US 11,866,318 B2
Beverage preparation machine with handy drop stop
Jurgen Kristlbauer, Zollikofen (CH)
Assigned to Societe des Produits Nestle S.A., Vevey (CH)
Appl. No. 16/954,657
Filed by SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE S.A., Vevey (CH)
PCT Filed Dec. 19, 2018, PCT No. PCT/EP2018/085763
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 17, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/121865, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 27, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 17208731 (EP), filed on Dec. 20, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0307985 A1, Oct. 1, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B67D 1/16 (2006.01); B67D 1/00 (2006.01); B67D 1/07 (2006.01); A47J 31/36 (2006.01); A47J 31/40 (2006.01); A47J 31/46 (2006.01)
CPC B67D 1/165 (2013.01) [A47J 31/3628 (2013.01); A47J 31/407 (2013.01); A47J 31/46 (2013.01); B67D 1/0004 (2013.01); B67D 1/07 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A machine for dispensing a beverage, the machine comprising:
a beverage processing unit,
a stationary frame, and
a beverage directing guide mounted to and movable relative to the stationary frame between:
a dispensing position for directing, by the beverage directing guide, the beverage to a placing area for placing a user-recipient to collect the beverage; and
a non-dispensing position for directing, by the beverage directing guide, waste liquid to a waste collector;
the beverage processing unit having a beverage guide and a unit outlet through which liquid is passed from the beverage guide to the beverage directing guide located below the unit outlet,
the stationary frame has a seat above the placing area, the beverage directing guide being supported by a removable support frame that is:
inserted in the seat so that the beverage directing guide is movable between the dispensing position and the non-dispensing position; and
user-removable with the beverage directing guide from the seat for removing the beverage directing guide from the stationary frame;
an evacuation guide, the beverage directing guide being configured to deliver the beverage or the waste liquid into the evacuation guide towards the placing area or towards the waste collector, the beverage directing guide being movable relative to the evacuation guide;
wherein the evacuation guide has a conduit and a tub or a funnel in fluid communication with the conduit, the tub or the funnel being configured to collect the beverage or the waste liquid from the beverage directing guide and to guide the beverage or the waste liquid into the conduit towards the placing area or the waste collector, respectively.