Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for feeding capsules containing a substance to be extracted in an extraction system under pressure for the preparation of a drink. The device includes a supply of capsules arranged in several series, and a mechanism for individually unloading one capsule into a reception part of the extraction system. The extraction system injects water into the capsule to form the drink as a liquid extract of the substance. The reception part is arranged beneath the unloading mechanism in such a way as to allow the direct descent of the released capsule into the reception part and includes structure for opening the capsule for releasing the liquid extract therefrom.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of International application PCT/EP02/03632 filed Mar. 26, 2002, the entire content of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the preparation of drinks using the principle of extracting a substance contained in a refill, known as a “capsule”, by passing a flow of water through it under pressure. The invention relates more specifically to an extraction device comprising a capsule feeding and loading system.  
           [0003]    It is known to prepare drinks such as coffee from capsules containing a predetermined serving of ground-roasted coffee. Capsules have the advantage of facilitating the operations of preparing the drink, ensuring relatively clean preparation without leaving visible coffee grounds, and controlling the amount and quality of the prepared product.  
           [0004]    The principle of extracting from a capsule includes the steps of (i) enclosing the capsule in a pressure-resistant enclosure, (ii) piercing one of the faces of the capsule, generally by means of one or more spike(s) or blade(s) situated in a part comprising a water inlet or injection device, (iii) introducing a quantity of hot water into the capsule to create a pressurized environment therein to produce the liquid coffee extract, and finally (iv) releasing the liquid coffee extract through the opposite face of the capsule which, on contact with projecting parts, opens under the internal pressure created inside the capsule.  
           [0005]    In most commercially available extraction devices, the capsules are loaded manually and individually into the extraction capsule holder, this usually being a part corresponding to the base out of which the liquid extract later flows. The capsule holder may come in a variety of forms, as in the form of a bayonet-engagement spoon of the type used in traditional espresso machines. There are also movable drawer-type capsule loading systems in which a simplified loading movement (horizontal linear or other) places the capsule in the extraction system. Such a system is disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. US2003089245A1.  
           [0006]    There is however a need to feed capsules from a capsule magazine that does not require direct handling with the capsule but, on the contrary, encourages a more automated arrangement of the capsules in the extraction system. There is also a need to provide magazines of capsules that are all identical or, on the contrary, different, while being very easy to load. Such systems have already been described in a number of publications. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,440,951 relates to an automatic coffee machines comprising a water heating and serving mechanism, a mechanism for storing loading cartridges containing coffee powder operating in conjunction with a mechanism that receives and moves the cartridges to place them in front of a hot-water discharging nozzle and to remove the cartridges after infusion, all these mechanisms being controlled by synchronized drive elements. Such a device is however very complicated and takes up a lot of room because of having to move the capsule between its storage point and its infusion point.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,832 relates to a device for feeding portions of ground coffee into an extraction unit having a magazine capable of accommodating a plurality of portions of coffee and means of unloading individual portions into the feeder device. The capsule release system is relatively complicated and uses several pairs of pins operated by pairs of actuating elements which in turn are controlled by an electromagnet. Each series or tube of portions of coffee possesses its own releasing parts, making the system relatively complicated, inefficient and expensive. The system moreover demands great precision and perfect synchronization of the movements of the releasing parts, which must act at the same time to avoid portions of coffee becoming jammed in the system. The more repetitions there are and the more the components become worn, such a system can become unreliable and prone to failures of greater of lesser severity. Another drawback is that the extraction chamber receiving the portion must pivot on the side to align itself in the direction of the extraction support before rising to meet the said support in a linear movement. The repeated combination of complex movements along several axes tends to affect the precision of the system, encourages premature wear of the mechanical parts and thus reduces the reliability and service life of the device. Another drawback is that extraction occurs from the bottom upwards, with the extracted liquid passing out through the top of the extraction support, which means that a tube must be provided to carry it to where the cup is to be filled. Such a configuration poses problems of draining the liquid and also of general size.  
