Leaktight accessory for preparing a hot beverage on demand

Abstract

The present application relates to an accessory (3) for preparing a beverage, the accessory being configured to be removably coupled to a beverage dispenser (2) so as to form a beverage dispensing assembly (1), the accessory comprising: a main chamber (10) configured to receive a liquid; a cover (5) comprising a hole (6) for liquid to pass through configured to allow liquid to enter from a liquid dispensing nozzle (9) of the beverage dispenser (2) towards the main chamber (10); and a male attachment device (14, 14') that is complementary to a female attachment device (15, 15') arranged on a housing (13) of the beverage dispenser, the cover comprising a sealing system configured to prevent liquid from leaking from the main chamber (10) towards the outside of the dispensing assembly (1) at a volumetric flow rate greater than a threshold volumetric flow rate when the accessory (3) is attached to the dispenser (2) and when the dispenser is tipped over, with one side (74) of the housing of the dispenser (2) resting on a surface on which the dispenser is placed.

Description

[0001] Waterproof accessory for preparing a hot drink on demand

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This application concerns the field of liquid dispensers, particularly hot water dispensers, at the request of a user. More specifically, it relates to such dispensers for preparing hot beverages such as tea or coffee.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] Hot water production devices known as "instantaneous water heaters," sometimes referred to by the acronym "WOD" (for "Water On Demand"), are well-known. These devices provide hot water on demand, without requiring a storage tank. In these systems, hot water is produced by passing cold water through a heat exchanger. The cold water is obtained either from a central supply, typically connected to a city water distribution network, or from a cold water tank with a specific capacity. The heat exchanger is usually a boiler and operates using electricity or natural gas.

[0006] Some devices allow for the production of coffee or tea using hot water obtained from a dispenser equipped with an instant water heater. Compared to devices with a hot water reservoir, such devices offer several advantages: significant energy savings, a more compact design due to the absence of a hot water tank, and an improved lifespan. The major advantage of these devices is that they allow for the preparation of a large number of cups of hot beverage without the user having to take any action to preheat the water, making them particularly suitable for homes or businesses with high hot beverage consumption.

[0007] Some hot beverage preparation devices are specifically designed to connect a cup to a dispenser nozzle. Ground tea or coffee can be placed in the cup, which also receives water from the nozzle to infuse the tea leaves or ground coffee. The tea or coffee is thus infused directly in the cup before being dispensed into a cup or similar container. However, there is a risk that, during operation of the device, and particularly when handling the cup, boiling water may escape from the cup and come into contact with the user's hands, causing burns of varying severity. This risk is especially significant if the user accidentally bumps or knocks over the dispenser.

[0008] EXPOSED

[0009] There is therefore a need for a beverage dispenser, for example including an instant water heater, which is equipped with an accessory in which an infusion can take place and which allows the preparation of hot drinks with a reduced risk of hot water leakage.

[0010] For this purpose, a beverage preparation accessory is proposed, the accessory being configured to be removably coupled to a beverage dispenser so as to form a beverage dispensing unit, the accessory comprising: a main chamber configured to receive a liquid; a lid including a liquid passage orifice configured to allow liquid to be admitted from a liquid dispensing nozzle of the beverage dispenser into the main chamber (10);and a male fixing device complementary to a female fixing device disposed on a housing of the beverage dispenser, the cover comprising a sealing system configured to prevent leakage of liquid with a volumetric flow rate exceeding a threshold volumetric flow rate from the main chamber to the outside of the dispensing assembly when the accessory is attached to the dispenser and the dispenser is inverted, one lateral side of the dispenser housing resting on a dispenser mounting surface.

[0011] The accessory allows for the infusion of the hot beverage before dispensing it into a container with an improved seal, particularly when the dispenser is not resting stably on a surface. This reduces the risk of hot water escaping from the accessory, especially in the event of accidental tipping or dropping, and prevents users from suffering burns from contact with hot water.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the sealing system includes a sealing gasket disposed on the cover and surrounding the liquid passage orifice, the sealing gasket being intended to be in axial contact with a wall of the housing surrounding the liquid distribution nozzle when the accessory is attached to the distributor.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the sealing system includes a means for depressurizing the main chamber when the pressure in the main chamber exceeds a threshold pressure.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the depressurization means includes a depressurization orifice formed in the sealing joint.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the depressurization means includes a valve disposed on the lid or on an external wall of the beverage preparation accessory.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the sealing system includes an annular clamping surface configured to abut against a sealing gasket extending outward from a wall of the housing surrounding the liquid distribution nozzle.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the sealing system comprises: a movable valve pivotally mounted on the cover between a sealing position in which the movable valve closes the liquid passage orifice and a release position in which the movable valve extends away from the liquid passage orifice, and a return element configured to exert a return force on the movable valve towards its sealing position.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the movable valve is configured such that a flow of liquid from the liquid distribution nozzle moves the movable valve from its sealing position to its release position against the return element.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the male fastening device comprises: a fastening block having a movable part between a retracted position and a deployed position; and an elastic element configured to return the movable part to its deployed position, and in which at least a portion of the movable part extends into the fastening block when the movable part is in the retracted position and out of the fastening block when the movable part is in the deployed position, so as to be able to engage with a blind orifice provided in a receiving cavity of the female fastening device.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the accessory comprises a substantially cylindrical outer wall, the outer wall comprising glass, the beverage preparation accessory comprising a protective shell surrounding the outer wall and comprising a material selected from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, high-density polyethylene and / or polypropylene.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the lid is substantially cylindrical, and the accessory comprises: a substantially cylindrical outer wall; and a substantially cylindrical outlet portion opposite the lid along an axis defined by the liquid passage orifice, a diameter of the outlet portion and a diameter of the lid being greater than a diameter of the outer wall.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the threshold volumetric flow rate is 5 mL.s' 1 .

[0023] According to one embodiment, the accessory includes an outlet end, the outlet end comprising an outlet opening equipped with a valve allowing selective flow of liquid contained in the main chamber to the outside.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the accessory comprises a substantially cylindrical outer wall, the outer wall comprising a material selected from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, high-density polyethylene and / or polypropylene, the outer wall preferably being transparent.

[0025] In one embodiment, the valve of the depressurization means comprises a ball and a depressurization orifice, the ball being configured to close the depressurization orifice when the pressure in the main chamber exceeds the threshold pressure

[0026] According to one embodiment, the fixing block is provided with a first movable part and a second movable part arranged on either side of the fixing block, and a displacement of the first movable part from its retracted position to its deployed position has: a direction identical to a direction of displacement of the second movable part from its retracted position to its deployed position, and a direction opposite to a direction of displacement of the second movable part from its retracted position to its deployed position.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the male fastening device is disposed on an inlet end of the beverage preparation accessory and comprises two protruding rods configured to be received respectively in an L-shaped orifice of the female fastening device, the female fastening device being disposed on a wall of the housing surrounding the liquid dispensing nozzle.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the outlet end valve includes a ball, the ball being configured to close the outlet opening in a valve closure position under the effect of its own weight, and optionally under the action of a return element, the return element being in particular a spring.

