Beverage dispensing machine

Abstract

This beverage dispensing machine includes a beverage dispensing head (18) whose position relative to a container receiving area is adjustable, and a receiving structure (29) for the dispensing head (18) comprising first (42) and second (44) slides adapted to interact with respective lateral sides (46, 48) of the dispensing head (18) to form first (52) and second (54) slide connections, respectively. According to the invention, the receiving structure (29) also includes a third slide (56), positioned between the first (42) and second (44) slides and adapted to interact with the dispensing head (18) to form a third slide connection (60). The third slide (56) is located along the longitudinal axis closer to the receiving area than the first (42) and second (44) slides. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Beverage dispensing machine technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of beverage distribution machines, and in particular coffee machines, comprising a container receiving area and a beverage distribution head whose position relative to the receiving area is adjustable in height between a high position and a low position. State of the art

[0002] CN105326397 is known to be a coffee machine equipped with a coffee dispensing head whose height relative to the container receiving area is adjustable. The dispensing head is height-adjustable via two sliding joints formed between the dispensing head and a frame of the coffee machine. The dispensing head also includes axial stops designed to cooperate with elements of the frame to limit the height adjustment travel of the dispensing head.

[0003] Such a coffee machine makes it easy to adapt the height of the dispensing head to the height of the container.

[0004] However, in such a machine, the attachment of the distribution head to the frame, particularly when in the lowered position, is not robust. Indeed, there is a risk that during handling of the distribution head, it may pivot, tip over, and / or derail. Furthermore, the possible height adjustment range of the distribution head is reduced. This is because the gap between the axial stops and the frame elements designed to cooperate with said stops to limit the height adjustment range of the distribution head is reduced. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0006] The technical problem underlying the invention consists of proposing a beverage distribution machine having a height-adjustable beverage distribution head whose attachment to the frame and height adjustment stroke are improved.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a beverage dispensing machine comprising: - a structure designed to house a beverage preparation unit and defining a container receiving area; and - a beverage dispensing head whose position relative to the receiving area, along a longitudinal axis of movement of the dispensing head, is adjustable between a high and a low position, the frame including a distribution head receiving structure comprising a first and a second slides designed to interact with a respective lateral side of the distribution head to form a first respectively second slide linkage.

[0008] According to the invention, the receiving structure also includes a third slide, positioned between the first and second slides along a transverse axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the third slide being adapted to interact with the distribution head to form a third slide link, the third slide being along the longitudinal axis closer to the receiving area than the first and second slides.

[0009] Thanks to the invention, the dispensing head's mounting and adjustment range are improved. The third slide provides optimized mounting compared to a solution with two slides. Furthermore, the positioning of the third slide ensures effective mounting even when the dispensing head is in its lowest position. This reduces the risk of the dispensing head pivoting, tipping, or derailing. Moreover, the third slide, particularly its position relative to the first and second slides, allows for an optimized height adjustment range. As a result, the beverage dispensing machine is suitable for a wider range of container heights, and the user experience is improved. Finally, this arrangement also maximizes the available space in the receiving area, particularly for larger containers.

[0010] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a beverage dispensing machine may incorporate one or more of the following features, taken in any technically permissible combination.

[0011] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the distribution head comprises - on a first lateral side, a first ridge for attaching to the first slide, the first ridge for attaching and the first slide forming the first slide connection, - on a second lateral side, a second attachment point for the second slide, the second attachment point and the second slide forming the second slide connection, and - on a central part, a third attachment relief to the third slide, the third attachment relief and the third slide forming the third slide connection.

[0012] Such an arrangement makes it possible to ensure the fixing of the distribution head to the slides in order to ensure its mobility along the longitudinal axis.

[0013] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the first, second and The third grip reliefs are formed by grooves preferentially having a U-shaped cross-section, and the first, second and third slides include ribs designed to be received in the corresponding grooves.

[0014] Such an arrangement makes it possible to ensure both support and optimized sliding of the distribution head relative to the frame.

