Milk module for beverage preparation device with input-side sensor

Abstract

Milk module (02) for a beverage preparation device (01), in particular a coffee and / or espresso machine, with an inlet port (04) for connection to a milk storage container, with a heating and / or frothing device (14) which is fluidly connected to the inlet port (04) and an outlet (16) which is fluidly connected to the heating and / or frothing device (14), such that a milk product is guided from the inlet port (04) via the heating and / or frothing device (14) to the outlet (16) and can be heated and / or frothed in the process, wherein a controllable valve (09) is arranged fluidly between the inlet port (04) and the heating and / or frothing device (14), which controls the milk flow beyond the valve (09), and wherein a temperature sensor (07) is arranged in a line section (06) between the valve (09) and the inlet port (04) such thatthat the temperature sensor (07) can be brought into direct contact with the milk in the pipe section (06).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a milk module for a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee and / or espresso machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Various beverage preparation devices are known in the prior art that feature a milk module with which a milk product can be heated and / or frothed. For the purposes of the following disclosure, a milk product is understood to mean a protein-containing food, regardless of its origin—animal or plant—or composition.

[0003] Usually, the milk module is connected directly or indirectly to a removable milk storage container, from which the milk or milk product is then taken to be heated and / or frothed in the milk module.

[0004] For hygiene and health reasons, the milk storage container is usually designed to be removable, allowing it to be kept cool before and after use of the milk module, for example, in a refrigerator. Alternatively, or additionally, the milk storage container can also be actively cooled.

[0005] In the case of generic beverage preparation devices, in particular coffee and / or espresso machines, which are sometimes also referred to as fully automatic coffee machines, there is a particular need for the production and dispensing of different beverages or beverage specialties, each of which is produced or prepared with as similar or constant properties as possible over a long period of time.

[0006] This applies, for example, but by no means exclusively, to the temperature, texture, taste, and external appearance, such as the color of the beverage. With regard to heated, especially foamed, dairy products, it is also desirable that the produced and delivered result for a desired, predefined, or preset beverage or beverage recipe be as consistent or constant as possible in terms of pore size, pore distribution, consistency, and milk-to-foam ratio.

[0007] In this context, in addition to the actual milk product used and its properties or composition, the temperature of the milk product at which it leaves the milk storage container is a particularly important variable or influencing factor. This temperature of the milk product can easily vary within a range of 20°C, e.g., between 4°C and 24°C. This significant temperature difference can have a correspondingly strong impact on the result of the foamed and / or heated milk product produced with the milk module.

[0008] Approaches are already known in the prior art for detecting the temperature of the milk product and controlling the milk module, preferably in a controlled manner, depending on the heated and / or frothed milk product. An example of such an approach is known from US 9,474,408 B2. The milk storage container therein comprises a thermal sensor that detects the temperature of the milk product in the milk storage container. The said sensor or thermal sensor is connected to a control device, which in turn also controls the milk pump for conveying the milk product from the milk storage container. Another sensor is also provided in the outlet of the milk module, which measures the temperature of the frothed and / or heated milk product and feeds it back to the said control device.

[0009] While the solution in question enables both the detection or measurement of the temperature of the milk product before it enters the milk module and the corresponding temperature measurement after heating and / or frothing, the solution is complex both in terms of the components used and its design, and is disadvantageous in various respects. For example, implementing a temperature sensor in the milk storage container is difficult, as this either makes it difficult to remove the milk storage container or, alternatively, requires a correspondingly complex additional electronic and / or data interface between a removable milk storage container and the beverage preparation device, in particular the control device. This allows the sensor to remain in the milk storage container when the milk storage container is removed, with only the corresponding electronic and / or data connection temporarily interrupted.

[0010] Positioning a second temperature sensor in the outlet of the milk module also requires additional effort at the device level. Furthermore, the milk product, when warmed and / or frothed, is more prone to adhesion and the formation of encrustations on material surfaces, making the sensor located there more prone to the accumulation of dirt, which is both problematic from a hygiene perspective and can affect, and especially distort, the temperature measurement.

[0011] Furthermore, DE 10 2015 100 505 A1 discloses a method and device for adjusting the temperature of a prepared admixture liquid. A sensor is arranged in the outlet and / or inlet upstream of the treatment unit. The components for preparing the admixture liquid, in this case, dairy products, are permanently installed in the beverage preparation device, which makes cleaning difficult.