[0029] The present application relates, in another aspect, to a beverage dispensing assembly, comprising a beverage dispenser, in particular equipped with an instantaneous water heater, the beverage dispenser further being equipped with a casing and a liquid dispensing nozzle, in which the dispensing assembly includes a beverage preparation accessory configured to be removably attached to the beverage dispenser, the accessory comprising: a main chamber configured to receive an ingredient to be infused; a lid including a liquid passage orifice configured to allow liquid to be admitted from the liquid dispensing nozzle into the main chamber, the lid including a sealing system; and a male fixing device;in which the beverage dispenser housing includes a female fixing device complementary to the male fixing device and in which the sealing system is configured to prevent leakage of liquid with a volumetric flow rate exceeding a threshold volumetric flow rate from the main chamber to the outside of the dispensing assembly when the accessory is attached to the beverage dispenser and the beverage dispenser is inverted, with one lateral side of the dispenser housing resting on a beverage dispenser mounting surface.

[0030] According to one embodiment, one of the male fastening device and the female fastening device comprises: a movable pin and a retractable cavity in which the movable pin extends at least partially, the movable pin being movable between a retracted position in which the movable pin extends into the retractable cavity and a deployed position in which the movable pin extends at least partially out of the retractable cavity, and a return element exerting a return force on the movable pin towards its deployed position; the other of the male fastening device and the female fastening device comprises: a receiving member for the movable pin in the deployed position when the male fastening device is in a position coupled to the female fastening device, the receiving member and the movable pin being configured to prevent, when the male fastening device is in the position coupled to the female fastening device,a decoupling of the male and female fastening devices when a decoupling force applied to the male fastening device is less than a predefined value.

[0031] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0032] Other features, purposes, and advantages become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not exhaustive, and should be read in conjunction with the attached drawings on which:

[0033] Figure 1 represents a beverage distribution set equipped with a beverage dispenser and a beverage preparation accessory.

[0034] Figure 2 represents the beverage dispenser from Figure 1.

[0035] Figure 3A represents the beverage preparation accessory of Figure 1, according to a first embodiment.

[0036] Figure 3B represents a sealing gasket for the beverage preparation accessory in Figure 3A.

[0037] Figure 4 represents the beverage preparation accessory of Figure 1, according to a second embodiment.

[0038] Figure 5 shows a top-down view of the beverage preparation accessory of Figure 3A, omitting the sealing gasket shown in Figure 3B. Figure 6A shows a male mounting device for the beverage preparation accessory according to a first embodiment.

[0039] Figure 6B represents a female fixing device for the beverage dispenser, complementary to the male fixing device in Figure 6A.

[0040] Figure 7A represents a male fixing device for the beverage preparation accessory according to a second embodiment.

[0041] Figure 7B represents a female fixing device for the beverage dispenser, complementary to the male fixing device shown in Figure 7A.

[0042] Figure 8 represents a kit for preparing a drink, including the drink preparation accessory shown in Figure 5.

[0043] Figure 9 represents the beverage dispenser of figure 2 according to an embodiment comprising a tray for receiving a container.

[0044] Figure 10 represents the receiving tray for the container in Figure 9.

[0045] Figure 11 A represents the beverage dispenser of Figure 9 according to an embodiment comprising a sealing element.

[0046] Figure 11B shows in detail the sealing element of Figure 11A.

[0047] Throughout the figures, similar or identical elements are designated by the same reference symbols.

[0048] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

[0049] Distribution assembly

[0050] Figure 1 represents a beverage dispensing assembly 1. The dispensing assembly 1 comprises a beverage dispenser 2, shown in more detail in Figure 2, and a beverage preparation accessory 3. The beverage preparation accessory 3 can be removably coupled to the beverage dispenser 2.

[0051] The beverage dispenser 2 includes a hot water production means that allows for the production and delivery of hot water to a liquid dispensing nozzle 9. In one embodiment, the hot water production means is an instantaneous water heater, meaning that it does not have a hot water tank but is connected to a cold water source, in particular a cold water tank or a cold water supply pipe. The instantaneous water heater then includes means for heating the cold water to produce hot water. These cold water heating means include, in particular, electric heating elements.

[0052] A housing 13 protects the electronic and fluidic components, and includes a wall 24 surrounding the liquid distribution nozzle 9. The housing 13 also includes a hook wall 46. When dispensing a beverage into a container, the hook wall 46 is intended to be opposite a part of a circumference of the container.

[0053] The beverage dispenser 2 can be used without the beverage preparation accessory 3. In this case, liquid is dispensed directly from the liquid dispensing nozzle 9 into a container placed below the nozzle 9. The beverage dispenser 2 can also be used when the beverage preparation accessory 3 is attached to the beverage dispenser 2. In this case, liquid is dispensed from the liquid dispensing nozzle 9 to the beverage preparation accessory, and the container is then placed below the beverage preparation accessory 3 so as to receive a beverage flowing from the beverage preparation accessory 3.

[0054] The beverage preparation accessory 3 is shown in Figures 3A and 4. It comprises a main chamber 10 which, according to certain embodiments, is intended to receive an ingredient to be infused, such as, in particular, tea leaves or ground coffee and hot water from the liquid dispensing nozzle 9. The beverage preparation accessory 3 includes an inlet end 11 provided with an inlet orifice 67 and an outlet end 12 provided with an outlet opening 29. The inlet orifice 67 allows the entry of a liquid dispensed from the liquid dispensing nozzle 9 into the main chamber 10. The outlet opening 29 allows the distribution of a beverage contained in the main chamber 10 – and in particular obtained by infusing an ingredient placed in the main chamber 10 – to a container placed below the outlet opening 29.

[0055] The beverage preparation accessory 3 is preferably substantially cylindrical and defines an outer wall 22. In some embodiments, a handle 36 extends from the outer wall 22 and facilitates gripping the accessory 3 by a user. The handle 36 is notably screwed to the outer wall 22.

[0056] According to certain embodiments and as illustrated in Figures 3A and 4, the main chamber 10 is defined by a central portion 68 of the accessory 3, and the accessory 3 further comprises an outlet portion 28 including the outlet end 12 and adapted to be coupled to the central portion 68 so as to extend below the main chamber 10 in a normal operating position of the beverage preparation accessory 3. The accessory 3 includes in particular an inlet portion 69 including the inlet end 11, the inlet portion 69 being adapted to be coupled to the central portion 68 so as to extend above the main chamber 10 in the normal operating position of the beverage preparation accessory 3. Preferably, the handle 36 is fixed, in particular screwed to the outer wall 22 at the level of the inlet portion 69.This minimizes the distance between the handle 36 and the inlet end 11, so as to facilitate a user's alignment of the inlet orifice 67 with the liquid dispensing nozzle 9 of the dispenser 2.

[0057] According to some embodiments, the outer wall 22 is transparent at least at the central portion 68, so as to allow a user to inspect a preparation of the beverage in the main chamber 10. The outer wall 22 then comprises, at the central portion 68, a transparent plastic material or glass.

