WO2011147793A1

WO2011147793A1 - Actuating system for an element inserted into a machine for making beverages by infusion

Info

Publication number: WO2011147793A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/058391
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Blanc; Alain Goering
Original assignee: Compagnie Mediterraneenne Des Cafes
Priority date: 2010-05-25
Filing date: 2011-05-23
Publication date: 2011-12-01
Also published as: FR2960404B1; FR2960404A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an actuating system (60) for an element inserted into a machine for making beverages by infusion of a product, to a machine containing such an actuated element and to a method for assembling said actuating system (60). The actuating system is characterised in that the first and second actuating units exert on the inserted element an action distributed on either side of the median plane of the system (60) extending in the direction of movement of the two linking means (6), wherein a means (13, 14, 21) for synchronising rotary shafts (30, 30a) and/or a means (9, 9a) for limiting a longitudinal shift for each one of said shafts (30, 30a) is/are provided. The invention can be used in all types of infusion machines, in particular for espresso coffee machines.

Description

"Actuation system for an element inserted inside an infusion beverage machine"

The present invention relates to an actuating system for an element inserted inside a beverage production machine by infusion of a product, a machine containing such an actuated inserted element and a method of mounting this system. actuation.

It is particularly applicable in the field of coffee machines EXPRESSO type. It may also apply to the production of beverages from other materials such as tea. It will thus find for application the field of beverage production machines by infusion of a product contained in a package forming a relatively compact set of product to be infused.

In known manner, these machines comprise a sealed infusion chamber during the infusion phase and able to open to receive or release the product for infusion. The exit of the chamber opens to a container such as a cup. The inlet of the chamber is intended to be fluidly connected to a boiler. The infusion set generally includes a jack that actuates the opening and closing of the chamber. More specifically, the infusion chamber inside such a machine may consist of a fixed portion of infusion chamber against which is supported a movable portion of infusion chamber driven in translation by a jack hydraulic also ensuring the tight closure of the chamber during the infusion phase of the product in the form of a packaging, also designated dose or capsule trapped between the two chamber portions, this infusion being under high pressure.

Thus, such a machine can be equipped in its interior with one or more elements that are likely to move between two positions. For example, it is known to equip a machine with a closure device for the brewing chamber of the machine. This device forms a distinct part of each of the two chamber portions constituting the chamber. It is configured to switch alternately from a first to a second position so as to selectively inhibit or allow entry of the package into the chamber and / or selectively prevent or allow exit of the package from the chamber.

These solutions generally make it possible to secure access to the brewing chamber and to better control the flow of the packaging. Nevertheless, it would be advantageous to further improve the reliability of these machines.

Such a displacement of an element inserted in a machine is generally made by sliding thereof, the element being driven by an actuating system and being guided on each lateral side of the element.

The object of the present invention is to improve the reliability of existing machines by securing the movement of an element inserted into the machine by an actuating system. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of easy and accurate assembly of such a system.

For this purpose, according to the invention, there is provided a system for actuating an element inserted in a beverage production machine by infusion of a product contained in a packaging, this system being confi gu alternately passing the inserted element from a first to a second position and having first and second actuation assemblies mechanically connected to each other by transmission means, these assemblies each having a rotary shaft and a connecting means connected to the inserted element, this connecting means being driven by the respective rotary shaft in translation along it, and wherein the first and second actuating assemblies exert on the inserted element a distributed action of other of a median plane of the system extending in the direction of displacement of the two connecting means, means for synchronizing the rotary shafts and / or means for limiting a longitudinal offset for each of these shafts being provided.

In the context of the development of the present invention, it has been noted that the proper functioning of an actuating system is based on a good synchronization of the system assemblies, on the limitation of the friction to avoid the blocking of the motor means of the system as well as that on the absence of offset in the direction of the length of the actuating system between its two sets. Even slight translation of an assembly in this length can modify the position of the limit switch and cause a change of this stroke with serious consequences on the operation of the inserted inserted element, said element ensuring for example the path of the conditioning in the machine.

For example, it has in fact been identified that, in existing machines, the actuation of the closing device is effected differently on either side of the direction of movement and that this may result in an imbalance sufficiently large to cause a slight lateral tilting. It may be that the device is crabbing or worse that it hangs by jamming on its guides.

In the general case of an element inserted in the machine performing a locking action in it, such a crab advance does not allow it to ensure a complete closure in the machine, which reduces the safety of the machine. For example for a closure device, the access to the infusion chamber may be poorly closed or conversely the packaging may become stuck in the infusion chamber and no longer be properly removed from it. The use of the machine is then not satisfactory and a repair operation may even be necessary, which is highly disadvantageous for the user as for the manufacturer.

The technical effect obtained thanks to the system according to the invention is to make the operation of the actuation system more efficient and more reliable. The actuation system makes it possible to very much limit the risk of jamming or crab advancement of an actuated inserted element and consequently increases the reliability of the machine.

The action of the actuating system is symmetrically distributed with respect to the median plane of the inserted element extending in its direction of displacement. When this displacement is a sliding in lateral guides, the sliding in each guide is effected under the action of a force of the same value and in the same direction, which avoids the aforementioned drawbacks mainly concerning the risk of unwanted shift of the inserted element in a direction other than that of its displacement or even the blocking of this element.

This remains valid in the case where the displacement is other than a sliding, for example a pivoting, in which case the device is pivoted symmetrically without the risk of being tilted laterally with respect to its median plane of pivoting or even to find itself blocked in its pivoting motion.

The system according to the invention may further optionally have any of the following characteristics:

- Preferably, the inserted element is a closure device of an infusion chamber for receiving the packaging. The brewing chamber is defined by two half-chambers able to be mutually brought closer or more distant. The closure device is configured to switch alternately from a first to a second position in which it prevents and authorizes the entry of the packaging into the brewing chamber.

- Advantageously, the closure device is configured so that the output of the packaging out of the chamber is by gravity.

