Beverage capsule recovery squeezer

Abstract

A beverage capsule recovery squeezer includes an annular body having an axis, an axial inlet, an axial outlet, and a radially symmetrical annular sleeve communicating between the inlet and the outlet, the body including first and second body portions connected by a hinge extending parallel to the axis of the sleeve; the second main body part can pivot between a closed position and an open position around the hinge relative to the first main body part; a piston having a piston head, the piston being connected to the first body portion and movable between a retracted position in which the piston is withdrawn from the inlet and an extended position in which the piston passes through the inlet and is located within the sleeve; a piston mount for moving the piston between a retracted position and an extended position; wherein the first and second channels extend circumferentially of the first and second body portions, respectively, adjacent to the outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressing tool for recovering beverage capsules, particularly but not exclusively for use in coffee dispensers. Background Art

[0002] Capsules used in coffee dispensers consist of a cup-shaped body, typically made of aluminum, with a mouth formed by a circular rim enclosed by a metal foil. A portion of coffee or other beverage is enclosed within the body. During use, the capsule is placed into the coffee dispenser, which perforates the capsule and metal foil, allowing boiling water or steam to pass through the body, thereby producing and dispensing a portion of coffee. The capsule body is constructed of thicker, stronger metal, rather than thinner foil. After use, the capsule containing spent coffee grounds poses environmental challenges for disposal and recycling. If the body is damaged or cracked, leaving sharp edges, recycling the metal capsule body can be hazardous. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Although the squeezer is particularly suitable for processing coffee capsules, capsules from other beverages may also be used and in the description the processing of used coffee capsules is described for convenience.

[0004] According to the present invention, the beverage capsule recovery squeezer comprises an annular body having an axis, an axial inlet, an axial outlet and a radially symmetrical annular sleeve communicating between the inlet and the outlet.

[0005] The body includes first and second body portions, the first and second body portions being connected by a hinge extending parallel to the axis of the sleeve;

[0006] The second body portion is pivotable relative to the first body portion about the hinge between a closed position and an open position;

[0007] a piston having a piston head, the piston being connected to the first body portion and movable between a retracted position in which the piston is withdrawn from the inlet and an extended position in which the piston passes through the inlet and is located within the sleeve;

[0008] a piston mount for moving the piston between retracted and extended positions;

[0009] The first channel and the second channel extend in the circumferential direction of the first main body portion and the second main body portion respectively adjacent to the outlet.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the axial dimension of at least a portion of the first channel is smaller than the axial dimension of the second channel.

[0011] The first and second channels may extend circumferentially of the first and second body portions, respectively.

[0012] In one embodiment, the piston head can pass through the inlet, sleeve, and outlet during movement from the retracted position to the extended position. When using the squeezer, the main body can be opened and a used capsule placed in the first main body portion of the sleeve, which has an edge that engages with the first channel portion. The second main body portion can then be pivoted to a closed position, and the piston can be pushed into the sleeve inlet and through the sleeve to the outlet. The piston can be entered and passed through the sleeve by manual pressure applied to the movable actuator. The smaller axial dimension of the first channel, compared to the larger axial dimension of the second channel, allows the edge of the capsule to engage more tightly with the first channel.

[0013] The movement of the piston head from the inlet through the sleeve to the outlet pushes the capsule body downward toward the sleeve outlet, causing it to pass through the annular rim. The capsule body can be turned inside out through the rim, breaking the metal foil and ejecting the spent coffee grounds through the outlet into a container or collector. The main body portion can then be opened. When the main body portion is opened, the smaller size of the first channel allows the edge of the compressed capsule to remain within the first channel. The capsule body can remain in either the first or second main body portion. This prevents the compressed capsule from falling from the squeezer onto the discharged coffee grounds, while the coffee grounds are contained in the container, making it easier to separate the spent coffee grounds from the capsule, particularly when processing multiple used capsules in succession. In one embodiment, the capsule body is retained in the first main body portion, preventing it from being retained in the second main body portion when the second main body portion is moved to the open position. This prevents the spent coffee grounds from spilling out when the second main body portion is rotated to the open position.

[0014] The first and second channels may form a continuous channel extending around the periphery of the sleeve adjacent the outlet.Alternatively, the first channel may be discontinuous such that the edge of the capsule engages the first channel at a plurality of discrete locations.

[0015] The channel may have an axial or vertical dimension that decreases radially outwards from the sleeve.In one embodiment, the channel may be V-shaped in cross-section.

[0016] The first and second body portions may be sized to divide the annular sleeve or surface into two equal sized portions, each occupying an angle of approximately 180° about the axis of the sleeve.

[0017] Alternatively, the first body portion may occupy a larger angle than the second portion, for example from 180° to 220°, such as 180° to 200°, so that the edge of the capsule may be resiliently engaged when inserted into the first channel to more securely support and retain the capsule in the first channel during use.

