초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a device for extracting a substance for the preparation of a drink from a cartridge. This device has a frame with a base, a vertical part on the base and a horizontal part situated at a certain distance from the base. The device also has a moveable drawer that is abl

The present invention relates to a device for extracting a substance for the preparation of a drink from a cartridge. This device has a frame with a base, a vertical part on the base and a horizontal part situated at a certain distance from the base. The device also has a moveable drawer that is able to slide over the horizontal part of the frame in order to move the cartridge from its insertion position to a drink-preparing position. This drawer moves over a system of elements for the discharge of the drink on the horizontal part. The device also includes a cartridge extraction system situated over the system of drink discharge elements and able to move towards the said system of elements to trap and extract the cartridge.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A food preparation unit, comprising:an extractor configured for sequentially receiving first and second cartridges that contain a substance and extracting a mixture of the substance and a liquid therefrom to provide a food product; anda cartridge handler comprising a drawer configured for receivi

1. A food preparation unit, comprising:an extractor configured for sequentially receiving first and second cartridges that contain a substance and extracting a mixture of the substance and a liquid therefrom to provide a food product; anda cartridge handler comprising a drawer configured for receiving the cartridges and being movable with respect to the extractor for sequentially moving the cartridges to the extractor, wherein the cartridge handler is configured for receiving the second cartridge when a first cartridge is received in the extractor. 2. The unit of claim 1, wherein the cartridge handler comprises a cartridge ejector configured for ejecting each cartridge from the extractor after the extraction. 3. The unit of claim 2, wherein the cartridge ejector is tiltable for sliding each cartridge away from the extractor after the extraction. 4. The unit of claim 2, further comprising a divider that separates a cup receiving area that is dimensioned to receive at least one cup to be filled with the food product, from a discard area disposed on the side of the divider opposite from the cup receiving area, wherein the cartridge ejector is configured for ejecting each cartridge after the extraction to the discard area. 5. The unit of claim 1, wherein the cartridge handler comprises a receiving portion that is configured for permitting a user to place the second cartridge directly therein with the first cartridge received in the extractor, the cartridge handler being configured for moving the second cartridge from the receiving portion to the extractor. 6. The unit of claim 1, further comprising a support that is supportively associated with the drawer and extractor, wherein the drawer is translatable generally horizontally with respect to the support. 7. The unit of claim 1, wherein the cartridge handler comprises a contacting surface positioned and configured for contacting at least the second cartridge and having a concave arcuate shape generally corresponding to the second cartridge for moving the second cartridge. 8. The unit of claim 1, further comprising an actuator operatively associated with at least one of the cartridge handler and the extractor. 9. The unit of claim 8, wherein the actuator comprises an extractor actuator operatively associated with the extractor, and a handler actuator operatively associated with the cartridge handler, the unit further comprising electronics associated with the actuators for controlling the operation thereof. 10. The unit of claim 1, wherein the unit is a beverage machine further comprising:a discharge conduit comprising a discharge channel in fluid communication with the extractor and positionable in first and second positions for discharging the food from the channel selectively to a first or second location when in said first and second positions, respectively;a liquid inlet associated with the extraction cavity for feeding the liquid into the extraction cavity; andan injector associated with the liquid inlet and extraction cavity and configured for injecting the liquid into the capsule. 11. The unit of claim 1, wherein the extractor comprises first and second extractor portions defining an extraction chamber therebetween for receiving each cartridge, the first and second portions being movable relative to each other for opening and closing the extraction chamber. 12. The unit of claim 11, wherein the first extractor portion comprises a threaded member, and the unit further comprises an extractor actuator that is threadably associated with the first extractor portion for moving the first extractor portion towards and away from the second extractor portion to open and close the extraction chamber. 13. The unit of claim 12, wherein first extractor portion is movable along a substantially straight path for opening and closing the chamber. 