Cartridge Type Patents (Class 99/295)
  • Patent number: 12245716
    Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage extraction unit (1) for extracting a beverage from an exchangeable single-serve portioned capsule (2) containing beverage ingredients and being configured with a flow restricting member for extracting capsules at different beverage pressure and flow conditions. The invention also relates to the beverage machine comprising the extraction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Nicolas Obliger
  • Patent number: 12245719
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to A beverage dispensing machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (BV) into a vessel (2). The beverage dispensing machine (1) has a upper engaging member (63) movable to a deployed position for engaging a upper portion of the vessel (2) and at least one side engaging member (68-1, 68-2) movable to a deployed position for engaging a sidewall (51) of the vessel (2). An actuating mechanism (5) is provided for deploying the upper engaging member (63) in conjunction with the at least one side engaging member (68-1, 68-2) to retain the vessel (2) in the beverage dispensing machine (1). Aspects of the present invention also relate to a vehicle having a beverage dispensing machine (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Inventors: Jeremy Smith, Taner Haker, Gary Ford, Stefano La Monaca, Albert Van Dorssen
  • Patent number: 12214955
    Abstract: In a capsule containing a substance constituted by a mass of loose, solid particles, for the preparation of a potable beverage by extracting and/or dissolving the substance by means of supplying a fluid under pressure into the capsule, a screen, permeable to water and impermeable to a predominant portion of particles of the substance is positioned between the substance and the bottom. The screen is attached to the capsule body in such a manner that the screen releases from the capsule body during brewing. A beverage brewing system comprising such a capsule and a method of use of such a capsule are described as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE DOUWE EGBERTS B.V.
    Inventor: Glen Andrew Oliver
  • Patent number: 12185864
    Abstract: A brewing unit includes a first part having a receptacle for receiving a capsule, a cartridge or a compacted pod, a second part movable relative to the first part between an open position in which the first and second parts are at a distance from each other, and a closed position in which the second and first parts are coupled to one another to define a brewing chamber. An electric motor controls movement of the second part relative to the first part. A transmission mechanism arranged between the electric motor and the first or second part comprises a movable member whose position is univocally associated with the relative position of the second part with respect to the first part. An electronic control unit controls the electric motor. A micro-switch switches between an ON operational state and an OFF operational state depending on the position of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: LUIGI LAVAZZA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Denis Rotta, Gabriele Molinaro
  • Patent number: 12167812
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine having an inlet arrangement and a gasket arrangement is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured with a plurality of inlet ports to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The gasket arrangement may include a plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of inlet ports is received within one of the plurality of openings. The gasket arrangement may be integrally formed and may include one or more ribs disposed about each of the plurality of openings. A perimeter rib may extend along a perimeter of the gasket arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Blair Mikkelsen, Steven Mackey, Joseph George Fucci, Roger Johnson
  • Patent number: 12156607
    Abstract: An inlet arrangement of a beverage forming apparatus is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The inlet arrangement includes a central inlet port and a plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central inlet port. The beverage forming apparatus has the ability to implement different dispensing operations in which dispensing occurs through selectable subsets of the inlet ports. A gasket arrangement may be used with the inlet arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Blair Mikkelsen, Steven Mackey, Joseph George Fucci, Roger Johnson
  • Patent number: 12151876
    Abstract: A portion capsule for producing a beverage. The portion capsule includes a capsule body that has a collar edge and a capsule bottom; a filter element located inside of the capsule body, the filter element is elastic, the filter element has a flange that is attached to the collar edge of the capsule body, the filter element has a bottom; and a cover attached to the capsule body. The bottom of the filter element is spaced apart from the capsule bottom such that a free space remains between the filter element and the capsule bottom. The filter element is spaced apart from the capsule bottom in such a manner that only before a liquid is applied to a beverage substrate, does the filter element not touch the capsule bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH
    Inventor: Günter Empl
  • Patent number: 12070148
    Abstract: A capsule for holding an extractable product for dispensing a beverage is disclosed. The capsule comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom, a lid, and an entrance opening portion and an exit opening portion for letting fluid in the capsule and draining prepared beverage from the capsule, respectively, of which at least one opening portion is closed to prevent fluid from passing. The circumferential wall, the bottom and the lid of the capsule enclose an inner space that comprises an extractable product, and the capsule further comprises at least one moveable portion of the capsule that extends at a distance from a respective opening portion, and that is arranged to open the respective opening portion by being moved with respect to the respective opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Kon Euan Gerard Wong, Guido Brandt, Hendrik Cornelis Koeling, Ralf Kamerbeek, Arend Cornelis Jacobus Biesheuvel
  • Patent number: 12064052
