Beverage forming device and method with moving beverage cartridge holder
AssigneeKeurig Green Mountain, Inc.
InventorsGeoffrey Y. Smith, James E. Shepard, Ian Tinkler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for receiving, moving and holding a cartridge. A cartridge holder may be movable between an open position in which the cartridge holder is in an upwardly inclined orientation to receive a cartridge and a closed position in which the cartridge holder is in a downwardly inclined orientation. A cover may be arranged to at least partially cover the opening of the cartridge holder with the cartridge holder in the closed position, yet be positioned away from the opening with the cartridge holder in the open position.
Claims38
A beverage forming system comprising:
- a frame arranged to support portions of the beverage forming system;
- a cartridge holder movably mounted to the frame and having an opening to receive a cartridge, the cartridge holder arranged to hold and move a cartridge between an open position in which the opening of the cartridge holder is oriented in an upwardly inclined position to receive the cartridge, and a closed position in which the opening is oriented in a downwardly inclined position;
- a cover arranged to at least partially cover the opening of the cartridge holder with the cartridge holder in the closed position, the cover being positioned away from the opening with the cartridge holder in the open position;
- an inlet arranged to provide fluid to a cartridge held by the cartridge holder in the closed position for the formation of a beverage;
- and
- an outlet arranged to receive a beverage from a cartridge held by the cartridge holder in the closed position.
A beverage forming system comprising:
- a frame arranged to support portions of the beverage forming system;
- a cartridge holder movably mounted to the frame and having an opening to receive a cartridge, the cartridge holder arranged to hold and move a cartridge pivotally between an open position and a closed position;
- a cover arranged to at least partially cover the opening of the cartridge holder with the cartridge holder in the closed position, the cover being positioned away from the opening with the cartridge holder in the open position such that an axis that is perpendicular to a plane of the opening and extends away from the opening does not intersect the cover, and the cover being arranged to move pivotally with the cartridge holder in at least a portion of the cartridge holder movement between the open and closed positions;
- and
- an inlet arranged to provide fluid to a cartridge held by the cartridge holder in the closed position for the formation of a beverage.
A beverage forming system comprising:
- a frame arranged to support portions of the beverage forming system;
- a cartridge holder movably mounted to the frame and having an opening to receive a cartridge, the cartridge holder arranged to hold and move a cartridge between an open position and a closed position;
- a cover arranged to at least partially cover the opening of the cartridge holder with the cartridge holder in the closed position, and the cover being positioned away from the opening with the cartridge holder in the open position;
- and
- an inlet arranged to provide fluid to a cartridge held by the cartridge holder in the closed position for the formation of a beverage,
- wherein the cartridge holder and cover are arranged so that pushing down on the cartridge holder relative to the frame moves the cartridge holder relative to the frame from the open to the closed position and causes the cover to at least partially cover the opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.