e extends comprises a planar base 22 but it will be appreciated that the cleaning chamber housing 14 may comprise one or more indentation or other form of hollow so as to provide a sump into which the cleaning fluid can collect and the cleaning return nozzle 12e can be received in use.

In some embodiments, the base 22 of the cleaning chamber housing 14 may be arranged to be horizontal when in the deployed position or may be inclined towards the location of the cleaning return nozzle 12e such that the cleaning fluid falls towards the cleaning return nozzle 12e to provide for improved extraction of the cleaning fluid. The inclination of the base 22 may be provided by a general orientation of the cleaning chamber housing 14 when in the deployed position, or by the base 22 being inclined relative to the upper surface which abuts the nozzle arrangement sealing surface 18. The inclination of the base 22 may be in a single plane or may be towards a single point such that the flow line between each output nozzle is graded towards the cleaning return nozzle 12e. The area 12e′ of the cleaning chamber housing 14 which opposes the cleaning return nozzle 12e may be referred to as a sump area. Providing the cleaning return nozzle 12e in a sump area allows the cleaning fluid to be removed from the internal cavity 16 to a level which is below the terminal ends of the drink outlet nozzles 12a-12d.

As noted above, the nozzle arrangement 10 may comprise a nozzle arrangement body 20 from which the nozzles 12a-12e extend. In the embodiment shown, the nozzle arrangement body 20 comprises a plate-like structure with the nozzles 12a-12e extending from a substantially planar external underside thereof but this is not a limitation and other forms are possible within the bounds of the present disclosure. For example, the nozzle arrangement 10 may comprise a seal element or other feature to provide an improved seal surface 18 against which the cleaning chamber housing 14 can be urged.

The nozzles 12a-12e are generally cylindrical having a central axis which extends perpendicularly from the surface of the nozzle arrangement body 20. The diameter of the nozzles 12a-12e may vary with application and the type of nozzle.

When in the cleaning configuration, the nozzles 12a-12e extend towards the cleaning chamber housing base 22 and may have a length which determines the separation from the base 22 thereof. As noted above, the cleaning return nozzle 12e may be placed closest to the base 22 and may be the longest nozzle of the plurality of nozzles 12a-12e. The length of the nozzles 12a-12e may be measured from the external surface nozzle arrangement body 20.

The cleaning chamber housing 14 comprises a plate-like structure having a hollow in one side thereof defining the internal cavity 16 in which the plurality of nozzles 12a-12e are received. The internal cavity 16 comprises base 22 and at least one peripheral side wall 24. The upper end of the internal cavity 16 which faces and receives the nozzles 12a-12e is generally open. Thus, in use, the base 22 is provided on an underside of the nozzle arrangement 10 to provide a tray for receiving the cleaning fluid and directing to the cleaning return nozzle 12e. The external surface of the base (which is obscured from view) provides an external surface of the nozzle arrangement 10 when in a deployed position and during a cleaning procedure.

The peripheral side wall 24 of the internal cavity 16 is generally circular so as to define a round cavity in which to receive the outlet nozzles 12a-12e but other shapes may be used in some embodiments.

The distal end of the side wall 24 terminates at an upper surface 26 of the cleaning housing chamber 14 which faces the nozzle arrangement 10 in the deployed position. The upper surface 26 may define a sealing surface which is urged against the nozzle arrangement sealing surface 18 in order to define and seal the cleaning chamber. The sealing surface 26 may include a seal element 28 such as a gasket or O-ring to aid the sealing. The seal element 28 may provided on the cleaning chamber housing upper surface 26 and/or the nozzle arrangement 10. Providing seal element 28 on the cleaning chamber housing 14 may be preferential in some embodiments as it allows the opposing surface of the nozzle arrangement 10 to be planar and smooth. Having a planar and smooth wall surrounding the nozzles 12a-12e on the nozzle arrangement 10 may be considered preferable from a hygiene and aesthetic point of view.

The position of the seal element 28 may be at the terminal edge of the side wall 24 so as to limit the extent of the sealed chamber to the internal cavity 16. However, the seal may be placed at other locations in other embodiments.

The internal cavity 16 of the cleaning chamber may be generally smooth walled and with a planar base 22 and uniformly circumferentially curved sidewalls. As such, the internal cavity 16 may house the nozzles with a common volume. However, as can be seen from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning chamber housing 14 may comprise one or more features to aid cleaning of the plurality of nozzles, the outlet nozzles 12a-12d.

