Device for frothing milk

Abstract

A device (1) for frothing milk comprises a milk container (2) and a lid (3) removably connected to the milk container (2), wherein the lid (3) is provided with an external milk dispenser (4) and accommodates a manifold body (5) having a Venturi effect air suction opening (6) and a Venturi effect milk suction opening (7); and a steam ejector (8) located in the manifold body (5) for triggering the Venturi effect, the device being further provided with a tube (9) for collecting milk from the container (2), which tube can be divided into a first truncated tube (9a) connected to the container (2) and a second truncated tube (9b) connected to the cover (3) and communicating with the milk suction opening (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for frothing milk.

[0002] Devices for frothing milk that can be used in conjunction with coffee machines are already known.

[0003] Some types of known devices comprise a milk container provided with a cover incorporating a Venturi effect mixing chamber in which air and milk collected from the container are mixed by the Venturi effect triggered by a flow of steam.

[0004] Such known apparatus for frothing milk may have disadvantages including difficulty in accessing the internal components for inspection and cleaning.

[0005] This issue is very important if the user considers that any milk residue solidified inside the device may block the milk flow channel opening and thus alter the device efficiency.

[0006] Last but not least, milk residues solidifying inside the equipment can also have a negative impact on the organoleptic properties of the product and create unpleasant odours.

[0007] Such devices can therefore be filled with liquid detergent for cleaning the internal parts which obviously have to be rinsed carefully.

[0008] The technical task of the present invention is therefore to create a device for processing a device for frothing milk which eliminates the technical drawbacks of the cited prior art.

[0009] In the context of this technical task, an object of the invention is to realize a device for frothing milk which can be easily inspected and cleaned.

[0010] The technical task according to the invention and these and other purposes are achieved by realizing a device for frothing milk, comprising: a milk container and a cover removably connected to said milk container, wherein the cover is provided with an external milk dispenser and houses a manifold body with a Venturi effect air intake opening and a Venturi effect milk intake opening; and a steam injector located in the manifold body for triggering the Venturi effect, the device being characterized in that it comprises a tube for collecting milk from the container, which tube can be divided into a first truncated tube connected to said container and a second truncated tube connected to said cover and communicating with said milk intake opening.

[0011] The configuration of the device for frothing milk is particularly advantageous since, depending on the type of milk used (e.g. animal milk or vegetable milk), only a set of two or more milk containers need to be provided, which are used each time in combination with a lid, thus minimizing the risk of contamination between the milk drinks obtained from subsequent dispensings; this is in contrast to what happens in conventional devices, in which the same milk intake conduit always causes the milk drink to be contaminated with residues of the milk drink produced in the previous preparation cycle as a result of each immersion in the milk in the milk container.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the milk collecting tube has a calibrated minimum milk passage opening at the second truncated tube.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first truncated tube is formed integrally with the container.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first truncated tube extends vertically from the bottom of the container where it has a milk inlet path.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover has a first portion and a second portion that are removably engageable, wherein the first portion of the cover accommodates the manifold body and the second portion of the cover accommodates the steam injector.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steam ejector comprises an ejection conduit having a first terminal for coupling in the manifold body and a second terminal for coupling with the steam distributor.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal have a transverse coupling axis.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transverse coupling axis is horizontal.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the injection conduit has a 90° bend.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover accommodates a duct for collecting air from the external atmospheric environment, wherein the air collecting duct is connected to the air intake opening and comprises a first air collecting duct accommodated in a first part of the cover and a second air collecting duct accommodated in a second part of the cover.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first portion of the air collecting duct and the second portion of the air collecting duct have an interconnecting terminal having a coupling axis parallel to the coupling axis of the first connecting terminal of the steam injection duct.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first part of the cover has a portion for closing the milk container, which is topped with a compartment for accommodating the second part of the cover.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compartment matches the outer contour of the second portion of the cover.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compartment has a wall for guiding the second portion of the cover to slide in the direction of the coupling axis of the first terminal.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compartment is configured similarly to an insertion slot of the second portion of the cover.

