Brewing device for producing a beverage from single-serve capsules or pods

Abstract

A brewing device for producing a beverage from a single-serve capsule in the form of a capsule or pod, comprising at least one piercing device to pierce the capsule, and comprising a plate and a plurality of piercing elements protruding from the plate; the plate is provided with holes for the flow of liquid and each piercing element has the shape of a blunt tip delimited by a lateral surface and a top surface which, together with the lateral surface, forms a cutting edge; the top surface is the result of the intersection between the relevant piercing element and a virtual spherical surface and the shape of the cutting edge is substantially bilobed and is formed by two convex portions separated by two concave portions which are symmetrical.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese Patent Application No. 202080037818.4, filed on March 20, 2020, entitled "Brewing Apparatus for Producing Beverages from Single Capsules". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a brewing apparatus for producing a beverage from a single capsule containing brewable material.

[0003] Specifically, the invention can be advantageously applied to the use of capsules consisting of two pieces joined together around a certain amount of brewable material (e.g., ground and compressed coffee) to define a shell consisting of a circular central portion containing the brewable material, and the flat circular flange surrounding and sealing the central portion. Background Technology

[0004] This disclosure makes specific reference, without excluding general reference, to capsules (also called pods or pads) of this type, which are typically made by heat-sealing two filter paper sheets or two aluminum sheets, or by joining multiple layers of material containing at least an aluminum layer.

[0005] In the latter case (i.e., in the case of a pod with an aluminum shell), the stiffness associated with the shell material provides the capsule with a so-called self-fixing structure, which means that the body of the pod, in particular the flange of the pod, is too stiff so that the pod can withstand a certain degree of load without bending or deforming, a load much higher than that of a filter paper capsule.

[0006] More specifically, due to the inherent strength of aluminum and because the radial width of the flange is typically much smaller than the diameter of the central portion of the pod, it is known that the flange of an aluminum pod is rigid enough to not deform when the pod is placed in an upright position (standing upright on the flange).

[0007] Because aluminum acts as a barrier against oxygen and other external media such as moisture and powder, it protects the brewable material from aroma evaporation and flavor degradation. This type of capsule has the advantage of being sealed and does not require storage in a protected environment, such as inside a sealed shell.

[0008] Conversely, during use, these sealed capsules need to be punctured to create channels within the aluminum shell, allowing injected hot pressurized water to enter through the surface of the capsule and allowing the beverage to flow out from the opposite surface. Therefore, the brewing device must be equipped with a suitable puncture mechanism, which inevitably increases the mechanical and functional complexity of the brewing device.

[0009] As is known, there are different types of brewing devices on the market that are designed to receive a single pod as described above.

[0010] One type of brewing device includes a horizontally structured brewing device, i.e., a brewing device consisting of two parts mounted to move relative to each other along a horizontal axis between a spacer configuration and a connecting configuration, in which the two parts are pressurized, one of them pressing against the other and defining a brewing chamber between the two parts suitable for receiving a previously loaded pod.

[0011] Compared with other types of brewing devices, the horizontal structure of the brewing device has several advantages. Specifically, it can utilize the advantage of gravity to load new pods between the two parts of the brewing device by gravity, and especially once the beverage dispensing process is completed and the two parts of the brewing device have returned to the aforementioned spacing configuration, the depleted pods are discharged from the brewing chamber by gravity.

[0012] As is known in the coffee machine industry, horizontally structured brewing devices are preferred when they are designed for use with capsules other than pods (i.e., with cup-shaped pods consisting of a relatively rigid cup-shaped body enclosed by a membrane of a pierceable material (usually aluminum). In these cases, the cup-shaped shape and relative rigidity and strength of the capsule make it relatively easy to handle within the brewing device, and the capsule body is essentially not subject to the risk of deformation that would impede the function of the brewing device.

[0013] The brewing apparatus disclosed in application WO 2017 / 108759 A1 provides an example of such use. Further brewing apparatuses with horizontal structures are known from WO 2012 / 046195 A1 and WO 2010 / 103044 A1.

[0014] In the case of pods, handling them in a brewing device is more complicated due to the material or shape of the pod. Pods have a structure that is less structurally strong than cup capsules, making them more susceptible to deformation. This deformation can compromise the beverage extraction process and lead to the discharge of depleted pods.

[0015] In attempts to overcome these problems, known pod-brewing devices typically employ expedient means of specific techniques for holding and handling the pods. However, the applicant has experimented in practice with solutions known to date, which not only introduce significant structural complexity into the brewing device, thereby compromising its simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, but also fail to effectively address the problem of preventing the pods from being subjected to pressure that could lead to their permanent deformation.

[0016] EP 1859714 B2 discloses a brewing device for a horizontal structure of capsules, comprising a capsule holding element adapted to receive and support the capsule in an intermediate position between two components, one fixed and the other movable. The holding element forms the end portion of the movable component facing the fixed component and includes suitable compartments. A first compartment is closed at the bottom and occupied by the capsule upon loading, while a second compartment is open at the bottom and occupied by the capsule as the holding element advances and interacts with the fixed component. As the movable component moves away from the fixed component along with the holding element, the capsule occupying the second compartment is no longer held at the bottom and falls downwards. The passage from the first compartment to the second compartment occurs by pushing the capsule in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the flange, thereby deforming the flange. Therefore, in this step, the capsule is subjected to relatively high pressure, which in some cases can lead to undesirable permanent deformation of the capsule, posing a risk to the proper subsequent progress of the beverage production step.

