Beverage forming apparatus with cartridge detectors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9918586-B2
Application number	US-201615293110-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 13, 2016
Priority date	Jan 17, 2014
Publication date	Mar 20, 2018
Grant date	Mar 20, 2018

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a beverage forming machine arranged for use with cartridges of different types, or receiving an upwardly flowing beverage from a cartridge. A beverage outlet may be movable to receive beverage from a cartridge of a first type, and to not receive beverage from a cartridge of a second type. Different cartridge characteristics may be detected by multiple detectors, e.g., for detecting a presence/absence of a cartridge, a cartridge type and/or an authorization feature.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A beverage forming apparatus, comprising:
a frame arranged to support components of the beverage forming apparatus;
a cartridge holder arranged to receive a cartridge for use in forming a beverage;
a first detector arranged to detect a presence or absence of a cartridge in the cartridge holder;
a second detector arranged to identify a type of cartridge in the cartridge holder;
a third detector arranged to detect information related to whether a cartridge is authorized for use with the beverage forming apparatus; and
a liquid supply system at least partially supported by the frame arranged to provide a liquid for combination with a beverage medium in a cartridge held by the cartridge holder to form a beverage.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first detector includes an infrared sensor arranged to detect a presence or absence of a cartridge in the cartridge holder.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second detector includes a movable element that moves in response placement of a cartridge of a first type in the cartridge holder and remains stationary with placement of a cartridge of a second type in the cartridge holder.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the second detector includes a magnet mounted to the movable element, and a switch that opens or closes in response to movement of the magnet with the movable element.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the third detector includes a detector that detects a spectral response of a substance on a cartridge in the cartridge holder to determine whether a cartridge is authorized for use.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a cover arranged to cooperate with the cartridge holder to at least partially enclose a cartridge held by the cartridge holder for formation of a beverage using the cartridge.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first and third detectors are mounted to the cover.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a control circuit to control operation of the liquid supply system based on information from the first, second and third detectors.

Assignees

• Keurig Green Mountain Inc

Inventors

• Smith Geoffrey Y
• Brodie Jonathan Alexander
• Foster Stuart Jay
• Shepard James E
• Rabino Yoav
• Tinkler Ian

Classifications

• A47J31/525

  the electronic control being based on monitoring of specific process parameters · CPC title

• A47J31/3695

  Cartridge perforating means for creating the hot water inlet (cartridge perforating means of the filter holder for creating the beverage outlet A47J31/0673) · CPC title

• A47J31/4492

  Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge · CPC title

• A47J31/3628

  Perforating means therefor · CPC title

• A23F3/18 Primary

  Extraction of water soluble tea constituents ({A23F3/166 takes precedence; } isolation of tea flavour or tea oil A23F3/42) · CPC title