[0018] A latch may be provided to secure the body parts in the closed position. The latch may include a lift handle and a stop fixed to an outer side wall of the first body part or a handle of the squeezer.

[0019] A spring or other resilient means may be used to bias the second body portion toward the open position.

[0020] The piston may comprise a generally cylindrical piston body having a pivot connection at an upper end and a piston head at a lower end. The pivot connection may comprise a hinge arranged so that the piston is suspended generally vertically from a pivot axis, for example from a pin of a piston mounting, when in use.

[0021] The piston head may be generally circular in plan view.

[0022] The annular protrusion may extend completely or partially around the piston head at or adjacent the periphery of the piston head.The annular protrusion may form an axially concave notch having a radius of curvature selected to receive and engage the convex body of the capsule during squeezing.

[0023] The protrusion may extend in a circular shape, an O shape, or a C shape in the circumferential direction of the piston head.

[0024] Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, the protrusion may be partially circular with a break in the circumferential region radially closest to the pivot axis of the handle. This arrangement allows the piston to be inserted into the inlet of the sleeve in a direction toward the pivot axis at an angle to the sleeve axis without causing the head to be displaced out of axial alignment due to contact between the head and the convex surface of the capsule during use.

[0025] In one embodiment, the squeezer may include a first movable handle connected to the piston mount and a second fixed handle connected to the first fixed body portion. The handles are pushed together manually or otherwise to actuate the piston.

[0026] The piston body may be generally cylindrical, with the radial dimension of the sleeve increasing from the inlet to the outlet. The radial dimension of the inlet may be slightly larger than the diameter of the piston, thereby providing clearance for the piston body and reducing lateral movement of the piston during use. The radial dimension of the outlet may be larger than the diameter of the piston, thereby forming an annular space between the piston and the outlet. When the capsule is squeezed and inverted by the piston, the inverted capsule body can be received in the annular space.

[0027] The squeezing tool may further comprise a container for collecting coffee grounds released from the capsule. The container may be located below the outlet of the body.

[0028] The tool may also include a footrest or other support means arranged to rest against a work surface, such as a table top or kitchen unit, to support the tool in an upright orientation during storage and use.

[0029] In a second aspect of the present invention, a method of processing a beverage capsule comprises using the extruder according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0030] To use the squeezer, the main body is opened and a used coffee capsule is placed into the sleeve, with the foil-covered edge facing downward and inserted into engagement with the first channel of the first main body portion. This secures the capsule while the second main body portion is moved into the closed position and secured by the latch. Manual force can then be applied to the handle to push the piston into the inlet of the sleeve, through the sleeve, and out of the sleeve's outlet. Alternatively, a motorized actuator can be provided. This movement causes the main body of the capsule to rupture the foil, thereby expelling the used coffee grounds. Ejection of the coffee grounds is accomplished by the piston head pushing through the edge of the capsule. This causes the inside of the capsule to turn outside, completing the ejection of the coffee grounds. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention will be further illustrated by the following examples, which are not intended to be limiting. Please refer to the following drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an extruder according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of the extruder shown;

[0034] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the squeezer in the open position;

[0035] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing two separated main body parts;

[0036] Figure 5 Shown in more detail is the piston head during use.

[0037] The accompanying drawings show views of a coffee capsule squeezer according to the present invention. Similar parts in the various drawings are given the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The extruder comprises a body consisting of a first body part (1) and a second body part (2) connected by a hinge (3), the hinge (3) allowing the second body part (2) to be Figure 1 Closed position shown and Figure 2 and Figure 3 pivots between the open positions shown.

[0039] The two main parts cooperate to form a sleeve (4). The sleeve (4) is axially symmetrical about a vertical axis and has an upper inlet (5) and a lower outlet (6). A handle (8) is fixed to the first main part (1) and extends radially outward in a direction away from the hinge (3). A movable handle (7) is located above the fixed handle (8) and is pivotally fixed to the mounting frame (9) by a horizontally extending pin (10). The vertical plane of movement of the handle (7) passes through the axis of the hinge (3).

[0040] The piston mounting frame (11) is pivotally fixed to the piston arm (13) by means of a pin (12), and the piston arm (13) is integral with the cylindrical piston body (14). A piston head (15) is formed at the lower end of the piston. Figure 1 As shown, when the moving handle (7) is moved from the upper position to the lower position, the piston body descends into the inlet (5) of the sleeve (4), passes through the sleeve and comes out from the outlet (6).

[0041] In the lower position, the piston body (14) extends substantially in the axial direction of the sleeve formed by the two body parts (1), (2).

