Coffee capsule recycling press

Abstract

The beverage capsule recycling press comprises an annular body having an axis, an axial inlet, an axial outlet, and a radially symmetric annular sleeve in communication between the inlet and the outlet, the body including a first body part and a second body part connected by a hinge extending parallel to the axis of the sleeve, the second body part being pivotable about the hinge relative to the first body part between a closed position and an open position, a piston having a piston head connected to the first body part, the piston being movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, in which the piston is withdrawn from the inlet and in which the piston passes through the inlet and is located within the sleeve, and a piston mount for moving the piston between the retracted position and the deployed position, A first channel and a second channel are adjacent the outlet and extend circumferentially about the first body portion and the second body portion, respectively.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A capsule for a coffee dispenser includes a cup-shaped body, usually made of aluminum, with a mouth formed by an annular rim closed by a metal foil sheet, within which a portion of coffee or other beverage is enclosed. In use, the capsule is inserted into a coffee dispenser, which creates and dispenses a portion of coffee by piercing the capsule and the foil sheet and passing boiling water or steam through the capsule body. The capsule body is made of metal, which is thicker and stronger than a thin foil sheet. After use, the capsule, containing the used coffee residue, can pose problems for environmentally friendly disposal and recycling. Recycling of a metal capsule body can be dangerous if the body bursts or splits, creating sharp edges. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The press is particularly suitable for processing capsules for coffee, although capsules for other beverages may also be employed and for convenience the press will be described herein in relation to the processing of used coffee capsules.

[0004] According to the present invention, a beverage capsule recycling press comprises an annular body having an axis, an axial inlet, an axial outlet, and a radially symmetric annular sleeve communicating between the inlet and the outlet; the body including a first body portion and a second body portion connected by a hinge extending parallel to an 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 connected to the first body portion, the piston movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, in which the piston is withdrawn from the inlet and in which the piston is positioned past the inlet and within the sleeve in the deployed position; a piston mounting portion for moving the piston between a retracted position and a deployed position; Including, First and second channels are adjacent the outlet of the sleeve and extend circumferentially about the first and second body portions, respectively.

[0005] In one preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the first channel has an axial dimension that is smaller than an axial dimension of the second channel. The first and second channels may extend circumferentially about the first and second body portions, respectively.

[0006] In one embodiment, the piston head may pass through the inlet, sleeve, and outlet during movement from the retracted position to the deployed position. In use of the press, the body is opened and a used capsule is placed in the first body portion of the sleeve with its rim engaged within the first channel portion. The second body portion may then be rotated to a closed position, urging the piston into the sleeve inlet and through the sleeve to the outlet. The piston may be urged into and 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 causes the rim of the capsule to engage more tightly within the first channel.

[0007] Movement of the piston head from the inlet through the sleeve to the outlet urges the capsule body downwards towards the sleeve outlet so that it passes the annular rim. The capsule body may be inverted from its inside to its outside through the rim, whereby the foil breaks and the used coffee residue is discharged through the outlet into a container or collector. The body part can then be opened. When the body part is opened, the smaller dimension of the first channel keeps the rim of the compressed capsule engaged in the first channel. The capsule body can be retained in either the first or the second body part. This prevents the compressed capsule from falling out of the press onto the discharged coffee grains received in the container, thereby keeping the used coffee residue and the capsule well separated, especially if a large number of used capsules are processed in succession. In one embodiment, the capsule body is retained in the first body part, thereby preventing it from being retained in the second body part when the second body part moves to the open position. This may prevent used coffee grounds from spilling when the second body portion is swung to the open position.

[0008] The first and second channels may form a continuous channel adjacent the outlet and circumferentially around the circumference of the sleeve, or the first channel may be intermittent such that the edge of the capsule engages within the first channel at multiple discrete locations.

[0009] The channels may have an axial or vertical dimension that decreases radially outward from the sleeve, hi one embodiment, the channels may be V-shaped in cross-section. The first and second body portions may be sized to divide the annular sleeve or annular surface into two equal sized portions, each portion occupying an angle of approximately 180° about the axis of the sleeve.

[0010] Alternatively, to more securely support and retain the capsule in the first channel during use, the first body portion may occupy a larger angle than the second portion, for example 180°-220°, e.g. 180°-200°, so that the edges of the capsule can be securely engaged upon insertion into the first channel.

[0011] A latch may be provided to secure the body parts in the closed position. The latch may include a lift handle and a block secured to an outer wall of the first body part or to the handle of the press.

[0012] A spring or other resilient means may be used to bias the second body portion towards the open position. The piston may include a generally cylindrical piston body having a pivot mount at its upper end and a piston head at its lower end, which may include a hinge mounted such that, in use, the piston hangs approximately vertically from its pivot axis, e.g. a pin in its piston mount.