- Preferably, the closure device comprises: upstream closure means arranged to selectively prevent or allow entry of the dose into the chamber. Advantageously, it further comprises downstream closure means arranged to selectively prevent or allow the release of the dose out of the chamber. The closure device is arranged to pass alternately: a first position in which the upstream closure means prevent the entry of the dose (in the chamber, the downstream closure means allow the output of the dose out of the chamber; at a second position in which: the upstream closing means (61) allow the entry of the dose into the chamber, the downstream closure means allow the reception of the dose introduced into the chamber and prevent the exit of the latter out of bedroom.

the first and second sets are placed symmetrically with respect to the median plane of the system containing the direction of movement of the two connecting means, each connecting means being carried by a movable driving piece along its respective shaft and comprising a finger drive connecting it to the inserted element, - Only the first set comprises a motor means, the motor means being a motor or a manual actuating means in the form of a handle actuated by an operator, the second set being driven by the first set via the means transmission between them,

the transmission means comprise a belt or a chain, each shaft of the first and second assemblies respectively having a driving or driven pinion forming the complementary transmission means on the shafts;

- The means for limiting a longitudinal shift of the first and second sets are arranged in the form of abutments cooperating respectively with the drive gear or driven to limit their displacement in the longitudinal direction of their shaft,

the synchronizing means of the rotary shafts are arranged as pressure means on the transmission means between the pinions, pressing this transmission means against each of the driving or driven pinions, as well as as a friction bearing disposed on each shaft; , these bearings maintaining a given spacing between the trees,

each pinion is disposed at one end of the associated shaft and has front and rear flanges respectively surrounding its front and rear faces,

- The transmission means between gears is inserted freely moving in a tunnel having an inverted U-shaped section and extending perpendicular to the two shafts covering the transmission means between gears and a portion of the gears,

the tunnel has its longitudinal ends covering at least partially the flanges of the respective pinion, thus forming a compartment for the reception of each pinion,

each longitudinal end of the front wall of the tunnel is beveled so that this end leaves a possibility of pivoting the pinion in a direction transverse to its associated shaft while acting as a stop against its displacement in the longitudinal direction of said shaft,

the ends of the front wall of the tunnel each have a mark intended to be aligned with a mark carried by the front flange of the associated gear,

the means for pressurizing the transmission means between gears are arranged at each end of a main bar, this bar extending parallel to the tunnel,

the pressurizing means are in the form of a flexible tongue disposed at each end of the main bar, each rotary shaft of the first and second assemblies has a worm part, this part displacing the moving drive part along the rotary shaft;

the movable drive part comprises a surface having a complementary thread to that of the worm part and at least one movable stop cooperating with at least one fixed end-of-travel switch, the said movable part having, in addition, an internal groove; receiving a guiding means for its movement,

the movable stop or stops of the moving part cooperate with at least two limit switches, each of the contactors corresponding to a first or a second position of displacement of the system.

The invention also relates to a receptacle for a beverage production machine by infusion of a product contained in a packaging, characterized in that it comprises on the outer face of its base a support receiving such an actuating system. an inserted element, the inserted element being received inside the receptacle.

Advantageously, the support comprises two support portions respectively receiving the first and second sets, these parts being open on their outer longitudinal face and forming three compartments respectively receiving the motor means, the shaft and at least partially the transmission means of each of said sets.

Advantageously, the transverse walls of each compartment of a support portion serve to maintain the means of the respective assembly contained in the compartment.

Advantageously, when the actuating system comprises a tunnel, the compartment receiving a driving or driven pinion is formed by the longitudinal ends of the front and rear walls of the tunnel or extensions thereof.

Advantageously, the connecting means of the actuating system is inserted between two portions projecting from the actuated inserted element and carried by its lower part opposite the connecting means.

Advantageously, the lower face of each support portion has a slot for inserting the movable drive part into the compartment receiving the shaft, the movable drive part inserting between the walls of its groove the internal longitudinal side of the compartment, said side forming the guide means of said part. The invention also relates to a beverage production machine by infusion of a product contained in a packaging, characterized in that it comprises such a receptacle.

Finally, the invention relates to a method for mounting an actuating system in a beverage production machine receptacle by infusing a product contained in a packaging, said operating system comprising a first and a second set of actuation each comprising a rotary shaft, these two assemblies being mechanically interconnected by means of a pinion at the free end of each shaft and an associated transmission means connecting these two gears to each other, this method comprising step of mounting each assembly of the actuating system by tilting its shaft around a virtual sphere whose center is positioned in the middle of the front face of each pinion.

The actuation system can thus be mounted quickly, simply and reliably in the receptacle.

Advantageously, the receptacle comprising a support of the actuating system with two respective support parts intended to receive a respective set of the actuating system, the mounting method comprises the following steps:

introducing the shaft of the first of the two actuating assemblies into its support part by presenting this shaft inclined with respect to the support, the center of the pinion occupying its final place in the support part, the pinion being partially inserted into the support part; support portion while the remainder of the first assembly is outside said support portion, the associated transmission means being installed on said shaft, introduction followed by tilting of the first actuating assembly in its support portion, the blocking said assembly in longitudinal translation and adjusting the angular position of the shaft,

- introduction of the shaft of the second actuating assembly in its support portion symmetrically and similar to the introduction of the shaft of the first set with a prior implementation of the transmission means between gears on this shaft in a other position than its final working position, said associated transmission means being automatically brought into its working position during the tilting of the actuating assembly,

Optionally, before the step of introducing the shaft of the first of the two sets, the following steps are performed:

positioning the receptacle with its base in a vertical position, introducing a movable driving part into each support part and positioning the movable part on the inner longitudinal side of each support part and sliding the movable driving part on said longitudinal side by gravity, at his work position.

Optionally, after the step of introducing the shaft of the second actuating assembly, any one of the following steps is carried out:

- Installation of synchronization means of the first and second trees,

- return the receptacle to its normal operating position with its horizontal base.

This system is mainly intended for an element inserted in the machine such as a closing device but may also fulfill other auxiliary functions, such as the servocontrol of a cylinder, a pump or a solenoid valve.