           [0008]    Thus, improvements in these type devices are desired, and these are provided by the present invention.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention now provides a feeding and loading device connected to a capsule extraction system that is simpler, smaller and more reliable in use and without problems of pouring and draining the extracted liquid as in the art.  
           [0010]    These advantages are achieved with a device for feeding capsules containing a substance to be extracted in an extraction system under pressure for the preparation of a drink. This device comprises storage means that includes a plurality of capsules arranged in several series; means for individually unloading a capsule selected from one of the series of capsules into a drink-forming position; means for forming a drink from a liquid extract of the substance by the introduction of a liquid under pressure into the selected capsule; and a reception part arranged beneath the individual unloading means to receive the selected capsule by direct descent, the reception part including means for opening the capsule to release the drink.  
           [0011]    Advantageously, each series of capsules contains like capsules that are capable of making of a beverage that is different from that made from the other series of capsules. Also, the storage means can include a plurality of capsule holding tubes each of which contains one series of capsules. The capsule holding tubes are preferably mounted vertically on a rotatable support so that selection of a series of capsules is made by rotation of the support to position a selected series of capsules above the reception part.  
           [0012]    The unloading means comprises a stationery plate having a passage in alignment with the selected capsule holding tube and arranged to allow a capsule to descend into the reception part; and close-off means able to move with respect to the passage between a closed position in which the passage is closed off by the close-off means in such a way as to allow the capsule to face the passage but remain in the storage means and an open position in which the passage is opened to allow the capsule to descend into the reception part. The close-off means preferably comprises a movable plate having an aperture that conforms to the passage and that is movable from the closed position, where movement of the capsule through the passage is prevented by the movable plate, to the open position where the aperture of the moveable plate is aligned with the passage of the stationery plate so as to allow the capsule to move through the passage and into the reception part. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    These characteristics and their advantages besides other possible characteristics and advantages will be made more understandable in the light of the description which follows and the drawings which follow:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extraction device with capsule loading system according to the invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a similar perspective view of the device without the capsule storage means;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a view of the device in FIG. 2 from beneath;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is view similar to FIG. 3 but without the reception part of the extraction system;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a profile view in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 3;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view D-D in FIG. 5 at the time of the step of loading/expulsion of the capsule into/from the device;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a profile view in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 3;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along A-A in FIG. 7 with the extraction system containing a capsule to be extracted in position before the locking of the extraction system;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a profile view in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 3 but with the system in the locking position (compressed return spring);  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along B-B in FIG. 9. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]    In one embodiment, the device includes storage means comprising capsules arranged in several series, means for individually unloading one capsule into a reception part of the extraction system characterized in that the reception part of the extraction system is arranged underneath the unloading means in such a way as to allow the direct descent of the released capsule into the reception part and in that the reception part comprises means of opening the capsule capable of releasing the liquid extract and means of conveying this extract doe dispensing.  
         [0025]    A configuration such as this therefore contributes to a faster, more direct feed and seeks to limit mechanical interactions that can give rise to early wear and reduce the service life of the device.  
         [0026]    In an advantageous embodiment, the loading means comprises support means on which the storage means is rotatable comprising a passage arranged to allow a capsule to descend into the reception part of the extraction system in a configuration of alignment of a series with respect to the passage, and close-off means able to move with respect to the said passage between a position in which the passage is closed off by the close-off means in such a way as to hold the capsule facing the passage in the storage means and a position in which the passage is open to allow the capsule to descend into the reception part of the extraction system.  
         [0027]    Thus, a configuration such as this has the advantage of using, for capsule loading, a reduced number of parts which are common to all series of capsules, namely the passage of a support means and close-off means with two positions in common as defined. Such a configuration can also allow rapid selection of the capsule in the series desired by the passage followed by release of the capsule by virtue of the means with two positions; this occurs reliably and rapidly.  
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, the close-off means comprises a part complementary to the extraction system which when the means is located in the close-off position of the passage is located in alignment with the reception part of the extraction system. In other words, the closing off of the passage after loading of the capsule has the effect of bringing together the assembly parts of the extraction system into one and the same alignment. This also contributes to the reduction of the complexity of the system by limiting the number of parts and, as a consequence, of drive means (for example motors) necessary to perform the loading and positioning functions of the extraction system.  