[0012] US 2022 / 0257046 A1 discloses a milk frother that can be attached to the outside of the machine as a removable component and features a temperature sensor in the milk inlet. The entire assembly, including the sensor, is removable, which results in the aforementioned disadvantages regarding the electronic and / or data interface.

[0013] US 2017 / 0 238 755 A1 discloses a milk module in which an inlet temperature sensor is provided in the inlet area upstream of a pump and an adjustable throttle, and a further outlet temperature sensor is provided in the outlet area. Both the inlet temperature sensor and the outlet temperature sensor can be used to influence the control of the milk module.

[0014] DE 10 2012 110 885 A1 discloses a milk frothing device using a pinch valve. Milk can be drawn from a separate storage container or one integrated into a coffee machine via a line. The pinch valve is provided for adjusting the flow rate and is controlled by actuators.

[0015] Against this background, it is the object of the present invention to propose a milk module for a beverage preparation device, a beverage preparation device and a method for operating a milk module of a beverage preparation device, which overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular allow effective control of a milk module depending on the temperature of the milk or milk product provided.

[0016] This object is achieved with respect to the milk module by the features of independent claim 1. With respect to a beverage preparation device, the object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 9. A corresponding method for operating a milk module of a beverage preparation device is specified in independent claim 11.

[0017] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the following description, the description of the figures, the figures and the dependent claims.

[0018] To avoid unnecessary repetition, all features disclosed in the method shall be deemed to be correspondingly disclosed and claimable in the device, and vice versa.

[0019] The milk module according to the invention for a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee and / or espresso machine, comprises an inlet connection for connection to a milk storage container. Furthermore, the milk module comprises a heating and / or frothing device, which is fluidly connected to the inlet connection. Furthermore, the milk module comprises an outlet, which in turn is fluidly connected to the heating and / or frothing device. This allows a milk product to be guided from the inlet connection via the heating and / or frothing device to the outlet, where it can be heated and / or frothed.

[0020] It is also provided that a controllable valve is arranged in a fluid-conducting manner between the inlet connection and the heating and / or frothing device, which valve controls the milk flow beyond, in particular downstream of, the valve, and wherein a temperature sensor is arranged in a line section between the inlet connection and the valve in such a way that the temperature sensor is and can be brought into direct contact with the milk product in the line section.

[0021] The invention is based on the basic idea that, in order to achieve largely constant results of the heated and / or frothed milk product depending on the inlet temperature or the prevailing temperature of the milk product in the milk storage container, it is sufficient to detect or record this temperature or inlet temperature of the milk product shortly before heating and / or frothing, and that, in addition, it is sufficient for correspondingly constant and reproducible results if, depending on the detected temperature or inlet temperature of the milk product, an adjustment or forced throttling of the volume flow through the milk module is provided by means of a valve, without the pump or pumping mechanism used to convey the milk product being immediately or directly influenced.

[0022] In other words, this means that for a given product or beverage with heated and / or frothed milk / milk product, the primary conveying mechanisms, for example the operation of a jet pump or venturi nozzle, remain unaffected or are operated independently of the temperature of the milk product and only secondarily the volume flow of the milk product through the milk module is influenced or controlled by means of a valve, whereby this control depends on a detected temperature value that is detectable, can be measured or is available when the milk product has been introduced or introduced into the milk module.

[0023] It is surprising that the unavoidable, finite latency required to obtain reliable measurement information or data on the milk product's temperature from the temperature sensor and subsequently control the valve according to a predefined correlation between milk temperature and valve position has no noticeable impact on the final milk product output. This allows a consistent, consistent result to be achieved across a wide temperature range of milk product inlet temperatures, in accordance with a corresponding specification, with a much simpler device design and much simpler control technology.

[0024] The milk module may preferably have various supply lines permanently connected to the beverage preparation device, which are used, for example, to deliver or transfer steam, hot water, cold water and / or cleaning or rinsing fluid to the milk module.

[0025] As already stated above, the milk storage container can preferably be designed to be removable and detachable from the milk module and / or the beverage preparation device. For this purpose, the milk module and / or the milk storage container can have a hose or a line, which then either forms the inlet connection or can be connected to the inlet connection. Plug-in and / or snap-in connections can preferably be used for this purpose.

[0026] The heating and / or frothing device can be configured, for example, as a single-stage or multi-stage, serial or parallel jet pump or Venturi nozzle through which the milk product is sucked in and / or frothed. Alternatively, the froth can be provided via a porous membrane, and the heating can be achieved via a direct or indirect heat exchange mechanism. If a different conveying mechanism is used instead of a Venturi nozzle, the milk product can advantageously be conveyed via a fluid pump, such as a roller pump.

