Beverage dispensing unit for machine for preparing and dispensing beverage and machine for preparing and dispensing beverage comprising said dispensing unit

Abstract

A beverage dispensing unit (10) for dispensing a beverage, the beverage dispensing unit comprising a nozzle (12) and a recess (16) provided with a nozzle protection body (26) comprising: a protection wall (28) for substantially preventing a user from moving a container (C) in contact with the nozzle (12); and a beverage dispensing channel (32). The lower portion (38) of the protective wall (28) comprises an outer surface (40) comprising a plurality of convex or concave elements (42) for preventing intimate contact between the mouth (C1) of the container (C) and the nozzle protective body (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing unit of a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages and a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages comprising said dispensing unit.

[0002] Specifically, the present invention relates to a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages and, more particularly, to a machine that can be inserted into an automatic beverage dispensing system. The machine can be used to prepare a variety of beverages. Such beverages typically consist of water (cold water, ambient water, still water or soda water...) or water and at least one beverage additive (such as syrup, flavoring, etc.). Background Art

[0003] Known machines for preparing and dispensing beverages include a beverage dispensing unit provided with a nozzle and a recess. The nozzle is connected to a pipe through which the beverage and / or the ingredients for making the beverage flow. The recess defines a support adapted to hold a container into which the beverage and / or the ingredients for making the beverage dispensed through the nozzle flow.

[0004] Known machines have been in use for a long time and do not present particular problems when used correctly. However, critical problems may arise when the machine is used incorrectly.

[0005] For example, instead of correctly placing the container in its support in the recess, the user of these machines causes the container to come into contact with the nozzle, which is usually provided in the upper part of the recess. This occurs, for example, when a bottle is used as the container for filling the beverage dispensed by the machine. During the dispensing of the beverage, the mouth of the bottle may be pushed into contact with the nozzle. In this case, it is possible for the bottle to overflow and for an excessive amount of beverage to come into contact with the nozzle.

[0006] This also occurs when the user touches the nozzle when placing the container in the recess or while waiting for the beverage to be dispensed. Contact between the container and / or the user's hand and the nozzle can cause hygiene and / or contamination problems.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to provide a beverage dispensing unit of a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages and a machine for preparing and dispensing such beverages to solve these hygiene and / or contamination problems, especially when the machine is used inappropriately. Summary of the Invention

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing unit of a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages and a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages comprising said dispensing unit to solve the above-mentioned hygiene and / or contamination problems of the prior art in a simple, economical and practical manner.

[0009] To this end, the present invention relates in a first aspect to a dispensing unit and a machine provided with such a dispensing unit, the dispensing unit being provided with a nozzle and a recess, the nozzle being connected to a pipe through which the beverage and / or the ingredients for making the beverage flow, the recess defining a support adapted to hold a container, and the beverage and / or the ingredients for making the beverage dispensed through the nozzle flowing into the container, wherein the recess further comprises a nozzle protection body.

[0010] According to the present invention, the nozzle protection body comprises: a protection wall provided in the recess and located below the lower end of the nozzle, the shape and dimensions of the protection wall being set to substantially prevent a user from moving the container in the recess in such a way that the container comes into contact with the nozzle, and / or to prevent the user from touching the nozzle, preferably the shape and dimensions of the protection wall being set to at least partially surround the nozzle; and a beverage dispensing channel for allowing the beverage to flow out of the nozzle through the protection wall into the lower part of the recess. The lower part of the protection wall comprises an outer surface facing the lower part of the recess, wherein the outer surface comprises a plurality of raised or recessed elements for preventing close contact between the mouth of the container and the nozzle protection body when the mouth of the container is pressed into contact with the outer surface. In this way, if the container is overfilled, most of the excess beverage flows along the outside of the container into the lower part of the recess instead of flowing towards the nozzle: this eliminates or at least reduces the risk of contamination of the nozzle. In addition, as the amount of beverage flowing along the outside of the bottle is maximized, the user realizes that they are not operating the dispensing unit correctly and will remove the container, or they will stop dispensing the beverage.

[0011] The advantage of the dispensing unit constructed in this way and the beverage preparation machine comprising such a dispensing unit is that it prevents hygiene and / or contamination problems of the nozzle in case of incorrect positioning of the container and / or incorrect use of the machine.