[0026] Further features and advantages of the invention will emerge more fully from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the device for frothing milk according to the invention, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a front view of a coffee machine including a device for frothing milk;

[0028] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A front view of a coffee machine with the device for frothing milk removed from the coffee machine;

[0029] Figure 3 and Figure 4 shows an axonometric view of an apparatus for frothing milk;

[0030] Figure 5 and Figure 6 An apparatus for frothing milk is shown, wherein the lid is separated from the milk container;

[0031] Figure 7 and Figure 8 An apparatus for frothing milk is shown, wherein the cover is separated from the milk container and broken down into two parts of the cover;

[0032] Fig. 9 shows a vertical section through an apparatus for frothing milk;

[0033] Fig.10 shows a vertical section through a device for frothing milk, with the lid separated from the milk container;

[0034] Fig.11 shows a vertical section of the device for frothing milk, wherein the cover is separated from the milk container and the second part of the cover has been removed;

[0035] Fig.12 showing a perspective view of a second portion of the cover;

[0036] Fig.13 showing a plan view of a second portion of the cover cut in a horizontal plane;

[0037] Fig.14a , Fig.14b shows a perspective view of a variation of the milk container in which the bottom can be opened to access the lower end of the milk collection tube;

[0038] Fig.15 Shows Fig.14a , Fig.14b A side elevation view in vertical section of a milk container with the bottom in an open configuration to access the lower end of the milk collection tube;

[0039] Fig.16 Shows Fig.14a , Fig.14b Side elevation view of a vertical section of a milk container with the bottom in a closed configuration.

[0040] With reference to the above-mentioned figures, there is shown a device for frothing milk, indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 1 .

[0041] The device 1 comprises a milk container 2 provided with a removable closure lid 3 .

[0042] The lid 3 can be removed from the container 2 in order to refill the container 2 with fresh milk after it has become empty.

[0043] The lid 3 is also provided with an external milk dispenser 4 .

[0044] As shown in the figure, the cover 2 has a hollow structure to accommodate some components of the device 1 inside.

[0045] The cover 3 actually houses a manifold body 5 having a Venturi effect air intake opening 6 and a Venturi effect milk intake opening 7 .

[0046] The cover 3 also houses a steam injector 8 located in the manifold body 5 for triggering the Venturi effect.

[0047] Advantageously, the device 1 comprises a tube 9 for collecting milk from the container 2 , which tube can be divided into a first truncated tube 9 a connected to the container 2 and a second truncated tube 9 b connected to the lid 3 and communicating with the milk suction opening 7 .

[0048] The second truncated tube 9 b connected to the cover 3 extends vertically and has a vertically upward outlet path communicating with the milk suction opening 7 .

[0049] The calibrated smallest milk passage opening 9c along the milk collecting tube 9c is advantageously formed in the second truncated tube 9b of the milk collecting tube 9c.

[0050] The first truncated tube 9 a of the milk collecting tube 9 is formed integrally with the container 2 .

[0051] The milk collecting tube 9 extends inside the milk container 9 and in particular a first truncated tube 9a of the milk collecting tube 9 extends vertically from a bottom 10 of the milk container 2 where it has a milk inlet path 11 .

[0052] The cover 3 has a first portion 3a and a second portion 3b which are removably engageable.

[0053] The first portion 3a of the cover accommodates the manifold body 5 , whereas the second portion 3b of the cover accommodates the steam injector 8 .

[0054] The steam ejector 8 includes an ejection conduit 8 a having a first terminal 8 b for coupling connection in the manifold body 5 and a second terminal 8 c for coupling connection with the steam distributor 12 .

[0055] Typically, the steam dispenser 12 is a dispenser commonly used in coffee machines 16 .

[0056] The first connection terminal 8b and the second connection terminal 8c of the steam injector 8 have transverse coupling axes L, L′.

