Vibration proof water tank of a beverage machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9510707-B2
Application number	US-201113518312-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 3, 2011
Priority date	Jan 6, 2010
Publication date	Dec 6, 2016
Grant date	Dec 6, 2016

Abstract

A beverage preparation machine ( 1 ) comprises: a beverage preparation module ( 2 ) that vibrates during use, in particular a module for preparing a beverage by circulating a liquid via a flavoring ingredient such a pre-portioned ingredient contained in a capsule; and a reservoir ( 4 ) for storing liquid and supplying such liquid to the beverage preparation module. The beverage preparation module and the reservoir are connected by a vibration-barrier mechanical connection ( 3, 45, 291, 431 ) for inhibiting or preventing propagation of vibrations from the beverage preparation module to the reservoir.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A beverage preparation machine comprising:
a beverage preparation module that vibrates during use; and
a reservoir for storing liquid and supplying the liquid to the beverage preparation module,
the beverage preparation module and the reservoir are connected by a vibration-barrier mechanical connection comprising (i) a resilient section and (ii) a counter-plug mounted in the resilient section, the resilient section configured for inhibiting or preventing propagation of vibrations from the beverage preparation module to the reservoir, and the reservoir having a foot that rests during use on an external support, the external support is unsecured to the beverage preparation module,
the vibration-barrier mechanical connection has a fluid circulation line extending from the beverage preparation module to the reservoir and comprising the resilient section,
the beverage preparation module has a fluid connector with a liquid inlet, and the reservoir has a fluid connector with a liquid outlet, the fluid connector of the beverage preparation module and the fluid connector of the reservoir being connectable to bring the reservoir in fluid communication with the beverage preparation module,
the fluid connector of the beverage preparation module forms a docking station for the reservoir, the liquid outlet of the reservoir comprises a plug comprising a seal urged against peripheral walls of the liquid outlet by a spring to block the liquid outlet, and mounting of the reservoir on the docking station comprises the counter-plug forcing the plug upwardly to space the seal from the peripheral walls to form a passage for liquid to flow from a bottom part of the reservoir through the liquid outlet into the liquid inlet.

2. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is disconnectable from the beverage preparation module at the resilient section.

3. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the docking station supports the reservoir when the beverage preparation module is lifted or moved with the reservoir.

4. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the fluid connector of the beverage preparation module contacts the reservoir via the resilient section.

5. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the beverage preparation module has a bottom that is arranged to rest on the external support during use.

6. The machine of claim 5 , wherein the bottom comprises one or more vibration-dampeners.

7. The machine of claim 6 , wherein the vibration-dampeners comprise at least one component selected from the group consisting of rubber feet and rubber bumpers.

8. The machine of claim 1 , comprising a connecting arrangement between the reservoir and the beverage preparation module for:
positioning the reservoir relatively to the beverage preparation module during use,
the connecting arrangement preventing or inhibit propagation of vibrations from the beverage preparation module to the reservoir during use.

9. The machine of claim 8 , wherein the connecting arrangement comprises an arrangement articulated relative to at least one component selected from the group consisting of the reservoir and the beverage preparation module, and the arrangement is movable to prevent propagation of vibrations from the beverage preparation module to the reservoir.

10. The machine of claim 8 , wherein the connecting arrangement comprises an arrangement fixed to at least one component selected from the group consisting of the reservoir and the beverage preparation module, and the arrangement is configured to:
allow free movements of the beverage preparation module relative to the reservoir during use; and
secure the reservoir to the beverage preparation module when the module is moved.

11. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the beverage preparation module comprises an outermost housing, the reservoir being located adjacent the outermost housing.

12. The machine of claim 11 , wherein the outermost housing and the reservoir have an interlocking arrangement for securing the reservoir to the housing when the beverage preparation module is displaced and allow free relative movements of the beverage module relative to the reservoir during use.

13. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the beverage preparation module comprises a pump that vibrates during use to a beverage outlet of the beverage preparation module.

14. The machine of claim 1 , which comprises a connecting arrangement between the reservoir and the beverage preparation module for:
positioning the reservoir in at least one configuration selected from the group consisting of (i) suspended from the beverage preparation module and (ii) secured to the beverage preparation module, when the module is lifted or moved,
the connecting arrangement preventing or inhibit propagation of vibrations from the beverage preparation module to the reservoir during use.

15. The machine of claim 14 , wherein the connecting arrangement comprises an arrangement articulated relative to at least one component selected from the group consisting of the reservoir and the beverage preparation module, and the connecting arrangement is movable to prevent propagation of vibrations from the beverage preparation module to the reservoir.

16. The machine of claim 14 , wherein the connecting arrangement comprises an arrangement fixed to at least one component selected from the group consisting of the reservoir and the beverage preparation module, and the connecting arrangement is configured to:
allow free movements of the beverage preparation module relative to the reservoir during use; and
secure the reservoir to the beverage preparation module when the module is moved.

Assignees

• Mori Peter
• Gavillet Gilles
• Nestec Sa

Inventors

• Mori Peter
• Gavillet Gilles

Classifications

• A47J31/4403 Primary

  Constructional details · CPC title