Technical field

The present invention relates to a beverage preparation apparatus with an electronically adjustable receptacle position.

Background art

Beverage preparation apparatuses for preparing a beverage, such as coffee, are well known in the art. For example, EP1646305 discloses a beverage preparation apparatus for preparing a beverage, such as coffee, using pods or capsules that hold the beverage ingredients. This type of apparatuses is provided with an inner chamber for holding the predetermined beverage capsule in the desired location. The inner chamber is configured such that when liquid is injected under a predetermined pressure, at least most of the liquid is directed through the capsule, thereby increasing the pressure inside the capsule body. The capsule body is arranged at one end to be closed off with a thin film, which is arranged to erupt, when the pressure inside the capsule reaches a predetermined value thereby enabling the extracted beverage to flow through a faucet or an outlet to a receptacle where it is collected for consumption. These beverage preparation apparatuses may be provided with a holder arranged for holding the cup at a predetermined distance from the faucet and in most cases is immovable. The faucet may be manually moved between a first position, which is closer to the holder for facilitating receptacles having smaller dimensions, and a second position, which is more remote for from the holder for facilitating receptacles having bigger dimensions, so as to ensure that the beverage is not splashed outside of the receptacle in the case where a small cup is placed away from the faucet but still allows the use of larger cups, if desired by a user. Moreover, in the case where the beverage prepared is coffee, it is of importance to optimise the location of the receptacle from the faucet so as to maintain the coffee crema formed on the top of the coffee when extracted, which preserves the aroma and taste of the coffee beverage and greatly contributes to the quality of the coffee beverage. However, the beverage preparation apparatuses requiring the manual positioning of the faucet with respect to the holder require the intervention of the operator, who is not always aware of the possibility or remembers to adjust the faucet, leading to, for example, an imperfect crema and/splashing of the coffee or even the inability to use larger receptacles.

Disclosure of the invention

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a beverage preparation apparatus having an adjustable receptacle position that can be moved into the desired position without having to manually operate the actuator.

This aim is achieved according to the invention with the beverage apparatus showing the technical characteristics of the characterising part of the first claim.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a beverage preparation apparatus is provided for preparing a beverage. The beverage preparation apparatus may be provided with a liquid supply source for supplying a liquid, such as water or milk, for preparing the beverage. For example, the liquid supply may be in the form of a reservoir tank attached to the beverage preparation apparatus, which is arranged for holding a liquid such as water and the like. Depending on the beverage to be prepared, the liquid may be required to be directed to the beverage preparation chamber under a predetermined pressure. For this purpose, the beverage preparation apparatus may be provided with a pumping station arranged for directing under a predetermined pressure the liquid from the supply source to the beverage preparation chamber. A chamber vent may be further provided, which exposed to the ambient air pressure. A faucet may be further provided for directing the prepared beverage from the beverage apparatus chamber to a receptacle placed on a holder of the beverage preparation apparatus, which is positioned at a first distance from the faucet. According to embodiments of the present invention, the position of the receptacle from the faucet may be adjusted by means of an actuator, which may be arranged for adjusting the distance between the faucet and holder from the first distance to a beverage preparation distance. The beverage preparation apparatus may be provided with the electronic system. According to embodiments of the present invention, the electronic system may be provided for operating the actuator.

By providing an electronic system for operating the actuator, the position of the receptacle may be adjusted without manual intervention. As a result, depending on the type of beverage to be prepared, the position of the receptacle may be automatically adjusted. For example, in the case where the beverage to be prepared is a short coffee, such as an "espresso" coffee, the electronic system may adjust the distance between the faucet and holder so that the receptacle is positioned closer to the faucet. In this way, the occurrence of spills and splashes of the beverage outside of the receptacle may be eliminated. Moreover, in the case where the beverage being prepared is coffee, the use of an electronic system for adjusting the position of the receptacle may ensure that there is no loss of coffee crema, thereby ensuring that the quality of the coffee is maintained.