[0012] In one embodiment, the dispensing unit comprises a connecting member for removably connecting the nozzle protection body to the recess. In this way, the protection body of the nozzle can be removed from the recess, so that for example the protection body can be cleaned periodically.

[0013] In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing channel of the nozzle protection body comprises a through hole for allowing the beverage to flow out, the through hole being defined by the lower part of the protection wall.

[0014] In one embodiment, the lower portion of the protective wall includes a first outer surface that faces the lower portion of the recess, wherein the first outer surface is concave, with the concave surface facing the lower portion of the recess, and a through-hole is provided at the bottom of the concave first outer surface. This makes the through-hole less visible to the user and prevents the user from touching the through-hole.

[0015] In one embodiment, the lower portion of the protective wall includes a collector tray that faces the nozzle and is separated from the nozzle. The collector tray allows for the collection of any beverage overflows that may occur between the nozzle and the protective wall, such as beverage overflows that may occur when the mouth of the container is pressed into tight contact with the nozzle protection body and the container is overfilled.

[0016] In one embodiment, the lower surface of the collector tray is inclined towards the discharge channel to facilitate the discharge of the collected beverage overflows.

[0017] In one embodiment, the dispensing unit includes a locking member having a locking operating position and an unlocking operating position for allowing removal of the nozzle protection body from the recess only when the locking member is in the unlocking operating position, wherein the locking member includes: a first fixing element fixed to the nozzle protection body; a second fixing element fixed to the recess; and a movable element that interacts with the first and second fixing elements and includes an operating portion for moving the movable element between a first position and a second position, in the first position, the operating portion prevents removal of the nozzle protection body from the recess, and in the second position, the operating portion allows such removal. These locking members can be used to prevent the nozzle protection body from being removed from the recess by the machine user and allow such removal only by a professional who has access to the movable element (e.g., to periodically clean the movable element).

[0018] In one embodiment, the operating portion of the movable element of the locking member is located in the inner portion of the recess, preferably in an inner portion that is not visible to the user, so as to avoid unauthorized use of the movable element.

[0019] In one embodiment, the protective wall of the nozzle protection body includes a gripping element, preferably a hollow and open portion at the bottom, to facilitate the manipulation of the protection body, such as when the protection body has to be removed from the recess.

[0020] In one embodiment, the nozzle protection body is provided with a connecting member for removably connecting the nozzle protection body to the recess. The connecting member includes a connecting element that faces away from the protective wall of the nozzle body and includes a head that is configured to be removably and slidably coupled in a corresponding guiding element. The corresponding guiding element is provided in the upper wall of the recess. When the head and the guiding element are coupled together, the nozzle protection body is movably connected to the recess and at least partially surrounds the nozzle, and the nozzle protection body can be removed from the recess only when the head and the guiding element are decoupled. This type of connection ensures both a reliable and simple connection of the nozzle protection body to the recess and an easy and quick removal of the body from the recess (e.g., when cleaning is required).

[0021] In one embodiment, the protection body substantially has the shape of a drawer, and its protective wall includes a front portion that is substantially perpendicular to the lower portion, where the lower portion includes the beverage dispensing channel. This form of the nozzle protection body is simple and ensures good rigidity and resistance to the stresses that the body itself may withstand.

[0022] In one embodiment, the through-hole for the beverage to flow out in the nozzle protection body is defined by an upper edge, and the distance between the upper edge and the lower end of the nozzle is between 0.2 cm and 5 cm, and more preferably between 0.5 cm and 3 cm. For example, in the case where the mouth of the container is pressed into close contact with the nozzle protection body and the container is overfilled, this spacing helps prevent all or at least most of the beverage spillage from reaching the nozzle.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages, the machine comprising: a main housing provided with at least one front wall, wherein the main housing encloses an internal volume designed to accommodate at least one beverage preparation device, the at least one beverage preparation device being designed to prepare and dispense beverages; and a beverage dispensing unit connected to the beverage preparation device, wherein the beverage dispensing unit is provided at the front wall in the at least one side wall of the main housing.

[0024] According to the present invention, the beverage dispensing unit is a beverage dispensing unit according to one or more of the above embodiments and preferred features.

