Pivotally closing beverage ingredient holder with piercer

Abstract

A receptacle holding unit (1) for a device for preparing a beverage from an ingredient contained in a receptacle (2) comprises: a first part (10) with a first engagement arrangement (11); a second part (20) that has a second engagement arrangement (21) pivotally movable relative to the first engagement arrangement (11) about a longitudinal axis (1) between a closed position for holding the receptacle in such unit and an open position for inserting the receptacle into such unit and/or for removal therefrom; and a piercing device (20C) having at least one piercing element (29) for piercing the receptacle (2), this device being assembled to and held by the second part. At least one piercing element (29) is off this axis (1) and is angularly fixed relative to the first part (10) about this axis (1) when the second engagement arrangement (21) is pivotally moved relative to the first engagement arrangement (11) about this axis (1) between the closed and open positions.

Claims

1. A receptacle holding unit for a device for preparing a beverage from an ingredient contained in a receptacle, the receptacle holding unit comprising: a first part with a first engagement arrangement, the first part comprising a first index; a second part comprising a second engagement arrangement pivotally movable relative to the first engagement arrangement about a longitudinal axis between a closed position for holding the receptacle in the receptacle holding unit and an open position for inserting the receptacle into the receptacle holding unit and/or for removal therefrom, the second part comprising an assembly of a pre-positioning body that bears a second index and an engaging body that bears the second engagement arrangement and that is pivotally mounted to the pre-positioning body, the first index cooperating with the second index for pre-orienting the second engagement arrangement relative to the first engagement arrangement to guide mutual engagement thereof at closure of the first and second parts; a piercing device having at least one piercing element for piercing the receptacle, the piercing device assembled to and held by the second part; and the at least one piercing element is off the longitudinal axis and is angularly fixed relative to the first part about the longitudinal axis when the second engagement arrangement is pivotally moved relative to the first engagement arrangement about the longitudinal axis between the closed position and the open position.

2. The receptacle holding unit of claim 1, wherein the piercing device is angularly fixed to the pre-positioning body about the longitudinal axis between the open and closed positions.

3. The receptacle holding unit of claim 1, comprising a locking member and wherein the locking member is arranged to intercept in a locked position at least the engaging body to angularly block the engaging body, the pre-positioning body, and the first part to prevent relative rotation of the first and second engagement arrangements.

4. The receptacle holding unit of claim 1, wherein the piercing device comprises a plurality of piercing elements off the longitudinal axis for piercing the receptacle, the plurality of piercing elements comprising the at least one piercing element.

5. The receptacle holding unit of claim 1, wherein the piercing device further comprises an additional piercing element, the additional piercing element extending along the longitudinal axis, the piercing element comprising a channel for guiding a liquid into the receptacle and/or out thereof.

6. The receptacle holding unit of claim 1, wherein the first and second engagement arrangements comprise first and second engagement surfaces, respectively, the first and second engagement surfaces being rotationally engaged together about the longitudinal axis when the first and second parts are in the closed position and disengaged when the first and second parts are in the open position.

7. The receptacle holding unit of claim 1, comprising a locking member associated with the first and second engagements arrangements to form a fastening arrangement for fastening the first and second parts together in the closed position, the locking member being movable between: a locking position for preventing relative rotational movement of the first and second engagement arrangements when the first and second parts are in the closed position; and an unlocking position for allowing relative rotational movement of the first and second engagement arrangements and engagement and disengagement thereof.

8. The receptacle holding unit of claim 7, wherein the locking member is arranged to intercept in the locking position at least the second part to prevent relative rotation of the second engagement arrangement in the closed position.

9. The receptacle holding unit of claim 7, wherein the locking member is movable between the locking and unlocking positions along a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis.

10. The receptacle holding unit of claim 7, wherein the locking member is configured to relatively drive the first and second parts into the closed and/or open position.

11. The receptacle holding unit of claim 10, wherein the locking member is arranged to move along a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis to drive the first and second engagement arrangements in an engagement or disengagement position, by an axial/rotational movement conversion.