         [0029]    More particularly, the complementary part of the extraction system is an injection device equipped with one or more means for the introduction of water into the capsule. “Injection device” is understood to mean the part of the extraction system having the function of bringing about the opening of the capsule to supply it with water. The invention therefore proposes that this part be associated with the movable close-off means in such a way as to coordinate its movement with that of the close-off means during the closure positioning of the extraction system, in such a way as to simplify the device and reduce the loading time with respect to the prior art.  
         [0030]    In another aspect of the invention the reception part of the extraction system comprises a movable housing for housing the capsule and movement means enabling the closing movement of the housing against the spray device in the direction of alignment of the two parts in order to permit extraction. To put it another way, the closure of the extraction system is obtained by a relative movement of translation, which is therefore less complex than the combined movements of rotation and translation of the prior art, more particularly of U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,832. Faster assembly, greater precision, less wear over time, and prolonged service life of the device are therefore obtained.  
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, the movement means comprises a piston and a pressure chamber in which the pressure can be raised by a fluid to move the piston and thus the housing in the direction of the spray device and an elastic return element allowing the return to the open position of the housing by retraction of the piston. Such a system is particularly reliable in use and produces a secure pressure-resistant closure. However, other closure systems may also be envisaged such as by mechanical action of the type involving movement of the movable extraction part along a threaded rod driven by electric motor, for example, or any other equivalent means.  
         [0032]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the means of unloading an individual capsule into the reception part of the extraction system moreover comprise a separation element coordinated with the movement of the close-off element in such a way as to introduce itself between the first capsule in the series positioned facing the passage and the second capsule in the series at the moment when the close-off element is moving into the opening position for the descent of the said first capsule. Such a configuration also contributes to the simplification of the device by avoiding recourse to an independently controlled element.  
         [0033]    According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the close-off means comprises a means of expulsion of the capsule which expels the capsule out of the reception part of the extraction system under the action of the movement of the close-off element into the opening position in such a way as to release the reception part for the descent of a new capsule through the passage. Such a configuration arises from the same concern to avoid recourse to an element that is independently controlled by supplementary control means but takes advantage of the movement of the close-off means itself.  
         [0034]    Turning now to the drawings, the extraction device  1  according to the invention is represented in FIG. 1 in a partial manner in order to facilitate the understanding of the principal characteristics of the invention. It comprises a storage system or carousel  10  of capsules arranged in such a way as to bring together several series of capsules housed in removable refill elements  11 . The capsules are thus stacked freely in the refill elements or cartridges  11 . The refill elements can take up position in a selected order, on support tubes  12  forming the base of the carousel. The support tubes are in the form of tubes of the same configuration as the refill elements so that the latter adapt themselves in alignment to feed them with capsules. The length of the support tubes  12  is a function of the buffer stock judged necessary to ensure a service in the event of removal of the removable cartridges  11  at the time of their replacement. The support tubes are hollow all the way through in such a way as to allow the capsules to pass through from the top to the bottom. The support tubes are connected between them to form a rigid assembly that can easily be moved in terms of rotation without undergoing noticeable deformation. The cartridges  11  are mounted in such a way as to orbit on a central assembly formed by hubs or wheels  13 ,  14  spaced vertically to which removable connection means  15  are attached which are intended to hold the cartridges. These connection means may be, as represented, clamps or any other equivalent means. The wheels  13 ,  14  are mounted so as to be integral in rotation on a central shaft (not represented) in such as way as to be able to drive the assembly of the carousel  10  in terms of rotation.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 shows the capsule unloading means and the extraction means which is associated therewith. Thus, the unloading means comprise a support plate  20  fixed to the frame of the device. A central hole  200  passes through the support plate  20  allowing the passage of the shaft of the storage system (not represented). The storage system  10  is therefore made movable in terms of rotation with respect to the support plate  20  which is fixed. The support plate  20  exhibits an upper surface  210  forming a means of support and retention of the capsules arranged in the support tubes  12 , which are movable with sliding around the support plate  20 .  
