WO2016083485A1 - Liquid dispensing machine with manual drop stop - Google Patents

Liquid dispensing machine with manual drop stop Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2016083485A1
WO2016083485A1 PCT/EP2015/077715 EP2015077715W WO2016083485A1 WO 2016083485 A1 WO2016083485 A1 WO 2016083485A1 EP 2015077715 W EP2015077715 W EP 2015077715W WO 2016083485 A1 WO2016083485 A1 WO 2016083485A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
liquid
directing device
user
machine
dispensing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2015/077715
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Marco MAGATTI
Da Mi Byun
Bertrand GUYON
Original Assignee
Nestec S.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nestec S.A. filed Critical Nestec S.A.
Priority to EP15800856.5A priority Critical patent/EP3223669B1/en
Priority to US15/531,160 priority patent/US11076714B2/en
Priority to CN201580064188.9A priority patent/CN106998941B/en
Publication of WO2016083485A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016083485A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47JKITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/24Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure
    • A47J31/34Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure
    • A47J31/36Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means
    • A47J31/3604Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means with a mechanism arranged to move the brewing chamber between loading, infusing and ejecting stations
    • A47J31/3623Cartridges being employed
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47JKITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/46Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47JKITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/60Cleaning devices

Abstract

A machine (1) for dispensing a dispensable liquid (5) has: -a liquid delivery module (10) for delivering the dispensable liquid (5) from a source (50); -a service area (7) for collecting collectable liquid (5') from the liquid delivery module (10); -a directing device (20) which has a dispensing position for directing the dispensable liquid (5) from the delivery module (10) to a dispensing area (6) configured to receive a user-receptacle (60) and a collecting position for directing collectable liquid (5') from the delivery module (10) to the service area (7); and -a user-interface member (30) which is configured to be contacted and moved by a user to displace the member (30) from a first member position to a second member position. The user-interface member (30) is configured to exercise a force and/or a torque onto the directing device (20) to move the directing device (20) between the collecting position and the dispensing position when the user- interface member (30) is moved between the first member position and the second member position.

