Foraminous Material Infusion Type, Or Foraminous Container Per Se Patents (Class 426/77)
  • Patent number: 11964814
    Abstract: A capsule for use in a beverage preparation machine capable of making a beverage with a foam. The capsule comprising an ingredient chamber for containing an ingredient for preparing the beverage and at least one gas reservoir containing gas. The at least one gas reservoir having an opening within the capsule, the opening adjacent a flow path for liquid through the capsule such that the gas reservoir is in fluid communication with the flow path, the at least one gas reservoir arranged such that, in use, liquid flowing past the opening entrains gas from the gas reservoir to form a foam-like mixture of gas and liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Nihan Dogan
  • Patent number: 11903514
    Abstract: A single-serve pod brews a beverage and drains the beverage from the pod without being obstructed by the brewing mechanism to substantially avoid contaminating the beverage and brewing mechanism. The pod has a proximal end and a distal end, where the heated water enters the pod in the proximal end to extract the beverage from the beverage ingredient within the filter and the beverage exits through the distal end of filter where the flow of the beverage is controlled by one or more retainer walls to slow the flow of beverage along the distal end of the pod, and the beverage is redirected to flow towards the proximal end of the pod where it drains between a gap formed during the brewing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventors: Sung Oh, Guoyong Ye
  • Patent number: 11877688
    Abstract: A brewing device for producing a beverage from two differently sized capsules; the brewing device comprising two parts opposite and mutually movable between an open or loading position of a capsule and a closing or brewing position, one of the two parts defined by a cup-shaped body formed by a first portion and by a second portion defining between them a seat designed to receive the capsule during a movement of the cup-shaped body towards the closing position; the second portion designed to slide with respect to the first portion between a smaller seat position and a larger seat position due to the interaction with the larger capsule during the movement of the cup-shaped body towards the closing position; and a blocking device provided to define, in the closing position, a constraint to keep the second portion still only when the second portion is in the normal smaller seat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: SGL ITALIA S.R.L. CON UNICO SOCIO
    Inventor: Andrea Bertolina
  • Patent number: 11873521
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to: determine the structure of a novel steviol glycoside which is detected from species containing a large amount of Reb. C (also referred to as dulcoside B), and a trace amount of which is capable of influencing the quality of taste; and understand the taste characteristics of said steviol glycoside. The present invention provides a compound represented by formula (1) or a salt thereof, or a hydrate thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SUNTORY HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazunari Iwaki, Katsuro Miyagawa, Eiichiro Ono, Tadayoshi Hirai, Misa Ochiai, Koji Nagao, Soichiro Urai, Takehiro Watanabe, Kohki Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 11864684
    Abstract: Refillable pod can be reused to brew a beverage with a single-serve brewer. The refillable pod has a funnel at about six O'clock position near the front of the cap to drain the beverage without substantially coming to contact the brewing mechanism. The refillable pod may have a handle which can be used by the user to insert the refillable pod into the brewer so that funnel can be positioned at about six O'clock position within the brewing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Sung Oh
  • 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: 11832756
    Abstract: Described are a method and a system for the production of beverages by means of a capsule (C1, C2, C3, C4) and a container (A) adapted to house the capsule during the production. The capsule comprises a reinforcement ring (102, 202, 302, 402) which comprises a side wall (103, 203, 303, 403) and a ledge (104, 204, 304, 404) protruding from the side wall. A seal is provided between at least a portion of the side wall of the reinforcement ring and at least a portion of the inner surface (17) of the side wall (5) of the container so as to avoid the leak of the beverage from the interface between the reinforcement ring and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: AROMA SYSTEM S.R.L.
