Cartridge extraction device

Abstract

A device ( 1 ) has: a cartridge seat ( 10 ) arranged to receive an ingredient cartridge ( 2 ) for extraction; a beverage outlet ( 35 ) connected to this cartridge seat for dispensing beverage during extraction; and a liquid injection arrangement ( 50, 60, 61, 70, 80, 81 ) comprising a pump ( 60 ) for pressurizing and circulating liquid from a source ( 50 ) via the cartridge seat into the beverage outlet. The liquid injection arrangement further comprises a valve ( 80 ′) between the pump and the cartridge seat. The liquid injection arrangement is configured to release via the valve ( 80 ′) pressure from this pressurized liquid in the injection arrangement and maintain liquid in the injection arrangement from the pump ( 60 ) to the cartridge seat ( 10 ) after the pump is stopped, so as to inhibit dripping from the beverage outlet ( 35 ).

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving an ingredient cartridge in a cartridge seat;   using a pump to pressurize and circulate liquid from a source through the cartridge seat into a beverage outlet connected to the cartridge seat;   stopping the pump;   inhibiting dripping from the beverage outlet after the pump is stopped by selectively releasing pressure from the pressurized liquid to form depressurized liquid; and   maintaining the depressurized liquid at a position from the pump to the cartridge seat after the pump is stopped.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  comprising delaying the release of the pressure from the pressurized liquid for a period of time in the range of 0.1 to 5 seconds after the pump is stopped. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  comprising providing a pressure in the liquid in the range of 5 to 25 bar. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  comprising preparing a beverage by extracting the ingredient with the pressurized liquid circulated through the cartridge; and dispensing the beverage through the beverage outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first valve between the pump and the cartridge seat selectively releases the pressure from the pressurized liquid to form the depressurized liquid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  comprising a first mode that comprises the releasing of the pressure and the maintaining the depressurized liquid at the position between the pump and the cartridge seat, and further comprising a second mode comprising purging the liquid from between the pump and the cartridge seat. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the purging of the liquid comprises venting the liquid from the position between the pump and the cartridge seat through the first valve. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  comprising opening the first valve for a period of time of at least 0.05 sec. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  comprising heating the liquid between the first valve and the cartridge seat. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  comprising moving a first cartridge support away from a second cartridge support, that faces the first cartridge support, into an open position for insertion or removal of a cartridge into the cartridge seat and toward the second cartridge support into a closed position for passing liquid through such a cartridge. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  comprising using the pressurized liquid to hydraulically actuate the first cartridge support into the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  comprising injecting the pressurised liquid into a chamber, in which a piston of the first cartridge support is movable, to hydraulically actuate the first cartridge support. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  comprising guiding the pressurized liquid from the chamber through an in-line heater into the cartridge seat. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the guiding of the pressurized liquid into the cartridge seat comprises guiding the pressurized liquid through an inlet and an outlet of the piston chamber while the first and second cartridge supports are in the closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  comprising using a second valve to build up a controlled pressure in the circulating liquid that actuates and moves the first cartridge support by directing the pressurized liquid from the first cartridge support through the second valve into the cartridge seat. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  comprising moving the first cartridge support away from the second cartridge support by the releasing of the pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  comprising collecting, in a drip tray, liquid draining from between the first and second cartridge supports that are moved away from each another. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10  comprising moving the second cartridge support toward and away from the first cartridge support. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10  comprising using a mechanical drive arrangement to move one of the first and second cartridge supports towards and away from the other cartridge. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  comprising actuating the mechanical drive arrangement with a device selected from the group consisting of a hand-drivable handle, an electric motor, and a combination thereof.