Milk module for producing hot or cold, foamed or non-foamed milk

Abstract

A milk module (3) for producing hot or cold, foamed or non-foamed milk, integrable in a machine (1) for producing milk-based beverages. The milk module (3) comprises: a supply pump (10); a suction line (9) extending from a fluid inlet to a suction side of the supply pump (10); a delivery line (15) extending from a delivery side of the supply pump (10) to a dispensing nozzle (16) having an inlet portion (34A, 34B) and a dispensing outlet (39); an electronic control unit (32) configured to operate the milk module (3) in a production mode, in which milk is supplied to the suction line (9), and in a washing mode, in which water or water and detergent are supplied to the suction line (9); and a drain line (28) for draining washing water into a waste container (24) during operation in the washing mode. The drain line (28) extends from the dispensing nozzle (16) to the waste container (24) and comprises a suction pump (29). The electronic control unit (32) is configured to operate the suction pump (29) during at least part of the washing mode so that washing water that has reached the dispensing nozzle (16) flows into the drain line (28) before reaching the dispensing outlet (39) of the dispensing nozzle.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to Italian patent application 102020000030389, filed on December 10, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a milk module for producing hot or cold milk, foamed or non-foamed milk, and can be integrated into a machine for producing milk-based beverages. In particular, the invention has found advantageous applications in benchtop machines for producing milk-based beverages, which will be mentioned in the specification without loss of generality. Background Technology

[0004] As is well known, in the aforementioned beverage production machines, the milk module typically includes a washing circuit designed to periodically clean all components of the milk module that come into contact with milk during use and are therefore susceptible to bacterial growth. Typically, the milk module undergoes a water rinse at the end of each milk-based beverage production cycle, and a more thorough washing process is performed with water and detergent when the beverage production machine is not in operation (usually at the end of the workday).

[0005] Known milk modules typically include milk lines, foaming devices, heating devices, and dispensing nozzles. The milk lines are equipped with pumps for drawing fresh milk from milk containers, and hot or cold milk, foamed or non-foamed milk is delivered to cups or similar containers through the nozzles.

[0006] In the rinsing and washing process, a certain amount of water or water and detergent is allowed to flow along the milk line and is usually discharged into a waste container through a valve.

[0007] In benchtop machines used for producing milk-based beverages, the milk dispensing nozzle is typically fixed within the beverage dispensing compartment. This generally prevents washing liquid from flowing upwards to the dispensing nozzle and discharges towards the waste container at a point on the milk line upstream of and at a given distance from the dispensing nozzle. Therefore, the end of the milk line, or at least the dispensing nozzle, is not subject to washing and requires manual cleaning intervention from the operator, who typically removes the dispensing nozzle and washes it separately.

[0008] Examples of apparatus for preparing and dispensing hot or cold milk, foamed or non-foamed milk are disclosed in EP 3 064 104 A1.

[0009] Other examples of apparatus for preparing and dispensing hot or cold milk, foamed milk or non-foamed milk are disclosed in WO 2019 / 072583 A1, WO 2018 / 139341 A1, WO 2009 / 150602 A1 and WO 2010 / 066387 A1. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide a milk module for producing hot or cold milk, foamed or non-foamed milk, and which can be integrated into a machine for producing milk-based beverages. Compared with known milk modules, the milk module allows for improved washing efficiency of those components of the milk module that come into contact with milk during use.

[0011] According to the present invention, as described in the appended disclosure, a milk module for producing hot or cold milk, foamed or non-foamed milk, and a machine for producing milk-based beverages are provided. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 A hydraulic circuit according to a preferred embodiment of a machine for producing milk-based beverages according to the present invention is shown.

[0013] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Shown in perspective Figure 1 Details of the machine shown are for producing milk-based beverages.

[0014] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 and Figure 3 The bottom cross-sectional view shows the details. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to implement and use it. Various modifications to the presented embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles disclosed herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, the invention should not be considered limited to the described and illustrated embodiments, but should be granted the widest possible scope of protection based on the described and claimed features.

[0016] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly used by one of ordinary skill in the art related to this invention. In the event of any conflict, this specification (including the definitions provided) shall be binding. Furthermore, the examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered restrictive.