[0025] The machine has the same advantages as described above with respect to the dispensing unit.

[0026] In one embodiment, the main housing of the machine for preparing and dispensing beverages is provided with at least one side wall and at least one opening that defines a door compartment, wherein at least one front wall of the machine is a door that is provided with an outer surface and an inner surface facing the interior volume of the main housing, wherein the door is hinged to the main housing at a hinge axis and is configured to close the door compartment when in the working configuration of the machine; wherein the beverage dispensing unit is connected to the door, and the opening of the container for the support for insertion into the recess is provided in the outer surface of the door.

[0027] This embodiment allows the recess of the dispensing unit to be accommodated in a part of the machine, preferably in the outer surface of the door, which part is easily accessible to the user, and allows the rear part of the dispensing unit to be alternatively accommodated and protected inside the machine, and the rear part is not accessible to the user but only to professionals and authorized personnel.

[0028] This allows, for example, protecting the components of the dispensing unit that cannot be operated by the user of the dispensing unit but only by, for example, authorized personnel who can operate these components only when the door of the machine is open. In this way, for example, the user of the machine can be prevented from operating the locking member that allows the protective body of the nozzle to be removed from the recess. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in the following description of the presently preferred embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings, and these features and advantages will be apparent from the description, wherein:

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic front perspective view of a dispensing unit according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic front perspective view of a dispensing unit according to the present invention, wherein one of its components is in a non-operating position;

[0032] Figure 3 is a partial schematic top perspective view of the dispensing unit;

[0033] Figure 4 is a schematic vertical cross-section along a central vertical plane of the upper part of the dispensing unit;

[0034] Figure 5 and Figure 6 are respectively a schematic top perspective view and a schematic bottom perspective view of the components of the dispensing unit;

[0035] Figure 7 is a schematic front perspective view of a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages, the machine comprisingFigures 1 to 6 the dispensing unit shown in; and

[0036] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a schematic front perspective view of a machine, shown in an open configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Referring to the above-mentioned drawings, a preferred embodiment of a beverage dispensing unit 10 of a machine 100 for preparing and dispensing beverages according to the present invention is shown. The beverage dispensing unit 10 includes: a nozzle 12 ( Figure 2 and Figure 4 ), which is connected to a pipe 14 (schematically shown in Figure 8 ), in which the beverage and / or ingredients for making the beverage flow; and a recess 16, which defines a support 18 for holding a container C (shown in Figure 7 ), and the beverage and / or ingredients for making the beverage dispensed through the nozzle 12 flow into the container C.

[0038] The recess 16 includes: an opening 20 for inserting the container C into the support 18 of the recess 16 itself; an upper portion 22, in which at least a part of the nozzle 12 is arranged; and a lower portion 24 for supporting the container C, which is substantially arranged below the nozzle 12.

[0039] According to the present invention, the recess 16 includes a nozzle protection body 26, which includes: a protection wall 28, which is arranged in the recess 16 and is located below the lower end 30 ( Figure 4 ) of the nozzle 12, and the shape and size of the protection wall 28 are set to at least partially surround the nozzle 12 to substantially prevent a user from moving the container C in the support 18 of the recess 16 in a manner that causes the container C to contact the nozzle 12, and / or prevent the user from touching the nozzle 12.

[0040] According to the present invention, the nozzle protection body 26 includes a beverage dispensing channel 32 for allowing the beverage to flow out from the nozzle 12 through the protection wall 28 into the lower portion 24 of the recess 16.

[0041] The recess 16 has a substantially conventional shape and will not be described in detail. The recess 16 includes a body 1 which preferably has an elongated shape and is provided with side walls 2, an upper wall 3 and a lower wall 4. Additionally, the support 18 provided in the lower part 24 of the recess has a conventional shape and will not be described in detail. The support 18 includes a collector element 5 which is shaped, for example, like a drawer and is configured to collect excess beverage that does not flow into the container, and the support is equipped with an outflow channel 6 for allowing the excess beverage to flow out of the recess 16.

[0042] The dimensions of the recess 16 are preferably set to allow the use of a conventional refillable bottle (e.g., of the type having a volume between 0.5 l and 1 l).