[0017] A similar solution is known from FR 2998463 A1, wherein the pod-loading device is disposed between a fixed part and a moving part of the brewing device. When the pod is loaded into the loading device, it slides downwards until it reaches a stop position, where it is partially supported by the loading device and partially by the moving part. During the closing of the brewing device, the moving part axially pushes the pod towards the fixed part until it deforms and moves away from the loading device, thereby remaining sealed within the brewing chamber between the fixed and moving parts. Summary of the Invention

[0018] The object of the present invention is to improve the brewing device disclosed in WO 2017 / 108759 A1 so that it can also be used with pods of the type described above (i.e., pods having a central body and annular flanges).

[0019] According to the present invention, a brewing apparatus is provided for producing a beverage from a single capsule or pod in the form of a capsule or pod; the brewing apparatus includes at least one piercing device for piercing the capsule, and includes a plate and a plurality of piercing elements protruding from the plate; the plate is provided with holes for liquid flow, and each of the piercing elements has a blunt end shape defined by a side surface and a top surface, the top surface forming a cutting edge together with the side surface; the top surface is the result of the intersection between the associated piercing element and a virtual spherical surface, and the cutting edge is generally bilobed and formed by two protruding portions separated by two symmetrical concave portions.

[0020] Furthermore, each of the piercing elements is in the form of a solid body obtained from a truncated cone lacking two portions; the two missing portions are arranged in a mirror image with respect to a plane passing through the axis of the truncated cone, and form a corresponding concave surface at the intersection with the truncated cone side surface of the piercing element, each of the concave surfaces defining a corresponding concave portion of the cutting edge.

[0021] Furthermore, the concave surface of each of the piercing elements is an intersecting surface created by the intersecting of the truncated cone with two virtual cylinders or cones symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the piercing element.

[0022] Furthermore, the concave surface of each of the piercing elements is a surface created by the interlacing of the truncated cone with two virtual cones.

[0023] Furthermore, the concave surface has a reverse taper relative to the taper of the truncated cone side surface.

[0024] Furthermore, the virtual cylinder or cone defining the concave surface extends the entire height of the piercing member and passes through the plate, thereby defining the hole.

[0025] Furthermore, the top surface is arranged asymmetrically relative to the associated piercing element so as to be generally inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the piercing element and to define a cutting apex on the cutting edge.

[0026] Furthermore, at least some of the piercing elements have varying heights that increase from the center of the plate toward the periphery, thereby giving the piercing device an overall concave profile.

[0027] Furthermore, the piercing elements are distributed concentrically on the plate and oriented such that the cutting apex faces the center of the plate.

[0028] Furthermore, the top surface is recessed towards the outside of the piercing element, and is the result of the intersection between the piercing element and the virtual spherical surface, the center of which is arranged on the same side of the plate as the piercing element.

[0029] Furthermore, at the cut vertex, the top surface is connected to the side surface via a circular protruding connection.

[0030] Furthermore, the top surface protrudes outward toward the piercing element and is the result of the intersection between the piercing element and the virtual spherical surface, the center of which is arranged on the opposite side of the plate relative to the piercing element.

[0031] Furthermore, at the protruding portion of the cutting edge opposite to the cutting vertex, the top surface is connected to the side surface by a circular protruding connecting portion having a curvature different from that of the top surface.

[0032] Furthermore, the brewing device also includes a water injection assembly and a beverage extraction assembly, the water injection assembly and the beverage extraction assembly defining respective brewing half-chambers and movable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis between an open configuration and a closed configuration, in the open configuration, the water injection assembly and the beverage extraction assembly mutually defining a space for loading the capsule, and in the closed configuration, the two brewing half-chambers mutually defining a brewing chamber for the capsule; the water injection assembly includes the piercing device. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention, in which:

[0034] Figure 1 A perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the brewing apparatus for producing beverages according to the present invention is shown, wherein some parts have been removed for clarity;

[0035] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The brewing device is arranged in a longitudinal section of an open structure in which capsules can be loaded;

[0036] Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The arrangement in the enlarged scale is shown Figure 2 A perspective view of the brewing device details in the structure;

[0037] Figure 6 for Figure 1 The brewing device is arranged in the longitudinal section of the first closed intermediate structure;

[0038] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 The brewing device is arranged in the longitudinal section of the second closed intermediate structure;

[0039] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 The brewing device is arranged in the longitudinal section of the beverage extraction and closing structure;

[0040] Figure 9 and Figure 10 The arrangement in the enlarged scale is shown Figure 8 A perspective view of the brewing device details in the structure;

[0041] Figure 11 It shows Figure 5 and Figure 10 The piercing device;

[0042] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 Side view of the piercing device;

[0043] Figure 13 It is along Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of line XⅢ-XⅢ;

[0044] Figure 14 It shows Figure 5 and Figure 10 Different embodiments of the piercing device;

[0045] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 A side view of the piercing device; and

[0046] Figure 16 It is along Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of line XVI-XVI. Detailed Implementation

[0047] This invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to implement and use it. Various modifications to the described embodiments will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles described may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, this invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described and shown, but rather must be granted the widest possible scope of protection consistent with the principles and features described and claimed herein.

[0048] exist Figure 1 In the image, a brewing device for producing a beverage from a single pod 2 is shown in general by 1, the pod containing a brewable material such as coffee powder.