According to preferred embodiments, the faucet may be configured to be movable between different faucet positions provided between a first and a second position. The actuator may be configured for adjusting the distance between the holder and the faucet by moving the faucet in the desired position so that the receptacle may be positioned at an optimal distance from the faucet. It has been found that by moving the faucet in relation to the holder, it is avoided that the receptacle, moving together with the holder, falls off the holder by movement of the holder.

According to further preferred embodiments of the present invention, the holder may be movable between different holder positions provided between a first and a second position. The actuator may be configured for adjusting the distance between the holder and the faucet by moving the holder in the desired position so that the receptacle may be positioned at an optimal distance from the faucet. According to further preferred embodiments of the present invention, both the holder and the faucet may be configured to be movable by the actuator. The actuator may be configured for adjusting the distance between the holder and the faucet by moving the holder and the faucet substantially simultaneously in the desired position so that the receptacle may be positioned at an optimal distance from the faucet.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the beverage preparation apparatus may comprise holding means arranged for maintaining the faucet and the holder with respect to each other. For example, the holding means may be arranged for applying a retaining force to the faucet of the beverage preparation device so that the faucet may be maintained at a first distance with respect to the holder. In another example, the holding means may be arranged for applying a retaining force to the holder so that the holder is maintained at the first distance with respect to faucet. For example, the holding means may comprise springs for biasing the position of the holder and the faucet to a predetermined mutual distance. Furthermore, the springs may be provided on the actuator for biasing the position of the holder and the faucet to a predetermined mutual distance.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the beverage preparation apparatus may comprise a valve system comprising at least one valve, which may be switchable between a plurality of valve positions. According to embodiments of the present invention, the valve system may be operated by the electronic system. According to embodiments of the present invention, the valve system may be connected to any one or more of the pumping station, the liquid supply, the beverage preparation chamber, the faucet, the actuator, and a beverage preparation chamber vent of the beverage preparation apparatus which is exposed to ambient air pressure.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the valve system may be configured such that when it is positioned in a first relevant position, for example by the electronic system, to operate the actuator by directing at least part of the pressurised liquid supplied by the pumping station, preferably also actuated by the electronic system, to the beverage preparation chamber to the actuator, preferably being a hydraulic actuator. As a result, a pressure force generated by the pressurised water may be applied to the actuator thereby, for example, overcoming the retaining force applied by the holding means so as to adjust the distance between the faucet and holder from the first distance to a beverage preparation distance. In this arrangement the actuator may be configured as a hydraulic actuator as such actuator can use the pressure force generated by the pressurised water directly. However, other known types of actuators may be used instead, such as electric, pneumatic, and the like although these require further conversion of the pressure force. According to embodiments of the present invention, the electronic system, once the distance between the faucet and the holder has been adjusted to the beverage preparation distance, may position the valve system in a second position such that the pressure force in the location of the actuator is maintained constant thereby ensuring that the distance between the receptacle and the faucet is not altered during the preparation of the beverage. For example, the second position may be a closed valve position where no pressurised liquid is directed to the actuator while the pressure force at the location of the actuator is maintained constant.

