Provided is a milk-based drink production device designed to work with a steam output nozzle tip of a coffee maker, where the device contains a steam input conduit. The device contains a connection system to the steam output nozzle tip which includes at least one mobile jaw that shifts between a connected position, in which a watertight connection is formed between the steam output nozzle tip and the steam input conduit and in which the device cannot be separated from the steam output nozzle tip, and a disconnected position in which the device may be separated from the steam output nozzle tip.

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.

Device for heating and emulsifying beverages comprising a pump (2), an air and water meeting zone (10), a device for producing steam and a first conduit (5) for steam mixed with air communicating with a steam wand (6) adapted to be immersed into a beverage (7) to be heated and emulsified, said device for producing steam comprising an instant steam generator (4) and said meeting zone (10) being positioned before said instant steam generator.

Device for heating and emulsifying beverages includes a pump (2), an air and water meeting zone (10), a device for producing steam, and a first conduit (5) for steam mixed with air that communicates with a steam wand (6) adapted to be immersed into a beverage (7) to be heated and emulsified. The device for producing steam includes an instant steam generator (4). The meeting zone (10) is positioned before the instant steam generator (4).

A handheld cylinder (103) capable of containing hot water. The cylinder has a pump 105 for pressurised the headspace above the hot water with air. The cylinder (103) also has a spout (109) which can be open and closed by a valve (500). When the pressurised air which has been warmed by the hot water is released from the spout (109), the air can be directed into a body of milk to swirl the milk in its container (109) to cause frothing and foaming of the milk.

A sensor assembly having a sensor body with a upper surface adjacent an item to aid in detecting the temperature of the item. The sensor assembly includes a diaphragm with a disc portion and stem that has the sensor body. The disc portion enables movement of the upper surface to adapt to the inclination and location of the surface. A spring urges the sensor body into engagement with the surface.

Cleaning and sanitizing device for steam lances (10) of coffee machines, said steam lances comprising a tubular conduit (11) engaged in an upper part thereof to the coffee machine and at a lower end of which a steam head (12) is arranged, said steam lance being associated to a cleaning and sanitizing sleeve (13), comprising an upper collar (14), which adheres to the circumference of the tubular conduit, and inferiorly of which an annular cavity (15) is fashioned, open in a downwards direction, able to create a conveying zone directed towards the lower part of the conduit in the direction of the head (12), and in which the liquid and/or steam for cleaning and sanitizing coming from a conduit (16) is injected into said annular cavity (15) by means of a command device (18, 19, 21, 22) and is directable towards said head (12), striking the tubular conduit (11).

A coffee machine with milk frother parts, having an upper body, an inner frame on the upper body, a water gauge in the inner frame, a brewing frame on the inner frame, a piercing pin fixing unit on the brewing frame, an upper piercing pin on the piercing pin fixing unit, a pierced location sealing rubber on the upper piercing pin, a brewing upper cover on the inner frame, a button slot at a frontal surface of the brewing upper cover, a button in the button slot, a locking element provided at a middle section of a front upper part of the brewing frame and connected on the button.

A milk-frothing apparatus for preparing high quality micro-foamed milk for coffee drinks consistently and at high volume. A machine having one or more steaming stations includes an elevator at each station with an elevator-mounted steaming wand have a precise angle at the discharge end. The elevator-mounted steaming wand is configured to travel from an upward stowed status to a downward deployed status to insert the discharge end of the elevator-mounted steaming wand into milk inside a pitcher precisely located on the machine. A steam boiler is hydraulically coupled to the elevator-mounted steam wand via flexible tubing and an infrared sensor monitors the temperature of the pitcher during a downward deployed status. An LCD screen with operator controls and displays oriented to coincide spatially with the elevator indicate different operational settings selected by the user and related to machine operation.

A professional coffee machine includes a supporting frame; a boiler mounted thereon with a tank of at least 8 liters receiving water and heating it to a temperature of about 122-130 C. for the thermo-controlled production of pressurized steam; a preheater having a first heat exchanger associated to the boiler so that the boiler water heats, by heat exchange, the supply water crossing the first exchanger to a first temperature T.sub.1 that is lowerly close or substantially equal to a second temperature T.sub.2, optimal for preparing a coffee infusion; a dispensing unit of the coffee infusion having its own thermo-controlled heating element, configured to bring the water outlet from the preheater to the second temperature T.sub.2, if T.sub.1 is less than T.sub.2; a thermal insulating member that mechanically constrains the dispensing unit to the supporting frame; and a dispenser of pressurized steam in communication with the tank.