# US 8,739,686 B2 · Capsule piercing module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,686 B2 - Document ID: US8739686B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/680,926 - Filed: 2012-11-19 - Published: 2013-06-06 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2006-05-24 - Assignees: Nestec S.A. - Applicants: Nestec S.A. - Inventors: Matthieu Ozanne; Antoine Ryser - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739686B2 ## CPC - A47J 31/407: {with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means} - A47J 31/3628: {Perforating means therefor} - A47J 31/3633: {Means to perform transfer from a loading position to an infusing position} - A47J 31/3638: {Means to eject the cartridge after brewing} - A47J 31/3676: {Cartridges being employed} - A47J 31/3695: {Cartridge perforating means for creating the hot water inlet (cartridge perforating means of the filter holder for creating the beverage outlet A47J31/0673)} - A47J 31/4403: {Constructional details} - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES ## Abstract A capsule-based beverage production machine that comprises a module designed for producing a beverage on the basis of ingredients which are contained in a capsule. The module comprises: means for retaining the capsule in a fixed position, and means for perforation of the capsule, wherein the perforation means are controlled to perforate the capsule after the capsule is retained in the fixed position by the retaining means. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for operating a beverage production system comprising a module and a capsule containing ingredients, wherein the module injects a liquid into the capsule to produce a beverage, and wherein the module comprises at least a first capsule engagement member and a co-operating second capsule engagement member, the method comprising the steps: a.) inserting the capsule in the beverage production module; b.) engaging the capsule with an at least partially conformal part of the first capsule engagement member to hold the capsule in a fixed position, and the capsule is engaged by the at least partially conformal part by moving the first capsule engagement member relative to the second capsule engagement member into a closing position; c.) using a perforation member provided by the first capsule engagement member to open the capsule after the capsule is held in the fixed position by the at least partially conformal part in step b.); and d.) displacing the first capsule engagement member relative to the second capsule engagement member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the perforation member is placed in a position selected from the group consisting of inside and outside the capsule. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the beverage production is performed while the capsule is still held in the fixed position by the conformal part in step c.). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the capsule is pre-positioned in a defined manner before it is engaged by the first and second engagement members, and the pre-position is different than the defined opening position in step c.). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising displacing the perforation member using a mechanical coupling between the first engagement member and the perforation member, to open the capsule after the capsule is retained in the fixed position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first engagement member and the perforation member are controlled by a common actuator. ### Claim 7 A method for operating a system for producing a beverage comprising a module and a capsule containing ingredients wherein the module injects a liquid into the capsule in order to produce a beverage, and wherein the module comprises at least a first capsule engagement member and a co-operating second capsule engagement member, the method comprising the following steps: inserting a capsule containing beverage ingredients into a beverage product module; engaging the capsule with an at least partially conformal part of the first capsule engagement member to hold the capsule in a fixed position, and the capsule is engaged by the at least partially conformal part by moving the first capsule engagement member relative to the second capsule engagement member; using a perforation member provided by the first capsule engagement member to open the capsule after the capsule is held in position by the at least partially conformal part; and displacing the first capsule engagement member relative to the second capsule engagement member with a combined displacement comprising a linear displacement when the first and second capsule engagement members are close together and a swiveling movement when distanced from each other. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7 further comprising moving the perforation member from a protruding position to a retracted position within the first capsule engagement member during the swiveling movement to drop the capsule from the first capsule engagement member by gravity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the perforation member is a hollow needle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising injecting the liquid into the capsule through the perforation member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, comprising displacing the first capsule engagement member with a knee-joint mechanism that connects the first capsule engagement member to a manually operable lever handle provided by the actuator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, comprising displacing the first capsule engagement member with a coupling element that connects the first capsule engagement member to a manually operable drawer provided by the actuator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the actuator moves the perforation member between a retracted position and a protruding position within the first capsule engagement member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the perforation member remains in the protruded position during an initial portion of the displacement of the first capsule engagement member to hold the capsule within the at least partially conformal part of the first capsule engagement member.