Apparatus for cup and carafe beverage production

US9295357B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Ian Tinkler · Rockford, US
• James E. Shepard · Marblehead, US
• Geoffrey Y. Smith · Melrose, US
• Peter Thomas Launie, Jr. · Worcester, US
• Jonathan Alexander Brodie · North Billerica, US
• Stuart Jay Foster · Somerville, US
• Stoyan Plamenov Hristov · Billerica, US
• Jianming Huang · Hangzhou City, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 17, 2014
• Grant date: Mar 29, 2016
• Expiry date: May 5, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65D85/8043
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

Method and apparatus for forming both carafe quantities and smaller (e.g., cup) quantities of a beverage using a cartridge-based beverage machine. A beverage forming machine accommodates cartridges having different sizes and/or shapes, including different rim sizes/shapes. The outlet used for receiving a beverage from a standard cartridge differs from the outlet used for receiving the beverage from a carafe cartridge inserted in a same cartridge holder. Beverage may exit the cartridge in an upward direction in some embodiments.