Device for frothing milk

Abstract

The device (1) for frothing milk comprises: a milk container (2), a lid (3) of the milk container (2), where the lid (3) is equipped with a suction chamber (4) connected to a steam inlet duct (5a, 5b), to an air suction duct (6a, 6b), to a milk suction duct (7a, 7b), and to a milk outlet duct (8a, 8b). The lid (3) has a first lid part (3 a) removably engaged with the milk container (2) and a second lid part (3b) removably engaged with the first lid part (3 a), furthermore, a seal (9) delimiting the suction chamber (4) is provided between the first lid part (3 a) and the second lid part (3b).

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR FROTHING MILK

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for frothing milk.

[0004] Devices for frothing milk that can be associated with a coffee machine have long been known.

[0005] Some types of known devices include a milk container equipped with a lid incorporating a Venturi effect mixing chamber where air and milk drawn from the container are mixed by the Venturi effect triggered by a steam flow.

[0006] These known milk frothing devices may have drawbacks, including the complexity of accessing internal components for inspection and cleaning.

[0007] This issue is quite significant considering that any milk residues that solidify inside the device can create blockages in the milk flow passages, thus impairing the efficiency of the device.

[0008] Moreover, solidified milk residues inside the device can negatively affect the organoleptic characteristics of the product and generate unpleasant odours.

[0009] For this reason, such devices may require the injection of liquid detergents to clean the internal parts, which obviously need to be thoroughly rinsed.

[0010] The technical task of the present invention is, therefore, to create a device for frothing milk that eliminates the technical drawbacks mentioned in the prior art.

[0011] Within this technical task, an aim of the invention is to create a device for frothing milk that is easy to inspect and clean.

[0012] The technical task, as well as these and other aims, according to the present invention, are achieved by creating a device for frothing milk comprising: a milk container, a lid for the milk container, where the lid is equipped with a suction chamber connected to a steam inlet duct, an air suction duct, a milk suction duct, and a milk outlet duct, said lid having a first part of the lid removably engaged with said milk container and a second part of the lid removably engaged with said first part of the lid, characterized by comprising a seal delimiting said suction chamber interposed between the first part of the lid and the second part of the lid.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said seal is fixed to said first part of the lid.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said seal, in cooperation with said second part of the lid, delimits said suction chamber.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said seal features a connecting joint between a first portion of the steam inlet duct provided in the first part of the lid and a second portion of the steam inlet duct delimited between said seal and said second part of the lid.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said seal features a connecting joint between a first portion of the air suction duct provided in the first part of the lid and a second portion of the air suction duct delimited between said seal and said second part of the lid.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said seal features a connecting joint between a first portion of the milk suction duct provided in the first part of the lid and a second portion of the milk suction duct delimited between said seal and said second part of the lid.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said seal features a connecting joint between a first portion of the milk outlet duct provided in the first part of the lid and a second portion of the milk outlet duct delimited between said seal and said second part of the lid.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said seal is made of a rubber membrane.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said container internally supports an extension of the milk suction duct that extends to the bottom of the container.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said first part of the lid and said second part of the lid feature guiding means for achieving an operational configuration of the lid and quick locking means for securing the operational configuration of the lid. Additional 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 attached drawings, in which:

[0022] • Figure 1 shows a side elevation view of the milk frothing device; » Figure 2 shows a front view of the milk frothing device;

[0023] • Figure 3 shows a vertical section of the milk frothing device, taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2;

[0024] • Figure 4 shows a top plan view of the milk frothing device;

[0025] • Figure 5 shows an axonometric view of the milk container lid in a closed configuration;

[0026] • Figure 6 shows an axonometric view of only the first part of the milk container lid; » Figure 7 shows an axonometric view of the milk container lid in an open configuration;

[0027] • Figure 8 shows a front view of the milk container lid in an open configuration;

[0028] • Figure 9 shows a vertical section of the milk container lid in an open configuration, taken along line 9-9 of Figure 8;

[0029] • Figure 10a shows a horizontal section of the milk container lid connected to the coffee machine (partially shown), taken along line 10a- 10a of Figure 11 ;

[0030] • Figure 10b shows an enlarged detail of Figure 10a;

[0031] • Figure 11 shows a vertical section of the milk container lid connected to the coffee machine (partially shown), taken along line 11-11 of Figure 10;

[0032] • Figure 12 shows a front view of a coffee machine with the milk frothing device removed; » Figure 13 shows a front view of a coffee machine with the milk frothing device attached.