[0057] In particular, the transverse coupling axes L, L′ of the first connection terminal 8 b and the second connection terminal 8 c of the steam ejector 8 are horizontal.

[0058] The injection duct 8a of the steam injector 8 has a 90° bend connecting the first connection terminal 8b and the second connection terminal 8c.

[0059] The cover 3 houses a duct 13 for collecting air from the external atmosphere.

[0060] The air collecting duct 13 is connected to the air suction opening 6 and comprises a first part 13a of the air collecting duct accommodated in the first part 3a of the cover and a second part 13b of the air collecting duct accommodated in the second part 3b of the cover.

[0061] The air collecting duct 13 has a calibrated air inlet 13c at a second portion 13b of the air collecting duct, which puts the air collecting duct 13 in communication with the atmosphere outside the device 1 .

[0062] The first part 13a of the air collecting duct and the second part 13b of the air collecting duct have terminals 13a', 13b' for mutual coupling connection, which have a coupling axis L" parallel to the coupling axis L of the first connection terminal 8b of the steam injection duct 8a.

[0063] The first part 3a of the cover has a portion 14 for closing the milk container 2, which is topped by a receiving compartment 15 of the second part 3b of the cover.

[0064] The compartment 15 matches the outer contour of the second portion 3b of the cover.

[0065] The compartment 15 has walls 15 a , 15 b , 15 c for guiding the second portion 3 b of the cover to slide in the direction of the coupling axis L of the first terminal 8 b of the steam injector 8 .

[0066] The compartment 15 is configured similarly to the lead-in slot of the second portion 3b of the cover.

[0067] The first part 3a of the cover preferably comprises at least two components, including a first rubber component (e.g. silicone) and a second harder component (e.g. plastic or metal), wherein the first component comprises the manifold body 5, the first part 13a of the air collecting duct and the second truncated tube 9b of the milk collecting tube 9, while the second harder component comprises an outer shell comprising the outer milk dispenser 4 and the part 14 for closing the container 2.

[0068] The first rubber member further includes a joint 21 and a joint 22 , wherein the joint 21 is used to couple the steam injector 8 with the manifold body 5 so that steam enters the manifold body 5 , and the joint 22 is used to couple the external milk dispenser 4 with the manifold body 5 so that foamed milk is discharged from the manifold body 5 .

[0069] Providing a coupling connection between a component made of a soft material and a component made of a harder material ensures fluid tightness.

[0070] In particular, providing coupling connections between the following ensures fluid tightness: between the second truncated tube 9b (usually made of rubber) and the first truncated tube 9a (usually made of plastic) of the milk collecting tube 9; between the joint 21 (usually made of rubber) and the steam ejector 8 (usually made of plastic or metal); between the first part 13a (usually made of rubber) and the second part 13b (usually made of plastic) of the air collecting duct; and between the joint 22 (usually made of rubber) and the external milk distributor 4 (usually made of plastic or metal).

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, the passage opening of the first truncated tube 9a of the tube 9 for collecting milk has a diameter between about 8 mm and 14 mm, which facilitates cleaning with water or a brush.

[0072] The second truncated tube 9 b of the milk collecting tube 9 has an outer diameter between 8.5 mm and 14.5 mm so as to be coupled to the first truncated tube 9 a of the milk collecting tube 9 .

[0073] The calibrated smallest milk channel opening 9c has a diameter between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

[0074] The size of the calibrated minimum milk channel opening 9c determines the flow rate of milk sucked from the container 2 by the Venturi effect triggered by the steam and thus determines the ratio of steam flow to milk flow.

[0075] For example, a calibrated minimum milk channel opening 9c with a diameter of 0.7 mm allows the suction of a milk flow of about 150 ml / min, which is heated from 5°C to 60°C due to the heat exchange with steam, which will then be present in the product dispensed by the external milk dispenser 4 in the form of condensation, and its weight accounts for 10% to 30% of the weight of the dispensed product.

[0076] Furthermore, the calibrated air inlet 13c has an equivalent diameter between 0.1 mm and 0.4 mm to allow 2 cc / s to 8 cc / s of air intake for frothing the milk.

