IP Library Granted Patent US 11,583,133
Granted Patent B2
US 11,583,133 · App. 15/770,357 · Granted Feb 21, 2023

Method for preparing a beverage

Inventor: Niklaus Hugi (Bern, CH)
Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
A47J31/22A47J31/407
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,583,133
App. No.
15/770,357
Granted
Feb 21, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for preparing a beverage from a substance contained in a capsule is provided. The method includes rotationally driving the capsule at an adjustable rotational speed while feeding liquid into the capsule and draining the beverage produced in the capsule by a beverage draining means. Flow resistance of the beverage draining means is modified by at least one valve, and a state of the at least one valve is controlled by external valve operating means to modify the flow resistance of the beverage draining means while draining the beverage. The external valve operating means applies a force from outside the beverage draining means, and a magnitude of the force is not based on the beverage flowing inside the beverage draining means.

Claims (15)

1. A method for preparing a beverage from a substance contained in a capsule, the capsule being placed in a beverage production device, the method comprising:

rotationally driving the capsule at an adjustable rotational speed while feeding liquid into the capsule, and

draining the beverage produced in the capsule by a beverage draining means, wherein flow resistance of the beverage draining means is modified by at least one valve,

wherein a state of the at least one valve is controlled by external valve operating, means to modify the flow resistance of the beverage draining means while draining the beverage, wherein the external valve operating means applies a force from outside the beverage draining means to control the state of the valve, wherein a magnitude of the force is not based on the beverage flowing inside and against an inner wall or other element of the beverage draining means.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one valve comprises a compressible beverage conduit, and the external valve operating means comprises a valve actuator.

3. A method for preparing a beverage from a substance contained in a capsule, the capsule being placed in a beverage production device, the method comprising:

rotationally driving the capsule at an adjustable rotational speed while feeding liquid into the capsule; and

draining the beverage produced in the capsule by a beverage draining means, wherein flow resistance of the beverage draining means is modified by at least one valve;

wherein a state of the at least one valve is controlled by external valve operating means to modify the flow resistance of the beverage draining means while draining the beverage, wherein the external valve operating means applies a force from outside the beverage draining means, wherein a magnitude of the force is not based on the beverage flowing inside the beverage draining means;

wherein the at least one valve has a configuration selected from the group consisting of:

(i) the at, least one valve comprises a pivot means comprising a mass of inertia, and the force applied by the external valve operating means is generated by the rotation of the mass of inertia, or

(ii) the at least one valve comprises a compressing member, and the force applied by the external valve operating means is generated by the rotation of the compressing member.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein, if the at least one valve has the configuration (i), the at least one valve comprises a flexible membrane mounted on the pivot means; and

wherein, if the at least one valve has the configuration (ii), the at least one valve comprises a compressible beverage conduit.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein, if the at least one valve has the configuration (ii), the compressing member includes a compressing portion, and the force applied by the external valve operating means is generated by the rotation of the compressing, portion of the compressing member.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NUMBER 16062921 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 049391 FRAME 0756. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PATENT NUMBER SHOULD HAVE BEEN 16062912. Recorded Jul 3, 2020
From: NESTEC S.A.
To: SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A.
Reel/Frame 054082/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NUMBER 16062921 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 049391 FRAME 0756. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PATENT NUMBER SHOULD HAVE BEEN 16062912. Recorded Jul 3, 2020
From: NESTEC S.A.
To: SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A.
Reel/Frame 054082/0165 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION TO SHOW THE FULL AND CORRECT NEW NAME IN SECTION 51. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 049391 FRAME: 0756. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE MERGER. Recorded Jun 13, 2019
From: NESTEC S.A.
To: SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A.
Reel/Frame 049853/0398 →
MERGER Recorded Jun 6, 2019
From: NESTEC S.A.
To: SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A.
Reel/Frame 049391/0756 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 23, 2018
From: HUGI, NIKLAUS
To: NESTEC S. A.
Reel/Frame 045610/0930 →