It has been found that by operating the actuator using at least part of the pressurised liquid provided by the pumping station, the actuator may function more efficiently and without for example the need of extra electronic circuitry, which may increase the overall complexity and cost of the beverage preparation apparatus.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the electronic system may comprise position detection means for determining the first distance between the faucet and the holder by detecting the position of the faucet in relation to the holder and vice versa. For example, the position detection means may be a position detection sensor or any other means for detecting the position of an object known in the art. According to embodiments of the present invention, the position detection means may be arranged for determining the beverage preparation distance preferably by detecting the position of the faucet in relation to the holder. Alternatively, the position detection means may be arranged for determining the beverage preparation distance. As a result, the distance between the faucet and the holder may be adjusted based on the height of the receptacle, thereby ensuring that the receptacle may be positioned at an optimal distance from the faucet so as to eliminate the occurrence of spills and splashed of the beverage outside of the receptacle. For example, depending on the size of the receptacle used, the beverage preparation distance may be identical to the first distance. In other example, in the case of a smaller receptacle, the beverage preparation distance may be different from the first distance so that the receptacle is close to the faucet. Furthermore, the distance betweent the faucet and the holder may be manually selected from a number of predetermined options.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the valve system may be positioned by the electronic system in a third position for recovering at least part of the pressurised liquid directed to the actuator. For example, the electronic system may position the valve system in the third position once the beverage preparation process has been completed, thereby enabling the actuator to return to its original position so that the faucet may be positioned in relation to the holder from the beverage preparation distance to the first distance or to another intermediate distance. According to embodiments of the present invention, the liquid recovered when the valve system is positioned at the third valve position may be directed in a reservoir tank where it might be stored for future use. For example, the liquid may be directed to a reservoir tank serving as a liquid supply source for the beverage apparatus. As a result, the liquid recovered may be used for the preparation of the beverage, thereby ensuring that the liquid is recycled. In another example, the liquid recovered may be used for cleaning the faucet or the beverage preparation chamber, thereby ensuring that after every use the faucet and/or the beverage preparation apparatus are properly cleaned.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the valve system may be configured, when positioned at a fourth valve position by the electronic system, to allow air to flow through the valve system between the beverage preparation chamber and the chamber vent. In the fourth valve position, the valve system may further connect the beverage preparation chamber to the pumping station so that the pressurised liquid is directed to the beverage preparation chamber. As a result, when the valve is positioned at the fourth relevant valve position, air may escape though the beverage chamber vent while the pressurised liquid is provided in the chamber. The valve system may be further configured to be positioned by the electronic system to a fifth valve position, whereby the connection between the beverage preparation chamber and the pumping station is maintained while closing the connection between the beverage preparation chamber and the chamber vent. For example, the valve system may be positioned in the fifth position after it has been detected that a predetermined volume of pressurised liquid has been directed to the beverage preparation chamber. While in the fifth position and with the beverage chamber vent closed, the pressurised liquid is continued to be supplied to the beverage preparation chamber thereby increasing the pressure built up in the chamber by compressing the air maintained in the beverage chamber. In this way, it has been found that the pressure built-up in the chamber may be significantly increased.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the pressure built-up in the beverage preparation chamber may be in the range between 1 to 40 bars, preferably between 10 to 30 bars, more preferably between 15 to 25 bars, and even more preferably between 18 to 20 bars. ..

According to preferred embodiments, the electronic system operating the valve system may be provided with flow measuring means, such as a flow meter, for detecting the amount of liquid provided through the faucet and accordingly operate the valve system. For example, in the case where the beverage preparation apparatus has been set for preparing a short coffee , the electronic system may be arranged based on the reading of the flow meter for switching off the pump station when the predetermined amount of beverage has been extracted, thereby preventing further pressurised liquid from entering the beverage preparation chamber. Furthermore, the flow meter may be configured for detecting whether an amount of liquid remains in the faucet and/or beverage preparation chamber after the extraction of the beverage and accordingly operate the valve system so that the valve is positioned to a predetermined position for allowing the remaining liquid in the faucet to be drained. According to preferred embodiments, the electronic system may be further provided with a fluid sensor arranged for detecting when the pressurised liquid supplied to the beverage preparation chamber reaches a predetermined level. The fluid sensor may be positioned at a location near the beverage chamber vent. According to embodiments of the present invention, the electronic system may comprise pressure-monitoring means, such as a pressure sensor, which may be arranged for monitoring the pressure in the beverage preparation chamber and accordingly operate the valve system between the fourth and the fifth position, depending on the beverage preparation stage. For example, the valve may be positioned from the fifth valve position back to the fourth valve position after the beverage has been extracted. As a result, the beverage preparation chamber is exposed to the ambient air pressure, thereby causing the internal pressure of the beverage pressure chamber to equalise to the ambient air pressure. By equalising the internal pressure of the beverage preparation chamber with the ambient pressure, any liquid remaining in the faucet or beverage preparation chamber may be drained out, thereby ensuring that the faucet remains empty after each use. This may have as a benefit, that any liquid remaining in the preparation chamber or in the faucet after the preparation of the beverage may be drained out, thereby preventing the growth of bacteria that may cause bad odour or compromise the quality of the beverage prepared. As a result, by providing a valve system between the beverage preparation chamber it may be easier to control the pressure of the chamber during the different stages of the beverage preparation. Moreover, the use of a valve system to control the pressure of the beverage preparation chamber may ensure the proper drainage of the beverage preparation chamber and/or faucet.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the beverage preparation apparatus may be configured for receiving in the beverage preparation chamber a capsule or pod containing a beverage preparation substance, such as coffee and the like.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be further elucidated by means of the following description and the appended figures.

