For a milk delivery device (1) which delivers milk (7) on the basis of the Venturi effect with the aid of a steam flow (9) output from a steam nozzle (2), it is provided, by corresponding orientation of an admixing opening (4) and optionally with the aid of deflecting surfaces (46), to allow a milk flow (8) sucked up by the steam flow (9) to flow tangentially onto the steam flow (9) in order thereby to be able to still ensure that the milk flow (8) is delivered in a manner as free as possible from disturbances, even in the event of very low flow rates of the milk flow (8). For this purpose, even before the milk flow (8) enters into contact with the steam flow (9), the milk flow (8) is oriented in the direction (51) of the steam flow (9).

Beverage supply apparatus (100) has milk tank (3), milk flow path (L3) connecting the milk tank to beverage delivery port (10), first pump (7), air flow path (L6) to supply air via its connection portion (Z1), and third pump (9). The apparatus drives the third pump to supply air to the milk flow path, and drives the first pump to thereby deliver and supply a mixed beverage of milk and air from the beverage delivery port. The apparatus includes path (L7) for releasing a portion of the air flowing through the air flow path, one end portion of which is connected to release point (Z8) which is a predetermined portion of the air flow path between a beverage flow path side end portion (location of a connection portion (Z6)) and the third pump. The other end portion thereof is open to the outside.

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.

A mixing apparatus is described. The mixing apparatus has a first port for receiving milk, a second port for receiving steam, and a mixing chamber for mixing the milk, the steam, and air. A channel arrangement connects the first port and the second port, and defines an air intake channel which leads to a frothing section. The mixing apparatus is designed such that, in use, the frothing section fills sufficiently with steamed milk that has a direct path from the second port to the mixing chamber is interrupted by the steamed milk. This provides a noise reduction during use of the mixing apparatus. A flow reducing means, such as a barrier, may be used for this purpose.

A product dispensing system, including a holder which contains a product to be dispensed, the holder having a product processing unit for processing and discharging product coming from the holder, wherein the product processing unit (PPU) is provided with a microfiltration device which is provided with a product entrance for supply of product, wherein the microfiltration device is connectable to a gas supply for supplying gas to the product during product discharge, wherein the microfiltration device is provided with a housing defining an interior processing space, wherein the processing space is separated by a tubular microfiltration element, having gas transmissive pores, into a gas supply space from a product feed-through channel, wherein the gas supply space is associated with a gas inlet of the housing and the product feed-through channel is associated with a product entrance of the housing, wherein the housing includes an exit for discharge of product provided with gas.

Dispensing assembly for dispensing a flowable food product, comprising: a bag-in-box type container for holding a product concentrate, the container having a concentrate outlet for releasing product concentrate from the container; a mixing unit spaced apart from the concentrate outlet, the mixing unit being configured for mixing the product concentrate with a liquid, the mixing unit having a concentrate inlet for receiving product concentrate released from the container, a liquid inlet for receiving the liquid, and a spout for dispensing as a flowable food product the product concentrate mixed with the liquid; and a duct arranged for guiding a flow of product concentrate along a flow path from the concentrate outlet of the container to the concentrate inlet of the mixing unit, wherein at least a section of the duct is flexible for flexibly adjusting the flow path.

Various 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 removably engaged with a base. The container assembly can be temporarily removed from the base to facilitate transport of the beverage residing therein. The container assembly can be configured to receive a flow of steam, air, or additional gasses and vapors when the container assembly is mounted on the base.

An assembly for frothing a fluid having an air channel with a controllable air valve and having a fluid channel with an air inlet emanation point in which the air channel emanates, a pump, a fluid restriction, a heater, and a valve assembly having a first state in which fluid is channeled to a fluid outlet of the fluid channel and a second state in which the fluid is diverted from the fluid channel to a second fluid outlet. A water supply channel is connected to the fluid channel. The assembly also includes a cleaning reservoir and a return channel that is connected to the second fluid outlet of the valve assembly and that emanates in the cleaning reservoir. An electronic controller assembly is configured to control at least the pump, the heater, and the valve assembly, and to operate the assembly in a production mode and a cleaning mode.

A product container includes a product discharge device for releasing product from the container, the discharge device including a spout unit for discharge. The spout unit is rotatable, about a spout rotation axis, from a first position to an operational position. The spout unit preferably includes a handle for rotation from the first to the operational position, the handle preferably extending substantially radially outwardly from the axis; and a seal unit configured to enter an opened state, from a sealed state. In the latter, the seal unit is configured to substantially airtightly close off a flowthrough channel of the discharge device, and, in the former, the seal unit is configured to allow flow through the flowthrough channel. The discharge device is configured such that the seal unit can be brought from the sealed to the opened state by rotating the spout unit from the first to the operational position.

A beverage preparation machine includes a frame equipped with a cup holder, a coffee dispensing nozzle including an outlet orifice and a rotating stirring device including a tool rotating about an axis and intended to cooperate with a preparation contained in a container resting on the cup holder, the rotating stirring device including a conduit for conveying hot water and/or steam toward the rotating tool. The rotating stirring device is mobile in vertical translation parallel to the axis between a top standby position, in which the rotating tool is situated above the container, and a bottom working position, in which the rotating tool is situated in the container. The outlet orifice is separated from the rotating stirring device and arranged at a constant distance from the axis so that the outlet orifice and the rotating tool are arranged above an upper opening of the container arranged on the cup holder.