# US 8,770,093 B2 · Beverage machine with drip tray device for recipients of different heights > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,093 B2 - Document ID: US8770093B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/225,968 - Filed: 2011-09-06 - Published: 2012-01-05 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2005-06-07 - Assignees: Nestec S.A. - Applicants: Antoine Cahen; Michael Stieger - Inventors: Antoine Cahen; Michael Stieger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770093B2 ## CPC - A47J 31/4485: {Nozzles dispensing heated and foamed milk, i.e. milk is sucked from a milk container, heated and foamed inside the device, and subsequently dispensed from the nozzle} - 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 31/41: of liquid ingredients - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES ## 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 ### Claim 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the frothing nozzle is disposable and is configured to be removably plugged to the steam outlet conduit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The dispenser according claim 1, wherein the recess is also heat insulated to reduce the heat transfers from the steamer to the milk vessel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) 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. ### Claim 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, which comprises the milk vessel located on or in the receiving seat. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a water supply reservoir located in a side of the housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8 further comprising further comprising a water supply reservoir located in a side of the housing.