         [0036]    According to the invention, the support plate  20  comprises a passage  21  arranged eccentrically with respect to the support plate but situated in the circular path  22 , represented in dashed line, of movement of the support tubes  12 . The passage  21  possesses an opening of cross section corresponding to the cross section of the opening of the support tubes. Thus, when a support tube is immobilized in alignment with the passage  21  of the support plate, the lowest capsule in the series stored in the selected support tube is brought facing the passage  21 .  
         [0037]    Underneath the support plate there is a close-off assembly  30  having the function of controlling the descent of the capsule located in the passage. The close-off assembly forms a base  31  of substantially triangular shape contiguous with respect to the support plate  20  and movable with respect to the latter in an angular manner according to two extreme positions: one corresponding to the closing-off of the passage, and the other corresponding to the opening of the passage. The base  31  is thus movable about the central axis I and controlled by gear-type means  33  (drive means not represented). The base is guided by guide means  34  of the slot type as represented in order to precisely control the movement of the base  31  between its two positions.  
         [0038]    The base  31  comprises an opening  32  of cross section substantially equivalent to that of the passage. The opening  32  is located in such a way as to move in the path  22  of movement of the support tubes situated on the opposite side of the support plate. In the same way, the base comprises a water injection device  35  of circular shape and arranged in the path  22 , likewise at a distance from the opening  32 . The water injection device  35  comprises, on its surface, piercing means  36  and hot water supply means (not shown). The piercing means  36  may be spikes, blades or any other equivalent means.  
         [0039]    As FIG. 3 shows, a lower extraction subassembly  40  is mounted so as to be integral on the support plate  20 . The subassembly  40  forms the reception part of the capsule at the time of loading. Thus, the base  31  of the close-off system is movable with respect to this subassembly  40  along the guide means  34  by virtue of fixing rods  41   a ,  41   b  which make the subassembly  40  integral with the support plate.  
         [0040]    Returning to FIG. 2, a separation element  37  is provided on the side of the carousel on the support plate, the function of which is to separate the capsule situated facing the passage  21  at the moment when the passage  21  is made coincident with the opening  32  of the close-off means. For this purpose, the separation element is coupled in movement with the base  31  in such a way as to move in concert on the side opposite the opening  32  of the base. The close-off element is, for example, a part in the shape of an inverted L having a separation wall substantially parallel to the support plate of a height with respect to the support plate such that the wall is able to fit between the first capsule of the selected series and the second capsule in the series at the moment when the close-off element moves into the position of opening for the descent of the first capsule.  
         [0041]    The reception subassembly  40  of the extraction system will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The capsules are identified under the common reference  5  and individually by the references  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53 . The reception subassembly comprises an external container  42  which is fixed with respect to the fixing means  41   a ,  41   b , a fixed seat  43  which continues the container and has the function of receiving the capsule in an appropriate position. The seat thus possesses edges to support the edges  53  of the capsule. On the side corresponding to the direction of movement of the base of the close-off system  31  to open the passage, the seat has a gap  430 . This gap is provided for the expulsion of the capsule out of the seat after use. The expulsion is effected by an expulsion means  37  located under the base  31 . On the side opposite the gap there is a slot  431  allowing the passage of the expulsion means  37  at the time of return to position of the extraction system.  
         [0042]    Underneath the seat  43  there is a movable chamber  44  possessing a distribution plate  45  having as its function to bring about the opening of the capsule to release the liquid extract. For this purpose the distribution plate possesses sharpened reliefs capable of perforating the capsule under the action of a sufficient pressure of water in the capsule. The chamber  44  is movable in terms of translation in the bore of the container  42 .  
