Patent ID: 8904922

Claim:
An infusion assembly ( 1 ) for a machine for preparing beverages, comprising: an operationally stationary support and guide structure ( 2 ) that has an abutment member ( 6 ) and a related hollow receiving member ( 7 ), the receiving member ( 7 ) being adapted to contain a quantity of a substance for preparing a drink, said abutment member and said receiving member being configured to assume a relative closed position in which they are coupled together in a fluid-tight manner to define an infusion chamber ( 15 ), and a separated open position, the abutment member ( 6 ) being fitted with means ( 16 ) configured to enable water and/or steam to be injected into the infusion chamber ( 15 ); electrically controlled actuating means ( 14 ) for causing relative displacements of said abutment member and said receiving member between the open and closed positions; wherein said actuating means include an electrical linear actuating device ( 14 ) connected to said support and guide structure ( 2 ) and configured to cause back and forth displacements in one of the receiving member and the abutment member in respect to the other of the receiving member and abutment member along a straight path, wherein the support and guide structure ( 2 ) includes a pair of parallel rods ( 5 ) to guide said displacement, and wherein on said rods are mounted coplanar swingably retaining jaws ( 20 ), configured to receive and hold said substance, inserted in the assembly ( 1 ) between said receiving member and said abutment member arranged in the open position, said jaws ( 20 ) being openable to release said substance held ( 10 ), when said members ( 6 , 7 ) are close to reaching the relative closed position, to enable the positioning of said substance ( 10 ) in the infusion chamber ( 15 ).