A milk frother for a coffee maker

Abstract

The present invention relates to a milk frother (2) suitable for use in coffee makers (1), comprising a milk container (3) wherein milk and similar beverages are placed; a hot vapor duct (4) which has an outlet (11) and which is connected to the coffee maker (1); a milk drawing duct (5) one end of which extends vertically towards the bottom of the milk container (3); a milk outlet port (6) one end of which extends outside the milk container (3); a main body (7) having an inlet (10) which extends in the horizontal direction and to which the outlet (11) of the hot vapor duct (4) is connected, a milk inlet (12) which is provided at the base thereof and to which the other end of the milk drawing duct (5) is connected and a milk outlet (13) provided opposite to the inlet (10) so as to be in the same direction with the inlet (10); an air duct (14) which is provided on the main body (7) so as to be parallel to the milk outlet (13); and an adjustment knob (8) which is attached to the air duct (14) and which enables the user to adjust the amount of air entering the air duct (14) by triggering the same from the outside.

Description

[0001] 7.3575

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] A MILK FROTHER FOR A COFFEE MAKER

[0004] The present invention relates to an automatic milk frother which can be easily cleaned.

[0005] The hot milk froth used in coffee machines is obtained as a result of hot water vapor meeting the milk drawn from the milk container. In milk frothers, the duct and other components in contact with milk become dirty. If proper cleaning is not achieved, problems of hygiene arise, which causes bacteria formation and bad odors. Moreover, if cleaning is not performed properly, the ducts through which the milk moves are clogged, adversely affecting the performance of the milk froth. Therefore, the users should be enabled to provide hygiene by easily cleaning every component of the milk frothers which gets into contact with milk.

[0006] In addition to being easy to clean, the users also expect the milk frothers to have various features such as storing in a refrigerator, directly filling a glass, adjusting the milk froth volume, easy to fill milk, etc.

[0007] In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP2994026, a milk frother is disclosed, where the milk outlet is an integral part of the lid and can slide on the lid so as to extend over the glass.

[0008] Another state of the art document is Chinese Patent Application No. CN106667267. This document discloses a milk frother wherein air inlet control is achieved by pulling a spring-connected rod or loosening or tightening a screw.

[0009] In the state of the art Chinese Utility Model Document Application No. CN215650547, a milk frother is disclosed, wherein the sealing connection between a milk chamber which receives milk directly from the milk container, the lid and the chamber can be cleaned.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a milk frother which is suitable to be used in coffee makers, which can be easily cleaned and which prepares milk frother to be guided towards a glass.

[0011] The milk frother realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, is suitable to be 7.3575 used in the coffee makers, and comprises a main body having an inlet extending in the horizontal direction and to which the outlet of the hot vapor duct is connected, a milk inlet provided at the base thereof and to which the other end of the milk drawing duct is connected and a milk outlet provided opposite to the inlet so as to be in the same direction with the inlet; an air duct which is provided on the main body so as to be parallel to the milk outlet; and an adjustment knob which is attached to the air duct and which enables the user to adjust the amount of air entering the air duct by triggering the same from the outside.

[0012] By means of the present invention, the air inlet is controlled by the user using the adjustment knob such that the milk froth is adjusted. The milk frother can be attached to and detached from the coffee maker, and milk is put into the milk container while attached to the coffee maker. Moreover, the components of the milk frother can be easily disassembled and separated from each other by hand, without the need for equipment (screwdrivers, etc.) and thus, can be easily cleaned. The milk container is also attached directly to the coffee maker and can be easily separated from the coffee maker and stored in the refrigerator.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the main body, the hot vapor duct and the milk outlet port are borne to the milk container from below and to the lid from above.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the milk outlet port comprises an "L" shaped duct in the horizontal plane and a second straight duct which is arranged as an extension of said duct and which outside the milk container. The milk outlet port makes an angular movement around the end in the horizontal plane connected to the main body with the force applied to the second duct by the user, and thanks to this angular movement, milk or froth is delivered directly to coffee cups of different sizes.

[0015] By means of the present invention, an easy-to-clean milk frother is realized, wherein the milk froth volume can be adjusted. Moreover, since the milk frothing process is performed independently of the lid, the user can easily fill the milk without removing the milk container from the coffee maker. Similarly, since the milk container can be detached from and attached to the coffee maker, the milk 7.3575 container can be stored in the refrigerator. Moreover, the prepared hot milk froth is transferred directly to the glass of the desired size.

[0016] In the embodiment of the present invention, the outlet of the hot vapor duct is connected to the inlet on the main body. In this case, the other end of the hot vapor duct extends towards the coffee maker and the hot vapor duct is borne on the first housing on the lid. The milk drawing duct extending into the milk container is also attached to the milk inlet at the base of the main body. The milk outlet port, which is attached to the main body through the first duct, is borne in the third housing while the main body is borne in the second housing. In this case, one end of the air duct is connected to the main body, while the other end extends outside the milk container and the adjustment knob is attached to this end.