[0043] Preferably, the shape and dimensions of the recess 16 are set such that when the container C is inserted into the recess support 18, it completely surrounds the container C, except for a part of the container C facing the opening 20 which remains visible. The upper wall 3 also includes: common connecting elements 8, 9 for removably connecting the nozzle 12 to the upper wall 3; and / or a common supply member 11 for supplying beverage and / or its ingredients to the nozzle 12 through one or more of the pipes 14 ( Figure 1 ).

[0044] The recess 16 also includes a conventional connecting member for connecting the recess 16 to a common support provided in the wall 104 of a machine 100 for preparing and dispensing beverages, in particular to the door 105 of the machine 100.

[0045] Preferably, the dispensing unit 10 includes connecting members 34, 35 for removably connecting the nozzle protection body 26 to the recess 16 so as to allow the removal of the nozzle protection body 26 from the recess 16, thereby enabling the periodic cleaning of the nozzle protection body 26.

[0046] Preferably, the connecting members 34, 35 include a connecting element 34' which faces away from the protective wall surface 28A facing the nozzle 12. The connecting element 34' includes a head 37 which is shaped to be removably and slidably coupled in a corresponding guiding element 35' provided in the upper wall 3 of the recess 16, wherein when the head 37 and the corresponding guiding element 35' are coupled together, the nozzle protection body 26 is movably connected to the recess 16 and at least partially surrounds the nozzle 12 (as Figure 4 shown). Thus, the nozzle protection body 26 can only be removed from the recess 16 when the head 37 and the corresponding guiding element 35' are decoupled (as Figure 2 shown).

[0047] Preferably, the connecting members 34, 35 are bayonet coupling connecting members.

[0048] Preferably, the connecting element 34' is two cylindrical elements, and the head 37 is shaped to have a slit 37A provided below the upper part of the head 37, the slit reducing the lateral dimension of the head 37, while the guiding element 35' is two elongated through-holes having a first part 35A' and a second part 35B', the first part having a lateral dimension substantially the same as that of the head 37, and the second part having a lateral dimension substantially the same as the respective parts of the connecting element provided with the slit 37A.

[0049] Due to this shape of the connecting element 34' and the guiding element 35', the nozzle protection body 26 can be connected to the upper part 22 of the recess 16 by first inserting the upper part of the head 37 into the first part 35A' of the guiding element 35', the slit 37A engaging in the second part 35B' of the guiding element 35', and then pushing the nozzle protection body 26 towards the nozzle 12 until the head 37 reaches the end of the second part 35B' of the guiding element 35' (as Figure 3 shown).

[0050] Preferably, the connecting element 34' is provided with an end-stroke part 39 ( Figure 6 ), which serves as the end of the stroke of the head 37, such that when reaching the end of the stroke of the connecting element 34', the slit 37A' is correctly positioned at the second part 35B' of the guiding element 35'.

[0051] Preferably, the nozzle protection body 26 further includes a stabilizing element 40A, which is away from the protective wall surface 28A facing the nozzle 12 and is preferably positioned at the inner side 28B of the protective wall 28, which inner side remains closer to the inner surface 2A of the side wall 2 of the recess 16 that is farthest from the opening 20 of the recess 16 itself. The upper edge 40B of the stabilizing element 40A is adapted to contact and slide along the rear part of the flat inner surface 3B of the upper wall 3 of the recess body 1. The stabilizing element 40A prevents the protection body 26 from tilting when it is connected to or removed from its seat in the recess 16.

[0052] Preferably, the connecting members 34, 35 are bayonet coupling connecting members which are shaped such that the nozzle protection body 26 is allowed to move coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the recess 16 only in a first position of the two connecting members 34, 35 (i.e., for example when the head 37 is inserted into the first part 35A' of the guiding element 35'), and then the nozzle protection body 26 is allowed to move perpendicular to the longitudinal axis only when the two connecting members 34, 35 are in a second position (i.e., for example when the head 37 is inserted into the second part 35B' of the guiding element 35').

