Coffee making assembly

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a subassembly for conveying a capsule within a coffee making apparatus, said capsule having an opening with a flanged rim, wherein the subassembly comprises a track structure to slidably capture the flanged rim spanning between a first position and a second position at a vertically lower position relative to the first position, wherein the track structure is curved between the first position and the second position such that the capsule inverts its vertical orientation at the second position respective to the first position.

Description

COFFEE MAKING ASSEMBLYFIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a coffee making assembly for an appliance for making coffee from a sealed capsule of whole coffee beans. In particular, the invention relates to a subassembly of the coffee making assembly configured to facilitate dispensing the beans to a grinder and conveying said capsule in order to receive the ground beans for subsequent use as a brewing vessel.BACKGROUND

[0002] Coffee machines making use of sealed capsules containing ready ground coffee have found wide adoption in the marketplace. It is considered that the success of coffee machines using such capsules is their convenience and simplicity of use. The amount of coffee in the capsule predetermined, providing for simpler operation as opposed to measuring our the required amount to a brewing vessel such as an espresso machine portafilter, which involves additional complexity and potential for spillages and mess. The contained nature of the coffee within the capsule also allows for simple cleanup compared to traditional machines, where the spent coffee grounds must be removed from the brewing vessel, which has a particular potential for spill and messes in the case of a spent coffee puck in a portafilter, which generally needs to be hit against a surface to effect removal, followed by washing. In contrast, capsule style machines typically result in the spent coffee remaining contained within the spent capsule, which are simply stored within a container of the machine for later disposal.

[0003] It is generally accepted that freshly grinding coffee beans immediately prior to use produces a superior result to using pre-ground coffee. The ability to grind coffee immediately before brewing also allows users to adjust grinding parameters to their immediate preference, which many users prefer, particularly more sophisticated users.

[0004] The competing considerations of a capsule coffee machine’s ease of use versus a more complex traditional machine’s potential to produce a superior result must be taken into account by users, who very often are compelled to purchase both types rather than make a selection.

[0005] Many consumers who value the convenience of capsule style machine have an ongoing interest in enhancing the quality of coffee prepared by such appliances.

[0006] Many consumers who value the quality of more traditional appliances not making use of capsule have an ongoing interest in enhancing the user experience of such machines, for example, by increasing their convenience of use.

[0007] It is an ongoing challenge to navigate the trade-offs and competing demands required to produce coffee making appliances that can satisfy consumer demand, particularly in the realm of coffee making appliances for the competitive domestic market, where the competing demands of product quality, ease of use and affordability must be considered.SUMMARY

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the disadvantages of existing arrangements, or at least provide a useful alternative to existing arrangements.

[0009] There is disclosed herein a subassembly for conveying a capsule within a coffee making apparatus, said capsule having an opening with a flanged rim, wherein the subassembly comprises a track structure to slidably capture the flanged rim spanning between a first position and a second position at a vertically lower position relative to the first position, wherein the track structure is curved between the first position and the second position such that the capsule inverts its vertical orientation at the second position respective to the first position.

[0010] Preferably, the track comprises a first slot disposed in a horizontal and parallel relation relative to a second slot.

[0011] Preferably, the first slot is defined between a first pair of cooperating rail members.

[0012] Preferably, the second slot is defined between a second pair of cooperating rail members.

[0013] Preferably, the first position is configured to locate vertically above an inlet of a grinder subassembly of the coffee making apparatus.

[0014] Preferably, the second position is configured to locate vertically below the outlet of a grinder sub assembly of the coffee making apparatus.

[0015] Preferably, the subassembly further comprises an unsealing portion configured to remove a seal from the opening.

[0016] Preferably, the unsealing portion is adjacent to the first position.

[0017] Preferably, the unsealing portion comprises a surface configured in use to support the flanged rim and sealed opening of the capsule.

[0018] Preferably, the surface of the unsealing portion comprises projections configured in use to expose the opening through the seal.

[0019] Preferably, the projections are in fixed relation relative the surface.

[0020] Preferably, the projections are selectively retractable through the surface.

[0021] Preferably, at least a portion of the surface is configured at a descending angle toward the first position.

[0022] Preferably, the surface is configured with an at the first position.

