A milk supply device for supplying milk from a milk supply container to a milk dispensing device is provided. The milk supply device comprises a milk transport line which can be connected to the milk supply container and with which milk which has been taken from the milk supply container can be delivered to the milk dispensing device. The milk supply device further comprises a three-way junction, which can be operated such that optionally milk can be transported from the milk supply container to the milk dispensing device, whilst the milk transport line is sealed off by it, at the same time, relative to the cleaning agent transport line, in a fluid-impermeable manner, or cleaning agent can be conducted from the cleaning agent transport line in the direction towards the milk dispensing device and/or in the direction towards a discharge of the milk supply device.

A beverage making machine may include a cartridge holder to hold a cartridge used to form a beverage. The cartridge holder may include a lower portion arranged to receive and hold the cartridge and a movable upper portion arranged to clamp the cartridge in place. The cartridge holder may be arranged to hold upper and lower compartments of the cartridge in spaces having a different pressure, e.g., an upper compartment of the cartridge may be held under relatively high pressure, and a lower compartment may be held in a space at ambient pressure. The cartridge holder may pierce upper and/or lower compartments of the cartridge to introduce activating fluid and/or receive carbonating gas from the upper compartment, and/or to introduced pressurized air into the lower compartment to force beverage medium to exit.

Embodiments of improved generation of steam and heated liquids in a beverage system via the use of different pathways through liquid processing modules to process liquid to different, desired states are disclosed. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

A beverage manufacturing machine includes a heating mechanism, a brewing mechanism and a cooling mechanism. The heating mechanism heats up drinking water and sends the hot drinking water to the brewing mechanism. There are two brewing mechanisms for brewing a hot drink, and the hot drink in a primary cooling bushing exchanges heat with room temperature water to realize a first cooling. The drink after the first cooling reaches a secondary cooling bushing to exchange heat with a low temperature coolant to realize a second cooling to produce an iced drink. The coolant after the heat exchange enters into a coolant buffer and then reflows to a coolant container, and a compressor drives the heat exchanger to lower the temperature of the coolant. Without requiring high skill, this machine makes good-tasted beverages with appropriate concentration or original iced liquid beverage with great aroma.

A cold brew coffee maker has a water cleaning system connected to a water source; a water pump connected to the water cleaning system, and connected to the pressurized-water storage tank for storing a filtered water in the tank; and a coffee brewing module connected to the pressurized-water storage tank and including: a detachable brewing cup detachably secured to a fixing bracket, a solenoid valve formed between the brewing cup and the pressurized-water storage tank, and a switch panel formed in the main body; whereby upon starting of the pump to suck and filter a feed water, a filtered pressurized water less than 30 degrees centigrade will be delivered into the tank and upon actuation of the switch panel to open the solenoid valve, the pressurized water will be ejected into the cup for brewing coffee.

A method and apparatus for frothing a beverage, e.g., using a beverage preparing device and an ejector is described. Within a housing of the beverage preparing device, an air supply and steam supply may be arranged to deliver air and steam to an ejector outside of the housing. Beverage liquid may be frothed by providing steam and air, then steam alone to achieve frothing and heating. An ejector may supply a mixture of steam and air and a controller may be used to regulate the flow of steam and air through the ejector. The ejector may have a venturi that uses steam flow to create a low pressure region, which draws air into the ejector.

A method and apparatus for venting a liquid supply of a beverage machine, e.g., by permanently open orifice and/or pressure relief valve. The orifice may always vent a heater tank, even while liquid is delivered to the tank by a liquid pump and/or while the tank is pressurized by an air pump to deliver liquid from the tank. A filter may be positioned between a heater tank and orifice and/or air pump. The pressure relief valve may be positioned between the liquid pump and the inlet side of the heater tank, e.g., so relatively cool water is released by the pressure relief valve when open.

A modular brewing system is described for providing hot water and managing power to multiple brew tower modules using a single centralized boiler and power management module so as to limit the number of high-power circuits required in a coffeehouse or store. The boiler and power management module manages power of components of the centralized boiler assembly and any brew tower modules connected thereto, including the boiler heaters, the grinder motors, and the brew chamber heaters.

A milk frother/heater for a milk supply circuit in a beverage vending machine has a hollow body and integrally has a first appendage defining a milk inlet to receive smooth milk or a milk-air mixture, a second appendage defining a steam inlet to receive steam, and a third appendage defining a milk outlet to deliver milk. The body internally defines a mixing chamber, and the milk inlet, the steam inlet and the milk outlet internally define a milk inlet passage, a steam inlet passage, and a milk outlet passage, respectively, fluidly communicating with the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber has an axis extending from a first closed axial end to a second axial end where the steam inlet passage and the milk outlet passage converge. The milk inlet passage converges at the second axial end or merges with the steam inlet passage upstream from the mixing chamber.

A hot beverage brewing apparatus comprising a water input, a water pump connected to the water input and provided with a first control loop for controlling a flow generated by the water pump, a thermal heater connected to the water pump and provided with a second control loop for controlling the heating by the thermal heater of the water supplied by the water pump, and a brewer unit connected to the thermal heater with a first outlet for the hot beverage, wherein the thermal heater is provided with a second outlet for steam.