US 11,684,202 B2 · Collection tray for discharged liquid/steam of a coffee machine that incorporates said collection tray

Abstract

The collection tray (1) for discharged liquid/steam of a coffee machine (2) comprises a primary collection compartment (10), a secondary collection compartment (11), an overflow (12) of the primary collection compartment (10) for discharging the liquid into the secondary collection compartment (11), and at least two electrical conductors (13) positioned in the secondary collection compartment (11) and assembled on an oscillating support (14) for connection with two contacts (15) of an external electrical circuit for detecting the level of the liquid present in the secondary collection compartment (11).

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims18

Dependent claims

A coffee machine (2) comprising:

an enclosure;
a collection tray (1) for discharged liquid/steam of the coffee machine (2), the collection tray (1) comprising:
a primary collection compartment (10);
a secondary collection compartment (11);
an overflow (12) of said primary collection compartment (10) for discharging the liquid into the secondary collection compartment (11);
at least two electrical conductors (13) positioned in said secondary collection compartment (11) and assembled on an oscillating support (14) and configured for connection with two electrical contacts (15) of an electric circuit (16) of the coffee machine (2) for detecting a level of liquid contained in said secondary collection compartment (11);
and
a hydraulic connector (8) configured for sealed connection with an external water/steam discharge conduit (40) of the coffee machine (2);
wherein the oscillating support (14) is configured for vertical oscillation to enable a position of the two electrical conductors (13) to be movable relative to a position of the hydraulic connector (8);
and
a dispenser (3) that extends from a wall of the enclosure, above the collection tray (1).

8 more elements

A coffee machine (2) comprising a collection tray (1) for discharged liquid/steam of the coffee machine (2), the collection tray (1) comprising:

a primary collection compartment (10),
a secondary collection compartment (11), smaller in volume than the primary collection compartment (10), where all liquid drainage and drippings of the coffee machine (2) first enter the primary collection compartment (10),
an overflow (12) of said primary collection compartment (10) for discharging the liquid into the secondary collection compartment (11),
a hydraulic connector (8) configured for sealed connection with a water/steam discharge conduit (40) of the coffee machine (2), and
at least two electrical conductors (13) positioned in said secondary collection compartment (11) and assembled on an oscillating support (14) for connection with two electrical contacts (15) of an external electric circuit (16) for detecting a level of liquid contained in said secondary collection compartment (11);
wherein the oscillating support (14) is configured for vertical oscillation to enable a position of the two electrical conductors (13) to be movable relative to a position of the hydraulic connector (8);
wherein the primary collection compartment (10), the secondary collection compartment (11), and the overflow (12) are configured so that:
upon liquid reaching a predetermined level in the primary collection compartment (10), the liquid starts to overflow from the overflow (12) into the secondary collection compartment (11);
and
upon liquid reaching a predetermined level in the secondary collection compartment (11), the two electrical conductors (13) are contacted by the liquid, which closes the electric circuit (16);
and
wherein the collection tray (1) is configured so that, when the collection tray (1) is introduced for electrical and hydraulic connection to the coffee machine (2), and the hydraulic connector (8) is connected to the water/steam discharge conduit (40), the electrical conductors (13) find positional alignment for connection with said electrical contacts (15) of said electric circuit (16) through positioning of the oscillating support (14).

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description2,312 words

Summary765 words

#This application is a U.S. national phase application of International Application No. PCT/EP2019/054961, filed Feb. 28, 2019; which application claims benefit of priority of Italy Application No. 102018000003262, filed Mar. 5, 2018. Each of the above-identified related applications are incorporated by reference.

#The present invention relates to a collection tray for discharged liquid/steam and to a coffee machine that incorporates said collection tray.

#Coffee machines are known having a removable tray where the discharged water and/or steam is collected.

Brief description of the drawings5 figures

#Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will more fully emerge from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the collection tray of the coffee machine, which incorporates the tray according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the collection tray and of the components supported thereby;

#FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the coffee machine;

Detailed description1,424 words

#With reference to the figures mentioned, a coffee machine 2 is shown that has at the front an extractable collection tray 1 for the discharged liquid/steam produced by the coffee machine 2.

#The collection tray 1 in particular is positioned at the base of the front wall 6 of the frame of the coffee machine 2.

#The collection tray 1 has a main body formed by a bottom 1a, a front wall 1b, a back wall 1c and sides 1d that bound an open upper side.

Facts

Application

16/963,284Filed 28 Feb 2019

Priority

IT 1020180000032625 Mar 2018

Published

US 2021/0045573 A118 Feb 2021

Granted

27 Jun 2023

Term ends

28 Nov 2039

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 273 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification3 codes

A47J 31/4428
Supports for beverage containers when filled or while being filled: with a drip-tray underneath
A47J 31/4457
Constructional details: water-level indicators
A47J
Kitchen equipment

Timeline

5 Mar 2018Priority claimedIT 102018000003262
28 Feb 2019Application filedUS 16/963,284
20 Jul 2020Assigned to De'longhi Appliances S.R.L.assignment of assignor's interest
18 Feb 2021PublishedUS 2021/0045573 A1
27 Jun 2023GrantedUS 11,684,202 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
28 Nov 2039Term endsEstimated, includes 273 days of adjustment

Collection tray for discharged liquid/steam of a coffee machine that incorporates said collection tray

Life of this patent

Collection tray for discharged liquid/steam of a coffee machine that incorporates said collection tray

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims18

Description2,312 words

Drawings

Classification3 codes

Life of this patent

Description2,312 words