[0058] The inlet portion 69 and / or the outlet portion 28 may comprise a plastic material, so as to give these portions sufficient toughness to withstand impacts which may occur when the beverage preparation accessory 3 is dropped, for example when dropped during an attempt to couple or uncouple the accessory 3 on the beverage dispenser 2. The inlet portion 69 and / or the outlet portion 28 may in particular comprise a material selected from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, high-density polyethylene and / or polypropylene.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the inlet portion 69, central portion 68, and outlet portion 28 all comprise a plastic material. The beverage preparation accessory 3 is then configured to withstand a fall, since any portion of the accessory 3 that can strike the ground is capable of withstanding this impact without fracturing.

[0060] In another embodiment, the inlet portion 69 and outlet portion 28 comprise a plastic material, and the outer wall 22 comprises glass at the central portion 68. The outer wall 22 of the central portion 68 is then surrounded by a protective wall (not shown) of substantially cylindrical shape and with a diameter greater than one diameter of the outer wall 22 at the central portion 68. The protective wall is made of a material configured to withstand a fall of the accessory without fracturing. The outer wall 22 can thus be made of glass without risk of it fracturing upon impact.

[0061] According to another embodiment, the inlet portion 69, central portion 68 and outlet portion 28 all have a substantially cylindrical shape and define the outer wall 22. The central portion 68 comprises glass and has a diameter less than the diameter of the inlet portion 69 and less than the diameter of the outlet portion 28. Thus, even if the beverage preparation accessory 3 were to fall, only the inlet portion 69 and / or the outlet portion 28 could be impacted with the ground, so that a fracture of the central glass portion 68 is avoided.

[0062] The outlet opening 29 of the accessory 3 preferably includes a valve 30 configured to selectively allow distribution of the beverage contained in the main chamber 10, or a blocking of the outlet opening 29 so as to prevent any exit of liquid contained in the main chamber 10 through the outlet opening 29.

[0063] In one embodiment, the valve 30 comprises a ball 43 positioned, in the normal operating position of the beverage preparation accessory 3, directly above the outlet opening 29 so as to rest on the outlet opening 29 under its own weight. The ball 43 has a diameter that allows it to completely close the outlet opening 29 in the absence of any user intervention. The valve 30 further includes an actuator 44. The actuator 44 has a first end disposed substantially below the ball 43, and a second end suitable for being actuated by a push button 45. In the absence of pressure from the user on the push button 45, the first end of the actuator 44 is not in contact with the ball 43, or exerts insufficient force on the ball 43 to dislodge the ball 43 from the outlet opening 29.A press by the user on the push button 45 actuates the second end so that the first end exerts a force on the ball which lifts the ball 43, thus moving the ball 43 away from the outlet opening 29, and allowing the distribution through the outlet opening 29 of the beverage contained in the main chamber 10.

[0064] In one embodiment, a spring 43a is positioned above the ball 43 to hold the ball against the outlet opening 29, in addition to its own weight. This configuration prevents the valve from opening if the beverage dispenser is overturned on a support surface 2; only an intentional action by the user can open the valve 30.

[0065] The ball 43 can be made of stainless steel or plastic. The accessory 3 includes a filter wall 42, located in the main chamber 10 near the outlet end 12, i.e., in the lower half of the main chamber 10, preferably in the lower quarter of the main chamber 10. The filter wall allows for the filtration of an infused beverage from a solid ingredient placed in the main chamber 10, so as to obtain, at the outlet of the outlet opening 29, a beverage containing a low proportion of solid particles, in particular coffee or tea. The filter wall 42 is preferably removable, which facilitates access to the main chamber 10 and cleaning of both the main chamber 10 and the filter wall 42.

[0066] According to some embodiments, a removable cover 5 is configured to close the inlet end 11 so as to close the beverage preparation accessory 3. The removable cover 5 has a liquid passage orifice 6, positioned in the center of the cover 5 and opposite the inlet orifice 67 of the preparation accessory 3. The liquid passage orifice 6 is also intended to be opposite the liquid dispensing nozzle 9 in the normal operating position of the preparation accessory 3.

[0067] Sealing system

[0068] In some embodiments, the beverage dispensing assembly 1 can be designed to allow a leak-proof connection between the beverage preparation accessory 3 and the beverage dispenser 2. A sealing system is, for example, provided on the cover 5 of the accessory 3. The seal between the cover 5 and the wall of the accessory 3 can be achieved, for example, by an O-ring, a bayonet fitting, or by screwing. The sealing system prevents leakage of liquid from the main chamber 10 of the accessory 3 to the outside of the dispensing assembly 1 when the accessory 3 is attached to the dispenser 2, with the dispenser 2 inverted on its side 74 of the housing 13 of the dispenser 2.Thus, the sealing system not only prevents liquid from leaking from nozzle 9 in the normal operating position of the distribution assembly 1 but also prevents leakage when the distributor 2 is overturned. Thus, a user who accidentally overturns the distributor 2 is not at risk of being burned when the housing approaches, or is in, its overturned state.

[0069] The sealing system is configured so that, in the inverted configuration of distributor 2, a low volumetric flow rate (i.e., below a predefined threshold volumetric flow rate) is not impeded. Indeed, below a given threshold volumetric flow rate, the leakage is not dangerous; a user is not at risk of being burned by a few drops of hot water and can withdraw their hand in time to avoid injury. By not preventing all leakage but allowing leakage below a predefined volumetric flow rate, the system reduces the risk of overpressure in the main chamber 10.

[0070] The threshold volumetric flow rate can be 5 mL / s. 1 , of 2 mL.s' 1 or even 1 mL.s' 1 .

[0071] A first embodiment of the sealing system is shown in Figure 3A. According to this first embodiment, the sealing system takes the form of a seal 4 extending from the cover 5 and surrounding the liquid passage orifice 6 of the cover. The wall 24 of the housing 13 surrounding the liquid dispensing nozzle 9 is configured to exert a constraint against the seal 4 along a principal axis X of the beverage preparation accessory 3 when the beverage preparation accessory 3 is coupled to the beverage dispenser 2. Thus, when the accessory 3 is coupled to the dispenser 2, liquid flowing from the nozzle 9 can only flow through the liquid passage orifice 6, or remain within the space enclosed by the seal 4, without risk of it escaping from the dispensing assembly 1.To allow depressurization of the main chamber 10, and with reference to Figure 3B, the sealing gasket 4 includes at least one depressurization port 75, and possibly several depressurization ports 75 distributed along a circumference of the gasket 4. The depressurization ports 75 are sized according to the desired volumetric flow rate when the housing 13 is in its inverted configuration. The depressurization ports allow the sealing gasket 4 to perform the depressurization function itself, without the need for any additional components specifically designed for this purpose.

[0072] Depending on the pressure that the accessory 3 experiences during its use, one or more depressurization valve(s) 7 may be provided, in addition to or in place of the depressurization ports 75, either in the cover 5 or on the external wall 22 of the main chamber 10.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the depressurization valve 7 comprises a ball, a cavity housing the ball, and a vapor passage channel (not shown) such that:

[0074] - in normal operation, the ball does not obstruct the vapor passage, allowing vapor to escape to avoid pressure buildup in accessory 3 - in case of tipping of beverage dispenser 2, the ball moves to block the vapor passage to prevent liquid from leaking out.