    Abstract: A beverage machine that brews beverages from a beverage pod is described. The pod is container with a top surface and a bottom surface connected by a sidewall that form a cylinder. The pod contains whole brewing elements that can be ground into sub-elements by the brewing system for brewing into a beverage. The pod is actuatable between an open state and a closed state by a breaking system of the beverage machine. In the closed state the brewing elements are contained and in the open state the elements are released. The pod includes a failure mechanism on the sidewall that is engineered to fail when the pod is actuated by a breaking mechanism of the beverage machine. When actuated the failure mechanism fails such that the beverage pod can be pulled into a top portion and a bottom portion to release the brewing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: SMART COFFEE TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Adam Teddy Eller, Erik Charles Pfleiderer, Chad Burnham Ingerick
  • Patent number: 12053114
    Abstract: A beverage cap with pressure-activate valve for use with a beverage filter press having a hollow cylinder and removable piston that when pressed downward forces liquid through the cylinder and beverage cap into an open vessel. The beverage cap includes a plurality of protrusions that are discontinuous and distributed through the cavity of the cap so as to improve filter support and distribute pressure more uniformly through the cavity and along the filter, thereby allowing use of thin paper filters and avoiding tearing or blow out. The beverage cap can include a removable valve insert that includes a valve body supporting a movable vale and one or more support members that further support the filter at a central valve region, further reinforcing the filter to avoid blow out of paper filters. The beverage cap and beverage cap are suited for pressing of tea or coffee beverages, especially espresso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: AeroPress, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Brown, Dale Woiken, Edmund Lee
  • Patent number: 12042081
    Abstract: The invention concerns filter holder for coffee machines comprising a substantially cylindrical body, inside which a perforated filter (14) is provided, the cylindrical body forming a cup-shaped container (12) for containing coffee powder, the filter holder (10) further comprising identification means for identifying the type of filter holder (10), characterized in that said identification means for identifying the type of filter holder (10) comprise at least one diametral magnet whose diametral orientation can be detected outside the filter holder (10). The invention further concerns a coffee machine and a grinder for coffee beans usable with the filter holder (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: CARIMALI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Doglioni Majer
  • Patent number: 11993505
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge system (1) for producing a drink in a drink preparation machine, comprising a cartridge (2) that has a reservoir (6) filed with a drink substance (7), and a cartridge receiver (10) that can be reversibly connected to the cartridge, said cartridge receiver (10) comprising a mixing chamber (8) and a cartridge discharge device (34) which causes at least partial transfer of the drink substance (7) from the reservoir (6) into the mixing chamber (8), and said cartridge receiver (10) comprising a fluid supply (12) which opens into the mixing chamber (8). The invention also relates to the cartridge receiver (10) of the cartridge system (1), the drink preparation machine, and the corresponding method for producing a drink (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Freezio AG
    Inventors: Marc Krüger, Günter Empl, Daniel Fischer
  • Patent number: 11980316
    Abstract: A brewing chamber works with a pod to brew 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 is designed to drain the beverage once a gap is formed between an extension of an internal filter that is peelably coupled with a rim of the outer container. The brewing chamber is adapted to hold the pod in a substantially horizontal orientation where a hook slides to separate the extension from the rim to form the gap and the hook is tucked away so that the beverage may drain from the pod unobstructed by the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Inventors: Sung Oh, Guoyong Ye
  • Patent number: 11944230
    Abstract: System for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, the system comprising an exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B) having a cup-shaped body (6A, 6B) and a lid (12A, 12B) and comprising an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a first brew chamber part (18) having a cavity for holding the exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B) and a second brew chamber part (20) for closing the first brew chamber part (18) to form a brew chamber (16). The second brew chamber part (20) has a sealing member (36, 37) for providing a liquid sealing engagement between the second brew chamber part (20) and the lid (12A, 12B) of the exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B). The sealing member (36, 37) comprises an air purge groove (40) forming an air purge opening between the sealing member (36, 37) and the lid (12A, 12B) of the capsule for allowing air in the brew chamber (16) to escape to an exterior of the apparatus while pressurised liquid is supplied into the brewing chamber (16) for preparing the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Joeke Noordhuis, Andrea Favero, Judith Margreet Hanneke Ogink, Johan Van Toor, Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff, Jarno Beekman
  • Patent number: 11925286
    Abstract: A system for producing beverages from single-serve capsules; the system includes a capsule including a cup-shaped container with a flange, and a brewing assembly including a pressurized water injection assembly and a beverage extraction assembly relatively movable from and towards a closed configuration, in which the injection and extraction assemblies define therebetween a brewing chamber for the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignees: SAGA COFFEE S.P.A., KONINKLIJKE DOUWE EGBERTS
    Inventor: Andrea Castellani
