Secure cup support for beverage machine
View Patent ↗A machine ( 1 ) for dispensing a beverage ( 50 ) has: an outlet ( 4 ) for dispensing said beverage; a user-recipient support ( 5 ) movable within such machine from a position for supporting a smaller user-recipient ( 51 ) under the outlet to a position for placing a larger user-recipient ( 52 ) under the outlet; and means for stopping movement of the user-recipient support in at least one of said positions. The stopping means comprise a means ( 57, 58 ) for fastening the user-recipient support in said at least one of said positions.
1. A machine for dispensing a beverage comprising:
an outlet for dispensing the beverage;
a first user-recipient support movable within the machine from a position for supporting a smaller user-recipient under the outlet to a position for placing a larger user-recipient under the outlet, the first user-recipient support being pivotable about a vertical axis within such machine from the smaller user-recipient position to the larger user-recipient position;
a second user-recipient support positioned below the first user-recipient support;
a member for stopping movement of the first user-recipient support in at least one of the positions; and
the stopping member comprises a fastener for fastening the first user-recipient support in the at least one of the positions, the fastener being positioned on at least one connector extending between the first and second user-recipient supports and arranged to automatically fasten the first user-recipient support when the first user-recipient support reaches the at least one of the positions.
2. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the fastener is arranged to fasten the first user-recipient support in the position for supporting a smaller user-recipient under the outlet.
3. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a magnetic fastener.
4. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a lock or a snap.
5. The machine of claim 1 , which comprises a base to which the first user-recipient support is movably connected from the position for supporting a smaller user-recipient to the position for placing a larger user-recipient.
6. The machine of claim 5 , wherein the base comprises:
a first connector connected to a first connector of the first user-recipient support from the position for supporting a smaller user-recipient to the position for placing a larger user-recipient; and
a second connector connected to a second connector of the first user-recipient support in the at least one of the positions and disconnected from the second support connector when the first user-recipient support is out of the at least one of the positions.
7. The machine of claim 6 , wherein the first connectors are constrained elastically or gravitationally by connection and disconnection of the second connectors.
8. The machine of claim 6 , which comprises a body and wherein the base is separable from the body.
9. The machine of claim 8 , wherein the base comprises a service unit.
10. The machine of claim 9 , wherein the base comprises a reservoir for collecting liquid.
11. The machine of claim 10 , wherein the first connector or second connector of the base is fixed to the reservoir.
12. The machine of claim 10 , wherein the reservoir is covered with the second user-recipient support which is arranged to support the larger user-recipient, the second user-recipient support being placed flat over the reservoir and separable therefrom for servicing by a user.
13. The machine of claim 12 , wherein the first connector or second connector of the base is fixed to the second user-recipient support.
14. The machine of claim 9 , wherein the service unit comprises a collector for collecting solid material, such as used beverage ingredients or used ingredient capsules.