FIG. 1 shows a plurality of internal wells 30 in which the nozzles 12a-12d can be individually received. The area where there is no well, as indicated by the dashed circle 12e′ reflects the location of the cleaning return nozzle 12e. The wells 30 may take the form of a bowl which defines a well cavity (which may be referred to as a cleaning cavity) which is dimensioned to loosely receive a respective outlet nozzle therein. The wells 30 each comprise a base 30a and a sidewall 30b which extends upwardly from the well base 30a to define the nozzle receiving recess/bowl of the well 30. The nozzles 12a-12d are received within a respective well 30 such that there is a separation between the base 30a and sidewall 30b around the external surfaces of the nozzle at the terminal end thereof.

The separation of between the nozzle 12a-12d and the opposing surface of the well 30 provided by the base 30a or sidewall 30b may be suitably sized to provide a fluid pathway for a flow of cleaning fluid around the exterior of the nozzle 12a-12d. The separation between the nozzle 12a-12d and sidewall 30b of the well may be uniform around the full circumference of the nozzles 12a-12d, thereby helping to provide a substantially uniform flow of cleaning fluid in use.

As a cleaning fluid is introduced into the well 30 from the outlet nozzle 12a-12d, it passes along the internal surfaces of the nozzle 12a-12d before being turned by the base 30a of the well and direct outwardly along the outer surface of the nozzles 12a-12d by the sidewalls 30b. As shown, the wells 30 may be open ended such that the fluid can flow freely over a top edge of a sidewall of the well 30 and into the volume of the internal cavity 16, and sump 12e′ for extraction by the common cleaning return nozzle 12e.

Each well 30 may be elevated from the cleaning chamber housing base 22 and be formed on or as part of an upstand/pedestal which extends from the base 22. Each base 30a may be at the same height or in an elevated position with respect to the cleaning chamber housing base 22 and each base 30a may be a different height to the other bases, and sidewall 30b. It will be appreciated from the above, that the nozzles 12a-12d may be concentrically arranged above the wells 30.

To prevent the wells 30 trapping cleaning fluid, each well 30 may be provided with a drainage aperture 30c such that water may flow into the internal cavity 16 of the cleaning chamber which acts as a sump for the cleaning return nozzle 12e. The drainage aperture 30c may be any suitable orifice in the side wall 30b, or base 30a, of the well 30 and may be suitably sized to prevent an excessive amount of cleaning fluid draining from the well during a cleaning operation, thereby ensuring a suitable flow around the external surface of the nozzles 12a-12d. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the side walls 30b are provided with notches which extend from the distal end of the side wall 30b to the base 30c. The notches may be provided in any circumferential location around the side wall 30b or base 30a but, as can be seen, may be provided proximal to the cleaning return nozzle 12e such that the remanence of the cleaning fluid drains with a general trajectory in the direction of the cleaning return nozzle to aid with a timely extraction of the fluid.

The movement of the cleaning chamber housing 14 is generally indicated by the arrows 32 shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the cleaning chamber housing 14 is moved forward from behind the nozzle arrangement 10 to underneath the nozzle arrangement 10, prior to being urged upwards to seal against the underside of the nozzle arrangement to provide the sealed cleaning chamber.

The orientation of the cleaning chamber housing 14 may change whilst moving between the stowed to the deployed positions but may remain facing generally upwards and/or towards the nozzle arrangement 10 in preferred embodiments.

In order to move the cleaning chamber housing 14 from the stowed position to the deployed position and back, the drink dispensing apparatus may comprise a drive mechanism. An example of a drive mechanism 300 is shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b in which the cleaning chamber housing 14 is in stowed and deployed positions respectively.

The drive mechanism 300 may include a linear drive having a shuttle track 334 along which the cleaning chamber housing 14 is urged and, in some embodiments, pivoted. The shuttle track 334 may be provided by any suitable track along which the cleaning chamber housing 14 can be guided. The shuttle track 334 may be a rail, slot, channel, groove or any other suitable type of projection, recess or aperture. The shuttle track 334 shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b comprises an elongate slot in a wall 335 or other suitable structure which flanks the side of the nozzle arrangement 10. The wall 335 may be a wall of a nozzle arrangement housing 340 in which the nozzle arrangement 10 is provided.

The nozzle arrangement housing 340 may comprise an enclosure or portion of the drink dispensing apparatus in which the nozzle arrangement 10, cleaning chamber housing 14 and/or drive mechanism 300 are provided. The nozzle arrangement housing 340 may comprise one or more walls and suitable features for mounting the nozzle arrangement 10, drive mechanism 300 and cleaning chamber housing 14.