[0049] The pod 2 is a known type of pod comprising a shell formed of two pieces of plastic and / or aluminum or paper, which are joined together to form a compact central body 3 containing a certain amount of brewable material (e.g., coffee powder) and having a generally lens-shaped shape, and an outer annular flange 4 extending around the central body and sealing the central body 3.

[0050] Preferably, the pod 2 has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the central plane containing the flange 4 and with respect to an axis 2A that is perpendicular to the central plane and passes through the center of the central body 3. Furthermore, preferably, the central body 3 and the flange 4 have a circular shape.

[0051] The brewing device 1 is known to be configured to perform an automatic brewing process, that is, to provide hot pressurized water from the side of the pod 2 (which is pre-sealed in a watertight brewing chamber) to extract the beverage from the opposite side of the pod 2.

[0052] The brewing device 1 is configured to be connected to a hot pressurized water source and can be integrated into a beverage production machine intended for use in homes and offices, as described in this specification and in the examples shown in the appended claims, or the brewing device can be assembled in a beverage vending machine.

[0053] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the brewing device 1 includes a frame 5 comprising two removably assembled half-shells (only one of which is shown). The brewing device 1 also includes two functional components supported by the frame 5, these functional components being opposite each other and aligned along a substantially horizontal axis 6, and the two functional components being movable relative to each other to allow the brewing device 1 to present an open configuration. Figure 1 ) and closing construction ( Figure 8 In the open configuration, the two functional components are spaced apart to define a gap between them for loading the pod 2, and in the closed configuration, the two functional components are connected and define the aforementioned brewing chamber.

[0054] These two functional components include an injection assembly 7 and an extraction assembly 8. The injection assembly has the function of supplying hot pressurized water to the pod 2 enclosed in the brewing chamber, and the extraction assembly has the function of conveying the beverage extracted from the pod 2 to an outlet pipe 9 included in the extraction assembly 8. The outlet pipe is in fluid communication with the extraction assembly via a flexible tube (not shown) having a beverage dispensing nozzle (not shown).

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the extraction component 8 is fixedly assembled on the frame 5, while the injection component 7 is movable between a retracted position and an advanced position due to the pushing of the drive mechanism 10 along the axis 6. The retracted position corresponds to the open configuration of the brewing device 1, and the advanced position corresponds to the closed configuration of the brewing device 1.

[0056] The drive mechanism 10 is manual and includes an elbow mechanism 11 disposed between the injection assembly 7 and the longitudinal end of the frame 5. The elbow mechanism includes a crank 12 and a connecting rod 14. The crank is hinged to the frame 5 to rotate about a horizontal pin 13 transverse to axis 6. One end of the connecting rod is hinged to the crank 12 via a pin 15 parallel to pin 13, and the other end is hinged to the injection assembly 7. The drive mechanism 10 also includes a transmission rod 16 hinged at one end to pin 15 and at the opposite end to a drive handle 17 rotatably mounted on the frame 5. In use, the handle 17 is in the raised position (…). Figure 2 ) and lower position ( Figure 8 The rotation between the two positions is controlled by the transmission rod 16 and the elbow mechanism 11 to control the translation of the injection assembly 7 between the retracted position and the forward position.

[0057] A spring 18 is provided between the frame 5 and the crank 12. This spring acts as a bistable spring, in other words, it ensures that the handle 17 reaches and remains in the raised and lowered positions.

[0058] For this purpose, one end of the spring 18 is fixed to the frame 5, and the other end is fixed to a point on the crank 12 where the handle 17 is in the raised position. Figure 2 When the handle 17 is in the lowered position, it is positioned above pin 13, such that the force exerted by spring 18 on crank 12 causes an "opening" torque (i.e., a torque that tends to rotate handle 17 toward the raised position), and this point is when handle 17 is in the lowered position ( Figure 8 When positioned below pin 13, the force applied by spring 18 to crank 12 causes a “closing” torque (i.e., a torque that tends to rotate handle 17 toward a lower position).

[0059] According to a variant not shown, the drive mechanism 10 is automatic rather than manual, and the drive mechanism includes, for example, a rotary actuator coupled to the elbow mechanism 11 or a linear actuator directly coupled to the injection assembly 7.

[0060] according to Figure 2 As shown, the extraction component 8 and the injection component 7 define corresponding brewing half-chambers 19 and 20, which are adaptively defined to each other. When the brewing device 1 is in the closed position, the shape of the brewing chamber is complementary to the shape of the central body 3 and the pod 2.

[0061] Specifically, according to Figure 2 , Figure 8 As shown and in Figure 4 and Figure 9As shown in more detail, the brewing half-chamber 19 of the extraction component 8 is contained in a cup-shaped body 21, which is arranged such that its cavity faces the injection component 7 and is defined by a cavity coaxial with the axis 6. The cup-shaped body is oriented toward the injection component 7 and has a shape that is substantially complementary to half of the central body 3 of the pod 2 relative to the plane passing through the flange 4.

[0062] According to the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the brewing half-chamber 19 is formed by a concave insert 22 arranged at the open end of the cavity of the cup-shaped body 21 and defined by a bottom surface preferably perpendicular to axis 6 and a curved annular sidewall.