12. A beverage preparation device comprising a receptacle holding unit comprising a first part with a first engagement arrangement; a second part that has a second engagement arrangement pivotally movable relative to the first engagement arrangement about a longitudinal axis between a closed position for holding the receptacle in the receptacle holding unit and an open position for inserting the receptacle into the receptacle holding unit and/or for removal therefrom, the second part comprising a first body that comprises the second engagement arrangement and is pivotally mounted on a second body to which at least one piercing element is angularly fixed; a piercing device having the at least one piercing element for piercing the receptacle, the piercing device assembled to and held by the second part; and the at least one piercing element is off the longitudinal axis and is angularly fixed relative to the first part about the longitudinal axis when the second engagement arrangement is pivotally moved relative to the first engagement arrangement about the longitudinal axis between the closed and open positions, the first part bearing the first engagement arrangement comprises a first index, and the second part comprises an assembly of: a pre-positioning body that bears a second index; and an engaging body that bears the second engagement arrangement and that is pivotally mounted to the pre-positioning body, the first index cooperating with the second index for pre-orienting the second engagement arrangement relative to the first engagement arrangement to guide mutual engagement thereof at closure of the first and second parts.

13. The beverage preparation device of claim 12, wherein the receptacle holding unit is connected to an actuator for rotatably driving the receptacle holding unit to prepare a beverage.

14. A method comprising preparing a beverage from a receptacle containing a beverage ingredient in a receptacle holding unit comprising a first part with a first engagement arrangement, a second part that has a second engagement arrangement pivotally movable relative to the first engagement arrangement about a longitudinal axis between a closed position for holding the receptacle in the receptacle holding unit and an open position for inserting the receptacle into the receptacle holding unit and/or for removal therefrom, the second part comprising a first body that comprises the second engagement arrangement and is pivotally mounted on a second body to which at least one piercing element is angularly fixed, a piercing device having the at least one piercing element for piercing the receptacle, the piercing device being assembled to and held by the second part, and the at least one piercing element is off the longitudinal axis and is angularly fixed relative to the first part about the longitudinal axis when the second engagement arrangement is pivotally moved relative to the first engagement arrangement about the longitudinal axis between the closed and open positions, and preparing the beverage from the beverage ingredient, the first part bearing the first engagement arrangement comprises a first index, and the second part comprises an assembly of: a pre-positioning body that bears a second index; and an engaging body that bears the second engagement arrangement and that is pivotally mounted to the pre-positioning body, the first index cooperating with the second index for pre-orienting the second engagement arrangement relative to the first engagement arrangement to guide mutual engagement thereof at closure of the first and second parts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective side and top view of a receptacle holding unit according to invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view from below of a top (second) engagement arrangement of a top (second) part of the unit of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective side and top view of a bottom (first) part of the unit of FIG. 1 having a bottom (first) engagement arrangement; and

(5) FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 show a perspective side and top view of the unit in different configurations and partly cut away; FIGS. 4a, 5a, 6a and 7a illustrating part of the unit shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) FIGS. 1 to 7a illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a receptacle holding unit 1 and parts thereof in accordance with the invention.

(7) Receptacle holding unit 1 can be incorporated into an ingredient processing module of a beverage preparation device, typically of the centrifugal type, e.g. as disclosed in EP 2 000 062, EP 2 155 020, EP 2 152 128, WO 2008/148646, WO 2009/106175, WO 2009/106589, WO 2010/026045, WO 2010/026053 and WO 2010/066736. Unit 1 has a seat 5 for receiving and housing an ingredient receptacle 2, e.g. of the type disclosed in the same references or in WO 2008/148650, WO 2008/148834, WO 2010/066705, WO 2010/063644 and WO 2011/023711. The receptacle may be of the type described above under the header field of the invention. Receptacle 2 may be a capsule that has a container-body 2, e.g. a generally cup-shaped or hemispherical or hemi-ellipsoidal body, having a rim or a flange 2 to which a cover lid 2 is attached, in particular sealed, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

(8) Unit 1 is usually configured to circulate a liquid into receptacle 2, typically for mixing with the ingredient, e.g. brewing the ingredient, contained in receptacle 2. A flavoured beverage may be prepared by circulating a carrier liquid, such as water, into the receptacle for mixing the carrier with the ingredient and form the beverage, e.g. by brewing. An automatic receptacle recognition system may be used to parameterize and adjust the processing of the ingredient automatically in line with the type of ingredient.

(9) When closed or partly-closed receptacles 2 of flavouring ingredients, e.g. ingredient capsules, are used, unit 1 may include a receptacle opener 27,29 such as blades and/or a tearing tool. Alternatively, receptacle 2 may be a partly or fully self-opening capsule, e.g. under the effect of centrifugation and/or pressure of liquid circulated into receptacle 2. Receptacle 2 may be of the open-type, in which case no opener is needed. For instance, before use in unit 1, receptacle 2 has a lid 2 that is entirely closed, or at least closed at its periphery facing openers 29 and pre-opened or liquid pervious in a central area facing opener 27. In the latter case, opener 27 can be omitted and replaced by a non-opening liquid feed channel.

