DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A BEVERAGE MACHINE TO A DISTRIBUTION NETWORK WITH SAFE MONITORING

A connecting device (1) is configured for connecting a beverage machine (2) with an external liquid delivery system (3). The connecting device (1) has: an inlet (10) for a fluid connection to the external system (3); an outlet (13) for delivering liquid from the external system (3) via the inlet (10) to the beverage machine (2); a valve arrangement (12a, 12b) switchable between an open configuration for establishing a fluidic connection between the inlet (10) and the outlet (13) and a closed configuration for interrupting the fluidic connection; a control unit (14) for switching the valve arrangement (12a, 12b) between its open configuration and its closed configuration; and a sensor arrangement (15a, 15b) connected to the control unit (14) that is configured to switch the valve arrangement (12a, 12b) in response to a triggering signal from the sensor arrangement (15a, 15b). The outlet (13) is configured to deliver liquid from the external system (3) into a tank (20) of the machine (2) or of such connecting device (1). The sensor arrangement (15a, 15b) comprises: a low level sensor (15a) for detecting a low level (15a') of liquid in the tank (20) to generate a triggering signal for switching the valve arrangement (12a, 12b) to the open configuration so as to fill the tank (20) with liquid delivered by the outlet (13); and a high level sensor (15b) for detecting a high level (15b') of liquid in the tank (20) to generate a triggering signal for switching the valve arrangement (12a, 12b) to the closed configuration. The control unit (14) is also arranged to switch the valve arrangement (12a, 12b) into the closed configuration: when a predetermined period of time has lapsed after switching the valve arrangement (12a, 12b) into the open configuration; and/or when a further sensor (15c) provides a signal to the control unit (14) that indicates that the high level (15b') has been exceeded.