[0053] Preferably, the beverage dispensing passage 32 includes a through-hole 36 for the outflow of the beverage. The through-hole 36 is defined by a lower part 38 ( Figure 5 ) of the protective wall 28. The lower part 38 includes an outer surface 40 which faces the lower part 24 of the recess 16 and which includes a plurality of raised or recessed elements 42, which are shown here as concave recessed elements, for preventing a tight contact from occurring between the mouth C1 ( Figure 7 ) of the container C and the nozzle protection body 26 when the mouth C1 of the container C is pressed into contact with the outer surface 40, so as to ensure that the excess filling of the container C flows along the outside of the container C to the lower part 24 of the recess 16 and not to the nozzle 12.

[0054] The purpose of the recessed elements 42 is to prevent tightness in the case of direct contact between the mouth of the bottle and the nozzle cap. Thus, some water is allowed to pass through these recessed elements 42 and flow around the bottle, enabling the user to detect the presence of an overflow and that he should remove his bottle. In the absence of the recessed elements 42, tightness may occur between the mouth C1 of the container C and the nozzle protection body 26 and water can enter the interior of the nozzle cap without the user noticing the overflow.

[0055] Preferably, the outer surface 40 of the protective wall 28 is concave, with the concave surface facing the lower part 24 of the recess 16, and the through-hole 36 is provided at the bottom of the concave outer surface 40, so that the through-hole 36 is less visible to the user and prevents the user from touching the through-hole 36.

[0056] Preferably, the lower part 38 of the protective wall 28 includes a collector tray 44 which faces the nozzle 12 and is separated from the nozzle 12 for collecting any beverage overflows that may occur between the nozzle 12 and the protective wall 28. The collector tray 44 includes:

[0057] - a lower surface 46 which faces the nozzle 12;

[0058] - A first inner wall 48 that extends away from the inner surface 46, towards the nozzle 12 and includes an upper edge 50 that defines the through - hole 36; and

[0059] - A second inner wall 52 that extends away from the inner surface 46, towards the nozzle 12 and is disposed externally relative to the first inner wall 48.

[0060] The lower surface 46 is inclined towards the discharge channel 54 to discharge the beverage over - flow collected in the tray 44.

[0061] Preferably, the distance Z2 ( Figure 4 ) measured from the lower end 30 of the nozzle 12 to the upper edge 50 that defines the through - hole 36 for the outflow of the beverage is between 0.2 cm and 5 cm, and more preferably, the distance is between 0.5 cm and 3 cm. For example, when the mouth of the container C is squeezed into tight contact with the nozzle protection body 26 and the container C is over - filled, this spacing helps to prevent all or at least most of the beverage over - flow from reaching the nozzle 12.

[0062] Preferably, the through - hole 36 of the beverage distribution channel 32 is coaxial with the corresponding outflow opening 40C of the nozzle 12 (when the nozzle protection body 26 is connected to the recess 16), and is larger (by at least 10%) than the outflow opening 40C.

[0063] Preferably, the nozzle protection body 26 includes a locking member 56 that has a locking operation position (P1) and an unlocking operation position ( Figure 2 ) for allowing the removal of the nozzle protection body 26 from the recess 16 only when the locking member 56 is in the unlocking operation position. Preferably, the locking member 56 includes:

[0064] - A first fixing element 56A that is fixed to the nozzle protection body 26, for example, fixed at the inner surface 28A of the protection wall 28;

[0065] - A second fixing element 56C ( Figure 4 ) that is fixed to the recess 16; for example, the second fixing element 56C is a part of the upper wall 3 of the recess 1; and

[0066] - A movable element 56B that interacts with the first fixing element 56A and the second fixing element 56C and includes an operation part 56D that is used to move the movable element 56B within a first position (P1, Figure 4 ) and a second position, in the first position, the operation part prevents the removal of the nozzle protection body 26 from the recess 16,

[0067] in the second position, the operation part allows the removal.

[0068] For example, the movable element 56B is a pin having a shaped head 56E( Figure 2 ), which can be engaged with / disengaged from the seat 56F by, for example, rotating and / or pulling / pushing the pin in a suitably shaped seat 56F of the first fixed element 56A.

[0069] Preferably, the operating part 56D of the movable element 56B of the locking member 56 is located in the invisible inner part Z1 of the recess 16, preferably at the upper wall 3 of the recess 16 and at a position more internal relative to the recess opening 20.

[0070] Preferably, the protective wall 28 includes a gripping element 60, preferably a hollow and open part at the outer surface of the protective wall 28 (facing the lower part 24 of the recess 16) to facilitate the manipulation of the protective body 26.