[0033] With reference to the mentioned figures, a milk frothing device is shown and generally indicated with reference number 1.

[0034] The device 1 comprises a milk container 2 equipped with a removable closure lid 3. The lid 3 can be removed from the container 2 to refill the container 2 with fresh milk once it is empty. The lid 3 supports a suction chamber 4, a steam inlet duct 5a, 5b into the suction chamber 4, an air suction duct 6a, 6b connected to the suction chamber 4, a milk suction duct 7a, 7b connected to the suction chamber 4, and a milk outlet duct 8a, 8b from the suction chamber 4.

[0035] The lid 3 comprises a first part of the lid 3a removably engaged with the milk container 2 and a second part of the lid 3b removably engaged with the first part of the lid 3 a.

[0036] The first part of the lid 3 a is particularly shaped to fit the upper mouth of the milk container 2.

[0037] The device 1 includes a seal 9 interposed between the first part of the lid 3a and the second part of the lid 3b.

[0038] Advantageously, the seal 9 is supported by the first part of the lid 3 a and, in cooperation with the second part of the lid 3b, defines the suction chamber 4.

[0039] The seal 9 features a connecting joint 10 between a first portion 5 a of the steam inlet duct provided in the first part of the lid 3a and a second portion 5b of the steam inlet duct defined between the seal 9 and the second part of the lid 3b, a connecting joint 11 between a first portion 6a of the air suction duct provided in the first part of the lid 3 a and a second portion 6b of the air suction duct defined between the seal 9 and the second part of the lid 3b, a connecting joint 12 between a first portion 7a of the milk suction duct provided in the first part of the lid 3 a and a second portion 7b of the milk suction duct defined between the seal 9 and the second part of the lid 3b, and a connecting joint 17 between a first portion 8a of the milk outlet duct provided in the first part of the lid 3a and a second portion 8b of the milk outlet duct defined between the seal 9 and the second part of the lid 3b.

[0040] Thus, when the second part of the lid 3b is separated from the first part of the lid 3 a, the suction chamber 4 and the second portions 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b of the steam inlet, air suction, milk suction, and milk outlet ducts, being enclosed between the seal 9 and a delimiting wall 13 of the second part 3b of the lid, are disassembled to facilitate inspection and cleaning.

[0041] The seal 9 is made of a rubber membrane, for example, silicone rubber. The membrane is particularly flat and is applied flush with a flat delimiting wall 24 of the first part 3 a of the lid facing the delimiting wall 13 of the second part 3b of the lid.

[0042] The seal 9 can be fixed in any way to the first part of the lid 3a, for example, welded, glued, or comoulded.

[0043] More specifically, the suction chamber 4 and the second portion 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b of the steam inlet duct 5a, 5b, the air suction duct 6a, 6b, the milk suction duct 7a, 7b, and the milk outlet duct 8a, 8b are enclosed between the membrane wall facing the second part 3b of the lid and the recesses of the delimiting wall 13 of the second part 3b of the lid, spaced from the membrane and defined by appropriate ridges 13' on the delimiting wall 13 of the second part 3b of the lid.

[0044] The ridges 13' on the delimiting wall 13 of the second part 3b of the lid engage in fluid-tight sealing with the membrane and thus define the contours of the suction chamber 4, the second portion 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b of the steam inlet duct 5a, 5b, the air suction duct 6a, 6b, the milk suction duct 7a, 7b, and the milk outlet duct 8a, 8b.

[0045] The steam inlet duct 5a, 5b, the air suction duct 6a, 6b, and the milk suction duct 7a, 7b each have a respective inlet opening 14, 15, 16 formed in the first part 3a of the lid.

