A method for operating an apparatus for providing a milk-air emulsion. The apparatus includes: a milk line through which milk flows, a mixing chamber disposed in the milk line, an air feed system having an adjusting unit responsive to a control variable for setting an amount of air injected into the mixing chamber for producing the milk-air emulsion, a measuring unit for determining a physical material property of the milk-air emulsion, and a control and evaluation unit to set the control variable. In a first operating mode an amount of air, controlled by the adjusting unit, is introduced into the mixing chamber to produce the air-milk emulsion which is thereafter is dispensed. In a second operating mode a self-adjustment is performed in which the control and evaluation unit creates a data set as a function of the physical material property of the milk-air emulsion and generates the control variable based on the data set that is input to the adjusting unit.

A beverage discharge disposition for frothing a liquid food product such as milk and comprising a discharge casing (1) configured for provision in the front region of a beverage preparation machine (20). The beverage discharge disposition comprises an air valve (10) adapted to provide better milk frothing conditions and including an ambient air admission, an air flow constrain element (19) adapted to provide variations of a passageway section (18) of ambient air flow, an air flux discharge wall (17) provided downstream of the air flow constrain element (19), and a discharge chamber provided upstream of the air flux discharge wall (17).

A milk frother system includes a gear pump which, at an inlet side is connected at least to a milk feed conduit that, for its part, is connected during operation to a milk vessel that can be filled with milk, for example by way of it projecting into the vessel. The gear pump sucks milk out of the milk vessel via the milk feed conduit. The system also includes a feed conduit for water and/or steam to the gear pump, for example in order to rinse this after use or also, by way of the feed of steam, to heat the delivered milk. The milk frother system is configured, under predefined conditions and before delivery of milk, to deliver water and/or steam to the gear pump via the feed conduit, in order to wet the gear pump.

Aspects of the present disclosure comprise methods and apparatuses for multiple fluid flow delivery within beverage systems. Such control may be with external inputs and may be remotely controlled from a different geographic location. Such methods and apparatuses, in certain aspects of the present disclosure, may also provide a second and/or third liquid.

Frothing device (40) for the use in a machine (100) for foaming and/or heating a fluid, comprising at least a first body (15) and a second body (16) assembled together to configure the frothing device (40); at least one of the first or second bodies (15, 16) comprising cavities to configure fluid conduits when the bodies (15, 16) are assembled together; the fluid conduits comprising a steam conduit (21) through which steam flows and heats the fluid; a fluid conduit (28) though which fluid flows by the under-pressure created when steam circulates through the steam conduit (28); and an air conduit (22) configured to be able to add air to the fluid conduit (28); the fluid conduits further comprising an expansion chamber (18) having an internal restriction in section allowing the fluid to be frothed when air has been added to the fluid conduit (28). The invention further refers to a machine (100) for foaming and/or heating a fluid by means of such a frothing device (40), comprising means for receiving and closing in a tight manner the two bodies (15, 16) configuring the frothing device (40) when the frothing device (40) is arranged in the machine (100) so that a closed fluid system using Venturi effect is created, these means for receiving and closing the two bodies (15, 16) preferably being also configured to refrigerate the frothing device (40) when arranged in the machine (100).

The present invention discloses a beverage discharge disposition comprising a discharge casing (1) configured so that can be provided in the front region of a beverage preparation machine (20), including the option of supplying milk and frothed milk, whereby said discharge casing (1) presents a milk circulation disposition (2) adapted so as to provide an ergonomic use of a beverage preparation machine, in particular the possibility of dismounting and mounting said milk circulation disposition (2) for periodic cleaning thereof.

The present invention further discloses a beverage preparation machine (20) and a process for operating said machine (20), in particular of a respective ergonomic beverage discharge disposition, according to the present invention.

The present invention discloses a beverage discharge disposition comprising a discharge casing (1) configured so that can be provided in the front region of a beverage preparation machine (20), including the option of supplying milk and frothed milk, whereby said discharge casing (1) presents a milk circulation disposition (2) adapted so as to provide an ergonomic use of a beverage preparation machine, in particular with milk flux regulation means (3) of more ergonomic use.

The present invention further discloses a beverage preparation machine (20) and a process for operating said machine (20), in particular of a respective ergonomic beverage discharge disposition, according to the present invention.

A fan-based steaming and foaming device is provided with a fan assembly and an activation device between a steam tube and an ejection tube. The invention employs an air pressure difference of a fan to directly inject, into a liquid, air required for foaming.

Various automated and semi-automated beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a container assembly configured to receive beverage, such as a milk. The container assembly can be configured to receive a flow of steam, air, or additional gasses and vapors to heat and/or aerate the beverage residing therein. The container assembly can include a temperature sensor configured to monitor the rate of heating, and automatically adjust the heating and aeration parameters accordingly.

A coffee machine having a water tank; at least one first pump; at least one first boiler for heating the water; a coffee brewing unit; and circuits to feed hot water and/or steam, with a first outlet for hot water or steam towards an emulsifying device which can be connected to a connection joint of the coffee machine; a second outlet for hot water and/or wash water.