Combination coffee machine with milk emulsifier

Abstract

The coffee machine (1) in combination with a milk emulsifier (2), where the milk emulsifier (2) comprises a Venturi effect mixing chamber (3) having a steam inlet opening (4) for initiating the Venturi effect, a milk inlet opening (5) for suction of milk by the Venturi effect, an air inlet opening (6) for suction of air by the Venturi effect, and a milk outlet opening (7), where the steam inlet opening (4) is connected to a first inlet connector (8) and the air inlet opening (6) is connected to a second inlet connector (9), where the coffee machine (1) has a first outlet connector (10) connectable with the first inlet connector (8), a second outlet connector (11) connectable with the second inlet connector (9), a first supply conduit (12) communicating with the first outlet connector (10) and a second supply conduit (13) communicating with the second outlet connector (11), the coffee machine (1) including valve means (14) switching between a first state in which the second supply conduit (13) is connected to an air source (16) and a second state in which the second supply conduit (13) is connected to a steam and / or hot water source (24).

Description

[0001] COMBINATION COFFEE MACHINE WITH MILK EMULSIFIER

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a coffee machine equipped with a milk frother.

[0004] Currently known are coffee machines associated with a milk frother having a mixing chamber where an incoming steam flow generates a vacuum effect (Venturi effect) that draws milk from a milk supply conduit and air from an air supply conduit.

[0005] The aspirated milk flow is heated by the steam flow and frothed by the aspirated air flow.

[0006] One of the most significant issues typically consists of the formation and accumulation of milk deposits inside the frother's conduits.

[0007] These deposits, besides creating unpleasant odors, tend to clog the affected conduits and consequently, if not effectively removed, worsen the performance of the frother over time.

[0008] The technical task of the present invention is, therefore, to create a coffee machine with a milk frother that eliminates the technical drawbacks complained about in the known technique.

[0009] Within this technical task, one objective of the invention is to provide an extremely effective system for cleaning the internal conduits of a milk frother associated with a coffee machine.

[0010] Another objective of the invention is to provide an automatic cleaning system that is therefore effective regardless of the user's capabilities.

[0011] Another objective of the invention is to provide a cleaning system that does not overly complicate the construction of the frother and / or the coffee machine.

[0012] The technical task, as well as these and other objectives, according to the present invention, are achieved by a coffee machine in combination with a milk emulsifier, where the milk emulsifier comprises a Venturi effect mixing chamber having a steam inlet opening for initiating the Venturi effect, an inlet opening for suction of milk by the Venturi effect, an inlet opening for suction of air by the Venturi effect, and a milk outlet opening, where the steam inlet opening is connected to a first inlet connector and the air inlet opening is connected to a second inlet connector, where said coffee machine has a source of steam and / or hot water, an air source, a first outlet connector connectable with said first inlet connector, a second outlet connector connectable with said second inlet connector, a first supply conduit communicating with said first outlet connector, and a second supply conduit communicating with said second outlet connector, said first supply conduit being connected to said source of steam and / or hot water, said coffee machine being characterized by including valve means switching between a first state in which said second supply conduit is connected to said air source and a second state in which said second supply conduit is connected to said source of steam and / or hot water.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, these valve means comprise a three-way solenoid valve.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this three-way solenoid valve is interposed between a first section of the second conduit connected to the air source and a second section of the second conduit connected to the second outlet connector and it has a first port connected to the first section of the second conduit, a second port connected to the second section of the second conduit, and a third port connected to the steam and / or hot water source.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first inlet connector and the first outlet connector have a first geometric connection axis parallel to a second geometric connection axis between the second inlet connector and the second outlet connector.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the steam and / or hot water inlet opening and the outlet opening are directed along the first geometric connection axis, while the air inlet opening and the milk inlet opening are directed radially to the first geometric connection axis and are angularly offset around the first geometric connection axis.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first inlet connector, the second inlet connector, and the steam and / or hot water inlet opening are formed in a single block removable from the frother. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first inlet connector has an internal shut-off valve with a predetermined opening pressure.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frother comprises a milk container, a milk supply conduit connecting the milk container to the milk inlet opening, and a removable lid of the milk container in which the mixing chamber, the first inlet connector, and the second inlet connector are installed.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second supply conduit has at least two branches, each equipped with a dedicated opening solenoid valve.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coffee machine is programmed with at least one milk treatment program in which the valve means remain in the first state and at least one frother cleaning program in which the valve means cycle between the first and second states.