[0046] The steam inlet duct 5a, 5b has an outlet opening 18 aligned with an inlet opening 19 of the milk outlet duct 7a, 7b. The outlet opening 18 of the steam inlet duct 5a, 5b has an equivalent diameter smaller than an equivalent diameter of the inlet opening 19 of the milk outlet duct 7a, 7b to trigger a Venturi effect with which air and milk are drawn into the suction chamber 4.

[0047] The steam inlet duct 5a, 5b has a connector 20 for a connection terminal 21, particularly a terminal provided in a coffee machine 27.

[0048] The terminal 21 is specifically a steam dispensing terminal connected to a steam source inside the coffee machine.

[0049] Similarly, the air suction duct 6a, 6b, as shown, has a connector 22 for a connection terminal 23, particularly a terminal provided in the coffee machine 27. The terminal 23, as will be clarified later, can define a communication path with the air suction duct 6a, 6b and the external atmospheric environment of the lid 3.

[0050] Alternatively, in a non-illustrated solution, the terminal 23 can be an air dispensing terminal connected to an air source inside the coffee machine 27, where the air flow from the internal air source of the coffee machine 27 can be interrupted via a dedicated solenoid valve.

[0051] The connectors 20, 22 have a parallel connection axis, particularly horizontal.

[0052] In the illustrated case, the connectors 20, 22 are aligned in a vertical plane, but alternatively, they can be aligned in a horizontal or oblique plane.

[0053] In the illustrated case, the first portion 6a of the air suction duct and the first portion 5 a of the steam inlet duct have a right-angle configuration to connect a horizontal entry direction to a vertical exit direction upwards.

[0054] The systems for regulating the flow rate of the aspirated air can be of various types.

[0055] The flow rate of the aspirated air is determined by the minimum passage cross-section of the circuit that supplies air to the suction chamber 4.

[0056] The minimum air passage cross-section has an equivalent diameter between 0.05 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm.

[0057] The minimum air passage cross-section, if an air dispensing terminal is provided, can be located in the part of the air circuit that develops inside the coffee machine 27.

[0058] Alternatively, the minimum air passage cross-section can be located in the part of the air circuit that develops inside the lid 3.

[0059] For example, in the case illustrated in figures 10a and 10b, the minimum air passage cross-section is created inside the lid 3 by the coupling between the connector 22 and the connection terminal 23.

[0060] In this regard, the connection terminal 23 includes a cylindrical pin 37 inserted with a shape fit into a cylindrical seat 39 of the connector 22. The cylindrical pin 37 circumferentially has a sealing gasket 8 that seals against the cylindrical seat 39 of the connector 22.

[0061] The cylindrical seat 39 of the connector 22 has an axial groove 36 that extends across the sealing gasket 38.

[0062] The minimum air passage cross-section in this case is represented by the cross-sectional area of the axial groove 36.

[0063] In another case not shown, the minimum air passage cross-section can be created by the coupling between the first part 3 a of the lid and the second part 3b of the lid.

[0064] The first portion 5a of the steam inlet duct contains an intercept valve that opens at a preset pressure, comprising a ball shutter 33 movable against and by the action of a spring 34.

[0065] In the first part 3 a of the lid, there is also a washing duct 35 that has one end opening into the first portion 5a of the steam inlet duct downstream of the intercept valve and another end opening into the flat delimiting wall 24 at a through hole 35 of the membrane.

[0066] The end opening into the flat delimiting wall 24 is sealed by an additional ridge 13' on the delimiting wall 13 of the second part 3b of the lid, which surrounds the through hole 35 and engages in fluid-tight sealing with the membrane.

[0067] The container 2 internally supports an extension 25 of the milk suction duct 7a, 7b that extends down to the bottom 26 of the container 2.

[0068] At the bottom 26 of the container 2, the extension 25 has one or more milk intake slots 40.

[0069] The extension 25 is preferably formed as a single piece with the milk container 2.

[0070] The first portion 7 a of the milk suction duct has a removable fluid-tight coupling with the extension 25.

[0071] The systems for regulating the flow rate of the aspirated milk can be of various types.