[0063] The extraction assembly 8 also includes a piercing device 23 adapted to pierce the pod 2 when it is closed in the brewing chamber to allow extraction of the beverage. The piercing device 23 is supported by a concave insert 22 and includes a plurality of piercing spikes 24 protruding from the bottom surface of the concave insert 22 into the injection assembly 7. As shown in the figures, the piercing spikes 24 are full tips and can have any shape suitable for this purpose (e.g., a pyramid shape). The concave insert 22 also has a plurality of through-holes distributed in its bottom surface and located between the piercing spikes 24, and these through-holes are adapted to convey the beverage extracted from the pod 2 to a collection chamber contained within a cup-shaped body 21 and in fluid communication with an outlet pipe 9.

[0064] according to Figure 4 and Figure 9 As shown in detail, the extraction assembly also includes a segmented centering / extraction device 25, which is designed to facilitate centering of the pod 2 in the brewing half-chamber 19 when the brewing device 1 is closed, and to facilitate separation of the depleted pod 2 from the piercing device 23 when the brewing device 1 is finished with the beverage dispensing step and returns to the open position.

[0065] The segmented centering / extraction device 25 consists of ring 26 ( Figure 2 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 Defined by a plurality of protruding elements 27, the ring is elastically assembled between the cup-shaped body 21 and the concave insert 22, the plurality of protruding elements being integral with the ring, the protruding elements being evenly distributed around the axis 6 and slidably extending through a plurality of corresponding holes contained in the concave insert 22 in a direction parallel to the axis 6.

[0066] The protruding elements 27 are configured to present a normal extraction position or a protruding position, and a forced retraction position or a recessed position. In the normal extraction position or the protruding position, these protruding elements extend within the brewing half-chamber 19, forming a ring around the protruding elements 27 of the piercing device 23. Figure 4 In the forced retraction position or the recessed position, after the pod 2 is inserted into the brewing half-chamber 19, the protruding element 27 is pushed rearward toward the bottom of the cup-shaped body 21 into the corresponding orifice so that it no longer protrudes into the brewing half-chamber 19. Figure 9 ).

[0067] When the brewing device 1 is reopened and the pod 2 is no longer under pressure from the injection assembly 7 in the half chamber 19, the protruding elements 27 elastically return to their normal extraction position, thereby pushing the pod 2 in the axial direction, causing the pod to detach from the puncture device 23 and leave the pod from the puncture device.

[0068] according to Figure 2 , Figure 8 The shown and Figure 5 and Figure 10 As shown in more detail, the injection assembly 7 also includes a cup-shaped body 28 arranged with its cavity facing the extraction assembly 8, and a corresponding brewing half-chamber 20 is contained within the cup-shaped body 28, which is defined by a cavity coaxial with the axis 6 and oriented toward the extraction assembly 8, and the shape of the cup-shaped body relative to the plane passing through the flange 4 is substantially complementary to half of the central body 3 of the pod 2.

[0069] The brewing half-chamber 20 is provided with a piercing device 29, which is adapted to pierce the pod 2 when it is closed in the brewing chamber to allow injection of hot pressurized water. The piercing device 29 includes a disc 30 integrally connected to the bottom of the cup-shaped body 28 and is provided with a plurality of piercing pins 31 protruding from the disc 30 toward the interior of the brewing half-chamber 20, which will be described in detail below.

[0070] The disc 30 has a plurality of holes 32, which are adapted to supply hot pressurized water to the injection assembly 7 to enter the brewing half chamber 20 through the inlet pipe 33.

[0071] According to the accompanying drawings and in Figure 5 and Figure 10 In the preferred embodiment shown in detail, the injection assembly 7 also includes an annular centering / extraction device 34, which is designed to facilitate centering of the pod 2 in the brewing half-chamber 20 when the brewing device 1 is closed, and to facilitate separation of the depleted pod 2 from the piercing device 29 when the brewing device 1 is finished with the beverage dispensing step and returns to the open position.

[0072] The annular centering / extraction device 34 includes an annular element 35, which is assembled between the piercing device 29 and the cup-shaped body 28 by inserting an elastic tool, and the annular element has a portion of a concave bell-shaped end 36 coaxial with axis 6 and facing the extraction assembly 8. The annular element 35 is movable parallel to axis 6 between a normal extraction position and a forced retraction position, in which a portion of the concave bell-shaped end 36 is arranged beyond the piercing pin 31 ( Figure 5 In the forced retraction position, a portion of the concave bell-shaped end 36 is pushed from the pod 2 occupying the brewing half-chamber 20 toward the bottom of the cup-shaped body 28, and the concave bell-shaped end is arranged around the piercing nail 31 to define a portion of the brewing half-chamber 20. Figure 10 ).

[0073] When the brewing device 1 is reopened and the pod is no longer under pressure in the brewing half-chamber 20, the annular centering / extraction device 34 returns to the normal extraction position under the push of the aforementioned elastic tool, thereby pushing the pod 2 in the axial direction to cause the pod 2 to separate from the piercing device 29 and leave the piercing device.

[0074] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The brewing device 1 also includes a pod support 37 disposed between the injection assembly 7 and the extraction assembly 8, and the pod support is configured to receive and hold new pods 2, which, in use, are supplied by gravity through an insertion opening 38 formed in or supported by the frame 5 in the outer cover.

[0075] The pod support 37 is mounted on the frame 5 and rotates about a horizontal axis 39 transverse to axis 6 between a pod holding position and a disengagement position. In the pod holding position, the pod support 37 faces the injection assembly 7 and the extraction assembly 8 and is able to hold the pod 2 in the loading position. Figure 2 In this disengaged position, the pod support 37 rotates upward about axis 39 and no longer supports the pod 2, which is then transferred to the injection assembly 7 and the extraction assembly 8. Figure 8 ).