Description

LIQUID DISPENSING MACHINE WITH MANUAL DROP STOP
Field of the Invention
The field of the invention pertains to machines dispensing a liquid such as a beverage, for instance using capsules of an ingredient of the beverage to be prepared, to a user-recipient in a dispensing area and an arrangement for preventing undesired dripping of liquid residues into the dispensing area, in particular after a liquid dispensing process (after a serving) and/or between liquid dispensing processes (between servings) .
For the purpose of the present description, a "beverage" is meant to include any human-consumable liquid substance, such as tea, coffee, hot or cold chocolate, milk, soup, baby food, etc... A "capsule" is meant to include any pre-portioned beverage ingredient, such as a flavouring ingredient, within an enclosing packaging of any material, in particular an airtight packaging, e.g. plastic, aluminium, recyclable and/or biodegradable packagings, and of any shape and structure, including soft pods or rigid cartridges containing the ingredient. The capsule may contain an amount of ingredient for preparing a single beverage serving or a plurality of beverage servings.
Background Art
Certain beverage preparation machines use capsules containing ingredients to be extracted or to be dissolved; for other machines, the ingredients are stored and dosed automatically in the machine or else are added at the time of preparation of the drink.
Most beverage machines possess within a housing: filling means that include a pump for liquid, usually water, which pumps the liquid from a source of water that is cold or indeed heated through heating means, such as a heating resistor, a boiler, a thermoblock or the like, a brewing unit in which an ingredient is brewed with water or a mixing unit in which ingredients are mixed together, and a beverage outlet for dispensing the prepared beverage. Typically, the beverage outlet is located above a beverage dispensing zone, e.g. above a grid for supporting a cup or other recipient under the outlet and for the passage of drops of liquid from the beverage outlet or other spills into a collector tray located under the grid.
For example, EP 1 440 639 discloses a beverage machine comprising a receptacle stand having a hollow interior forming a drip tray. An upper surface of the receptacle stand is provided with a grill on which the receptacle is positioned. The drip tray is removable from the housing to ease emptying of the collected water. Drip tray devices with cup supports are well known in the art. There are also such devices that are further arranged for allowing the adjustment of the vertical position under the beverage outlet of cups of different sizes. Examples of arrangements in this field are disclosed in CA 2,260,352, EP 0 549 887, EP 1 731 065, EP 1 867 260, FR 2 439 042, US 5,161,455, US 5,353,692, WO 2009/074557.
WO 2012/072758 and WO 2013/127907 disclose beverage machines having a beverage guide located downstream an ingredient processing module that includes a first beverage path to a serving locating and a second beverage path to a service location. The module has a downstream part that is movable between an ingredient processing position and an ingredient insertion/evacuation position, the downstream part being coordinated with the beverage guide so that the beverage is directed to the service location when the downstream part in in the ingredient insertion/evacuation position and to the serving location when the downstream part is in the ingredient processing position. To reliably stop the dripping to the serving location at the end of the ingredient processing, the downstream part should be brought to the ingredient insertion/evacuation position at the end of beverage serving. Such an improved operation thus requires an automatic actuation of the downstream part controlled by the machine and thus a motorization or other automatic actuation of the downstream part is desirable or at least an advantage.
An alternative motorized beverage guide configuration is disclosed in EP2014186738. WO 2006/050769 discloses a beverage preparation machine with a vertically movable cup support located under the machine's beverage outlet and a drop collector arm that is pivotable under the beverage outlet for collecting drops upon beverage dispensing. The drop collector is motorized and automatically moved away from the beverage outlet when a cup is detected under the outlet by a dedicated sensor and is moved back when the beverage processing is stopped. The electric motor of the collector is controlled by a controller connected to this cup sensor which controls also the beginning and a premature end of the beverage preparation and dispensing (due to an early removal of the cup) . In an alternative embodiment, the drop collector is simply pushed out of the collecting position by a cup placed under the outlet and allowed back to the collecting position by the removal of the cup (mechanical cup sensor and drop stop actuation) . In a further embodiment it is suggested to actuate the drop collector via the machine's pump hydraulically instead of electrically (coordination of the drop collector with the activity of the pump) .
To avoid the use of a drop collector and corresponding actuation thereof between a collecting configuration and a dispensing configuration, it has been proposed in WO 2011/067264 to release the pressure upstream the beverage outlet and beverage preparation unit via a deviation valve so that evacuation of the residual pressurised liquid in the machine via the beverage outlet is minimised.
Summary of the Invention
An object of the invention is to address at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art drop management systems or at least to provide an alternative thereto.
The invention relates to a machine for dispensing a dispensable liquid. Typically the dispensable liquid is a beverage .
The liquid dispensing machine can be an in-home or out of home machine. The machine may be a beverage machine, e.g. for the preparation of coffee, tea, chocolate, cacao, milk, soup, baby food, etc.... Such beverage machine may be arranged for preparing within a beverage preparation module a beverage by passing hot or cold water or another liquid through a capsule containing an ingredient, such as a flavouring ingredient, of the beverage to be prepared, such as ground coffee or tea or chocolate or cacao or milk powder.
Such beverage preparation typically includes the mixing of a plurality of beverage ingredients, e.g. water and milk powder, and/or the infusion of a beverage ingredient, such as an infusion of ground coffee or tea with water. One or more of such ingredients may be supplied in loose and/or agglomerate powder form and/or in liquid form, in particular in a concentrate form. A carrier or diluents liquid, e.g. water, may be mixed with such ingredient to form the beverage. Typically, a predetermined amount of beverage is formed and dispensed on user-request, which corresponds to a serving. The volume of such a serving may be in the range of 25 to 200 ml and even up to 300 or 400 ml, e.g. the volume for filling a cup, depending on the type of beverage. Formed and dispensed beverages may be selected from ristrettos, espressos, lungos, cappuccinos, latte macchiato, cafe latte, americano coffees, teas, etc... In particular, a coffee machine may be configured for dispensing espressos, e.g. an adjustable volume of 20 to 60 ml per serving, and/or for dispensing lungos, e.g. a volume in the range of 70 to 150 ml per serving.
The machine may be configured to dispense simply plain water or another consumable or non-consumable liquid.
The machine may include a main or stationary frame and/or outside housing in which and/or to which the machine's components, e.g. the components mentioned below, are assembled. Exemplary beverage preparation architectures are for instance disclosed in WO 2009/074550 and WO 2009/130099.
The machine of the invention includes the following features :
a liquid delivery module for delivering the dispensable liquid from a source, such as a liquid tank, the delivery module optionally comprising at least one of a liquid driver such as a pump, a liquid conditioner such as a heater and/or a cooler, and a mixing area such as an area delimited by a chamber e.g. a brewing and/or infusion chamber;
a service area for collecting collectable liquid, e.g. waste or residual liquid, from the liquid delivery module, optionally the service area being associated with a removable collector such as a removable tank; a directing device which has a dispensing position for directing the dispensable liquid from the delivery module to a dispensing area configured to receive a user-receptacle and a collecting position for directing collectable liquid, e.g. waste liquid or residual liquid, from the delivery module to the service area; and
a user-interface member which is configured to be contacted and moved by a user to displace the member from a first member position to a second member position .
The directing device can be located inside a machine frame and/or inside machine housing which is/are for instance provided, downstream the directing device, with: an outlet through which the dispensable liquid is delivered from inside to outside the machine frame and/or machine housing; and/or
a guide surface along which the collectable liquid is guided to the service area.
For instance, the module is assembled to a machine's frame and/or outer or outside housing. For example, a fixed part of the module, e.g. a fixed first part or a fixed second part or a fixed module frame carrying the first and second parts, is assembled to such a machine's frame and/or housing.
Typically, the dispensing area is located below the directing device and/or below the machine's dispensing outlet (when present) downstream the directing device.
Normally, the dispensing area is located along one outside face of the machine, e.g. a front face, of the dispensing machine.
Suitable liquid drivers, such as a pumps, for driving liquid, e.g. water, along a liquid line from the liquid source via the processing module are disclosed in WO 2006/005425, WO 2009/024500, WO 2009/150030, WO 2010/108700 and WO 2011/107574.
The liquid may be driven to the directing device via a conditioner such as a heater and/or a cooler. A suitable heater may be a boiler, a thermoblock or an on demand heater (ODH) , for instance an ODH disclosed in EP 1 253 844, EP 1 380 243 and EP 1 809 151. Other heaters are disclosed in WO 2009/043851, WO 2009/043865, WO 2009/092746 and WO 2011/157675 and WO 2012/007260.
The directing device may be assembled to a machine's frame and/or outer or outside housing. For instance, the device may be assembled to such a frame and/or housing, directly or indirectly, via a bearing system (e.g. a pivoting arrangement or a translational arrangement) .
The dispensing area can be delimited by a receptacle support. Typically the support includes a support surface for positioning a user-recipient, e.g. a mug or a cup, to collect the dispensed beverage. The support surface may be formed by a support member that is part of the machine or may be a virtual surface, e.g. the surface of a table on which the machine is placed. Examples of such support surfaces for user-recipients are disclosed in EP 1 867 260, WO 2009/074557 and WO 2013/104636.
The service area may be delimited by a removable receptacle, e.g. located within a machine's frame and/or housing. The removable receptacle can be a waste collector, such as a waste material tank or reservoir. Examples of such collectors are disclosed in EP 1 867 260, WO 2009/074557, WO 2009/074559, WO 2009/135869, WO 2011/086087 and WO 2011/154492. Typically, the waste collector is configured for collecting at least one of: one or more waste beverage ingredients, such as a used flavouring ingredient and/or waste water; one or more used capsules for supplying a beverage ingredient into the machine; and a cleaning agent, such as a cleaning, rinsing or descaling liquid.
The liquid delivery module may include a control unit for controlling the dispensing of the liquid, e.g. the liquid driver and/or the thermal conditioner (when present) . The machine can also comprise a user-interface (in addition to or comprising the user-interface member) for providing user-instructions to the control unit. Typically, the control unit is mounted to a machine's frame and/or housing and connected to (when present) the liquid driver, the thermal conditioner, and possibly other components such as sensor (s) (e.g. a temperature sensor or a flowmeter) and motor (s) via flexible or preferably rigid connections. Examples of control units and user-interfaces are disclosed in WO 2008/138710, WO
2009/043851, WO 2009/043865, WO 2009/092745, WO
2010/003932, WO 2010/037806, WO 2010/046442, WO
2011/020779, WO 2011/026853, WO 2011/054889, WO
2011/067156, WO 2011/067157, WO 2011/067181, WO
2011/067188, WO 2011/067191, WO 2011/067227, WO
2011/067232, WO 2011/144719, WO 2012/032019, WO
2012/072761, WO 2012/072764, WO 2012/072767 and WO
2012/093107.
For powering electric machine components , the machine may include an electric connector, such as an electric cord, for connection to the mains or other power source. Moreover, the machine may include an arrangement for storing the electric connector, such as a support for winding an electric cord.
In accordance with the invention, the user-interface member is configured to exercise a force and/or a torque onto the directing device to move the directing device between the collecting position and the dispensing position when the user-interface member is moved between the first member position and the second member position.
The user-interface member can be configured to exercise a force and/or a torque onto the directing device to move the directing device: from the collecting position to the dispensing position when the user- interface member is moved from the first member position into the second member position; and/or from the dispensing position to the collecting position when the user-interface member is moved from the second member position into the first member position.