Figures 1 to 5 show the beverage apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention. Figures 6 to 8 show alternative embodiments of the beverage preparation apparatus of the present invention.

Modes for carrying out the invention

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. The terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention can operate in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention described herein can operate in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

The term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It needs to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. The beverage preparation apparatus of the present invention will now may be explained with the aid of the exemplified beverage preparation apparatus embodiments shown in figures 1 to 8.

Figures 1 to 5 show a beverage apparatus 10 according to embodiments of the present invention. The beverage preparation apparatus shown in the figures may, similarly to the beverage preparation apparatus described in EP1646305, be provided with an inner chamber for holding a predetermined beverage capsule in the desired location. The inner chamber may be configured such that when liquid is injected under a predetermined pressure, at least a significant part of the liquid is directed through the capsule, thereby increasing the pressure inside the capsule body. The capsule body is arranged at one end to be closed off with a thin film, which is configured to erupt when the pressure inside the capsule reaches a predetermined value thereby enabling the extracted beverage to flow through a faucet or an outlet to a receptacle where it is collected for consumption.

The beverage preparation apparatus 10 may further comprise a reservoir tank 1 1 acting as a liquid source, which may be arranged for holding a supply of a preferred liquid, e.g. water or other consumable liquids such as, for example, milk. A pumping station 12 may be provided for directing the liquid from the reservoir tank 1 1 to the beverage preparation chamber 14 where the beverage is prepared. Depending on the beverage to be prepared, the liquid may be directed to the beverage preparation chamber 14 at a predetermined pressure. Furthermore, the beverage preparation chamber 14 may be configured such that a high pressure is maintained in the chamber during the preparation of the beverage. For example, in the case of a coffee based beverage, the beverage preparation chamber 14 may be configured for maintaining the pressure in the chamber in the range between 1 to 40 bars, preferably between 10 to 30 bars, more preferably between 15 to 25 bars, and even more preferably between 18 to 20 bars. A faucet 17 may be provided in fluid arrangement with the beverage preparation chamber 14, so that the beverage may be directed from the beverage preparation chamber 14 to a receptacle 19, which may be positioned on a holder 18 of the beverage preparation apparatus 10. The holder 18 may be provided at a first distance d1 from the faucet 17. The beverage preparation apparatus 10 may comprise holding means, such as springs and the like, for biasing the position of the holder and the faucet to a predetermined mutual distance. For example the springs may be arranged for maintaining the faucet and the holder at the first distance d1 . For example, the holding means may be arranged for applying a retaining force to the faucet 17 of the beverage preparation apparatus 10 so that the faucet 17 may be maintained at a first distance with respect to the holder 18. In another example, the holding means may be arranged for applying a retaining force to the holder 18 so that the holder 18 is maintained at the first distance with respect to faucet 17. In another example, the springs may be provided on the actuator for biasing the position of the holder and the faucet to a predetermined mutual distance. The first distance may be adjusted to a beverage preparation distance d2, as shown in figure 2, by means of an actuator 16, which may be electronically operated by means of an electronic system 13, which may be part of the beverage preparation apparatus 10. The use of an electronic system 13 for operating the actuator 16 so as to adjust the distance between the faucet 17 and the holder 18 may ensure that the receptacle 19 is positioned at an optimal distance from the faucet 17 without manual intervention from the user.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the beverage preparation apparatus 10 may be provided with a valve system 15, which may be configured to be movable between a plurality of relevant valve positions by the electronic system 13. The valve system 15 may comprise at least one valve (not shown). Depending on its configuration, the valve system 15 may be connected to any one or more of the pumping station 12, the liquid supply 1 1 , the beverage preparation chamber 14, the faucet 17, the actuator 16, and a beverage preparation chamber vent 20 of the beverage preparation chamber, which may be exposed to ambient air pressure. As shown in figure 1 , the valve system 15 may be positioned at a second relevant valve position, for example a closed position. However, it should be noted that the valve system 15 may be positioned at any other relevant position.