[0076] Specifically, axis 39 is arranged above injection assembly 7 and extraction assembly 8, and pod support device 37 includes two plates 40 arranged on opposite sides of axis 6 and connected to each other by an upper crossbeam.

[0077] The plate 40 has a corresponding groove 41 on a corresponding inner surface of the plate facing the axis 6 from one to the other. The groove is mirrored with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane passing through the axis 6, and the groove is configured to engage in use with the flange 4 of the pod 2 supplied from above by inserting an opening 38.

[0078] The groove 41 has a curved portion at its bottom, which defines a lateral shoulder configured to hold the pod 2 in the loading position, but this lateral shoulder can be easily intruded by the flange 4 itself when the pod support 37 rotates upward. In this step, actually as will be seen later, as the pod support 37 moves toward the disengaged position and brings the pod 2 into the brewing half-chamber 19, the flange 4 disengages from the pod support 37 due to the flexibility of the pod 2, and the pod deforms slightly at its large diameter to allow the pod support 37 to slide freely upward and allow the pod 2 to remain between the brewing half-chamber 19 and the brewing half-chamber 20.

[0079] according to Figure 2 As shown, these plates 40 are arranged between axis 39 and extraction assembly 8 and these grooves 41 are arranged at half chamber 19.

[0080] In use, as will be better seen below, the pod support 37 rotates about axis 39 toward extraction assembly 8, causing the pod support 37 to move from the pod holding position to the disengaged position so that the recess 41 is close to the brewing half chamber 19.

[0081] The movement of the pod support 37 from the pod holding position to the disengaged position can be made by a dedicated brake or, as in the example shown in the figures, by an injection assembly 7 that advances toward the extraction assembly 8 while closing the brewing device 1. The injection assembly intercepts the pod support 37 and provides an axial thrust that determines the rotation of the pod support 37 about axis 39.

[0082] When the brewing device 1 is reopened, the pod support device 37 moves from the disengaged position to the pod holding position due to its weight, possibly assisted by a returning elastic device.

[0083] according to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in a preferred embodiment, the brewing device 1 further includes an auxiliary pod support 42, which is arranged below the pod support 37 and is designed to cooperate with the pod support to support the pod 2 from below when the pod is in the loading position. Even though the auxiliary pod support 42 is optional, considering that the pod support 37 itself can support the pod 2 in the loading position, its function is particularly advantageous in the step of inserting the pod 2, especially when the pod has a relatively high weight, because the auxiliary pod support prevents the pod 2 from slipping out of the pod support 37 due to the kinetic energy generated during its free fall motion, thus preventing it from exceeding the groove 41.

[0084] The auxiliary pod support device 42 includes a bracket 43 that extends transversely to axis 6 below the pod support device 37 to define support for the flange 4 of the pod 2 engaging between the recesses 41. The bracket 43 is rotatably mounted on the frame 5 in an operating position ( Figure 2 ) and non-operational position ( Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The device moves between the two positions. In the operating position, the support can support the pod 2 from the bottom. In the non-operating position, the support rotates downward and releases the space below the pod support device 37 and the brewing half-chamber 19 so as not to obstruct the pod 2 from falling when the brewing device is reopened after the extraction process.

[0085] The bracket 43 can be automatically driven by a dedicated actuator, or it can be manually driven by a lever mechanism, such as the one shown in the accompanying drawings, which is configured to transmit movement of the handle 17 to the bracket 43 such that the bracket 43 is in the operating position when the handle 17 is in the raised position, and moves toward the non-operating position once the handle 17 is rotated toward the downward position.

[0086] Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 The puncture device 29 of the injection component 7 is shown in detail.

[0087] In addition to what has been previously explained, from Figures 11 to 13 It is understood that the piercing nail 31 protruding from the disc 30 has a blunt end shape, which is defined at the side by a side surface 44a and at the top by a top surface 44b, which together with the side surface 44a defines the cutting edge 44.

[0088] according to Figure 13 As shown, the top surface 44b of each piercing nail 31 is concave towards the outside of the piercing nail 31 itself.

[0089] Each piercing nail 31 is generally formed as solid, obtained by removing two portions from the side surface of a straight conical section, the two portions being mirror images of the longitudinal axis passing through the conical section and defined by corresponding concave surfaces 44c, preferably extending through the height of the piercing nail 31.

[0090] Conveniently, the concave surface 44c of each piercing nail 31 is an intersecting surface, which is generated by two pillars or virtual cones symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the piercing nail 31 intersecting the cone section.

[0091] Each piercing nail 31 is also associated with a pair of holes 32, which are symmetrically arranged on the side of the piercing nail 31, and each hole is defined by one of the concave surfaces 44c.

[0092] In other words, each pair of holes 32 associated with the piercing nail 31 can be considered as holes created by inserting the disc 30 into the aforementioned column or virtual cone, which is inserted into the truncated cone-shaped piercing nail 31. Preferably, the concave surface 44c is a tapered surface with its taper reversed relative to the taper of the truncated cone surface, and therefore, the hole 32 is a tapered hole whose lateral section increases toward the top of the piercing nail 31.

[0093] Alternatively, the shape of the top surface 44b can be considered as the result of the intersection between the piercing nail 31 and the spherical surface, the center of which is arranged on the same side of the piercing nail 31 relative to the disc 30. Figure 13 ).

[0094] Therefore, the cut edge 44 has a generally bilobal shape, defined by two protruding portions separated by two symmetrical concave portions.

