US 12,303,061 B2
Coffee machine with improved drip tray
Marco Vaona, Treviso (IT); Davide Sgnaolin, Treviso (IT); and Guido Quaratesi, Treviso (IT)
Assigned to De'Longhi Appliances S.R.L., Treviso (IT)
Appl. No. 17/423,507
Filed by De'Longhi Appliances S.R.L., Treviso (IT)
PCT Filed Jan. 20, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/051270
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 16, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/152098, PCT Pub. Date Jul. 30, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 102019000001175 (IT), filed on Jan. 25, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0110474 A1, Apr. 14, 2022
Int. Cl. A47J 31/44 (2006.01)
CPC A47J 31/4428 (2013.01) [A47J 2203/00 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A coffee machine comprising a drip tray (1), the drip tray (1) comprising:
a container (2);
a covering grille (3) that covers the container (2), the covering grille (3) having a plurality of openings (12), each of the plurality of openings (12) configured to allow a passage of liquids from a top of, and through, the covering grille (3) directly into the container (2); and
a plurality of vertical protrusions (13) configured to pass through the plurality of openings (12), wherein:
each one of the plurality of openings (12) includes at least one vertical protrusion (13) passing therethrough;
each vertical protrusion (13) is configured, in length and/or width, to allow the passage of liquids thereby from the top of the covering grille (3), through the respective opening (12), directly into the container (2);
each vertical protrusion (13) has an upper end, where the collective upper ends of the plurality of vertical protrusions (13) define a resting surface, configured for cups to rest during coffee delivery, where the collective upper ends of all vertical protrusions (13), during coffee machine operation, are horizontal, are fixed in place and are in a raised position relative to a top surface (15) of the covering grille (3); and
said vertical protrusions (13) are supported by a support (17), and said support (17) is connected to a splash guard (19) positioned inside the container (2).