Thus, the actuating system can be more precisely adapted to the inserted element, especially in case of modification of the configuration of this element in new machine designs. It can be housed near the inserted element in a place where it does not interfere with the operation of said element. This gives a constituent part of the machine receiving inside the element while supporting externally its actuating system which is more compact and more easily modifiable.

Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, and with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle according to the present invention, the support of the actuating system being represented without its actuating system,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base of a receptacle according to the present invention, this base being in this figure in a vertical position, the support of the actuating system being represented without its actuating system with a piece of mobile drive of this system shown offset from the receptacle,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base of a receptacle according to the present invention in the same configuration as in FIG. 2, this base being in this figure in a vertical position, the support of the actuating system being represented with the movable driving parts mounted in each respective support part at the beginning of assembly on said parts,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the base of a receptacle according to the present invention in the same configuration as for FIGS. 2 and 3, this base being in this figure in a vertical position, the support of the actuating system being shown with the movable drive parts mounted in each respective support part, substantially in their starting working position,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base of a receptacle according to the present invention in a different angle of view than for FIGS. 2 to 4, this base being in this figure in a vertical position, the support of the system of FIG. actuation being shown with the movable drive parts mounted in each respective support part and one of the two actuating assemblies of the system being mounted in its support part,

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a receptacle according to the present invention, the base of the receptacle being in this figure in a substantially vertical position, the support of the actuating system being represented with the mobile drive parts mounted in each respective working support portion and one of the two actuation assemblies of the system mounted in its support portion; - Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the base of a receptacle according to the present invention in a different configuration than for FIGS. 2 to 5, this base being in this figure in a vertical position, the support of the actuating system being represented with the movable drive parts mounted in each respective working support portion and one of the two actuating assemblies of the system mounted in its support part, the transmission means between the two actuating assemblies being mounted in the support,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the base of a receptacle according to the present invention in the same configuration as for FIG. 7, this base being in this figure in a vertical position, the support of the actuating system being represented with the movable driving parts mounted in each respective working support part and one of the two actuating units of the system mounted in its supporting part, the other operating unit being being mounted in its support part,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the base of a receptacle according to the present invention in the same configuration as for FIGS. 7 and 8, being enlarged with respect to these figures, the base being in this figure in a vertical position; the two sets of the actuating system being shown mounted in their respective support part,

FIG. 10 is a perspective side view of the receptacle according to the present invention, the base of the receptacle being in this figure in a horizontal position, showing in particular the actuation system mounted in its support, FIG. 11 is a perspective side view, enlarged with respect to the preceding figures, of a lateral part of the receptacle according to the present invention with the front part of the actuating system and its support,

FIG. 12 is a perspective side view from a different angle of view than that of FIG. 1, enlarged with respect to this FIG. 1, of the front part of the receptacle according to the present invention with the front part of the FIG. 'actuation and its support.

In the figures, it is mainly shown a receptacle 80 of beverage dispensing machine containing at least one inserted element actuated in its interior, this element may itself be inserted into an infusion group or not. This inserted element performs a specific function in the machine requiring its movement within the receptacle 80 between a first and a second position.

In the figures, the inserted element, not visible in the figures, is housed removably in the receptacle 80 and the system 60 for actuating this element, is positioned outside the receptacle 80 in a support 12 on the outside from its base 81.

In general, the system 60 has first and second actuation assemblies mechanically connected to each other by transmission means 4, 4a, 8, these assemblies each having a rotary shaft 30, 30a and a connecting means 6 connected to each other. to the inserted member, each connecting means 6 being driven by the respective rotary shaft 30, 30a of the assembly in translation along it.

The system is characterized in that the first and second actuation assemblies exert on the inserted element an action distributed on either side of a median plane of the actuating system 60 extending in the direction of movement of the two connecting means 6, synchronizing means 13, 21 of the rotary shafts 30, 30a and / or means 5, 5a of a longitudinal offset for each of these shafts 30, 30a being provided. These characteristics will be detailed later with respect to the embodiment shown in the figures of the present invention which is not limiting.

This actuating system 60 may be arranged near the element, preferably below this lower part for which there is no risk of interaction of the system 60 with the element or other elements contained in the receptacle 80 or with a packaging to infuse. This actuation system 60 is advantageously removable from the element that it drives. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 1 1, these show a receptacle 80 provided with a support 12 for an actuating system, this system not being shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and shown only partially mounted in FIGS. at 7.

The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described later with a rotary shaft provided with a worm portion. It should be borne in mind that this is only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that the rotary shaft of an actuating assembly may not have such a worm portion but a other means for transforming the rotation of a shaft 30, 30a into a displacement of a moving part 1 1.

Such an actuating system 60 may particularly be seen in FIGS. 9 and 11. It comprises a first set said driving assembly comprising a motor means 1, a shaft 30 with a portion forming a worm 2. It also comprises a second set said led assembly having a shaft 30a with a worm portion 2a.

In what will be described, reference will be made to front or rear with respect to the actuating system 60, the motor means 1 defining the rear of the driving assembly of the system and the driving pinion 4 or driven 4a at the end of the shaft 30 or 30a defining the front of the system 60, the sides extending between the front and the rear of the system 60 being its longitudinal sides. This also applies to the receptacle 80.

The motor means 1 is, for example but not exclusively, a motor.

The actuation can also be controlled manually, in particular by an operator-turned handle or other possible manual control means. This handle can also be associated with a conventional screw for moving the inserted element actuated in both directions between the first and second displacement positions. Indeed, the actuation of the element can be done from one side to the other of the receptacle 80, preferably in the length of the receptacle 80 to its two front portions. It should be noted that the motor means 1 can be placed on any longitudinal side of the receptacle 80.

According to the present invention, the action of the actuating system 60 is symmetrically distributed with respect to its median plane extending in the direction of movement of the two connecting means 6, each of which is respective to an actuating assembly. Advantageously, the action of the system 60 is effected on each side of the actuated inserted element, this element being able to slide on a slide provided on each of its sides. This makes it possible to exert a force of the same orientation and of the same value on both sides of the actuated element and thus to maintain the plane medial transverse element perpendicular to the guide pins passing through the sliders during movement of the inserted element.

