APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REMOVING A SINGLE SERVE BEVERAGE POD OR CAPSULE FROM A BREWER OR BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINE

摘要

An apparatus, system, and method of ejecting or removing a beverage pod or capsule from a brewer or other beverage dispensing machine, utilizes the release of a predetermined quantity of stored energy triggered or commenced by an operator action, to automatically rapidly move an element holding the pod or capsule from a brewing or beverage preparing area in a predetermined manner to eject the pod or capsule, then return the element absent the pod or capsule to the brewing or beverage preparing area by a suitable action, thereby eliminating variances in the disposal resulting from inconsistent operator action, and the cost and complexity of motor driven apparatus for performing the disposal and/or return actions.

主权项

1. Apparatus for ejecting a beverage pod or capsule of a beverage preparing machine, comprising;
a frame supporting a beverage pod holding element for movement in a predetermined manner between a first predetermined position and orientation in a beverage preparing area of the machine, and a second predetermined position and orientation in a disposal area; a mechanism associated with the frame, including at least one unpowered first driving element having a stored energy state storing a predetermined first quantity of motive energy when the beverage pod holding element is in the first predetermined position and orientation in the beverage preparing area, and an energy releasing state to release the stored energy in a manner to forcefully drive the beverage pod holding element from the beverage preparing area toward the disposal area in a manner to eject a beverage pod or capsule from the beverage holding element, the mechanism including at least one second driving element having a stored energy state storing a predetermined second quantity of motive energy when the at least one first driving element is in the energy releasing state, and an energy releasing state to release the second quantity of motive energy in a manner to return the beverage pod holding element from the disposal area to the beverage preparing area; and a latching mechanism configured to hold the at least one first driving element in the stored energy state thereof when the beverage pod holding element is in the beverage preparing area, and to hold the at least one second driving element in the stored energy state thereof when the beverage pod holding element is in the beverage preparing area and when moving toward the disposal area, the latching mechanism being configured to respond to a predetermined action or condition, to automatically release the at least one first driving element to release the stored first quantity of motive energy to forcefully drive the beverage pod holding element from the beverage preparing area toward the disposal area, and to then automatically release the at least one second driving element to release the second quantity of motive energy to automatically return the beverage pod holding element from the disposal area to the beverage preparing area, such that a beverage pod or capsule carried on the beverage pod holding element will be ejected at the disposal area.