Figure 2 shows an exemplified embodiment of the beverage preparation apparatus, where the valve system 15 is at a first relevant position. In the first relevant position, the valve system 15 may arranged for directing at least part of the pressurised liquid supplied by the pumping station 12 to the actuator 16 such that the pressure force of the pressurised liquid may be applied to the actuator 16 thereby overcoming the retaining force applied by the holding means so as to adjust the distance between the faucet 17 and holder 18 from the first distance d1 to a beverage preparation distance d2. In this arrangement, the actuator 16 may be configured for adjusting the distance between the holder 18 and the faucet 17 by moving the faucet 17 in the desired position so that the receptacle 19 may be positioned at an optimal distance from the faucet 17. The actuator 16 may be a hydraulic actuator. However, other known types of actuators may be used instead, such as electric, pneumatic, and the like. Once the distance between the faucet 17 and holder 18 has been adjusted to the beverage preparation distance d2, the valve system 15 may be positioned by the electronic system 13 to the second relevant position, so as to maintain the pressure force at the location of the actuator 16. The valve system 15 may be arranged when positioned in the second relevant valve position to stop the flow of pressurised liquid to the actuator 16. The electronic system 13 may operate the valve system 15 on the basis of information received by sensing means, such as sensors. According to embodiments of the present invention, the beverage preparation apparatus 10 may comprise position detection means, such as sensors, for determining the first distance d1 and the beverage preparation distance d2. Based on this information, the electronic system 13 may operate the valve system 15 between the first and second relevant positions as previously described. For example, the sensor may be arranged for determining the first distance d1 by detecting the position of the faucet 17 from the holder 18 and vice versa. The sensor may determine the beverage preparation distance d2 by detecting the position of the faucet 17 from the receptacle 19. The use of the sensors or other related sensing devices may ensure that the receptacle 19 may be positioned at an optimal distance from the faucet 17, irrespective of the size of the receptacle.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the valve system 15 may be movable between a fourth valve position and a fifth valve position. For example, as shown in figure 3, when the valve system 15 is positioned by the electronic system 13 in the fourth relevant position, air may flow though the valve system 15 between the beverage chamber vent 20 and the beverage preparation chamber 14. At the fourth position, the valve system 15 may be further arranged for interconnecting the pumping station 12 to the beverage preparation chamber 14 so that pressurised liquid may be directed to the beverage preparation chamber 14, while at the same time air flows through the beverage chamber vent 20. According to embodiments of the present invention, the valve system 15 may be positioned in a fifth position, as shown in figure 4, when the pressurised liquid in the chamber reaches a predetermined level, e.g. when the beverage preparation chamber 14 becomes half full. According to embodiments of the present invention, the beverage preparation system may be provided with a fluid sensor arranged for detecting when the pressurised liquid supplied to the beverage preparation chamber 14 reaches the predetermined level. The fluid sensor may be positioned at a location near the beverage chamber vent 20. At the fifth position, the valve system 15 may be arranged for disconnecting the beverage preparation chamber 14 from the beverage chamber vent 20 while maintaining the connection between the beverage preparation chamber 14 and the pumping station 12. While in the fifth position and with the beverage chamber vent 20 closed, the pressurised liquid is continued to be supplied to the beverage preparation chamber 14 thereby increasing the pressure built up in the chamber 14 by compressing the air maintained in the beverage preparation chamber 14. In this way, it has been found that the pressure built- up in the chamber may be significantly increased. The valve system may be maintained in the fifth position for the duration of the beverage extraction stage. Once the beverage has been extracted from the beverage preparation chamber 14, the pumping station 12 may be switched off so that no further pressurised liquid is supplied to the beverage preparation chamber 14. At this stage the valve system 15 may be positioned from the fifth position back to the fourth relevant valve position so that the beverage preparation chamber 14 may be interconnected to the beverage chamber vent 20 which is exposed to the ambient air pressure. As a result, when the valve system 15 is positioned in the fourth relevant position, the pressure of the beverage preparation chamber may be lowered from a beverage preparation pressure to the ambient air pressure. It has been found, that by positioning after the beverage extraction stage has been completed the valve system 15 from the fifth relevant valve position back to the fourth position may ensure that the beverage preparation chamber 14 and or faucet 17 may be drained from any liquid remaining therein after the beverage has been extracted, thereby preventing bacterial growth in the beverage preparation chamber 14 or faucet 17 that may compromise the taste and aroma of the beverage prepared. The electronic system 13 may operate the valve system 15 between the fourth and the fifth relevant valve positions based on information collected by pressure detection means, such as pressure sensors.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the electronic system 13 may operate the valve system 15 based on information collected from flow sensors or other means for measuring the flow of liquid through the beverage preparation chamber 14 and/or faucet 17. For example, once the desired amount of liquid has been supplied to the beverage preparation chamber 14, the electronic system 13 may position the valve system 15 in the relevant valve position such that no further pressurised liquid is provided in the beverage preparation chamber 14.