  • Patent number: 11882959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an interactive beverage system and method comprised for the consumption of a beverage sample by a user before purchasing more of the same or a similar beverage. The interactive beverage system and method provide the user with a beverage data allowing the user to learn about nutritional facts, production details, ingredients, how the beverage was made, interact with the beverage manufacturer, and much more by positioning digital processing devices in various positions relative to a linking article. The linking article of the present invention serves to transmit, actively or passively, an input to the user's digital processing device resulting in a beverage data being displayed to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Johan Eide
  • 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: 11840397
    Abstract: A beverage brewing cartridge includes a base including a sidewall having first and second open ends and a cover sealed to a rim of the first open end, and a plug configured to be inserted into the second open end. The cartridge is configured to hold beverage brewing material when the plug is inserted. The cover is configured to be breached to allow pressurized liquid to enter the cartridge to brew a beverage. The plug includes weakened areas configured to open after the pressurized liquid enters the cartridge to allow the beverage to flow from the cartridge. A method of constructing the cartridge includes placing the base in a holder, inserting a portion of brewing material into the base through the second open sidewall end, tamping the brewing material in the base through the second open sidewall end, and inserting the plug into the second open sidewall end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventor: Adrian Rivera
  • Patent number: 11827446
    Abstract: In a capsule containing a substance constituted by a mass of loose, solid particles, for the preparation of a potable beverage by extracting and/or dissolving the substance by means of supplying a fluid under pressure into the capsule, a screen, permeable to water and impermeable to a predominant portion of particles of the substance is positioned between the substance and the bottom. The screen is attached to the capsule body along attachment zones spaced from the center and circumferentially spaced from each other. A beverage brewing system comprising such a capsule, a method of use of such a capsule and a method of attaching a screen into a capsule body are described as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventor: Glen Andrew Oliver
  • Patent number: 11751718
    Abstract: A beverage brewing system having, inter alia, a brew hopper, a hydraulic siphoning component affixed thereto and a solenoid-actuated door switch mechanism. The beverage brewing system includes a hydraulic siphoning component configured to allow hot water to bloom and steep for a controlled amount of time in a brew hopper. The beverage brewing system further includes a brew-hopper agitation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Bojie, Todd Jones, Larry Robertson
  • Patent number: 11745936
    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: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: CAFFITALY SYSTEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Accursi, Roberto Fini
  • Patent number: 11702276
    Abstract: A portion capsule for producing a beverage. The portion capsule includes a capsule body that has a collar edge and a capsule bottom; a filter element located inside of the capsule body, the filter element is elastic, the filter element has a flange that is attached to the collar edge of the capsule body, the filter element has a bottom; and a cover attached to the capsule body. The bottom of the filter element is spaced apart from the capsule bottom such that a free space remains between the filter element and the capsule bottom. The filter element is spaced apart from the capsule bottom in such a manner that only before a liquid is applied to a beverage substrate, does the filter element not touch the capsule bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH
    Inventor: Günter Empl
  • Patent number: 11690472
    Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus (1) for brewing infusion material, said infusion material being hold in a filtering packet (2), said apparatus comprising: —a brew container (11) configured for holding water and a filtering packet of infusion material, and 10—a basket (12) configured for holding the filtering packet and configured for being hold in the brew container, and—an actuator (13) to rotate the basket inside the brew container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Flavien Florent Dubief
  • Patent number: 11684198
    Abstract: The beverage brewing device, which is configured for use with a beverage brewer having an inlet probe for dispensing water and an outlet probe, includes a body defining a brew chamber configured to contain a dry beverage medium and at least one outlet probe receptacle extending upwardly from a bottom surface of the body. The outlet probe receptacle is sized and configured to receive an outlet probe of a beverage brewer. A lid is removably securable to the body and is engageable with the body to selectively enclose a top opening of the body. An inlet probe opening is defined in the lid for receiving an inlet probe of the beverage brewer. At least one filter is defined within in the body, wherein the filter is configured to retain a dry beverage medium within the brew chamber while allowing a brewed beverage to pass through the brew chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Eko Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald R. DeMiglio, Mark J. Staudacher, Randall C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11638498
    Abstract: The filter (6, 13) for a filter holder cup (2) of a coffee machine, including a cup body (6) having a bottom wall (7) provided with a dispensing hole (8) for dispensing infused coffee and a side wall (9) that bounds a compartment (10) with the bottom wall (7), inside the compartment (10) a separating filtering wall (13) being further positioned between an upper housing chamber (14) housing coffee powder and a lower dispensing chamber (15) for dispensing the infused coffee including said dispensing hole (8), inside said dispensing chamber (15) a filtering element (17) is provided to protect said dispensing hole (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: De'Longhi Appliances S.r.L.
