Beverage preparation machine
US9232874B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47J31/58
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The present invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) having a tank (2) for containing a food-grade fluid, said tank comprising: (i) a reservoir body with side, bottom and top walls, (ii) at least one filling opening, (iii) at least one dispensing opening comprising a dispensing valve for establishing a fluid connecting between said machine and said tank, said tank having a weight WE when less than 5% of its total volume is filled, and a weight WF when at least 5% of its total volume is filled with fluid, said valve being reciprocally movable between a first position where the tank has a weight WE and the valve is open and a second position where the tank has a weight WF and the valve is closed characterized in that said machine comprises a switch disposed in the vicinity of at least one wall of the tank (2), so that: —when the tank has a weight WF said tank is in a first position so that it contacts said switch, and —when the tank has a weight WE said tank is in a second position, away from said switch, said machine further comprising a user warning means that is actuated when the switch does not contact the tank wall so as to warn the user that the tank needs a refill…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.