[0023] There is also disclosed a coffee making assembly comprising the conveying assembly of any one of the preceding claims, said coffee making assembly further comprising a grinder subassembly having an inlet vertically below the first position and an outlet vertically above the second position.

[0024] Preferably, the coffee making assembly further includes a tamp assembly having a tamp configured to act through the opening of the capsule in the second position.

[0025] Also disclosed is a coffee making assembly comprising: a subassembly for conveying a capsule within a coffee making apparatus, said capsule having an opening with a flanged rim, wherein the subassembly comprises a track structure to slidably capture the flanged rim spanning between a first position and a second position at a vertically lower position relative tothe first position, wherein the track structure is curved between the first position and the second position such that the capsule inverts its vertical orientation at the second position respective to the first position; and a grinder subassembly having an inlet vertically below the first position and an outlet vertically above the second position.

[0026] Preferably, said capsule contains whole coffee beans, and wherein seal is applied to the opening to prevent the coffee beans from passing through the opening.

[0027] Preferably, said seal is removable to reveal the opening and allow the coffee beans to pass through the opening.

[0028] Preferably, the coffee making assembly further comprises an unsealing portion configured to remove a seal from the opening.

[0029] Preferably, the unsealing portion is adjacent to the first position.

[0030] Preferably, the coffee making assembly further includes a tamp assembly having a tamp configured to act through the opening of the capsule in the second position.

[0031] Preferably, the coffee making assembly further includes a showerhead to direct steam and / or hot water through the opening of the capsule in the second position.

[0032] Preferably, track structure has a sideways U-shape.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference signs designate like parts and in which:

[0034] Figure l is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a conveying subassembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a coffee making assembly comprising the conveying subassembly of Figure 1;

[0036] Figure 3 is an alternative perspective view of the coffee making assembly of Figure 1;

[0037] Figure 4 is top view of a coffee making assembly comprising the conveying subassembly of Figure 2;

[0038] Figure 5 is an alternative perspective view of the coffee making assembly of Figure 2 along with an example embodiment of capsule in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 6 is a side view of the coffee making assembly of Figure 2 along with a capsule in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 7 is a top view of the coffee making assembly of Figure 2 along with a capsule in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 8 is a side view of the coffee making assembly of Figure 2 along with a capsule in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 9 is a side view of the coffee making assembly of Figure 2 along with a capsule in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 10 is a rear view of the coffee making assembly of Figure 2 along with a capsule in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 11 is a front view of the coffee making assembly of Figure 2 along with a capsule in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 12 is a detail view of the unsealing portion of the conveying subassembly of Figure 1;

[0046] Figure 13 is an alternative detail view of the unsealing portion of the conveying subassembly of Figure 1;

[0047] Figure 14 is detail view of an example embodiment of an unsealing portion blade mechanism in accordance with the present invention;

[0048] Figure 15 is a detail view of an alternative example embodiment of an unsealing portion in accordance with the present invention.

[0049] Figure 16 is a perspective view of an alternative example embodiment of a conveying subassembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0050] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the coffee making assembly comprising the conveying subassembly of Figure 16 along with the capsule;

[0051] Figure 18 is a rear view the coffee making assembly comprising the conveying subassembly of Figure 16 along with the capsule;

[0052] Figure 19 is a side view the coffee making assembly comprising the conveying subassembly of Figure 16 along with the capsule and further along with a schematic representation of the coffee making apparatus;

[0053] Figure 20 is a side view the coffee making assembly comprising the conveying subassembly of Figure 16 along with the capsule and further along with a schematic representation of the coffee making apparatus;

[0054] Figure 21 is a side view the coffee making assembly comprising the conveying subassembly of Figure 16 along with the capsule;

[0055] Figure 22 is a detail view of the unsealing portion of the conveying subassembly of Figure 16.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Disclosed herein with reference to the Figures is a coffee making assembly 10 for a coffee making apparatus 1 (not shown). The coffee making apparatus 1 makes use of a capsule 20 (best seen in Figure 7) containing whole beans. The entire assembly is operable to remove the beans from the capsule 20 and direct them to an inlet 201 of a grinder subassembly 200; to subsequently convey the capsule 20 via a further subassembly in order to receive ground coffee from an outlet 202 of the grinder sub assembly; whereby a further subassembly acts to tamp the ground coffee and subsequently extract liquid coffee from the capsule 20.