[0075] Any other means of depressurization conceivable to a person skilled in the art, other than the depressurization ports 75 or the depressurization valve 7, naturally falls within the scope of this disclosure.

[0076] According to other embodiments not shown, the sealing gasket 4 can be located on the housing 13, i.e. on the wall 24 surrounding the liquid distribution nozzle 9. The cover 5 then does not include a sealing gasket, but includes an annular clamping surface on the cover, which surrounds the liquid passage orifice 6. When the accessory 3 is coupled to the distributor 2, the annular clamping surface comes into contact with the gasket 4 and exerts a force on the gasket 4 along the main axis X of the accessory 3.

[0077] An alternative embodiment of the sealing system is shown in Figure 4. According to this embodiment, the cover does not include a sealing gasket. The cover 5 includes a movable valve 8, which can rotate about an axis located on the cover 5 or optionally immediately below the cover 5. The movable valve 8 is rotatable between a release position, shown in Figure 4, in which the movable valve 8 allows liquid flowing from the liquid dispensing nozzle 9 to enter the main chamber 10, and a sealing position, in which the valve closes the liquid passage 6 and thus prevents liquid from leaking from the main chamber 10 to the outside of the dispensing assembly 1. The axis of the movable valve 8 preferably includes a return element, in particular a torsion spring, configured to return the movable valve 8 to its sealing position.The dimensions of the movable valve 8 and the spring constant of the return element are configured so that, when liquid is dispensed from the liquid dispensing nozzle 9, the movable valve 8 tilts towards its release position under the pressure exerted on it by the flow, and so that, in the absence of liquid dispensing at a given pressure, the return element prevents the movable valve 8 from rotating away from the sealing position.

[0078] Thus, when the distribution assembly 1 is overturned, with the beverage preparation accessory 3 coupled to the beverage dispenser 2, the movable valve 8 remains in the sealed position, not only due to the force exerted by the return element, but also because gravity tends less to tilt the movable valve 8 towards its release position than in the normal operating position of the distribution assembly 1. This embodiment has the advantage of not requiring any means of depressurization: no overpressure can occur in the main chamber, since the opening of the movable valve 8 during liquid dispensing is sufficient to depressurize the main chamber 10. Furthermore, this embodiment is simple to implement and does not require a sensitive part such as a sealing gasket, which can be damaged and require periodic replacement.

[0079] Beverage preparation accessory attachment system for the beverage dispenser

[0080] Figures 5 to 7 illustrate an example of a system for attaching the beverage preparation accessory 3 to the beverage dispenser 2. As shown in Figures 5 and 6A, the accessory 3 comprises a male mounting device 14, which is complementary to a female mounting device 15 that opens onto the mounting wall 46 of the dispenser 2. The male mounting device 14 is configured to be inserted into the female mounting device 15, removably, along a specific insertion direction. The male mounting device 14 defines a principal axis Y, preferably orthogonal to the principal axis X of the beverage preparation accessory 3.

[0081] The male fastening device 14 projects from the outer wall 22 of the accessory 3 along the principal axis Y. The male fastening device 14 includes at least one lateral face 20 extending from the outer wall 22 along the principal axis Y. The male fastening device 14 further includes a distal face 21, each edge of which is common with an edge of the lateral face 20.

[0082] The female fixing device 15 includes a receiving cavity 23 extending from the hook wall 46 of the housing 13 and comprising a main wall 49 of complementary shape to the shape of the lateral face 20 of the male fixing device 14 and a bottom wall 47 of complementary shape to the shape of the distal face 21 of the male fixing device 14.

[0083] In some embodiments, the male fastening device 14 comprises a plurality of interconnected lateral faces 20, such that the male fastening device 14 has a polygonal cross-section. The female fastening device 15 then comprises a plurality of interconnected main walls 49. In other embodiments, shown in Figures 5 and 6A, the lateral face is a single lateral face 20 without edges along its circumference, and the main wall 49 is a single main wall 49. In particular, the lateral face 20 and the main wall 49 have an ellipsoidal or capsule-shaped cross-section. In one embodiment, at least one dimension of the male fastening device 14 decreases from the outer wall 22 of the accessory 3 to the distal face 21.The main wall 49 of the female fastening device 15 has a complementary shape, one dimension of which decreases from the attachment wall 46 of the housing to the bottom wall 47 of the female fastening device 15. This reduction facilitates the engagement of the male fastening device 14 into the female fastening device 15, because when a user attempts to insert the male fastening device 14 into the female fastening device 15, the convergence of the main wall 49 of the female fastening device 15 tends to guide the male fastening device 14 into the desired position. As a result, an unsuccessful insertion attempt, with the resulting risk of the beverage preparation accessory 3 falling out, is less likely due to this reduction in size.

[0084] Preferably, the male fastening device 14 comprises two engagement portions 70 that are substantially symmetrical in rotation with respect to the principal axis Y, i.e., a rotation of one of the engagement portions by 180° around the principal axis Y corresponds substantially to the shape of the other engagement portion 70. This symmetry makes it possible to obtain a guiding effect for the insertion of the male fastening device 14 into the equivalent female fastening device 15 on either side of the male fastening device 14. In particular, the lateral wall 20 has a capsule-shaped cross-section, and the engagement portions 70 are semi-circular.

[0085] One of the male fastening devices 14 and the female fastening devices 15 comprises a movable pin 16 that extends at least partially into a retracted cavity 48. The movable pin 16 can assume a retracted position, in which it is at least partially or even entirely housed within the retracted cavity 48. The movable pin 16 can also assume a deployed position, in which a larger portion of the movable pin 16 extends outside the retracted cavity 48 than in the retracted position. A return element 18 tends to return the movable pin 16 to its deployed position. The return element is, in particular, in the form of a helical spring disposed within the retracted cavity 48, one end of which is fixed to the retracted cavity 48 and the other end of which is fixed to the movable pin 16.

[0086] The male fastening device 14 and the female fastening device 15 that do not include the movable pin 16 include a retaining element for the movable pin 16. The retaining element is configured to receive the movable pin 16 in its deployed position at the end of the insertion stroke of the male device 14 into the female fastening device 15, that is, when the two fastening devices 14 and 15 are coupled. The retaining element prevents the male fastening device 14 from being withdrawn in a direction opposite to the insertion direction, unless a sufficient and predefined decoupling force is applied by the user to the beverage preparation accessory 3 in the direction of withdrawal. Thus, the movable pin 16 and the retaining element together prevent accidental decoupling of the male fastening device 14 and the female fastening device 15.In particular, this helps to prevent accidental disconnection in the event of a tip-over of the beverage dispenser 2.

