Device for treating a liquid, in particular milk, with integrated rinsing system and method for rinsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frothing devices face clogging issues due to dried milk deposits, leading to functional and sensory impairments, and require frequent and automated rinsing and cleaning to maintain hygiene and froth quality, which is complicated by the need for precise air supply and frequent flushing of the air supply line.
Innovation Solution
A device with an integrated rinsing system featuring directly closing non-return valves in a vertical air supply line, a proportional air volume regulator, and a thick-film heater, allowing for precise air dosing and simultaneous rinsing of the air supply line, ensuring consistent froth quality and improved hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rinsing liquid is introduced into the milk suction line through a rinsing valve, then the milk-carrying parts are cleaned, but the air supply line becomes clogged with dried milk residues affecting air dosing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply line is segmented into multiple sections by non-return valves, allowing the rinsing liquid to be directed to specific segments. This enables targeted cleaning of the air supply line without affecting the entire system, maintaining air dosing precision while improving cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Non-return valves act as intermediaries that control the flow path of rinsing liquid. These valves enable the rinsing liquid to reach the air supply line through a controlled path, allowing cleaning without direct contamination of the air dosing components.
2Measurement precision
If the air supply line is flushed frequently to maintain air dosing precision, then froth quality is improved, but the device complexity and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rinsing of the air supply line is merged with the existing rinsing cycle of the milk-carrying parts. By using the same rinsing liquid source and timing, the system achieves dual cleaning without requiring separate flushing operations, reducing operational complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The rinsing system is designed to serve multiple functions: cleaning both the milk suction line and the air supply line through a single integrated process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies overall device operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables reproducible high-quality milk froth production by ensuring precise air supply and thorough cleaning of the device, preventing clogging and maintaining hygiene, independent of operator effort, with the air supply line being flushed during the same rinsing cycle as other components.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element (34) designed as a continuous-flow heater, designed as a thick-film heater
Implementation Method 2
a pump (18), a line system (16, 22) comprising a milk intake line (16), via which the at least one storage container (12, 14) can be connected to the pump (18), an outlet line (22), via which the pump (18) can be connected to at least one outlet (24)
Implementation Method 3
the first and the second non-return valve (30, 32) being designed as directly closing non-return valves
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Device (1) for processing a liquid, in particular milk, with an integrated rinsing system, comprising at least one storage container (12, 14) for storing the liquid, arranged in a cooling device (10), a pump (18) and a piping system comprising a milk suction line (16) via which the at least one storage container (12, 14) can be connected to the pump (18), an outlet line (22) via which the pump (18) can be connected to at least one outlet (24), and a rinsing line (42) via which the milk suction line (16) can be supplied with a rinsing liquid, as well as an air volume regulator (28) by means of which air can be metered via an air supply line (26) at an inlet point into the milk suction line (16), and a heating element (34) designed as a flow heater, which is arranged in the outlet line (22) and is designed as a thick-film heater.The device (1) has a second check valve (32) and a first check valve (30) in the air supply line (26), arranged between the air volume regulator (28) and the inlet point into the milk suction line (16), and the air supply line (26) can be connected to the rinsing line (42) between the first check valve (30) and the second check valve (32) via a valve (44).