Patents by Inventor Ralf Kamerbeek

Ralf Kamerbeek has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11939143
    Abstract: A system, method and capsule are usable for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product is disclosed. The system includes an exchangeable capsule, and an apparatus including a receptacle for holding the exchangeable capsule, and a fluid dispensing device for supplying a fluid to the exchangeable capsule. The exchangeable capsule includes a circumferential wall, a bottom, and a lid. The wall, bottom and lid enclose an inner space comprising the extractable product. The capsule includes an exit area to allow draining from the prepared beverage from the capsule there through, wherein the exit area comprises a filter layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Kamerbeek, John Henri Flamand, Angenita Dorothea van Loon-Post, Hendrik Cornelis Koeling
  • Patent number: 11866249
    Abstract: Capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage, the capsule having an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises a projection. An annular trough between the inner projection foot and the side wall has a bottom axially spaced from the outer projection foot towards the bottom of the capsule body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Kamerbeek, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Hielke Dijkstra, Erik Pieter Van Gaasbeek
  • Patent number: 11851268
    Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed using a closing member of the beverage preparation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Hielke Dijkstra, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Erik Pieter van Gaasbeek, Marc Henrikus Joseph Ottenschot, Ralf Kamerbeek, Armin Sjoerd Eijsackers, John Henri Flamand, Andrew Michael Halliday, Nicholas Andrew Hansen
  • Patent number: 11844453
    Abstract: The document describes an assembly of a capsule and brew chamber for a beverage preparation machine. The brew chamber has a first brew chamber part including a cavity for the capsule, and knives for piercing the capsule. The aluminum capsule body is frusto conical shaped and has a bottom, a side wall, a flange and a lid for closing the capsule. The flange is configured to be held between the first and a second brew chamber part, to provide a seal cooperating with a rim of the brew chamber parts. The bottom includes a slanted wall portion under an angle with a longitudinal axis through the capsule, and configured for cooperating with the knives which engage therewith upon closing of the brew chamber. This enables centering of the capsule relative to the central axis of the brew chamber prior to piercing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts N.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Kamerbeek, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Hielke Dijkstra, Erik Pieter Van Gaasbeek
  • Publication number: 20230391541
    Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a beverage has an aluminum capsule body and a cover sheet hermetically closing off the capsule. The capsule body has a flange with a deformable sealing ring portion with an inner wall portion extending from and contiguous with an inner base portion of the flange, an outer wall portion extending from and contiguous with an outer base portion of the flange and a bridge portion interconnecting the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion. The bridge portion is located axially spaced from the base portions of the flange. In radial cross-sectional view, a top of the bridge portion axially most remote from the base portions of the flange is flat or has a center plane curved with a radius of curvature larger than two times a wall thickness of the top of the bridge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Hielke Dijkstra, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Erik Pieter Van Gaasbeek, Marc Henrikus Joseph Ottenschot, Ralf Kamerbeek, Armin Sjoerd Eijsackers, John Henri Flamand
  • Patent number: 11772883
    Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which is provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member comprises a separate crushable element provided on the surface of the outwardly extending flange opposite the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Hielke Dijkstra, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Erik Pieter van Gaasbeek, Marc Henrikus Joseph Ottenschot, Ralf Kamerbeek, Armin Sjoerd Eijsackers, John Henri Flamand
  • Patent number: 11760561
    Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a beverage has an aluminum capsule body and a cover sheet hermetically closing off the capsule. The capsule body has a flange with a deformable sealing ring portion with an inner wall portion extending from and contiguous with an inner base portion of the flange, an outer wall portion extending from and contiguous with an outer base portion of the flange and a bridge portion interconnecting the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion. The bridge portion is located axially spaced from the base portions of the flange. In radial cross-sectional view, a top of the bridge portion axially most remote from the base portions of the flange is flat or has a center plane curved with a radius of curvature larger than two times a wall thickness of the top of the bridge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Hielke Dijkstra, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Erik Pieter van Gaasbeek, Marc Henrikus Joseph Ottenschot, Ralf Kamerbeek, Armin Sjoerd Eijsackers, John Henri Flamand
  • Patent number: 11673738
    Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange. The capsule is hermetically closed by an aluminum cover attached to the outwardly extending flange. The capsule further comprises a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The capsule further comprises an elastic support structure, which is attached to an outer cover surface of said cover. In a condition, in which the capsule is freely resting with said elastic support structure on a fully straight reference surface, the elastic support structure provides a spacing between the outwardly extending flange and said reference surface, said spacing being constant all around in the circumferential capsule direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Hielke Dijkstra, Erik Pieter Van Gaasbeek, Ralf Kamerbeek, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Marc Hendrikus Joseph Ottenschot
  • Publication number: 20230096075
    Abstract: The document describes an assembly of a capsule and brew chamber for a beverage preparation machine. The brew chamber has a first brew chamber part including a cavity for the capsule, and knives for piercing the capsule. The aluminum capsule body is frusto conical shaped and has a bottom, a side wall, a flange and a lid for closing the capsule. The flange is configured to be held between the first and a second brew chamber part, to provide a seal cooperating with a rim of the brew chamber parts. The bottom includes a slanted wall portion under an angle with a longitudinal axis through the capsule, and configured for cooperating with the knives which engage therewith upon closing of the brew chamber. This enables centering of the capsule relative to the central axis of the brew chamber prior to piercing thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Ralf Kamerbeek, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Hielke Dijkstra, Erik Pieter Van Gaasbeek
  • Publication number: 20230087885