[0015] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the dispensing head comprises a beverage dispensing body defining at least one beverage circulation channel and advantageously provided with two beverage outlets, the dispensing body also comprising the first, second and third hook reliefs, and the dispensing head comprises an adjustment member for the position of the dispensing head relative to the receiving area along the longitudinal axis, the adjustment member being adapted to be fixed to the dispensing body and comprising a gripping area adapted to be grasped by a user so that the user can adjust the position of the dispensing head between the high and low positions.

[0016] Such an arrangement allows for two different parts to respectively ensure the distribution of the beverage and the translation of the dispensing head and the adjustment of the position of the dispensing head by the user. Thus, each part can have a design and material optimized according to its function.

[0017] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the receiving structure comprises a front wall and a rear wall delimiting a receiving space for the distribution head, the adjusting member comprises at least one friction member against the front wall and the distribution head comprises for each friction member a retaining element for the distribution body in position along the longitudinal axis, each retaining element being suitable for exerting a retaining force on the corresponding friction member to keep the friction member in contact with the front wall.

[0018] Such an arrangement allows the position of the distribution head relative to the receiving area to be easily and robustly adjusted over time and allows the distribution head to be immobilized in the position set by the user using the adjustment element.

[0019] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the receiving structure comprises a front wall and a rear wall delimiting a receiving space for the distribution head, the first, second and third slides extending from the rear wall.

[0020] Such a configuration makes it possible to simplify the integration of the distribution head into the frame and to ensure external cladding of the distribution head and in particular of a functional part of the distribution head.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the third slide extends perpendicularly to the rear wall and the first and second slides extend parallel to the rear wall.

[0022] Such an arrangement makes it possible to minimize the bulk of the distribution head and to free up the receiving area as much as possible to accommodate a large container in particular.

[0023] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the distribution head includes an upper stop adapted to interact with a bottom of a slot formed in the front wall when the distribution head is in the lower position to prevent the distribution head from moving downwards beyond the lower position.

[0024] Such a configuration makes it possible to limit the downward adjustment stroke of the distribution head effectively and thus prevent its derailment relative to the slides.

[0025] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the third slide comprises a lower portion located below the first and second slides, and an upper portion located opposite a lower part of the first and second slides along the transverse axis.

[0026] Such an arrangement ensures that even in the high position of the distribution head the third slide is always in contact with the distribution head and the latter cannot derail relative to the third slide.

[0027] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the distribution head includes a first and a second lower stops adapted to interact respectively with a lower end of the first slide and a lower end of the second slide when the distribution head is in the high position to prevent the distribution head from moving upwards beyond the high position.

[0028] Such a configuration effectively limits the upward adjustment travel of the distributor head, thus preventing it from derailing relative to the slides. Furthermore, this arrangement ensures that the distributor head conceals the third slide even when the distributor head is in its raised position.

[0029] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the third gripping relief extends from a lower side of the distribution head and the first and second gripping reliefs extend from an upper side of the distribution head.

[0030] Such an arrangement ensures that the upper part of the distribution head is held in place relative to the frame primarily by the first and second slides, and that the lower part of the distribution head is held in place relative to the frame primarily by the third slide. Furthermore, such an arrangement allows the distribution head to conceal the third slide even when the distribution head- tribution is in a high position.

[0031] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the length of the upper portion is between 2% and 20% of the length of the first or second slide.

[0032] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, each retaining element is positioned between the distribution body and the friction member.

[0033] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the adjustment member comprises a front face adapted to be positioned opposite the front wall and in that each friction member is adapted to be fixed to the front face so as to be movable relative to the front face along an axis perpendicular to the front wall under the effect of the holding force applied by the holding element on the corresponding friction member.

[0034] Such an arrangement makes it possible to guarantee optimized friction of each friction element and thus to effectively maintain the positioning of the distribution head along the longitudinal axis once it has been adjusted by the user.

[0035] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, each friction member comprises an upper end connected to an upper edge of the front face and in that the front face comprises a continuous recess along lateral edges and a lower edge of the friction member.