[0057] By this arrangement, the capsule 20 initially containing whole coffee beans is subsequently utilized as a brewing vessel / cup for the extraction of liquid coffee.

[0058] A described in detail hereinafter by way of illustrative and non -limiting example embodiments, the conveying subassembly 100 is arranged to utilize gravity in order to convey the capsule 20 from: a first position 101 for dispensing whole beans to the grinder subassembly 200; to a second position 102 for receiving the ground coffee from the grinder subassembly 200. Furthermore, the conveying assembly is arranged to the invert the vertical orientation of the capsule 20 between the first position 101 and second position 102. The vertical orientation of the capsule 20 is inverted from having its opening 21 facing downwards at the first position 101 so as to dispense the whole beans through its opening 21; to having its opening 21 facing upwards at the second position 102 so as to receive ground coffee through its opening 21.

[0059] In general, the conveying subassembly 100 is able to move the capsule 20 from the first position 101 to the second position 102 while inverting the vertical orientation by transporting the capsule 20 along a track that curves between the first position 101 and the vertically lower second position 102. The curvature of said track has a turning point 108 between the first position 101 and the second position 102, that is, the curved track has a point 108 between the first position 101 and the second position 102 that is entirely aligned with the vertical direction. More specifically, a first portion of the curved track proximal to the first position 101 has a horizontal component of travel in a first direction as well as a vertical component; and a subsequent second portion of the track proximal to the second position 102 has a horizontal component of travel in an opposing second direction as well as a vertical component, such that the vertical orientation of the capsule 20 is flipped or inverted. The general shape of the curved track can thus be considered C-shaped or sideways U-shaped.

[0060] In embodiments, the capsule 20 is generally in the form of a cup having an opening 21. Initially, the opening 21 is sealed 22 thereby acting to retain the coffee beans within the capsule 20. At least a portion of the periphery about the opening 21 is configured with a projecting rim 23 or flange. In the example embodiments depicted the track structure 103 comprises cooperating first 104 and second 105 slots to slidably capture the flanged rim 23 as the capsule 20 is conveyed along the track structure 103.

[0061] It is generally preferred for the conveying subassembly 100 to include an unsealing portion 109 to remove the seal 22 from the capsule 20 prior to dispensing the coffee beans into the grinder subassembly 200 and then moving along the track from the first position 101 to the second position 102.

[0062] Referring to Figure 1, shown is an example embodiment of a conveying subassembly 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. The conveying subassembly 100 comprises a curved track structure 103 spanning between an upper first position 101 and a lower second position 102. In the depicted embodiment, the initial and final portions of the track are substantially horizontal, with the remainder of the track being provided in the general form of a semicircle. By this arrangement, the capsule 20 initially moves in a first horizontal direction before curving back to move in an opposing second horizontal direction. As flanged rim 23 is slidably captured by the slots 104, 105 of the track structure 103, the partially looped nature of the curved track structure 103 causes the capsule 20 to invert its vertical orientation as it moves along the curved track structure 103 from the upper first position 101 to the lower second position 102.

[0063] In the example embodiment of Figure 1, the capsule 20 would initially encounter an unsealing portion 109 prior to encountering the track structure 103. The unsealing portion 109 is provided to remove the seal 22 from the opening 21 of the capsule 20. In the depicted example embodiment, the unsealing portion 109 comprises a surface 110. In use, the capsule 20 will rest upon the surface 110 with the opening 21 facing downward upon this surface 110, such that the seal 22 is adjacent to the surface 110. An actuator (not shown) may be provided to move the capsule 20 along the surface 110 and into the first position 101 where the flanged rim 23 of the capsule 20 is captured by the slots 104, 105 of the track structure 103 to be slidably conveyed to the second position 102. As the actuator urges the capsule 20 along the surface 110, blades 115 or protrusions 111 are configured to protrude through apertures or slits 112 provided in the surface 110. Said blades 115 are configured to open the seal 22 as the capsule 20 moves along the surface 110 to the first position 101.

