A portable apparatus for dispensing and foaming of a product, including: a product container which contains a product that is to be foamed by and dispensed from the apparatus; a gas container, at least containing a gas, for example a single gas or a gas mixture, wherein the gas substantially does not contain any greenhouse gases such as N20; a dispersion device, having a product entrance that is connectable to the product container for receiving product, the dispersion device further being connectable to the gas container for supplying the gas to the product during product discharge; a processing device downstream of the dispersion device for performing a mixing treatment and/or pressure reduction on the product provided with the gas; and a product dispensing head, being part of a top section of the apparatus and being arranged downstream of the processing device.

Various automated and semi-automated beverage preparation systems and methods are shown. 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 portable apparatus for dispensing and foaming of a product, including: a product container which contains a product that is to be foamed by and dispensed from the apparatus; a gas container, at least containing a gas, for example a single gas or a gas mixture, wherein the gas substantially does not contain any greenhouse gases such as N.sub.2O; a dispersion device, having a product entrance that is connectable to the product container for receiving product, the dispersion device further being connectable to the gas container for supplying the gas to the product during product discharge; a processing device downstream of the dispersion device for performing a mixing treatment and/or pressure reduction on the product provided with the gas; and a product dispensing head, being part of a top section of the apparatus and being arranged downstream of the processing device.

A device for producing a foamed-food-product comprises a container which stores a liquid-food-product and is filled with filling gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, the filling gas containing argon or nitrogen as a main component; an agitator provided at the bottom of the inside of the container; a driving unit detachably connected to the bottom of the container to rotate the agitator, agitate the liquid-food-product in the container by the rotation of the agitator, and mix the filling gas in the liquid-food-product; and a dispenser mounted to the container and having a discharge outlet and a gas filling inlet for injecting the filling gas into the container, the dispenser causing the liquid-food-product having the filling gas mixed therein to be discharged from the discharge outlet by pressure in the container, so that the liquid-food-product foams while being discharged from the discharge outlet and is made into the foamed-food-product.

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 device for producing a foamed-food-product comprises a container which stores a liquid-food-product and is filled with filling gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, the filling gas containing argon or nitrogen as a main component; an agitator provided at the bottom of the inside of the container; a driving unit detachably connected to the bottom of the container to rotate the agitator, agitate the liquid-food-product in the container by the rotation of the agitator, and mix the filling gas in the liquid-food-product; and a dispenser mounted to the container and having a discharge outlet and a gas filling inlet for injecting the filling gas into the container, the dispenser causing the liquid-food-product having the filling gas mixed therein to be discharged from the discharge outlet by pressure in the container, so that the liquid-food-product foams while being discharged from the discharge outlet and is made into the foamed-food-product.

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.

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.

Various automated and semi-automated beverage preparation systems and methods are shown. 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.

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.