(10) Typically, a beverage preparation device comprising unit 1 of the invention further includes one or more of the following components: a) a fluid system in which unit 1 is in fluid communication; b) an in-line heater for heating a flow of liquid circulated through unit 1 or a batch heater for circulating heated liquid from the batch heater to unit 1; c) a pump for pumping liquid to unit 1, in particular a low pressure pump e.g. within the range of 1 to 5 bar, such as 1.5 to 3 bar; d) a motor for driving unit 1 in rotation during beverage preparation; e) an electric control unit, in particular comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), for receiving instructions from a user via an input user-interface and for controlling the heater, pump and motor; and/or f) one or more sensors for sensing at least one characteristic selected from characteristics of fluid system including unit 1, the heater, the pump, a liquid tank, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid (e.g. by a flowmeter), a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating such characteristic(s) to the control unit.

(11) Moreover, receptacle holding unit 1 is typically associated with a beverage collection and dispensing system, e.g. as disclosed in WO 2009/106175 and WO 2010/089329.

(12) Receptacle holding unit 1 comprises: a first part 10 with a first engagement arrangement 11; a second part 20 that has a second engagement arrangement 21 pivotally movable relative to the first engagement arrangement 11 about a longitudinal axis 1 between a closed position for holding receptacle 2 in such unit 1 and an open position for inserting receptacle 2 into such unit 1 and/or for removal therefrom; and a piercing device 20C having at least one piercing element 29 for piercing receptacle 2, device 20C being assembled to and held by second part 20.

(13) Second part 20 is typically movable relative to first part 10 between a closed position (FIG. 6) for holding receptacle 2 in such unit 1 and an open position (FIGS. 1 and 4) for inserting receptacle 2 into such unit 1 and/or for removal therefrom.

(14) For instance, second part 20 is freely separable from first part 19 in the open position. Alternatively, first and second parts 10,20 may be associated with a guiding arrangement (not shown), e.g. guiding rails or slots with end-of-movement stoppers, for guiding the relative movement of first and second parts 10,20 from the open and closed position so that first and second parts 10,20 are permanently mechanically linked together during the normal use of unit 1 (excluding servicing or repairing operations involving a dismantling of unit 1).

(15) Unit 1 may further include a fastening arrangement for fastening first and second parts 10,20 together in the closed position. The fastening arrangement may comprise first engagement arrangement 11 on first part 10 and second engagement arrangement 21 on second part 20. First and second engagement arrangements 11,21 are rotationally engaged together about an axis 1 of relative rotation when the parts 10,20 are in the closed position and disengaged when parts 10,20 are in the open position.

(16) First part 10 may have a cavity 10 for containing receptacle 2 and second part 20 may form a lid or cover over cavity 10.

(17) At least one piercing element 29 is off said axis 1 and is angularly fixed relative to first part 10 about axis 1 when second engagement arrangement 21 is pivotally moved relative to first engagement arrangement 11 about axis 1 between the closed and open positions.

(18) First and second engagement arrangements 11,21 may have respective engagement surfaces that are formed as generally matching helical surfaces as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Alternatively, these surfaces may be formed as bayonet closure surfaces. In the illustrated embodiment of unit 1. First and second engagement arrangements 11,21 each bear a plurality of engagement surfaces peripherally arranged about receptacle seat 5.

(19) As illustrated by way of example, the second surfaces can be formed by helical fingers that protrude from second engagement arrangements 21. The first surfaces may be formed as corresponding openings or recesses of first engagement arrangements 11 substantially matching the shape of the fingers. Other shapes of engagement surfaces are also contemplated.

(20) Hence, mechanical connection and disconnection of first and second parts 10,20 can be achieved by relative rotation about axis 1 of the first and second engagement arrangements 11,21 into and out of the closed configuration, as shown in the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7.

(21) The fastening arrangement may further comprise a locking member 30 movable between: a locking position (FIG. 7) for preventing relative rotational movement of first and second engagement arrangements 11,21 when parts 10,20 are in the closed position; and an unlocking position (FIGS. 4, 5 and 6) for allowing relative rotational movement of first and second engagements arrangements 11,21 and engagement and disengagement thereof.