[0087] The male fastening device 14 and the female fastening device 15 thus enable a secure, removable coupling between the accessory 3 and the distributor 2, requiring only a simple one-dimensional insertion action. Coupling is therefore easy and convenient for the user, reducing the risk of an unsuccessful coupling attempt.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the receiving member of the movable pin 16 comprises an orifice 17 disposed either on the lateral face 20 of the male fastening device, or on the main wall 49 of the female fastening device 15. At the end of the insertion stroke, the movable pin 16 suddenly moves to its deployed position when it is opposite the orifice 17. The orifice 17 is preferably a blind orifice 17, so that, during the passage of the movable pin 16 to its deployed position, a free end of the movable pin 16 strikes a bottom of the blind orifice 17 and generates a noise such as a "click", thus alerting the user of a successful coupling between the male fastening device 14 and the female fastening device 15.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the blind orifice 17 is located at a non-zero distance from the distal face 21 of the male fixing device 14 or at a non-zero distance from the bottom wall 47 of the female fixing device 15. Thus, when the male fixing device 14 is inserted into the female fixing device 15, the movable pin 16 comes into contact either with the lateral face 20 or with the main wall 49. The user thus feels a resistance which indicates that a coupling has begun.

[0090] According to some embodiments, the lateral face 20 of the male fixing device 14 or the main wall 49 of the female fixing device 15 is configured so that, when the male fixing device 14 is inserted into the female fixing device 15, the movable pin 16 moves from its deployed position to its retracted position over a first part of the insertion stroke, between a decoupled position of the male fixing device 14 with the female fixing device 15 and an intermediate position between this decoupled position and a coupled position of the male fixing device 14 with the female fixing device 15. Due to the presence of the return element 48, the resistance of the movable pin 16 to the insertion movement increases continuously between the decoupled position and the intermediate position.Then, the movable pin 16 moves from its retracted position to its extended position during a second part of the insertion stroke, which ends with the movable pin 16 engaging in the blind orifice 17. This second part of the insertion stroke occurs between the intermediate position and the coupled position. The resistance of the movable pin 16 to the insertion movement thus decreases continuously between the intermediate position and the coupled position. Consequently, during insertion of the male fastening device 14, the force exerted by the movable pin 16 on the lateral face 20 or on the main wall 49 tends to return the fastening devices 14, 15 towards the decoupled position during the first part of the insertion stroke, and towards the coupled position during the second part of the insertion stroke.This provides the user with coupling assistance, because as soon as he inserts the male fixing device 14 into the female fixing device 15 beyond the intermediate position, the force exerted by the movable pin helps to move the male fixing device 14 into the coupling position.

[0091] Correspondingly, when the male fastening device 14 is withdrawn, the movable pin 16 moves from its extended position to its retracted position during the first part of its withdrawal stroke, between the coupled position of the male fastening device 14 with the female fastening device 15 and the intermediate position between this coupled position and the decoupled position of the male fastening device 14 with the female fastening device 15. Due to the presence of the return element 48, the resistance of the movable pin 16 to the withdrawal movement increases continuously between the coupled position and the intermediate position. Then, the movable pin 16 moves from its retracted position to its extended position during a second part of its withdrawal stroke. This second part of the withdrawal stroke occurs between the intermediate position and the decoupled position.The resistance of the movable pin 16 to the retraction movement thus decreases continuously between the intermediate position and the decoupled position. Consequently, when the male fastening device 14 is retracted, the force exerted by the movable pin on the lateral face 20 or on the main wall 49 tends to return the fastening devices 14, 15 towards the coupled position during the first part of the retraction stroke, and towards the decoupled position during the second part of the retraction stroke. This provides the user with assistance during decoupling, because as soon as the male fastening device 14 is withdrawn from the female fastening device 15 beyond the intermediate position, the force exerted by the movable pin helps to move the male fastening device 14 into the decoupled position.For both insertion and removal, the coupling or decoupling aid thus formed helps the user, and allows better tolerance of the distribution set 1 to approximate coupling or decoupling gestures on the part of the user.

[0092] According to one embodiment, illustrated in Figure 6B, the housing 13 of the beverage dispenser 2 includes a guide surface 50 disposed opposite the receiving cavity 23 of the female fixing device 15. The guide surface 50 is convergent towards the receiving cavity 23. In particular, the guide surface 50 may be flat or curved and include a first edge 71 disposed at substantially the same height - defined hereafter as the vertical dimension when the dispenser 2 rests on a horizontal mounting surface - as the liquid dispensing nozzle 9, and a second edge 72 disposed at a height closer to the height of the receiving cavity 23.When the user attempts to insert the male fixing device 14 into the female fixing device 15, the presence of the guide surface 50 allows him to make an approximate movement: if the male fixing device 14 is not positioned exactly opposite the female fixing device 15, but at a slightly higher height, the guide surface guides the male fixing device 14 towards the female fixing device 15 and thus allows a successful insertion.

[0093] In addition to or instead of the movable pin 16 and the receiving member, one of the male fastening device 14 and the female fastening device 15 includes, according to certain embodiments, a first permanent magnet. The other of the male fastening device 14 and the female fastening device 15 then includes either a second permanent magnet of opposite polarity or a ferromagnetic portion. The first magnet is positioned so as to come into contact with the second magnet or the ferromagnetic portion in the coupled position of the fastening devices 14 and 15. The use of a permanent magnet allows the user to feel a "click" indicating the end of the insertion stroke, the fastening devices 14 and 15 being then in the coupled position.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the lateral face 20 of the male fastening device 14 comprises, but is not limited to, at least one tab 19, preferably two tabs 19. The tabs 19, in the coupled position of the fastening devices 14, 15, increase friction between the lateral face 20 of the male fastening device 14 and the main wall 49 of the female fastening device 15. The tabs 19 thus prevent accidental decoupling of the fastening devices 14, 15, particularly in the event of failure of the movable pin 16 after repeated use, or when the user does not fully engage the movable pin 16 in the blind orifice 17, or in the event of the beverage dispenser 2 being overturned with the accessory 3 coupled to the dispenser 2.

[0095] The tabs 19 comprise a first end fixed to the lateral face 20 and a second free end. To allow friction against the main wall 49, the second end of the tabs 19 extends, in the absence of external stress, beyond the lateral face 20. The second free end of the tabs 19 preferably comprises a notched or toothed portion 51, which increases the friction exerted by the tabs 19 on the main wall 49. The main wall 49 may also comprise a notched portion 51 positioned to oppose the notched portion 51 of the tabs 19, so as to maximize the friction exerted by the tabs 19 on the main wall 49.

[0096] In order to allow simple manufacturing of the tabs, these can be formed by simple cutting, made in the lateral face 20.

[0097] According to some embodiments, the attachment wall 46 of the housing 13 includes one or more support rib(s) on which, in the coupled position of the beverage preparation accessory 3 on the beverage dispenser 2, the outlet end 12 of the accessory 3 rests. This makes it possible both to increase and guarantee the stability of the accessory 3 in the coupled position, and to limit the stresses seen by the fastening devices 14, 15 during the life of the distribution assembly 1, and to limit wear on the fastening devices 14, 15.

