INFUSION DEVICE FOR MAKING BEVERAGES USING CARTRIDGES

摘要

An infusion device for making beverages using cartridges, such as capsules or pods, comprises an openable infusion unit (3) comprising at least one part (4) able to move between a home position and an operating position, a first standby zone (8) for a cartridge (2) being formed when the mobile part (4) is in the home position, first retaining means for a cartridge (2) in the first standby zone (8), a motor (13) for moving the mobile part (4), means for expelling the cartridge (2) from the unit (3), and at least one device (1) operation check and control unit (35); there are also second retaining means (36) positioned between a cartridge insertion section (34) and the first standby zone (8), to selectively retain a cartridge (2) at a second standby zone (37), the check and control unit (35) being programmed to cause the dispensing of two beverages, one after another, using two cartridges.

主权项

1. An infusion device for making beverages using cartridges, such as capsules or pods, containing at least one food substance, comprising:
an infusion unit (3) comprising at least two parts, at least one of which is able to move between a home position in which it is distanced from the other part, and an operating position in which it is coupled to the other part and with it forms a housing (9) for the cartridge (2), a first standby zone (8) for a cartridge (2) being formed when the mobile part (4) is in the home position; first retaining means for holding a cartridge (2) in the first standby zone (8); a motor (13) which is operatively connected at least to the mobile part (4) for moving it between the operating position and the home position; means for preparing the beverage which are operatively associated with the housing (9), for injecting water into a cartridge (2) contained in it and for collecting the beverage prepared; means for expelling the cartridge (2) from the unit (3) when the mobile part (4) returns from the operating position to the home position; at least one insertion section (34) for inserting the cartridge (2) in the device (1), from which the cartridge (2) can then be fed to the first standby zone (8); at least one check and control unit (35) for device (1) operation which is operatively connected to the motor (13) for controlling the movement of the mobile part (4) between the home position and the operating position, and to the preparation means for activating and deactivating water injection; second retaining means (36) positioned between the insertion section (34) and the first standby zone (8), the second retaining means (36) in turn being able to move between a first position in which they can retain a cartridge (2) at a second standby zone (37) and a second position in which they allow the cartridge (2) to advance towards the first standby zone (8), and means for movement of the second retaining means between said first and second positions; the check and control unit (35) being operatively connected to the movement means for moving the second retaining means (36) between said two positions;characterised in that the check and control unit (35) is programmed at least to run a cycle for making two beverages consecutively comprising the following steps:
with a first cartridge positioned at the first standby zone (8), bringing the mobile part (4) into the operating position so as to close the first cartridge (2) in the housing (9); bringing the second retaining means (36) into the first position so that they can receive and retain a second cartridge (2) in the second standby zone (37); activating water injection for a predetermined time so as to prepare a first beverage using the first cartridge (2); bringing the mobile part (4) into the home position, the expulsion means expelling the first cartridge (2) from the unit (3); bringing the second retaining means (36) into the second position so that the second cartridge (2) can reach the first standby zone (8); bringing the mobile part (4) into the operating position again so as to close the second cartridge (2) in the housing (9); and activating water injection again for a predetermined time so as to prepare a second beverage using the second cartridge (2).