[0021] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the milk frothing device according to the invention, illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 shows a vertical section of the front portion of the coffee machine with the frother connected; Figure 2 shows a vertical section of the front portion of the coffee machine with the frother disconnected;

[0023] Figure 3 shows a vertical section of the partially exploded frother.

[0024] With reference to the cited figures, a coffee machine 1 is shown in combination with a milk frother 2 that can be connected and disconnected from the coffee machine 1.

[0025] The coffee machine 1 comprises, in a known manner, a hydraulic circuit, not shown, for coffee production, including in cascade a water source, such as a water tank or a connection to a water supply network, a pump for supplying infusion water, a boiler for heating the infusion water, an infuser, and a coffee dispensing unit. The coffee machine 1 also includes a frame housing the aforementioned hydraulic circuit for coffee production.

[0026] The milk frother 2 comprises a Venturi effect mixing chamber 3 with a steam inlet opening 4 for initiating the Venturi effect, a milk inlet opening 5 for the milk drawn by the Venturi effect, an air inlet opening 6 for the air drawn by the Venturi effect, and a milk outlet opening 7.

[0027] The steam inlet opening 4 is connected to a first inlet connector 8.

[0028] The air inlet opening 6 is connected to a second inlet connector 9.

[0029] The milk outlet opening 7 is connected to an adjustable milk dispenser 31 for direct dispensing of milk into a cup 32.

[0030] The coffee machine 1 has a source of steam and / or hot water 24, a source of air 16, a first outlet connector 10 connectable to the first inlet connector 8, a second outlet connector 11 connectable to the second inlet connector 9, a first supply conduit 12 communicating with the first outlet connector 10, and a second supply conduit 13 communicating with the second outlet connector 11. The source of steam and / or hot water 24 includes a boiler, which can be a dedicated boiler for this purpose, as shown, or it can be the same boiler already provided for heating the infusion water and adapted for this additional function.

[0031] The source of air 16 can be formed from any free internal space of the frame 23 of the coffee machine 1 in communication with the external atmospheric environment.

[0032] The first supply conduit 12 is connected to the source of steam and / or hot water 24.

[0033] Advantageously, the coffee machine 1 includes specific valve means 14 capable of switching between a first state in which the second supply conduit 13 is connected to the air source 16, and a second state in which the second supply conduit 13 is connected to the source of steam and / or hot water 24. The valve means 14 comprise a three-way solenoid valve 17. The three-way solenoid valve 17 is interposed between a first section 13a of the second supply conduit 1 connected to the air source 16 and a second section 13b of the second supply conduit 13 connected to the second outlet connector 11.

[0034] The three-way solenoid valve 17 has a first port 13' connected to the first section 13a of the second supply conduit 13, a second port 13" connected to the second section 13b of the second supply conduit 13, and a third port 13'" connected to the source of steam and / or hot water 24.

[0035] The second supply conduit 13, and in particular the first section 13a of the second supply conduit 13, has at least two branches 13a’, 13a” each equipped with a dedicated solenoid valve 15, 30, which opens and closes the communication of the first section 13a of the second supply conduit 13 with the air source 16.

[0036] The two branches 13a’, 13a” have different minimum passage sections; for example, the minimum passage section of the branch 13a’ is larger.

[0037] From a constructional point of view of the emulsifier 2, the first inlet connector 8 and the first outlet connector 10 have a first geometric connection axis L parallel to a second geometric connection axis L’ of connection between the second inlet connector 9 and the second outlet connector 11.

[0038] The steam and / or hot water inlet opening 4 and the outlet opening 7 are directed along the first geometric connection axis L.

[0039] The air inlet opening 6 and the milk inlet opening 5 are directed radially to the first geometric connection axis L and are angularly offset around the first geometric connection axis L.

[0040] The first inlet connector 8, the second inlet connector 9, and the steam and / or hot water inlet opening 4 are formed in a single block 18 removable from the emulsifier 2.

[0041] In particular, a male / female type coupling system is provided between the first inlet connector 8 and a first tubular fitting 8’ communicating with the mixing chamber 3, and between the second inlet connector 9 and a second tubular fitting 9’ communicating with the air inlet opening 6. The first tubular fitting 8’ is straight while the second tubular fitting 9’ is at a right angle.