[0027] The outlet can, for example, have a single outlet or a branched outlet with two outlet openings. The milk module can preferably have several separable components. For example, a first component can extend from an inlet connection to a transition to the heating and / or frothing device. A second component can comprise the essential components of the heating and frothing device and end at a transition to the outlet. A third component can then essentially comprise the outlet. The ability to divide or separate the milk module can be used particularly advantageously to effectively clean the milk module.

[0028] In a first advantageous embodiment of the milk module, the valve can be designed as an adjustable throttle with discrete setting states. This allows for a technically simpler implementation of the valve and the intended influencing of the volume flow through the milk module. The discrete setting states allow for easier control of the valve or throttle without resulting in the end product, i.e. the heated and / or frothed milk product, having excessively different properties. In other words, a certain temperature range of the inlet temperature of the milk product can be assigned a corresponding position of the throttle or valve, so that after the temperature has been detected / measured by the temperature sensor, the position of the valve is set, which is provided via the link to the respective temperature range.

[0029] In an embodiment according to the invention, the components of the milk module between the inlet connection and the outlet are designed to be removable, preferably removable from the milk module without tools, with the temperature sensor being permanently connected to the milk module. This has various advantages. On the one hand, the removable design of the components or parts of the milk module, in particular removable without tools, allows for simple and effective cleaning of the milk module. Furthermore, the removable design allows for simple and effective repair in the event that a part or component becomes excessively dirty, excessively worn, or otherwise unusable.

[0030] The fixed connection between the milk module and the temperature sensor has the advantage that the temperature sensor can also be easily cleaned, especially after removing the other components of the milk module. Furthermore, this allows for a simple and robust electronic and / or data connection of the temperature sensor, since this connection does not need to be detachable or reversible, but can be designed accordingly as permanent and durable.

[0031] In a further, particularly desirable embodiment of the milk module, it can be provided that a valve body of the valve is designed to be removable from the line section and / or is designed in one piece, preferably monolithically, in the line section.

[0032] This has the advantage of firstly reducing the total number of components, since, for example, there is no need to first provide a line from the inlet connection to a valve inlet, and also no need to provide another line at the valve outlet or on the corresponding valve body, for example to the inlet of a heating and / or frothing device. Furthermore, this also simplifies assembly, since the valve, particularly within the valve body, is already partially formed or molded into the line section in which the temperature sensor is also arranged in the assembled state. Furthermore, this particularly advantageously facilitates cleaning of the milk module.This is because removing the line section means that, particularly if the temperature sensor itself is / remains firmly connected to the milk module and / or the beverage preparation device, not only can the sensor itself be easily cleaned, but also the seat of the temperature sensor and the valve body, which can be removed together with the line section and / or is formed monolithically with the line section, can be easily and effectively cleaned in the removed line section.

[0033] In a further, particularly advantageous embodiment, it can also be provided that an actuator of the valve, preferably a diaphragm, is permanently connected to the milk module. The actuator of the valve can be connected to a mechanical and / or electromechanical actuating unit that drives the actuator, for example, rotationally. The actuator, preferably the diaphragm, acts together with the valve body as a valve. For this purpose, the actuator, for example, the diaphragm, is inserted into the valve body and adjusted there so that the effective cross-section and thus the volume flow through the valve can be influenced or controlled.

[0034] If the actuator is firmly connected to the milk module, this means that if other parts or components of the milk module are removed, for example a section of pipe including the valve body, the actuator can be easily exposed and can therefore also be easily cleaned and / or replaced.

[0035] Furthermore, the aforementioned design makes both the removal and reinsertion of components of the milk module, in particular the line section, particularly easy. The fixed connection between the milk module and the temperature sensor and / or actuator allows the line section to be easily removed, for example, pulled out, from the milk module without the operator having to take special precautions or require special expertise. At the same time, the line section can also be inserted particularly easily by reinserting or reattaching it to the actuator and / or the temperature sensor.

[0036] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the milk module, it can also be provided that the actuator has a sealing means, preferably a sealing bead, which engages with a complementary contour of the valve body, in particular the line section. This particularly advantageously ensures that the valve is sealed to the outside and, with an actuator inserted or a line section / valve body inserted in reverse, no milk product escapes at undesired positions of the valve. Instead, the milk product is simply directed from a valve inlet to a valve outlet, thereby regulating or adjusting the volume flow.