[0098] Figure 7A shows an alternative system for attaching the beverage preparation accessory 3 to the beverage dispenser 2. According to this alternative, the beverage preparation accessory 3 comprises a male attachment device 14' with a mounting block 27 extending from the outer wall 22 of the accessory 3. The mounting block 27 preferably extends from the outlet portion 28 of the accessory 3, but can also extend from the central portion 68 or the inlet portion 69. The mounting block 27 includes an internal cavity in which a part 25 is disposed, movable about a principal axis Z of the mounting block 27, orthogonal to the principal axis X of the beverage preparation accessory 3.The movable part 25 is returned by an elastic element 26 to a deployed position in which a larger portion of the movable part 25 extends out of the internal cavity of the mounting block 27 than in a retracted position of the movable part. The beverage dispenser 2, as shown in Figure 7B, includes a female mounting device 15' having a cavity complementary to the male mounting device 14'. The complementary cavity has a shape complementary to that of the mounting block 27. A blind orifice opens into the complementary cavity and extends along its length, the blind orifice allowing the movable part 25 to be lodged in the deployed position once the mounting block 27 is coupled to the complementary cavity.

[0099] In one embodiment, two movable parts 25 are housed within the mounting block 27. Two separate blind openings then lead to the complementary cavity of the female mounting device 15', each receiving a movable part in its deployed position. The movable parts are, for example, returned to their deployed position by a single elastic element 26 extending within the internal cavity of the mounting block 27, between the two movable parts 25. Alternatively, each movable part 25 is actuated by an elastic element 26, the internal cavity of the mounting block 27 comprising a central wall to which one end of each of the two elastic elements 26 is attached. The two movable parts 25 move along the same axis, but in opposite directions, thus enabling secure attachment of the male mounting device 14' within the female mounting device 15' on either side of the mounting block 27.

[0100] According to another embodiment not shown, the accessory 3 is designed to be coupled to the distributor 2 by a bayonet fitting, also not shown in the figures. The male mounting device is then located on the inlet end 11 of the accessory, or optionally on the cover 5, and comprises two protruding rods, preferably diametrically opposed with respect to the inlet orifice 67. Each rod is designed to be received into an L-shaped opening in the female mounting device located on the wall 24 surrounding the liquid dispensing nozzle 9.The coupling of accessory 3 onto distributor 2 is then done in two stages, by a first axial translation action of accessory 3 towards the wall 24 surrounding nozzle 9, along the main axis X of accessory 3, so as to house the rods in the first branch of the L formed by the orifices of the female fixing device, then by a rotation of accessory 3 around its main axis X, so as to house the rods in the second branch of the L formed by the orifices of the female fixing device.

[0101] Modular kit for beverage preparation accessory

[0102] As shown in Figure 8, the beverage preparation accessory 3 can be part of a kit, which advantageously allows for the optimal preparation of several types of beverages. An upper edge 40 of the accessory 3 delimits the inlet end 11. In addition to the accessory 3, the kit includes a coffee preparation module 31, configured to be inserted into the accessory 3 through the inlet orifice 67, so as to extend above the filter wall 42, and at least partially into the main chamber 10. The coffee preparation module 31 includes a filter element, which comprises an outer wall 33.The outer wall delimits a ground coffee receiving chamber 34, in which a user can place ground coffee intended to be infused by hot water from the liquid distribution nozzle 9, in order to form a coffee which flows through filtration orifices in the outer wall 33, the coffee then occupying the main chamber 10.

[0103] In the mounted position of the coffee preparation module 31, the ground coffee receiving chamber 34 is at least partially received into the main chamber. Preferably, in this mounted position, the entire coffee preparation module 31 extends below the inlet orifice 67, so as to allow the cover 5 to be placed over the inlet orifice 67 even when the coffee preparation module 31 is mounted on the accessory 3. In other words, the entire preparation module 31 then extends into the main chamber 10.

[0104] The filter element of the coffee preparation module 31 includes an upper rim 39. The filter element of the coffee preparation module 31 also preferably includes an internal flare 38 such that the outer wall 33 of the filter element is closer to the principal axis X of the accessory 3 than the upper rim 39. The upper rim 39 is configured to cooperate with the upper edge 40 of the accessory 3 so as to ensure that the coffee preparation module 31 is held within the accessory 3. In the case where the preparation module 31 extends entirely into the main chamber, the upper edge 40 of the accessory has a height - defined along the principal axis X of the accessory - greater than a height of the upper rim 39 of the filter element.

[0105] The kit also includes, according to a preferred embodiment, a dispersion module 32. The dispersion module 32 is configured to be removably placed within the coffee preparation module 31. The dispersion module 32 is intended to be positioned above the ground coffee receiving chamber 34. The dispersion module 32 includes an outer edge 37 designed to cooperate with the inner shoulder 38 of the filtration element of the coffee preparation module 31, so as to assemble the dispersion module 32 to the coffee preparation module 31. When the dispersion module 32 is mounted in the coffee preparation module 31, which is itself mounted in the beverage preparation accessory 3, the outer edge 37 of the dispersion module 32 is closer to the principal axis X of the accessory 3 than the upper edge 39 of the coffee preparation module 31.Preferably, the outer edge 37 of the dispersion module 32 does not protrude from the outer edge 39 of the coffee preparation module 31 along the main axis X, so that the cover 5 can also cooperate with the upper edge 39 and cover the dispersion module 32.

[0106] The dispersion module 32 comprises a base 35 with a plurality of filtration holes. In the mounted position, the base of the dispersion module 32 is located opposite the ground coffee receiving chamber 34. The dispersion module 32 disperses the hot liquid from the liquid dispensing nozzle 9, and possibly through the liquid passage 6 in the cover 5, so that the liquid comes into contact with the ground coffee in a manner distributed over substantially the entire upper surface of the grounds. This ensures that the grounds are uniformly infused, thus optimally extracting the coffee aromas and preventing waste of ground coffee.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the bottom 35 of the dispersion module 32 is convex, that is to say, in the mounted position in the accessory 3, a center of the bottom 35 extends away from the main chamber 10 along the principal axis X with respect to a portion of the bottom which is in contact with the outer edge 37 of the dispersion module 32. Such a convex shape allows the liquid from the liquid distribution nozzle 9, which is distributed substantially opposite the center of the bottom 35, to flow by the effect of gravity over the entire bottom 35 so as to better disperse the hot liquid on the grind.

[0108] The dispersing module 32 includes a gripping portion to facilitate its removal from the coffee preparation module 31. In particular, the dispersing module 32 includes a recess 41, preferably two opposing recesses 41 along a diameter of the dispersing module 32. The recesses 41 are formed in the outer edge 37. Preferably, the recesses 41 are also formed in the base 35, i.e., the base 35 does not extend beyond the recesses 41 relative to the center of the base 35. Optionally, the recesses 41 are provided with support portions 73 allowing a finger of the user to rest on them when grasping the dispersing module 32 at the level of the recesses 41.

[0109] In some embodiments, the removable cover 5 and the dispersion module 32 are combined into a single piece, for example by ultrasonic welding, so as to simplify the use of accessory 3. Attachment system for the receiving tray

[0110] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the beverage dispenser 2 may include a receiving tray 53, in particular circular and configured to allow a container to be placed opposite the liquid dispensing nozzle 9 in order to dispense liquid into the container. The receiving tray 53 is configured to be removably coupled to the mounting wall 46 of the housing 13. The receiving tray 53 includes a hook 54 for insertion into a through-hole 56. The receiving tray 53 includes a drip-receiving portion 65 defining an internal cavity suitable for receiving drips, for example, in the event of an overflow from the container or in the event of accidental dispensing of liquid by the user from the nozzle 9 when no container is placed on the receiving tray 53.The receiving tray 53 further includes a container support surface 66, which can be removably positioned on the drip-receiving portion 65 so as to preferably partially obstruct the inner cavity. The receiving surface 66 is mesh-covered or includes openings sized to allow the container to be placed stably while allowing drops to pass into the drip-receiving portion 65. The receiving surface 66 and / or the drip-receiving portion 65 are made of polypropylene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The receiving tray is configured to support containers up to 1 kg. The drip-receiving portion 65 can preferably hold between 50 and 80 mL of liquid.

