IP Library Granted Patent US 8,770,093
Granted Patent B2
US 8,770,093 · App. 13/225,968 · Granted Jul 8, 2014

Beverage machine with drip tray device for recipients of different heights

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,770,093
App. No.
13/225,968
Granted
Jul 8, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A beverage machine comprising a drip tray device that can accommodate recipients of different heights. The drip tray device is formed of a collect tank and has a first drip support grid removably mounted on the tank for holding short recipients and has a second drip support for longer recipients such as a glass. The whole device is removable for ease of emptying and rinsing. In a possible mode, the first removable grid is provided with a gutter to evacuate liquid in a main collect reservoir.

Claims (16)

1. A milk froth dispenser comprising:

a housing with a steamer adapted to produce steam under pressure through a steam outlet conduit that is arranged to lead during use to a frothing nozzle, the housing having a recess adapted to receive a milk vessel in a removable manner, and

a drip tray device adapted to receive a recipient, wherein the drip tray device is removable from the dispenser and has a receiving seat adapted to receive the milk vessel such that the milk vessel is located within the housing when the drip tray is in the dispenser, the receiving seat forming an open chamber comprising a chamber wall, the chamber having a shape that is complementary to a base of the milk vessel so that the milk vessel inserts into the receiving seat in a reversible manner, the chamber positioned in the recess of the housing when the drip tray device is in the dispenser, and the frothing nozzle being fed during use with milk from the milk vessel by a tube or straw taking milk from the milk vessel to the frothing nozzle.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the frothing nozzle is disposable and is configured to be removably plugged to the steam outlet conduit.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 , which comprises a milk vessel in the receiving seat, wherein the milk vessel comprises a lid that closes the milk vessel with a guide member providing a passage for the pipe or straw up to a forward position at the front of the dispenser where the straw or tube can be plugged to the frothing nozzle.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 , which comprises a milk vessel in the receiving seat, wherein the milk vessel is heat insulated to enable to store liquid milk under ambient temperature during several hours.

5. The dispenser according claim 1 , wherein the recess is also heat insulated to reduce the heat transfers from the steamer to the milk vessel.

6. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the drip tray device is placed below at least a beverage outlet for collecting dripping liquid and/or foam, the drip tray device comprising a first drip support grid for holding a first beverage recipient and a collect tank for collecting the liquid passing through the first drip support grid, the first drip support grid being removable from the collect tank and, when removed, the first drip support grid leaving open a second drip support means underneath configured for receiving a second beverage recipient of larger height.

7. The dispenser of claim 6 , wherein the second drip support means comprises a grid or number of support elements, such as a plurality of spaced apart ridges, for supporting the second beverage recipient.

8. A removable tray device comprising:

a receiving seat adapted to receive a vessel of milk to be frothed by a milk froth dispenser and forming an open chamber comprising a chamber wall, the chamber having a shape that is complementary to a base of the vessel so that the vessel inserts into the receiving seat in a reversible manner, the milk froth dispenser comprising a housing with a steamer adapted to produce steam under pressure through a steam outlet conduit that is arranged to lead during use to a frothing nozzle, the housing having a recess adapted to receive the milk vessel in a removable manner, the removable tray device adapted to receive a recipient, and being removable from the dispenser, the frothing nozzle being fed during use with milk from the milk vessel by a tube or straw taking milk from the milk vessel to a milk inlet of the frothing nozzle, and the chamber and the milk vessel located within the housing when the tray device is in the dispenser.

9. The device of claim 8 , which comprises the milk vessel located on or in the receiving seat.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein in the milk vessel comprises a lid that closes the milk vessel with a guide member providing a passage for a pipe or straw.

11. The device of claim 8 , which comprises a first drip support grid for holding a first beverage recipient and a collect tank for collecting the liquid passing through the first drip support grid, the first drip support grid being removable from the collect tank and, when removed, the first drip support grid leaving open a second drip support means underneath configured for receiving a second beverage recipient of larger height.

12. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a water supply reservoir located in a side of the housing.

13. The device of claim 8 further comprising further comprising a water supply reservoir located in a side of the housing.

Assignments (4)
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 →