[0036] Such an arrangement ensures that each friction element moves relative to the front face under the effect of the corresponding retaining element. This effectively maintains the positioning of the distribution head along the longitudinal axis once it has been adjusted by the user and allows the distribution head to move when the user manipulates the adjustment element.

[0037] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the adjusting member comprises two friction members located on either side of a central axis of the adjusting member.

[0038] Such an arrangement makes it possible to guarantee the robustness over time of the machine and in particular of the adjustment of the positioning of the distribution head.

[0039] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the adjusting member defines a receiving housing for the distribution body and includes two side walls originating from the front face adapted to cooperate with respectively an outer lateral edge of the first slide and an outer lateral edge of the second slide.

[0040] Such an arrangement makes it easier to guide the distribution head along the slides.

[0041] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the beverage dispensing machine is a coffee machine. Brief description of the figures

[0042] The objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0043] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage distribution machine and in particular of a coffee machine according to an embodiment of the invention comprising in particular a frame and a beverage distribution head;

[0044] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the distribution head and a front face of the frame of Fig. 1, an external casing of the frame being omitted;

[0045] [Fig.3] is an exploded view of the distribution head and the front face of the frame of [Fig.2];

[0046] The [Fig.4] is a partial top view of the distribution head and the front face of the frame of the [Fig.2];

[0047] Fig. 5 is a partial rear perspective view of the distribution head and the front face of the frame of Fig. 2;

[0048] Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of a distributor head position adjustment element belonging to the distributor head of figures 1 to 5.

[0049] Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of a beverage distribution body belonging to the distribution head of Figures 1 to 5.

[0050] The [Fig.8] is a partial cross-sectional view along the vertical cutting plane along line VIII-VIII of the distribution head and the front face of the frame of the [Fig.2].

[0051] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading the drawings, the same elements bear the same reference numerals from one figure to another.

[0052] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "transverse", used to describe the beverage distribution machine refer to this device in a situation of use, when it rests flat on a work surface.

[0053] Furthermore, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" or "inlet" and "outlet" are defined according to the direction of flow of the beverage in the beverage distribution machine.

[0054] The terms "external" and "internal," as well as the terms "outside" and "inside," are defined with respect to a central axis of the beverage dispensing machine. Thus, an internal portion / part will be closer to the central axis than an external portion / part.

[0055] The beverage dispensing machine shown in [Fig. 1] is a coffee machine 10. Alternatively, the beverage dispensing machine is a filtered and / or carbonated water dispensing machine or a tea dispensing machine.

[0056] The coffee machine 10 is advantageously an automatic coffee machine.

[0057] The coffee machine 10 comprises a frame 12 equipped with an external casing 14 and a reception area 16 of a container or receptacle on which a container / receptacle, not shown, may be placed.

[0058] The coffee machine 10 also includes a beverage dispensing head 18 whose position relative to the receiving area 16 along a longitudinal axis Z of movement of the dispensing head 18 is adjustable between a high position and a low position. In the various figures, the beverage dispensing head 18 is in the high position.

[0059] The longitudinal axis Z extends in a vertical direction.

[0060] The coffee machine 10 defines a central axis Z10 passing through a center of the machine and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis Z.

[0061] The coffee machine 10 advantageously includes a human machine interface 20 through which a user can select a type of beverage to be dispensed and advantageously enter settings for the coffee machine 10.

[0062] The coffee machine 10 also includes a beverage preparation unit, not shown, integrated into the frame 12.

[0063] The preparation unit includes a control circuit to manage the preparation of a beverage from the instructions given by the user.

[0064] The preparation unit also includes a boiler producing hot water and / or steam and a tank forming a reserve of cold water. The tank supplies the boiler to produce hot water and / or steam.

[0065] The preparation unit includes a 24-liter coffee bean reservoir, an automatic bean grinder and a brewing chamber designed to receive the ground coffee beans and to be supplied with hot water by the boiler.

[0066] The infusion chamber is fluidly connected to the dispensing head 18 so that the machine 10 is suitable for dispensing a coffee-based beverage.