[0111] In one embodiment, the receiving tray 53 comprises two hooks 54 arranged at different positions along the circumference of the drip-receiving portion 65. To accommodate the two hooks 54, the hook wall 46 includes not only a through-hanging hole 56 but also an additional through-hanging hole 56 located at the same height as the through-hanging hole 56 and in a separate position, in a horizontal direction when the dispenser 2 rests on a support surface. The use of two separate hooks 54 improves the stability of the receiving tray 53. The hooks 54 and the through-hanging holes 56 have a diameter between 4 and 6 millimeters.

[0112] The through-gripping holes 56 extend through the gripping wall 46 across its entire thickness, from an external surface of the gripping wall 46 to an internal surface of the gripping wall 46, thus opening into an internal volume of the housing 13 defined between an internal surface of the gripping wall 46 and the other walls of the housing 13. The gripping wall 46 preferably comprises through-gripping holes 56 at different heights, either in a single row when the receiving platform 53 includes a single hook 54, or in two separate rows when the receiving platform 53 includes two hooks 54. The container can thus be positioned at a suitable height relative to the liquid dispensing nozzle 9, depending on the height of the container itself, in order to avoid splashing.

[0113] The beverage dispenser 2 includes a sealing element 55, shown in Figures 11 A-11 B. The sealing element 55 is configured to be held in contact with the inner surface of the gripping wall 46, and ensures a seal between the internal volume of the housing 13 and the outside of the housing 13. The presence of the sealing element 55 allows for several through-gripping holes 56 at different heights of the gripping wall 46, so as to adapt the position of the gripping plate 46 according to the height of the container used, without compromising the seal of the internal volume of the housing 13. Indeed, this internal volume contains numerous electronic components that could be damaged by the intrusion of liquid or air from the outside into the internal volume through the through-gripping holes 56.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the sealing element 55 comprises a sealing plate 57. The sealing plate is suitable for being positioned opposite the inner surface of the wall attachment 46. The sealing plate 57 has a height that is greater than a maximum height between two through-hanging attachment holes 56, so that the sealing plate 57 extends opposite all the through-hanging attachment holes 56. The height of the sealing plate 57 may be slightly greater than the maximum height Hm between two through-hanging attachment holes 56, so as to prevent air from entering above or below the sealing plate, as air could bypass the plate 57 if its upper and / or lower ends are close to the height of the through-hanging attachment holes 56.For example, the height of the sealing plate 57 is greater than 1.10 times the maximum height Hm, preferably greater than 1.20 times the maximum height Hm.

[0115] The sealing plate 57 thus not only prevents fluid flow into the internal volume of the housing 13, but also, because it extends in relation to all the through-mounting holes 56, ensures a seal between one through-mounting hole 56 and all the other through-mounting holes 56. The sealing plate 57 thus provides a greater seal than a component comprising several disjointed portions, each in relation to only one hole 56 or to a number of holes 56 not including all the holes 56.

[0116] The gripping wall 46 and the sealing plate 57 have a concave shape. To allow the tray to be positioned as close as possible to the gripping wall 46, the gripping wall 46 and the sealing plate 57 are not straight, but are configured to conform to the shape of a rear portion of the receiving tray 53. This facilitates the user's centering of the container with respect to the liquid dispensing nozzle 9, allowing the user to bring the container against the gripping wall 46, with the container in this position being approximately opposite the nozzle 9. The non-straight shape of the gripping wall 46 prevents accidental horizontal shifting of the container. A straight gripping wall does not allow for such centering, since the user could inadvertently shift the container horizontally without it stopping against the gripping wall 46.

[0117] The sealing element 55 is held fixed relative to the inner surface of the mounting wall 46. This prevents unintentional displacement of the sealing element 55, for example, due to improper handling of the distributor 2 by a user. The sealing of the through-mounting ports 56 is thus improved. The sealing element 55 is screwed to the inner surface of the mounting wall 46, preferably at several different heights.

[0118] The sealing element 55, and in particular the sealing plate 57, preferentially extends at least partially away from the inner surface of the mounting wall 46. This prevents moisture from accumulating between the sealing element 55, in particular the sealing plate 57, and the inner surface of the mounting wall 46. In addition, this facilitates decoupling of the sealing element 55 and the housing 13.

[0119] According to one embodiment, the sealing element 55 comprises the sealing plate 57 and two end edges 58, each extending from one end of the sealing plate so as not to be parallel to the sealing plate 57 or, where the sealing plate is not straight, so that each end edge 58 is not in line with the corresponding end of the sealing plate 57. The end edges 58 make it possible to keep the sealing plate 57 away from the inner surface of the anchoring wall 46, while ensuring contact of the sealing element 55 with the inner surface of the anchoring wall 46, thus improving the sealing provided by the sealing element. Preferably, at least one end edge 58, or even both end edges 58, is / are provided with a sealing gasket intended to come into contact with the internal surface of the attachment wall 46.

[0120] According to one embodiment, the housing 13 of the beverage dispenser 2 comprises, projecting from the inner surface of the retaining wall 46, slides designed to retain the sealing plate at a distance from the inner surface of the retaining wall 46 while ensuring contact between the end edges 58 and the inner surface of the retaining wall 46. Each slide comprises a first portion 60 intended to contact an end edge 58 and a second portion 61 which does not extend parallel to the first portion 60, but which contacts an end of the sealing plate. The slides advantageously allow the sealing element 55 to be inserted or withdrawn so as to selectively align with the through-holes 56.

[0121] When the attachment wall 46 comprises two rows of through-hanging holes 56, the sealing element 55 comprises, according to one embodiment, containment edges 59. Each containment edge extends projecting from the sealing plate 57, substantially parallel to one of the end edges 58, but at a distance from it along the sealing plate 57. In any event, each containment edge 59 extends at a distance from the corresponding end edge 58 sufficient so that the containment edge 59 and the end edge 58 define between them a containment compartment 62 extending opposite the through-hanging holes 56 of a row over the entire surface of said through-hanging holes 56.The containment compartments 62 provide improved sealing of the sealing element 55 by confining a fluid flow passing through the attachment orifice 56, thus constituting a first barrier to contamination of the internal volume by the flow. The remainder of the sealing plate 57 constitutes a second barrier capable of retaining the flow. Each containment edge 59 is therefore in contact with the inner surface of the attachment wall 46. In one embodiment, the containment edges 59 are provided with sealing gaskets intended to come into contact with the inner surface of the attachment wall 46, either in addition to, or as replacements for, the sealing gaskets of the end edges 58.