    Inventors: Gino Rapparini, Maurizio Generali
  • Patent number: 11820586
    Abstract: A beverage system for producing a coffee or tea beverage that includes a beverage machine that includes: a holder configured to receive and support a portion capsule, and a pump controlled to push water into the capsule to produce the beverage. The portion capsule includes a metal cover attached to a metal base element. The cavity has a plurality of ribs that are radially spaced, vertically oriented, and configured to extend toward a central portion thereof. The ribs are free from extending all the way to a bottom of the cavity. The base element has a side wall with an electrically conductive section and radially spaced and vertically oriented grooves, the grooves being free from extending all the way to a bottom of the base element and are also free from extending all the way to a region of the side wall that is immediately adjacent to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH
    Inventor: Marc Krüger
  • Patent number: 11780670
    Abstract: A beverage system for producing a coffee or tea beverage that includes a beverage machine that includes: a holder configured to receive and support a portion capsule, and a pump controlled to push water into the capsule to produce the beverage. The portion capsule includes a metal cover attached to a metal base element. The cavity has a plurality of ribs that are radially spaced, vertically oriented, and configured to extend toward a central portion thereof. The ribs are free from extending all the way to a bottom of the cavity. The base element has a side wall with an electrically conductive section and radially spaced and vertically oriented grooves, the grooves being free from extending all the way to a bottom of the base element and are also free from extending all the way to a region of the side wall that is immediately adjacent to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH
    Inventor: Marc Krüger
  • Patent number: 11745450
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a beverage capsule with an outer sealing ring comprised of elastic material involves the following steps: (a) providing a capsule body with a peripheral, flange-like edge for attaching a sealing film; (b) providing a sealing ring comprised of elastic material and adjusted to the flange-like edge; (c) placing the sealing ring and the capsule body in a capsule mount of a sealing device for sealing the capsule body with the sealing film, with the sealing ring arranged between the capsule mount and the flange-like edge of the capsule body; (d) filling the capsule body with a beverage substrate; and sealing the capsule body with the sealing film and simultaneously fastening the sealing ring to the flange-like edge using the sealing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Dätwyler Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Matthias Soddemann, Sebastian Walker
  • Patent number: 11730306
    Abstract: A beverage brewing system works with a pod to brew low, medium and high pressure beverages in hot and/or cold format such as coffee and espresso served hot or over ice. The beverage ingredient may be packed within a filter which is enclosed by a container to hermetically seal the filter. The filter has a predetermined number and sized holes to control the pressure within the filter to brew low, medium, and high pressure beverages. The filter is releasably sealed to the container where separating the filter from the container forms a gap to allow the beverage formed within the pod to drain via the gap and directly pour into a mug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Sung Oh
  • Patent number: 11667465
    Abstract: A single-serve capsule for making a beverage, having: a base element with a cavity, in which a raw beverage material is provided, the base element is made of a biodegradable material, a flange extending outwardly from the base element, the flange comprising a top side and an opposing bottom side, and a cover that is fastened to the top side of the flange to close the cavity, the cover is made of a same material as the base element. The single-serve capsule is free of a filter, and has an identifier, which makes it possible to individualize the respective single-serve capsule, the identifier is provided on the bottom side of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH
    Inventor: Marc Krüger
  • Patent number: 11666063
    Abstract: A method for preparing cold coffee involves placing ground coffee in a maceration basket, which is mounted in a maceration tank, and subjected the coffee to maceration by recirculated flow of maceration fluid pumped under pressure by a circulating pump to a hydrating head mounted centrally to the maceration basket. Preferably the maceration basket is completely immersed in the maceration fluid. A device for preparing cold coffee is also disclosed, the device has a maceration tank, in which a maceration basket 1 for ground coffee is operationally mounted. The maceration basket is formed as a cylinder having a hollow center column dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the hydrating head. A circulating pump circulates the maceration fluid under pressure, from the maceration tank, via the hydrating head and the ground coffee batch disposed in the maceration basket back into the maceration tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Hard Beans Sp. z o.o.
    Inventors: Rafal Matejuk, Dariusz Andrzejewski, Waldemar Jamnicki, Krzysztof Barabosz, Maciej Duszak, Marcin Kucia, Tomasz Kalla, Artur Porada, Katarzyna Porada, Krzysztof Jaciw, Pawel Jaczewski, Filip Bartelak, Piotr Stanislawski, Katarzyna Jop
  • Patent number: 11613422
    Abstract: An improved beverage cartridge is provided for use in forming a beverage in a beverage machine that provides a pressurized liquid. The cartridge includes a container having an interior space, a lid that accommodates an inflow of the pressurized liquid, and a filter arranged to contain a beverage medium arranged to interact with a liquid to form the beverage. The cartridge also includes annular disc shaped capsule configured for placement within the container. The capsule has a hollow interior chamber that contains a beverage medium and an open bottom that is sealed closed by a membrane. The membrane is configured to selectively provide fluid communication between the space inside the container and the chamber allowing liquid introduced into the container to flow into the capsule's chamber. The membrane is also pierceable by the beverage machine to accommodate an outflow of the liquid flowing into the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: NovusFlow LLC
    Inventors: Victor M. Aviles, Carlos Alvarez, Reed Spivey, Ross Cooke
  • Patent number: 11603259
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a capsule (1) presenting at least one first construction element (2) configured in a container-like shape, and a second construction element (3) configured in a lid-like shape, adapted so as to contain an individual portion of an edible substance, whereby said second construction element (3) presents a passageway wall (4) that is surrounded in at least most part of respective perimeter by a weakened material region (41) provided as a reduction of thickness in at least one of the upstream and downstream sides of said passageway wall (4), and that presents a projection element (7) adapted so that can be actuated mechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: NOVADELTA—COMÉRCIO E INDÚSTRIA DE CAFÉS S.A.
