A device and a method for heating and foaming a liquid, in particular a beverage such as a milk-containing beverage for example. The device comprises a steam generator, a pressurized gas source, and a pump means which is connected to the steam generator and the pressurized gas source for transporting a steam/gas mixture into the liquid. The pressurized gas source comprises a controllable switching valve in order to generate pressure pulses. The pressure pulses generated by the pressurized gas source are introduced into the pump means and mixed with the liquid in the pump means, whereby the liquid is foamed. The foam properties of the foamed liquid, such as consistency, creaminess, density, and porosity, can be influenced by the frequency, amplitude, and pulse duration of the pressure pulses.

This disclosure relates to an apparatus (1) for making a beverage, in particular a beverage containing milk. The apparatus (1) comprises a machine body, a milk container (2) and a milk frothing device (3) for mixing milk with air and steam. The milk frothing device (3) is removably mountable in a seat (10) in an outer wall (11) of the machine body. The milk container (2) is removably couplable to the milk frothing device (3). The apparatus (1) also comprises a locking member (5) for locking the milk frothing device (3) in the mounted condition. The milk container (2) interacts with the locking member (5) in such a way that, when the milk container (2) is coupled to the milk frothing device (3) in the mounted condition, the locking member (5) is active and prevents removal of the milk frothing device (3) from the seat (10), and in such a way that, when the milk container (2) is uncoupled from the milk frothing device (3), the locking member (5) may adopt the inactive condition for allowing removal of the milk frothing device (3) from the seat (10). Therefore, the milk frothing device (3) and the milk container (2) in the coupled condition are not simultaneously removable from the machine body.

The jug (11) comprises jug body (15) and a beverage frothing device (13) arranged on the jug. The beverage frothing device comprises a steam inlet (23, 25, 27), a beverage inlet (35, 35C), and a frothed beverage outlet (14). The frothing device is slidingly arranged in a seat (19) and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position the frothed beverage outlet (14) projects beyond a side wall of the jug body.

A device for the preparation of a hot beverage comprises a water reservoir, a flow heater and a brewing device. The water reservoir has a connection element for cold water. The water reservoir is fluidly connected to the flow heater, so that the flow heater can be filled with the cold water from the water reservoir.

The utility model discloses a milk foam generator of a coffee maker, comprising a milk tank, wherein the top part of the milk tank is provided with a support, a foam generator body is placed on the support, the foam generator body is respectively connected to an inlet milk pipe, a steam pipe and a milk foam sprayer, the foam generator body is internally provided with a first emulsification chamber, the first emulsification chamber is communicated with an air inlet channel, and the air inlet channel is internally provided with an air inlet adjustment member. The utility model has a simple structure, and is convenient for adjusting the emulsification effect of the milk foams.

A filtration system for use in a beverage dispensing machine comprising a first and second boiler is described. The filtration system comprises: an input fluid line for connecting the system to a water source; a first filter module connected to the input fluid line; an output fluid conduit connected to the first filter and configured to have a first fluid output line for directing fluid to the first boiler and a second fluid output line for directing fluid to the second boiler; and a second filter module, located in the in the second fluid output line; wherein the second filter module is capable of removing ions not removeable by the first filter module.

An espresso coffee machine comprising a main boiler, a dispensing group, a secondary boiler provided, a main water inlet circuit, where the main water inlet circuit has a pump that applies a predetermined pressure value to the water, the machine further including a dispensing valve, an air inlet circuit hydraulically connected to the brewing chamber of each dispensing group, a compressor to inject air at a predefined pressure value in the brewing chamber of each dispensing group and at least one heating element arranged to inject air at a predetermined temperature value into the brewing chamber of each dispensing group.

A method of preparing a beverage, wherein the method comprises the step of heating a beverage in a cup by means of injecting steam into the beverage through a wand and the step of measuring the temperature of the beverage in the cup, wherein the step of measuring the temperature of the beverage comprises during the step of heating the step of continuously recording an audio signal from the beverage and the step of deriving the temperature of the beverage from the recorded audio signal. A device for preparing a beverage, said device being provided with a beverage temperature sensor comprising at least one microphone and a controller which is loaded with a computer program for performing the inventive method.

In a method for producing milk foam, in particular for the preparation of drinks that contain milk foam in a coffee machine, a gaseous medium, in particular air, is delivered to milk conveyed, and the milk/air mixture that is formed is conveyed to an outlet for milk foam or drinks containing milk foam. The consistency of the milk foam that is produced is determined here and is monitored by a regulating process and/or is changed by a setting. Even with variable conditions of use and operation, perfect quality of the milk foam that is produced is guaranteed, in which, moreover, its consistency can be changed.

A device for continuous heating of fluids, using steam, includes a first tubular circuit, having one inlet and one outlet, in which to fluid or mixture of liquids with gases to be heated is circulated, and a second tubular circuit in which the heating steam is circulated. The first tubular circuit comprises a section that is helically wound around a section of the axial length of a hollow first cylindrical body, closed at both ends. The device further comprises a hollow second hollow cylindrical body in which said first cylindrical body and said helically wound section are coaxially housed. The second cylindrical body is closed at both ends and has radial passageways communicating between the cavity of said first cylindrical body and the cavity of said second cylindrical body. The first cylindrical body, second cylindrical body and radial passageways forming part of said second tubular circuit.