[0037] According to a further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the milk module, it can be provided that it has a housing with a lid that can preferably be removed without tools. This can prevent unintentional tampering with the milk module. Furthermore, the removable lid can serve to secure the parts or components of the milk module in place when installed. The preferably tool-free removal of the lid also ensures that the parts or components of the milk module are easily accessible, for example, for cleaning, maintenance, replacement, etc.

[0038] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the temperature sensor can be provided to protrude into the line section through an opening, for example, with a circular or circular-like cross-section. This ensures that the temperature sensor is in direct contact with the milk product when the milk module, in particular the line section, is installed. This ensures fast and precise temperature measurement.

[0039] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the temperature sensor is thermally decoupled from the milk module and / or the beverage preparation device by means of a single insulation. This prevents the temperature measurement from being influenced by the temperature in the beverage preparation device or in the vicinity of the beverage preparation device.

[0040] According to a further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the milk module, the line section can be formed from an at least partially elastic material, preferably silicone and / or rubber material. This allows both easy removal and easy insertion of the line section into the milk module and also a good sealing effect between the line section and the temperature sensor and / or the line section and the actuator of the valve, particularly if the valve body is formed monolithically from the line section or is otherwise integrated into the line section as one piece. Furthermore, such material is food-compatible and easy to clean. Other parts of the milk module can also advantageously be formed from a corresponding material.

[0041] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee and / or espresso machine, with a milk module according to one of the previously described embodiments. This particularly advantageously enables the provision of heated and / or frothed milk products with consistent properties regardless of the inlet temperature of the milk product in the milk storage container. The beverage preparation device is preferably designed such that a coupling between a milk storage container and the inlet connection of the milk module can be established and separated via a separable connection, for example a hose or line connection. The separation occurs regularly in order to keep the milk storage container cool, for example in a refrigerator.

[0042] The beverage preparation device can advantageously comprise a beverage substrate storage device, preferably a coffee bean container, a grinding unit, a brewing unit, a heating device for heating fluids, a fresh water tank and / or collecting containers for collecting residual water and / or leached beverage substrate.

[0043] In an advantageous embodiment of the beverage preparation device, it can be provided that it has a, preferably computer-based, control unit which is designed to receive measurement data generated by the temperature sensor and, depending on the received measurement data, to control an actuating device for adjusting the valve.

[0044] The adjusting device can generally be assigned to the milk module or the beverage preparation device. As already indicated above, the control system can, for example, be configured such that different discrete valve positions are assigned to different ranges of inlet temperatures of the milk product, each of which allows a specific volume flow through the valve. The control unit, in response to the received measurement data and / or temperatures, controls the adjusting device to set the corresponding valve position. The control unit can also be designed as a central control unit that also controls other functions of the beverage preparation device.

[0045] The above-mentioned object is further achieved by a method for operating a milk module according to one of the embodiments presented above, wherein the method provides that a milk product is conveyed from a, preferably separate, milk storage container to an inlet connection of the milk module, wherein more preferably the conveying is accomplished by means of a jet pump and / or Venturi nozzle comprised by the milk module.

[0046] In a further method step, the milk product is guided and / or conveyed from the inlet connection to an outlet of the milk module, wherein the milk product flows through a heating and / or frothing device which is fluidly connected to the inlet connection and the outlet, so that the milk product is heated and / or frothed before it is dispensed or discharged through the outlet.

[0047] It is provided that the temperature of the milk product entering the milk module is measured with a temperature sensor and, depending on the measured temperature, a controllable valve arranged in a fluid-conducting manner between the inlet closure and the heating and / or frothing device is controlled, which controls the milk flow beyond the valve and wherein the temperature in a line section between the valve and the inlet connection is measured with the temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is in direct contact with the milk product.

[0048] According to the invention, it is provided that the components of the milk module between the inlet connection and the outlet can be removed, preferably without tools, wherein the temperature sensor remains in the milk module to which it is firmly connected.

[0049] As already explained above, this solution is both structurally and control-technically simple, yet ensures that the milk product is available at the outlet with the desired or specified properties, regardless of the inlet temperature at which the milk product was provided or made available to the milk module. For further advantages and effects, please refer to the above description of the milk module.

[0050] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the valve can be moved to a partially open, preferably discrete, initial position before or at the start of the milk product conveyance. This has proven particularly advantageous for switching or controlling the valve to the desired position as quickly as possible after a stable or reliable temperature measurement has been achieved by the temperature sensor. Furthermore, this ensures that not too much milk product passes through the milk module at the beginning, thus exerting an excessive influence on the overall result of the heated and / or frothed milk product.

