Beverage apparatus waste bin level detection
US8863987B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47J31/525
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A beverage forming method and system in which a waste bin arranged to collect leaked or spilled liquid has a liquid level sensor and can be removed from the beverage forming machine, e.g., to allow disposal of the waste bin contents. One or more electrical contacts on the waste bin can be connected to the level sensor and electrically connect to control circuitry of the beverage forming machine when the waste bin is received by the machine. A liquid level detected by the level sensor may correspond to a fill level that is far less than the maximum volume of the waste bin, allowing beverage production to be prevented unless the waste bin can collect the full volume of a beverage dispensed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.