[0067] For this purpose, the coffee machine includes a flexible coffee distribution conduit 25 and a beverage delivery element 26 to the distribution head 18 shown in Figures 3 and 8. The flexible conduit 25 fluidly connects the brewing chamber to the beverage delivery element 26. The beverage delivery element 26 is fixed to the frame and includes in particular a tube 27 extending along the longitudinal axis Z and adapted to distribute the beverage to the distribution head 18.

[0068] The frame 12 defines the receiving area 16 of the container. The frame 12 has an overall rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0069] The frame 12 includes a front face 28 shown in figures 2 and 3 on which the external casing 14 of the frame 12 is omitted.

[0070] The frame 12 and in particular its front face 28 includes a receiving structure 29 for the distribution head 18.

[0071] The receiving structure 29 defines a receiving space 30 for the distribution head 18. More specifically, the receiving structure 29 comprises a front wall 31, a rear wall 32 and two side walls 34, 36 delimiting the receiving space 30 for the distribution head 18.

[0072] Advantageously, and as shown in [Fig.5], the rear wall 32 is open to facilitate the installation of the distribution head 18 in the receiving structure 29 and to allow the passage of the flexible conduit 25.

[0073] As seen in [Fig.4], the receiving structure 29 comprises a first 42 and a second 44 slides adapted to interact with a lateral side 46, 48 respectively of the distribution head to form a first 52 respectively second 54 slide links.

[0074] The receiving structure 29 also includes a third slide, 56 positioned between the first 42 and second 44 slides along a transverse axis Y substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z.

[0075] The third slide 56 is adapted to interact with the distribution head 18 to form a third slide link 60.

[0076] The third slide 56 is along the longitudinal axis Z closer to the receiving area 16 than the first 42 and the second 44 slides.

[0077] The first 42, second 44 and third 56 slides extend parallel to the longitudinal axis Z and include, for example, ribs.

[0078] The first 42, second 44 and third 56 slides extend from the rear wall 32, that is to say they are attached to the rear wall 32.

[0079] More specifically, the third slide 56 extends from the rear wall perpendicularly to the rear wall 32 and the first 42 and second 44 slides extend from the rear wall parallel to the rear wall 32.

[0080] The first 42 and second 44 slides are attached to the rear wall 32 via connecting links 62, 64 extending between the rear wall 32 and the corresponding slide 42, 44. Each connecting link 62, 64 comprises at least one component extending perpendicularly forward from the rear wall 32.

[0081] The first 42 and second 44 slides are located opposite each other along the transverse axis Y and extend over a similar height.

[0082] The third slide 56 is positioned equidistant from the first 42 and the second 44 slides along the transverse axis Y.

[0083] The third slide 56 includes a lower portion 56A located below the first 42 and second 44 slides, and an upper portion 56B located opposite a lower part 42A, 44A of the first and second slides along the transverse axis Y.

[0084] The length of the upper portion 56B along the longitudinal axis Z is advantageously between 2% and 20% of the length of the first 42 or the second 44 slides.

[0085] The length of the lower portion 56A along the longitudinal axis Z is advantageously between 20% and 50% of the length of the first 42 or the second 44 slides.

[0086] Advantageously the length of the third slide 56 along the longitudinal axis Z is between 15% and 50% of the length of the first 42 or the second 44 slides.

[0087] Such an arrangement of the slides 42, 44, 56 allows the receiving area 16 to be freed up to the maximum to accommodate a large container in particular.

[0088] As shown in [Fig. 1], the receiving area 16 is formed by a drip tray 66 on which a support 68 is positioned to receive the container. The support 68 includes through openings 69 to allow the flow of beverage received on the support 68 into the drip tray 66.

[0089] The beverage distribution head 18 includes a beverage distribution body 70 visible in [Fig.7] defining at least one beverage circulation channel 72 and advantageously provided with two beverage outlets 74, 76.

[0090] As shown in [Fig.8], the beverage outlets 74, 76 are suitable for being supplied with beverage via the beverage supply member 26 and in particular the tube 27 which is suitable for distributing the beverage in the vicinity of the beverage outlets 74, 76. The beverage supply member 26 is advantageously suitable for being fixed to the receiving structure 29.