14. A food preparation unit, comprising:an extractor configured for sequentially receiving first and second cartridges that contain a substance an d extracting a mixture of the substance and a liquid therefrom to provide a food product;a cartridge handler configured for receiving the cartridges and sequentially moving the cartridges to the extractor, wherein the cartridge handler is configured for receiving the second cartridge when a first cartridge is received in the extractor; anda discharge conduit comprising a discharge channel in fluid communication with the extractor and positionable in first and second positions for discharging the food from the channel selectively to a first or second location when in said first and second positions, respectively. 15. The unit of claim 14, further comprising a discharge actuator operatively associated with the discharge channel for positioning the channel alternately in the first and second position. 16. The unit of claim 15, wherein the discharge actuator is associated with the cartridge handler and the extractor and configured for moving the discharge channel from the first position to the second position between extraction of the of the mixture from the first and second cartridges. 17. The unit of claim 14, further comprising a unit actuator that comprises the discharge actuator and is operatively associated for driving the at least one of the extractor and cartridge handler. 18. The unit of claim 14, wherein the discharge channel is rotatable between the first and second positions. 19. The unit of claim 14, further comprising a support on which the extractor, cartridge handler, and discharge channel are mounted, the support defining a cup receiving space configured for receiving first and second cups simultaneously positioned at the first and second locations, respectively. 20. A food preparation unit, comprising:an extractor configured for sequentially receiving first and second cartridges that contain a substance and extracting a mixture of the substance and a liquid therefrom to provide a food product; anda cartridge handler configured for receiving the cartridges and sequentially moving the cartridges to the extractor, wherein the cartridge handler is configured for receiving the second cartridge when a first cartridge is received in the extractor, the cartridge handler comprising a receiving portion that is configured for permitting a user to place the second cartridge directly therein with the first cartridge received in the extractor, the cartridge handler being configured for moving the second cartridge from the receiving portion to the extractor. 21. The unit of claim 20, wherein the first and second cartridges are of separate construction from each other. 22. The unit of claim 21, wherein the first and second cartridges each contain an individual serving. 23. The unit of claim 20, wherein the receiving portion is configured for receiving the first cartridge, and the cartridge handler is configured for moving the first cartridge to the extractor for the extraction. 24. A food preparation unit, comprising:a cartridge handler comprising a drawer configured for receiving first and second a cartridges containing a substance, the drawer being movable for moving the cartridges to an extraction location;an extractor comprising a first extractor portion configured for moving downwardly to sequentially receive and trap the cartridges in the extraction location for extracting from the cartridges a mixture of the substance and a liquid to provide a food product, wherein the drawer is configured for receiving the second cartridge when a first cartridge is received in the extractor;a discard portion with a discard area for receiving extracted cartridges; anda cartridge ejector configured for ejecting each cartridge from the extractor into the discard area after the extraction upon upward movement of the extractor. 25. The unit of claim 24, wherein the drawer is configured for moving the second cartridge to the extraction location upon discarding of the first cartridge by the cartridge ejector. 26. A food preparation unit, compri sing:a cartridge handler comprising a drawer configured for receiving a cartridge that contains a substance and being movable for moving the cartridge to an extraction location;an extractor comprising a first extractor portion configured for moving downwardly to receive and trap the cartridges in the extraction location for extracting from the cartridge a mixture of the substance and a liquid to provide a food product, wherein the extractor comprises a second extractor portion, the first and second extractor portions defining an extraction chamber therebetween for trapping the cartridge, the first and second portions being movable relative to each other for opening and closing the extraction chamber, the first extractor portion comprising a threaded member, and the unit further comprising an extractor actuator that is threadably associated with the first extractor portion for moving the first extractor portion downwards towards and upwards away from the second extractor portion to open and close the extraction chamber;a discard portion with a discard area for receiving extracted cartridges; anda cartridge ejector configured for ejecting each cartridge from the extractor into the discard area after the extraction upon upward movement of the extractor.