For instance, the user-interface member is connected to the directing device. The member can be connected directly or via a force and/or torque transmitting transmission to the directing device. The transmission can be at least one of mechanical (e.g. including gears, belts, levers, etc.), hydraulic (e.g. including hydraulic pistons and conduit arrangements, etc.), pneumatic (e.g. pneumatic pistons and conduit arrangements, etc.) and magnetic (e.g. including one or more permanent magnets cooperating together and/or with one or more ferromagnetic elements) . Such transmission does not involve any electric motor or electric actuator.
The directing device can allow a flow of liquid from the outlet to an area for dispensing the liquid e.g. into a user-receptacle (e.g. a cup or a mug), or to a different area used for servicing the machine, e.g. a service area associated with a removable receptacle for collecting waste, such as residual liquid e.g. beverage, used ingredient and/or a cleaning fluid upon use.
The directing device can either divert the flow from an outlet of the delivery module to the service area and/or to the dispensing area. The directing device may also be arranged to not interfere with an upstream flow from an outlet of the delivery module either to the service area or to the dispensing area when the machine is configured so that liquid flowing from the module's outlet automatically reaches either the service area or dispensing area in the absence of any directing device.
Hence, the directing device is simple, reliable and manually operated by a user via a user-interface member connected to the directing device without a need of any electric motor or other electrically controlled actuator for operating the directing device. The user-interface member and the directing device may be arranged closely together (e.g. via a direct mechanical connection or connected via a magnetic or mechanical transmission) or they may be arranged at a distance in the machine (e.g. via a mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic transmission) .
The directing device can have only one evacuation portion, such as a single outlet opening, from which:
the dispensable liquid is evacuated from the directing device onto said dispensing area when the directing device is in the dispensing position; and
the collectable liquid is evacuated into the service area when the directing device is in the collecting position . The directing device can have only one reception portion, such as a single inlet opening, into or onto which the dispensable liquid the collectable liquid are received from the liquid delivery module. For instance, the liquids are received from an outlet of the liquid delivery module. Such an outlet is typically located inside the machine, e.g. within a machine housing and/or machine frame.
The directing device may delimit only one liquid channel for directing both the dispensable liquid and the collectable liquid.
For instance, the channel is delimited by:
a generally funnel-shaped body having an inlet opening and an outlet opening that is smaller than the inlet opening; and/or
a generally cup-shaped body having an inlet opening formed by a cup rim and an outlet opening formed by a through-passage in a cup bottom.
The channel can be generally cylindrical, conical or prismatic or it can have another generally tapered shape, e.g. a part-cylindrical or ellipsoidal or sink-type shape .
The abovementioned outlet opening of the directing device in its dispensing position can lead directly into the dispensing area or, when present, it can lead to the dispensing area via the outlet of the machine frame and/or machine housing. For instance, the device's outlet opening may be provided above the frame and/or housing outlet with:
- a diameter that does not exceed or that is smaller than an opening diameter of the frame and/or housing outlet so that the frame and/or housing does not interfere with a flow of dispensable liquid from the device's outlet opening and through the frame and/or housing outlet; or
at least a portion that is horizontally off-set relative to the frame and/or housing outlet so that at least a part of a flow of dispensable liquid from the device's outlet opening is drained along the frame and/or housing into the frame and/or housing outlet. The directing device can be rigid and can be directly or indirectly movably mounted to a machine frame and/or a machine housing.
The directing device can be made of a single member or a plurality of non-articulated members that are fixed together .
The directing device may be pivotable and/or translatable between the collecting position and the dispensing position, such as pivotable about a pivoting axis, e.g. a pivoting axis that is generally horizontal or vertical.
The user-interface member may have:
a pivoting and/or translating movement between the first member position and the second member position, such as a pivoting movement about a pivoting axis, e.g. a pivoting axis that is generally horizontal or vertical; and/or
a stable position in at least one of the first and second member positions, optionally the member has a stable position in either:
the first member position or the second member position, the member being monostable; or
the first member position and the second member position, the member being bistable; or
- at least one of the first and second member positions and another member position, the member being bistable or multi-stable.
Optionally, the user-interface member forms a push¬ button, e.g. a translating and/or pivoting push-button, or a slider button or a toggle-switch.
The machine can have an outside machine face, such as a front face, delimiting the dispensing area that is located below the directing device and/or (when present) below the machine's dispensing outlet downstream the directing device. The user-interface member can be located away from the dispensing area. For instance, the user-interface member is located on the same outside face above the dispensing area, e.g. perpendicularly above or off-set above the dispensing area, or on another outside face, such as an outside top face or an outside lateral face or an outside rear face.
In one embodiment, the user-interface member and the directing device are mechanically connected by a transmission, such as a cam-transmission and/or a knuckle-joint transmission and/or a toothed or friction gear transmission and/or a belt transmission. For instance, the user-interface member has a drive rod or arm that engages mechanically via a mechanical connector with a drive rod or arm of the directing device to transmit and convert a displacement of the user-interface member into a corresponding displacement of the directing device. For example, the mechanical connector is a pivot arrangement and/or cam arrangement.
The machine may include at least one resilient element, such as a return spring, that is connected to at least one of the user-interface member and the directing device. The resilient element can be configured to urge: the user-interface member into the first member position, the second member position or another member position; and/or
the directing device into dispensing position or the collecting position or another position.
Such another member position may correspond to an on-off position of the machine (e.g. power switch) or to a service procedure of the machine (e.g. service switch) . The same is applicable to said another position of the directing device. The directing device can have a collecting position for collecting waste liquid from the liquid delivery module or residual liquid that continues to drip after a dispensing procedure, i.e. after a serving of liquid, the directing device having optionally another position for directing larger amounts of liquid that are not intended for dispensing such as cleaning liquid circulated along the liquid delivery module during a cleaning process. The cleaning liquid may be directed to a location for collecting such cleaning liquid inside (e.g. to the machine's service area) or outside the machine .
The machine can include a dampening arrangement, such as a friction arrangement and/or an inertia arrangement e.g. a friction and/or spur gear arrangement, for dampening a movement of the user-interface member and/or the directing device.
In an embodiment, the liquid delivery module has a switch for controlling a dispensing of the liquid, such as a switch for controlling a liquid driver and/or a liquid conditioner.
The switch can be part of or controlled/monitored by a control unit and/or a user-interface that is distinct from the user-interface member and the directing device.
In a preferred embodiment, the switch can be actuated by at least one of:
the user-interface member when the user-interface member reaches the first member position or the second member position or another member position; and the directing device when the directing device reaches the dispensing position or the collecting position or another position.
For instance, the directing device and/or the user- interface member have an actuating part configured to mechanically actuate the switch when: the user-interface member reaches the second member position, the first member position or another member position; and/or the directing device reaches the dispensing position, the collecting position or another position.
The switch can be connected to and/or integrated in a control unit of the machine or can be directly connected to a power component, e.g. a liquid driver and/or a thermal conditioner, to shut on or off the power component.
Typically, the machine, when electric, has an electric connection, e.g. an electric cord, for connection to the mains or another electric source. The machine may also be equipped with means for storing the electric connection, e.g. a support for winding an electric cord.
The liquid delivery module can be provided with an actuator such as a motor or a user-handle, for instance a pivotable and/or translatable user-handle e.g. a user- handle pivotable about a generally horizontal axis, for operating the delivery module. For instance, the user- handle is movable into at least one position that extends over and above the user-interface member. The user-handle may be used to actuate the liquid delivery module or it may be used as an interface for controlling a motor for actuating the delivery module.
Hence, the liquid delivery module may incorporate an actuator when the module incorporates two relatively movable parts, e.g. two parts delimiting a chamber (e.g. as discussed below) .
The liquid delivery module actuator may be semiautomatic, such as a module actuator comprising an energy buffer, e.g. a spring, that is loaded in one direction and unloaded in an opposite direction when the first and second parts are relatively driven between the transfer configuration and the processing configuration.
The module actuator can be fully automatic, such as a module actuator comprising an energy converter, for instance a converter into mechanical energy of electric and/or hydraulic energy such as an electric motor and/or a hydraulic actuator e.g. powered via the liquid driver. Optionally, the actuator is controlled by the control unit .
The module actuator can be manual, such as a module actuator comprising a handle, e.g. a pivotable and/or a translatable handle, that can be driven manually by a user (as mentioned above) . In an embodiment, the actuator drives the first part and/or the second part via a transmission such as a transmission comprising a gear arrangement and/or a lever arrangement, e.g. a transmission that is assisted by an automatic return spring .
Examples of module actuators and their control and transmissions can be found in EP 1 767 129, WO 2005/004683, WO 2007/135135, WO2007/135136, WO 2011/042400, WO 2011/042401, WO 2012/025258, WO 2012/025259, WO 2012/093108, WO 2014/056810, WO 2014/056862, WO 2014/096121, EP2014163793 and
EP2014163810 and the references cited therein.
The liquid delivery module can be provided with an outlet upstream the directing device from which outlet liquid freely falls onto or into the directing device when the device is in either of the collecting and dispensing positions.
The machine can have a liquid guide, e.g. conduit, connected to and extending from the liquid deliver module to the directing device and connected thereto for guiding the liquid into the directing device. For instance, the liquid guide is articulated, such as flexible, to accommodate a displacement of the directing device between the dispensing and the collecting positions.
The liquid delivery module can have a chamber delimiting the abovementioned mixing area (when present) for flavouring the liquid with a flavouring ingredient in the chamber.
The chamber may be loaded and/or unloaded with flavouring ingredient by operating an actuator such as a motor or a user-handle (e.g. the abovementioned user- handle) .
The chamber can be delimited by an upstream part and a downstream part that are relatively movable between a position for mixing and a position for loading into the chamber and/or unloading from the chamber the flavouring ingredient. For instance, the downstream part:
a) incorporates a liquid delivery module outlet (e.g. of the type discussed above) ;
b) is fixed in a machine frame and/or housing and facing the upstream part that is movable in the machine frame and/or housing;
c) is movable in a machine frame and/or housing and facing the upstream part that is fixed or movable in the machine frame and/or housing; or
d) combines two or more of the above features a) to c) .
The chamber may be associated with an ingredient transfer passage such as a passage including at least one of an insertion passage and a removal passage. For instance, the transfer passage is:
a) generally upright so that the flavouring ingredient can be driven along the transfer passage by gravity; b) configured such as to guide the flavouring ingredient into the service area; c) configured to match an outer shape of a capsule containing the flavouring ingredient to guide the capsule in a determined orientation along the transfer passage, optionally the removal passage having a pair of opposite longitudinal recesses configured to match a flange of the capsule;