[0091] The beverage dispensing head 18 also includes an adjustment element 78 for the position of the dispensing head 18 relative to the receiving area 16 along the longitudinal axis Z.

[0092] The beverage dispensing head 18 comprises: - on the first lateral side 46, a first attachment relief 90 to the first slide 42, - on the second lateral side 48, a second gripping relief 92 to the second slide 44, and - on a central part 93, a third attachment relief 94 to the third slide 56.

[0093] The first gripping relief 90 and the first slide 42 together form the first slide connection 52, while the second gripping relief 92 and the second slide 44 together form the second slide link 54 and the third grip relief 94 and the third slide 56 together form the third slide link 60.

[0094] As shown in [Fig.7], the first 90 and second 92 gripping reliefs are preferably positioned on a respective lateral side 70A, 70B of the beverage distribution body 70 and the third gripping relief 94 is preferably positioned on a central part 96 of the beverage distribution body and in particular on a rear face 98 of the distribution body 70.

[0095] The first 90, second 92 and third 94 grip reliefs are formed by grooves preferentially having a U-shaped cross-section. The ribs forming the slides 42, 44, 56 are suitable for being received in the corresponding grooves.

[0096] Alternatively, the grooves are replaced by ribs and vice versa.

[0097] the third gripping relief 94 extends from a lower side 70C of the distribution body 70 and the first 90 and second 92 gripping reliefs extend from an upper side 70D of the distribution body 70.

[0098] In other words, the third gripping relief 94 opens onto the lower side 70C and the first 90 and second 92 gripping reliefs open onto the upper side 70D.

[0099] Thus the beverage distribution body 70 forms a mobile carriage along the slides 42, 44, 56 allowing the movement of the beverage distribution head 18 along the longitudinal axis Z.

[0100] Such an arrangement of the distribution body 70 in relation to the frame 12 allows, via the interaction of the slides 42, 44, 56 and the hook reliefs 90, 92, 94, to obtain a distribution head 18 whose height adjustment by the user is simplified and whose fixing to the frame 12 is optimized.

[0101] Furthermore, the positioning of the third sliding link 60 allows for an optimized height adjustment range while ensuring effective attachment of the dispensing head 18 to the frame 12, even when the dispensing head is in the lowered position. This reduces the risk of the dispensing head 18 pivoting, tipping, and / or derailing. As a result, the beverage dispensing machine is suitable for a wider range of container heights and the user experience is improved.

[0102] In addition, the relative positioning of the slides 42, 44, 56 and the gripping reliefs 90, 92, 94 ensures the retention of an upper part of the distribution head 18 relative to the frame 12 essentially via the first and second slides 42, 44 and the retention of an lower part of the distribution head 18 relative to the frame 12 essentially via the third slide 56.

[0103] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the distribution head 18 also includes a stop upper 100 suitable for interacting with a bottom 102 of a slot 104 formed in the front wall 31 when the distribution head 18 is in the lower position to prevent the distribution head 18 from moving downwards beyond the lower position.

[0104] Advantageously, the upper stop 100 is formed on the adjusting member 78 and in particular on a front face 106 of the adjusting member 78 visible in [Fig.6].

[0105] The distribution head 18 also includes a first 110 and a second 112 lower stops adapted to interact respectively with a lower end, not shown, of the first slide 42 and a lower end 116 of the second slide 44 when the distribution head 18 is in the high position to prevent the distribution head 18 from moving upwards beyond the high position (see [Fig.8]).

[0106] As seen in [Fig.7], the lower stops 110, 112 are preferably formed on the rear face 98 of the distribution body 70.

[0107] Such an arrangement of the lower stops 110, 112 and the slides 42, 44, 56 ensures that even in the high position of the distribution head 18 the third slide 56 is always in contact with the distribution head 18 and the latter cannot derail relative to the third slide 56.

[0108] The adjustment member 78 is shown in [Fig.6] and includes a gripping area 118 suitable for being grasped by a user so that the user can adjust the position of the distribution head 18 between the high and low positions.