    Inventors: Rui Miguel Nabeiro, Joâo André De Figueiredo Branco, Jesús Medina Mundt
  • Patent number: 11583133
    Abstract: A method for preparing a beverage from a substance contained in a capsule is provided. The method includes rotationally driving the capsule at an adjustable rotational speed while feeding liquid into the capsule and draining the beverage produced in the capsule by a beverage draining means. Flow resistance of the beverage draining means is modified by at least one valve, and a state of the at least one valve is controlled by external valve operating means to modify the flow resistance of the beverage draining means while draining the beverage. The external valve operating means applies a force from outside the beverage draining means, and a magnitude of the force is not based on the beverage flowing inside the beverage draining means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Niklaus Hugi
  • Patent number: 11576521
    Abstract: A device to provide in-line flavor for water or other liquid stored in a container. An example device includes a body having a cylindrical shape chamber formed therein, and an opening on a first end of the body. A cartridge holder fits within the chamber of the body and retains a flavoring therein for the water or other liquid. The cartridge holder has a plurality of openings for the water or other liquid to flow through. When a user drinks from the drinking end, the water or other liquid flows from the container and through the housing and mixes with a flavoring from the cartridge holder before being drawn through to the drinking end so that the user drinks a flavored water or other liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventor: Mary P. Hancock
  • Patent number: 11559077
    Abstract: A carrier, apparatus and method for making an aerosol precursor liquid suitable for aerosolized delivery by a device such as an electronic cigarette. A carrier is fluid permeable and comprises a tobacco-derived medium for carrying a functional component, the medium being configured to release the functional component into a fluid to provide an aerosol precursor liquid infused with the functional component. A method for mixing an aerosol precursor liquid for aerosolized delivery of a functional component by an aerosol delivery device comprises bringing the tobacco-derived medium carrying the functional component into contact with fluid and allowing the fluid to saturate the medium to thereby cause the medium to release the functional component into said fluid to form an aerosol precursor liquid infused with the functional component. A receptacle comprising a chamber for the carrier is provided for mixing the aerosol precursor liquid. Example functional components include nicotine and nicotine salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Nerudia Limited
    Inventors: Chris Lord, David Newns, David Jones
  • Patent number: 11548671
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for filling single-serve biodegradable coffee pods. In one embodiment, a single-serve pod will include an outer shell defining an interior of the pod, a filter containing a product to be brewed, and a film lid at a top of the pod; and a filter support that supports an upper filter support portion counter the force of a filter that expands and thereby applies a downward pressure on the upper filter support portion during a brewing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: GORBY LLC
    Inventors: George Gorbatenko, Charles Roth, Chris Zwettler
  • Patent number: 11390454
    Abstract: A capsule for holding ingredients for the production of a beverage has a capsule body, which is at least partly covered on a top side of the capsule by a cover and which surrounds a first chamber for holding a first ingredient. In addition, the capsule has a chamber wall, which surrounds a channel-shaped cavity, which extends from the top side of the capsule to a bottom side of the capsule. The capsule further has a valve element, with which a first outlet opening of the first chamber can be opened at the chamber wall by a rod inserted into the cavity from the top side of the capsule, so that the ingredients can flow from the first chamber via the cavity and out of the capsule at the bottom side of the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Glaesser, Peter Nober, Evgeni Rehfuss
  • Patent number: 11191286
    Abstract: A capsule for use in a brewing device is provided, comprising a body part, which defines a cavity and which has a flange, a lid which is attached to the flange and tea material enclosed within the capsule, characterized in that the shape of the flange is defined by two intersecting circular arcs when viewed from above. A brewing device which comprises a capsule holder for receiving the capsule is also provided, the capsule holder comprising a sidewall which is circular when viewed from above and which has an upper rim, a shelf on at least part of the inside of the sidewall, a filter and an openable and closable passage on the opposite side of the filter from the upper rim. A method of preparing a tea-based beverage in the brewing device using the capsule is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Cristian Simion Popa, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon, Terence John Wilby