(22) Typically, the locking of a relative rotation movement between first and second parts 10,20 in the closed position prevents axial separation of first and second parts 10,20, i.e. separation of first and second parts 10,20 along the direction of axis 1 of relative rotation.

(23) Locking member 30 can be actuated into the locking and/or unlocking position manually, e.g. by pushing or pulling locking member 30, or automatically, e.g. by actuating locking member 30 by a motor (not shown) for instance via a mechanical transmission (not shown).

(24) Such a receptacle holding unit 1 may be static or dynamic during beverage preparation. For instance, receptacle holding unit 1 is arranged to rotate, e.g. centrifuged, in particular at elevated speed, e.g. above 1000 or 2000 RPM, to enhance processing of the ingredient in receptacle 2, in particular mixing thereof with a liquid circulated into receptacle 2. In the latter configuration, first and second parts 10,20 move together during beverage preparation in a manner to be angularly fixed one to another about axis 1 of relative rotation into and out of the connection configuration. Axis 1 of relative rotation of first and second parts 10,20 may be the same as or different to the axis of ingredient processing rotation of parts 10,20. For instance, parts 10,20 are rotated about axis 1 during beverage preparation by driving part 10 or part 20 by a motor, in particular into the direction of engagement of engaging surfaces 11,21 to enhance closure of parts 10,20. Typically, a motor (not shown) drives part 10 in rotation about axis 1, e.g. via connector 12. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the motor can drive part 10 about axis 1 in the clockwise direction to urges engagement arrangements 11,21 into the direction of mutual engagement.

(25) Typically, locking member 30 is arranged to intercept in the locked position (FIG. 7) at least second part 20, e.g. second engagement arrangement 21 of second part 20, to prevent relative rotation thereof in the closed position. Locking member 30 and second part 20 may include a pin 32 and a cooperating opening 22, respectively, or vice versa, pin 32 entering opening 22 to lock second part 20 in rotation about axis 1 relative to locking member 30 and first part 10.

(26) Locking member 30 can be movable between the locking position (FIG. 7) and the unlocking position (FIG. 6) along a direction generally parallel to axis 1.

(27) Locking member 30 may be configured to relatively drive first and second parts 10,20 into the closed and/or open positions as illustrated in the sequence shown in FIGS. 4 to 6a. For example, locking member 30 is used to push second part 20 during the closing movement, in particular opening 22 and pin 32 are non-aligned until the closed position is reached (FIG. 6) so that pin 32 of locking member 30 pushes second part 20. During the re-opening movement, locking member 30 may be used to pull second part 20, for example via one or more appropriate traction arms 26 extending between locking member 30 and second part 20. Traction arm 26, for instance fixed to or integral with second part 20, may allow small axial movements of locking member 30 relative to second part 20 to permit a locking movement of locking member 30 between the locking position (FIG. 7) and the unlocking position (FIG. 6).

(28) Locking member 30 can be arranged to move along a direction generally parallel to axis 1 to drive the first and second arrangements 11,21 in the engagement or disengagement position, by an axial/rotational movement conversion, in particular by a helical conversion.

(29) Hence, locking member 30 can be driven in a single linear movement, e.g. along axis 1 of relative rotation of first and second engagement surfaces 11,21, first to bring first and second parts 10,20 of holding unit 1 together, as illustrated in the sequence of FIGS. 4 to 6, and then to drive engagement arrangements 11,21 in relative rotation into the closed position as illustrated in the sequence of FIGS. 6 and 7.

(30) In an inverted actuation, locking member 30 may be driven in a single linear movement, e.g. along axis 1 of relative rotation of the first and second engagement arrangements 11,21, first to disengage these engagement arrangements by relative rotation thereof and then to separate first and second parts 10,20 of holding unit 1.

(31) Thus, a single axial movement of locking member 30 can be sufficient to bring first and second parts 10,20 together (FIGS. 4 to 5), engage engagement arrangements 11,21 (FIGS. 5 to 6) and lock engagement arrangements 11,21 in the closed position (FIGS. 6 to 7). Likewise, a single axial movement of locking member 30 may be appropriate to unlock engagement arrangements 11,21, to disengage engagement arrangements 11,21 and to separate first and second parts 10,20.

(32) Locking member 30 can thus be used as an actuator for bringing receptacle holding unit 1 from a configuration for inserting and/or removing an ingredient receptacle 2 to a configuration for processing ingredient receptacle 2 to prepare a beverage, and/or vice versa.