The shuttle track 334 may be configured to slidably receive one or more shuttle engagement members 342 which are attached to the cleaning chamber housing 14. It will be appreciated that the form of the shuttle engagement member 342 will be dependent on the form of shuttle track 334. In embodiments where the shuttle track 334 is a slot, as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the shuttle engagement member 342 may be a projection, e.g. a pin, which is received within the slot. The engagement member 342 may be configured to be slidable along the length of the shuttle track 334 and rotatable. As such, the shuttle engagement member 342 may define an axis of rotation about which the cleaning chamber 14 housing can rotate/pivot.

An advantage of using a shuttle engagement member 342 which is slidably and rotatably engaged within a track 334 is that it can allow for the axial transition of the cleaning chamber housing 14 and a pivoting action with regards to the nozzle arrangement 10. Hence, as the cleaning chamber housing 14 traverses the length of the shuttle track 334, it may change angular orientation. This may allow the cleaning chamber housing 14 to be pivoted away from the nozzle arrangement 10 to allow movement of the cleaning chamber housing 14 to below the nozzle arrangement 10, and also allow the urging together of the cleaning chamber housing 14 and nozzle arrangement 10 by a pivoting action. In addition, a sliding pivot arrangement means that the cleaning chamber housing 16 can be moved using a simple actuator arrangement, such as the one described herein, which can reduce the complexity of the drive used to deploy the cleaning chamber housing 16. A further advantage of this arrangement is that, by shaping the shuttle track correctly, the clearance required for moving the cleaning chamber housing from the stowed to the deployed position can be minimised. Hence, the risk of the cleaning chamber housing colliding with a drink receptacle left below the outlet nozzles when moving between the stowed and deployed positions is reduced.

Although not shown in the drawings, there may be a plurality of shuttle tracks 334, and drive mechanisms, one on either side of the nozzle arrangement 10 such that the cleaning chamber housing 14 may be supported on either side. Providing support on either side of the nozzle arrangement 10 may allow for a smoother transition of the cleaning chamber housing 14 between the stowed and deployed positions and may allow for an improved more uniform seal between the cleaning chamber housing 14 and nozzle arrangement 10.

The shuttle engagement member 342 may be provided at any suitable location on the cleaning chamber housing 14. In the embodiment shown, the shuttle engagement member 342 is provided towards the front of the cleaning chamber housing 14. Providing the shuttle engagement members 342 towards the front of the cleaning chamber housing 14 and a drive link 346, which is actuated to move the cleaning chamber housing 14, towards or at the rear makes use of the available length of the cleaning chamber housing 14 to lever it into place, thereby reducing the driving force required to make a seal.

The shuttle engagement members 342 may be provided above the plane of the cleaning chamber housing base 22. In order to achieve this, the shuttle engagement member 342 may be provided on distal ends of arms 344 which extend upwardly from the upper surface of the cleaning chamber housing 14. The use of the arm 344 allow the corresponding shuttle track 334 to be located above the lower surface of the nozzle arrangement 10 thereby concealing it within the nozzle arrangement housing 340 of the drink dispensing apparatus. The shuttle engagement members 342 may extend outwardly from the arms 344 along the axis of rotation of the cleaning chamber housing 14. The arms 344 may be seen more clearly in FIGS. 4c and 4d.

It will be appreciated that the position of the shuttle engagement member 342 and the drive link 346 may be reversed such that the drive link 346 is attached at the front of the cleaning chamber housing 14 and the shuttle engagement member 342 is provided at the rear in some embodiments.

The separation of the shuttle engagement member 342 and the sealing surface 26 of the cleaning chamber housing 14 may correspond to the vertical distance between the second end 338 of the shuttle track 334 and the sealing surface 18 of the nozzle arrangement 10. Hence, when the shuttle engagement member 342 is in the second end 338 of the shuttle track 334, the cleaning channel housing 14 may be urged against the sealing surface of the nozzle arrangement 10.

As shown, the shuttle track 334 may extend from aft of the nozzle arrangement 10 to fore of the nozzle arrangement 10 such that axial movement of cleaning chamber housing 14 is from a rearward stowed position to a forward deployed position. The shuttle track 334 may follow a circuitous path between a first end 336 which represents a start point and a second end 338 which represents an end point. The start point may relate to the stowed position with the end point being a deployed position.