         [0043]    The chamber is continued downwards by a pouring channel  46  allowing the extraction liquid to escape under gravity directly into the receptacle (not represented). Movement means  60  are provided to control the movement of the chamber in the container. These means comprise a piston assembly formed by the chamber  44  itself, the container  42 , the pouring channel  46 , an internal pressurization chamber  47 , seals  48 ,  49  for sealing the chamber  47 , and a pressure fluid inlet  49 . These means are associated with elastic return means, comprising a return spring  70 , located between the container  42  and a bearing surface  71  allowing the return of the chamber  44  into the position of opening.  
         [0044]    The principle of operation of the device according to the invention will now be described in greater detail in relation to the figures.  
         [0045]    In a first stage, after the user has chosen the capsule in the desired series or cartridge, the carousel  10  is driven in terms of rotation either manually or by an electric motor situated underneath the device. The carousel is immobilized when the tube carrier containing the desired capsule coincides with the passage  21  of the support plate  20 . The selection of the capsule can be carried out in accordance with various automatic modes. For example, the cartridges  11  can bear an identification means such as a bar code which is readable by a reader situated in the device. The bar code gives indications regarding the type of capsule contained in the cartridge. These indications are read by the reader and processed by a control system which controls the carousel motor. Thus, the relative position of the cartridge has no influence on the choice and selection of the capsule.  
         [0046]    Following selection of the desired cartridge, the device is located in the position illustrated in FIG. 2, with a capsule  51  in position in the passage  21 . The passage is closed off by the close-off means  30 , the base  31  of which is in the position of closure, that is to say with the spray device  35  above the reception part  40  of the extraction system. The descent of the capsule  51  is then controlled by movement in terms of rotation of the close-off means  30  in such a way as to cause the passage  21  of the support plate to coincide with the opening  32  of the close-off base  31  as shown in FIG. 6. At the same time, the capsule  50  extracted during the preceding extraction cycle is expelled by the expulsion means  37  through the gap  430 . The expulsion means may be a blade or push element capable of pushing the capsule  50  out of the seat and, on the contrary, flexible in the opposite direction in order to be able to bend on contact with the new capsule engaged in the seat. The blade is positioned with respect to the opening  32  in such a way as to expel the used capsule  50  before the descent of the new capsule  51 . As the new capsule  51  descends into the seat  43 , the separation means  37  moves in concert with the base  31  of the close-off means in order to insert itself between the descending capsule  51  and the second capsule  52  in the series. The latter can thus be retained in place in the tube carrier.  
         [0047]    Following descent of the new capsule and expulsion of the used capsule, the close-off means  30  is controlled for a return to position such as represented in FIGS. 7 and 8. The cycle of descent-expulsion then return to position can be very rapid, of the order of 0.5 seconds to 1.5 seconds approximately. In the position of loading illustrated, the water injection device  35  provided in the base is positioned in alignment with the reception part  40  of the extraction system. The return to position also has the effect of causing the capsule  52  to descend on contact with the support plate  20  due to the retraction of the separation means.  
         [0048]    The next step consists in reclosing the extraction system over the capsule to be extracted  51 . For this purpose the pressure chamber  47  is pressurized by injecting fluids through the opening  49 , which moves the movable chamber  44  upwards to establish sufficient leaktightness of the cavity formed with the lower assembly and the spray device  35 . The capsule may possess edges which are pinched at the time of closure in such a way as to maintain the capsule in the correct position at the time of closure. Once the extraction system is closed, the capsule is pierced by the spikes of the water injection device under the action of the compression at the time of closure. Water at sufficient temperature to cause extraction can then be introduced into the capsule through the injection device  35 . The pressure inside the capsule rises with the volume of water introduced until the lower face of the capsule ruptures on contact with the relief elements of the distribution plate  45 . As FIG. 10 shows, the extracted liquid can then leave the capsule and pour out under gravity through the pouring channel  46 . A receptacle such as a cup is placed under the channel  46  in such a way as to receive the liquid. A new cycle of loading-expulsion can then commence.  
         [0049]    The invention has been described by way of preferred example in relation to a preferred embodiment. However, it is understood that the invention can include numerous variants or equivalents within the scope of those skilled in the art.