[0095] This construction allows for a distinctly sharp cut edge 44, which is particularly advantageous when the shell material of the pod 2 is relatively strong (e.g., aluminum and / or relatively thick aluminum and plastic sheets).

[0096] The top surface 44b is arranged asymmetrically with respect to the piercing nail 31, that is, the spherical cavity defined by the top surface 44b is not centered with respect to the longitudinal axis of the piercing nail 31. Thus, the top surface 44b is inclined with respect to the axis of the piercing nail 31, and one of the multiple protrusions of the cutting edge 44 defines the cutting tip 45.

[0097] The concave and asymmetrical shape of the top surface 44b results in significant cutting force and concentration of compressive strain of the coffee powder on the central axis of the piercing nail 31, thereby partially offsetting the lateral deviation caused by the shape of the pod 2.

[0098] Preferably, in order to increase the strength of the cutting edge 44 and move the cutting tip 45 toward the axis of the piercing nail 31, the top surface 44b is connected to the side surface 44a at the cutting tip 45 by a protruding radial joint 46.

[0099] The piercing spikes 31 have varying heights, gradually increasing from the center to the periphery of the disc 30. This provides the piercing device 29 with a concave profile that is almost complementary to the convex profile of the pod 2, ensuring that the holes formed in the pod 2 by the piercing spikes 31 have similar depths between them. Furthermore, for better penetration uniformity, these piercing spikes 31 on the disc 30 are distributed along two concentric circles, and are oriented such that all cutting tips 45 point towards the center of the disc 30. Figure 11 ).

[0100] Figure 14 , Figure 15 and Figure 16 An alternative embodiment of the puncture device 29 of the injection assembly 7 is shown in detail, wherein the puncture pin 31 of the puncture device has the same characteristics as the reference. Figures 11 to 13 The described piercing device 29 has piercing nails of different shapes.

[0101] In the same case, these piercing nails 31 have a tapered shape at the top, limited by a curved top surface 44b. However, in this case, the top surface 44b of each piercing nail 31 is not concave but convex outward, and can be considered as a result of the intersection between the piercing nail 31 and a spherical surface, the center of which is arranged on the side opposite to the piercing nail 31 relative to the disc 30. Figure 16 ).

[0102] As previously described, in this case, the top surface 44b is also arranged asymmetrically with respect to the piercing nail 31, that is, the spherical cavity defined by the top surface 44b is not centered relative to the longitudinal axis of the piercing nail 31.

[0103] Preferably, the top surface 44b engages with the side surface 44a at the protruding portion of the cutting edge 44 opposite the cutting tip 45 via a protruding radial engagement 47 having a curve different from that of the top surface 44b. Thus, in this case, the top surface 44b has a generally annular profile that engages tangentially with the side surface 44a of the piercing nail 31. The hyperbola functions to transmit the resultant force of the compressive force to the center of the piercing nail 31, thereby promoting post-compression of the coffee powder.

[0104] The spiral shape of the piercing nail 31, generated by the rotation of the inner contour, gives the piercing nail a non-linear, continuous piercing and opening force.

[0105] In pod 2, this geometry reduces the membrane's deformation coefficient while increasing the penetration depth of the piercing nail 31. This configuration is particularly advantageous when the shell of pod 2 is made of a relatively low-resistance material, as the piercing nail is formed to prevent the shell from tearing at the hole while always keeping the lobes attached.

[0106] As in the previous case, in the same case, each piercing nail 31 is supplemented with a pair of conical holes 32, and the piercing nails 31 have different heights from each other, the height of which gradually increases from the center of the disc 30 to the periphery, thereby providing the piercing device 29 with a concave profile that is almost complementary to the convex profile of the pod 2, so that the holes in the pod 2 have a substantially uniform depth.

[0107] Finally, also in this case, in order to achieve better penetration uniformity, these piercing spikes 31 on the disc 30 are distributed along two concentric circles, and these piercing spikes are oriented such that all cutting tips 45 point towards the center of the disc 30. Figure 14 ).

[0108] To complete the above description, it must be noted that, according to a variation not shown, the positions of the injection assembly 7 and the extraction assembly 8 can be reversed, such that the injection assembly 7 is fixed and the extraction assembly 8 can move from and to the injection assembly. In this case, the pod support device 37 releases the pod 2 into the half-chamber 20 of the injection assembly 7.

[0109] The function of brewing device 1 will be described in detail below. Figure 2 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 These figures illustrate the relevant steps in beverage production, from loading the pods to dispensing the beverage.

[0110] Figure 2 - Structure for loading pods

[0111] In this configuration, the handle 17 is in the raised position, exposing the insertion opening 38, so that a new pod 2 can be introduced into the pod support device 37, which is arranged in the pod support position.

[0112] The flange 4 of the pod 2 slidably engages with the groove 41 until the pod 2 stops in the loading position, in which the flange faces the brewing half chamber 19 of the extraction assembly 8 and is laterally supported by the pod support device 37 and located at the bottom of the support 43.

[0113] Preferably, the pod support device 37 is configured to hold the pod 2 in a non-central position relative to the extraction component 8, i.e., in which the axis 2A of the pod 2 is arranged below the axis 6 of the brewing device 1. Preferably, the groove 41 is configured to support the pod 2 such that the axis 2A of the pod 2 is substantially horizontal and parallel to the axis 6.