[0013] The piston head may be generally circular in plan view. An annular protrusion may fully or partially surround the piston head at or near its circumference and may define an axially concave rebate, which in one embodiment has a radius of curvature selected to receive and engage the convex body of the capsule during pressing.

[0014] The protrusion may be circular or O-shaped or C-shaped and may extend circumferentially around the piston head. Alternatively, in one preferred embodiment, the convex portion may be part circular with a cut in the circumferential region radially nearest the pivot axis of the handle, such that the piston can be inserted into the inlet of the sleeve in a direction towards the pivot axis and at an angle to the axis of the sleeve without the piston head being displaced out of axial alignment by contact between the piston head and the convex surface of the capsule in use.

[0015] In one embodiment, the press may include a first movable handle connected to the piston mount and a second fixed handle connected to the first fixed body portion, and the piston may be actuated manually or otherwise by biasing the handles together.

[0016] The piston body may be generally cylindrical, with the radial dimension of the sleeve increasing from its inlet to its outlet. The radial dimension of the inlet may be slightly larger than the diameter of the piston to provide clearance for the piston body and reduce lateral movement of the piston in use. The radial dimension of the outlet may be larger than the diameter of the piston, thereby providing an annular volume between the piston and the outlet that can receive the inverted capsule body when the capsule is crushed by the piston and inverted inside and outside.

[0017] The pressing tool may further comprise a container for collecting coffee residues expelled from the capsule, which may be located below the outlet of the body. The tool may also include feet or other supports arranged to rest on a work surface, such as a table top or kitchen unit, to support the tool in an upright orientation during storage or use.

[0018] In a second aspect of the invention, a method for processing beverage capsules comprises the use of a press in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. In use of the press, the body is opened and the used coffee capsule is placed in the sleeve with its foil-covered edge facing downwards and inserted into the engagement with the first channel of the first body part. This allows the capsule to be secured while the second body part is moved to a closed position and secured by closing the latch. Manual force may then be applied to both handles to urge the piston into, through and out of the inlet of the sleeve. Alternatively, a motorized actuator may be provided. This movement causes the body of the capsule to break the foil, thus allowing the ejection of the used coffee residue. This ejection of the residue is completed by the piston head passing over the edge of the capsule. This movement may complete the ejection of the coffee residue by turning the inside of the capsule to the outside. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] The present invention will now be further explained, by way of example but without any sense of limitation, with reference to the following drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a press according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the press shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the press in an open position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the two body portions separated. [Diagram 5] Figure 5 shows further details of the piston head in use.

[0020] These figures show a coffee capsule press according to the present invention, with the same reference numbers being used to refer to similar components in each figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The press of the present application includes a body formed of a first body portion (1) and a second body portion (2) connected by a hinge (3) which allows the second body portion (2) to pivot between a closed position as shown in Figure (1) and an open position as shown in Figures (2) and (3).

[0022] The two body parts cooperate to form a sleeve (4) which 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 body part (1) and extends radially outwardly away from the location of the hinge (3). A movable handle (7) is located above the fixed handle (8) and is pivotally fixed to the mounting part (9) by a horizontally extending pin (10). The vertical plane of movement of the handle (7) passes through the axis of the hinge (3).

[0023] The piston mounting portion (11) is pivotally fixed by a pin (12) to a piston arm (13), which is integral with a cylindrical piston body (14). A piston head (15) is formed at the lower end of the piston. When the movable handle (7) is moved from an upper position to a lower position, the piston body descends into the inlet (5) of the sleeve (4), passes through the sleeve, and emerges through the outlet (6) as shown in FIG.

[0024] In the lower position, the piston body (14) extends approximately axially of the sleeve formed by the two body parts (1 and 2). A movable latch (16), biased upwardly by a spring (17), has an upwardly extending lug (18) that engages in a receptacle (19) in a catch plate (20) extending from the second body part (2). The latch (16) prevents the body parts from opening during actuation of the piston. Depressing the latch (16) releases the lug from the catch plate, allowing the second body part (2) to pivot away from the first body part toward the open position. A spring (21) mounted within the hinge (3) biases the second body part toward the open position. A peg (24) extends from the end of the second body part and engages in a receptacle (25) in the end of the first body part to prevent relative movement of the body parts when a force is applied by the piston in the closed position of the body parts. A further projection (26) extends from the first body part adjacent the hinge (3) and is received in a correspondingly located recess (27) in the second body part to further prevent movement of the body parts, in use.