(33) Moreover, locking member 30 may be located away from any receptacle 2 in holder unit 1, e.g. on the outside of the first and second parts 10,20, so that locking member 30 is not, or substantially not, exposed to any fluid or pressure rise associated with the processing of receptacle 2 in holder unit 1. Thus, in such a case, locking member 30 is not noticeably exposed to any change of condition or mechanical stress due to the processing conditions of ingredient receptacle 2.

(34) As illustrated in detail in FIGS. 4a, 5a, 6a and 7a, first part 10 bearing first engagement arrangement 11 may comprise a first index, in particular a plurality of first indexes 15, and second part 20 can comprise an assembly of: a pre-positioning body 20B that bears a second index 25, in particular a plurality of second indexes; and an engaging body 20A that bears second engagement arrangement 21 and that is pivotally mounted to pre-positioning body 20B.

(35) In particular, first index 15 is arranged to cooperate with second index 25 for pre-orienting second engagement arrangement 21 relative to first engagement arrangement 11 to guide mutual engagement thereof at closure of first and second parts 10,20 as illustrated in FIG. 5a. Engaging and pre-positioning bodies 20A, 20B may be angularly biased into a relative angular orientation for guiding the mutual engagement, in particular biased by one or more springs 20AB, such as helical springs, and/or by other elastically deformable elements. Hence, when the two parts 10,20 are spaced apart, e.g. as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4a, engaging arrangements 11,21 are biased into alignment for engagement when indexes 15,25 have properly oriented parts 10,20 as illustrated in FIG. 5a.

(36) First part 10 and second part 20 may have angled or tapered first and second indexes 15,25, e.g. arrow-like or triangular-like indexes, and correspondingly counter-shaped indexes 25,15. Preferably, a plurality of indexes 15,25 are provided corresponding to a plurality of possible angular pre-positionings for guiding the mutual engagements. Hence, proper relative angular positioning of first and second parts 10,20 can be achieved geometrically by indexes 15,25.

(37) Locking member 30,32 may be arranged to intercept in the locked position (FIG. 7) at least engaging body 20A,22 to angularly block: engaging body 20A,21; prepositioning body 20B,25; and first part 10 via indexes 15 and engaging surfaces 11, so as to prevent relative rotation of first and second parts 10,20 in the locked position.

(38) At least one of first and second parts 10,20 may comprise a piercing device 20C for piercing receptacle 2. Piercing device 20C may comprise a piercer 27 associated with a liquid channel 28 for guiding a liquid into receptacle 2. Piercer 27 may be generally coaxial with axis 1.

(39) Piercing device 20C may include a piercer 29 for forming an outlet opening in receptacle 2.

(40) Piercing device 20C is assembled to second part 20 and piercing device 20C is angularly fixed relative to first part 10 when the first and second engagement arrangements 11,21 are rotationally engaging and disengaging. Piercing device 20C may be in particular angularly fixed to pre-positioning body 20B when present. Piercing device 20C comprises at least one piercer 29 that is off-axis relative to axis 1. In particular, device 20C may include a plurality of peripherally-arranged piercers 29 as illustrated in the Figures.

(41) By avoiding rotational movements of piercing device 20C during closure of the system, rotation of engaging body 20A does not drive in rotation piercing device 20C whereby receptacle 2 is not subjected to annular tearing by peripherally arranged piercers 29 when they pierce receptacle 2.

(42) Receptacle holding unit 1 is typically mounted in a beverage preparation device as discussed above.

(43) Receptacle holding unit 1 can be connected, e.g. via connector 12, to an actuator for rotatably driving unit 1 to prepare a beverage. First and second parts 10,20 of unit 1 can be rotatably driven altogether (en bloc) about an axis that is generally identical to axis 1 of rotational engagement and disengagement of first and second engagement arrangements 11,21.

(44) First part 10 or second part 20 can be actuatable by a motor to drive the unit altogether about an axis that is generally identical to axis 1, the actuated part 10 driving the other part 20 preferably in a direction of engagement of first and second engagement arrangements 11,21, e.g. clockwise driving of part 10 in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7.

(45) Receptacle 2 may be in the form of a capsule that has a flange 2, e.g. a rim, that can be secured inbetween first and second parts 10,20. The capsule may have a body 2 that is, symmetric or asymmetric, conical or frusto-conical or cylindrical or spherical or hemispherical or frusto-spherical, containing the ingredient, e.g. ground coffee, tea or cacao or another beverage ingredient.