[0114] The pod 2 is positioned off-center and lower than the brewing half-chamber 19. This position serves to counteract the lifting of the pod 2 caused by the upward rotation of the pod support device 37 during the subsequent step of closing the brewing device 1.

[0115] Conveniently, the deviation between axis 2A and axis 6 of pod 2 is approximately 2.5 mm.

[0116] According to different embodiments not shown, the pod 2 is held coaxial with the axis 6 and is provided with a reversing element to prevent the pod from being lifted during subsequent rotation in the pod support 37.

[0117] Finally, in the loading configuration, both the segmented centering / extraction device 25 and the annular centering / extraction device 34 are in their respective extraction positions.

[0118] Figure 6 Construction of the first contact between the pod support device and the injection assembly

[0119] As the handle 17 moves toward its lowered position, the injection assembly 7 moves away from its retracted position and along axis 6 toward its forward position.

[0120] At some point in this forward movement, the injection assembly 7 is attached to both sides of the injection assembly 7 ( Figure 6 (Details) Contact the pod support 37, the two side attachments engaging with corresponding portions of the plate 40 of the pod support 37. The injection assembly 7 approaches the pod support 37, thereby causing the half-chamber 20 to approach the pod 2.

[0121] In the configuration of the first contact between the pod support device 37 and the injection assembly 7, the pod support device 37 is still in the initial pod holding position, the auxiliary pod support device 42 has moved toward the non-operating position, and the segmented centering / extraction device 25 and the annular centering / extraction device 34 are still in their respective extraction positions.

[0122] Figure 7 The structure that separates the pod from the pod support device.

[0123] As the injection assembly 7 advances further and as the subsequent thrust provided to the plate 40 by the side attachments 48, the pod support 37 rotates upward about axis 39, thereby lifting the pod 2 upward and simultaneously inserting the pod 2 into the half-chamber 19, and as the flange 4 bends, the pod itself gradually detaches from the groove 41.

[0124] After the pod support device 37 has been rotated to a certain angle (preferably about 11°), the pod support device 37 stops supporting the pod 2 inserted into the half chamber 19, wherein the axis 2A of the pod itself is substantially coincident with the axis 6.

[0125] In this configuration, the pod 2 is generally in the brewing position, that is, in the position where the flange 4 is pressed between the injection component 7 and the extraction component 8 to obtain a fluid-tight connection when the injection component 7 terminates its stroke and engages with the extraction component 8.

[0126] according to Figure 7 As shown, in this configuration, the central body 3 of the pod 2 is supported on the piercing pin 24 of the piercing device 23 and the protruding element 27 of the segmented centering / extraction device 25, which is in the extraction position, and the segmented centering / extraction device is also in the extraction position.

[0127] Once released by the pod support device 37, the pod 2 remains in the brewing half-chamber 19 by the passive reverse action applied by the injection assembly 7, specifically by the annular centering / extraction device 34 arranged in its extraction position.

[0128] In other words, the pod support device 37 inserts the pod 2 into the brewing half-chamber 19, while the injection assembly 7 (specifically, the annular centering / extraction device 34) does not actively assist in inserting the pod 2 into the brewing half-chamber 19 (i.e., the injection assembly provides virtually no axial thrust to the pod while the pod 2 is still held by the pod support device 37), but the injection assembly only applies a passive counterforce when the pod 2 is left in the brewing half-chamber 19 by the pod support device 37.

[0129] Therefore, the movement of pod 2 from the loading position to the brewing position occurs without subjecting pod 2 to axial pressure (specifically, applied by the injection assembly 7). Consequently, the risk of pod 2 undergoing significant deformation during the step of closing the brewing chamber is eliminated or minimized, which could compromise the beverage extraction process and the discharge of depleted pods.

[0130] Figure 8 Construction of brewing and dispensing

[0131] Further movement of the handle 17 toward the lowered position determines a further rotation of the pod support 37 (preferably another 4-5°), and the advancement of the injection assembly 7 causes the pod 2 to be inserted into the brewing half-chamber 20, resulting in the retraction of the annular element 35 of the centering / extraction device 34 and the piercing nail 31 penetrating the central body 3 of the pod 2.

[0132] When the handle 17 reaches the lowered position, the end surface of the injection component 7 and the end surface of the extraction component 8 clamp the flange 4 of the pod 2 between them and tightly close the brewing chamber formed by the brewing half-chamber 19 and the brewing half-chamber 20, which includes the pod 2.

[0133] It must be explained in detail that the closing of the brewing chamber, determined by the final movement of the injection component 7, does not substantially change the previous position of the pod 2 (specifically, the position of the central body 3 of the pod 2), the central body of the pod is still supported on the piercing nail 24 and the protruding element 27, while the pod is pierced by the piercing nail 31 on the opposite side.

[0134] The flange 4, which is axially pushed by the injection device, undergoes a slight bend toward the extraction assembly 8 and is thus pressed between the two assemblies.

[0135] Now, hot pressurized water is supplied to the brewing chamber through inlet pipe 33.

[0136] The inhalation of the pod 2 causes the pod 2 to expand, which pushes the protruding elements 27 toward their retracted position, and the pod is pierced by the piercing nail 24 so that the extracted beverage flows out of the pod 2 and flows to the outside of the extraction assembly 8 via the outlet pipe 9.

[0137] When dispensing is complete and handle 17 returns to the raised position, injection assembly 7 separates from extraction assembly 8, and pod 2 falls downwards by gravity. Due to the segmented centering / extraction device 25 and annular centering / extraction device 34, pod 2 is effectively separated from piercing device 23 and piercing device 29.