    Inventors: Giovanni Rossetto, Maurizio Casasola
  • Patent number: 11626703
    Abstract: A device for stripping a cable is provided. The device includes an extraction chamber and a pusher mounted with an ability to move in the extraction chamber between a rest position and a deployed position. A distal end of the extraction chamber is closed by a flange including a slot. The pusher pushes on the cable in order to press the cable against the slot in the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SILEC CABLE
    Inventors: Abdou-Karim Top, Didier Lagneau, Christophe Casuc
  • Patent number: 11622646
    Abstract: A beverage producing apparatus configured to produce a beverage using an extraction target as a raw material, includes: a housing configured to form an exterior of the beverage producing apparatus; a control unit configured to control each producing operation of the beverage producing apparatus; and an operation unit configured to accept an operation of an operator. The housing includes a transmissive portion configured to make an interior of the housing visible from an outside. The control unit can control each producing operation in an automatic mode or a manual mode. In the automatic mode, each producing operation is automatically controlled in accordance with a condition set in advance. In the manual mode, each producing operation is controlled in accordance with an operation for the operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Daito Giken, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaishun Kihara, Taisuke Torizu
  • Patent number: 11617459
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of tea brewing devices, and more particularly, to a beverage brewing device. The beverage brewing device comprises a kettle body, a heating disc, and a tea-leaf basket. The heating disc and the tea-leaf basket are located in the kettle body and an air cylinder mechanism is fixed in the kettle body. A moving piston is arranged in an inner cavity of the air cylinder mechanism, and the piston is connected to the tea-leaf basket. The air cylinder mechanism is connected to an air pump, which is used for conveying a driving gas to the air cylinder mechanism. The piston is driven by the driving gas, thereby driving the tea-leaf basket to move in the kettle body. The air cylinder mechanism may automatically drive the tea-leaf basket to move up and down, achieving a simple structure and a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventors: Jiangang Guo, Peng Ji
  • Patent number: 11612269
    Abstract: A system for mixing and dispensing a beverage is provided including a disposable pod containing a solute therein, inflow puncturing cap defining a plurality of spikes extending therefrom, an outflow puncturing cap defining a plurality of puncturing spikes extending therefrom and a translation mechanism for receiving the pod, translating the inflow puncturing cap towards the pod to puncture the pod upper surface and seat the pod proximate the outflow cap spikes. Heated, pressurized solvent fluid is injected into the pod, wherein the solvent and solute mix, causing the pod lower surface to expand against, and be punctured by the outflow puncturing cap spikes. The pod material, and pod thickness may be selected to allow puncture of the pod lower surface after a preferred brewing period has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Giancarlo Fantappié
  • Patent number: 11607073
    Abstract: Proposed is a device for producing a beverage, more particularly a cold beverage, comprising a cartridge mount having a cartridge holder for holding a cartridge filled with a beverage substance, wherein: the cartridge holder has a receiving opening; the cartridge holder has a water supply for introducing water into the cartridge and a compressed air supply for introducing compressed air into the cartridge; the cartridge holder can be transferred between a loading position, in which the cartridge can be inserted into or removed from the receiving opening, and an operating position, in which a beverage can be produced in the cartridge and dispensed from a beverage outlet of the cartridge by the introduction of the water and the compressed air into the cartridge and by the interaction of the water with the beverage substance; the cartridge holder has a first holding element and a second holding element between which the receiving opening is formed; the first holding element is moveable in relation to the second
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: FREEZIO AG
    Inventors: Marc Krüger, Günter Empl, Daniel Fischer
  • Patent number: 11603304
    Abstract: A beverage pod for a beverage machine is provided. The beverage pod can include a container having an internal space and a container flange defining an opening to the internal space, a plug sealing the opening of the container, and a cap secured to the container flange. A beverage medium can be located within the internal space of the container. The cap can be operable to selectively engage a portion of the plug to release the beverage medium through the plug and the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Bedford Systems LLC
    Inventors: Ian Scott Rice, Catherine Fox, Daniel J. Place, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro
  • Patent number: 11564527