[0071] Preferably, the protective wall 28 is substantially in the shape of a drawer and includes a front wall part 28C which is substantially perpendicular to the lower wall part 28D including the beverage dispensing channel 32.

[0072] In Figure 7 and Figure 8 , a machine 100 for preparing and dispensing beverages is shown, which machine includes: a main housing 101 provided with at least one front wall 102, wherein the main housing 101 encloses an internal volume V designed to accommodate at least one beverage preparation device 103, the at least one beverage preparation device being designed to prepare and dispense beverages; and a beverage dispensing unit 10 connected to the beverage preparation device 103. The beverage dispensing unit 10 is provided in the front wall 102 of the main housing 101.

[0073] According to the present invention, the beverage dispensing unit 10 is the beverage dispensing unit 10 as described above.

[0074] Preferably, the main housing 101 is provided with at least one side wall 114 and at least one opening 115 which defines a door compartment. Preferably, at least one front wall 102 is a door 116 which is provided with an outer surface Z3 accessible to the user of the machine 100 and an inner surface Z4 facing the internal volume V of the machine 100. Preferably, the door 116 is hinged to the main housing 101 of the machine 100 at a hinge axis A and is configured to close the door compartment when in the working configuration of the machine 100.

[0075] Preferably, the beverage dispensing unit 10 is connected to the door 116, and the opening 20 of the container C for the support 18 for insertion into the recess 16 is provided at the outer surface Z3 of the door 116. Preferably, the beverage dispensing unit 10 is fixed to the inner surface Z4 of the door in a manner common to those skilled in the art.

[0076] Advantageously, the pin 56B of the locking member 56 is provided in the part of the beverage dispensing unit 10 located in the inner surface Z4 of the door 116, such that this pin of the locking member can only move when the door 116 is open (as shown in Figure 8 ), and thus only a professional and not an ordinary user of the machine can access this pin 56B. Therefore, the nozzle protection body 26 cannot be moved by the user of the machine but only by a professional from its normal position where it is received in the recess 16 ( Figure 7 ).

[0077] In Figure 8 , the back of the beverage dispensing unit 10 is protected by a housing 10' fixed to the inner surface Z4 of the door 116.

[0078] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown above, it should be understood that the present invention as claimed is not limited in any way to these shown embodiments.

[0079] Various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. In addition, if there are known equivalents for specific features, such equivalents should be incorporated as if expressly mentioned in this specification.

[0080] As used in this specification, the words "comprising", "including" and similar words should not be construed as having an exclusive or exhaustive meaning. In other words, they are intended to mean "including, but not limited to".

[0081] List of part numbers

[0082] 10: Beverage dispensing unit;

[0083] 10': Housing of the beverage dispensing unit;

[0084] 12: Nozzle;

[0085] 14: Pipe;

[0086] 16: Recess;

[0087] 18: Recess support;

[0088] 20: Recess opening;

[0089] 22: Upper part of the recess;

[0090] 24: Lower part of the recess;

[0091] 26: Nozzle protection body;

[0092] 28: Protection wall of the nozzle protection body;

[0093] 28A: Surface of the protection wall;

[0094] 28B: Inner side of the protection wall;

[0095] 28C: Front part of the protection wall;

[0096] 28D: Lower part of the protection wall;

[0097] 30: Lower end of the nozzle;

[0098] 32: Beverage dispensing channel of the nozzle protection body;

[0099] 34, 35: Connecting members of the dispensing unit;

[0100] 34’: Connecting element of the connecting member;

[0101] 35’: Guiding element of the connecting member;

[0102] 35A’: First part of the guiding element;

[0103] 35B’: Second part of the guiding element;

[0104] 36: Through hole;

[0105] 37: Head of the connecting element;

[0106] 37A: Slit of the head;

[0107] 38: Lower part of the protection wall;

[0108] 39: End stroke part of the connecting element;

[0109] 40: Outer surface of the lower part of the protection wall;

[0110] 40A: Stabilizing element of the nozzle protection body;

[0111] 40B: Upper edge of the stabilizing element;

[0112] 40C: Outlet opening of the nozzle;

[0113] 42: Protruding or recessed element;

[0114] 44: Collector tray;

