Beverage machine with drip collecting device

• US 8,333,144 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2010
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Boussemart, Christophe S., Agon, Fabien Ludovic, Ryser, Antoine
• Primary Examiner(s): WEIER, ANTHONY J
• Application Number:
  US12/720,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20100159097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 992/90, 992/80, 992/95, 992/99, 993/06, 993/09, 993/05, 993/07
• US Class Current: 99/290
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/061 activated by the beverage container
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4482 Details allowing to adapt the beverage-making apparatus to the size of the brewing vessel or the beverage container, e.g. with adjustable support for the beverage container or adjustable hot water outlet
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4485 Nozzles dispensing heated and foamed milk, i.e. milk is sucked from a milk container, heated and foamed inside the device, and subsequently dispensed from the nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/469 Details of hydraulic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/60 Cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/007 Injectors for solid bodies, e.g. suppositories
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0069 Devices for implanting pellets, e.g. markers or solid medicaments for introducing of radioactive sources for interstitial radiation therapy, i.e. brachytherapy A61N5/1027

Abstract

A beverage machine having a height-adjustment device that includes a movable support plate for adjusting the position of the recipient relative to at least one beverage outlet. The support plate is movable relative to the at least one beverage outlet. The machine also includes a displacement mechanism for displacing the support plate relative to the outlet. The displacement mechanism includes a motorized driver for driving the displacement mechanism, a controller for controlling the actuation of the driver and which is configured to set a predetermined distance between the outlet and the recipient. A drip-collecting device can also be selectively provided to collect liquid falling from the beverage outlet when the recipient is not present.

Claims

1. A beverage machine for the preparation of beverages comprising:

a frame onto which is assembled at least a beverage outlet adapted to deliver a beverage in a recipient placed in a beverage service area and

a drip collecting device which is configured to be selectively placed below or around the beverage outlet to collect liquid or froth when the machine is not delivering the beverage or when the recipient is removed from the beverage service area;

wherein the drip collecting device is movable between a collecting position beneath the outlet and a retracted position away from the outlet; and

wherein the drip collecting device is displaced from the collecting position to the retracted position by upward motion of a movable support plate upon which the recipient is placed.

2. The beverage machine according to claim 1, wherein the drip collecting device is configured to be selectively placed at a position above the recipient.

3. The beverage machine according to claim 1, wherein the drip collecting device comprises a collecting device and an arm or lever attached to a member that is engaged by the recipient to move the collector to the retracted position.

10. A method for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage machine according to claim 1, which method comprises selectively placing a drip-collecting device in the service area to collect liquid falling from the beverage outlet before the liquid can reach the service area.

11. The method according to claim 10, which further comprises selectively placing the drip collecting device in a collecting position in the service area when the machine is not delivering beverage or when the recipient is removed from the beverage service area.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the drip collecting device is selectively placed at a position above the recipient.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the drip collecting device is selectively placed in the collecting position beneath the outlet and is movable to a retracted position away from the outlet.

14. The method according to claim 13, which further comprises displacing the drip collecting device from the collecting position to the retracted position by upward motion of the support plate or by the recipient being placed on the support plate.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the drip collecting device comprises a collecting device and an arm or lever attached to the member that is engaged by the recipient to move the collector to the retracted position.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the drip collecting device is associated with an actuator which is controlled by a control unit to move from the collecting position to the retracted position or from the retracted position to the collecting position.

4. A beverage machine for the preparation of beverages comprising:

a frame onto which is assembled at least a beverage outlet adapted to deliver a beverage in a recipient placed in a beverage service area, and

a drip collecting device which is configured to be selectively placed to collect liquid or froth when the machine is not delivering the beverage or when the recipient is removed from the beverage service area;

wherein the drip collecting device is movable between a collecting position beneath the outlet and a retracted position away from the outlet;

wherein the drip collecting device is displaced from the collecting position to the retracted position by upward motion of a movable support plate or by the recipient being placed on the support plate, and

wherein the drip collecting device is associated with an actuator which is controlled by a control unit to move from the collecting position to the retracted position or from the retracted position to the collecting position.

5. The beverage machine according to claim 4, wherein the actuator comprises an electromagnetic solenoid or an electrical motor.

6. A beverage machine for the preparation of beverages comprising:

a frame onto which is assembled at least a beverage outlet adapted to deliver a beverage in a recipient placed in a beverage service area, and

a drip collecting device which is configured to be selectively placed in a position to collect liquid or froth when the machine is not delivering the beverage or when the recipient is removed from the beverage service area,

a height adjustment device for adjusting the position of the recipient relative to the beverage outlet, when resting on the support plate, wherein the support plate is movable relative to the beverage outlet and comprises a displacement mechanism for displacing the support plate,

wherein the drip collecting device is movable between a collecting position beneath the outlet and a retracted position away from the outlet,

wherein the drip collecting device is displaced from the collecting position to the retracted position by upward motion of a movable support plate or by the recipient being placed on the support plate.

7. The beverage machine according to claim 6, which further comprises:

a motorized driver for driving the displacement mechanism, and

a controller for controlling the actuation of the driver which is configured to set a predetermined distance between the outlet and the recipient.

8. The beverage machine according to claim 7, wherein the controller controls the distance as a function of a height related dimension of the recipient being placed on the support plate, and comprises at least one sensor that detects the position of at least one part of the recipient being placed on the support plate and a control unit that stops the motorized driver in response to sensor input to the control unit, wherein the sensor is positioned in a predetermined position below the beverage outlet to detect the position of an upper edge of the recipient.

9. The beverage machine according to claim 7, wherein the motorized driver comprises:

a drive electrical motor, and

a continuous displacement transmission system that is arranged to be driven by the electrical motor to move the support plate in a continuous manner, wherein the continuous displacement transmission system comprises a gear rack attached to the support plate, and at least one gear wheel attached to the drive motor, or a threaded spindle attached to the drive motor and a complementary threaded ring attached to the support plate.

17. A beverage machine for the preparation of beverages comprising:

a frame onto which is assembled a beverage outlet adapted to deliver a beverage in a recipient placed in a beverage service area, and

a drip collecting device which is configured to be selectively placed below or around the beverage outlet to collect liquid or froth when the machine is not delivering the beverage or when the recipient is removed from the beverage service area;

wherein the drip collecting device is movable between a collecting position beneath the outlet and a retracted position away from the outlet;

wherein the drip collecting device is displaced from the collecting position to the retracted position by upward motion of a movable support plate or by the recipient being placed on the support plate; and

wherein the drip collecting device is associated with an actuator which is controlled by a control unit to move from the collecting position to the retracted position or from the retracted position to the collecting position.

18. The beverage machine according to claim 17, wherein the drip collecting device is configured to be selectively placed at a position above the recipient.

19. The beverage machine according to claim 17, wherein the drip collecting device comprises a collecting device and an arm or lever attached to a member that is engaged by the recipient to move the collector to the retracted position.

20. The beverage machine according to claim 17, wherein the actuator comprises an electromagnetic solenoid or an electrical motor.