[0017] When it is desired to prepare a milk beverage in the coffee maker, the hot vapor coming from the hot vapor duct and the air coming from the air duct are drawn into the main body through the milk drawing duct by the Venturi effect. The milk entering the main body turns into hot milk froth by being exposed to hot vapor, and then flows out of the milk container and into the glass from the milk outlet port extending towards the glass. The pressure and duration of the hot vapor are determined as a result of experimental studies, aiming to prevent the taste of the milk from being spoiled.

[0018] In the embodiment of the present invention, the volume of milk froth is changed mechanically by controlling the amount of air entering the air duct with the adjustment knob.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment knob has a circular structure. The circular moving adjustment knob enables the user to receive milk froth in line with his / her preferences.

[0020] In another embodiment of the present invention, the milk frother comprises a guide which is provided on both sides of the outward opening port of the air duct and which is inclined towards the center of the duct. By means of said guides provided on both sides of the air duct port, the adjustment knob is enabled to be centered and easily mounted on the air duct. 7.3575

[0021] A milk frother realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0022] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a coffee maker.

[0023] Figure 2 - is the front view of the coffee maker.

[0024] Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the milk frother.

[0025] Figure 4 - is the exploded view of the milk frother.

[0026] Figure 5 - is the top cross-sectional view of the milk frother.

[0027] Figure 6 - is the view of the cross-section A-A in Figure 5.

[0028] Figure 7 - is the view of the cross-section B-B in Figure 5.

[0029] Figure 8 - is the view of the cross section C-C in Figure 5.

[0030] Figure 9 - is the top view of the main body.

[0031] Figure 10 - is the sideways view of the main body.

[0032] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows.

[0033] 1. Coffee maker

[0034] 2. Milk frother

[0035] 3. Milk container

[0036] 4. Hot vapor duct

[0037] 5. Milk drawing duct

[0038] 6. Milk outlet port

[0039] 7. Main body

[0040] 8. Adjustment knob

[0041] 9. Lid

[0042] 10. Inlet

[0043] 11. Outlet

[0044] 12. Milk inlet 7.3575

[0045] 13. Milk outlet

[0046] 14. Air duct

[0047] 15. First housing

[0048] 16. Second housing

[0049] 17. Third housing

[0050] 18. First duct

[0051] 19. Second duct

[0052] 20. Guide

[0053] The milk frother (2) suitable for use in coffee makers (1) comprises a milk container (3) wherein milk and similar beverages are placed; a hot vapor duct (4) which has an outlet (11) and which is connected to the coffee maker (1); a milk drawing duct (5) one end of which extends vertically towards the bottom of the milk container (3); a milk outlet port (6) one end of which extends outside the milk container (3); a main body (7) having an inlet (10) which extends in the horizontal direction and to which the outlet (11) of the hot vapor duct (4) is connected, a milk inlet (12) which is provided at the base thereof and to which the other end of the milk drawing duct (5) is connected and a milk outlet (13) provided opposite to the inlet (10) so as to be in the same direction with the inlet (10); an air duct (14) which is provided on the main body (7) so as to be parallel to the milk outlet (13); and an adjustment knob (8) which is attached to the air duct (14) and which enables the user to adjust the amount of air entering the air duct (14) by triggering the same from the outside (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

[0054] By means of the present invention, the air inlet is controlled by the user using the adjustment knob (8) such that the milk froth is adjusted. The milk frother (2) can be attached to and detached from the coffee maker (1), and milk is put into the milk container (3) while attached to the coffee maker (1). Moreover, the components of the milk frother (2) can be easily disassembled and separated from each other so as to be easily cleaned. The milk container (3) is also attached directly to the coffee maker (1) and can be easily separated from the coffee maker (1) and stored in the refrigerator. 7.3575

[0055] In an embodiment of the present invention, the milk frother (2) comprises a lid (9) which is placed onto the milk container (3).

[0056] In an embodiment of the present invention, the main body (7), the hot vapor duct (4) and the milk outlet port (6) are borne to the milk container (3) from below and to the lid (9) from above. In this embodiment of the present invention, the milk frother (2) comprises a first housing (15) which is provided on one side of the milk container (3) and whereon the hot vapor duct (4) is seated, and a second housing (16) and a third housing (17) which are provided on the edge of the milk container (3) opposite the first housing (15) and which respectively receive the main body (7) and a part of the milk outlet port (6) (Figure 3).

[0057] In an embodiment of the present invention, the milk outlet port (6) comprises a first duct (18) in the form of an "L" in the horizontal plane, one end of which is connected to the main body (7) and a second duct (19) which is attached to the other end of said first duct (18) as an extension of the first duct (18) and which outside the milk container (3). The milk outlet port (6) makes an angular movement around the end in the horizontal plane connected to the main body (7) with the force applied to the second duct (19) by the user, and thanks to this angular movement, milk or froth is delivered directly to coffee cups of different sizes (Figure 4).