[0025] The annular channel surrounds the inner surface of the sleeve (4) adjacent the outlet (6). As shown in FIG. 3, the first channel (22) surrounds the inner surface of the first body portion (1) and the second channel (23) surrounds the inner surface of the second body portion (2). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3(I), the first channel (22) may have a depth of 2.7 mm and a vertical width of 1 mm. As shown in FIG. 3(J), the second channel may have a depth of 2.7 mm and a vertical dimension of 2 mm. The smaller vertical height of the first channel provides a tighter engagement with the edge of the capsule in use, thereby retaining the capsule within the first channel when the sleeve (4) is opened.

[0026] The configuration of the piston and piston head is shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5. The piston body is generally cylindrical with a width selected to allow it to pass into the inlet of the sleeve with minimal lateral movement.

[0027] The piston head (15) includes a generally circular surface (28) with an annular or part annular projection (29) circumferentially surrounding the piston head (15). The projection (29) is part annular as shown and has a spigot (30) located on the side of the piston head opposite the hinge (3) when the piston head is positioned within the sleeve (4) as the piston head is forced through the sleeve (4) in use.

[0028] The center of the piston head includes a concave surface sized and configured to receive the convex capsule body (32), as shown in Figure 5. When the piston is forced into the inlet (5) of the sleeve (4), as shown in Figure 5, the piston mount (11) and movable handle (7) are off-axis relative to the axis of the sleeve, and the piston is inserted into the inlet (5) from one side. The convex or dome-shaped surface (32) on the top portion of the capsule body is received into the spigot (30) and enters a recess in the concave portion (31) of the piston head as the piston is forced downward (as shown) towards the outlet (6).

[0029] Applying a closing force between the handles (7 and 8) biases the movable handle towards a position parallel to the fixed handle, where the piston head extends through the sleeve and protrudes from the outlet, as shown in FIG. 1. In this position, the capsule body has been deformed by the piston head to break the foil seal (not shown) and extend through the capsule rim, thereby expelling the used coffee residue from within the capsule. At this point, the latch (16) may be released, allowing the second body part to pivot under the force of the spring (21) to the open position. The compressed capsule rim is held in the first channel (22), allowing the user to wait until all the used residue has been expelled before releasing or removing the capsule body for recycling.

Claims

1. an annular body having an axis, an axial inlet, an axial outlet, and a radially symmetric annular sleeve communicating between the inlet and the outlet; the body including 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 about the hinge relative to the first body portion between a closed position and an open position; a piston having a piston head, the piston connected to the first body portion, the piston movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, in the retracted position the piston is withdrawn from the inlet and in the deployed position the piston passes through the inlet and is positioned within the sleeve; a piston mount for moving the piston between the retracted position and the deployed position; Including, A first channel and a second channel are adjacent the outlet of the sleeve and extend circumferentially about the first body portion and the second body portion, respectively. Press for recycling beverage capsules.

2. 2. The capsule press of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first channel has an axial dimension that is smaller than an axial dimension of the second channel.

3. 3. The capsule recycling press according to claim 1, wherein the piston head passes through the inlet, the sleeve and the outlet during movement from the retracted position to the deployed position.

4. The capsule recycling press according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the radial dimension of the outlet is greater than the radial dimension of the inlet.

5. 5. The capsule recycling press according to claim 1, wherein the first channel and the second channel form a continuous channel adjacent the outlet and surrounding the circumference of the sleeve.

6. A press for recycling capsules according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein both channels have a vertical dimension which decreases radially outward from the sleeve.

7. 7. A press for recycling capsules according to claim 6, wherein both channels are V-shaped in cross section.

8. A press for recycling capsules according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first body portion and the second body portion divide the annular surface into two equal sized portions.

9. 8. The press for recycling capsules according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first body part occupies a larger angle than the second body part.

10. A capsule recycling press according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a latch for securing both body parts in said closed position.

11. 11. The capsule recycling press of claim 10, including a spring for biasing the second body portion toward the open position.

12. 12. A press for recycling capsules according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the piston comprises a cylindrical piston body having a pivot mount at an upper end and a piston head at a lower end.

13. 13. A capsule recycling press as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pivot mount includes a hinge arranged such that, in use, the piston hangs approximately vertically from the hinge.

14. A capsule recycling press according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein an annular protrusion extends partly around the piston head at or near the circumference of the piston head.

15. The capsule recycling press according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the annular convex portion forms a concave portion recessed in the axial direction.

16. The capsule recycling press according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the convex portion is partially circular having a slit in the circumferential region.

17. 17. The capsule recycling press according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a first movable handle connected to the piston drive and a second fixed handle connected to the fixed body part.

18. A capsule recycling press according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a container positioned to receive spent residue from said outlet.

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