[0077] As mentioned above, the device 1 may be supplied by a steam distributor 12 , typically a nozzle, which is typically provided in a coffee machine 16 .

[0078] The steam distributor 12 extends along a horizontal axis in a front-to-rear direction of the coffee machine 16 .

[0079] The coffee machine 16 typically has a hydraulic circuit (not shown) that provides a water source, a water supply pump, a boiler, and an infuser in a cascade manner.

[0080] The hydraulic circuit of the coffee machine 16 also comprises a steam production line terminating in a steam distributor 12 .

[0081] The water source may be a water tank integrated into the coffee machine, or it may be connected to the water mains.

[0082] The infuser is connected to an external coffee dispenser 17 which is supported by a front wall 18 of the coffee machine 16 .

[0083] The steam distributor 12 projects horizontally from a front wall 18 of the coffee machine 16 .

[0084] The external coffee dispenser 17 can dispense directly into a cup 19 below, which is located on the front surface 20 of the coffee machine 16 for placing the cup.

[0085] When connected to the coffee machine 16 , the device 1 is located in front of the front wall 18 of the coffee machine 16 and the steam distributor 18 is coupled in the second terminal 8 c of the steam ejector 8 .

[0086] In the connected position, the container 2 is placed on the cup placement surface 20 and the external dispenser 4 can dispense directly into the cup 19 .

[0087] The cup placement surface 20 can be used as a guide for the horizontal movement of the connection of the device 1 to the coffee machine 16 .

[0088] The operation of the device 1 according to the invention is apparent from what has been described and shown and, in particular, is substantially as follows.

[0089] The steam flow triggers a Venturi effect, by which milk and air are sucked into the manifold body 5 .

[0090] The steam flow acts on the milk flow by the Venturi effect, supplying thermal energy to the milk flow, which increases the temperature of the milk to be dispensed into the cup.

[0091] The same steam flow acts on the air flow by the Venturi effect for frothing the milk to be dispensed into a cup.

[0092] The user can easily disassemble the device 1 for cleaning.

[0093] In particular, access to the milk collecting tube 9 is extremely simple: first, the device 1 is disconnected from the coffee machine 16 by removing the steam injector 8 from the external steam distributor 12 by means of a horizontal pulling force in the direction of the axis L.

[0094] At this point, the cover 3 is lifted off the container 2 by applying a pulling force on the cover 3 until the two truncated tubes 9a, 9b of the milk collecting tube 9 are completely disconnected.

[0095] Finally, the second part 3b of the cover 3 is extracted from the first part 3a of the cover 3 by applying a pulling force to the second part 3b of the cover 3 in a direction parallel to the axes L, L" until the two parts are completely disconnected.

[0096] The disassembled components of the device 1 can be cleaned in a dishwasher or manually with water, a special detergent and possibly a brush to be inserted along the first truncated tube 9 a of the milk collecting tube 9 .

[0097] Figures 14a to 16A variant of a milk container 2 is shown, the bottom 10 of which can be opened to give access to the lower end of the milk collecting tube 9 .

[0098] This enables further improvement of the inspection and cleaning operations.

[0099] In this case, the bottom 10 advantageously provides a fixed inner wall 10a and a movable outer wall 10b.

[0100] The fixed inner wall 10 a has a through hole 10 c facing the lower end of the milk collecting tube 9 .

[0101] The movable outer wall 10b has a rubber insert 10d which can sealingly engage with the through hole 10c of the fixed inner wall 10a to close it.

[0102] The movable outer wall 10b is pivoted to the milk container 2 via a pin 10e to swing between an open position and a closed position of the through hole 10c.

[0103] A flexible rod 10f extends at an angle from the edge of the movable outer wall 10b for actuating a tooth 10g which snap-fits into a coupling seat 10h provided on the outer side of the side wall of the milk container 2 to lock the movable outer wall 10b in the closed position of the through hole 10c of the fixed inner wall 10a.