[0122] According to some embodiments, the sealing element 55 comprises containment edges 59 as described above, as well as upper connecting edges 63 projecting from an upper end of the sealing plate 57 and connecting an end edge 58 and a corresponding containment edge 59. The upper connecting edges 63 may, in particular, be aligned with one another and extend beyond the containment edges 59 over the entire upper end of the sealing plate 57 (as shown in Figure 11 A), but may alternatively extend only along the upper part of the containment compartments 62. The upper connecting edges 63 prevent fluid flow from bypassing the sealing plate 57 at its upper end and entering the internal volume.

[0123] Similarly, in certain embodiments, the sealing element 55 comprises containment edges 59 as described above, as well as lower connecting edges (not shown) projecting from a lower end of the sealing plate 57 and connecting an end edge 58 and a corresponding containment edge 59. The lower connecting edges may, in particular, be aligned with one another and extend beyond the containment edges 59 along the entire lower end of the sealing plate 57, but may alternatively extend only along the lower part of the containment compartments 62. The lower connecting edges prevent fluid flow from bypassing the sealing plate 57 at its lower end and entering the internal volume.This is particularly advantageous when the sealing plate 57 is not intended to extend to a bottom wall of the beverage dispenser 2.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Beverage preparation accessory (3), the accessory being configured to be removably coupled to a beverage dispenser (2) so as to form a beverage dispensing assembly (1), the accessory comprising: a main chamber (10) configured to receive a liquid; a lid (5) comprising a liquid passage orifice (6) configured to permit liquid admission from a liquid dispensing nozzle (9) of the beverage dispenser (2) into the main chamber (10);and a male fixing device (14, 14') complementary to a female fixing device (15, 15') disposed on a housing (13) of the beverage dispenser, the cover comprising a sealing system configured to prevent leakage of liquid with a volumetric flow rate greater than a threshold volumetric flow rate from the main chamber (10) to the outside of the dispensing assembly (1) when the accessory (3) is attached to the dispenser (2) and the dispenser is inverted, a lateral side (74) of the housing of the dispenser (2) resting on a surface on which the dispenser is placed.; 2. Beverage preparation accessory (3) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing system comprises a sealing gasket (4) disposed on the cover (5) and surrounding the liquid passage orifice (6), the sealing gasket (4) being intended to be in axial contact with a wall (24) of the housing surrounding the liquid dispensing nozzle (9) when the accessory (3) is attached to the dispenser (2).

3. Beverage preparation accessory (3) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the sealing system includes a means for depressurizing the main chamber (10) when the pressure in the main chamber (10) exceeds a threshold pressure.

4. Beverage preparation accessory (3) according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the depressurization means comprises a depressurization orifice (75) formed in the sealing joint (4).

5. Beverage preparation accessory (3) according to any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein the depressurization means comprises a valve (7) disposed on the cover (5) or on an external wall (22) of the beverage preparation accessory (3).

6. Beverage preparation accessory (3) according to claim 1, in which the sealing system comprises an annular clamping surface configured to abut against a sealing gasket extending projecting from a wall (24) of the housing (13) surrounding the liquid dispensing nozzle (9).

7. Beverage preparation accessory (3) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing system comprises: a movable valve (8) pivotally mounted on the lid (5) between a sealing position in which the movable valve (8) closes the liquid passage orifice (6) and a release position in which the movable valve (8) extends away from the liquid passage orifice (6), and a return element configured to exert a return force on the movable valve towards its sealing position.

8. Beverage preparation accessory (3) according to claim 7, wherein the movable valve (8) is configured such that a flow of liquid from the liquid dispensing nozzle (9) moves the movable valve (8) from its sealing position to its release position against the return element.

9. Beverage preparation accessory (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the male fastening device (14') comprises: a fastening block (27) having a movable part (25) between a retracted position and a deployed position; and an elastic element (26) configured to return the movable part (25) to its deployed position, and wherein at least a portion of the movable part (25) extends into the fastening block (27) when the movable part (25) is in the retracted position and out of the fastening block (27) when the movable part (25) is in the deployed position, so as to be able to engage with a blind orifice provided in a receiving cavity of the female fastening device (15').

10. Beverage preparation accessory (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a substantially cylindrical outer wall (22), the outer wall (22) comprising glass, the beverage preparation accessory (3) comprising a protective shell surrounding the outer wall (22) and comprising a material selected from 'acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, high-density polyethylene and / or polypropylene.

11. Beverage preparation accessory (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the cover (5) is substantially cylindrical, and in which the accessory (3) comprises: an outer wall (22) substantially cylindrical; and an outlet portion (28) substantially cylindrical opposite the cover along an axis defined by the liquid passage orifice (6), a diameter of the outlet portion (28) and a diameter of the cover (5) being greater than a diameter of the outer wall (22).

12. Beverage preparation accessory (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which the threshold volumetric flow rate is 5 mL.s' 1 .

13. Beverage preparation accessory (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising an outlet end (12), the outlet end (12) comprising an outlet opening (29) provided with a valve (30) selectively allowing flow of liquid contained in the main chamber (10) to the outside.

14. Beverage dispensing assembly (1), comprising a beverage dispenser (2), in particular equipped with an instant water heater, the beverage dispenser (2) further being equipped with a housing (13) and a liquid dispensing nozzle (9), in which the dispensing assembly (1) includes a beverage preparation accessory (3) configured to be removably attached to the beverage dispenser (2), the accessory (3) comprising: a main chamber (10) configured to receive an ingredient to be infused; a lid (5) comprising a liquid passage orifice (6) configured to allow liquid to be admitted from the liquid dispensing nozzle (9) into the main chamber (10), the lid (5) comprising a sealing system; and a male attachment device (14, 14');in which the housing (13) of the beverage dispenser includes a female attachment device (15, 15') complementary to the male attachment device (14, 14') and in which the sealing system is configured to prevent leakage of liquid with a volumetric flow rate greater than a threshold volumetric flow rate from the main chamber (10) to the outside of the dispensing assembly (1) when the accessory (3) is attached to the dispenser; of beverage (2) and that the beverage dispenser (2) is overturned, one lateral side (74) of the housing (13) of the dispenser resting on a surface on which the beverage dispenser is placed.

15. Beverage dispensing assembly (1) according to claim 14, wherein one of the male fastening device (14, 14') and the female fastening device comprises: a movable pin (16) and a folding cavity (48) in which the movable pin (16) extends at least partially, the movable pin (16) being movable between a retracted position in which the movable pin (16) extends into the folding cavity and a deployed position in which the movable pin (16) extends at least partially out of the folding cavity (48), and a return element exerting a return force on the movable pin (16) towards its deployed position, the other of the male fastening device (14, 14') and the female fastening device (15, 15') comprises: a receiving member for the movable pin (16) in the deployed position when the male fastening device (14, 14') is in a position coupled to the female fixing device (15, 15'),the receiving member and the movable pin (16) being configured to prevent, when the male fixing device (14, 14') is in the coupled position with the female fixing device (15, 15'), a decoupling of the male fixing device (14, 14') and the female fixing device (15, 15') as soon as a decoupling force applied to the male fixing device (14, 14') is less than a predefined value.

Images