[0042] The mechanical and hydraulic seal between the first inlet connector 8 and the first tubular fitting 8’, and between the second inlet connector 9 and the second tubular fitting 9’ is ensured by appropriate rings 33, 34.

[0043] The first inlet connector 8 contains a shut-off valve 19 with a preset opening pressure.

[0044] The shut-off valve 19 can be, as illustrated, a ball valve 19a movable against and by the action of a spring 19b.

[0045] The emulsifier 2 also includes a milk container 20, a milk supply conduit 21 that connects the milk container 20 to the milk inlet opening 5, and a lid 22 for the milk container 20.

[0046] The mixing chamber 3, the milk dispenser 31, the fittings 8’, 9’, and the block 18 are installed in the lid 22.

[0047] The lid 22 is removably installed on the milk container 20.

[0048] The outlet connectors 10, 11 are positioned at a front wall of the frame 23 of the coffee machine 1.

[0049] To connect the emulsifier 2 to the coffee machine 1, first the inlet connectors 8, 9 are aligned with the corresponding outlet connectors 10, 11 and then the emulsifier 2 is moved in the direction of the connection axes L, L’.

[0050] This movement can be guided by sliding the milk container 20 horizontally on its horizontal support plane 27 provided at the front of the coffee machine 1, which is also intended to support the cup 32 adjacent to the milk container 20.

[0051] The connection is achieved by applying a horizontal push on the emulsifier 2 until the engagement of the inlet connectors 8, 9 with the corresponding outlet connectors 10, 11 is obtained, while disconnection is achieved by pulling the emulsifier 2 in the opposite direction until the inlet connectors 8, 9 disengage from the corresponding outlet connectors 10, 11. The controller 25 of the coffee machine 1 includes at least one milk treatment program in which the valve means 14 remain in the first state and at least one washing program for the emulsifier 2 in which the valve means 14 cyclically switch between the first state and the second state.

[0052] The operation of the coffee machine 1 with the emulsifier 2 is as follows.

[0053] The controller 25 of the coffee machine 1 can be programmed with a series of milk treatment programs that differ in the state of the solenoid valves 15, 30 but not in the state of the switching valve means 14, which remain switched to the first configuration.

[0054] The user can select the desired milk treatment program on the dashboard of the coffee machine 1. If the desired milk treatment program requires hot milk without foam, the solenoid valves 15, 30 remain closed, and the steam flow delivered by the first supply conduit 12, through the Venturi effect, draws only the milk from the milk container 20 into the mixing chamber 3 and heats it.

[0055] If, on the other hand, the desired milk treatment program requires hot milk with foam, one of the solenoid valves 15, 30 remains open and the other remains closed, and the steam flow delivered by the first supply conduit 12 draws, through the Venturi effect, both air from the second supply conduit 13 and milk from the milk container 20 into the mixing chamber 3, and the drawn milk is then heated and emulsified with air in the mixing chamber 3.

[0056] The foam degree is higher if valve 30 on the branch 13a’, which has a larger minimum passage section, is open.

[0057] In the example shown, the solenoid valves 15, 30 are in a permanent state of open or closed during the steam flow delivery, but in other applications, they may open and close in a programmed cyclic manner to modulate the degree of foam and / or the milk heating temperature.

[0058] The washing program can be executed automatically at the end of each milk treatment program or a programmed number of milk treatment programs, or it can be executed by user command.

[0059] In the washing program, as mentioned above, the valve means 14 cyclically switch between the first and second states to perform a pulsed flushing of the mixing chamber 3. The various washing programs can differ in the duration of the switching states.

[0060] During the execution of the washing program, the solenoid valve 30 on the branch 13a’ with a larger minimum passage section and the solenoid valve 15 on the branch 13a” with a smaller minimum passage section both remain closed.

[0061] The shut-off valve 19, normally closed, promotes the conveyance of hot water and / or steam towards the second outlet connector 11 and additionally prevents the inflow of hot water and / or steam from the first inlet connector 8 from triggering the Venturi effect in the mixing chamber 3, which would otherwise draw milk from the container 20.

