Patent ID: 7883733
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
1. A method of making a beverage from powdered material in a cup-shaped sealed capsule ( 2 ), the method comprising the steps of inserting a said sealed capsule ( 2 ) between pressurized-hot-water dispensing means ( 11 ) and a cup ( 42 ) aligned with the dispensing means ( 11 ) along a horizontal axis ( 9 ), the insertion step being carried out by feeding the sealed capsule ( 2 ) downwards along an inlet conduit ( 52 ) into a first seat ( 67 ) defined between two elastically deformable jaws ( 63 ), and applying downward thrust to the sealed capsule ( 2 ) inside the first seat ( 67 ) to part the two jaws ( 63 ) and transfer the sealed capsule ( 2 ) from the first seat ( 67 ) to a second seat ( 68 ) coaxial with said axis ( 9 ) and also defined by said two jaws ( 63 ); and the method further comprising the steps of piercing a sealing wall ( 6 ) fitted integrally to an outer annular flange ( 4 ) of the sealed capsule ( 2 ) by applying an axial force to said flange ( 4 ) and pushing the sealed capsule ( 2 ), still coaxial with said axis ( 9 ), axially against a first piercing device ( 21 ) carried by the dispensing means ( 11 ); and piercing an end wall ( 5 ) of the sealed capsule ( 2 ) opposite to the sealing wall ( 6 ) by applying axial compression to the sealed capsule ( 2 ) to push the end wall ( 5 ) against a second piercing device ( 44 ) carried by the cup ( 42 ); the axial compression being applied only after feeding pressurized hot water into the sealed capsule ( 2 ) through the pierced sealing wall ( 6 ).