[0058] By means of the present invention, an easy-to-clean milk frother (2) is realized, wherein the milk froth volume can be adjusted. Moreover, since the milk frothing process is performed independently of the lid (9), the user can easily fill the milk without removing the milk container (3) from the coffee maker (1). Similarly, since the milk container (3) can be detached from and attached to the coffee maker (1), the milk container (3) can be stored in the refrigerator. Moreover, the prepared hot milk froth is transferred directly to the glass of the desired size.

[0059] In the embodiment of the present invention, the outlet (11) of the hot vapor duct (4) is connected to the inlet (10) on the main body (7). In this case, the other end of the hot vapor duct (4) extends towards the coffee maker (1) and the hot vapor duct (4) is borne on the first housing (15). The milk drawing duct (5) extending into the milk container (3) is also attached to the milk inlet (12) at the base of the 7.3575 main body (7). The milk outlet port (6), which is attached to the main body (7) through the first duct (18), is borne in the third housing (17) while the main body (7) is borne in the second housing (16). In this case, one end of the air duct (14) is connected to the main body (7), while the other end extends outside the milk container (3) and the adjustment knob (8) is attached to this end (Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 7).

[0060] When it is desired to prepare a milk beverage in the coffee maker (1), the hot vapor coming from the hot vapor duct (4) and the air coming from the air duct (14) are drawn into the main body (7) through the milk drawing duct (5) by the Venturi effect. The milk entering the main body (7) turns into hot milk froth by being exposed to hot vapor, and then flows out of the milk container (3) and into the glass from the milk outlet port (6) extending towards the glass. The pressure and duration of the hot vapor are determined as a result of experimental studies, aiming to prevent the taste of the milk from being spoiled (Figure 8 and Figure 9).

[0061] In the embodiment of the present invention, the volume of milk froth is changed mechanically by controlling the amount of air entering the air duct (14) with the adjustment knob (8).

[0062] In an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment knob (8) has a circular structure. The circular moving adjustment knob (8) enables the user to receive milk froth in line with his / her preferences.

[0063] In another embodiment of the present invention, the milk frother (2) comprises a guide (20) which is provided on both sides of the outward opening port of the air duct (14) and which is inclined towards the center of the duct (14). By means of said guides (20) provided on both sides of the air duct (14) port, the adjustment knob (8) is enabled to be centered and easily mounted on the air duct (14).

[0064] In another embodiment of the present invention, the main body (7) is manufactured from silicone material.

[0065] By means of the present invention, an easy-to-clean milk frother (2) is realized, wherein the milk froth volume can be adjusted.

Claims

75CLAIMS1. A milk frother (2) comprising a milk container (3) wherein milk and similar beverages are placed; a hot vapor duct (4) which has an outlet (11) and which is connected to the coffee maker (1); a milk drawing duct (5) one end of which extends towards the bottom of the milk container (3); a milk outlet port (6) one end of which extends outside the milk container (3); a main body (7) having an inlet (10) which extends in the horizontal direction and to which the outlet (11) of the hot vapor duct (4) is connected, a milk inlet (12) which is provided at the base thereof and to which the other end of the milk drawing duct (5) is connected and a milk outlet (13) provided opposite to the inlet (10) so as to be in the same direction with the inlet (10), characterized by an air duct (14) which is provided on the main body (7) so as to be parallel to the milk outlet (13) and an adjustment knob (8) which is attached to the air duct (14) and which enables the user to adjust the amount of air entering the air duct (14) by triggering the same from the outside.

2. A milk frother (2) as in Claim 1, characterized by a lid (9) which is placed onto the milk container (3).

3. A milk frother (2) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the main body (7), the hot vapor duct (4) and the milk outlet port (6) which are borne to the milk container (3) from below and to the lid (9) from above.

4. A milk frother (2) as in Claim 1, characterized by a first housing (15) which is provided on one side of the milk container (3) and whereon the hot vapor duct (4) is seated, and a second housing (16) and a third housing (17) which are provided on the edge of the milk container (3) opposite the first housing (15) and which respectively receive the main body (7) and a part of the milk outlet port (6).

5. A milk frother (2) as in Claim 1, characterized by the milk outlet port (6) comprising a first duct (18) in the form of an "L" in the horizontal plane,75 one end of which is connected to the main body (7) and a second duct (19) which is attached to the other end of said first duct (18) as an extension of the first duct (18) and which outside the milk container (3).

6. A milk frother (2) as in Claim 1, characterized by the circular adjustment knob (8).

7. A milk frother (2) as in Claim 1, characterized by a guide (20) which is provided on both sides of the outward opening port of the air duct (14) and which is inclined towards the center of the duct (14).

8. A milk frother (2) as in Claim 1, characterized by the main body (7) which is manufactured from silicone material.

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