d) covered by an upstream cover, such as a user-handle (e.g. the abovementioned handle), when the chamber is in a configuration for mixing the flavouring ingredient with the liquid, and uncovered by the upstream cover when the chamber is in a configuration for loading and/or unloading the flavouring ingredient; or
e) a combination of two or more of the above features a) , b) , c) and d) .
In an embodiment, the ingredient is supplied within a capsule to the module. Such a capsule may have a container covered by a lid e.g. a container and/or a lid extending radially to form a flange.
Examples of capsules are disclosed in EP 0 512 468 and EP 0 512 470.
Examples of modules with chambers are disclosed in WO 2007/135135, WO 2009/043630 and WO 2011/042400.
The module can be configured to process a capsule containing the beverage ingredient that is mixed with the liquid to be dispensed. The module, e.g. the above chamber, may comprise or may be associated with at least one capsule opener, such as at least one of: one or more puncturing and/or tearing elements; and one or more pins and/or blades, such as a capsule piercer or tearing plate, e.g. as known from EP 0 512 468, EP 0 512 470, EP 1 299 022, EP 1 339 305, WO 2013/026845, WO 2014/076041, PCT/EP14/067284, PCT/EP14 / 067286 and PCT/EP14 / 067287.
Typically, the module includes an inlet for letting the liquid, e.g. water, to the ingredient to be mixed therewith. The module inlet may be formed on a first module part and the module outlet may be formed on a second module part or vice versa. The module inlet and the module outlet can be formed on the same module part. Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will now be described with reference to the schematic drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view dispensing machine according to the invention with a directing device in a collecting position;
Figs 2 and 3 show part of the machine of Fig. 1 in which the directing device is, respectively, in an intermediate position and in a dispensing position; and
Figs 4 and 5 are perspective views of part of the machine illustrated in Figs 1 to 3 with the directing device in a collecting position and in a dispensing position, respectively.
Detailed description
The following description in connection with the appended figures concerns a non-limiting embodiment of a machine 1 for dispensing a liquid 5 according to the invention. For example, machine 1 can be arranged for preparing and dispensing tea and/or coffee or another beverage including liquid food such as soup.
Machine 1 has a liquid delivery module 10 for delivering dispensable liquid 5 from a source, such as a liquid tank 50. For instance, module 10 comprises at least one of a liquid driver 15 such as a pump, a liquid conditioner 16 such as a heater and/or a cooler, and a mixing area 17 such as an area delimited by a chamber e.g. a brewing and/or infusion chamber.
Machine 1 includes a service area 7 for collecting collectable liquid 5' from liquid delivery module 10. For instance, service area 7 is associated with a removable collector 70 such as a removable tank.
Machine 1 comprises a directing device 20. Such device 20 has: a dispensing position (Figs 3 and 5) for directing dispensable liquid 5 from delivery module 10 to a dispensing area 6 configured to receive a user- receptacle 60; and a collecting position (Figs 1 and 4) for directing collectable liquid 5' from delivery module 10 to service area 7. For instance, directing device 20 is located inside a machine frame and/or inside machine housing 3 which is for instance provided with an outlet 2 through which dispensable liquid 5 is delivered from inside to outside machine frame and/or machine housing 3 and/or with a guide surface 2' along which collectable liquid 5' is guided to service area 7.
Machine 1 has a user-interface member 30 which is configured to be contacted and moved by a user to displace member 30 from a first member position to a second member position.
User-interface member 30 is configured to exercise a force and/or a torque onto directing device 20 to move directing device 20 between the collecting position and the dispensing position when user-interface member 30 is moved between the first member position and the second member position.
For instance, user-interface member 30 is connected to directing device 20, e.g. connected directly or via a force and/or torque transmitting transmission 22,32,33 that is at least one of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic and magnetic.
Directing device 20 can have only one evacuation portion 21, such as a single outlet opening, from which dispensable liquid 5 is evacuated from directing device 20 to dispensing area 6 when directing device 20 is in the dispensing position and from which collectable liquid 5' is evacuated to service area 7 when directing device 20 is in the collecting position.
Directing device 20 may have only one reception portion 21', such as a single inlet opening, into or onto which dispensable liquid 5 and collectable liquid 5' are received from the liquid delivery module 10, dispensable and collectable liquids 5,5' being optionally received from an outlet 11 of liquid delivery module 10.
For instance, directing device 20 delimits only one liquid channel 21,21' for directing both dispensable liquid 5 and collectable liquid 5' . For example, directing device 20 forms a generally a generally funnel- shaped body 21,21' having an inlet opening 21' and an outlet opening 21 that is smaller than the inlet opening 21' or forms a generally cup-shaped body 21,21' having an inlet opening 21' formed by a cup rim and an outlet opening 21 formed by a through-passage in a cup bottom.
The channel may be generally cylindrical, conical or prismatic or have another generally tapered shape, e.g. a part-cylindrical or ellipsoidal or sink-type shape.
Outlet opening 21 directing device 20 in its dispensing position may lead directly into the dispensing area or, when present, lead to dispensing area 6 via said outlet 2 of machine frame and/or machine housing 3. For instance, outlet opening 21 of directing device 20 may be provided above frame and/or housing outlet 2 with:
a diameter that does not exceed or that is smaller than an opening diameter of frame and/or housing outlet 2 so that frame and/or housing 3 does not interfere with a flow of dispensable liquid 5 from the device's outlet opening 21 and through frame and/or housing outlet 2; or
at least a portion that is horizontally off-set relative to frame and/or housing outlet 2 so that at least a part of a flow of dispensable liquid 5 from the device's outlet opening 21 is drained along frame and/or housing 3 into outlet 2.
Directing device 20 can be rigid and may be directly or indirectly movably mounted to a machine frame and/or a machine housing 3.
Directing device 20 can be made of a single member or a plurality of non-articulated members that are fixed together .
Directing device 20 can be pivotable and/or translatable in machine 1 between dispensing position and collecting position, such as pivotable about a pivoting axis 23, e.g. a pivoting axis 23 that is generally horizontal or vertical.
User-interface member 30 may have:
a pivoting and/or translating movement between the first member position and the second member position, such as a pivoting movement about a pivoting axis 31, e.g. a pivoting axis 31 that is generally horizontal or vertical; and/or a stable position in at least one of the first and second member positions, optionally member 30 has a stable position in either:
the first member position or the second member position, the member being monostable; or
the first member position and the second member position, the member being bistable; or
at least one of the first and second member positions and another member position.
For instance, user-interface member 30 forms a push¬ button, e.g. a translating and/or pivoting push-button, or a slider button or a toggle switch.
Machine 1 can have an outside machine face 3' , such as a front face, delimiting dispensing area 6 that is located below directing device 20 and/or when present below machine's dispensing outlet 2 downstream directing device 20. User-interface member 30 can be located away from dispensing area 6.
For instance, user-interface member 30 is located on the same outside face 3' above dispensing area 6, e.g. perpendicularly above or off-set above dispensing area 6, or on another outside face, such as an outside top face or an outside lateral face or an outside rear face.
User-interface member 30 and directing device 20 can be mechanically connected by a transmission 22,32,33, such as a cam-transmission and/or a knuckle-joint transmission and/or a toothed or friction gear transmission and/or a belt transmission. For instance, user-interface member 30 has a drive rod or arm 32 that engages mechanically via a mechanical connector 33, e.g. a pivot arrangement and/or cam arrangement, with a drive rod or arm 22 of directing device 20 to transmit and convert a displacement of user-interface member 30 into a corresponding displacement of the directing device 20. As mentioned above, the same effect can be achieved by a hydraulic, pneumatic and/or magnetic (non-motorized) transmission .
Machine 1 may include at least one resilient element 34, such as a return spring, that is connected to at least one of user-interface member 30 and directing device 20. In this case, resilient element 34 is configured to urge:
user-interface member 30 into the first member position (Figs 1 and 4), second member position or another member position; and/or
directing device 20 into the collecting position (Figs 1 and 4) or the dispensing position or another position .
Machine 1 may include a dampening arrangement 35,35', such as a friction arrangement and/or an inertia arrangement e.g. a friction and/or spur gear arrangement, for dampening a movement of user-interface member 30 and/or the directing device 20.
Liquid delivery module 10 can have a switch 12 for controlling a dispensing of liquid 5, such as a switch 12 for controlling a liquid driver 15 and/or a liquid conditioner 16. In this case, switch 12 can be actuated by at least one of:
user-interface member 30 when user-interface member 30 reaches the second member position or the first member position or another member position; and
directing device 20 when directing device 20 reaches the dispensing position or the collecting position or another position.
For instance, directing device 20 and/or user- interface member 30 have an actuating part 36 configured to mechanically actuate switch 12 when: user-interface member 30 reaches the second member position, the first member position or another member position; and/or directing device 20 reaches the dispensing position, the collecting position or another position.
Switch 12 can be connected to and/or integrated in a control unit (not illustrated) or can be directly connected to a power component, e.g. a liquid driver and/or a thermal conditioner.
Typically, machine 1, when electric, has an electric connection, e.g. an electric cord 18, for connection to the mains or another power source. Machine 1 may also be equipped with means for storing the electric connection, e.g. a support 19 for winding electric cord 18. Liquid delivery module 10 can have an actuator 13 such as a motor or a user-handle 13, for instance a pivotable and/or translatable user-handle 13 e.g. a user- handle pivotable about a generally horizontal axis 13' , for operating delivery module 10. For instance, the user- handle 13 is movable into at least one position that extends over and above user-interface member 30.
Liquid delivery module 10 may have an outlet 11 upstream directing device 20 from which outlet 11 liquid 5,5' freely falls onto or into the directing device 20 when device 20 is in either of the collecting and dispensing positions.
Machine 1 can have a liquid guide, e.g. conduit, connected to and extending from the liquid deliver module to the directing device and connected thereto for guiding the liquid into the directing device. For instance, the liquid guide is articulated, such as flexible, to accommodate a displacement of the directing device between the dispensing and the collecting positions.
Liquid delivery module 10 may have a chamber 17 delimiting the mixing area (when present) for flavouring liquid 5 with a flavouring ingredient in chamber 17.
Chamber 17 can be loaded and/or unloaded with flavouring ingredient by operating an actuator 13 such as a motor or a user-handle 13 (e.g. of the type discussed above) .
Chamber 17 may be delimited by an upstream part 17' and a downstream part 17'' that are relatively movable between a position for mixing and a position for loading into chamber 17 and/or unloading from chamber 17 the flavouring ingredient. For instance, downstream part 17" :
a) incorporates a liquid delivery module outlet 11 (e.g. of the type discussed above) ;
b) is fixed in a machine frame and/or housing 3 and facing upstream part 17' that is movable in machine frame and/or housing (3) ;
c) is movable in a machine frame and/or housing 3 and facing upstream part 17' that is fixed or movable in machine frame and/or housing 3; or d) combines two or more of the above features a) , b) and c) .
Chamber 17 can be associated with an ingredient transfer passage 1' ,1' ' such as a passage 1' ,1' ' including an insertion passage 7' and/or a removal passage 7''. For instance, transfer passage 1' ,1' ' is: a) generally upright so that the flavouring ingredient can be driven along transfer passage 1' ,1' ' by gravity;
b) configured such as to guide the flavouring ingredient into the service area 7 ;
c) configured to match an outer shape of a capsule containing the flavouring ingredient to guide the capsule in a determined orientation along the transfer passage 7',7'', optionally the removal passage 1' ,1' ' having a pair of opposite longitudinal recesses η''' configured to match a flange of the capsule;
d) covered by an upstream cover 13, such as a user-handle (e.g. of the type discussed above), when the chamber 17 is in a configuration for mixing the flavouring ingredient with liquid 5, and uncovered by upstream cover 13 when chamber 17 is in a configuration for loading and/or unloading flavouring ingredient; or e) a combination of two or more of the above features a) , b) , c) and d) .