[0042] A movable latch (16) urged upward by a spring (17) has an upwardly extending projection (18) which engages with a socket (19) of a plate (20) extending from the second body portion (2). The latch (16) prevents the body portions from opening during actuation of the piston. Depressing the latch (16) releases the projection from the plate, thereby allowing the second body portion (2) to pivot from the first body portion to the open position. A spring (21) mounted within the hinge (3) biases the second body portion toward the open position. A hook (24) extends from an edge of the second body portion and engages with a socket (25) in an edge of the first body portion to prevent relative movement of the body portions when subjected to the force of the piston in the closed position. Another projection (26) extends from the first body portion at a position adjacent to the hinge (3) and is received by a notch (27) at a corresponding position in the second body portion to further prevent movement of the body portions during use.

[0043] The annular channel extends around the inner surface of the sleeve (4) adjacent to the outlet (6). Figure 3 As shown, the first channel (22) extends around the inner surface of the first body portion (1), and the second channel (23) extends around the inner surface of the second body portion (2). Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the first channel (22) has a depth of 2.7 mm and a vertical width of 1 mm. Figure 3 As shown, the second channel has a depth of 2.7 mm and a vertical width of 2 mm. When the sleeve (4) is opened, the smaller vertical height of the first channel allows it to engage more tightly with the edge of the capsule, thereby retaining the capsule in the first channel.

[0044] The structure of the piston and piston head is as follows Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 The piston body is generally cylindrical, with a width selected so that it enters the inlet of the sleeve with minimal lateral movement.

[0045] The piston head (15) comprises a generally circular surface (28) having an annular or partially annular projection (29) extending circumferentially around the piston head (15). As shown, the projection (29) is partially annular and has a hole (30) located on the side of the piston head facing the hinge (3) when the piston head is driven through the sleeve and located within the sleeve (4) in use.

[0046] like Figure 5 As shown, the center of the piston head includes a concave surface sized to receive the convex capsule body (32). Figure 5 As shown, when the piston is pushed into the inlet (5) of the sleeve (4), the piston mounting bracket (11) and the movable handle (7) are positioned off-axis relative to the sleeve axis so that the piston is inserted into the inlet (5) from one side. When the piston is pushed downward (as shown) toward the outlet (6), the uppermost convex or domed surface (32) of the capsule body is received by the hole (30) and enters the recess of the concave portion (31) of the piston head.

[0047] The closing force applied between the handles (7, 8) causes the movable handle to move toward a position parallel to the fixed handle, in which position the piston head extends through the sleeve and out of the outlet, as shown Figure 1 As shown. In this position, the capsule body has been deformed by the piston head so that it has ruptured the foil seal (not shown) and extended through the capsule edge, thereby expelling the spent coffee grounds from the capsule. At this point, the latch (16) can be released, allowing the second body part to pivot to the open position under the action of the spring (21). The compressed capsule edge is retained in the first channel (22), so that the user can wait until all the spent coffee grounds have been expelled before releasing or removing the capsule body for recycling.

Claims

1. A beverage capsule recovery squeezer, comprising an annular body having an axis, an axial inlet, an axial outlet, and a radially symmetrical annular sleeve communicating between the inlet and the outlet, The body includes a first body portion and a second body portion connected by a hinge extending parallel to the axis of the sleeve; The second body portion is pivotable relative to the first body portion about a hinge between a closed position and an open position; a piston having a piston head, the piston being connected to the first body portion and movable between a retracted position in which the piston is withdrawn from the inlet and an extended position in which the piston passes through the inlet and is located within the sleeve; a piston mount operable to move the piston between the retracted position and the extended position; It is characterized in that the first channel and the second channel extend in the circumferential direction of the first body part and the second body part respectively adjacent to the outlet of the sleeve. 2 . The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 , wherein an axial dimension of at least a portion of the first passage is smaller than an axial dimension of the second passage.

3. The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the piston head passes through the inlet, sleeve and outlet during movement from the retracted position to the extended position. 4 . The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 , wherein a radial dimension of the outlet is larger than a radial dimension of the inlet.

5. The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first channel and the second channel form a continuous channel extending around the periphery of the sleeve adjacent the outlet.

6. The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the passage has a vertical dimension that decreases radially outward from the sleeve. 7 . The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 6 , wherein the cross section of the channel is V-shaped.

8. The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first body portion and the second body portion divide the annular surface of the annular sleeve into two parts of equal size.

9. The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first body portion occupies a larger angle than the second body portion.

10. The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a latch for securing the body portion in the closed position.

11. The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 10, comprising a spring for biasing the second body portion toward the open position.

12. The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the piston comprises a cylindrical piston body having a pivot connection at an upper end and a piston head at a lower end.

13. A beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 12, wherein the pivotal connection comprises a hinge arranged such that the piston is suspended substantially vertically from the hinge in use.

14. The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an annular protrusion extends partially around the piston head at or adjacent to the circumference of the piston head.

15. The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the annular protrusion forms an axially concave notch.

16. The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protrusion is partly circular with a break in the circumferential region.

17. The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first movable handle connected to the piston mounting frame and a second fixed handle connected to the fixed body portion.

18. The beverage capsule recovery squeezer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a container positioned to receive spent coffee grounds from the outlet.

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