The shaft 30 or 30a with a portion forming a worm 2 or 2a respectively first and second sets of the system 60 extends substantially parallel to the guide axes of the inserted element actuated.

In order to save space and limit the costs of the system, but also to avoid problems of poor synchronization between the two actuating assemblies, a single motor means is advantageously provided. The system has transmission means, with a transmission means 8 extending between the two shafts 30 and 30a and complementary transmission means carried by each shaft 30 or 30a and being in the form of pinions 4 or 4a previously mentioned.

The associated transmission means 8 may be such that a chain or belt connecting the second shaft 30a not directly driven and carrying the worm portion 2a to the shaft 30 carrying the worm portion 2 driven directly by the motor means 1, which can be seen in particular in Figure 9 or 10. This belt 8, preferably notched, advantageously connects the two shafts 30 and 30a in an area outside the passage of the packaging which takes place under the head fixed infusion, not shown in the figures.

In the first driving assembly comprising the motor means 1, the shaft 30 and the worm portion 2 previously described, there can be provided a bearing 10 at the output of the motor means 1 between said means 1 and a first end of the Also, this time for both drive and driven assemblies, there may be provided a bearing 14 between the other end of the drive shaft 30 or the corresponding end of the driven shaft 30a and the drive shaft 30a. driving pinion 4 or led 4a. This is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 for the bearing 10 and in FIG. 11 for the two bearings 10 and 14.

Advantageously, the lower space present on either side under the receptacle 80 is operated as the actuating system 60 exerts a symmetrical action on each side of the receptacle 80. The size of the system 60 and the risk of jamming are therefore limited.

Each actuation assembly of the system 60 is connected to the inserted element which it drives by at least one connecting means 6, for example having an actuating finger which cooperates with a portion of the lower part of the inserted element in order to communicate to him his movement movement.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3, 6 to 8 and 10 to 12, the actuating system 60 comprises, for each driving or driven assembly, a movable stop 3 carried by a movable actuating portion 1 1 of the system 60. The actuating system 60 advantageously comprises at least one limit switch cooperating with this movable stop 3 and arranged on a fixed part of the system 60 or on any other fixed part, the contactor being for example carried by the receptacle 80. The actuating system 60 thus advantageously comprises a movable stop 3 associated with a limit switch for each of the first and second displacement positions corresponding to first and second working positions of the inserted inserted element, thus ensuring an automatic stop of the motor means in the desired adequate position for the inserted element.

Advantageously, the contactor is associated with a microswitch allowing the activation or disabling of the motor means 1 of the actuated inserted element. This allows the detection of the first and second positions taken by the inserted inserted element, this in particular for the selective activation of auxiliary elements present in the beverage dispensing machine during the displacement of the inserted action element born, these elements being laries to be activated respectively in the first or second position.

Advantageously, the actuating system 60 comprises a movable drive part 1 1 driven by the associated worm portion 2 or 2a, this part 1 1 carrying the connecting means 6 may have a driving finger and / or at least one movable stop 3 for determining the end position of one of the first and second positions.

This mobile drive part 1 1 is visible in particular in Figures 2 to 9. Advantageously, the movable drive part 1 1 preferably comprises a surface 18 having a thread complementary to the worm portion 2 or 2a associated, this surface 18 facing said screw 2 or 2a.

Advantageously, the mobile drive part 1 1 also has a curved portion on the remaining part of the movable drive part 1 1 thus producing a groove 7 between said parts in which an internal longitudinal wall portion 16d of the compartment is inserted. 16b thus preventing a large transverse clearance between the mobile drive part 1 1 and the receptacle 80. This movable drive part 1 1 can slide along the inner longitudinal wall 16d to drive the moving element moving .

The arrangement of the motor means 1, that of the worm part driven directly 2 or indirectly 2a by the motor means 1, drive gears 4 or led 4a in the support means 12 disposed below the receptacle 80 will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. The support 12 comprises two support portions 12a and 12b, the portion 12a at least partially surrounding a shaft 30a without motor means 1 of the second actuating assembly and the portion 12b at least partially surrounding a shaft 30 with motor means 1 of the first set actuating.

The two parts 12a and 12b are connected to their front part by a tunnel spacer 15 for the transmission means 8 between driving gears 4 and led 4a and hereinafter referred to as the tunnel name. This tunnel 15 extends perpendicularly to the shafts 30 or 30a of the two actuating assemblies and comprises a rear wall 15b oriented towards the end of the shafts 30 or 30a which may have the drive means 1 and a front wall 15a on the side opposite to this motor medium 1. Between the front walls 15a and rear 15b of the tunnel 15 extends, parallel to these walls 15a and 15b, the transmission means 8 associated between driving pinion 4 and driven pinion 4a. This tunnel 15 thus inserts the upper part and the lateral parts of the transmission means 8 and protects it against possible splashes of the drinking liquid, these projections being in particular caused by the opening of the infusion chamber contained in the receptacle 80 and therefore above the actuating system 60.

Alternatively, the tunnel 15 may be independent of the support 12 of the receptacle 80 and be part of the actuating system 60 being attached to a fixed member thereof.

To avoid lateral contact of the transmission means 8 with the inner walls of the front walls 15a and 15b rear 15 of the protection tunnel, the front flanges 5 or 5a and rear are installed on both sides of the pinion 4 or 4a end of each shaft 30 or 30a, a flange on the outer side 5 or 5a of the pinion 4 or 4a and a flange on the inner side of the pinion 4 or 4a. To simplify the references, only the front flanges are referenced in the figures under the respective reference 5 or 5a.

These front and rear flanges and in particular the front flange 5 or 5a may also limit the possible longitudinal displacement of the shaft 30 or 30a, such displacement may distort the longitudinal synchronization of the two sets having the shaft 30 or 30a of the system. actuation 60.

These flanges 5 can also serve to protect the pinions 4 and 4a against soiling due to splashes of drinking liquid, as the tunnel 15 does for the associated transmission means 8. They can also be used when mounting actuation assemblies in their respective support portion 12a or 12b.

