Nestec S.a.

Societe Des Produits Nestle S.a.

Stefan Schai

Oliver Stephan

Michael Bachmann

Michel Hess

Alain Teklits

A capsule processing machine () for preparing a beverage from a capsule () having a body () containing an ingredient. The machine () has a holder () with a cavity () having an upwardly oriented mouth () and a cover () cooperating with the holder (). The cover () and the holder () are relatively movable along a movement path () from: an open position for inserting the capsule () inbetween the holder () and cover () into the cavity () and/or for removing the capsule () therefrom; to a closed position for extracting the capsule () in the cavity (). The machine () includes a capsule transfer device () having a capsule guide () for guiding the capsule () from the holder () to a used-capsule evacuation area (). The capsule guide () extends along an evacuation direction (') and is configured to seize the capsule () and hold the capsule () above the holder () and to guide the capsule () towards the evacuation area () along the evacuation direction (&#x2032;). The movement path () and the evacuation direction (&#x2032;) are at an angle (&#x3b1;) favouring a movement of the capsule () under the effect of gravity along the capsule guide () towards the evacuation area (). The capsule guide () is tillable during the relative movement of the holder () and the cover () from the closed position to the open position to reduce the angle (&#x3b1;) so as to increase the effect of gravity for moving the capsule ().

Removal of a capsule from a capsule holder

A receptacle holding unit includes a first part and a second part cooperating with the first part; a cavity for receiving a receptacle containing an ingredient for preparing a beverage by a device, the cavity being delimited by at least one of the first and second parts; and a driving device for relatively moving the second part towards the first part into a closed position and relatively apart from the first part into an open position. The driving device includes an actuator and a transmission having a helicoidal ramp arrangement cooperating with a connector member for converting a translational movement into a rotational movement or vice versa. When the actuator actuates the transmission, the first and second parts are driven together or apart. The ramp arrangement includes two ramps spaced apart and generally parallel between which the connector member relatively moves along the ramp arrangement.

Double ramp for closing a receptacle holder

A receptacle holding unit for a beverage preparation device includes a first part and a second part cooperating with the first part; a cavity for receiving a receptacle containing an ingredient; and a driving device for relatively moving the second part towards the first part into a closed position for securing such receptacle in the cavity and relatively apart from the first part into an open position for inserting of the receptacle into the cavity. The driving device has an actuator and a transmission that has a helicoidal ramp arrangement cooperating with a connector member for converting a translational movement into a rotational movement or vice versa. When the actuator actuates the transmission, the first and second parts are driven together or apart by the ramp arrangement cooperating with the connector member.

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Wil, Switzerland

Stefan Schai