Method and device for producing milk froth, in particular for preparing beverages containing milk froth using coffee machines. The beverage, preferably cold milk, is at least partially introduced into a container before the preparation. The introduced beverage, in the container positioned on a placement surface of a station, is guided through at least one line, which leads away from the station, to a device for preparing milk froth or hot milk. The beverage is subsequently led back into the container, and this circulation is repeated until the beverage has a certain temperature and/or consistency. Using this method, a container can be used by operating personnel in a conventional way for preparation of the beverage, because the beverage can thus be prepared manually and specifically in accordance with the desires of the guest, while the milk froth or the like can be produced and served with constant and high quality.

Associable with a dispenser of a flow of steam of a coffee machine for the production of a milk-based comestible liquid comprises a mixing chamber, an outlet chamber for the liquid from the mixing chamber, a steam inlet channel in said mixing chamber, a channel for the intake of air into said mixing chamber, a Venturi-effect milk suction channel in said chamber, and at least one releasable part including at least one part of the milk suction channel, the releasable part being further provided with mechanical stirring means.

Device for producing a liquid froth from a liquid, particularly a milk-containing or at least milky liquid, comprising a frothing unit (300) with a frothing chamber (350) which is provided with a liquid inlet (310) and a froth outlet (320) which are spatially separated from each other. A rotor body (330) arranged for rotation about a rotation axis X is provided in the frothing chamber. The rotor body (330) leaves a gap (360) to a chamber wall (351, 352) of the frothing chamber clear all around. The liquid inlet (310) and the froth outlet (320) are connected via the gap. In the axial direction from the liquid inlet (310) to the froth outlet (320) the rotor body has externally a decreasing active section which particularly gradually narrows. The chamber wall (351, 352) and the rotor body (330) comprise at least substantially parallel active surfaces directed toward each other, at least one surface of which is accidented at least at the position of the gap (360). Such a froth producing device is particularly suitable for a froth dispensing device and/or a beverage dispensing device,

Described herein is a multi-purpose drink or beverage machine. The inventive concept is equipped with a control panel, beverage making stations including a frothing assembly or standalone device configured to froth dense liquids and aid in tea infusion for tea beverages. In a related embodiment, beverage medium storage racks and trays are included on the brewing station housing. The multipurpose drink machine contains pumps, tubes, heaters, and a water spigot assembly to receive water and direct it to the appropriate brewer. The inventive concept also includes a standalone heating frother assembly. The inventive concept further includes a power source and a microprocessor controlled system designed for functionality including beverage sequencing and controlled power consumption by more than one brew station operating simultaneously.

There is disclosed herein a coffee machine (10) including: a body (12); a steam wand (14), to froth milk, attached to the body (12); and a cleaning mechanism (20), the cleaning mechanism (20) including: a stem (22) having a first end portion (24) attached to the body (12), and a second end portion (26) extending longitudinally away from the first end portion (24); and a supply of water under pressure to deliver water to the second end portion (26), wherein water under pressure is delivered to the second end portion (26) to produce at least one water jet directed at the steam wand (14).

A device for preparation of a liquid such as milk with integrated rinsing system includes at least one reservoir for storing of the liquid, disposed in a cooling unit, a pump and a line system, which system includes a liquid suction line, via which the at least one reservoir is connectible to the pump, an outlet line, via which the pump is connectible to at least one outlet, and a rinsing line, via which the liquid suction line is loadable with a rinsing fluid, and an air volume controller, by which air, via an air supply line, is able to be led in a metered way to an inlet point into the liquid suction line, and a heating element designed as continuous-flow heater, which is disposed in the outlet line and is designed as thick film heater. The device has in the air supply line a second check valve and a first check valve, disposed between the air volume controller and inlet point into the liquid suction line, and the air supply line is connectible between first check valve and second check valve to the rinsing line via a valve.

A beverage preparation device, in particular for preparing coffee, tea or milk beverages, having a milk system for dispensing milk and/or milk froth, and having a control unit for controlling the beverage preparation device to dispense beverages portion by portion. The milk system here has a connectable conveying line to a milk container, and a milk pump which is attached to the conveying line. A first mechanical flow meter is arranged in the conveying line, this flow meter meters the volume of milk conveyed by the milk pump and is connected in terms of signaling to the control unit.

The invention provides a mixing apparatus having a first port for receiving milk, a second port for receiving steam, an air intake channel for receiving air, and a mixing chamber for mixing milk, steam and air. A barrier element is provided at an output of the mixing chamber, wherein the barrier element is adjustable to define different degrees of frothing.

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.

Automatic beverage vending machine that has a milk supply circuit includes a cold milk tank, a variable speed milk pump, a steam generator, a milk heater, and an electronic milk control unit. The electronic milk control unit is electrically connected to the milk pump and to an air solenoid valve. The electronic milk control unit is configured to cause the milk supply circuit to deliver smooth or frothed, hot or cold milk. The electronic milk control unit is also configured to determine milk-related quantities including the type of cold milk contained in the cold milk tank, the temperature of the cold milk contained in the cold milk tank, the amount of foam to dispense, and the type of milk to dispense, and to control operation of the milk pump and of the air solenoid valve based on the determined milk-related quantities.