Patent · US Active

Dispensing apparatus and method

US10926945B2 · kind B2 · utility

25Cited by

29References

19Claims

0Family size

Assignee

NE Innovations Limited · GB

Inventors

Brian George Kennedy · Grafton, GB
Edward Alexander Bedford · Farmingville, US
John R. Laverack · Southbury, US
George E. Riehm · New Fairfield, US
Kurt R. Weseman · Middletown, US
Bruce Renfrew · Leicester, GB
James T. Williamson · Kettering, US

Key dates

Filing date	Jan 24, 2019
Grant date	Feb 23, 2021
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Feb 21, 2039

Classification

Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
CPC primaryC02F2307/10
WIPO fieldChemical engineering
WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient from a pod. The dispensing apparatus comprises a pod support region configured to support a pod, an actuator configured to engage with a corresponding actuator engagement region of the pod, and a rotation mechanism for rotating the pod. The apparatus is configured to cause the actuation member to cause an opening to be formed in a pod supported by the pod support region. The apparatus is further configured to cause the rotation mechanism to cause the pod to rotate about an axis of rotation during a dispensing operation, so as to cause the beverage preparation ingredient to be released from the pod via said opening.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.