A nozzle 20 has a fluid flow passage 26 which defines a fluid flow path from an inlet 5 end of said passage towards an outlet end of said passage. A restrictor 29a is movable under the control of an actuation system 27 relative to the passage to vary the minimum cross-sectional area of the fluid flow path through the passage. The restrictor 29 is moved to project into the passage to provide a restricted opening in the passage or removed from the passage to allow an unrestricted flow through the 10 passage. The nozzle 20 is particularly suitable for use in a beverage preparation machine to generate microfoam in a beverage. When the restrictor 29 is retracted from the passage 29, the passage and the restrictor can be cleaned by flushing the nozzle. The restrictor 29 may be a pin-like member aligned with the passage and moveable parallel to the axis of the passage.

A mixing apparatus is described. The mixing apparatus has a first port for receiving milk, a second port for receiving steam, and a mixing chamber for mixing the milk, the steam, and air. A channel arrangement connects the first port and the second port, and defines an air intake channel which leads to a frothing section. The mixing apparatus is designed such that, in use, the frothing section fills sufficiently with steamed milk that has a direct path from the second port to the mixing chamber is interrupted by the steamed milk. This provides a noise reduction during use of the mixing apparatus. A flow reducing means, such as a barrier, may be used for this purpose.

A foamed product dispensing system, wherein the system includes: a product dispensing machine, configured to receive an exchangeable product container; a product container, configured to cooperate with the product dispensing machine, after placement in the machine; wherein the product container contains a foamable product, preferably a food product, for example cream, wherein the product container is provided with a product processing unit including a frothing device having a product entrance for receiving product and a product exit for discharging product, wherein the processing unit is connectable to a gas supply for supplying gas to the product, wherein the system includes a hermetically sealable wall structure that encloses a container receiving space for receiving the container, wherein the wall structure includes a product outlet port that is closable (and sealable) by a thermally insulating closure member.

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.

A machine (1) for processing a liquid food substance incorporates: a container (10) delimiting a cavity (10′) for containing said liquid food substance; an impeller (20) for driving the liquid food substance in the container (10); a motor (30) for driving the impeller (20); a motor chamber (40) for containing the motor (30); and a means for evacuating heat from the motor chamber (40). Such means comprises one or more movable members (50) that are driven by the motor (30) and that are configured to circulate air (2a,2b) in the motor chamber (40) to evacuate heat therefrom.

A fluid-driven stirring apparatus includes a fluid introduction passageway, a fluid chamber connectable to the fluid introduction passageway, a container for accommodating liquid to be stirred, and a stirring assembly. The stirring assembly includes a driving impeller arranged in the fluid chamber, a stirring shaft fixedly connected with the driving impeller and extending through the fluid chamber into the container, and a stirring member arranged on the stirring shaft and adjacent to the bottom of the container. Thus, the fluid drives the driving impeller to rotate the stirring shaft, so that the stirring member can stir the liquid in the container.

Electrically operated coffee machine, in particular espresso machine or fully automatic coffee machine, having a steam output device that can include a steam lance wherein the steam lance can include a milk inflow which is configured to supply milk into a steam output channel of the steam lance.

A device for frothing milk and liquid food is disclosed having a frothing rotor and a motor adapted to rotate the frothing rotor, a seat adapted to substantially entirely contain the frothing rotor an inlet for feeding the milk or liquid food into the seat, an air inlet and an outlet of the milk or liquid food from the seat.

A blade assembly for a blending system is shown and described. The blade assembly may include apertures formed through a body. The body may include paddles extending from the body. The blade assembly may be rotated to force a fluid through the apertures. The fluid may be frothed by the apertures.