    Abstract: A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (100) has a beverage directing guide (10), an evacuation guide (20) and an actuator (30). The directing guide (10) is movable between a dispensing position and a non-dispensing position. The directing guide (10) is configured to deliver beverage (100) or waste liquid (101) into the evacuation guide (20) towards the placing area (2) or towards the waste collector (3). The directing guide (10) is movable relative to the evacuation guide (20). The evacuation guide (20) is actuated by the actuator (30) to act on the directing guide (10) so as to move the directing guide (10) towards at least one of the dispensing position and the non-dispensing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Jurgen Kristlbauer
  • Patent number: 11534019
    Abstract: A beverage machine that brews beverages from a beverage pod is described. The pod is container with a top surface and a bottom surface connected by a sidewall that form a cylinder. The pod contains whole brewing elements that can be ground into sub-elements by the brewing system for brewing into a beverage. The pod is actuatable between an open state and a closed state by a breaking system of the beverage machine. In the closed state the brewing elements are contained and in the open state the elements are released. The pod includes a failure mechanism on the sidewall that is engineered to fail when the pod is actuated by a breaking mechanism of the beverage machine. When actuated the failure mechanism fails such that the beverage pod can be pulled into a top portion and a bottom portion to release the brewing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Smart Coffee Technology
    Inventors: Adam Teddy Eller, Erik Charles Pfleiderer, Chad Burnham Ingerick
  • Patent number: 11540359
    Abstract: An electronic vaping device includes a housing, a planar heater, a heater support, a tank, and a wick. The housing extends in a longitudinal direction and has a tip end and a mouth-end. The tip end is closed and the mouth-end has an opening therein. The heater support supports the planar heater. The tank contains a pre-vapor formulation and is configured to slide into and out of the opening of the mouth-end of the housing. The wick extends from the tank and is configured to be in contact with the planar heater when the tank is inserted in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Peter Lipowicz
  • Patent number: 11534017
    Abstract: The beverage brewing device, which is configured for use with a beverage brewer having an inlet probe for dispensing water and an outlet probe, includes a body defining a brew chamber configured to contain a dry beverage medium and at least one outlet probe receptacle extending upwardly from a bottom surface of the body. The outlet probe receptacle is sized and configured to receive an outlet probe of a beverage brewer. A lid is removably securable to the body and is engageable with the body to selectively enclose a top opening of the body. An inlet probe opening is defined in the lid for receiving an inlet probe of the beverage brewer. At least one filter is defined within the body, wherein the filter is configured to retain a dry beverage medium within the brew chamber while allowing a brewed beverage to pass through the brew chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Eko Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald R. DeMiglio, Mark J. Staudacher, Randall C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11517136
    Abstract: A machine (1) has a unit for preparing and dispensing via an outlet (36) a beverage. The machine includes: an outside housing (30) with one or more outside faces (30a,30a?,30b,30c,30d); and at least one placement member (30e) for resting onto a generally flat external support surface (5) in a configuration such that the unit is in an orientation for preparing and dispensing the beverage via the beverage outlet (36) to a beverage dispensing surface (5,37). At least one placement member (30e) is movable and has: a deployed placement position providing a stability of the unit in this orientation on the external support surface (5); and a retracted rest position within the outside housing (30) or collapsed against the outside housing (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Da Mi Byun, Bertrand Guyon, Marco Magatti, Eric Meyer, Nicolas Obliger
  • Patent number: 11517138
    Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable cartridge filled with a single serve portion of a liquid ingredient to be combined with a base liquid for the preparation of a liquid product, e.g. a beverage concentrate to be combined with water, e.g. carbonated water, for the preparation of a beverage suitable for human consumption. The cartridge comprises a vertically extending channel that extends to a dispensing aperture in the bottom of the cartridge and one or more dispensing passages extending between a reservoir and the outside of the cartridge. The dispensing passages are provided with outlet openings located adjacent the aperture such that the base liquid and the liquid ingredient are dispensed in parallel flows, the liquid ingredient subsequently coating the exterior of the stream of base liquid, such that actual mixing of the liquid ingredient and base liquid only takes place after both have been dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Apiqe Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jasper Jacobus Van De Sluis, Roland Waldemar Verbeek
  • Patent number: 11497346
