Patent ID: 7513192

Claim:
A beverage forming system comprising: first and second portions that define a cartridge receiving portion, at least one of the first and second portions being movable between an open position, in which a beverage cartridge is positionable in the cartridge receiving portion, and a closed position in which the first and second portions cooperate to at least partially enclose the beverage cartridge; an actuator movable between first and second positions; a frame that supports the first and second portions; and first and second linkage members in contact with each other, the first linkage member being fixed relative to the actuator so that movement of the actuator causes movement of the first linkage member relative to the second linkage member, and the second linkage member being fixed relative to the frame, the first portion or the second portion; wherein movement of the actuator and first linkage member relative to the second linkage member causes movement of the first and second portions relative to each other between the open and closed positions.