Beverage preparation machine provided with a retractable container support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage preparation machines pose a risk of burns and stains due to hot liquid drips when users need to manually move the cup holder between different containers, as the hand often needs to be positioned under the nozzle during operation.

Innovation Solution

A beverage preparation machine with a container support that pivots between a receiving position and a storage position, featuring a separate operating member mounted on the frame, allowing the manipulation of the support out of reach of the nozzle, and a design that conceals the support in the storage position to prevent collisions and facilitate cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cup holder is manually moved by grasping it directly, then the cup holder can be positioned between receiving and storage positions, but the user's hand may come into contact with hot liquid from the nozzle causing burns or stains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of moving cup holderVSAvoidburns and stains from hot liquid
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A control rod is introduced as an intermediary tool between the user's hand and the cup holder. The control rod is inserted into a cavity of the cup holder to move it, keeping the user's hand away from the nozzle's hot liquid while still enabling positioning of the cup holder.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cup holder is designed with a separate cavity that accepts the control rod. This segmentation allows the control mechanism to be separated from the cup holder body, enabling remote manipulation without direct hand contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cup holder is designed to tilt between receiving and storage positions, then it can accommodate different container sizes, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different container sizesVSAvoidstructural complexity of pivoting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cup holder is designed with a pivoting mechanism that allows it to dynamically change position between receiving and storage orientations. This dynamic capability enables the same structure to serve multiple functions for different container types without requiring separate fixed structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3398489B1Beverage preparation machine provided with a retractable container support
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 SEB SA
  • EP3398489B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3398489B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3398489B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a frame (2), a receptacle support (10) and means for moving said support configured to pivot it towards a position for receiving the receptacle or towards a position for storage in which said support is positioned along the frame. The moving means comprise a maneuvering member (11) assembled to the container support (10) and mounted in a pivot connection on the frame (2) so that the rotation of the maneuvering member between a first position and a second position allows the tilting of the container support from the receiving position to the storage position, and vice versa.