    Abstract: A back-blush cleaning container may have a spring-biased piston that allows the container to fill with hot water when attached to a group head of the espresso machine. When the hot water of the espresso machine is turned off, the piston due to the spring urges the hot water out and back through a 3-way valve to clean the espresso machine. The backflush cleaning container also may have a steam conduit that allows steam from a steam wand of the espresso machine to clean the group head, 3-way valve and tubes. Moreover, the container may have a window which based on the position of the piston, a particular color is shown. The colors indicate whether the container is safe to remove from the group head of the espresso machine and when the container is full of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Strategic Exits LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Weber
  • Patent number: 11472629
    Abstract: The invention relates to a single-portion package (1) for producing a beverage from a beverage concentrate, comprising a closable concentrate container (2) for holding the beverage concentrate. According to the invention, the single-portion package (1) has an extraction and mixing device (3), comprising: an extraction means (4a, 4b) for extracting the beverage concentrate from the concentrate container (2), a mixing chamber (5) for preparing the beverage from the beverage concentrate extracted from the concentrate container (2) and from a mixing liquid that can be supplied, an inlet (6) for letting the mixing liquid into the mixing chamber (5), and an outlet (7) for letting the beverage out of the mixing chamber (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: FREEZIO AG
    Inventor: Rolf Mühlemann
  • Patent number: 11459168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a single-portion package (1) for producing a beverage from a beverage concentrate, comprising a closable concentrate container (2) for holding the beverage concentrate. According to the invention, the single-portion package (1) has an extraction and mixing device (3), comprising: an extraction means (4a, 4b) for extracting the beverage concentrate from the concentrate container (2), a mixing chamber (5) for preparing the beverage from the beverage concentrate extracted from the concentrate container (2) and from a mixing liquid that can be supplied, an inlet (6) for letting the mixing liquid into the mixing chamber (5), and an outlet (7) for letting the beverage out of the mixing chamber (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: FREEZIO AG
    Inventor: Rolf Mühlemann
  • Patent number: 11453548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a single-portion package (1) for producing a beverage from a beverage concentrate, comprising a closable concentrate container (2) for holding the beverage concentrate. According to the invention, the single-portion package (1) has an extraction and mixing device (3), comprising: an extraction means (4a, 4b) for extracting the beverage concentrate from the concentrate container (2), a mixing chamber (5) for preparing the beverage from the beverage concentrate extracted from the concentrate container (2) and from a mixing liquid that can be supplied, an inlet (6) for letting the mixing liquid into the mixing chamber (5), and an outlet (7) for letting the beverage out of the mixing chamber (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: FREEZIO AG
    Inventor: Rolf Mühlemann
  • Patent number: 11447329
    Abstract: A capsule (1) having 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. The second construction element (3) presents a passageway wall (4) provided as a recess region and surrounded in at least most part of respective perimeter by a weakened material region (41) provided as a reduction of thickness in the upstream side and downstream side of said passageway wall (4). The capsule is used with an apparatus for preparing edible products comprising at least one brewing device (10) presenting injection means (13) adapted so that exert a mechanic pressure upon the passageway wall (4) on a region of the passageway wall (4) opposite to the region of weakened material region (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: NOVADELTA—COMÉRCIO E INDÚSTRIA DE CAFÉS S.A.
    Inventors: Rui Miguel Nabeiro, Joao Andre De Figueiredo Branco, Jesus Medina Mundt
  • Patent number: 11451002
    Abstract: A device for stripping a cable is provided. The device includes an extraction chamber and a pusher mounted with an ability to move in the extraction chamber between a rest position and a deployed position. A distal end of the extraction chamber is closed by a flange including a slot. The pusher pushes on the cable in order to press the cable against the slot in the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: SILEC CABLE
    Inventors: Abdou-Karim Top, Didier Lagneau, Christophe Casuc
  • Patent number: 11439269
    Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus for preparing a beverage from a single-serve capsule, the beverage brewing apparatus comprises a capsule holder to receive a capsule in a brewing position, and an injection unit to perforate a capsule in the brewing position and to feed a brewing fluid into the capsule; the injection unit comprises a pair of hollow needles designed to supply respective flow rates different from each other, and an actuator to bring, during a beverage production cycle, only one of the two needles to an operating position, in which the needle perforates the capsule and injects a certain amount of brewing fluid into the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Gruppo Gimoka S.r.l.