[0072] The flow rate of the aspirated milk is determined by the minimum passage cross-section of the circuit that supplies milk to the suction chamber 4. The minimum milk passage cross-section has an equivalent diameter between 0.5 mm and 2 mm. The minimum milk passage cross-section can be located in the extension 25 or in one of the two portions of the milk suction duct 7a, 7b, or it can be defined by the coupling between the milk suction duct 7a, 7b, and the extension 25.

[0073] The first part 3a of the lid and the second part 3b of the lid finally feature guiding means for achieving an operational configuration of the lid and quick locking means for securing the operational configuration of the lid.

[0074] The guiding means include a rotational guide 29 for a rotationally guided element 28.

[0075] The rotationally guided element 28 is supported by the second part 3b of the lid, while the rotational guide 29 is supported by the first part 3 a of the lid.

[0076] The rotational guide 29 is defined by one or more aligned concave arcuate surfaces that define a geometric axis of rotation.

[0077] The rotationally guided element 28 has one or more convex arcuate surfaces conjugated to the said concave arcuate surfaces of the rotational guide 29.

[0078] The second part 3b of the lid can thus be guided in rotation relative to the first part 3 a of the lid between an operational configuration of the lid, or lid closure, in which the second part 3b of the lid is fluid-tight against the seal 9, and a non-operational configuration of the lid, or lid opening, in which the second part 3b of the lid is separated from the seal 9, thereby completely exposing the internal surfaces of the suction chamber 4 and the second portions 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b of the steam inlet, air suction, milk suction, and milk outlet ducts.

[0079] The second part 3b of the lid can be completely detached from the first part 3a of the lid because the rotationally guided element 28 rests on the rotational guide 29 but can be slid off.

[0080] The quick locking means for the operational configuration of the lid include a button 30 for actuating a latch 31 into a snap seat 32. The latch 31 is integral with the button 30, and specifically, the button 30 and the latch 31 are integrated into a single block supported by the second part 3b of the lid in a sliding manner, against and by the action of a spring 42.

[0081] The snap seat 32, on the other hand, is formed in the first part of the lid 3a.

[0082] The locking of the operational configuration of the lid is achievable automatically without manual intervention on the button 30.

[0083] In this regard, during the rotation of the second part 3b of the lid, the latch 31 interferes with an inclined plane 43 provided at the entrance of the snap seat 32 and, due to this interference, retracts against the spring 41 until, having passed the inclined plane 43, it snaps into the snap seat 32 by the action of the spring 41.

[0084] To unlock the operational configuration of the lid, simply press the button 30 so that the latch 31 disengages from the snap seat 32.

[0085] To disassemble the lid, at this point, rotate the second part of the lid 3b while initially keeping the button 30 pressed.

[0086] The coffee machine 27 conventionally includes a hydraulic circuit (not shown) that includes a water source, a water supply pump, a boiler, and a brewing unit.

[0087] The hydraulic circuit of the coffee machine 27 also includes a steam production line that has the steam dispensing terminal 21.

[0088] The water source can be a tank integrated into the coffee machine or a connection to the water supply network.

[0089] The brewing unit is connected to an external coffee dispenser 44 supported by a front wall 45 of the coffee machine 27.

[0090] The dispensing terminals 21 and 23 project horizontally from the front wall 45 of the coffee machine 27. The external coffee dispenser 44 can dispense directly into a cup positioned underneath it on a cup rest surface 46 of the coffee machine 27.

[0091] When connected to the coffee machine 27, the device 1 is positioned in front of the front wall 45 of the coffee machine 27 with the milk container 2 resting on the cup rest surface 46, and the second portion 8b of the milk outlet duct oriented to dispense directly into the cup.

[0092] The cup rest surface 46 can be used as a guide for a horizontal movement to connect the device 1 to the coffee machine 27.

[0093] The operation of the device 1 according to the invention is evident from the description and illustrations and is substantially as follows.

[0094] The steam flow triggers a Venturi effect through which milk and air are drawn into the suction chamber 4.

[0095] Specifically, the steam flow draws a milk flow by the Venturi effect, providing thermal energy that increases the temperature of the milk to be dispensed into the cup.

[0096] The same steam flow draws an air flow by the Venturi effect, which is useful for frothing the milk to be dispensed into the cup.

[0097] After use, the user can easily disassemble the device 1 for cleaning.

[0098] First, the user separates the device 1 from the coffee machine 27.

[0099] This operation is very simple because it requires the user to manually pull the device 1 to remove the coupling between the connectors 20, 22 and their respective connection terminals 21, 23.

[0100] The user then separates the lid 3 from the container 2.

[0101] This operation is also very simple because it requires the user to manually pull the lid from the milk container 2 to remove the coupling between the lid and the mouth of the milk container 2. Finally, the user disassembles the lid of the milk container 2 in the manner indicated above.

[0102] The cleaning of the disassembled components of the device 1 can be done in the dishwasher or by hand with water and / or appropriate detergents. The milk frothing device thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all details can be replaced with technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any depending on the needs and the state of the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device (1) for frothing milk comprising: a milk container (2), a lid (3) for the milk container (2), where the lid (3) is equipped with a suction chamber (4) connected to a steam inlet duct (5a, 5b), an air suction duct (6a, 6b), a milk suction duct (7a, 7b), and a milk outlet duct (8a, 8b), said lid (3) having a first part of the lid (3a) removably engaged with said milk container (2) and a second part of the lid (3b) removably engaged with said first part of the lid (3a), characterized by comprising a seal (9) delimiting said suction chamber (4) interposed between the first part of the lid (3a) and the second part of the lid (3b).

2. The device (1) for frothing milk according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said seal (9) is fixed to said first part of the lid (3 a).

3. The device (1) for frothing milk according to the previous claim, characterized by the fact that said seal (9) delimits said suction chamber (4) in cooperation with said second part of the lid (3b).

4. The device (1) for frothing milk according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that said seal (9) features a connecting joint (10) between a first portion (5a) of the steam inlet duct provided in the first part of the lid (3 a) and a second portion (5b) of the steam inlet duct defined between said seal (9) and said second part of the lid (3b).

5. The device (1) for frothing milk according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that said seal (9) features a connecting joint (11) between a first portion (6a) of the air suction duct provided in the first part of the lid (3a) and a second portion (6b) of the air suction duct defined between said seal (9) and said second part of the lid (3b).

6. The device (1) for frothing milk according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that said seal (9) features a connecting joint (12) between a first portion (7a) of the milk suction duct provided in the first part (3 a) of the lid and a second portion (7b) of the milk suction duct defined between said seal (9) and said second part of the lid (3b).

7. The device (1) for frothing milk according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that said seal (9) features a connecting joint (17) between a first portion (8a) of the milk outlet duct provided in the first part (3 a) of the lid and a second portion (8b) of the milk outlet duct defined between said seal (9) and said second part of the lid (3b).

8. The device (1) for frothing milk according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that said steam inlet duct (5 a, 5b) has an outlet opening (18) aligned with an inlet opening (19) of said milk outlet duct (7a, 7b), said outlet opening (18) of said steam inlet duct (5a, 5b) having an equivalent diameter smaller than an equivalent diameter of said inlet opening (19) of said milk outlet duct (7a, 7b) to trigger a Venturi effect through which air and milk are drawn into the suction chamber (4).

9. The device (1) for frothing milk according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that said steam inlet duct (5a, 5b) and said air suction duct (6a, 6b) feature a connector (20, 22) for a respective connection terminal (21, 23) of a coffee machine (27).

10. The device (1) for frothing milk according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized by the fact that said air suction duct (6a, 6b) is in communication with the external atmospheric environment of the lid (3).

11. The device (1) for frothing milk according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that said seal (9) is made of a rubber membrane.

12. Device (1) for frothing milk according to the previous claim, characterized in that said seal (9) is formed by a flat membrane applied flush with a flat wall (24) delimiting said first part (3 a) of the lid.

13. Device (1) for frothing milk according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said container (2) internally supports an extension (25) of the milk suction conduit (7a, 7b) which extends down to a bottom (26) of the container (2).

14. Device (1) for frothing milk according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said first part (3a) of the lid and said second part (3b) of the lid have guiding means to achieve an operational configuration of the lid and quick locking means for the operational configuration of the lid.

15. Coffee machine (27) featuring a device (1) for frothing milk according to any preceding claim.

Images