[0138] The annular element 35 of the annular centering / extraction device 34 and the protruding element 27 of the segmented centering / extraction device 25 have the advantage of providing axial thrust to the pod 2 along the annular portion of the pod 2.

[0139] Specifically, regarding the construction of the segmented centering / extraction device 25, the fact that the ring of the intricate element (e.g., the protruding element 27) pushes the pod 2 leads to the following advantages:

[0140] Unlike what a single extractor can do, when the pod 2 is wet, especially when the pod is made of a less durable material (e.g., a biodegradable material), the protruding element 27 allows for a uniform distribution of thrust, thus eliminating the risk of damaging or even tearing the pod 2 when extracting coffee.

[0141] The protruding element 27 slides through the corresponding hole at the bottom of the brewing half-chamber 19, so that the rest of the brewing half-chamber 19 (concave insert 22) can be manufactured as a single piece to fully facilitate the surface uniformity of the supporting pod 2.

[0142] The elastic assembly of the existing orifices and protruding elements 27 allows for the creation of expansion areas for the pod 2 when it absorbs hot pressurized water in the brewing half-chamber 19. Therefore, the concave surface of the brewing half-chamber 19 can be aligned with the concave surface of the brewing half-chamber, thereby reshaping the relative accuracy of the convex shape of the pod 2 and enabling the protruding elements 27 to define expansion areas of the pod 2 within their respective orifices, so that the pod 2 undergoes natural but minimal expansion when water is injected into it.

[0143] The protruding element 27 is positioned to engage the outer edge of the central body 3 of the pod 2, avoiding “covering” the central region of the pod 2 (from which most of the beverage flows out), and thus avoiding a reduction in the outlet flow cross-section, a phenomenon that may occur, for example, in the case of a single central extractor.

Claims

1. A brewing apparatus (1) for producing beverages from single-serving capsules or pods. The brewing device (1) includes at least one piercing device (29) for piercing the capsule, and includes a disc (30) and a plurality of piercing elements (31) protruding from the disc (30); the disc (30) is provided with holes (32) for liquid flow, and each of the piercing elements (31) has a blunt end shape defined by a side surface (44a) and a top surface (44b), the top surface forming a cutting edge (44) together with the side surface (44a); and the cutting edge (44) is bilobed and formed by two protruding portions separated by two symmetrical concave portions. in, The top surface (44b) is arranged asymmetrically with respect to the associated piercing element (31) so as to be generally inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the piercing element (31) and to define a cutting vertex (45) on the cutting edge (44), wherein: The top surface (44b) is recessed towards the outside of the piercing element (31) and is the result of the intersection between the piercing element (31) and a first virtual spherical surface, the center of which is located on the same side of the disc (30) as the piercing element (31), wherein, at the cutting apex (45), the top surface (44b) is connected to the side surface (44a) via a first circular protruding connection (46); or The top surface (44b) protrudes outward toward the piercing member (31) and is the result of the intersection between the piercing member (31) and the second virtual spherical surface, the center of which is arranged on the opposite side of the disc (30) relative to the piercing member (31). The top surface (44b) is connected to the side surface (44a) at the protruding portion of the cutting edge (44) opposite to the cutting vertex (45) by a second circular protruding connecting portion (47) having a curvature different from that of the top surface (44b).

2. The brewing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the piercing elements (31) is in the form of a solid body obtained from a truncated cone missing two parts; the two missing parts are arranged in a mirror image with respect to a plane passing through the axis of the truncated cone and form a corresponding concave surface (44c) at the intersection with the truncated cone side surface (44a) of the piercing element (31), each of the concave surfaces defining a corresponding concave portion of the cutting edge (44).

3. The brewing device (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The concave surface (44c) of each of the piercing elements (31) is an intersecting surface created by the intersecting of the truncated cone with two virtual cylinders or cones symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the piercing element (31).

4. The brewing device (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The concave surface (44c) of each of the piercing elements (31) is a surface created by the interlacing of the truncated cone with two virtual cones.

5. The brewing device (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The concave surface (44c) has a reverse taper relative to the taper of the truncated cone side surface (44a) of the truncated cone.

6. The brewing device (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The concave surface (44c) has a reverse taper relative to the taper of the truncated cone side surface (44a) of the truncated cone.

7. The brewing device (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The virtual cylinder or cone defining the concave surface (44c) extends the entire height of the piercing member (31) and passes through the disc (30), thereby defining the hole (32).

8. The brewing apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, At least some of the piercing elements (31) have different heights that increase from the center of the disc (30) toward the periphery, thereby giving the piercing device (29) an overall concave profile.

9. The brewing apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The piercing elements (31) are distributed in concentric circles on the disk (30) and oriented such that the cutting apex (45) faces the center of the disk (30).

10. The brewing device (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The piercing elements (31) are distributed in concentric circles on the disk (30) and oriented such that the cutting apex (45) faces the center of the disk (30).

11. The brewing apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a water injection assembly (7) and a beverage extraction assembly (8), the water injection assembly and the beverage extraction assembly defining respective brewing half-chambers (20, 19) and movable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis (6) between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration the water injection assembly and the beverage extraction assembly mutually define a space for loading a capsule, and in the closed configuration the two brewing half-chambers (20, 19) mutually define a brewing chamber for the capsule; the water injection assembly (7) includes the piercing device (29).

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