[0064] After the capsule seal 22 has been opened in the unsealing station, the contents of the capsule 20 are to be dispensed into the inlet 201 of the grinder subassembly 200. Dispensing of the beans from the capsule 20 may occur prior to the capsule rim 23 being captured in the slots 104, 105. Alternatively, dispensing of the beans from the capsule 20 in its first position 101 maycoincide with the capsule 20 being moved onto the initial portion of the track structure 103. In other embodiments, dispensing of the beans from the capsule 20 may occur after the capsule 20 has commenced travel on the track structure 103 towards the second position 102. In the example embodiment of Figure 1, the surface 110 of the unsealing station continues to the first position 101, where the first position 101 coincides with the start of the track structure 103 whereby the flanged rim 23 is first captured by the slots 104, 105 of the track structure 103. The surface 110 at the first position 101 is configured with an aperture 113. By this arrangement, after the capsule 20 is unsealed, the exposed opening 21 of the capsule 20 is incident on the surface 110 of unsealing portion 109, which thereby acts to retain the beans within the unsealed capsule 20, Then, as the capsule 20 is moved across the surface 110 into the first position 101, the unsealed opening 21 of the capsule 20 will move along the portion of the surface 110 having the aperture 113, such that the opening 21 is no longer blocked by the surface 110 thereby allowing the beans to dispense from the capsule 20 and fall through the aperture 113 under the influence of gravity. By this arrangement, the portion of the surface 110 configured with the aperture 113 represents the first position 101 where the contents of the capsule 20 are dispensed to the inlet 201 of the grinder subassembly 200.

[0065] In the example embodiment of Figure 1, the first position 101 of the track structure 103 has slots 104, 105 formed by the cooperation of the upper rails and the surface 110. The subsequent portion of the track structure 103 has slots 104, 105 formed by cooperating pairs of rails 106,107. The slots 104, 105 at the first position 101 are horizontally aligned. Consequently, in this example embodiment, the actuator is required to move the capsule 20 along the surface 110 at least partially beyond the first position 101. Hereinafter, the alignment of the slots 104, 105 have a progressively vertical alignment toward the turning point 108, due to the curved nature of the track structure 103. Said vertical alignment urges the capsule 20 to travel along the track under the influence of gravity and without additional mechanical inducement by the actuator or otherwise.

[0066] Denoted in the non-limiting example embodiment of Figure 1, are vectors indicating the direction of travel of the capsule 20 along the track structure 103. At the first position 101, vector vi is substantially horizontal. At the turning point 108, vector vt is substantially vertical. Due to the curved nature of the track structure 103 and hence slots 104, 105, the vector at a position between the first position 101 and the turning point 108 will have both a horizontal and vertical component, with the horizontal component progressively decreasing and the verticalcomponent progressively increasing as the capsule 20 moves towards the turning point 108, with vabeing an example of the capsule 20 direction of movement at a location between the first position 101 and the turning point 108.

[0067] Similarly, as the capsule 20 continues to travel along the curved track structure 103 past the turning point 108, the direction in which the capsule 20 moves will again have both a horizontal and vertical component. However, given the arcuate or sideways U-shape of the track’s curvature, the horizontal component is in the opposite direction to the horizontal component between the first position 101 and the turning point 108. As shown in the example embodiment of Figure 1, the directional vector of the capsule 20 motion V2 as it moves into the second position 102 is substantially horizontal in the opposite direction to the directional vector vi as the capsule 20 leaves the first position 101. Due again to the curved nature of the track structure 103 and hence slots 104, 105, the vector at a position between the turning point 108 and the second position 102 will have both a horizontal and vertical component, with the horizontal component progressively increasing and the vertical component progressively decreasing as the capsule 20 moves towards the second position 102, with vb being an example of a the capsule 20 direction of movement at a location between the turning point 108 and the second position 102.

[0068] As a result of the flanged rim 23 of the capsule 20 moving within such sideways U- shaped slots 104, 105, the vertical orientation is inverted or flipped between the first position 101 and the second position 102. As hereinbefore described, the opening 21 of the capsule 20 is directed vertically downwards at the first position 101. Due to the vertical orientation of the capsule 20 being inverted as it travels along the track from the first position 101 to the second position 102, the opening 21 of the capsule 20 is directed vertically upwards at the second position 102. By this arrangement, the curved track structure 103 moves the capsule 20 from the first position 101 to a vertically lower second position 102 while also inverting the vertical orientation of the capsule 20.