The two parts 12a and 12b respectively form compartments, for example, a compartment 16a, where appropriate, for the motor means 1, a 16b compartment for the shaft 30 or 30a with the worm portion 2 or 2a it is directly driven or not and a compartment 16c for the drive gear 4 or 4a led and associated transmission means 8.

These compartments 16a, 16b, 16c are open on their outer longitudinal side to the receptacle 80 to facilitate access from outside to the elements of the respective actuation assembly contained in these compartments 16a, 16b, 16c. Advantageously, the base of the compartment 16b of a support portion 12a or 12b of the actuating system 60 has a slot 17 to facilitate access from the outside to the compartment 16b, in particular to the wall 16d of the receptacle 80 accommodating the mobile workpiece 1 1.

The front wall 15a of the tunnel 15 has bevelled ends 9 or 9a respectively facing the flanges 5 and 5a of the driving assembly and the driven assembly of the system 60 to create a slight clearance for mounting the driving assembly. or carried in its support 12 provided under the receptacle 80 while still fulfilling their role of abutments for the pinions 4 or 4a against a longitudinal displacement towards the front of a shaft 30 or 30a.

Each flange 5 or 5a also has a mark 22 which makes it possible to position the driving or driven assembly relative to the tunnel 15 by aligning the mark 22 with a mark 23 provided on the front wall 15a of the tunnel 15.

The proper functioning of the actuating system 60 rests on a good synchronization between the driving assembly and the driven assembly, on the limitation of the friction to prevent the blocking of the driving means 1 as well as on the absence of longitudinal translation of a tree 30 or 30a.

As regards the synchronization between the driving assembly and the driven assembly, on the one hand, the constant maintenance of the center distance between the driving and driving gears 4 and 4a is ensured by a friction bearing 14 disposed on each side of the receptacle 80. This bearing 14 cooperates with a small diameter zone of the shaft 30 or 30a located between the respective pinion 4 or 4a and the worm portion 2 or 2a in order to reduce the contact surface and therefore the energy loss by friction. .

On the other hand, in order to avoid the jump of a tooth during the transmission of movement by the driving loop of the associated transmission means 8, for example a toothed belt or a chain, it is used a means of pressure on the transmission means 8. The use of a pressure roller whose running surface is in contact with the outer face of the transmission means 8 is possible, but this is not preferred. Indeed, the presence of the tunnel 15 near the pinions 4 and 4a and transmission means 8 makes it difficult to implement such a pressure roller without specific adaptation.

In addition, this tunnel 15 protection requires the use of a transmission means 8 whose developed length corresponds to the theoretical developed length necessary to respect the spacing between pinion 4 and 4a plus a tooth, which poses problems in installing the first and second actuation assemblies in their respective support portions 12b or 12a.

Advantageously, there is provided a bar 13 extending in the mounted position on the tunnel 15 parallel to it over substantially the entire length thereof with its ends respectively facing the driving pinion 4 and the driven pinion 4a. Each end of this bar 13 carries means for tensioning the transmission means 8 in the form of a flexible tongue 21 exerting a pressing action of the transmission means 8 on the driving pinion 4 or led 4a. Each flexible tongue 21 thus fulfills the role of a pressure roller as a pressure medium while not requiring as much space as such a roller.

The bar 13 is secured at its upper part to the lower part of the front wall 15a of the tunnel 15. This attachment is advantageously effected by removable fixing means, in the figures advantageously two lugs 20 carried by the bar 13 penetrating into the slots 19 carried by the front wall 15a, as can be seen in Figure 12. The use of technical equivalents is also possible as well as the inversion means carried by the bar 13 and the front wall 15a.

With regard to the limitation of the friction between the worm part 2 or 2a and the connecting means 6, advantageously having a drive finger, the latter is dependent on the proper alignment of each shaft 30 or 30a with respect to receptacle 80 to maintain the parallelism between the two shafts 30, 30a.

The rotation guidance necessary for this alignment can be provided differently for each of the two shafts 30, 30a by the addition of a second bearing. For the drive shaft 30 secured to the motor means 1, it is the internal bearing 10 of the motor means which provides the guide. For the driven shaft 30a, it is the microswitch support which, by contact with one of its ends, provides guiding.

The locking in translation of each shaft 30 or 30a is provided by a contact on the receptacle 80, on either side of the transmission means 8, limiting the displacement to the only functional clearance necessary for the free rotation without friction. Advantageously, the front flanges 5 or 5a respectively covering the pinion leading 4 or led 4a abut against the inner face of the front wall 15a at the corresponding beveled end 9 or 9a of the wall 15a.

As regards the mounting of the actuating system 60 in its support, the following points are to be considered.

The transmission means 8, for example in the form of a toothed belt or a chain, generally does not have a high elasticity and can not therefore be stretched to increase its length. During assembly, the transmission means being mounted on the drive pinion 4 and led 4a, these pinions 4 and 4a can no longer be substantially distant from each other. In addition, the fastening of the transmission means 8 with the pinions 4 and 4a is made difficult by the presence of flanges 5, 5a respectively surrounding the front and rear faces of each pinion 4 or 4a, including the front flanges 5 or 5a. It follows that when a first loop of the transmission means 8 already surrounds a pinion 4 of a shaft 30, the second loop of the transmission means 8 can not be slid on the pinion 4a of the second shaft 30a if the latter is already installed in working position in its support portion 12a. It is thus necessary to achieve this connection between associated transmission means 8 and second shaft 30a before the second shaft 30a is in place in its support portion 12a.

The stops limiting the longitudinal translation of the shafts 30 or 30a, the reliefs that constitute the pinion 4 or 4a with its flanges 5 or 5a and the assembly consisting of the worm portion 2 or 2a and connecting means 6 oppose also to the installation by displacement in the direction of its length of the second shaft 30a through the loop of the transmission means 8 and makes it impossible to mount it by simple snapping.