The circuitous path may be a curved path such that the elevation of the shuttle engagement member 342 and orientation of the cleaning chamber housing 14 relative to the nozzle arrangement 10 can be altered as the cleaning chamber housing 14 travels along the length of the shuttle track 334. The first end 336 of the shuttle track 334 may be above the second end 338 and nozzle arrangement 10 such that the cleaning chamber housing 14 may be located above and behind the nozzle arrangement 10 the sealing surface 18 and/or nozzles 12a-12e and fully concealed when in the stowed position.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the shuttle track 334 extends forwards and downwards from the first end 336 towards a minima which is located generally at an approximate mid-point of the length of the track 334, before turning upwards towards the second end. The shuttle track 334 is shown as continuously curving from the first end 336 to the second end 338 where the direction of curvature changes at an inflection local to the second end 338 to terminate in a short horizontal portion in which the shuttle engagement member 342 is parked in the deployed position. It will be appreciated that, although the track 334 is shown as continuously curving there may be one or more straight portions and the horizontal terminal end is optional. The shuttle track 334 may generally be described as a shallow u-shape. It will be appreciated that the exact form of the shuttle track 334 shape may differ in other embodiments. For example, the relative heights of the first 336 and second 338 ends may be similar or the second end 338 may be higher. Further, the mid-point of the curvature may be shifted towards the first 336 or second 338 ends. Further still, the track 334 may not continuously curve and may comprise one or more straight portions.

The first portion of the shuttle track 334 which extends from the first end 336 towards the lowest part comprises a generally downwards trajectory and causes the cleaning chamber housing 14 to move downwards to a position where it can be moved forwards underneath the nozzle arrangement 10 to the lowest point. From here, movement of the cleaning chamber housing 14 further forward causes the front end to rise relative to the nozzle arrangement 10 and rear of the cleaning chamber housing 14 towards the end of the track 334. From here, as described further below, rotating the cleaning chamber housing 14 about pivot of the shuttle engagement member 342 further acts to lift the rear of the cleaning chamber housing 14 such that sealing contact is made between the cleaning chamber housing 14 and the nozzle arrangement 10.

The drive mechanism may comprise an actuator 348 which is configured to move the cleaning chamber housing 14 from the stowed position to the deployed position in a reciprocating manner. The actuator 348 may be a linear or rotary drive as are well known in the art. The drive mechanism may be electrically operated and may include one or more electrical motors 348, for example, a stepper motor.

The drive mechanism 300 may further comprise a crank in which the rotation of a rotor causes the linear motion of the cleaning chamber housing 14 via a drive link 346 (which may be referred to as a push rod). The drive link 346 may extend between a drive arm 350 of the rotor and the cleaning chamber housing 14 and may be rotatably/pivotably connected at either end to allow relative rotation with respect to the rotor and the cleaning chamber housing 14.

In the embodiment shown, the electrical motor 348 engages with and rotates the rotor drive arm 350. The rotor drive arm 350 may be connected directly to the shaft of the electrical motor 348 or may be connected via one or more gears. In the embodiment shown, the electrical motor 348 drives the drive arm 350 via a worm drive 352. The worm drive 352 may comprise a worm screw 352a and a worm gear 352b and may be configured to rotate drive arms 350 on either side of the cleaning chamber housing 14. As such, the drive mechanism 300 may comprise a single motor to simultaneously drive both sides of the cleaning chamber housing 14.

The drive arm 350 is coupled to a shaft 354 of the worm gear 352b via a suitable attachment, e.g. a spline, such that rotation of the shaft 354 causes a rotation of the drive arm 350. A distal portion of the drive arm 350 is attached to a drive link 346 via a pivot such that the drive link 346 and drive arm 350 can rotate relative to one another. A distal end of the drive link 346 is attached to the cleaning chamber housing 14 via a further pivot such that the drive link 346 and cleaning housing chamber 14 can rotate relative to each other. An opposing end of the cleaning chamber housing 14 comprises the shuttle engagement member 342 which extends into the shuttle track 334. The engagement between the shuttle track 334 and shuttle engagement member 342 allows the sliding fore and aft of the cleaning chamber housing 14, and the pivoting of the cleaning chamber housing 14 relative to the shuttle track 334.

Also included in the arrangement is a tensioning member 356 in the form of a spring which urges the drive arm 350 and drive link 346 apart from one another thereby urging the cleaning chamber housing 14 forwards when in the deployed position and/or lifting the cleaning chamber housing 14 when in the stowed position.