    Inventor: Massimiliano Valsecchi
  • Patent number: 11369226
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a support element for beverage brewing material includes providing water-permeable material to form a concave holder configured to receive the material, with a rim formed around an upper periphery. The method can include providing the material with fold lines, forming the holder from a single piece of the material, and shaping the holder into an open state. Preparing a beverage includes unfolding the support element to form a receptacle, adding the brewing material to an interior, and providing a flow of fluid through the material. An empty container includes filter material formable as a receptacle having has a bottom and sidewalls with folds defining an interior, and a rim at a top edge. The receptacle has a circular cross-section and a diameter of between about 30 mm and about 50 mm and/or a depth of between about 1 mm and about 15 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventor: Adrian Rivera
  • Patent number: 11369227
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a beverage dispenser and a beverage brewing method. The beverage dispenser is formed with a liquid chamber, a brewing chamber, a heating chamber that can heat up liquid, and a pressure chamber that can pressurize the liquid. The liquid chamber, the heating chamber, the pressure chamber, and the brewing chamber form a circulating liquid circuit, in which the liquid formed in the liquid chamber enters into the heating chamber. The liquid is heated in the heating chamber and then enters into the pressure chamber. The liquid is pressurized in the pressure chamber and then enters into the brewing chamber, and then flows out of the brewing chamber and enters into the liquid chamber. The beverage dispenser and the beverage brewing method provided in the present disclosure overcomes the drawbacks of manually adding hot water and manually pressurizing for producing beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGDONG MIDEA CONSUMER ELECTRICS MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Guojun Zhu
  • Patent number: 11363907
    Abstract: A machine for preparing a beverage from a capsule includes a capsule extraction seat, an inlet arrangement for guiding water into the seat and a dispensing arrangement for guiding beverage out of the seat. The dispensing arrangement has a face delimiting a downstream part of the seat, the face bearing one or more raised elements that project upstream and that are configured for forming one or more beverage outlet openings in the outlet membrane of the capsule in the seat. The raised element(s) are fixed relative to or integral with the face and include at least one controllable raised element. The face is associated with an opening control arrangement configured to control the formation of the outlet opening(s) in the outlet membrane by the controllable raised element. The opening control arrangement has at least one neutralizing member that is movable between an operative position and a rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Nicolas Obliger
  • Patent number: 11350784
    Abstract: Described herein includes a puncture mechanism for a beverage appliance or machine that can be configured to puncture a pod containing a beverage medium (e.g., a flavoring agent). The puncture mechanism can be configured to induce lateral movement of one or more engagement members to securely hold a beverage pod. The puncture mechanism can be configured to induce relative axial movement between an anvil and the secured beverage pod to puncture a seal of the beverage pod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: BEDFORD SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Timothy MacLean, Travis Nevers, Charlie O'Neill, Hallam Arthur William Collings, George William Arthur Wells, Benjamin Latham Lawson, Daniel Luke Coveney, Andrew James Stratton
  • Patent number: 11337543
    Abstract: A container includes a receptacle and a cover. The receptacle includes a base and a sidewall. The base has an interior surface and a passageway in an interior area of the base. The passageway provides fluid communication from an interior of the receptacle to an exterior of the receptacle. The sidewall extends upward from the interior surface of the base. The cover is configured to sealingly engage with a top edge of the sidewall, and includes a cover opening. The container is configured to accept input fluid through the cover opening and to provide a corresponding outflow of fluid through the passageway. The passageway allows the outflow fluid to flow from the container while accommodating an outflow needle of a beverage brewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Adrian Rivera
  • Patent number: 11337542
    Abstract: A brewing module for preparing a brewed drink from a portion capsule includes a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part which is movable relative to this between a first brewing module part position and a second brewing module part position. An operating element is further present, the operating element being able to be brought manually from a first into a second operating element position. The brewing module has an energy store which is configured, by way of moving the operating element from the first into the second position, to intermediately store energy which is coupled into the brewing module and, activated by a release, to convert it again into a movement from the first brewing module part position into the second brewing module part position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TCHIBO GMBH
    Inventor: Friedrich Kroos