A device for foaming liquid includes a line system and a pump, via which at least one first line of the line system is connectible to at least one storage container in which the liquid to be foamed is stored, and via a second line of the line system is connectible to at least one outlet nozzle, an air-enrichment element by means of which air can pass through the liquid, and a heating element designed as a continuous flow heater. Furthermore, the heating element is arranged in the second line of the line system of the device and is designed as a thick-film heater in which an electric heating resistor is attached to a carrier using thick-film technology, on which carrier a flow path is provided for the liquid.

An espresso coffee machine is described, said machine comprising a pump (1) for pumping water, a dispensing group (25) configured to cooperate with a portafilter (35), wherein said portafilter (35) is configured to support a filter (40) loaded with coffee powder, a coffee boiler (15) in fluid communication with said dispensing group (25), a water dispensing system (16, 28, 29, 30) for supplying hot water from said coffee boiler (15) to said portafilter; and a system (16, 31, 6, 33, 14) for supplying steam to said dispensing group (25) so as to perform cleaning of at least a part of said water dispensing system (16, 28, 29, 30).

An espresso coffee machine is described, said machine comprising a pump (1) for pumping water, a dispensing group (25) configured to cooperate with a portafilter (35), wherein said portafilter (35) is configured to support a filter (40) loaded with coffee powder, a coffee boiler (15) in fluid communication with said dispensing group (25), a water dispensing system (16, 28, 29, 30) for supplying hot water from said coffee boiler (15) to said portafilter; and a system (16, 31, 6, 33, 14) for supplying steam to said dispensing group (25) so as to perform cleaning of at least a part of said water dispensing system (16, 28, 29, 30).

The invention relates to an appliance for the automated preparation of beverages, comprising a dispensing element (1), which comprises a plurality of dispensing openings (2) for dispensing individual beverage ingredients, and also comprising a washing device (3) for dispensing a washing fluid, wherein the washing device (3) is arranged in a retaining region (5) at a location remote from the dispensing element (1), wherein the washing device (3) can be removed from the retaining region (5), and wherein an accommodating region (4), which is designed to accommodate at least part of the washing device (3), is provided on the dispensing element (1), wherein a valve element (2) is provided, said valve element comprising a flushing-fluid inlet (23), an ingredients inlet (24) and a fluid outlet (25), which is connected to at least one dispensing opening (2), wherein the flushing-fluid inlet (23) opens out into a flushing-fluid channel and the ingredients inlet (24) opens out into an ingredients channel, and wherein the flushing-fluid channel and the ingredients channel come together to form a common fluid channel, which opens out into the fluid outlet (25).

The invention relates to an appliance for the automated preparation of beverages, comprising a dispensing element (1), which comprises a plurality of dispensing openings (2) for dispensing individual beverage ingredients, and also comprising a washing device (3) for dispensing a washing fluid, wherein the washing device (3) is arranged in a retaining region (5) at a location remote from the dispensing element (1), wherein the washing device (3) can be removed from the retaining region (5), and wherein an accommodating region (4), which is designed to accommodate at least part of the washing device (3), is provided on the dispensing element (1), wherein a valve element (2) is provided, said valve element comprising a flushing-fluid inlet (23), an ingredients inlet (24) and a fluid outlet (25), which is connected to at least one dispensing opening (2), wherein the flushing-fluid inlet (23) opens out into a flushing-fluid channel and the ingredients inlet (24) opens out into an ingredients channel, and wherein the flushing-fluid channel and the ingredients channel come together to form a common fluid channel, which opens out into the fluid outlet (25).

A beverage maker may comprise a heating system, a temperature sensor operably coupled the heating system, and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive a series of measured temperature signals from the temperature sensor, calculate a change in temperature using the series of measured temperature signals, and calculate an efficiency of the heating system based on the change in temperature. The controller may further estimate a scale buildup based on the efficiency of the heating system, and store at least one of the estimated scale buildup or the efficiency of the heating system in a heating system performance database.

The present invention relates to a vortex spray type steam head device, which includes: a nozzle member having a cylindrical shape, and receiving and spraying steam to the outside; a rotary body rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the nozzle member, having a receiving groove having a predetermined depth on an upper portion thereof, and having a through-hole longitudinally formed through a center portion; a ring-shaped support body inserted in the receiving groove and supporting the rotary body; a fixing bolt fixing the rotary body to the nozzle member with the support body inserted in the receiving groove; and a cover member having an open top, having a receiving space therein, and receiving the nozzle member, the rotary body, the support body, and the fixing bolt therein.

The present invention relates to a vortex spray type steam head device, which includes: a nozzle member having a cylindrical shape, and receiving and spraying steam to the outside; a rotary body rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the nozzle member, having a receiving groove having a predetermined depth on an upper portion thereof, and having a through-hole longitudinally formed through a center portion; a ring-shaped support body inserted in the receiving groove and supporting the rotary body; a fixing bolt fixing the rotary body to the nozzle member with the support body inserted in the receiving groove; and a cover member having an open top, having a receiving space therein, and receiving the nozzle member, the rotary body, the support body, and the fixing bolt therein.

A lighting array including one or more antimicrobial light segments configured to emit light sufficient to inactivate one or more microorganisms at a target surface may be installed within identified contamination zones of food or beverage preparation, processing, storing or packaging equipment or machinery. In an ice machine, for example, an array controller is configured for communication with an ice machine controller to receive ice machine status information signals. The status information signals are usable by the array controller to determine cycle, state, and/or usage information associated with the ice machine. The array controller may individually control activation of the one or more antimicrobial light segments based on the status information signals received from the machine controller to achieve inactivation of one or more microorganisms on target surfaces within the machine.

A lighting array including one or more antimicrobial light segments configured to emit light sufficient to inactivate one or more microorganisms at a target surface may be installed within identified contamination zones of food or beverage preparation, processing, storing or packaging equipment or machinery. In an ice machine, for example, an array controller is configured for communication with an ice machine controller to receive ice machine status information signals. The status information signals are usable by the array controller to determine cycle, state, and/or usage information associated with the ice machine. The array controller may individually control activation of the one or more antimicrobial light segments based on the status information signals received from the machine controller to achieve inactivation of one or more microorganisms on target surfaces within the machine.