Claims

Claims
1. A machine (1) for dispensing a dispensable liquid (5) having:
- a liquid delivery module (10) for delivering said dispensable liquid (5) from a source, such as a liquid tank (50), the delivery module optionally comprising at least one of a liquid driver (15) such as a pump, a liquid conditioner (16) such as a heater and/or a cooler, and a mixing area (17) such as an area delimited by a chamber e.g. a brewing and/or infusion chamber;
a service area (7) for collecting collectable liquid (5' ) from the liquid delivery module (10), optionally the service area (7) being associated with a removable collector (70) such as a removable tank;
a directing device (20) which has a dispensing position for directing said dispensable liquid (5) from the delivery module (10) to a dispensing area (6) configured to receive a user-receptacle (60) and a collecting position for directing collectable liquid (5' ) from the delivery module (10) to the service area (7), optionally the directing device (20) being located inside a machine frame and/or inside machine housing (3) which is for instance provided, downstream the directing device (20), with an outlet (2) through which said dispensable liquid (5) is delivered from inside to outside the machine frame and/or machine housing (3) and/or with a guide surface (2') along which said collectable liquid (5' ) is guided to the service area (7); and
a user-interface member (30) which is configured to be contacted and moved by a user to displace the member (30) from a first member position to a second member position,
characterised in that the user-interface member (30) is configured to exercise a force and/or a torque onto the directing device (20) to move the directing device (20) between the collecting position and the dispensing position when the user-interface member (30) is moved between the first member position and the second member position, optionally the user-interface member (30) being connected to the directing device (20) directly or via a force and/or torque transmitting transmission (22,32,33) that is at least one of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic and magnetic.
2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the directing device (20) has only one evacuation portion (21), such as a single outlet opening, from which:
said dispensable liquid (5) is evacuated from the directing device (20) to said dispensing area (6) when the directing device (20) is in the dispensing position; and
said collectable liquid (5' ) is evacuated to the service area (7) when the directing device (20) is in the collecting position.
3. The machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein the directing device (20) has only one reception portion (21')/ such as a single inlet opening, into or onto which said dispensable liquid (5) and said collectable liquid (5' ) are received from the liquid delivery module (10), the liquids (5,5') being optionally received from an outlet (11) of the liquid delivery module (10) .
4. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein the directing device (20) delimits only one liquid channel (21,21') for directing both said dispensable liquid (5) and said collectable liquid (5')/ such as a channel delimited by a generally funnel-shaped body (21,21') having an inlet opening (21') and an outlet opening (21) that is smaller than the inlet opening (21') or a channel delimited by a generally cup-shaped body (21,21') having an inlet opening (21') formed by a cup rim and an outlet opening (21) formed by a through-passage in a cup bottom, optionally the channel being generally cylindrical, conical or prismatic or having another generally tapered shape e.g. a part-cylindrical or ellipsoidal or sink-type shape .
5. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein said outlet opening (21) of the directing device (20) in its dispensing position leads directly into the dispensing area or, when present, leads to the dispensing area (6) via said outlet (2) of said machine frame and/or machine housing (3), optionally said outlet opening (21) of the directing device (20) may be provided above said frame and/or housing outlet (2) with:
a diameter that does not exceed or that is smaller than an opening diameter of the frame and/or housing outlet (2) so that the frame and/or housing (3) does not interfere with a flow of dispensable liquid (5) from the device's outlet opening (21) and through the frame and/or housing outlet (2); or
at least a portion that is horizontally off-set relative to the frame and/or housing outlet (2) so that at least a part of a flow of dispensable liquid from the device's outlet opening (21) is drained along the frame and/or housing (3) into the frame and/or housing outlet (2) .
6. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein the directing device (20) is:
rigid and is directly or indirectly movably mounted to a machine main frame and/or a machine housing (3) ; and/or
made of a single member or a plurality of non- articulated members that are fixed together.
7. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein the directing device (20) is pivotable and/or translatable between the collecting position and the dispensing position, such as pivotable about a pivoting axis (23), e.g. a pivoting axis (23) that is generally horizontal or vertical .
8. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein the user-interface member (30) has:
a pivoting and/or translating movement between the first member position and the second member position, such as a pivoting movement about a pivoting axis (31), e.g. a pivoting axis (31) that is generally horizontal or vertical; and/or
a stable position in at least one of the first and second member positions, optionally the member (30) has a stable position in either:
the first member position or the second member position, the member being monostable; or the first member position and the second member position, the member being bistable; or
at least one of the first and second member positions and another member position,
the user-interface member (30) optionally forming a push¬ button, e.g. a translating and/or pivoting push-button, or a slider button or a toggle switch.
9. The machine of any preceding claim, which has an outside machine face (3' ) , such as a front face, delimiting said dispensing area (6) that is located below the directing device (20) and/or when present below the machine's dispensing outlet (2) downstream the directing device (20), the user-interface member (30) being located away from said dispensing area (6), optionally the user- interface member (30) being located on the same outside face (3' ) above said dispensing area (6), e.g. perpendicularly above or off-set above said dispensing area (6), or on another outside face, such as an outside top face or an outside lateral face or an outside rear face.
10. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein the user-interface member (30) and the directing device (20) are mechanically connected by a transmission (22,32,33), such as a cam-transmission and/or a knuckle-joint transmission and/or a toothed or friction gear transmission and/or a belt transmission, optionally the user-interface member (30) having a drive rod or arm (32) that engages mechanically via a mechanical connector (33), e.g. a pivot arrangement and/or cam arrangement, with a drive rod or arm (22) of the directing device (20) to transmit and convert a displacement of the user- interface member (30) into a corresponding displacement of the directing device (20) .
11. The machine of any preceding claim, which comprises at least one resilient element (34), such as a return spring, that is connected to at least one of the user- interface member (30) and the directing device (20), said resilient element (34) being configured to urge:
the user-interface member (30) into the first member position, the second member position or another member position; and/or the directing device (20) into the collecting position, the dispensing position or another position.
12. The machine of any preceding claim, which comprises a dampening arrangement (35,35'), such as a friction arrangement and/or an inertia arrangement e.g. a friction and/or spur gear arrangement, for dampening a movement of the user-interface member (30) and/or the directing device (20) .
13. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein the liquid delivery module (10) has at least one of:
a switch (12) for controlling a dispensing of said liquid (5) , such as a switch for controlling a liquid driver (15) and/or a liquid conditioner (16), the switch (12) being actuated by at least one of:
- the user-interface member (30) when the user- interface member (30) reaches the second member position, the first member position or another member position; and
- the directing device (20) when the directing device reaches the dispensing position or the collecting position or another position,
optionally the directing device (20) and/or the user- interface member (30) having an actuating part (36) configured to mechanically actuate the switch (12) when: the user-interface member (30) reaches the second member position, the first member position or another member position; and/or the directing device (20) reaches the dispensing position, the collecting position or another position;
- an actuator (13) such as a motor or a user-handle (13), e.g. a pivotable and/or translatable user-handle (13) e.g. a user-handle pivotable about a generally horizontal axis (13')/ for operating the delivery module (10), optionally the user-handle (13) being movable into at least one position that extends over and above the user-interface member (30); and
an outlet (11) upstream the directing device (20) from which outlet (11) liquid (5,5') freely falls onto or into the directing device (20) when the device (20) is in either of the collecting and dispensing positions.
14. The machine of any preceding claim, which has a liquid guide, e.g. conduit, connected to and extending from the liquid deliver module to the directing device and connected thereto for guiding the liquid into the directing device, optionally the liquid guide being articulated, such as flexible, to accommodate a displacement of the directing device between the dispensing and the collecting positions.
15. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein the liquid delivery module (10) has a chamber (17) delimiting said mixing area for flavouring said liquid (5) with a flavouring ingredient in the chamber (17), optionally the chamber (17) being:
A) loaded and/or unloaded with flavouring ingredient by operating a user-handle (13);
B) delimited by an upstream part (17') and a downstream part (17'') that are relatively movable between a position for mixing and a position for loading into the chamber (17) and/or unloading from the chamber (17) said flavouring ingredient, optionally the downstream part (17''):
a) incorporating a or said liquid delivery module outlet (11) ;
b) being fixed in a machine frame and/or housing (3) and facing the upstream part (17') that is movable in the machine frame and/or housing (3) ;
c) being movable in a machine frame and/or housing and facing the upstream part (17') that is fixed or movable in the machine frame and/or housing (3); or d) combining two or more of features a) , b) and c) ;
C) associated with an ingredient transfer passage (7',7'') such as a passage (7',7'') including at least one of an insertion passage (7') and a removal passage {!''), optionally the transfer passage (7',7'') being: a) generally upright so that said flavouring ingredient can be driven along the transfer passage (7',7'') by gravity;
b) configured such as to guide said flavouring ingredient into the service area (7); c) configured to match an outer shape of a capsule containing said flavouring ingredient to guide said capsule in a determined orientation along the transfer passage (7',7''), optionally the removal passage (7',7'') having a pair of opposite longitudinal recesses {!''') configured to match a flange of said capsule;
d) covered by an upstream cover (13), such as a user- handle, when the chamber (17) is in a configuration for mixing said flavouring ingredient with said liquid (5) , and uncovered by the upstream cover (13) when the chamber (17) is in a configuration for loading and/or unloading said flavouring ingredient; or
e) a combination of two or more of features a) , b) , c) and d) ;
or
D) a combination of two or more of features A) , B) and C) .
PCT/EP2015/077715 2014-11-27 2015-11-26 Liquid dispensing machine with manual drop stop WO2016083485A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15800856.5A EP3223669B1 (en) 2014-11-27 2015-11-26 Liquid dispensing machine with manual drop stop
US15/531,160 US11076714B2 (en) 2014-11-27 2015-11-26 Liquid dispensing machine with manual drop stop
CN201580064188.9A CN106998941B (en) 2014-11-27 2015-11-26 Liquid dispensing machine with manual drop stop