[0069] Advantageously, the grinding subassembly may be located within the coffee making apparatus 1 between the first position 101 and the second position 102 of the conveying assembly. By this arrangement, the unsealed capsule 20 with the opening 21 facing down can dispense its contents through the aperture 113 such that the beans are directed to the inlet 201 of the grinding apparatus under the influence of gravity. The capsule 20 can then travel from thefirst position 101 via the track structure 103 to the vertically lower second position 102 while being inverted so that the unsealed opening 21 is facing upwards. The second position 102 is located vertically below the outlet 202 of the grinder subassembly 200 such that the coffee grounds exiting the outlet 202 are directed through the opening 21 of the capsule 20 to reside within the capsule 20, from which liquid coffee can then be extracted.

[0070] Referring now to the example embodiments of Figures 2 to 11, shown is an assembly comprising the conveying assembly of Figure 1 together with a grinder subassembly 200 and a tamp and brewing subassembly 300, the combination of said subassemblies being collectively termed the coffee making assembly 10 of a coffee making apparatus 1.

[0071] In the non-limiting example embodiments of Figures 2 to 11, the aperture 113 in the surface 110 defining the first position 101 coincides with the beginning of the track structure 103. Once the opening 21 of the capsule 20 is revealed in the unsealing portion 109, the capsule 20 orientated with its opening 21 adjacent the surface 110 is moved to the first position 101. As the opening 21 of the capsule 20 will be above the aperture 113 in said first position 101, the beans within the capsule 20 will pass through the opening 21 and aperture 113 to be directed to the inlet 201 of the grinder assembly vertically below the aperture 113. A chute 203 may be provided between the aperture 113 and the inlet 201 of the grinder to guide the coffee beans as the fall under the influence of gravity from the unsealed opening 21 via the aperture 113 and chute 203 to the inlet 201 of the grinder assembly, thereby acting to avoid spillages.

[0072] In the depicted example embodiment, the aperture 113 is directly above the inlet 201 to the grinder assembly. An angled chute may be used to direct the beans to a grinder assembly inlet 201 not directly below the aperture 113.

[0073] With the beans from the capsule 20 dispensed to the inlet 201 of the grinder, the capsule 20 will then travel along the track structure 103 coming to rest in the second position 102 as hereinbefore described. It has been surprisingly found that the momentum of the capsule 20 is sufficient for it to move into the second position 102 without external assistance, even as the alignment of the track becomes progressively horizontal toward the second position 102. In the depicted example embodiment the second position 102 is not directly below the outlet 202 of the grinder subassembly 200. Rather, the second position 102 is horizontally offset from a position directly below the outlet 202 of the grinder assembly. An outlet chute 204 is thenprovided to direct ground coffee from the outlet 202 of the grinder subassembly 200 through the opening 21 of the capsule 20 in the second position 102.

[0074] In an example embodiment, the grinder subassembly 200 is of the type described in applicant’s earlier application published as WO 2023 / 115097 Al, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety, by reference thereto. However, the coffee making assembly 10 of the present disclosure is not limited to use with this particular grinder assembly, and it is within the remit of the person skilled in the art to produce the coffee making assembly 10 of the present disclosure using alternative grinder assemblies using the principles of general application set out herein. Said example grinder subassembly 200 is advantageous in having an upwards facing inlet 201 and a downwards facing outlet 202, thereby simplifying the operation of the coffee making assembly 10 by utilizing gravity in accepting beans from a capsule 20 in a first position 101 locating generally above the inlet 201 and dispensing grounds to a capsule 20 in the second position 102 locating generally below the outlet 202.

[0075] In example embodiment, a sensor (not shown) may be used to determine when the capsule 20 has moved into the second position 102. By way of non-limiting example, an optical sensor or limit switch may be used to determine when a capsule 20 is in the second position 102, though other methods are within the ambit of the person skilled in the art to perform. In an example embodiment, the grinder may be interlocked from being energized until a capsule 20 is identified as being in the second position 102 by such a sensor. Such an arrangement may be used whether operation of the grinder is automatic upon a capsule 20 being sensed in the second position 102, or whether operation of the grinder required a user action such pressing a button or touch screen input to energise the grinder.

