# US 2014/0150616 A1 · Piercing device for a single-dose capsule for powdered coffee and the like > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150616 A1 - Document ID: US20140150616A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/233,822 - Filed: 2012-07-18 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-21 - Assignees: Hausbrandt Trieste 1892 SPA - Inventors: Martino Zanetti - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150616A1 ## CPC - A47J 31/44: Parts or details {or accessories} of beverage-making apparatus (filters or strainers A47J31/06) - A47J 31/407: {with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means} - Y10T 83/2096: Means to move product out of contact with tool - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A piercing device (12), suitable for piercing the upper film (31) of a capsule (30) containing a material suitable for being used for preparation of a beverage, comprising a first end (14), a central body (15), and a second end (16), the first end (14) has an operating surface (18) provided with a plurality of piercing spikes (20,26) protruding from said operating surface, the device comprises furthermore disengagement means (28) on the operating surface, for disengaging the capsule once the upper film of the capsule has been pierced, thereby preventing a capsule from remaining attached to the device for piercing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Piercing device, suitable for piercing an upper film of a capsule containing a material suitable for being used for preparation of a beverage, comprising: a first end, a central body and a second end; said first end having an operating surface provided with a plurality of piercing spikes projecting from said operating surface; said second end being suitable for being grasped by a user; and disengagement means on said operating surface, said disengagement means being suitable for disengaging the capsule once the upper film of the capsule has been pierced. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The piercing device according to claim 1, wherein said disengagement means comprise: a pin sliding inside an axial duct between: a first forward position, where said pin protrudes from the operating surface; and a second retracted position, where said pin returns at least partially inside the axial duct. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The piercing device according to claim 2, wherein said pin, at an end inserted inside the axial duct, comprises a head at least partially protruding in a radial direction from said pin and suitable for cooperating with a corresponding shoulder provided inside the axial duct, said shoulder defining said first forward position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The piercing device according to claim 2, further comprising elastic means suitable for moving the pin from the second retracted position to the first forward position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The piercing device according to claim 2, further comprising elastic means suitable for moving the pin from the first forward position to the second retracted position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The piercing device according to claim 3, wherein said central body is provided with an extended side slot from which a portion of said head of said pin protrudes, said portion being movable along a longitudinal direction by a user. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The piercing device according to claim 2, wherein said central body is provided with a side slot; said pin being provided with an elastically deformable lug, having an end partly protruding from said side slot of said central body, said end being suitable for being pushed inside the axial duct and disengaged from an edge of said side slot. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The piercing device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of piercing spikes comprises first piercing spikes and second piercing spikes, wherein said first piercing spikes have a greater height than said second piercing spikes with respect to the operating surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The piercing device according to claim 8, wherein said first piercing spikes are three in number. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The piercing device according to claim 9, wherein said first piercing spikes are arranged in vicinity of peripheral rim of the operating surface, along a circumference having center on a main axis of the piercing device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The piercing device according to claim 10, wherein the first piercing spikes are arranged at 120° from one another. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Piercing kit for a capsule for powder material or like, comprising a piercing device according to claim 1, and a support element suitable for supporting a filter-holder of an espresso coffee machine. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The piercing kit according to claim 12, wherein the support element has a hollow frustoconical shape, with a first base suitable for resting on a flat surface, and a second base suitable for engagement with the filter-holder, the first base larger than the second base. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The piercing kit according to claim 13, wherein said second base comprises an edge provided with a recess suitable for engagement with a handle of the filter-holder. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The piercing kit according to claim 12, wherein said support element comprises a lug, suitable for supporting the piercing device.