[0017] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments described herein, reference will be made to specific embodiments and specific language will be used to describe them. The terminology used herein is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0018] Figure 1 A machine 1 for producing milk-based beverages is schematically shown, including: a brewing unit 2 for producing beverages such as espresso and beverages derived from soluble products; and a milk module 3 for producing hot or cold milk, foamed milk or non-foamed milk.

[0019] The brewing unit 2 includes several conventional functional components, which will not be described in detail here. Generally, the brewing unit 2 includes: a brewer (not shown) for producing espresso; one or more stirrers (not shown) for producing beverages from soluble products; a heater 4 for producing hot water or steam; and a pump (not shown) for providing the brewer and stirrers with the hot water required for producing the beverage.

[0020] The machine 1 also includes a beverage dispensing compartment 5, in which a set of dispensing nozzles 6 are provided. The dispensing nozzles 6 are fluidly connected to the brewing unit 2 via their respective supply lines 7 to receive the beverage produced by the brewing unit 2 in use and dispense the beverage into cups or similar containers (not shown) on the cup carrier grid of the beverage dispensing compartment 5.

[0021] Milk module 3 is selectively fluidly connected to brewing unit 2, or more precisely to heater 4, so as to receive steam and hot water to be used during operation, as explained in detail below, in order to heat the milk and clean the components of milk module 3 that come into contact with the milk during use. Therefore, it needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria.

[0022] Figure 1 The hydraulic circuit of milk module 3 is schematically shown, which includes:

[0023] Milk container 8, which is preferably arranged in a refrigeration zone to maintain the milk in a temperature range of 3° to 5°;

[0024] The suction line 9 has a first end immersed in the milk container 8 and a second end fluidly connected to the suction side of the pump 10, which is preferably a gear pump; the milk flow into the suction line 9 is controlled by a shut-off valve 11.

[0025] Air line 12, through which ambient airflow is introduced into the suction 9 at a T-joint 13 located upstream of pump 10. The airflow into air line 12 is controlled by valve 14, which allows or prevents airflow into air line 12 depending on whether foamed or non-foamed milk production is required. Conveniently, valve 14 is a proportional solenoid valve, which allows adjustment of the airflow rate according to closed-loop or open-loop control algorithms, as is well known in the industry; and

[0026] Delivery line 15 is designed to deliver milk or a mixture of milk and air from pump 10 to milk dispensing nozzle 16, which is arranged in beverage dispensing compartment 5 and is part of a set of dispensing nozzles 6.

[0027] Downstream of the pump 10, the delivery line 15 has a flow restrictor 17 that defines a concentrated reduction in the cross-section of the delivery line 15 so that the milk and air mixture flowing through it undergoes rapid compression and subsequent rapid expansion during use, thereby converting the milk and air mixture into foamed milk based on principles known to those skilled in the art.

[0028] The flow restrictor 17 may be formed by a non-adjustable nozzle or baffle or a throttle valve, which may be adjustable or non-adjustable.

[0029] Downstream of the flow restrictor 17, the delivery line 15 has a branch 18 from which two parallel pipes branch off and both lead to the milk dispensing nozzle 16. One of the two pipes (hereinafter referred to as 15A) supplies hot milk, either foamed or non-foamed, to the milk dispensing nozzle 16, while the other pipe (hereinafter referred to as 15B) supplies cold milk, either foamed or non-foamed, to the milk dispensing nozzle 16.

[0030] The milk or foamed milk flowing in pipe 15A is heated by heater 19, according to... Figure 1 In the preferred embodiment shown, heater 19 is in the form of a heat exchanger, wherein milk or foamed milk is indirectly heated by a steam flow supplied to a cylindrical pipe that is wound around a spiral portion of pipe 15A.

[0031] The steam flow supplied to heater 19 is generated by heater 4 of boiling unit 2 and delivered to heater 19 through steam line 20, which has: a first end that is fluidly connected to hot water / steam supply pipe 21 through three-way valve 22, which in turn is directly or indirectly connected to the outlet of heater 4; and a second end that is fluidly connected to the inlet of spiral pipe of heater 19 to supply steam flow to heater 19.

[0032] On the opposite side, the spiral conduit of heater 19 has an outlet that is fluidly connected to discharge line 23, which is designed to transport condensate formed during operation by cooling steam along the spiral conduit to waste container 24.

[0033] Preferably, no shut-off valve is provided along the pipe 15A, so the delivery line 15 is always in fluid communication with the milk dispensing nozzle 16, regardless of whether steam is supplied to the heater 19.

[0034] Instead, a shut-off valve 25 is provided along pipe 15B, which can be operated to allow or prevent the flow of foamy or non-foamy cold milk along pipe 15B, depending on the type of beverage to be produced, as described in more detail below.

[0035] Milk module 3 also includes a washing circuit that has the function of washing the pipes of milk module 3 through which milk flows, by rinsing with water only at the end of each milk-based beverage production cycle or after a predetermined time when milk module 3 has not been used, and by washing more thoroughly with detergent, which is usually performed when machine 1 is shut down (e.g., at the end of the day).

[0036] The washing circuit includes a hot water supply line 26 for supplying a flow of hot water from the heater 4 to the suction line 9. The hot water supply line 26 has an inlet connected to the outlet of a three-way valve 22 to selectively communicate with the hot water / steam supply line 21 and receive hot water from the heater 4. The supply line 26 enters the suction line 9 at a T-joint 27 between a shut-off valve 11 and a T-joint 13, at which an air line 12 enters the suction line 9.

[0037] The washing circuit also includes a drain line 28, which functions to deliver the flushing hot water or a mixture of water and detergent flowing in the delivery line 15, i.e. from the outlets of pipes 15A and 15B, to the waste container 24 to prevent it from reaching the outlet of the milk dispensing nozzle 16.

[0038] Conveniently, the drain line 28 is capable of sucking up hot water or a mixture of water and detergent flowing along the suction line 9 and the delivery line 15 during rinsing and washing operations, and at the beginning of each milk-based beverage production cycle, sucking up the water left along the suction line 9 and the delivery line 15 after each rinse.

[0039] according to Figure 1In the preferred embodiment shown, the drain line 28 has a first end that is fluidly connected upstream of its outlet to the milk dispensing nozzle 16 and a second end that leads into the waste container 24, and includes a pump 29 and a shut-off valve 30 disposed on the suction side of the pump 29 and having the function of fluidly isolating the milk dispensing nozzle 16 from the waste container 24 when the shut-off valve 30 is closed.

[0040] Alternatively, if pump 29 is designed to create a fluid seal separation between its suction and delivery sides when it is shut off, shut-off valve 30 may be omitted.

[0041] The operation of Milk Module 3 will be described below with reference to three different operating steps:

[0042] 1) Producing hot or cold milk, foamed or non-foamed milk;

[0043] 2) Rinse with hot water at the end of the milk-based beverage production cycle;

[0044] 3) Wash with detergent when the machine is not in use.

[0045] 1) Producing hot or cold milk, foamed or non-foamed milk.

[0046] In response to the selection of a milk-based beverage, the electronic control unit 32 of machine 1 operates pump 10 to draw a given amount of milk from milk container 8 and supply it to delivery line 15. If foamed milk is desired, electronic control unit 32 opens valve 14 to allow a given amount of air to flow into air line 12 and to draw air into the milk flowing along suction line 9. Pump 10 is then operated to allow the milk and air mixture to flow through flow restrictor 17 to transform it into foamed milk at a cold state.

[0047] If foamy or non-foaming hot milk is required, the electronic control unit 32 will close the shut-off valve 25 along pipe 15B to prevent milk from flowing along pipe 15B, and operate the heater 4 of the brewing unit 2 to generate steam and supply it to the hot water / steam supply pipe 21. At the same time, it controls the three-way valve 22 so that the steam generated by the heater 4 is supplied to the heater 19 to heat the foamy or non-foaming milk flowing along pipe 15B.

[0048] If foamed or non-foamed cold milk is desired, the shut-off valve 25 of pipe 15B is opened to allow milk to flow through pipe 15B; conversely, the three-way valve 22 is controlled to prevent steam supply to heater 19. In this way, foamed or non-foamed cold milk flows through both pipes 15A and 15B to the milk dispensing nozzle 16.

[0049] It is worth noting that if milk module 3 requires the immediate production of hot milk before producing cold milk, heater 19 will retain some residual heat even if no steam is supplied. This residual heat will, to a lesser extent, heat the cold milk flowing along pipe 15A. However, this heating will not adversely affect the final temperature of the dispensed cold milk because the amount of cold milk flowing along pipe 15B is greater than that flowing along pipe 15A, and the lower temperature of the cold milk along pipe 15B mitigates the temperature rise of the milk flowing along pipe 15A. When shut-off valve 25 is open, the milk flow rate in pipe 15B is greater than that in pipe 15A because heater 19, due to its own construction, establishes hydraulic resistance, which to some extent resists the flow of milk along pipe 15A, thus making pipe 15B the preferred path for milk downstream of branch 18.

[0050] 2) Rinse with hot water

[0051] At the end of the milk-based beverage production cycle, the milk module 3 is rinsed with hot water to remove milk residue present along the suction line 9 and the delivery line 15, as well as the various operating components distributed therewith.

[0052] Hot water for rinsing is generated by heater 4 and supplied to water / steam supply line 21.

[0053] During the rinsing process, the electronic control unit 32 closes the shut-off valve 11 to fluidly isolate the milk container 8, opens the shut-off valve 25 to allow the milk to flow along the pipe 15B, and closes the valve 14 at the inlet of the air line 12.

[0054] Simultaneously, the three-way valve 22 is controlled to allow water to flow from the water / steam supply line 21 to the hot water supply line 26, and the pump 10 is operated to allow hot water to flow from the suction line 9 to the delivery line 15 via the pump 10, and to the milk dispensing nozzle 16 through the two pipes 15A and 15B.

[0055] The operation of pump 29 prevents hot water from reaching the outlet of milk dispensing nozzle 16 immediately upon entering it. In fact, hot water is immediately drawn by pump 29 upstream of the outlet of dispensing nozzle 16 and delivered to waste container 24 via drain line 28. During this step, shut-off valve 30 is obviously open. After a given period of time (during which a predetermined amount of hot water flows along suction line 9 and delivery line 15), the hot water supply is interrupted, pump 29 is stopped, and shut-off valve 30 is closed.

[0056] It is worth noting that during the suction generated by pump 29, the discharge of water flowing from pipes 15A and 15B is essentially complete, meaning that not even a portion of the water reaches the outlet of the milk dispensing nozzle 16. This is possible due to the combined effect of the suction force and the position of the inlet of the drain line 28 relative to the outlets of pipes 15A and 15B and the outlet of the milk dispensing nozzle 16. For this purpose, the milk dispensing nozzle 16 can have different configurations, as long as they are designed such that for water from pipes 15A and 15B, the inlet of the drain line 28 is the preferred path compared to the outlet of the milk dispensing nozzle 16. A preferred embodiment of the milk dispensing nozzle 16 is, for example... Figures 2 to 4 As shown, and will be described in more detail below.

[0057] At the end of the rinsing process, the suction line 9 and the delivery line 15 remain full of water. At the start of the next milk production cycle, water is drawn by operating pump 29 for a predetermined period of time, calculated based on the volume of water to be drawn. Preferably, at the start of a new milk production cycle, pump 29 operates for a period sufficient to draw water contained in the loop section upstream of the milk dispensing nozzle 16. A new beverage production cycle can begin when pump 29 stops and shut-off valve 30 closes.

[0058] Preferably, as described above, the rinsing is performed after each milk-based beverage production cycle and after a predetermined period of time during which the milk module 3 is not in operation. According to an alternative operating mode, the rinsing is not performed after each milk-based beverage production cycle, but only after a predetermined period of time (e.g., several minutes) has elapsed since the last dispensing of milk-based beverage. This operating mode has the advantage of optimizing cycle time in case two or more beverages are produced very close together in a continuous process.

[0059] 3) Wash with detergent

[0060] As described above, this deep washing is performed periodically when machine 1 is not in operation (usually at the end of the workday).

[0061] This deep washing process includes the following three sub-steps:

[0062] i. The inlet of the suction line 9 is typically removed manually by the operator from the milk container 8 and inserted into another container (not shown) containing detergent, preferably in tablet or concentrate form. The electronic control unit 32 is configured during this step to open the shut-off valve 11 between the detergent container and the T-joint 27, close the valve 14 of the air line 12, and deactivate the pump 10, thereby separating the suction line 9 from the delivery line 15. The three-way valve 22 is controlled to allow hot water to flow from the water / steam supply line 21 to the hot water supply line 26, thereby reaching and filling the detergent container via the suction line 9, forming a mixture of water and detergent.

[0063] ii. Once the container is filled with hot water, the hot water supply is interrupted, and pump 10 is operated to extract the mixture of water and detergent from the container and flow it along suction line 9 and the two pipes 15A and 15B along delivery line 15. Simultaneously with pump 10, pump 29 is also operated to suction the detergent mixture and deliver it through drain line 28 to waste container 24.

[0064] iii. Once the container is empty, rinse it at least once with clean hot water. To do this, repeat sub-steps i and ii above in sequence, the only difference being that no detergent is added to the container. If necessary, repeat sub-steps i and ii until no trace of detergent is detected in the rinse water. For this purpose, a conductivity sensor 31 can be used, which is preferably arranged near the inlet of the suction line 9.

[0065] At the end of the rinsing process, the inlet of the suction line 9 is placed back into the milk container 8, and the milk module 3 is ready for a new production cycle.

[0066] Conveniently, during the washing with detergent and rinsing with hot water, the pump 29 is stopped for several moments and then restarted, so that during the moments when it is not in use, a small amount of water flows through the outlet of the milk dispensing nozzle 16 to remove any milk residue that may be present between the inlet of the drain line 28 and the outlet of the milk dispensing nozzle 16.

[0067] Finally, before washing with detergent, it is preferable to allow a small amount of hot or cold water to flow along the suction line 9 and the delivery line 15, and then be drawn into the area of ​​the milk dispensing nozzle 16 to reduce the amount of residual milk present in the circuit.

[0068] In view of the above, the advantages of pumping wastewater by means of pump 29 installed on drain line 28 can be understood. By doing so, all parts that come into contact with milk can be washed, including the entire delivery line 15 and part of the milk dispensing nozzle 16, without allowing wastewater to flow in beverage dispensing compartment 5.

[0069] Figure 2 The milk dispensing nozzle 16 is shown as an example, whose geometry, combined with the suction effect of the pump 29, is particularly advantageous in achieving the aforementioned benefits.

[0070] In particular, Figure 2 The milk dispensing nozzle 16 shown includes a collector body 33, which has:

[0071] Two inlet hose connectors 34A and 34B are provided, and the outlet ends of pipes 15A and 15B are connected to the two inlet hose connectors 34A and 34B, respectively.

[0072] The outlet hose connector 35, the inlet end of the drain line 28 is connected to the outlet hose connector 35, and

[0073] Milk flowing into the collector body 33 through the distribution pipe 36, via pipes 15A and 15B, is distributed into glasses in the beverage distribution compartment 5.

[0074] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, inlet hose connectors 34A and 34B and outlet hose connector 35 are arranged on opposite sides of the collector body 33, and each has mutually parallel axes located in the same plane. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In a preferred embodiment shown, the plane is substantially horizontal during use. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the plane may be oriented differently; in particular, the plane may be arranged such that the inlet hose connectors 34A and 34B are positioned at a higher height than the outlet hose connector 35.

[0075] Collector body 33 defines an internal chamber 37, which has a funnel shape in a horizontal cross-section and communicates with two inlet hose connectors 34A and 34B in a larger region of its cross-section and with an outlet hose connector 35 in a narrower region of its cross-section.

[0076] The dispensing conduit 36 ​​extends from the top of the collector body 33 and communicates with the chamber 37 through a hole 38 formed in the upper wall of the collector body 33, the axis of which is substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the axes of the inlet hose connectors 34A and 34B and the outlet hose connector 35.

[0077] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the distribution pipe 36 is formed in a vertical plane, including a proximal inverted U-shaped portion and a distal straight portion terminating at the milk outlet 39.

[0078] The specific shape of the collector body 33 and the relative positions of the inlet hose connectors 34A and 34B, the outlet hose connector 35, and the distribution pipe 36 result in the drain line 28 becoming the preferred path for water from pipes 15A and 15B to reach chamber 37 during washing, when the shut-off valve 30 is open and the pump 29 is operating. In fact, because the outlet hose connector 35 is substantially oriented towards the inlet hose connectors 34A and 34B in the direction of flow into chamber 37 via the inlet hose connectors 34A and 34B, the water flowing into chamber 37 flows in the same direction and thus into the outlet hose connector 35, rather than being deflected 90° and flowing into the distribution pipe 36. In addition to the location of the orifice 38, the inverted U-shape of the proximal portion of the distribution pipe 36 also helps to make water flow less easily in the distribution pipe 36 than in the outlet hose connector 35.

[0079] The geometry of the milk dispensing nozzle 16 and the suction generated by the pump 29 work together to achieve total convergence of the water flow toward the drain line 28 and prevent water (even a very small amount of water) from reaching the milk outlet 39.

[0080] Preferably, pipes 15A and 15B and drain line 28 are formed of flexible hoses, and inlet hose connectors 34A and 34B and outlet hose connector 35 are hose male quick connectors, wherein the ends of pipes 15A and 15B and the inlet end of drain line 28 are connected by compression respectively.

[0081] Furthermore, the collector body 33 is preferably formed of two shells, which are molded from plastic material and coupled to each other by ultrasonic welding.

[0082] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), pipes 15A and 15B converge in a common end section before connecting to the milk dispensing nozzle 16, so that the milk dispensing nozzle 16 has a single inlet hose connector connected to the end section.

Claims

1. A milk module (3) for producing hot or cold, foamed or non-foamed milk, and which can be integrated into a machine (1) for producing milk-based beverages; The milk module (3) includes: Supply pump (10); A suction line (9) extends from the fluid inlet to the suction side of the supply pump (10); Delivery line (15) extends from the delivery side of the supply pump (10) to a distribution nozzle (16) having an inlet portion and a distribution outlet (39). Electronic control unit (32), configured to operate the milk module (3) in production mode and washing mode, supplying milk to the suction line (9) in production mode and supplying water or water and detergent to the suction line (9) in washing mode; and Drainage line (28) for discharging washing water into waste container (24) during washing mode operation; The drain line (28) extends from the dispensing nozzle (16) to the waste container (24) and includes a suction pump (29). Furthermore, the electronic control unit (32) is configured to operate the suction pump (29) during at least a portion of the washing modes, such that the washing water that has reached the dispensing nozzle (16) flows into the drain line (28) before reaching the dispensing outlet (39) of the dispensing nozzle (16). The drain line (28) has a fluid inlet that is fluidly connected to the dispensing nozzle (16) between the inlet portion of the dispensing nozzle (16) and the dispensing outlet (39).

2. The milk module (3) according to claim 1 further includes: A first valve device (11) is arranged between the fluid inlet of the suction line (9) and the supply pump (10); A water supply line (26) for supplying water to the suction line (9) at a discharge point (27) between the first valve device (11) and the supply pump (10); and A second valve device (22) is operable to selectively supply water to the water supply line (26); The electronic control unit (32) is further configured to operate the milk module (3) in a first washing mode between two consecutive production cycles or after a certain period of time. Furthermore, in the first washing mode, the electronic control unit (32) is further configured to: Control the first valve device (11) and the second valve device (22) to allow water to flow into the water supply line (26) and thereby into the suction line (9) without reaching the fluid inlet of the suction line (9); and The supply pump (10) and the suction pump (29) are operated in concert to make water flow along the suction line (9), the delivery line (15) and the drain line (28).

3. The milk module (3) according to claim 2, wherein, The electronic control unit (32) is also configured to operate the milk module (3) in a second washing mode at the end of each service day. During the first washing mode, the fluid inlet of the suction line (9) is immersed in the milk container (8), and during the second washing mode, the fluid inlet of the suction line (9) is immersed in the detergent container. In the second washing mode, the electronic control unit (32) is further configured to: Control the first valve device (11) and the second valve device (22) to allow water to flow into the water supply line (26) and reach the fluid inlet of the suction line (9) and fill the detergent container; When the detergent container is full, the supply pump (10) and the suction pump (29) are operated in concert, and the first valve device (11) and the second valve device (22) are controlled to prevent water from flowing in the water supply line (26) and to allow the water / detergent mixture in the detergent container to flow along the suction line (9), the delivery line (15) and the drain line (28).

4. The milk module (3) according to claim 3, wherein, The dispensing nozzle (16) includes: a collector body (33) having an internal chamber (37) and including at least one inlet connector (34A, 34B) fluidly connected to a fluid outlet of the delivery line (15) and forming the inlet portion of the dispensing nozzle (16); an outlet connector (35) fluidly connected to a fluid inlet of the drain line (28); and a milk dispensing pipe (36) having a free end forming the dispensing outlet (39) of the dispensing nozzle (16); The inlet connector (34A, 34B), the outlet connector (35), and the milk dispensing pipe (36) lead to the chamber (37) and are arranged such that the outlet connector (35) faces the inlet connector (34A, 34B) in the direction of supplying fluid to the chamber (37), and the milk dispensing pipe (36) exits the chamber (37) in a direction transverse to the direction of supplying fluid to the chamber (37).

5. The milk module (3) according to claim 4, wherein, The delivery line (15) includes a branch at which it splits into two delivery pipes (15A, 15B), which are individually or via a common terminal portion into the dispensing nozzle (16). When the delivery pipes (15A, 15B) are introduced into the dispensing nozzle (16) via the common terminal section, the collector body (33) of the dispensing nozzle (16) includes a single inlet connector (34A, 34B) fluidly connected to the common terminal section. Furthermore, when the delivery pipes (15A, 15B) are respectively introduced into the dispensing nozzle (16), the collector body (33) of the dispensing nozzle (16) includes two inlet connectors (34A, 34B), each of the inlet connectors (34A, 34B) being associated with a corresponding delivery pipe (15A, 15B); the two inlet connectors (34A, 34B) are introduced into the chamber (37) in such a way that they face the outlet connectors (34A, 34B) in the direction of supplying fluid into the chamber.

6. The milk module (3) according to claim 4, wherein, At least one of the inlet connectors (34A, 34B) and the outlet connector (35) have their respective parallel axes located in the same plane; the milk dispensing pipe (36) has an inlet (38) with an axis perpendicular to the plane containing the axes of the inlet connectors (34A, 34B) and the outlet connector (35).

7. The milk module (3) according to claim 4, wherein, The axes of the inlet connectors (34A, 34B) and the outlet connector (35) are located in the horizontal plane, and the axis of the inlet (38) of the milk dispensing pipe (36) is vertical.

8. The milk module (3) according to claim 7, wherein, The milk dispensing conduit (36) extends in a vertical plane from the top of the collector body (33) of the dispensing nozzle (16) and includes a proximal inverted U-shaped portion and a distal straight portion terminating at the dispensing outlet (39).

9. The milk module (3) according to claim 4, wherein, The chamber (37) is funnel-shaped and has a wider portion and a narrower portion, with at least one of the inlet connectors (34A, 34B) opening into the wider portion and the outlet connector (35) opening into the narrower portion.

10. The milk module (3) according to claim 1, further comprising: An air line (12) that controllably supplies air to the suction line (9). A flow restrictor (17) is arranged downstream of the supply pump (10) to convert the air / milk mixture into foamed milk when the milk module (3) is operating in production mode.

11. The milk module (3) according to claim 5, further comprising: A heater (19) is arranged along one of the two conveying pipes (15A) and is selectively operable to heat the milk; and an electronically controllable shut-off valve (25) is arranged along the other of the two conveying pipes (15B) and is selectively operable to allow milk to flow through it.

12. A machine (1) for producing milk-based beverages, comprising a milk module (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images