[0076] As depicted in the example embodiment of Figures 2 to 11, the second position 102 may locate generally below the tamp and brewing subassembly 300. In this example embodiment, the arrangement of the tamp 301 is of the type described by applicant’s earlier applications published as WO 2022 / 133538 Al, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety, by reference thereto. Specifically, the tamp 301 is controlled by a mechanism that moves it between a rest position and a tamp position while also pivoting the orientation of the tamp 301. By this arrangement, as the tamp 301 is brought into the tamp position, it pivots into a horizontal orientation to apply pressure to the grounds in the capsule 20 to form a compressed puck. As the tamp 301 moves away from the tamp position and into the rest position distal fromthe capsule 20, the tamp 301 pivots into a vertical position so as to minimize interfering with the flow of ground through the chute 204 into a capsule 20 in a subsequent coffee making operation.

[0077] In the depicted example embodiment, the tamp 301 is moved between from a rest position into a tamping position by way of an actuator in the form of a lever 302. In use, said lever 302 will be located on an external position of the coffee making apparatus 1 for user access. By turning said lever 302 the tamp 301 is moved from the rest position with a vertically orientated tamp 301 and into the tamping position with a horizontally orientated tamp 301 to compress the grounds in the capsule 20 to for a puck. In alternative embodiments, actuation of the tamp 301 may be automated to occur upon a user input, or upon a sensor indicating that the grinding operation is complete.

[0078] In the example embodiment of Figures 2 to 11, the tamp and brewing subassembly 300 uses a tamp 301 with the combined function of a shower head as is known in the art, for example in German Utility Model No. DE 1896239 U. By this arrangement, once the tamp 301 is brought into its tamping position to form a coffee puck in the capsule 20, steam and / or hot water may then be directed through the tamp 301 now acting in its capacity as a shower head to flow through the pack formed within the capsule 20 to thereby extract liquid coffee. The liquid coffee then passes through perforations 24 in a bottom surface 110 of the capsule 20 opposite to the opening 21 to flow into a cup located below the capsule 20 in its second position 102. In this manner, the capsule 20 acts as a brewing vessel for the production of liquid coffee, and so may be thought of as acting as a portafilter for the production of espresso style coffee.

[0079] Referring now to the non-limiting example embodiments of Figures 12 to 15, shown are indicative further details of the unsealing portion 109 hereinbefore described. Referring in particular to Figure 14, shown is an example of blade mechanism 114 used to provide retractable protrusions 111 in the surface 110 of the unsealing portion 109. This mechanism comprises two sets of blades 115 pivotably mounted to a body 116. The body 116 has a mounting face 117 for attachment to an underside of the surface 110, an example of which is shown in Figure 13. The underside may be configured with holes 119 corresponding to holes 119 in the mounting face 117, through which apertures may be applied to effect connection of the mechanism to the underside of the unsealing portion 109. When thus mounted, the blades 115 of the mechanism can pivotably move through slits 112 in the surface 110 to thereby selectively protrude from the surface 110 forming protrusions 111 for removing the seal 22 fromthe capsule 20, and the withdraw from the surface 110 to permit unhindered movement of the capsule 20 across the surface 110 towards the first position 101. The pivotable blades 115 may be biased into a certain position using a bias member 118. For example, the blades 115 may be biased into the retracted position, and may by urged against said bias to emerge through the slits 112 to form protrusions 111 to cut the seal 22 of the capsule 20 as it acted upon by the actuator. In one non-limiting embodiment, the actuator may be configured to angularly move the capsule 20 on the surface 110 over protrusions 111 to cut though the seal 22. For example, the actuator may angularly move the seal 22 through about 180 degrees while the blades 115 protrude through the slits 112 forming protrusions 111 to thereby make a circular incision through the seal 22.

[0080] In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 15, the surface 110 may be configured with protrusions 111 in the form of a saw-toothed or tooth-edged blade. Such a blade may be thought of as similar to those used on a tape dispenser to cut the tape. In the depicted nonlimiting example embodiment, the saw-toothed blade is applied laterally across the surface 110, that is, normal to the direction of travel of the capsule 20 toward the first position 101. Here the blade is located between the slits 112 and the aperture 113, and may act to ensure the seal 22 is fully removed from the capsule 20 opening 21 after is has been cut by the blades 115 protruding through the slits 112. The saw-toothed may act to grip the cut seal 22 as the capsule 20 moves past the blade to separate it from the capsule 20 before its onwards journey to the aperture 113. The saw-toothed may also act to scrape against certain portions of the seal 22 that may not have been effective cut by the blades 115 to promote the flanged rim 23 being free of any residual pieces of seal 22 material that are large enough to interfere with the travel of the capsule 20 along the track structure 103 by causing friction in the slots 104, 105. In alternative embodiments, the saw-toothed may form protrusions 111 without being used in conjunction with the blade mechanism 114. The saw-toothed protrusions 111 may also be used in conjunction with other types of protrusions 111 such as those described hereinafter.