  • Patent number: 11097889
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a capsule (1) for making a beverage, containing a powdered food substance (8) which enables a beverage to be made by passing water through it. The capsule (1) comprises a cup-shaped containment body (2), in turn comprising a tubular lateral wall (21) and a bottom portion (22), and a closing element (29) that closes the top of the containment body (2). The bottom portion (22) has a dispensing hole (26) and the containment body (2) defines a containment chamber (20) inside itself. A filtering element (3) is mounted in the containment chamber (20) and is positioned between the powdered food substance (8) and the bottom portion (22). A dispensing element (5) is mounted in the containment chamber (20) and is positioned between the filtering element (3) and the bottom portion (22). The dispensing element (5) is intended to create a tortuous path for the beverage that flows towards the dispensing hole (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: CAFFITALY SYSTEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Accursi, Roberto Fini
  • Patent number: 11040824
    Abstract: A process is provided for making a beverage capsule for use in a beverage preparing machine. The process includes the steps of: sealing a filter to an interior surface of a body for the beverage capsule to define an ingredients chamber; depositing a desired volume of desired ingredients into the ingredients chamber; and sealing a cover to the body to cover the opening. The cover is sealed to the body to define a hinge zone and a peel zone, wherein the hinge zone has a stronger seal than the peel zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: 2266170 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Liberatore Trombetta, Yucheng Fu
  • Patent number: 11014737
    Abstract: Capsules are provided which include a cup-shaped body and a lid which closes the cup-shaped body superiorly. The cup-shaped body includes a side wall and a bottom wall. The bottom wall has at least one outlet opening for the beverage to flow out of the capsule. The cup-shaped body also includes a retaining wall defining inferiorly an intermediate compartment containing the infusion product. The retaining wall includes an impermeable layer and is spaced from the bottom wall so as to define with the latter a lower compartment. The impermeable layer is configured to autonomously tear, due to the pressure reached in the intermediate compartment following the introduction of pressurized hot water into the capsule. Because tearing of the impermeable layer can take place without interaction with perforating elements, the filter element does not tear, and is therefore able to fully perform its filtering action for the entire duration of the preparation process of the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Macchiavelli S.R.L.
    Inventor: Raffaele Rondelli
  • Patent number: 11001436
    Abstract: A beverage cartridge and method for forming a beverage cartridge. An outer cup may be made of paper and a polymer liner provided at the inner space of the cup. The liner may define an interior space that is closed by a lid, and the liner and lid may be impervious to moisture and gases, e.g., to protect a beverage material in the interior space. A filter may be attached to the liner and/or lid, and the liner may be peelably removable from the cup. The liner, filter and/or lid may be removable together from the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley Michael Marcinkowski
  • Patent number: 11000148
    Abstract: A beverage brewing package includes a cup and a sealant film. The cup may be formed by a thermoforming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Conant, Debra R. Wilson, Yucheng Peng
  • Patent number: 10988307
    Abstract: A disposable capsule for use in beverage machines is disclosed. The capsule has a hollow, cup-shaped body adapted to receive a measured dose of a syrup, a liquid or a powder concentrate. The hollow body has an insert housed therein which includes a disc-shaped portion and a stem which stretches out axially from the top of the disc-shaped portion. The stem has an axial through cavity which defines a channel for the dispensing of a beverage. The through cavity includes an inlet formed at an end of the stem located close to the cover of the capsule and an outlet formed at the opposite end of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: IMPER S.P.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Stefanoni
  • Patent number: 10940986
    Abstract: The invention concerns a biodegradable container (1) for single dose or multi-dose administration of beverages by injecting a fluid solution, under pressure through a preparation, said biodegradable container (1) comprising: a body (2) having a base (21), a side wall (22) and an opening (23) opposite to said base (21), said body (2) forming a chamber for containing said preparation; and an upper part (3) coupled to said body (2) in such a way as to obstruct said opening (23) and prevent the escape of said preparation, said biodegradable container (1) being characterized by comprising reinforcement means (4) associated with said side wall (22), and configured to oppose resistance to pressure acting on said biodegradable container (1) during the injection of said fluid solution under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventor: Matteo Rossomando