[0051] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the valve can be adjusted depending on the measured temperature before 60 ml, preferably before 50 ml, of milk product has passed through the valve. This ensures that the final dispensed milk product, after heating and / or frothing, remains within very narrow limits of specified parameters and properties.

[0052] Advantageous embodiments of the invention will be explained below with reference to schematic drawings showing only exemplary embodiments. In these drawings: Fig. 1: a section through a milk module according to the invention of a beverage preparation device according to the invention in a first embodiment; Fig. 2: a plan view of a line section of a milk module according to the invention.

[0053] Fig. 1 schematically shows part of a beverage preparation device 01 with a milk module 02. The milk module is shown schematically in a sectional view and initially comprises a housing 03, which can be provided with a cover (not shown in the sectional view) that can be detachable or removable, in particular removable without tools. The milk module 02 comprises an inlet connection 04, which preferably has coupling means, for example, locking means, for connecting or coupling a milk storage container (not shown) directly or via a hose connection.

[0054] The direction arrow 05 indicates the flow direction of the milk product within the milk module 02. After the milk product enters the milk module 02 via the inlet connection 04, the milk product first passes through a temperature sensor 07 inside a line section 06, which is arranged in direct fluid contact or in immediate contact with the milk product in the line section 06. For this purpose, the temperature sensor 07 protrudes through an opening 08 in the line section 06 into the line section 06.

[0055] After passing the temperature sensor 07, the milk product flows along the line section 06 to a valve 09. The valve 09 is essentially formed from a valve body 10 and an actuator 11. The valve body 10 is preferably formed integrally, in particular monolithically, with the line section 06 or in the line section 06. The actuator 11 is connected to an actuating device 12, which is capable of adjusting or driving the actuator 11, for example, by rotating it about a longitudinal axis L.

[0056] The actuator 11 may include a gate or aperture (not shown in detail) that allows a variable amount or volume flow of milk product to pass through the valve 09 depending on the position of the actuator 11. After passing through the valve 09, the milk product leaves the line section 06 and enters a heating and / or frothing device 14 at an interface 13. The details of the heating and frothing device are not shown. This may, for example, be one or more Venturi nozzles or jet pumps that heat, froth, and / or suck in / convey the milk product.

[0057] An outlet 15 of the heating and / or frothing device 14 is followed by an outlet 16 through which the heated and / or frothed milk product is dispensed from the milk module.

[0058] The heating and frothing device 14 is connected to the beverage preparation device 01 via supply lines 21, via which, for example, hot water, cold water, steam, compressed air or the like can be provided.

[0059] The beverage preparation device 01 comprises a preferably computer-based control unit 17 which is configured to receive measurement data from the temperature sensor 07 and to control the actuating device 12 of the valve 09 depending on the received measurement data.

[0060] Before the milk module 02 is put into operation or the heating and / or frothing of a milk product is initiated, the control unit can generate a corresponding control command to move the valve 09, which can be designed, for example, as an adjustable throttle with discrete control states, into a partially open initial position. Following this, the heating and frothing device 14 or another device located in the Fig. 1 pump not shown, the flow of the milk product is initiated and the milk product is provided at the inlet port 04.

[0061] While the milk product passes the temperature sensor 07, temperature measurements are taken. These measurements can advantageously be taken continuously or at very short intervals (fractions of a second) at the beginning in order to be able to determine a stabilization of the measured value after a transient process as quickly as possible. As soon as a stable or reliable temperature measurement is available, the valve 09 is adjusted depending on the determined temperature and the volume flow or flow through the milk module 02, in particular through the heating and frothing device 14, is controlled. This allows the different inlet temperatures of the milk product to be taken into account and thus a substantially consistent milk product can be provided in accordance with specified properties or parameters.

[0062] Preferably, the temperature sensor 07 and / or the actuator 11 can be permanently connected to the milk module 02. In contrast, the line section 06 between the inlet connection 04 and the interface 13 can preferably be designed to be removable. In this case, when the line section 06 is removed, the actuator 11 and the temperature sensor 07 remain in the milk module 02. The heating and frothing device 14 and the outlet 16 can advantageously also be designed to be removable. The line section 06 is advantageously made of a partially elastic material, preferably rubber or silicone, for easy removal and to ensure sufficient sealing between the actuator 11 and the valve body 10 as well as between the temperature sensor 07 and the opening 08.