    Abstract: Capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage, the capsule having an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises a projection. The sealing member comprises a single annular projection comprising a projection top projecting from an inner projection foot radially outside of a flat inner flange portion extending between the capsule body side wall and the projection and an outer projection foot radially inside of a flat outer flange portion extending between the projection and the curled outer edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Ralf Kamerbeek, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Hielke Dijkstra, Erik Pieter Van Gaasbeek
  • Patent number: 11540659
    Abstract: The document describes an assembly of a capsule (5) and brew chamber (3) for a beverage preparation machine. The brew chamber (3) has a first brew chamber part (7) including a cavity (10) for the capsule (5), and knives (11) for piercing the capsule (5). The aluminum capsule body (15) is frusto conical shaped and has a bottom (20), a side wall (21), a flange (22) and a lid (17) for closing the capsule (5). The flange (22) is configured to be held between the first and a second brew chamber parts (7, 8), to provide a seal (30) cooperating with a rim of the brew chamber parts (7, 8). The bottom (20) includes a slanted wall portion (35) under an angle with a longitudinal axis through the capsule (5), and configured for cooperating with the knives (11) which engage therewith upon closing of the brew chamber (3). This enables centering of the capsule (5) relative to the central axis of the brew chamber (3) prior to piercing of the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Kamerbeek, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Hielke Dijkstra, Erik Pieter Van Gaasbeek
  • Publication number: 20220289471
    Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which is provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The capsule comprises a bearing for the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device, said bearing enclosing at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Hielke DIJKSTRA, Arend Hendrik GROOTHORNTE, Erik Pieter van GAASBEEK, Marc Henrikus Joseph OTTENSCHOT, Ralf KAMERBEEK, Amin Sjoerd EIJSACKERS, John Henri FLAMAND
  • Patent number: 11401106
    Abstract: A capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage with a beverage brewing device is disclosed. The beverage brewing device comprises a receptacle for receiving the capsule. The capsule comprises a cup comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom closing the circumferential wall at a first end, and a lid in use connected to the cup at a second end of the circumferential wall opposite the bottom. The wall, bottom and lid, in use, enclose an inner space comprising the extractable product. At least a portion of a surface of the capsule conceived to, in use, interact with the receptacle is provided with at least one projection for forming a sealing engagement with the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Kamerbeek, John Henri Flamand, Angenita Dorothea van Loon-Post, Hendrik Cornelis Koeling, Arend Cornelis Jacobus Biesheuvel
  • Patent number: 11352199
    Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which is provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The capsule comprises a bearing for the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device, said bearing enclosing at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Hielke Dijkstra, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Erik Pieter van Gaasbeek, Marc Henrikus Joseph Ottenschot, Ralf Kamerbeek, Armin Sjoerd Eijsackers, John Henri Flamand
  • Publication number: 20220097955
    Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Hielke DIJKSTRA, Arend Hendrik GROOTHORNTE, Erik Pieter van GAASBEEK, Marc Henrikus Joseph OTTENSCHOT, Ralf KAMERBEEK, Armin Sjoerd EIJSACKERS, John Henri FLAMAND, Andrew Michael HALLIDAY, Nicholas Andrew HANSEN
  • Publication number: 20220073268
    Abstract: System for preparing a potable beverage. The system may include a first capsule and an alternative second capsule, a first beverage preparation device and a second beverage preparation device, each arranged for receiving either the first capsule or the alternative second capsule. The first capsule and the alternative second capsule each include a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with the first enclosing member if the capsule is used in the first beverage preparation device. There is no sealing interface between the first capsule and the second enclosing member for providing a fluid sealing during use, and there is a sealing interface between the alternative second capsule and the second enclosing member for providing a fluid sealing contact during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventor: Ralf Kamerbeek
  • Publication number: 20220073269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for preparing a beverage from a capsule using a fluid supplied under pressure into the capsule comprising a beverage preparation device having an enclosing member with an annular element having a free contact end and a capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a beverage. The capsule comprises a sealing member having the shape of a step. i.e. a sudden increase of the diameter of a side wall of the capsule. The sealing member comprises a floor portion extending over an engagement distance and a side wall portion extending in a direction away from the floor portion. The engagement distance of the floor portion is such that the floor portion engages the free contact end of the annular element over its breadth if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is moved relative towards a capsule holder of the beverage preparation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventor: Ralf Kamerbeek
  • Publication number: 20220073267
    Abstract: System for preparing a potable beverage, including a capsule, a first beverage preparation device and a second beverage preparation device, each arranged for receiving the capsule. The capsule including a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with the first enclosing member if the capsule is used in the first beverage preparation device. There is a first sealing interface between the capsule and the first enclosing member for providing a fluid sealing contact if the capsule is positioned in the first enclosing member and the first enclosing member is closed by means of the first closing member, and there is a second sealing interface between the capsule and the second enclosing member for providing a fluid sealing contact if the capsule is positioned in the second enclosing member and the second enclosing member is closed by means of the second closing member, the second sealing interface being different than the first sealing interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventor: Ralf Kamerbeek
  • Publication number: 20220055827
    Abstract: Capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage, the capsule having an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises a projection. An annular trough between the inner projection foot and the side wall has a bottom axially spaced from the outer projection foot towards the bottom of the capsule body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Ralf KAMERBEEK, Arend Hendrik GROOTHORNTE, Hielke DIJKSTRA, Erik Pieter VAN GAASBEEK
  • Patent number: 11198557
    Abstract: Capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage, the capsule having an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises a projection. An annular trough between the inner projection foot and the side wall has a bottom axially spaced from the outer projection foot towards the bottom of the capsule body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Kamerbeek, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Hielke Dijkstra, Erik Pieter Van Gaasbeek