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.

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 method for producing different types of milk-air emulsions with a milk-air emulsion generating device, comprising: producing the milk-air emulsions in dependence on at least one determined physical material characteristic of the milk-air emulsion.

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 machine is provided for preparing a desired beverage product from infusible materials. The machine includes a brew chamber that is adapted to hold the infusible materials, the brew chamber having an inlet and an outlet. An inlet tube is provided for transferring a fluid from a fluid receptacle to the inlet of the brew chamber and a dispensing tube is provided for transferring fluid from the outlet of the brew chamber to the receptacle. A fluid pump is provided for recirculating fluid through the brew chamber. In another aspect, a machine is provided for preparing a desired beverage product containing a gas. The machine includes a fluid pump for recirculating fluid from a fluid receptacle through an inlet tube to a dispensing tube and back to said fluid receptacle. The machine further includes an air pump disposed between the inlet tube and the fluid pump for introducing air into said beverage fluid that is recirculated by said fluid pump. A pod for use with the machine is also provided.

The production method of hot milk with or without froth, with a Venturi effect emulsifying device suitable for sending, into a mixing chamber, a flow of steam so as to aspirate, by Venturi effect, milk and air or only milk, comprises a production cycle of hot milk with froth and a production cycle of hot milk without froth being carried out by supplying an equal flow of steam of equal duration into a mixing chamber having equal volume, equal conformation and equal inlet section of the milk but a different outflow section of the milk.

An appliance for heating and/or frothing milk, in which steam or a mixture of steam and air acting as a heat carrier is injected into the milk, with the heating unit including an inner steam channel and an outer annular channel for the milk. The outer annular channel coaxially surrounds the inner steam channel, with hot steam or a mixture of steam and air being supplied at an upstream end of the steam channel and with milk being supplied at an upstream end of the annular channel. To improve the heat output and the energy efficiency of the heating unit and to reduce the maintenance requirement, the steam channel and the annular channel are separated from one another, with their downstream ends opening out into an outlet channel for discharging the heated and/or frothed milk.

Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a container manipulation assembly having a support assembly and an elevator. The support assembly can be configured to receive a container. The elevator can be connected with the support assembly and can be configured to translate and/or rotate the support assembly. In some embodiments, the beverage preparation system includes a wand manipulation assembly having a wand unit and a mechanical linkage. The linkage can be configured to move the wand unit into and out of engagement with the container on the support assembly. The wand unit can provide a flow of fluid, such as steam, to liquid in the container to heat and/or froth the liquid.

Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.

A jug for preparation of beverages includes a body with a first receptacle and a second receptacle for receiving ingredients for the preparation of the beverages. A first stirrer can be arranged in the first receptacle. The jug also includes a cover closing the body of the jug. A first fluid connection is arranged for receiving a beverage from a beverage producing machine and collecting the beverage in the first receptacle. A second fluid connection to a beverage producing machine is further provided, which is in fluid communication with the second receptacle. The first receptacle and the second receptacle have different depths, where one of the first receptacle and the second receptacle has a larger depth than the other.