[0115] 46: Lower surface of the collector tray;

[0116] 48: The first inner wall of the collector tray;

[0117] 50: The upper edge of the first inner wall;

[0118] 52: The second inner wall of the collector tray;

[0119] 54: The discharge channel;

[0120] 56: The locking member of the nozzle protection body;

[0121] 56A: The first fixing element of the locking member;

[0122] 56B: The movable element of the locking member;

[0123] 56C: The second fixing element of the locking member;

[0124] 56D: The operating part of the movable element;

[0125] 56E: The forming head of the movable element;

[0126] 56F: The support of the first fixing element;

[0127] 60: The gripping element of the protection wall;

[0128] 1: The recess body;

[0129] 2: The recess side wall;

[0130] 2A: The inner surface of the side wall;

[0131] 3: The recess upper wall;

[0132] 3B: The flat inner surface of the upper wall;

[0133] 4: The recess lower wall;

[0134] 5: The collector element of the support;

[0135] 6: The outflow channel of the support;

[0136] 8, 9: The connecting elements of the recess upper wall;

[0137] 11: The supply member of the recess upper wall;

[0138] 100: The beverage dispensing machine;

[0139] 101: The main housing of the machine;

[0140] 102: The front wall of the machine;

[0141] 103: The beverage preparation device;

[0142] 104: The machine wall;

[0143] 105: Machine door;

[0144] 114: Side wall of the main housing;

[0145] 115: Opening of the main housing;

[0146] 116: Machine door;

[0147] A: Hinge axis of the door;

[0148] C: Container;

[0149] C1: Mouth of the container;

[0150] V: Internal volume of the main housing;

[0151] Z1: Interior of the alcove;

[0152] Z2: Distance to the upper edge of the first inner wall;

[0153] Z3: Outer surface of the door;

[0154] Z4: Inner surface of the door.

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing unit (10) for a machine (100) for preparing and dispensing beverages, the beverage dispensing unit (10) comprising: - A nozzle (12) connected to a pipe (14) through which the beverage and / or ingredients for making the beverage flow; - A recess (16) defining a support (18) for holding a container (C); The beverage and / or the ingredients for making the beverage dispensed through the nozzle (12) flow into the container (C); The recess (16) comprises: - An opening (20) for inserting the container (C) into the support (18); - An upper part (22) in which the nozzle (12) is at least partially disposed; - A lower part (24) for supporting the container (C), the lower part being substantially disposed below the nozzle (12); Wherein the recess (16) comprises a nozzle protection body (26), the nozzle protection body comprising: a) A protection wall (28) disposed in the recess (16) and below the lower end (30) of the nozzle (12), the shape and size of the protection wall (28) being configured to substantially prevent a user from moving the container (C) in the support (18) in a manner such that the container (C) contacts the nozzle (12), and / or prevent the user from touching the nozzle (12); b) A beverage dispensing channel (32) for allowing the beverage to flow from the nozzle (12) through the protection wall (28) into the lower part (24) of the recess (16); Wherein a lower part (38) of the protection wall (28) comprises an outer surface (40) facing the lower part (24) of the recess (16), the outer surface (40) comprising a plurality of raised or recessed elements (42) for preventing close contact between the mouth (C1) of the container (C) and the nozzle protection body (26) when the mouth (C1) of the container (C) is pressed into contact with the outer surface (40), thereby ensuring that excess filling of the container (C) flows along the outside of the container (C) into the lower part (24) of the recess (16) rather than towards the nozzle (12).

2. The beverage dispensing unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the beverage dispensing unit comprises: - Connecting members (34, 35) for removably connecting the nozzle protection body (26) to the recess (16) to allow removal of the nozzle protection body (26) from the recess (16) so that the nozzle protection body (26) can be periodically cleaned.

3. The beverage dispensing unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the beverage dispensing channel (32) includes a through-hole (36) for allowing the beverage to flow out, and the through-hole (36) is defined by the lower portion (38) of the protective wall (28).

4. The beverage dispensing unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower portion (38) of the protective wall (28) includes a first outer surface (40) facing the lower portion (24) of the recess (16), wherein the first outer surface (40) is concave, with the concave surface facing the lower portion (24) of the recess (16), and wherein the through-hole (36) is provided at the bottom of the concave first outer surface (40), so that the through-hole (36) is less visible to the user and prevents the user from touching the through-hole.