An exemplary method of mounting an actuating system 60 in its support 12 disposed at the bottom of a receptacle 80 will now be described with particular reference to Figures 3 to 9.

The method relates to mounting an actuating system 60 in a beverage-producing machine receptacle 80 by infusing a product contained in a package, which actuation system 60 includes a first and a second actuation assembly. each comprising a rotary shaft 30, 30a, these two assemblies being mechanically interconnected by means of a pinion 4, 4a at the free end of each shaft 30, 30a and associated transmission means 8 connecting these two gears 4, 4a between them.

An important measure of the mounting method is that it includes the step of mounting each assembly of the actuating system 60 by tilting its shaft 30, 30a around a virtual sphere whose center is positioned in the middle of the front face of each pinion 4, 4a.

The process steps can be as follows:

The first step of this method of assembling the assembly is the tilting of the receptacle 80 so that its lower part in normal use of the receptacle 80 is in a vertical position.

The second step of the method is the introduction for each driving or driven assembly of the system 60 in the respective support part 12a or 12b of the mobile drive part 1 1 including in particular as connecting means 6 a drive finger. The groove 7 internal to the movable drive part 1 1 formed between a bent part and the remaining part of the part inserts the inner longitudinal wall 16d of the compartment 16b of the corresponding support part 12a or 12b. This can be seen in Figure 3.

Under the effect of gravity since the longitudinal wall 16d is then in a vertical position, each movable drive part 1 1 goes down along the longitudinal wall 16d to abut against the front wall separating the compartment 16b from the compartment 16a. This can be seen in Figure 4.

The third step of the method is the introduction of a first driven or driven assembly of the actuating system 60 into its support portion 12b. In Figure 5, the first set is a driving set but it is not mandatory to start with such a set. The assembly is at the beginning of introduction in its respective portion 12b of the support 12, the pinion 4 being partially introduced into the support portion 12b while the remainder of the first set is outside said portion 12b, the means transmission 8 being installed on the shaft 30.

An advantageous measure of the method is to present this assembly to be introduced with an inclination relative to the longitudinal axis of its support portion 12b, the pinion 4 of this assembly then being in its compartment 16c with a slight inclination with respect to its working position and the center of its front face occupying its final working position. For the establishment of the assembly, as previously mentioned, the shaft 30 of the assembly being introduced is tilted around a virtual sphere whose center is positioned naturally in the middle of its pinion 4. The first assembly is then locked in longitudinal translation and the angular position of its shaft 30 is adjusted.

The actuating assembly to be introduced is at least just before its introduction into its support portion 12b with its median longitudinal axis in the plane of the median longitudinal axis of the support portion 12b and the longitudinal axes. medians of each of the longitudinal sides of part 12b. The actuation assembly is rotated in this plane.

Advantageously, this shaft 30 of the assembly to be introduced is presented inclined relative to the receptacle 80, for example with an angle of 45 ° but this is not limiting. The assembly is facing the outer longitudinal side of the support portion 12b, this portion 12b having an opening on this outer longitudinal side allowing the introduction of the assembly in its interior.

Advantageously, the associated transmission means 8 is passed around its pinion 4 of the shaft 30. The shaft 30 always inclined and surrounded by the transmission means 8 is translated until the outer flange 5 of its pinion 4 comes in contact with the bevelled portion 9 made in the front wall 15a of the tunnel 15.

By always being kept inclined, the shaft 30 of the first actuating assembly is pivoted about its central axis so that the vertical mark 23 formed in the receptacle 80 corresponds substantially to the vertical mark 22 formed on the front flange 5 of the pinion 4. The shaft 30 is then tilted about a virtual axis passing through the pinion 4 so that it takes place in its compartment 16b and the worm portion 2 is in contact with the part 18 of the mobile driving part 1 1. This is shown consecutively to FIGS. 5 and 6.

When the first shaft introduced is the driving shaft 30, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the motor means 1 can already be mounted at the other end of the shaft 30 and follow the introduction of the shaft 30 into the 12b support portion of the first set, this in its respective compartment 16a. The motor means 1 can also be mounted after the installation of the shaft 30 in the compartment 16b of its support portion 12b.

In Figures 5 and 6, during this step, the associated transmission means 8 has been shown substantially under tension. This is not necessarily the case and even in general, the transmission means 8 is not powered. In this case, its free loop can then be hung temporarily to any shape provided on the support 12 of the actuating system 60 allowing it, for example a fastening clip 15c of the tunnel 15 to the support 12, in particular the fixing clip 15c its front wall 15a and / or an end portion of the front wall 15a, this shape being towards the opposite longitudinal side of the receptacle 80 that receiving the first set. This can be seen in Figure 7.

The fourth step of the method, shown in FIG. 8, concerns the introduction of the second set of the actuating system 60. This introduction in the part 12a support is symmetrical to the introduction of the first set in the support portion 12b.

The shaft 30a of this second set is presented with an inclination, preferably at an angle of about 45 °, to the outer longitudinal side of the support portion 12a. The pinion 4a of this second shaft 2a is born in its compartment 16c so that it is possible to pass the other loop of the transmission means 8 around it, in a position that is not its operating position. Normal transmission means 8. The second bevelled end 9a made symmetrically to the first beveled end 9 of the front wall 15a of the tunnel 15 allows the passage of the front flange 5a of the second shaft 30a. The front flange 5a is brought into abutment with the edge of the tapered end 9a by a lateral translation of the shaft 30a always kept inclined.

The shaft 30a is pivoted about its axis so that the mark 23 formed on the front flange 5a is positioned opposite the mark 22 formed on the front wall 15a of the tunnel 15 of the receptacle 80.

The corresponding free loop of the transmission means 8 associated and previously hooked is slid and folded over the teeth of the pinion 4a. The shaft 30a, tilted at 45 °, is tilted into the oblong cutout acting as friction bearing 14. The movable drive part 1 1 carrying the connecting means 6 and the surface having a complementary thread 18 of the screw without end 2a is translated slightly so that its hollow threading allows the passage of the relief of the worm portion 2 without changing the angular orientation of the second shaft 30a. The transmission means 8, inserted into the space between the front flange 5a and rear of the driven pinion 4a, naturally finds contact with the teeth of the pinion 4a associated and is automatically brought into its working position when the second set of tilts actuating.