[0109] The adjusting member 78 is suitable for being fixed to the distribution body 70.

[0110] The adjusting element 78 includes, in particular, on a rear face 119 two housings, not visible in the figures, designed to receive fixing pins 124, 126 formed on a front face 128 of the distribution body 70 (see [Fig. 3]). Each housing forms a fixing element of the adjusting member 78 to the distribution body 70.

[0111] The adjusting member 78 includes at least one friction member 130, 132 against the front wall 31. Each friction member 130, 132 is suitable for rubbing against a rear face of the front wall 31.

[0112] More specifically and as shown in the figures, the adjusting member 78 comprises two friction members 130, 132 located on either side of a central axis Z78 of the adjusting member 78 parallel to the longitudinal axis Z when the distribution head is installed in the receiving space 30.

[0113] The distribution head 18 includes for each friction member 130, 132 a retaining element 134, 136 of the distribution body 70 in position along the longitudinal axis Z.

[0114] Each retaining element 134, 136 is, for example, a spring and is designed to exert a retaining force F on the corresponding friction member 130, 132 to keep the friction element 130, 132 in contact with the front wall 31 and in particular the rear face of the front wall 31.

[0115] Each retaining element 134, 136 is positioned between the distribution body 70 and the corresponding friction member 130, 132. Each retaining element 134, 136 is designed to exert the corresponding retaining force F so as to maintain the corresponding friction member 130, 132 in contact with the front wall 31 and the distribution body 70 in contact with the rear wall 32, and in particular the first 42 or the second slide 44.

[0116] Thus each retaining element 134, 136 allows, by its interaction with the distribution body 70 and the friction members 130, 132, to wedge the distribution head 18 in the receiving structure 29 at a determined position along the longitudinal axis Z once the user no longer applies any displacement force to the head 18 on the gripping area 118.

[0117] As shown in [Fig.6], each friction member 130, 132 is suitable for being fixed to the front facade 106 so as to be movable relative to the front facade 106 along an axis perpendicular to the front wall 31 under the effect of the holding force F applied by the corresponding holding element 134, 136 on the friction member 130, 132.

[0118] More specifically, each friction member 130, 132 comprises an upper end 130A, 132A connected to an upper edge 106A of the front face 106 and the front face 106 comprises a continuous recess 138, 140 along lateral edges and a lower edge of the friction member 130, 132.

[0119] Each friction member 130, 132 forms a friction / braking pad against the rear face of the front wall 31.

[0120] As seen in [Fig.5], each friction member 130, 132 also includes an axial projection 142, 144 oriented towards the rear wall 32.

[0121] Each friction member 130, 132 is positioned at the level of an upper part of the front facade 106 and advantageously extends from the upper edge 106A of the front facade 106.

[0122] Each retaining element 134, 136 comprises a first end positioned around the corresponding axial projection 142, 144 and bearing against a rear face of the friction member 130, 132 and a second end bearing against the distribution body 70.

[0123] The adjustment element 78 therefore has a simplified structure and, with the help of the retaining elements 134, 136, allows the user to easily and robustly adjust the height of the distribution head 18 relative to the receiving area 16 over time.

[0124] Advantageously, as shown in [Fig. 8], the adjusting member 78 comprises a first monobloc piece 148 forming the front face and each friction element 130, 132 and a second monobloc piece 150 suitable for being fixed to the first piece 148 and forming a trim piece for the first piece.

[0125] The first part 148 is preferably made of a different material from that of the second part 150. The second part 150 defines a contour of the gripping area 118 of the adjustment member by the user.

[0126] Advantageously, as seen in [Fig.4], the adjusting member 78 defines a housing 152 for receiving the distribution body 70 and comprises two side walls 154, 156 originating from the front face 106 and extending rearward, adapted to cooperate with respectively an outer side edge 158 of the first slide 42 and an outer side edge 160 of the second slide 44. The front face 106 and the side walls 154, 156 delimit the housing 152.