The lengths and positions of the drive shaft 354, drive arm 350, drive link 346, connection points on the cleaning chamber housing 14 and the angle through which the drive arm travels may be varied in accordance with particular embodiments and the desired path of travel for the cleaning chamber housing 14. In some embodiments, the cleaning chamber housing 14 may be stowed in a position which is generally aligned with the initial fall of the shuttle track 334 so that the cleaning chamber housing 14 may be moved along the track 334 more readily when urged forwards. The angle between the plane of the cleaning chamber housing 14 to the horizontal may be between 0 degrees and 90 degrees, optionally between 40 degrees and 50 degrees, optionally 45 degrees. When in the deployed position, the drive link 346 may be in a substantially vertical orientation such that the cleaning chamber housing 14 might be urged more readily onto the nozzle arrangement 10.

The angular extent through which the drive arm 350 travels may be between 180 degrees and 90 degrees.

FIGS. 4a to 4h show the progressive movements of the cleaning chamber housing 14 and drive mechanism 300 at various stages of deployment. Although reference numerals are not included in these drawings, it will be appreciated that the features coincide with those of FIGS. 3a and 3b. More specifically, FIG. 4a shows the cleaning chamber housing 14 in the stowed position and is the same as FIG. 3a, FIG. 4b shows an initial drop phase of the movement in which the rotation of the drive arm results in the dropping of the cleaning chamber housing 14 out of the nozzle arrangement 10 housing, FIGS. 4c to 4e show the continued rotation of the drive arm and transition of the shuttle engagement member along the shuttle track; FIG. 4f shows the shuttle engagement member reaching the terminal end of the shuttle track; FIG. 4g shows the continued rotation of the drive arm to which results in the lifting of the rear end of the cleaning chamber housing, and FIG. 4h shows the end of the rotation phase of the drive arm in which the cleaning chamber housing 14 and nozzle arrangement 10 are sealably urged together such that a cleaning process may be carried out. As drive mechanism 300 of FIGS. 4a to 4h corresponds to that shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b the reference numerals are not repeated to avoid obscuring the drawings.

Once the cleaning process has been executed, the steps shown in FIGS. 4a to 4h may be reversed so as to move the cleaning chamber housing 14 from the deployed position to the stowed position.

It will be appreciated that any fluid left in the cleaning chamber housing 14 following the cleaning process may be left to evaporate.

FIG. 5 shows a drink dispensing apparatus 500 in the form of a coffee machine. The reference numerals 5XX, correspond to reference numerals XX and 3XX used previously. The coffee machine 500 comprises an outlet nozzle arrangement 510 and a cleaning chamber housing 514 according to the present disclosure. Although not shown, the nozzle arrangement 510 will be located above a drink receptacle in use. The drink receptacle may be provided on a drip tray.

As shown, the drink dispensing apparatus 500 may comprise one or more drink preparation modules such as coffee module 558 which is configured to receive a dry coffee powder and brew a coffee for dispensing from one of the outlet nozzles 12a-12d; a milk module 560 which may be configured to provide heated and/or frothed milk for dispensing from one of the outlet nozzles 12a-12d; a mixing module 562 for mixing a dry powder with a fluid, e.g. chocolate powder with water, for dispensing to another of the outlet nozzles 12a-12d; a cleaning module 564 which is configured to provide a cleaning agent for cleaning the various modules, and a water heater module 566 configured to heat water. It will be appreciated that the various modules 558 to 566 described herein are exemplary and various embodiments may comprise fewer or more modules and the modules may be different from those described. For example, the drink dispensing apparatus may be or include a facility to make soup or other edible products or may be a tea making machine. Other examples may be known to the skilled person from the art. Further, the modules 558 to 566 in themselves may be considered to be conventional in many ways and so the internal workings are not described in detail.

The modules 558 to 566 of the drink dispensing machine 500 may each be connected to the outlet nozzle arrangement 510 which comprises a plurality of outlet nozzles 512a to 512d as disclosed above. Thus, the coffee brewer 558 is connected to a first outlet nozzle 512a, the milk module 560 is connected to a second outlet nozzle 512b, the mixing module 562 is connected to a third outlet nozzle 512c, and the water supply 570 is connected to a fourth outlet nozzle 512d, either directly or via the water heater module 566. Each of the water heater module 566, milk module 560, coffee module 558 and mixing module 562 are all configured to receive water from either the water supply directly or indirectly, and the cleaning module 564. The cleaning module 564 is additionally connected to an external drain 582 and the cleaning return nozzle 512e. The cleaning return nozzle 512e is connected to the external drain 582. It will be appreciated that the external drain 580 may be connected to a mains drain in the premises where the apparatus 500 is located, or to a suitable receptacle for the temporary storage of the waste.

The interconnections of the various modules