An automatic apparatus for heating and frothing milk comprises a device for generating steam for heating the milk, a first high temperature hydraulic circuit, a refrigerating group for maintaining the conservation temperature of the milk, and a second low temperature hydraulic circuit. The refrigerating group includes a milk container and pump for drawing milk therefrom. A first total separation valve separates the second hydraulic circuit from the first hydraulic circuit, a second total separation valve modulates the quantity of air drawn by the pump, a third total separation valve separates both the first hydraulic circuit and the second hydraulic circuit from a milk dispensing circuit, a steam injection device mixes the steam with the frothed milk, and a fourth total separation valve modulates the quantity of steam outlet from the steam generating device. Each total separation valve is provided with an actuator element manufactured with a shape memory alloy.

A milk beverage feeding device includes an undiluted-solution storage storing a milk-beverage undiluted solution; an undiluted-solution feeder feeding the milk-beverage undiluted solution; a vapor feeder feeding a pressurized vapor in a pressurized state; an air feeder feeding compressed air in a compressed state; and a mixer mixing the milk-beverage undiluted solution fed from the undiluted-solution storage through the undiluted-solution feeder, the pressurized vapor fed from the vapor feeder, and the compressed air fed from the air feeder to form a mixture and feed the mixture as a milk beverage to a beverage container.

An appliance for preparing frothed milk includes a container for receiving milk and a docking element for connection to a drinks preparation machine. The docking element includes a connection for steam delivered by the drinks preparation machine, and a milk froth outlet for the frothed milk. The docking element includes a main body with a plurality of fluid channels and a supplementary part, which is reversibly removable from the main body. The supplementary part has a material that is softer in comparison to the main body, is continuous and includes several elements through which milk, steam, water and/or air can flow and which engage into the fluid channels.

An appliance for preparing frothed milk includes a container for receiving milk, and an electrically operated drive for delivering and/or frothing the milk. The appliance includes a docking element for connection to a drinks preparation machine. The docking element includes a connection for steam delivered by the drinks preparation machine,—an interface for electrical current supplied by the drinks preparation machine, and a milk froth outlet for the frothed milk.

An appliance for preparing frothed milk is dockable onto a drinks preparation machine and, for this purpose, includes at least one connection for steam produced by the drinks preparation machine, as well as an interface for electrical current supplied by the drinks preparation machine. The appliance also includes a milk frothing unit with a gear pump. The gear pump at an inlet side is connected to a milk feed conduit and to an air feed. The milk frothing unit is configured such that an operating parameter is adjustable in a manner depending on a measured value and/or on a user input.

An appliance that is dockable onto a drinks preparation machine, for preparing frothed milk and, for this purpose, includes at least one connection for steam produced by the drinks preparation machine, as well as an interface for electrical current delivered from the drinks preparation machine. The appliance also includes a milk frothing unit with a gear pump. The gear pump at an inlet side is connected to a milk feed conduit and to an air feed. A mixing nozzle is provided on a path of milk delivered by the gear pump, to which mixing nozzle this milk, the steam as well as the air can be fed.

A drinks preparation machine includes a preparation module for preparing a brewed drink from water and from an extraction material or extract and further includes a display device. The machine is configured to permit a user to make the setting of a first drinks quantity before a start of the drinks preparation, and after the start, during the drinks preparation, to permit the adjustment of a remaining drinks quantity, which is different from zero, via the operating element.

Device for heating milk or milk froth with steam in a steam/liquid mixer which is equipped with a tubular mixing chamber, at least one steam supply pipe and a milk/milk froth supply nozzle aligned in the longitudinal direction of the mixing chamber. The steam supply pipe operatively discharges steam into a steam supply chamber upstream of the mixing chamber and which is connected to the mixing chamber by steam inlet holes running around the milk/milk froth supply nozzle in the longitudinal direction of the mixing chamber. The steam supply holes are preferably aligned axially parallel to the center axis of the mixing chamber. This arrangement of the steam inlet holes brings about even and thorough mixing of the steam with the cold milk or the milk froth in the mixing chamber, and so optimal heating of the milk or the milk froth.

Electrically operated coffee machine, in particular espresso machine or fully automatic coffee machine, having a steam output device that can include a steam lance wherein the steam lance can include a milk inflow which is configured to supply milk into a steam output channel of the steam lance.

An eductor suitable for use in an assembly for preparing a liquid product comprises a housing having a substantially cylindrical wall. The eductor comprises an injector valve which is displaceably arranged within the cylindrical wall from first position to a second position longitudinally spaced from the first position, and vice versa. On its outer surface the injector valve comprises two annular protrusions which are spaced from each other, each of the annular protrusions engaging the inner surface of the cylindrical wall for forming a seal therewith, said annular protrusions together with the inner surface of the cylindrical wall forming an annular chamber, said protrusions being arranged for isolating the annular chamber from fluid communication with any environment outside the annular protrusions when said injector valve is positioned in the first position or the second position or any position in between.