The fifth step of the method is the installation of the angular synchronization system composed of the main bar 13 with at each end facing the pinion 4 or 4a a flexible tongue 21 serving as a means of pressure of the transmission means 8 on the associated pinion 4 or 4a. Each flexible tongue 21 plates the soft strand of the transmission means 8 against the corresponding portion of the toothing of each pinion 4 or 4a.

The two shafts 30 and 30a are thus mounted parallel to each other, locked in longitudinal and transverse translations and secured in rotation thus allowing a synchronized linear drive of the connecting means 6 having a drive finger carried in the movable driving part 1 1 acting on the driven insert.

The sixth step of the process is the delivery of the receptacle with its base in a horizontal position.

For the operation of auxiliary elements, the assembly has microswitches connected to the frame of the machine and each comprising at least one contactor for the control of auxiliary elements indirectly associated with the actuated inserted element. In particular, it is provided that when a movable stop 3 comes into contact with an associated contactor, the microswitch allows the activation or deactivation of an organ such as a pump for circulating a fluid or such that opening of a solenoid valve.

As an example of auxiliary elements, the infusion beverage production machine conventionally comprises a pump for supplying fluid to the chamber and / or an actuator for mutually displacing the two chamber portions forming the chamber. For example, when the action element born is a closure device with means upstream and downstream of sequential closing of the chamber during different stages of the production of the packaging to be infused, it is thus advisable to provide the servocontrol of the operation of the hydraulic pump sending water under pressure and / or operation of the actuator according to the position of this closure device, which is achieved by the use of selective microswitches.

The invention thus improves the reliability of the displacement of the actuated inserted element and slaves in a simple manner the operation of the motor means 1 of the system and / or the operation of other members of the machine according to the position of this inserted inserted element. . Thus, the invention prevents for example that the pump is engaged while the actuated element is in a non-adequate disposition. This reduces the risk of hot water leakage, hot water burns, the risk of jamming a finger in the room etc.

With such an actuating system, the displacement of the actuated element is performed identically on its sides by means of a worm driving a connecting means in contact with the actuated element. The inserted inserted element thus advances symmetrically on its moving means. There is therefore no risk of blocking the element during its displacement. Various modifications are possible in the arrangement of the actuating system 60. The actuating system 60 is fully reversible and present a great freedom of design for placing the motor means 1, motorized or manual, both on one longitudinal side or the other of the inserted element actuated by being adaptable to the machine configurations. The shapes of the machine can thus be adapted according to the aesthetics or functionalities required.

Such an actuating system is completely modular and occupies only a very small footprint without interfering with the vertical passage of the packaging in the infusion module.

The assembly and disassembly of such a system are easy, being able to be done without special tools or even manually. This is very advantageous for performing maintenance and dismantling of the system and the closure device at the end of life and thus to meet the constraints of eco-design.

Thus, the synchronization means make it possible to solve the difficulty of mounting the two sets of the actuating system in its support below the receptacle, without increasing the size of said system and without deformation of the elements of this system, such as for example the transmission means or the connecting means on the moving parts, while allowing to correctly orient each of the two shafts and to position the connection means with the inserted inserted element in order to block the synchronization.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any embodiment within its spirit.

REFERENCES

1. motor medium

2. driven worm part

2a. worm part not driven

3. stop

4. driving gear

4a. driven sprocket

5. front flange

5a. led flange

6. liaison medium

7. internal groove

8. means of transmission

9. tapered end

9a. tapered end

10.palier

1 1 .mobile training room

12. system support

12a. first part of the support

12b. second part of the support

13. bar

14. landing

15. tunnel

15a. front wall

15b. back wall

15c. fastening clip

16a. compartment

16b. compartment

16c. compartment

16d. internal longitudinal wall

17. light

18. surface of the mobile workpiece

19. light

20. ergot

21. flexible tongue 22. landmark on flange

23. mark on tunnel 30. tree

30a. tree

60. actuating system

80. receptacle

81. based

Claims

1. A system (60) for actuating an element inserted in a beverage production machine by infusing a product contained in a package, the system (60) being configured to alternately pass the inserted member from a first to a second position characterized in that it has first and second actuation assemblies mechanically connected to each other by transmission means (4, 4a, 8), these assemblies each having a rotating shaft (30, 30a) and a means connecting means (6) connected to the inserted element, said connecting means (6) being driven by the respective rotary shaft (30, 30a) in translation along it, the first and second actuating assemblies being configured to exert on the inserted element an action distributed on either side of a median plane of the system (60) extending in the direction of movement of the two connecting means (6), the system comprising means for synchronization (13, 14, 21) rotating shafts (30, 30a) and / or means (9, 9a) of a longitudinal offset for each of said shafts (30, 30a).

2. System (60) according to the preceding claim, wherein the inserted element is a closure device of an infusion chamber for receiving the package, the closure device being configured to switch alternately from a first to a second position in which it prevents and allows the entry of the conditioning in the brewing chamber.

3. System (60) according to the preceding claim, wherein the closure device is configured so that the output of the packaging out of the chamber is by gravity.

The system (60) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second sets are placed symmetrically with respect to the median plane of the system (60) containing the direction of movement of the two connecting means (6), each connecting means (6) being carried by a movable drive member (1 1) along its respective shaft (30, 30a) and having a drive finger connecting it to the inserted member.

5. System (60) according to the preceding claim, wherein only the first set comprises a motor means (1), the motor means (1) being a motor or a manual actuating means in the form of a handle actuated by an operator, the second set being driven by the first set via the transmission means (8) connecting them to each other.

6. System (60) according to the preceding claim, wherein the transmission means (8) comprises a belt or a chain, each shaft (30, 30a) of the first and second sets respectively having a driving pinion (4) or driven ( 4a) forming the complementary transmission means carried by the shafts (30, 30a) and wherein the means for limiting a longitudinal shift of the first and second sets are arranged in the form of stops (9, 9a) co-operating respectively with the pinion driving (4) or led (4a) to limit their displacement in the longitudinal direction of their shaft (30, 30a).

7. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the synchronizing means (13, 14, 21) of the shafts (30, 30a) rotating are arranged as pressure means (21) on the transmission means (8) between pinions. (4, 4a), pressing this transmission means (8) against each of the driving gears

(4) or carried (4a), and as a friction bearing (14) disposed on each shaft (30, 30a) and acting transversely to these shafts (30, 30a), these bearings (14) maintaining a distance between given between the trees (30, 30a).

8. System according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the transmission means (8) between gears (4, 4a) is inserted freely moving in a tunnel (15) having an inverted U-shaped section and s' extending perpendicularly to the two shafts (30, 30a) covering the transmission means (8) between pinions (4, 4a) and a portion of the pinions (4, 4a).

9. System according to the preceding claim, wherein each pinion (4, 4a) is disposed at one end of the shaft (30, 30a) associated and has front flanges (5, 5a) and rear respectively surrounding its front faces and rear and in which the tunnel (15) has longitudinal ends at least partially covering the flanges (5, 5a) of the pinion (4, 4a) respectively, thereby forming a compartment (16c) for receiving each pinion (4, 4a) ).

10. System according to the preceding claim, wherein each longitudinal end (9, 9a) comprises a front wall (15a) of the beveled tunnel (15) so that this end leaves a possibility of pivoting to the pinion (4, 4a) in one direction. transversely to its associated shaft (30, 30a) while acting as a stop against its displacement in the longitudinal direction of said shaft (30, 30a).

1 1. System according to any of the two preceding claims, wherein the ends of the front wall (15a) of the tunnel (15) each have a mark (23) intended to be aligned with a mark (22) carried by the front flange (5). 5a) of the associated pinion (4, 4a).

12. System according to claim 7 and one of the five preceding claims, wherein the pressurizing means (21) of the transmission means (8) between gears (4, 4a) are arranged at each end of a main bar (13), this bar (13) extending parallel to the tunnel (15).

13. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the pressurizing means are in the form of a flexible tongue (21) disposed at each end of the main bar (13).

14. System (60) according to one of the twelve preceding claims, wherein each rotary shaft (30, 30a) of the first and second sets has a worm portion (2 or 2a), the portion (2 or 2a) driving the movable driving part (1 1) along the rotary shaft (30, 30a) and wherein the movable driving part (1 1) has a surface (18) having a thread complementary to that the worm portion (2, 2a) and at least one movable stop (3) cooperating with at least one fixed limit switch, said movable piece (1 1) further having an internal groove (7) receiving guiding means (17d) for its displacement.

15. Receptacle (80) for a beverage production machine by infusion of a product contained in a packaging, characterized in that it comprises on the outer face of its base (81) a support (12) configured to receive the system (60) for actuating an inserted element according to any one of preceding claims, the inserted member being received within the receptacle (80).

16. Receptacle (80) according to the preceding claim, wherein, when the actuating system (60) comprises a tunnel (15), the compartment (16c) receiving a driving gear (4) or driven (4a) is formed by the longitudinal ends of the front (15a) and rear (15b) walls of the tunnel (15) or extensions thereof.

17. Receptacle (80) according to any one of the two preceding claims, wherein the connecting means (6) of the actuating system (60) is inserted between two portions (7) projecting from the inserted inserted element. and carried by its lower part facing the connecting means (6).

18. Beverage production machine by infusion of a product contained in a packaging, characterized in that it comprises a receptacle (80) according to any one of the three preceding claims.

19. A method of mounting an actuating system (60) in a beverage production machine receptacle (80) by infusing a product contained in a package, said actuating system (60) comprising a first and a second actuating assembly each comprising a rotary shaft (30, 30a), these two assemblies being mechanically connected to each other by means of a pinion (4, 4a) at the free end of each shaft (30, 30a); ) and associated transmission means (8) connecting these two gears (4, 4a) to each other, this method comprising the step of mounting each assembly of the actuating system (60) by tilting of its shaft (30). , 30a) around a virtual sphere whose center is positioned in the middle of the front face of each pinion (4, 4a).

20. Mounting method according to the preceding claim, the receptacle (80) comprising a support (12) of the actuating system (60) with two respective support portions (12a, 12b) for receiving a respective set of the system (60). ), which method comprises the following steps:

- introduction of the shaft (30) of the first of the two actuating assemblies in its support part (12b) by presenting this shaft (30) inclined relative to its support portion (12b), the center of the pinion (4) occupying its final place in the support portion (12b), the pinion (4) being partially introduced into the support portion (12b) while the remainder of the first set is outside said part (12b), the associated transmission means (8) being installed on said shaft (30), introduction followed by tilting of the first actuating assembly in its portion (12b) ) of support, locking of said assembly in longitudinal translation and adjustment of the angular position of the shaft (30),

- introduction of the shaft (30a) of the second actuating assembly in its portion (12a) support symmetrically and similar to the introduction of the shaft (30) of the first set with a prior establishment of the means transmission (8) associated on this shaft (30a) in a position other than its final working position, said transmission means (8) associated being automatically brought into its working position during the tilting of the second actuating assembly.

21. Mounting method according to the preceding claim, comprising the following steps prior to the steps of introduction of the shafts (30, 30a) of the first and second actuating assembly:

positioning the receptacle (80) with its base (81) in a vertical position,

- introduction of a movable drive part (1 1) in each support part (12a, 12b) and positioning of the moving part (1 1) on the inner longitudinal side (17d) of each part (12a, 12b) for supporting and sliding the movable driving part (17) on said longitudinal side (17d) by gravity to its working position.

22. Mounting method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps performed after the steps of introducing the shafts (30, 30a) of the first and second actuating assembly:

installing synchronization means (13, 14, 21) of the first and second shafts (30, 30),

- Returning the receptacle (80) in its normal operating position with its base (81) horizontal.