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14195048.5 2014-11-27
EP14195048 2014-11-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016083485A1 true WO2016083485A1 (en) 2016-06-02

Family

ID=52000682

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2015/077715 WO2016083485A1 (en) 2014-11-27 2015-11-26 Liquid dispensing machine with manual drop stop

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US11076714B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3223669B1 (en)
CN (1) CN106998941B (en)
WO (1) WO2016083485A1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019121594A1 (en) 2017-12-20 2019-06-27 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage preparation machine with drop evacuation
WO2019121593A1 (en) 2017-12-20 2019-06-27 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage preparation machine with foam refinement
WO2019121865A1 (en) 2017-12-20 2019-06-27 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage preparation machine with handy drop stop
WO2019175231A1 (en) 2018-03-14 2019-09-19 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage machine with a partly closed dispensing face
WO2019175227A1 (en) 2018-03-14 2019-09-19 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage machine with a non-homogeneous ingredient extraction configuration
WO2019175228A1 (en) 2018-03-14 2019-09-19 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage machine with a controlled outflow aperture
WO2019175230A1 (en) 2018-03-14 2019-09-19 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage machine with a controlled capsule piercing
WO2020064984A1 (en) 2018-09-27 2020-04-02 Société des Produits Nestlé SA Beverage machine with an actuation distribution
EP3346889B1 (en) * 2015-09-09 2021-06-02 Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH Tea machine and method for the operation thereof

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108817009A (en) * 2018-07-10 2018-11-16 罗娜娜 Batch bucket cleaning equipment
IT202000001159A1 (en) * 2020-01-22 2021-07-22 Gruppo Cimbali Spa Method for controlling the outflow of the quantity of water for the formation of a given dose of ground coffee-based beverage during its delivery in the cup and equipment for implementing said method

