25 for supplying capsule 5 to mouth 12 of capsule holder 10. See FIGS. 1 and 6.

(33) Opening 25 may lead to holding section 311a,312a e.g. via an introduction section 311c,312c of capsule guide 31. See FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

(34) Opening 25 can have a shape 25 generally matching a longitudinal cross-section of capsule 5, e.g. a shape 25 with opposite slots 26 matching capsule flange 51 and optionally leading to capsule guide 31 such that when capsule 5 is passed via opening 25 its flange 51 is taken on by guide 31. See FIGS. 1, 2 and 6.

(35) Opening 25 may be configured to allow a passage of capsule 5 when capsule holder 10 and top part 20 are in the relatively distant position and configured to prevent a passage of capsule 5 when capsule holder 10 and top part 20 are in the relatively close position. See FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6.

(36) Capsule guide 31 may include at least one stop element 311d,312d for immobilizing capsule 5 on holding section 311a,312a, capsule mover 35 being configured for driving capsule 5 from holding section 311a,312a over or beyond stop element 311c,312c to used-capsule evacuation area 40. See FIGS. 3, 7, 8 and 9.

(37) Capsule guide 31 may include a pair of stop elements 311d,312d generally facing one another on each side of capsule 5 when capsule 5 is driven over or beyond stop elements 311d,312d by the capsule mover 35.

(38) Stop element 311d,312d may project from one of slide 311,312 and may be urged against or into capsule body 50 of capsule 5 when capsule 5 is driven over or beyond stop elements 311d,312d by capsule mover 35. For instance, capsule guide 31 includes a pair of such stop elements 311d,312d facing each other. Stop element(s) 311c,312c can be formed by a bent part of slides 311,312.

(39) Stop element 311d,312d can be configured to be urged away by capsule 5 when capsule 5 is driven over stop elements 311d,312d by capsule mover 35, such as a pair of such stop elements 311d,312d facing each other.

(40) Stop element may be configured to penetrate capsule body 50 when capsule 5 is driven over or beyond stop elements 311d,312d by capsule mover 35, such as a pair of such stop elements 311d,312d facing each other.

(41) Holding section 311a,312a may extend generally in parallel to a plane generally containing mouth 12 of cavity 11 e.g. a horizontal plane. For instance, holding section 311a,312a and plane are relatively movable, e.g. for receiving capsule 5 in cavity 11 and/or for removing capsule 5 from cavity 11, and remain generally parallel to one another during the entire movement.

(42) Holding section 311a,312a can extend in a generally horizontal direction to an evacuation section 311b,312b that extends down from holding section 311a,312a, the pair of facing slides 311,312 comprising an introduction section 311c,312c leading downwards to holding section 311a,312a for guiding capsule 5 to holding section 311a,312a prior to receiving capsule 5 in cavity 11 of capsule holder 10 via the mouth 12.

(43) Capsule holder 10 may include a support 10a, e.g. an outer support 10a and an ejector 10b, e.g. in support 10b, movable relatively to support 10a, ejector 10b being configured to raise flange 51 of capsule 5 above capsule holder 10 so as to facilitate seizure of capsule 5 between slides 311,312 under flange 51. See FIGS. 1a and 4a.

(44) Ejector 10b may delimit at least part of cavity 11.

(45) Ejector 10b can be mounted telescopically and/or resiliently, e.g. via a spring 10c, to outer support 10a.

(46) Capsule holder 10 can be in fluid connection with a machine outlet 45, such as an outlet 45 dispensing beverage to outside such machine 1. For instance, outlet 45 is in fluid connection with capsule holder 10 via a beverage collector 46, such as a collector 46 connected to a thermal conditioner 47, e.g. a heater and/or a cooler, for adjusting a temperature of collector 46. See FIGS. 1a and 4a.

(47) During operation, capsule 5 is processed by: holding capsule 5 between slides 311,312 under flange 51 to hold capsule 5 above capsule holder 10; and moving capsule 5 with capsule mover 35 from holding section 311a,312a to used-capsule evacuation area 40.

(48) As mentioned above, capsule 5 has a flange 51 and a body 50 that can be, symmetric or asymmetric, conical or frusto-conical or cylindrical or spherical or hemispherical or frusto-spherical or domical or frusto-domical, containing the ingredient, e.g. ground coffee, tea or cacao or another beverage ingredient.