5. The beverage dispensing unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lower portion (38) of the protective wall (28) includes a collector tray (44) facing the nozzle (12) and separated from the nozzle (12) for collecting any beverage overflows that may occur between the nozzle (12) and the protective wall (28), wherein the collector tray (44) includes: - a lower surface (46) facing the nozzle (12), - a first inner wall (48) extending away from the inner surface (46) and towards the nozzle (12) and including an upper edge (50) defining the through-hole (36), and - a second inner wall (52) extending away from the inner surface (46) and towards the nozzle (12) and disposed externally relative to the first inner wall (48).

6. The beverage dispensing unit (10) according to claim 5, wherein the lower surface (46) is inclined towards a discharge channel (54) to discharge the collected beverage overflows.

7. The beverage dispensing unit (10) according to claim 2, wherein the beverage dispensing unit includes a locking member (56) having a locked operating position and an unlocked operating position for allowing removal of the nozzle protection body (26) from the recess (16) only when the locking member (56) is in the unlocked operating position, wherein the locking member (56) includes: - a first fixing element (56A) fixed to the nozzle protection body (26), - a second fixing element (56C) fixed to the recess (16), and - A movable element (56B) that interacts with the first fixed element (56A) and the second fixed element (56C) and includes an operating portion (56D) for moving the movable element (56B) within a first position and a second position. In the first position, the operating portion prevents the removal of the nozzle protection body (26) from the recess (16). In the second position, the operating portion allows the removal.

8. The beverage dispensing unit (10) according to claim 7, wherein the operating portion (56D) is positioned inside (Z1) the recess (16), which is not visible to the user.

9. The beverage dispensing unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the protective wall (28) includes a gripping element (60), preferably a hollow and open portion at the bottom, to facilitate the manipulation of the protection body (26).

10. The beverage dispensing unit (10) according to claim 2, wherein the connecting member (34, 35) for removably connecting the nozzle protection body (26) to the recess (16) comprises a connecting element (34'), the connecting element facing away from the protection wall surface (28A) facing the nozzle (12) and comprising a head (37), the head being configured to be removably and slidably coupled in a respective guiding element (35'), the respective guiding element being provided in the upper wall (3) of the recess (16), wherein, When the head (37) and the guiding element (35’) are coupled together, the nozzle protection body (26) is movably connected to the recess (16) and at least partially surrounds the nozzle (12), and the nozzle protection body (26) can only be removed from the recess (16) when the head (37) and the guiding element (35’) are decoupled.

11. The beverage dispensing unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the protective wall (28) substantially has the shape of a drawer and includes a front wall portion (28C) that is substantially perpendicular to the lower wall portion (28D) including the beverage dispensing channel (32).

12. The beverage dispensing unit (10) according to claim 3, wherein the through hole (36) for the beverage to flow out is defined by an upper edge (50), and the distance (Z2) between the upper edge (50) and the lower end (30) of the nozzle (12) is between 0.2 cm and 5 cm, and more preferably between 0.5 cm and 3 cm.

13. A machine (100) for preparing and dispensing beverages, the machine comprising: - A main housing (101) provided with at least one front wall (102), wherein the main housing (101) encloses an internal volume (V) designed to accommodate at least one beverage preparation device (103) that is designed to prepare and dispense beverages; and - A beverage dispensing unit (10) connected to the beverage preparation device (103), wherein the beverage dispensing unit is provided at the front wall (102), and wherein the beverage dispensing unit (10) is the beverage dispensing unit according to one or more of claims 1 to 12.

14. The machine (100) according to claim 13, wherein the main housing (101) is provided with at least one side wall (114) and at least one opening that defines a door compartment. - wherein the at least one front wall (102) is a door (116) having an outer surface (Z3) and an inner surface (Z4) facing the interior volume (V) of the machine (100), wherein the door (116) is hinged to the main housing (101) at a hinge axis (A) and is configured to close the door compartment when in the operating configuration of the machine (100); - wherein the beverage dispensing unit (10) is connected to the door (116), and an opening (20) of a container (C) for a support (18) for insertion into the recess (16) is provided in the outer surface (Z3) of the door (116).

Images