[0081] Referring now to Figures 16 to 22, shown is an alternative embodiment of the coffee making assembly 10. The only difference between the coffee making assembly 10 of Figures 16 to 22 and that of Figures 1 to 15 is the arrangement of the unsealing station. Here, the protrusions 111 are fixed in relation to the surface 110, instead of retractable. The protrusions are in the form of triangular teeth that are functional to perforate and tear the seal 22 from the opening 21 of the capsule 20.

[0082] The surface 110 of the example unsealing station of Figures 16 to 22 is provided at a slope descending towards the first position 101. The sloped surface 110 may assist the capsule 20 in moving through the unsealing portion 109 towards the first position 101. The unsealing portion 109 of Figures 1 to 15 may also be provided with a sloped surface 110 in such a manner.

[0083] Although specific embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternative and / or equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

[0084] It will also be appreciated that in this document the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “include”, “including”, “contain”, “containing”, “have”, “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e. non-exclusive) sense, such that the process, method, device, apparatus or system described herein is not limited to those features or parts or elements or steps recited but may include other elements, features, parts or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms “a” and “an” used herein are intended to be understood as meaning one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. Moreover, the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a certain ranking of importance of their objects.

[0085] Integers:1 coffee making apparatus 101 first positions10 coffee making assembly 102 second position20 capsule 103 track structure21 opening 104 first slot22 seal 105 second slot23 flanged rim 106 first pair of cooperating rail24 perforations members100 conveying subassembly 107 second pair of cooperating railmembers 118 bias member108 turning point 119 holes109 unsealing portion 200 grinder subassembly110 surface 201 inlet111 protrusions 202 outlet112 slits 203 inlet chute113 aperture 204 outlet chute114 blade mechanism 300 Tamp and brewing subassembly115 blades 301 tamp / showerhead116 body 302 lever117 mounting face

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A subassembly for conveying a capsule within a coffee making apparatus, said capsule having an opening with a flanged rim, wherein the subassembly comprises a track structure to slidably capture the flanged rim spanning between a first position and a second position at a vertically lower position relative to the first position, wherein the track structure is curved between the first position and the second position such that the capsule inverts its vertical orientation at the second position respective to the first position.

2. The sub assembly of claim 1, wherein the track comprises a first slot disposed in a horizontal and parallel relation relative a second slot.

3. The sub assembly of claim 2, wherein the first slot is defined between a first pair of cooperating rail members.

4. The subassembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein the second slot is defined between a second pair of cooperating rail members.

5. The subassembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first position is configured to locate vertically above an inlet of a grinder subassembly of the coffee making apparatus.

6. The sub assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second position is configured to locate vertically below the outlet of a grinder sub assembly of the coffee making apparatus.

7. The subassembly of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an unsealing portion configured to remove a seal from the opening.

8. The sub assembly of claim 7, wherein the unsealing portion is adjacent to the first position.

9. The sub assembly of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the unsealing portion comprises a surface configured in use to support the flanged rim and sealed opening of the capsule.

10. The sub assembly of claim 9, wherein the surface of the unsealing portion comprises projections configured in use to expose the opening through the seal.

11. The subassembly of claim 10, wherein the projections are in fixed relation relative the surface.

12. The subassembly of claim 10, wherein the projections are selectively retractable through the surface.

13. The subassembly of any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein at least a portion of the surface is configured at a descending angle toward the first position.

14. The subassembly of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the surface is configured with an at the first position.

15. A coffee making assembly comprising the conveying assembly of any one of the preceding claims, said coffee making assembly further comprising a grinder subassembly having an inlet vertically below the first position and an outlet vertically above the second position.

16. The coffee making assembly of claim 15, further including a tamp assembly having a tamp configured to act through the opening of the capsule in the second position.

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