Citations (72)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2439042A1 (en) 1978-10-17 1980-05-16 Seb Sa Drip collector for coffee maker - has cup pivoting on filter holder and swinging under outlet orifice when pot is removed
US5161455A (en) 1991-05-15 1992-11-10 Bunn-O-Matic Corporation Combination coffee and tea brewer
EP0512468A1 (en) 1991-05-10 1992-11-11 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Closed cartridge for making a beverage
EP0512470A1 (en) 1991-05-08 1992-11-11 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Method of producing beverages using sealed cartridges and apparatus for carrying out this method
EP0549887A2 (en) 1991-12-05 1993-07-07 Gianmauro Zani Compact coffee machine for espresso coffee and filter coffee, otherwise known as American coffee
US5353692A (en) 1993-09-29 1994-10-11 Unidynamics Corporation Hot beverage brewing apparatus
CA2260352A1 (en) 1999-01-26 2000-07-26 Herbert Pearce Drip catching apparatus for drink dispenser
EP1253844A1 (en) 2000-01-24 2002-11-06 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. A liquid heating module, a system comprising said module and a process for heating liquid
EP1299022A1 (en) 2000-06-30 2003-04-09 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Capsule cage
EP1339305A1 (en) 2000-11-03 2003-09-03 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Device for improving extraction of a food substance contained in a refill element
EP1380243A1 (en) 2002-07-12 2004-01-14 Nestec S.A. A device for the heating of a liquid
EP1440639A1 (en) 2003-01-24 2004-07-28 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Machine for the preparation of beverages
WO2005004683A1 (en) 2003-07-10 2005-01-20 Nestec S.A. Cap extraction device
WO2006005425A1 (en) 2004-07-09 2006-01-19 Nestec S.A. Apparatus with pressurised gas supply for preparing beverages
EP1656863A1 (en) * 2004-11-11 2006-05-17 Nestec S.A. Self-cleaning mixing head for producing a milk-based mixture and beverage production machines comprising such a mixing head
EP1731065A1 (en) 2005-06-07 2006-12-13 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine with drip tray device for recipients of different heights
EP1767129A1 (en) 2005-09-27 2007-03-28 Nestec S.A. Extraction module for a capsule-based beverage production device
EP1809151A2 (en) 2004-09-13 2007-07-25 Nestec S.A. Device and method for heating a liquid
WO2007135136A1 (en) 2006-05-24 2007-11-29 Nestec S.A. Brewing device for capsule with closure mechanism of variable transmission ratio
WO2007135135A1 (en) 2006-05-24 2007-11-29 Nestec S.A. Brewing device and brewing capsule system with a capsule holder for facilitating insertion and removal of capsules
EP1867260A1 (en) 2006-06-16 2007-12-19 Nestec S.A. Beverage distribution apparatus with support system and droplet recuperation for containers with different sizes
WO2008138710A1 (en) 2007-05-16 2008-11-20 Nestec S.A. Beverage production module and method for operating a beverage production module
WO2009024500A1 (en) 2007-08-20 2009-02-26 Nestec S.A. Beverage production module and method for operating a beverage production module
WO2009043851A2 (en) 2007-10-04 2009-04-09 Nestec S.A. Integrated heater for a beverage preparation device
WO2009043630A2 (en) 2007-10-04 2009-04-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage brewing unit
WO2009043865A2 (en) 2007-10-04 2009-04-09 Nestec S.A. Heating device with an integrated thermoblock for a beverage preparation machine
WO2009074550A2 (en) 2007-12-12 2009-06-18 Nestec S.A. Modular manufacturing of beverage production machines
WO2009074559A1 (en) 2007-12-12 2009-06-18 Nestec S.A. Used capsule or pod receptacle for liquid food or beverage machines
WO2009092746A2 (en) 2008-01-25 2009-07-30 Nestec S.A. Hybrid apparatus for preparing beverages
WO2009092745A1 (en) 2008-01-24 2009-07-30 Nestec S.A. Energy saving manager for beverage preparation devices
WO2009130099A1 (en) 2008-04-22 2009-10-29 Nestec S.A. Modular assembly of a beverage preparation machine
WO2009135869A2 (en) 2008-05-07 2009-11-12 Nestec S.A. Used capsule collector for beverage devices
WO2009150030A1 (en) 2008-05-28 2009-12-17 Nestec S.A. Pump for liquid beverage preparation devices
WO2010003932A1 (en) 2008-07-09 2010-01-14 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic interface screen for a beverage machine
WO2010015427A1 (en) * 2008-08-08 2010-02-11 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine with carrying handle and configurable appearance & side functions
WO2010037806A1 (en) 2008-10-03 2010-04-08 Nestec S.A. User-friendly interface for a beverage machine
WO2010108700A1 (en) 2009-03-23 2010-09-30 Nestec S.A. Pump mount in a beverage preparation machine
WO2011020779A1 (en) 2009-08-19 2011-02-24 Nestec S.A. User-friendly start-up mode of a beverage preparation machine
WO2011026853A1 (en) 2009-09-02 2011-03-10 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine for a network
WO2011042400A2 (en) 2009-10-05 2011-04-14 Nestec S.A. Cartridge extraction device
WO2011042401A2 (en) 2009-10-05 2011-04-14 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic capsule extraction device
WO2011054889A1 (en) 2009-11-05 2011-05-12 Nestec S.A. Remote diagnosis of beverage preparation machines
WO2011067227A1 (en) 2009-12-02 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine comprising an extended user-advisory functionality
WO2011067181A1 (en) 2009-12-01 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Assembly of flowmeter to pcb in a beverage machine
WO2011067188A1 (en) 2009-12-02 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine with ambience emulation functionality
WO2011067157A1 (en) 2009-12-02 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine with touch menu functionality
WO2011067156A1 (en) 2009-12-02 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine comprising a card reading arrangement
WO2011067191A1 (en) 2009-12-02 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine with virtual shopping functionality
WO2011067232A1 (en) 2009-12-02 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine supporting a remote service functionality
WO2011067264A1 (en) 2009-12-01 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Cartridge extraction device
WO2011086087A1 (en) 2010-01-15 2011-07-21 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic service unit for beverage preparation machines
WO2011107574A2 (en) 2010-03-05 2011-09-09 Nestec S.A. Reduction of pump nuisance
WO2011144719A1 (en) 2010-05-21 2011-11-24 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic handle & user-interface
WO2011154492A1 (en) 2010-06-09 2011-12-15 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic service arrangement for beverage machine
WO2011157675A1 (en) 2010-06-17 2011-12-22 Nestec S.A. Fast heat-up of a thermal conditioning device e.g. for coffee machine
WO2012007260A1 (en) 2010-07-16 2012-01-19 Nestec S.A. Advanced heating device
WO2012025258A1 (en) 2010-08-27 2012-03-01 Nestec S.A. Controlled motorized brewing unit
WO2012032019A1 (en) 2010-09-07 2012-03-15 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic handle with user-interface
WO2012072764A1 (en) 2010-12-01 2012-06-07 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic user-interface for motorised ingredient chamber
WO2012072767A1 (en) 2010-12-01 2012-06-07 Nestec S.A. Simple user-interface for a beverage machine
WO2012072761A1 (en) 2010-12-01 2012-06-07 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine with reliable user-indicator
WO2012072758A1 (en) 2010-12-01 2012-06-07 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine with drop collector
WO2012093108A1 (en) 2011-01-03 2012-07-12 Nestec S.A. Motorized beverage machine with mecanical transmission
WO2012093107A1 (en) 2011-01-03 2012-07-12 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine with a cover for an ingredient inlet
WO2013026845A1 (en) 2011-08-25 2013-02-28 Nestec S.A. Long-lasting cartridge piercer
WO2013104636A1 (en) 2012-01-13 2013-07-18 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine for short and tall cups
EP2633789A1 (en) * 2012-02-28 2013-09-04 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine with drop management
CN203378983U (en) * 2013-06-13 2014-01-08 佛山市顺德区安其克电器有限公司 Water outlet nozzle structure for coffee machine
WO2014056810A1 (en) 2012-10-09 2014-04-17 Nestec S.A. Extraction unit with a shiftable multi-size cartridge receiver
WO2014056862A1 (en) 2012-10-09 2014-04-17 Nestec S.A. Extraction unit with multi-size cartridge cavity
WO2014076041A1 (en) 2012-11-13 2014-05-22 Nestec S.A. Opener for making large openings in capsules
WO2014096121A1 (en) 2012-12-19 2014-06-26 Nestec S.A. Sensor for multi-size cartridge extraction unit