  • Patent number: 10934514
    Abstract: A filter assembly for separating microcarriers from a fluid medium includes a collapsible container bounding a sterile compartment adapted to hold a fluid. An inlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows into the compartment. An outlet port is attached to the container through which fluid flows out of the compartment. A filter is disposed within the compartment, the filter dividing the compartment into an inlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the inlet port and an outlet chamber that is fluidly coupled with the outlet port, the filter allowing a medium to pass therethrough but preventing microcarriers disposed in the medium from passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy K. Larsen, Jon Q. Coleman, David S. Rowley
  • Patent number: 10918236
    Abstract: A capsule for producing a liquid food item includes a capsule body and two chambers for holding two substances. One chamber contains a perforation element for perforation of the capsule body. An anvil for a punch of a device into which the capsule can be inserted is provided on the perforation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: LigaLife GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Burkhard Schäling, Stefan Schönenberger, Dominic Zwicker, Cyrill Baur
  • Patent number: 10875706
    Abstract: Pad for use in a coffee machine for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving which pad, for use in the coffee machine, is adapted to receive an aqueous fluid that is supplied under pressure so that the aqueous fluid is forced through the pad for obtaining the at least on part of the beverage serving that then exits the pad. The pad includes a covering defining an interior space that is filled with a beverage preparation product for preparing the beverage wherein the beverage preparation product includes a product soluble in an aqueous fluid. The covering comprises a flexible first sheet and a rigid shell, wherein the first sheet and the shell are connected to each other around their perimeter edges, and wherein the shell is equipped with at least one outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Christiaan Johannes Maria Moorman
  • Patent number: 10820741
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Da Mi Byun, Souleymane Diouf, Ian Guy, Stefan Kaeser
  • Patent number: 10800600
    Abstract: Capsule for the preparation of a beverage comprising a container and a beverage ingredient contained therein, wherein the container comprises a code (65) adapted for being identified or read by external reading means (62), wherein the code is arranged on the container to be read while the capsule is rotated around an axis of rotation traversing the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Jarisch, Alexandre Perentes, Stefan Kaeser, Carlo Magri, Arnaud Gerbaulet, Thomas Kaeser, Daniel Abegglen
  • Patent number: 10717574
    Abstract: It is described a capsule (10) for dispensing a beverage comprising: a main body (20) suitable for containing a product (P) to be dispensed, which comprises a bottom (22) and a side wall (24), extending from said bottom (22) and ending with an edge (26); a closing member (30) suitable for sealably closing said main body (20); and at least one first valve means (40) suitable for allowing the beverage to come out from the capsule (10) or for allowing a liquid to enter into the capsule (10). The main body (20) is made from cellulose pulp, the closing member (30) is made from biocompatible material and the capsule (10) further comprises a first sealing film made from edible material comprising at least one salt of alginic acid (23) and positioned inside said bottom (22) of the main body (20) at least at said at least one first valve means (40). It is also described a method for manufacturing a capsule for dispensing a beverage, as defined above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventors: Paolo Gualandi, Gabriele Degli Esposti
  • Patent number: 10583947
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for filling capsules with loose material and for their sealing, in which the plates equipped with a plurality of housings designed to accommodate respective capsules are carried on after another, by conveyor devices, to a plurality of operating stations, at each of which the capsules relative to each plate are subjected to respective manipulations by at least one manipulating device; the plates being supported in a removable manner by the conveyor means, and at each operating station there being a device for locking the plates which can be activated by a management unit, for stopping at least one plate at a time at the operating station for a predetermined time for it to be manipulated by at least one manipulating device and for releasing at least one plate at a time at the end of the manipulating of the at least one manipulating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: G.D S.P.A.
    Inventor: Fulvio Boldrini
  • Patent number: 10548427
    Abstract: An extraction sheet having high machinability in the manufacture of an extraction filter for beverages and an extraction filter using the same and having high handling property is provided. The extraction sheet includes a layer including a meltblown nonwoven fabric that is formed from fibers of a polylactic acid-based resin having a crystallinity of 9.0% or lower and a fiber diameter of 15.0 ?m or smaller and that has a basis weight of 2.0 to 30.0 g/m2, and a layer including a spunbonded nonwoven fabric that is formed from fibers of a polylactic acid-based resin having a crystallinity of 30.0 to 60.0% and a fiber diameter of 35.0 ?m or smaller and that has a basis weight of 5.0 to 30.0 g/m2. The extraction sheet has a bending hysteresis of 5.0×10?3 to 14.5×10?3 gf·cm/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: OHKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoko Yamaguchi, Yoko Mitani, Ryosuke Hayami
  • Patent number: 10543979
    Abstract: A beverage preparation capsule containing a beverage preparation ingredient, having a body with side walls formed from one or more substantially air- and liquid-impermeable sheet materials defining a chamber containing a beverage preparation ingredient and further defining an outlet channel having an upstream end in fluid communication with the chamber for escape of beverage from the chamber. At least a region of the outlet channel is filled by a filtration material for filtering the beverage escaping from the chamber. Also provided is a clamp assembly for preparing a beverage from such a capsule, the clamp assembly comprising two or more clamp members, wherein an inner wall of at least one of the clamp members comprises a concave base surface for receiving the capsule and one or more pressure pads projecting from the concave base surface for selectively constricting a region of the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Lavazza Professional North America, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Austin, Paul Fletcher, David Knowles, Sam Hyde
  • Patent number: 10517425
    Abstract: The invention refers to a pack (10) for preparing food or beverage products comprising: at least one container (10?) having an inner volume where at least one base ingredient for the preparation of the food or beverage product is stored, said inner volume being defined by sheets of material joined to one another at their edges; a fitment assembly (20) through which the food or beverage product is delivered, and identification 10 means (30) comprising the information on the food or beverage product to be prepared; the identification means (30) being arranged in the fitment assembly (20), particularly in a free area of the fitment assembly (20) where they can be reliably read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Alexandre Perentes, Youcef Ait Bouziad
  • Patent number: 10472165
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portion capsule for producing a beverage, comprising a capsule body (2), which has a capsule bottom (3) and a filling side (4), wherein a cavity (100) for accommodating a powdery or liquid beverage substrate (101) is formed between the capsule bottom (3) and the filling side (4), wherein a filter element (7) is arranged between the beverage substrate (101) and the capsule bottom (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH
    Inventor: Gunter Empl
  • Patent number: 10455974
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a kit of at least two capsules (11) each for containing at least one specific food ingredient, the capsules being adapted to be alternatively functionally inserted in the brewing cavity of a food preparation machine (1) for the preparation of a multi-ingredient food product, characterized in that each capsule in the kit (11) comprises at least one deformable portion (17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 38) that is deformed when said capsule is inserted into the machine cavity, and/or when said cavity is closed, so that at least one machine operational parameter is set by detection of the reaction force on the machine cavity by the deformed deformable portion, said kit being further characterized in that different capsules in the kit comprise deformable portions with different predetermined mechanical properties so as to customize the machine brewing functional parameters to each capsule inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Christian Talon
  • Patent number: 10457432
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing packages of infusion products, such as a bag filled with a dosed quantity of a product, a tag and a length of thread attached at opposite ends to the bag and to the tag respectively, includes a forming group of the filled bag, a feeding group of the formed bag and of the tag, a cutting and feeding group of the length of thread, and a sewing head of the length of thread to the bag and to the tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Daniele Coi, Giacomo Noferini, Stefano Nanni
  • Patent number: 10450130
    Abstract: A cartridge for preparation of a beverage comprising: a closed container defining a container volume; a filter to divide the container volume into an ingredient chamber volume and a filtrate volume; a beverage medium located in the ingredient chamber volume; and a guard element located in the filtrate volume; wherein the guard element is separately-formed from the closed container and located within the filtrate volume to define an outlet zone, the guard element being interposed between the filter and the outlet zone; wherein the guard element is configured to prevent encroachment of the filter into the outlet zone such that on piercing of a piercing surface of the cartridge by a piercing element of a beverage preparation apparatus the piercing element is enabled to be placed in fluid communication with the outlet zone without the piercing element contacting the guard element or filter. Associated methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R & D, Inc.
    Inventor: Nick Andrew Hansen
  • Patent number: 10442610
    Abstract: A single-serve beverage cartridge including a generally hollow body portion having a chamber, a sidewall, a first end, and a second end. A beverage component or precursor can be positioned in the chamber. Further, the second end can include at least one restricting orifice that can facilitate the creation of a predetermined amount of pressure in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Adam Mekeel Mack, Philipe Roget Manoux
  • Patent number: 10433579
    Abstract: A fleece for a smokeless tobacco pouch is disclosed. The fleece comprises a material and at least one thread attached to said material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventor: Michele Mola
  • Patent number: 10421604
    Abstract: The invention refers to a pack (10) for preparing food or beverage products comprising: at least one container (10?) having an inner volume where at least one base ingredient for the preparation of the food or beverage product is stored, said inner volume being defined by sheets of material joined to one another at their edges; a fitment assembly (20) through which the food or beverage product is delivered, and identification means (30) comprising the information on the food or beverage product to be prepared; wherein the identification means (30) are arranged at least on one side of the edges of the container with respect to the fitment assembly (20), the identification means (30) being further arranged in the vicinity of said fitment assembly (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Alexandre Perentes, Youcef Ait Bouziad
  • Patent number: 10279985
    Abstract: A granulated nutritional supplement dispensing machine extracts single-serving doses from a multi-serving supplements cartridge for delivery as a drinkable solution. A lead serving chamber is pierced so that its powered contents drain into a mixing cup together with a metered quantity of water from an integrated water tank. A vibrator unit assists drainage of the granulated materials from the lead serving chamber. The mixing cup is rotated at high speed to blend the water and supplements into a slurry. The supplements cartridge is indexed after (or before) use so that an unopened serving chamber is presented each time for extracting its supplements. This enables partially-used supplements cartridges to be used in the machine, as is conducive in multiple-user households. The supplements cartridge is configured with read-write data capability to indicate whether or not the contents of each serving chamber have been emptied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Life Boost, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted Matthew Mills, Jeffrey Thomas Linton, Chase Ryan Linton
  • Patent number: 10273077
    Abstract: A capsule (1) including a casing (2) having first and second end walls (3, 4) spaced one from the other and interconnected by a lateral wall (5) having an essentially annular shape, and defining an internal chamber (6) containing an amount or dose of a substance (7) for the preparation of a beverage. The casing (2) has at least one first and at least one second permeable or pierceable wall portion (5a, 4a), acting as inlet and outlet, respectively, for the introduction of a flow of water into said chamber (6) and the outflow of the beverage from said chamber (6), respectively. An inlet wall portion (5a) for the introduction of water into the chamber (6) is provided in the annular lateral wall (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: LUIGI LAVAZZA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alfredo Vanni, Alberto Cabilli
  • Patent number: 10252853
    Abstract: A capsule for the preparation of a beverage from a powdery or granular raw material comprises a body of polymeric material, provided with a seat suitable for containing the powdery or granular raw material. The seat has an opening provided with a top edge. The capsule is characterized in that it comprises a permeable foil provided on the top edge for closing the opening of the seat; and a first sealing foil provided on said permeable foil and suitable for being removed before using the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: HAUSBRANDT TRIESTE 1892 S.P.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Zanetti
  • Patent number: 10188237
    Abstract: A machine (1) comprises a frame (1?) and a capsule handling device (1?) mounted in and/or on the frame (1?). The device (1?) has a first part (10) and a second part (20) that is movable relatively to the frame (1?) from a transfer position for inserting and/or removing said capsule (2a,2b) to an extraction position for extracting such capsule and vice versa. The second part (20) comprising: a capsule receptacle (21) delimiting a cavity (21?) for receiving such capsule (2a,2b) and for forming in the extraction position an extraction chamber (21?) with the first part (10); and a first portion (21a) and a second portion (21b) that are relatively movable between a first relative position and a second relative position to change at least one dimension (21da,21db,21ha,21hb) of the cavity (21?) and of the extraction chamber (21?). The device (1?) further comprises an actuator (30,300) connected to the second part (20) for driving the movable second part (20) between the transfer position and the extraction position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Enzo Bonacci, Jean-Marc Flick
  • Patent number: 10173834
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a beverage capsule (300) comprising a capsule body (301) defining a cavity (302) in communication an open end (304), an injection wall (303) enclosing the cavity (302), a partition dividing the cavity (302) into an injection space (306) and a product space (307) which has at least one channel (311) configured to retard fluid flow between the two spaces, a rupturing means (309) within said injection space (306) configured to rupture said injection wall when deflected into said cavity (302), and a quantity of a beverage ingredient (308) within said product space (307); characterized in that it comprises a sealing support (312) disposed about said rupturing means (309), projecting from said partition (305) towards said injection wall (303), having a sealing surface (313) proximal to said injection wall (303), and configured to contact said injection wall (303) when it is deflected into said cavity (302) of said capsule body (301).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Christian Talon