# US 2016/0255992 A1 · Apparatus for dispensing beverages > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0255992 A1 - Document ID: US20160255992A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/054,303 - Filed: 2016-02-26 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-06 - Assignees: Spectrum Brands, Inc. - Applicants: Spectrum Brands, Inc. - Inventors: Randy Scott Miller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160255992A1 ## CPC - A47J 31/4482: {Details allowing to adapt the beverage-making apparatus to the size of the brewing vessel or the beverage container, e.g. with adjustable support for the beverage container or adjustable hot water outlet} - A47J 31/4428: {with a drip-tray underneath} - F16M 11/046: {adapted to upward-downward translation movement} - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS ## Abstract A beverage dispensing apparatus for dispensing a beverage into a beverage container includes a base, a dispenser, and a platform for supporting the beverage container. The platform is positionable relative to the base between a first position and a second position, in the second position the platform is nearer to the dispenser than in the first position. The platform has a first orientation in the first position and a second orientation in the second position. The second orientation is inverted relative to the first orientation. The platform includes a peripheral sidewall and a central panel defining a first drip tray facing the dispenser in the first orientation of the platform and a second drip tray opposite the first drip tray and facing the dispenser in the second orientation of the platform. A support plate having a support surface is removably positionable on the first peripheral rim and second peripheral rim. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A beverage dispensing apparatus for dispensing a beverage into a beverage container, the apparatus comprising: a base; a dispenser disposed above the base and operable to dispense beverage from the apparatus toward the base; and a platform for supporting the beverage container intermediate the base and the dispenser, the platform being positionable relative to the base between a first position and a second position, in the second position the platform being nearer to the dispenser than in the first position, said platform having a first orientation in the first position and a second orientation in the second position, said second orientation being inverted relative to the first orientation, the platform comprising: a peripheral sidewall having a first peripheral rim and a second peripheral rim; a central panel extending transversely within the sidewall intermediate the first and second rims to define a first drip tray facing the dispenser in the first orientation of the platform and a second drip tray opposite the first drip tray and facing the dispenser in the second orientation of the platform; and a support plate having a support surface for seating the beverage container on the support plate in both the first and second orientations of the platform, the support plate being removably positionable relative to the peripheral sidewall such that in the first orientation of the platform the support plate is positioned on the first peripheral rim with the support surface facing the dispenser and in the second orientation of the platform the support plate is positioned on the second peripheral rim with the support surface facing the dispenser, the support surface having at least one opening therein through which beverage that drips onto the support surface can flow into the respective one of the first drip tray and the second drip tray. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the surface of the drip tray and the central panel are substantially parallel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the peripheral sidewall is a single continuous sidewall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of the first and second peripheral rims define a shelf for supporting the support plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the platform further comprises a support extending away from the second drip tray for supporting the second drip tray when the platform is in the second position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a housing, wherein the housing defines a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the support to releasably attach the platform to the base. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the housing includes a partially cylindrical alignment member and the support has a partially cylindrical wall for fitting around the alignment member and aligning the platform underneath the dispenser when the platform is in the first and second positions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the outer surface of the support is substantially flush with the housing when the platform is inserted in the cavity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support surface is disposed between about 150 mm and about 250 mm from the dispenser when the platform is in the first position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the support surface is disposed between about 100 mm and about 175 mm from the dispenser when the platform is in the second position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an alignment member to align the platform in both the first and second positions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the second compartment is aligned over the base in both the first position and the second position, the second compartment being spaced from the base when the platform is in the second position. ### Claim 13 A platform for supporting a beverage container such that a beverage dispensing apparatus can dispense beverages into the beverage container, the platform supporting the beverage container intermediate a base and dispenser of the beverage dispenser, the platform being positionable relative to the base between a first position and a second position, in the second position the platform being nearer to the dispenser than in the first position, said platform having a first orientation in the first position and a second orientation in the second position, said second orientation being inverted relative to the first orientation, the platform comprising: a peripheral sidewall having a first peripheral rim and a second peripheral rim; a central panel extending transversely within the peripheral sidewall intermediate the first and second rims to define a first drip tray facing the dispenser in the first orientation of the platform and a second drip tray opposite the first drip tray and facing the dispenser in the second orientation of the platform; a support plate having a support surface for seating the beverage container on the support plate in both the first and second orientations of the platform, the support plate being removably positionable relative to the peripheral sidewall such that in the first orientation of the platform the support plate is positioned on the first peripheral rim with the support surface facing the dispenser and in the second orientation of the platform the support plate is positioned on the second peripheral rim with the support surface facing the dispenser, the support surface having at least one opening therein through which beverage that drips onto the support surface can flow into the respective one of the first drip tray and the second drip tray; and a support extending away from the second drip tray to support the second drip tray when the platform is in the second position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The platform of claim 13 wherein the support surface has a plurality of openings. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The platform of claim 13 wherein the support plate comprises a tab to facilitate removing the support plate from the first and second drip trays. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The platform of claim 13 wherein the support plate further comprises a ridge for aligning and retaining the support plate on the first and second drip trays. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The platform of claim 13 wherein the support surface and the central panel are substantially parallel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The platform of claim 17 wherein the peripheral sidewall is a single continuous sidewall. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The platform of claim 13 wherein each of the first and second peripheral rims define a shelf for supporting the drip tray over the respective first and second drip trays. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The platform of claim 19 wherein the support plate further comprises a tab and the sidewall includes at least one notch, the tab extending through the at least one notch to facilitate removing the drip tray.