IP Library Granted Patent US 8,364,321
Granted Patent B2
US 8,364,321 · App. 12/598,686 · Granted Jan 29, 2013

Beverage production module and method for operating a beverage production module

Inventor: Alexandre Kollep (Lutry, CH)
Assignee: Nestec S.A.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,364,321
App. No.
12/598,686
Granted
Jan 29, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A beverage production module that includes a pump for delivering a beverage via a beverage delivery outlet from the beverage production module, a graphical interface for accepting touch input, and a controller in data communication with the pump and the graphical interface for receiving filling level instructions and controlling the pump accordingly. The graphical interface may also include a pointer for providing filling level instructions by touch input on the graphical interface. Also, a method for operating a beverage production module having the foregoing features.

Claims (13)

1. A beverage production module comprising:

a pump for delivering a beverage via a beverage delivery outlet from the beverage production module,

a graphical interface for accepting touch input, the graphical interface comprising a pointing means for providing filling level instructions by touch input on the graphical interface, and

control means in data communication with the pump and graphical interface for receiving filling level instructions and controlling the pump accordingly,

wherein the graphical interface comprises a virtual representation of at least one type of receptacle and the pointing means comprises a virtual filling level icon that can be displaced by a touch input in relation to the virtual representation of the at least one receptacle.

2. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the virtual filling level icon can be displaced in any position of level in relation to the representation of the receptacle.

3. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the pointing means comprises several virtual filling level icons at predetermined virtual positions on the graphical representation of the receptacle.

4. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the pointing means comprises a bar, and an arrow or a tip for graphically indicating filling level instructions on the graphical interface.

5. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the module further comprises sensing means in data communication with the control means and designed to sense the actual volume of the beverage delivered from the pump.

6. The module according to claim 5 , wherein the graphical interface comprises an output identifier for indicating the actual volume of beverage delivered from the pump in real time as measured by the sensing means.

7. The module according to claim 6 , wherein the output identifier comprises a graphical representation of the progress of the filling of the virtual receptacle.

8. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the pointing means is adapted to provide a new filling level instructions by a further touch input on the graphical interface during the delivery of beverage.

9. The module according to claim 8 , wherein the control means is adapted to check, according to predefined parameters, whether the new filling level instructions can be accepted.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NUMBER 16062921 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 049391 FRAME 0756. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PATENT NUMBER SHOULD HAVE BEEN 16062912. Recorded Jul 3, 2020
From: NESTEC S.A.
To: SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A.
Reel/Frame 054082/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NUMBER 16062921 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 049391 FRAME 0756. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PATENT NUMBER SHOULD HAVE BEEN 16062912. Recorded Jul 3, 2020
From: NESTEC S.A.
To: SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A.
Reel/Frame 054082/0165 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION TO SHOW THE FULL AND CORRECT NEW NAME IN SECTION 51. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 049391 FRAME: 0756. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE MERGER. Recorded Jun 13, 2019
From: NESTEC S.A.
To: SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A.
Reel/Frame 049853/0398 →
MERGER Recorded Jun 6, 2019
From: NESTEC S.A.
To: SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A.
Reel/Frame 049391/0756 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2010
From: KOLLEP, ALEXANDRE
To: NESTEC S.A.
Reel/Frame 024031/0427 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 07108357 · May 16, 2007 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100138053A1 · Jun 3, 2010