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AssigneeNewco Enterprises, Inc.
InventorsDavid L. Brandsma, Joseph P. Webster
Estimating the term…
A single cup capsule brewing machine which incorporates a device for automatically brewing and dispensing single cups of coffee, or other beverages, the device containing a receptacle for receiving a single serve capsule, a housing for raising or lowering onto the capsule, and process the capsule during various sequences of operation of the brewing machine, an upper housing raising or lowering onto the capsule to attain sequential piercing of the capsule through an inlet probe and then an outlet probe, and for preparing a hot beverage for individual consumption, and then a lower housing that moves along an arc to provide for alignment of the capsule for a brewing cycle, or for shifting forwardly for interconnection of a capsule in preparation of a brewing cycle, or for shifting the capsule rearwardly for its disposal after performance of a brewing cycle.
A single cup capsule brewing machine for incorporation within a vending machine and which incorporates an upper housing, a lower housing supported by the upper housing, said lower housing having a capsule supporting structure therein, and provided for holding the capsule during brewing, said upper housing, and lower housing, in addition to any capsule held by the lower housing, are maintained in angular alignment with the vertical during a brewing operation, said upper housing including an upper cam means, a piercing inlet probe supported by the upper housing for vertical shifting through the operations of the upper housing cam means, a spring means for biasing against the capsule and to hold it in position as the upper piercing probe pierces the top of the capsule, and upon further downward movement of the upper housing compressing said spring means and causing the bottom of the capsule to be pierced by a lower piercing outlet probe, an upper motor operatively associated with the upper housing to pivot the upper cam means during its sequence of operations, the lower housing capable of pivoting within the upper housing, between a capsule piercing and brewing procedure when the lower housing is maintained in alignment with the upper housing, and a lower motor pivoting said lower housing rearwardly to provide for spring biased ejection of the spent capsule after completion of a brewing cycle, a lower cam operatively associated with the lower housing, and provided for pivoting the lower housing and its held capsule rearwardly for disposal after completion of a brewing cycle, wherein the upper inlet probe initially pierces the top of the located capsule, and gas supply operatively associated with the mechanism and provided for injecting a pressurized gas into the capsule during its upper probe piercing, to maintain the structural integrity of the capsule during the piercing process, and subsequently the lower outlet probe pierces the bottom of the capsule in preparation for performance of a brewing cycle.
A single cup capsule brewing machine for incorporation within a vending machine and which incorporates an upper housing, a lower housing supported by the upper housing, said lower housing having a capsule supporting structure therein, and provided for holding the capsule during brewing, said upper housing including an upper cam means, a piercing inlet probe supported by the upper housing for vertical shifting through the operations of the upper housing cam means, a spring means for biasing against the capsule and to hold it in position as the upper piercing probe pierces the top of the capsule, and upon further downward movement of the upper housing compressing said spring means and causing the bottom of the capsule to be pierced by a lower piercing outlet probe, an upper motor operatively associated with the upper housing to pivot the upper cam means during its sequence of operations, the lower housing capable of pivoting within the upper housing, between a capsule piercing and brewing procedure when the lower housing is maintained in alignment with the upper housing, and a lower motor pivoting said lower housing rearwardly to provide for spring biased ejection of the spent capsule after completion of a brewing cycle wherein the upper inlet probe initially pierces the top of the located capsule, and gas supply operatively associated with the mechanism and provided for injecting a pressurized gas into the capsule during its upper probe piercing, to maintain the structural integrity of the capsule during the piercing process, and subsequently the lower outlet probe pierces the bottom of the capsule in preparation for performance of a brewing cycle, said mechanism including a lift arm attached to the lower housing and incorporating a lift spring provided for lifting and expelling of said spent beverage capsule to disposal after completion of a brewing cycle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.