[0062] The washing program is therefore executed in combination by a first flow of steam and / or hot water that flows from the first inlet connector 8 to the milk outlet opening 7 and by a second flow of steam and / or hot water that flows from the second inlet connector 9 to the mixing chamber 3 and from there to the milk outlet opening 7.

[0063] In practice, the inlet opening 6 of the mixing chamber 3, during a milk treatment cycle, serves as the inlet opening for the air drawn in by the Venturi effect, while during a washing cycle, it serves as the inlet opening for hot water and / or steam into the mixing chamber 3.

[0064] Consequently, the coffee machine, with an economical and simple system, can vary the milk foam quantity with extreme precision while keeping the emulsifier always clean and efficient.

[0065] The user does not require any special skills to succeed in the operation, as their contribution is limited to selecting the desired foam level on the dashboard.

[0066] The coffee machine with the emulsifier thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

[0067] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to the needs and the state of the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Coffee machine (1) in combination with a milk emulsifier (2), where the milk emulsifier (2) comprises a Venturi effect mixing chamber (3) having a steam inlet opening (4) for initiating the Venturi effect, a milk inlet opening (5) for suction of milk by the Venturi effect, an air inlet opening (6) for suction of air by the Venturi effect, and a milk outlet opening (7), where the steam inlet opening (4) is connected to a first inlet connector (8) and the air inlet opening (6) is connected to a second inlet connector (9), where said coffee machine (1) has a source of steam and / or hot water (24), an air source (16), a first outlet connector (10) connectable with said first inlet connector (8), a second outlet connector (11) connectable with said second inlet connector (9), a first supply conduit (12) communicating with said first outlet connector (10), and a second supply conduit (13) communicating with said second outlet connector (11), said first supply conduit (12) being connected to said source of steam and / or hot water (24), said coffee machine (1) being characterized by including valve means (14) switching between a first state in which said second supply conduit (13) is connected to said air source (16) and a second state in which said second supply conduit (13) is connected to said source of steam and / or hot water (24).

2. Coffee machine (1) in combination with a milk emulsifier (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that said valve means (14) include a three-way solenoid valve (17).

3. Coffee machine (1) in combination with a milk emulsifier (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that said three-way solenoid valve (17) is interposed between a first section (13a) of said second conduit (13) connected to said air source (16) and a second section (13b) of said second conduit (13) connected to said second outlet connector (11), and has a first port (13’) connected to said first section (13a) of said second conduit (13), a second port (13”) connected to said second section (13b) of said second conduit (13), and a third port (13’”) connected to said source of steam and / or hot water (24).

4. Coffee machine (1) in combination with a milk emulsifier (2) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said first inlet connector (8) and said first outlet connector (10) have a first geometric connection axis (L) parallel to a second geometric connection axis (L’) between said second inlet connector (9) and said second outlet connector (11).

5. Coffee machine (1) in combination with a milk emulsifier (2) according to the claim 4, characterized in that said steam and / or hot water inlet opening (4) and said milk outlet opening (7) are directed along said first geometric connection axis (L), while said air inlet opening (6) and said milk inlet opening (5) are directed radially to said first geometric connection axis (L) and are angularly offset around said first geometric connection axis (L).

6. Coffee machine (1) in combination with a milk emulsifier (2) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said first inlet connector (8), said second inlet connector (9), and said steam and / or hot water inlet opening (4) are formed in a single block (18) removable from the emulsifier (2).

7. Coffee machine (1) in combination with a milk emulsifier (2) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said first inlet connector (8) contains a shut-off valve (19) with a preset opening pressure.

8. Coffee machine (1) in combination with a milk emulsifier (2) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a milk container (20), a milk supply conduit (21) that connects said milk container (20) to said milk inlet opening (5), and a removable lid (22) of said milk container (20) in which are installed said mixing chamber (3), said first inlet connector (8), and said second inlet connector (9).

9. Coffee machine (1) in combination with a milk emulsifier (2) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said second supply conduit (13) has at least two branches (13a’, 13a”) each equipped with a dedicated opening solenoid valve (14, 15).

10. Coffee machine (1) in combination with a milk emulsifier (2) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it is adapted to carry out at least one milk treatment program in which said valve means (14) remain in said first state and at least one washing program for the emulsifier (2) in which said valve means (14) cyclically switch between said first state and said second state.

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