Patent Citations (77)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2439042A1 (en) 1978-10-17 1980-05-16 Seb Sa Drip collector for coffee maker - has cup pivoting on filter holder and swinging under outlet orifice when pot is removed
EP0512470A1 (en) 1991-05-08 1992-11-11 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Method of producing beverages using sealed cartridges and apparatus for carrying out this method
EP0512468A1 (en) 1991-05-10 1992-11-11 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Closed cartridge for making a beverage
US5161455A (en) 1991-05-15 1992-11-10 Bunn-O-Matic Corporation Combination coffee and tea brewer
EP0549887A2 (en) 1991-12-05 1993-07-07 Gianmauro Zani Compact coffee machine for espresso coffee and filter coffee, otherwise known as American coffee
US5353692A (en) 1993-09-29 1994-10-11 Unidynamics Corporation Hot beverage brewing apparatus
CA2260352A1 (en) 1999-01-26 2000-07-26 Herbert Pearce Drip catching apparatus for drink dispenser
EP1253844A1 (en) 2000-01-24 2002-11-06 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. A liquid heating module, a system comprising said module and a process for heating liquid
EP1299022A1 (en) 2000-06-30 2003-04-09 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Capsule cage
EP1339305A1 (en) 2000-11-03 2003-09-03 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Device for improving extraction of a food substance contained in a refill element
EP1380243A1 (en) 2002-07-12 2004-01-14 Nestec S.A. A device for the heating of a liquid
EP1440639A1 (en) 2003-01-24 2004-07-28 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Machine for the preparation of beverages
WO2005004683A1 (en) 2003-07-10 2005-01-20 Nestec S.A. Cap extraction device
WO2006005425A1 (en) 2004-07-09 2006-01-19 Nestec S.A. Apparatus with pressurised gas supply for preparing beverages
EP1809151A2 (en) 2004-09-13 2007-07-25 Nestec S.A. Device and method for heating a liquid
EP1656863A1 (en) * 2004-11-11 2006-05-17 Nestec S.A. Self-cleaning mixing head for producing a milk-based mixture and beverage production machines comprising such a mixing head
WO2006050769A2 (en) 2004-11-11 2006-05-18 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine with height-adjustable device for controlling distance between beverage recipient and outlet
EP1731065A1 (en) 2005-06-07 2006-12-13 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine with drip tray device for recipients of different heights
EP1767129A1 (en) 2005-09-27 2007-03-28 Nestec S.A. Extraction module for a capsule-based beverage production device
WO2007135136A1 (en) 2006-05-24 2007-11-29 Nestec S.A. Brewing device for capsule with closure mechanism of variable transmission ratio
WO2007135135A1 (en) 2006-05-24 2007-11-29 Nestec S.A. Brewing device and brewing capsule system with a capsule holder for facilitating insertion and removal of capsules
EP1867260A1 (en) 2006-06-16 2007-12-19 Nestec S.A. Beverage distribution apparatus with support system and droplet recuperation for containers with different sizes
WO2008138710A1 (en) 2007-05-16 2008-11-20 Nestec S.A. Beverage production module and method for operating a beverage production module
WO2009024500A1 (en) 2007-08-20 2009-02-26 Nestec S.A. Beverage production module and method for operating a beverage production module
WO2009043851A2 (en) 2007-10-04 2009-04-09 Nestec S.A. Integrated heater for a beverage preparation device
WO2009043630A2 (en) 2007-10-04 2009-04-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage brewing unit
WO2009043865A2 (en) 2007-10-04 2009-04-09 Nestec S.A. Heating device with an integrated thermoblock for a beverage preparation machine
WO2009074550A2 (en) 2007-12-12 2009-06-18 Nestec S.A. Modular manufacturing of beverage production machines
WO2009074559A1 (en) 2007-12-12 2009-06-18 Nestec S.A. Used capsule or pod receptacle for liquid food or beverage machines
WO2009074557A1 (en) 2007-12-12 2009-06-18 Nestec S.A. Liquid food or beverage machine having a drip tray and a cup support
WO2009092745A1 (en) 2008-01-24 2009-07-30 Nestec S.A. Energy saving manager for beverage preparation devices
WO2009092746A2 (en) 2008-01-25 2009-07-30 Nestec S.A. Hybrid apparatus for preparing beverages
WO2009130099A1 (en) 2008-04-22 2009-10-29 Nestec S.A. Modular assembly of a beverage preparation machine
WO2009135869A2 (en) 2008-05-07 2009-11-12 Nestec S.A. Used capsule collector for beverage devices
WO2009150030A1 (en) 2008-05-28 2009-12-17 Nestec S.A. Pump for liquid beverage preparation devices
WO2010003932A1 (en) 2008-07-09 2010-01-14 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic interface screen for a beverage machine
WO2010015427A1 (en) * 2008-08-08 2010-02-11 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine with carrying handle and configurable appearance & side functions
WO2010037806A1 (en) 2008-10-03 2010-04-08 Nestec S.A. User-friendly interface for a beverage machine
WO2010046442A1 (en) 2008-10-23 2010-04-29 Nestec S.A. Warning device for a beverage machine
WO2010108700A1 (en) 2009-03-23 2010-09-30 Nestec S.A. Pump mount in a beverage preparation machine
WO2011020779A1 (en) 2009-08-19 2011-02-24 Nestec S.A. User-friendly start-up mode of a beverage preparation machine
WO2011026853A1 (en) 2009-09-02 2011-03-10 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine for a network
WO2011042400A2 (en) 2009-10-05 2011-04-14 Nestec S.A. Cartridge extraction device
WO2011042401A2 (en) 2009-10-05 2011-04-14 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic capsule extraction device
WO2011054889A1 (en) 2009-11-05 2011-05-12 Nestec S.A. Remote diagnosis of beverage preparation machines
WO2011067181A1 (en) 2009-12-01 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Assembly of flowmeter to pcb in a beverage machine
WO2011067264A1 (en) 2009-12-01 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Cartridge extraction device
WO2011067188A1 (en) 2009-12-02 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine with ambience emulation functionality
WO2011067157A1 (en) 2009-12-02 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine with touch menu functionality
WO2011067156A1 (en) 2009-12-02 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine comprising a card reading arrangement
WO2011067191A1 (en) 2009-12-02 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine with virtual shopping functionality
WO2011067232A1 (en) 2009-12-02 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine supporting a remote service functionality
WO2011067227A1 (en) 2009-12-02 2011-06-09 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine comprising an extended user-advisory functionality
WO2011086087A1 (en) 2010-01-15 2011-07-21 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic service unit for beverage preparation machines
WO2011107574A2 (en) 2010-03-05 2011-09-09 Nestec S.A. Reduction of pump nuisance
WO2011144719A1 (en) 2010-05-21 2011-11-24 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic handle & user-interface
WO2011154492A1 (en) 2010-06-09 2011-12-15 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic service arrangement for beverage machine
WO2011157675A1 (en) 2010-06-17 2011-12-22 Nestec S.A. Fast heat-up of a thermal conditioning device e.g. for coffee machine
WO2012007260A1 (en) 2010-07-16 2012-01-19 Nestec S.A. Advanced heating device
WO2012025258A1 (en) 2010-08-27 2012-03-01 Nestec S.A. Controlled motorized brewing unit
WO2012025259A1 (en) 2010-08-27 2012-03-01 Nestec S.A. Simple motorized brewing unit
WO2012032019A1 (en) 2010-09-07 2012-03-15 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic handle with user-interface
WO2012072764A1 (en) 2010-12-01 2012-06-07 Nestec S.A. Ergonomic user-interface for motorised ingredient chamber
WO2012072767A1 (en) 2010-12-01 2012-06-07 Nestec S.A. Simple user-interface for a beverage machine
WO2012072761A1 (en) 2010-12-01 2012-06-07 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine with reliable user-indicator
WO2012072758A1 (en) 2010-12-01 2012-06-07 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine with drop collector
WO2012093108A1 (en) 2011-01-03 2012-07-12 Nestec S.A. Motorized beverage machine with mecanical transmission
WO2012093107A1 (en) 2011-01-03 2012-07-12 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine with a cover for an ingredient inlet
WO2013026845A1 (en) 2011-08-25 2013-02-28 Nestec S.A. Long-lasting cartridge piercer
WO2013104636A1 (en) 2012-01-13 2013-07-18 Nestec S.A. Beverage machine for short and tall cups
EP2633789A1 (en) * 2012-02-28 2013-09-04 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine with drop management
WO2013127907A1 (en) 2012-02-28 2013-09-06 Nestec S.A. Beverage preparation machine with drop management
WO2014056810A1 (en) 2012-10-09 2014-04-17 Nestec S.A. Extraction unit with a shiftable multi-size cartridge receiver
WO2014056862A1 (en) 2012-10-09 2014-04-17 Nestec S.A. Extraction unit with multi-size cartridge cavity
WO2014076041A1 (en) 2012-11-13 2014-05-22 Nestec S.A. Opener for making large openings in capsules
WO2014096121A1 (en) 2012-12-19 2014-06-26 Nestec S.A. Sensor for multi-size cartridge extraction unit
CN203378983U (en) * 2013-06-13 2014-01-08 佛山市顺德区安其克电器有限公司 Water outlet nozzle structure for coffee machine

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3346889B1 (en) * 2015-09-09 2021-06-02 Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH Tea machine and method for the operation thereof
WO2019121594A1 (en) 2017-12-20 2019-06-27 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage preparation machine with drop evacuation
WO2019121593A1 (en) 2017-12-20 2019-06-27 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage preparation machine with foam refinement
WO2019121865A1 (en) 2017-12-20 2019-06-27 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage preparation machine with handy drop stop
WO2019175231A1 (en) 2018-03-14 2019-09-19 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage machine with a partly closed dispensing face
WO2019175227A1 (en) 2018-03-14 2019-09-19 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage machine with a non-homogeneous ingredient extraction configuration
WO2019175228A1 (en) 2018-03-14 2019-09-19 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage machine with a controlled outflow aperture
WO2019175230A1 (en) 2018-03-14 2019-09-19 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage machine with a controlled capsule piercing
WO2019175232A1 (en) 2018-03-14 2019-09-19 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Beverage machine with a partly opening dispensing face
WO2020064984A1 (en) 2018-09-27 2020-04-02 Société des Produits Nestlé SA Beverage machine with an actuation distribution
EP4248808A2 (en) 2018-09-27 2023-09-27 Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Beverage machine with an actuation distribution

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20170360248A1 (en) 2017-12-21
CN106998941B (en) 2020-12-01
EP3223669A1 (en) 2017-10-04
CN106998941A (en) 2017-08-01
US11076714B2 (en) 2021-08-03
EP3223669B1 (en) 2020-02-19

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3223668B1 (en) Liquid dispensing machine with compact drop stop
EP3223669B1 (en) Liquid dispensing machine with manual drop stop
US10307010B2 (en) Beverage preparation machine with flexible drop stop
EP2819559B1 (en) Beverage preparation machine with drop management
EP2645914B1 (en) Beverage preparation machine with drop collector
AU2017343599B2 (en) Liquid dispensing machine with drop stop
AU2017341342B2 (en) Liquid dispensing machine with speed regulator
EP2571407B1 (en) Storable hot water or steam delivery device
EP3855986B1 (en) Beverage machine with an actuation distribution

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 15800856

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

REEP Request for entry into the european phase

Ref document number: 2015800856

Country of ref document: EP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 15531160

Country of ref document: US

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE