A milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine

Abstract

The application discloses a milk frothing accessory of a coffee machine, comprising a main body and a milk delivery pipe, wherein the main body is provided with a main pipe, a milk pipe and an air pipe; the two ends of the main pipe are respectively provided with a steam inlet and a milk froth outlet, and the main pipe is further provided with a mixing chamber for mixing steam, milk and air and a frothing chamber for slowly releasing and frothing milk froth; the milk pipe is arranged on one side of the main pipe, one end of the milk pipe is communicated with the mixing chamber, and the other end of the milk pipe is provided with a milk delivery opening and connected with the milk delivery pipe; the air pipe is arranged on one side of the milk pipe, one end of the air pipe is communicated with the milk pipe, and the other end of the air pipe is provided with an air inlet, and the air pipe is further provided with a speed reduction chamber for reducing the air flow speed. The milk frothing accessory is used in the coffee machine with a steam pipe, so that the machine can heat milk and make milk froth, and the use function of the machine is increased; meanwhile, the speed reduction chamber, the mixing chamber and the frothing chamber arranged in the main body enhance the mixing effect of steam, milk and air, and the milk froth is fully frothed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of beverage preparation technology, specifically to a milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine. Background Technology

[0002] Coffee mixed with milk and milk foam is a delicious beverage widely loved by consumers. Therefore, many coffee machine manufacturers are considering adding a milk heating function or designing a milk frothing device to pressure coffee machines. Currently, it is common to see coffee machines equipped with a steam output pipe. The steam pipe of this machine is mainly used to output steam to heat the milk, but this machine does not have a direct milk frothing function.

[0003] Some coffee machines are equipped with milk frothing devices. For example, CN202123282922.0 discloses a beverage machine and its milk frothing device, but this milk frothing device cannot be used on machines equipped with steam pipes. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine, which can be used with a coffee machine equipped with a steam pipe, so that the machine can both heat milk and make milk froth, thereby overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0005] This invention provides a milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine through the following technical solution, comprising a main body and a milk delivery tube. The main body has a main pipe, a milk pipe, and an air pipe. The main pipe has a steam inlet and a milk foam outlet at both ends, and further includes a mixing chamber for mixing steam, milk, and air, and a foaming chamber for slow-release foaming. The milk pipe is located on one side of the main pipe, with one end connected to the mixing chamber and the other end connected to the milk delivery tube via a milk delivery port. The air pipe is located on one side of the milk pipe, with one end connected to the milk pipe and the other end connected to an air inlet. The air pipe also includes a deceleration chamber for slowing down the flow rate of the incoming air.

[0006] Furthermore, a receiving ring is provided between the mixing chamber and the foaming chamber. The receiving ring is embedded in a first groove on the inner wall of the main pipeline. The receiving ring has a funnel-shaped first through hole connecting the mixing chamber and the foaming chamber.

[0007] Furthermore, the foaming chamber is eccentrically positioned relative to the center of the mixing chamber, and the side wall of the foaming chamber has an opening located on the side wall of the foaming chamber near the center of the mixing chamber, and the opening is connected to the milk foam outlet.

[0008] Furthermore, the steam inlet is provided with a steam nozzle, the top of which protrudes outside the steam inlet for connecting to an external steam pipe. The bottom side of the steam nozzle is embedded in a second groove on the inner wall of the main pipe. The bottom of the steam nozzle is a tapered section, and the bottom of the tapered section is provided with a steam hole communicating with the mixing chamber. The side wall of the tapered section faces the outlet of the milk pipe that communicates with the mixing chamber.

[0009] Furthermore, the end of the milk pipe leading to the mixing chamber is provided with a milk ring, and the milk ring is provided with a funnel-shaped second through hole connecting the milk pipe and the mixing chamber.

[0010] Furthermore, the air inlet is provided with an air cap, which is embedded in the third groove on the inner wall of the air pipe. The deceleration chamber is located in the air pipe below the bottom of the air cap. A connection hole is provided between the air cap, the deceleration chamber and the milk pipe.

[0011] Furthermore, the top of the air cap is exposed to the air inlet, and a vent is embedded in the fourth groove on the inner wall of the top of the air cap, with an air inlet hole provided in the vent.

[0012] Furthermore, the milk delivery tube includes a connector and a milk collection tip, the connector being connected to the milk delivery port, and an elastic connecting tube being provided between the connector and the milk collection tip.

[0013] Furthermore, the main body and the air cap are made of silicone, while the receiving ring, steam nozzle, milk ring, and vent are made of stainless steel.

[0014] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: by using the milk frothing attachment in a coffee machine with a steam pipe, the machine can both heat milk and make milk foam, thus increasing the machine's functionality; at the same time, the deceleration chamber, mixing chamber and foaming chamber respectively provided in the main body enhance the mixing effect of steam, milk and air, and improve the full frothing of milk foam. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of a milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine according to the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the milk frothing attachment of a coffee machine according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a front sectional view of the main body of the milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine according to the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a side view of a milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5This is a side sectional view of the main body of the milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 This is an exploded cross-sectional view of a milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 7 for Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of point A.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine according to the present invention in use.

[0023] in, Figures 1 to 8 The correspondence between the reference numerals and component names in the attached drawings is as follows:

[0024] 1 Main body, 2 Milk delivery tube, 3 Main pipeline, 4 Milk pipeline, 5 Air pipeline, 6 Steam inlet, 7 Milk foam outlet, 8 Mixing chamber, 9 Foaming chamber, 10 Milk delivery port, 11 Air inlet, 12 Deceleration chamber, 13 Receiving ring, 14 First groove, 15 First through hole, 16 Opening, 17 Steam nozzle, 18 Second groove, 19 Tapered section, 20 Steam hole, 21 Milk ring, 22 Second through hole, 23 Air cap, 24 Third groove, 25 Fourth groove, 26 Ventilation plate, 27 Ventilation hole, 28 Connector, 29 Nipple, 30 Flexible connecting tube. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of this application, but not all embodiments.

[0026] The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the application.

[0027] Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0028] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0029] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0030] The following reference Figures 1-8 This application describes a milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine according to some embodiments.

[0031] A milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine includes a main body 1 and a milk delivery tube 2. The main body 1 has a main pipe 3, a milk pipe 4, and an air pipe 5. The two ends of the main pipe 3 are respectively provided with a steam inlet 6 and a milk foam outlet 7. The main pipe 3 also has a mixing chamber 8 for mixing steam, milk, and air, and a foaming chamber 9 for slow-release foaming of milk foam. The milk pipe 4 is located on one side of the main pipe 3. One end of the milk pipe 4 is connected to the mixing chamber 8, and the other end of the milk pipe 4 is provided with a milk delivery port 10 connected to the milk delivery tube 2. The air pipe 5 is located on one side of the milk pipe 4. One end of the air pipe 5 is connected to the milk pipe 4, and the other end of the air pipe 5 is provided with an air inlet 11. The air pipe 5 also has a deceleration chamber 12 for slowing down the flow rate of the incoming air.

[0032] External steam enters the main pipe 3 through steam inlet 6, and milk enters the milk pipe 4 through milk delivery pipe 2 and milk delivery port 10. It mixes with the air in the air pipe 5. The steam entering the main pipe 3 has high pressure and speed, which generates the Venturi effect, drawing the milk mixed with air in the milk pipe 4 into the main pipe 3. After mixing and frothing, it is released from the milk foam outlet 7.

[0033] The milk pipe 4 is provided with a milk ring 21 at the end leading to the mixing chamber 8. The milk ring 21 has a funnel-shaped second through hole 22 connecting the milk pipe 4 and the mixing chamber 8. At the same time, the air inlet 11 of the air pipe 5 is provided with an air cap 23. The air cap 23 is embedded in the third groove 24 of the inner wall of the air pipe 5, and the top of the air cap 23 is exposed outside the air inlet 11. A vent plate 26 is embedded in the fourth groove 25 of the inner wall of the top of the air cap 23. The vent plate 26 has an air inlet hole 27. The deceleration chamber 12 is located in the air pipe 5 below the bottom of the air cap 23. There are connection holes between the air cap 23, the deceleration chamber 12 and the milk pipe 4.

[0034] As a milk frothing accessory used with coffee machines, the output of milk frothing does not need to be too high, and the Venturi effect produced by the steam entering the main pipe is not significant. Therefore, the diameter of the second through-hole 22 is smaller than that of the milk pipe 4, which ensures that the milk in the milk pipe 4 can enter the mixing chamber 8 stably and continuously. Because the diameter of the second through-hole 22 is smaller than that of the milk pipe 4, the flow rate of the milk in the milk pipe 4 is slowed down after being obstructed by the second through-hole 22. However, the air entering from the air pipe 5 on one side of the milk pipe 4, since the flow rate of gas is generally higher than that of liquid, and the air entering is mainly distributed in the space between the milk and the inner wall of the milk pipe 4, experiences less resistance from the second through-hole 22. This causes the air to quickly reach and enter the mixing chamber 12 through the second through-hole 22, without mixing with the milk during this period.

[0035] In this technical solution, external air enters the air cap 23 through the air inlet 27 on the vent 26, and then enters the deceleration chamber 12 of the air pipe 5 through the connection hole at the bottom of the air cap 23. Similar to the reason for ensuring a stable and continuous supply of milk in the milk pipe 4, the diameter of the air inlet 27 is smaller than that of the air pipe 5, so the incoming air has a faster flow rate. If the air maintains this flow rate when entering the milk pipe 4, it will further reduce the mixing of air and milk within the milk pipe 4. Therefore, a deceleration chamber 12 is provided in the air pipe 5 below the bottom of the air cap 23 to reduce the flow rate of the air entering through the air cap 23 before entering the milk pipe 4. Entering the milk pipe 4 at a lower flow rate increases the mixing of air and milk, thereby achieving pre-mixing before entering the mixing chamber 12.

[0036] The vent plate 26 is embedded in the air cap 23, and the air cap 23 is embedded in the air pipe 5, which makes it easy to disassemble and maintain the air cap 23 and the vent plate 26. Replacing the vent plate with an air inlet of different sizes can change the amount of air entering and obtain different large milk foam whipping effects.

[0037] A receiving ring 13 is provided between the mixing chamber 8 and the foaming chamber 9. The receiving ring 13 is embedded in the first groove 14 on the inner wall of the main pipeline 3. The receiving ring 13 has a funnel-shaped first through hole 15 connecting the mixing chamber 8 and the foaming chamber 9. After steam and milk mixed with air enter the mixing chamber 8, they are obstructed by the first through hole 15. After the steam and milk are fully mixed in the mixing chamber, they enter the foaming chamber 9 through the first through hole 15. This part of the mixture will directly rush to the bottom of the foaming chamber 9 under the action of inertia and gravity. The opening 16 of the foaming chamber 9, which connects to the milk foam outlet 7, is opened on the side wall. Therefore, the bottom of the foaming chamber 9 once again obstructs the flow rate of the mixture. The air mixed in the slowed-down mixture can be fully released, thereby creating richer milk foam. In order to achieve a regular and uniform shape of the main body 1, the foaming chamber 9 is set off-center from the center of the mixing chamber 8, and the opening 16 is set on the side wall of the foaming chamber 9, which is close to the center of the mixing chamber 8. This ensures both the space of the foaming chamber 9 and sufficient channel space from the opening 16 to the milk foam outlet 7.

[0038] The steam inlet 6 is equipped with a steam nozzle 17. The top of the steam nozzle 17 protrudes outside the steam inlet 6 for connection to an external steam pipe. The bottom side of the steam nozzle 17 is embedded in a second groove 18 on the inner wall of the main pipe 3. The bottom of the steam nozzle 17 is a tapered section 19, and the bottom of the tapered section 19 is provided with a steam hole 20 communicating with the mixing chamber 8. The tapered section 19 is provided to concentrate the steam in the steam nozzle 17 so that it can enter the mixing chamber 8 quickly and efficiently through the steam hole 20. The more concentrated steam can better collide and mix with the milk. At the same time, the conical sidewall of the tapered section 19 is directly opposite the outlet of the milk pipe 4 that connects to the mixing chamber 8. The milk mixed with air entering the mixing chamber 8 from the milk pipe 4 will directly collide with the conical sidewall of the tapered section 19 and be dispersed, so that it can fully contact and mix with the steam in the mixing chamber 8 and the air that enters with the milk.

[0039] The milk delivery tube 2 includes a connector 28 and a milk dispensing tip 29. The connector 28 is connected to the milk delivery port 10. An elastic connecting tube 30 is provided between the connector 28 and the milk dispensing tip 29. The milk dispensing tip 29 can be directly inserted into bagged, boxed, or bottled milk as needed to complete the milk dispensing, reducing the need for additional milk boxes.

[0040] Furthermore, the main body 1 and the gas cap 23 are made of silicone, while the receiving ring 13, steam nozzle 17, milk ring 21, and vent plate 26 are made of stainless steel. The silicone material of the main body 1 facilitates the installation and replacement of the receiving ring 13, steam nozzle 17, and milk ring 21, while the stainless steel material of the receiving ring 13, steam nozzle 17, milk ring 21, and vent plate 26 ensures the dimensional accuracy obtained during processing and the stability during use.

[0041] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine, comprising a main body and a milk delivery tube, characterized in that, The main body comprises a main pipeline, a milk pipeline, and an air pipeline. The main pipeline has a steam inlet and a milk foam outlet at both ends. It also includes a mixing chamber for mixing steam, milk, and air, and a foaming chamber for slow-release foaming. The milk pipeline is located on one side of the main pipeline, with one end connected to the mixing chamber and the other end connected to the milk delivery pipe. The air pipeline is located on one side of the milk pipeline, with one end connected to the milk pipeline and the other end connected to an air inlet. It also includes a deceleration chamber to slow the flow rate of incoming air. A receiving ring is located between the mixing chamber and the foaming chamber, embedded in a first groove on the inner wall of the main pipeline. The receiving ring has a funnel-shaped first through-hole connecting the mixing chamber and the foaming chamber. The foaming chamber is eccentrically positioned relative to the center of the mixing chamber. An opening is located on the side wall of the foaming chamber near the center of the mixing chamber and is connected to the milk foam outlet.

2. The milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam inlet is equipped with a steam nozzle. The top of the steam nozzle protrudes outside the steam inlet for connecting to an external steam pipe. The bottom side of the steam nozzle is embedded in a second groove on the inner wall of the main pipe. The bottom of the steam nozzle is a tapered section. The bottom of the tapered section is provided with a steam hole communicating with the mixing chamber. The side wall of the tapered section faces the outlet of the milk pipe that communicates with the mixing chamber.

3. The milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end of the milk pipe leading to the mixing chamber is provided with a milk ring, and the milk ring is provided with a funnel-shaped second through hole connecting the milk pipe and the mixing chamber.

4. The milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air inlet is equipped with an air cap, which is embedded in the third groove on the inner wall of the air pipe. The deceleration chamber is located in the air pipe below the bottom of the air cap. A connection hole is provided between the air cap, the deceleration chamber and the milk pipe.

5. The milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The top of the air cap is exposed to the air inlet, and a vent is embedded in the fourth groove on the inner wall of the top of the air cap. The vent has an air inlet hole.

6. The milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The milk delivery tube includes a connector and a milk collection head. The connector is connected to the milk delivery port, and an elastic connecting tube is provided between the connector and the milk collection head.

7. A milk frothing attachment for a coffee machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The main body and air cap are made of silicone, while the receiving ring, steam nozzle, milk ring, and vent are made of stainless steel.

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