[0063] Fig. 2 shows a top view of a milk module 02 of the Fig. 1 and shown separately. In the Fig. 2 shows that connecting means or locking means are formed on the inlet connection 04. Furthermore, the opening 08 is visible, through which the temperature sensor 07 protrudes into the interior of the line section 06 and comes into direct contact with the milk product. Furthermore, the valve body 10 is visible, into which the actuator 11 engages when the line section 06 is inserted. Fig. 2 shows again that the valve body 10 is formed in one piece, in particular monolithically, in the line section 06. In order to establish a good sealing effect between the actuator 11 and the valve body 10 in the inserted state, the actuator 11 comprises sealing means, preferably a sealing bead 19, which engages with a complementary contour 20 of the valve body 10 ( Fig. 1). Reference symbol 01 Beverage preparation device 02 Milk module 03 Housing 04 Input connection 05 Direction arrow 06 Line section 07 Temperature sensor 08 Opening 09 Valve 10 valve bodies 11 Actuator 12 Adjusting device 13 Interface 14 Heating and / or frothing device 15 Exit 16 Outlet 17 Control unit 19 Sealing bead 20 Contour 21 supply lines L Longitudinal axis

Claims

[1] Milk module (02) for a beverage preparation device (01), in particular a coffee and / or espresso machine, with an inlet connection (04) for connection to a milk storage container, with a heating and / or frothing device (14) which is fluidically connected to the inlet connection (04) and with an outlet (16) which is fluidically connected to the heating and / or frothing device (14), so that a milk product is guided from the inlet connection (04) via the heating and / or frothing device (14) to the outlet (16) and can be heated and / or frothed in the process, wherein a controllable valve (09) is arranged in a fluidically conductive manner between the inlet connection (04) and the heating and / or frothing device (14), which valve controls the milk flow beyond the valve (09), and wherein a temperature sensor is arranged in a line section (06) between the valve (09) and the inlet connection (04). (07) is arranged so thatthat the temperature sensor (07) can be brought into direct contact with the milk in the line section (06), , characterized by that the components of the milk module (02) between the inlet connection (04) and the outlet (16) are designed to be removable, preferably removable without tools, wherein the temperature sensor (07) is designed to be firmly connected to the milk module (02). [2] Milk module (02) according to claim 1, characterized by that the valve (09) is designed as an adjustable throttle with discrete control states. [3] Milk module (02) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a valve body (10) of the valve (09) is designed to be removable from the line section (06) and / or is designed to be monolithic in the line section (06). [4] Milk module (02) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an actuator (11) of the valve (09), preferably a diaphragm, is fixedly connected to the milk module (02). [5] Milk module (02) according to claim 4, characterized by that the actuator (11) has a sealing means, preferably a sealing bead (19), which engages with a complementary contour (20) of the valve body (10), in particular of the line section (06). [6] Milk module (02) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a housing (03) with a cover that can be removed, preferably without tools. [7] Milk module (02) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the temperature sensor (07) protrudes through an opening (08) into the line section (06). [8] Milk module (02) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the line section (06) is formed from an at least partially elastic material, preferably silicone and / or rubber material. [9] Beverage preparation device (01), in particular a coffee and / or espresso machine, with a milk module (02) according to one of claims 1 to 8. [10] Beverage preparation device (01) according to claim 9, characterized by a preferably computer-based control unit (17) which is configured to receive measurement data generated by the temperature sensor (07) and, depending on the received measurement data, to control an actuating device (12) for adjusting the valve (09). [11] Method for operating a milk module (02) according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the following method steps: -Conveying a milk product from a preferably separate milk storage container to an inlet connection (04) of the milk module (02), preferably by means of a jet pump included in the milk module (02); - guiding the milk product to an outlet (16) of the milk module (02), wherein the milk product flows through a heating and / or frothing device (14) which is fluidly connected to the inlet connection (04) and the outlet (16) so that the milk product is heated and / or frothed, wherein the temperature of the milk product entering the milk module (02) is measured with a temperature sensor (07) and, depending on the measured temperature, a controllable valve (09) arranged in a fluid-conducting manner between the inlet connection (04) and the heating and / or frothing device (14) is controlled, which valve controls the milk flow beyond the valve (09) and wherein the temperature in a line section (06) between the valve (09) and the inlet connection (04) is measured with the temperature sensor (07), wherein the temperature sensor (07) is in direct contact with the milk product. [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized bythat the valve (09) is moved into a partially open initial position before or at the start of the conveyance of the milk product. [13] Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by that the adjustment of the valve (09) takes place depending on the measured temperature before 60ml, preferably before 50ml, of milk product has passed the valve.

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