[0127] Such an arrangement makes it easier to guide the distribution head along the slides 42, 44.

[0128] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1.

2.

3. Demands Beverage dispensing machine (10) comprising: - a frame (12) designed to house a beverage preparation unit and defining a receiving area (16) for a container; and - a beverage dispensing head (18) whose position relative to the receiving area (16) along a longitudinal axis (Z) of movement of the dispensing head (18) is adjustable between a high position and a low position, the frame (12) comprising a receiving structure (29) for the distribution head (18) comprising a first (42) and a second (44) slides adapted to interact with a respective lateral side (46, 48) of the distribution head (18) to form a first (52) respectively second (54) slide links, characterized in that the receiving structure (29) also comprises a third slide (56), positioned between the first (42) and second (44) slides along a transverse axis (Y) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Z), the third slide (56) being adapted to interact with the distribution head (18) to form a third slide link (60), the third slide (56) being along the longitudinal axis (Z) closer to the receiving area (16) than the first (42) and the second (44) slides. Beverage dispensing machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the dispensing head (18) comprises: - on a first lateral side (46), a first gripping relief (90) to the first slide (42), the first gripping relief (90) and the first slide (42) forming the first slide connection (52), - on a second lateral side (48), a second hook relief (92) to the second slide (44), the second hook relief (92) and the second slide (44) forming the second slide connection (54), and - on a central part (93), a third hook relief (94) to the third slide (56), the third hook relief (94) and the third slide (56) forming the third slide connection (60). Beverage dispensing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the first (90), second (92) and third (94) reliefs The grips are formed by grooves preferentially having a U-shaped cross-section, and in that the first (42) second (44) and third (56) slides include ribs suitable for being received in the corresponding grooves (90, 92, 94).

4. Beverage dispensing machine according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the dispensing head (18) comprises a beverage dispensing body (70) defining at least one beverage circulation channel (72) and advantageously provided with two beverage outlets (74, 76), the dispensing body (70) also comprising the first (90), second (92) and third (94) gripping reliefs, and in that the dispensing head (18) comprises an adjustment member (78) for the position of the dispensing head (18) relative to the receiving area (16) along the longitudinal axis (Z), the adjustment member (78) being adapted to be fixed to the dispensing body (70) and comprising a gripping area (118) adapted to be grasped by a user so that the user can adjust the position of the dispensing head (18) between the high and low positions.

5. Beverage dispensing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the receiving structure (29) comprises a front wall (31) and a rear wall (32) delimiting a receiving space (30) for the dispensing head, in that the adjusting member comprises at least one friction member (130, 132) against the front wall (31) and in that the dispensing head (18) comprises for each friction member (130, 132) a retaining element (134, 136) of the dispensing body (70) in position along the longitudinal axis (Z), each retaining element (134, 136) being suitable for exerting a holding force (F) on the corresponding friction member (130, 132) to maintain the friction member (130, 132) in contact with the front wall (31).

6. Beverage dispensing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving structure (29) comprises a front wall (31) and a rear wall (32) delimiting a receiving space (30) for the dispensing head (18), the first (42), second (44) and third (56) slides extending from the rear wall (32).

7. Beverage dispensing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the third slide (56) extends perpendicularly to the rear wall (32) and in that the first (42) and second (44) slides extend parallel to the rear wall (32).

8. Beverage dispensing machine according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the dispensing head includes an upper stop (100) adapted to interact with a bottom (102) of a slot (104) formed in the front wall (31) when the dispensing head (18) is in the lower position to prevent downward movement of the dispensing head (18) beyond the lower position.

9. Beverage dispensing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third slide (56) comprises a lower portion (56A) located below the first (42) and second (44) slides, and an upper portion (56B) located opposite a lower part (42A, 44A) of the first and second slides along the transverse axis (Y).

10. Beverage dispensing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing head (18) comprises a first (110) and a second (112) lower stops adapted to interact respectively with a lower end of the first slide and a lower end (116) of the second slide (44) when the dispensing head (18) is in the high position to prevent the upward movement of the dispensing head (18) beyond the high position.

Images