The electronic system 13 may be arranged once the beverage preparation stage has been completed to position the valve system 15 to a further relevant position, such as a third relevant valve position, so that the distance between the faucet 17 and the holder 18 is adjusted from the beverage preparation distance d2 to the first distance d1 , as shown in figure 5. In the third relevant valve position, the valve system 15 may be arranged for recovering at least part of the liquid directed to the actuator 16 for adjusting the distance between the faucet 17 and the holder 18. As a result, the actuator may be returned back to its original position thereby adjusting the distance between the faucet 17 and holder 18 from the beverage preparation distance d2 to the first beverage preparation distance d1 . For example, the actuator 16 may be returned back to its original position by the retaining force applied by the holding means arranged for maintaining the distance between the faucet 17 and holder 18 at the first distance d1 . The liquid recovered, when the valve system 15 is positioned at the third relevant valve position, may be directed to a reservoir tank for later use. For example, the recovered liquid may be directed to the reservoir tank 1 1 of the beverage preparation apparatus 10, so that the liquid may be reused in the beverage preparation process. Alternative, the recovered liquid may be directed to a separate reservoir tank, so that the recovered liquid may be used for other purposes such as for cleaning the beverage preparation chamber 14 and or the faucet 17 between uses.

Figures 6 to 8 present alternative embodiments of the beverage preparation apparatus of the present invention. The beverage preparation apparatus 30 shown in figures 6 to 8 operates in a similar manner to the beverage preparation apparatus 10 shown in figures 1 to 5. Therefore only the differences between the two beverage preparation apparatuses will be explained herein.

As shown in figure 6, the actuator 16 of the beverage preparation 30 is connected to the holder 18. In this arrangement, when the valve system 15 is positioned in the first relevant valve position, the actuator

16 may be configured for moving the holder 18 rather than the faucet 17 in the desired position so as to adjust the distance between the holder 18 and the faucet 17 from the first distance d1 to the beverage preparation distance d2, as shown in figure 7. When the beverage preparation stage has been completed, the valve system may be positioned at the third relevant position, thereby recovering at least part of the pressurised liquid directed to the actuator 16. As a result, the actuator returns to its original position, e.g. by means of the retaining force applied by the holding means to the holder 18, thereby adjusting the distance between the faucet 17 and holder 18 from the beverage preparation distance d2 to the first beverage preparation distance d1 , as shown in figure 8.

In further alternative embodiments, which are not shown, the actuator 16 may be arranged, when the valve system 15 is in the first relevant valve position, for adjusting the distance between the holder 18 and the faucet

17 by moving the holder 18 and the faucet 17 substantially simultaneously in the desired position so that the receptacle 19 may be positioned at an optimal distance from the faucet 17.