[0104] During the closing movement of the movable outer wall 10b, the tooth 10g is slidingly engaged along the inclined plane 10i, which causes the rod 10f to bend: when it passes over the inclined plane 10h, the tooth 10g snaps into the coupling seat 10h.

[0105] In order to release the coupling tooth 10g from the coupling seat 10g, thereby unlocking the movable outer wall 10b, the flexible rod 10f has an angled hand-grip end 101.

[0106] The device for frothing milk conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all the details may be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

[0107] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be determined according to requirements and the state of the art.

Claims

1. A device (1) for frothing milk, comprising: Milk container (2); A cover (3) removably connected to the milk container (2), wherein the cover (3) is provided with an external milk distributor (4) and contains a manifold body (5) having a Venturi effect air intake opening (6) and a Venturi effect milk intake opening (7); and a steam injector (8) located in the manifold body (5) for triggering the Venturi effect, the device being characterized in that it comprises a tube (9) for collecting milk from the container (2), the tube being divisible into a first truncated tube (9a) connected to the container (2) and a second truncated tube (9b) connected to the cover (3) and communicating with the milk intake opening (7).

2. The device (1) for frothing milk according to claim 1, characterized in that The first truncated tube (9a) is formed integrally with the container (2) and extends vertically from the bottom (10) of the container where it has a milk inlet path (11), and the second truncated tube (9b) extends vertically and has an upward vertical outlet path communicating with the milk suction opening (7).

3. Device (1) for frothing milk according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The milk collecting tube (9) has a calibrated minimum milk passage opening (9c) at the second truncated tube (9b).

4. Device (1) for frothing milk according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cover (3) has a first portion (3a) and a second portion (3b) which are removably engageable, wherein the first portion (3a) of the cover accommodates the manifold body (5) and the second portion (3b) of the cover accommodates the steam injector (8).

5. Device (1) for frothing milk according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that The steam ejector (8) comprises an ejection conduit (8a) having a first terminal (8b) for coupling in the manifold body (5) and a second terminal (8c) for coupling with a steam distributor (12).

6. Device (1) for frothing milk according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The first connecting terminal (8b) and the second connecting terminal (8c) have a transverse coupling axis (L, L').

7. Device (1) for frothing milk according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The transverse coupling axis (L, L') is horizontal.

8. Device (1) for frothing milk according to any one of the preceding claims 6 and 7, characterized in that The injection duct (8a) has a 90° bend.

9. Device (1) for frothing milk according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cover (3) accommodates a duct (13) for collecting air from the external atmospheric environment, wherein the air collecting duct (13) is connected to the air intake opening (6) and comprises a first part (13a) of the air collecting duct accommodated in the first part (3a) of the cover and a second part (13b) of the air collecting duct accommodated in the second part (3b) of the cover.

10. Device (1) for frothing milk according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The first part (13a) of the air collecting duct and the second part (13b) of the air collecting duct have a mutual connection terminal, which has a coupling axis (L") parallel to the coupling axis (L) of the first connection terminal (8b) of the injection duct (8a).

11. Device (1) for frothing milk according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that The first part (3a) of the cover has a portion (14) for closing the milk container (2), which is topped by a compartment (15) for accommodating the second part (3b) of the cover.

12. Device (1) for frothing milk according to the preceding claim, characterised in that The compartment (15) matches the outer contour of the second portion (3b) of the cover.

13. Device (1) for frothing milk according to the preceding claim, characterised in that The compartment (15) has walls (15a, 15b, 15c) for guiding the second portion (3b) of the cover to slide in the direction of the coupling axis (L) of the first terminal (8b).

14. Device (1) for frothing milk according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The compartment (15) is configured similarly to the lead-in slot of the second portion (3b) of the cover.

15. Device (1) for frothing milk according to any one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that The bottom (10) of the milk container (2) has an openable and reclosable through hole (10c) facing the lower end of the milk collecting tube (9).

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