FROTHING DEVICE, ASSEMBLY FOR FROTHING AND METHOD OF USE OF THE DEVICE

Abstract

Frothing milk for cappuccinos is a skill that not many of the employees of restaurants and caf s poses. Cappuccinos are therefore not always as creamy as preferred by the customers. The invention provides a device for frothing a liquid. This device allows employees of restaurants and caf s with a minimum of skill and training to froth milk for much appreciated cappuccinos. The device comprises a support for positioning the device on a receptacle holding the liquid; and a guide for guiding an outlet for expelling a fluid for frothing the liquid, wherein the guide is adapted for positioning the outlet at an angle and/or a depth inside the receptacle relative to the support.

Claims

1. An auxiliary device for frothing a liquid in a receptacle, comprising: a support for positioning the device on the receptacle holding the liquid; and a guide for positioning an outlet for expelling a fluid for frothing the liquid, wherein the guide is adapted for positioning the outlet at an angle inside the receptacle relative to the support for letting the fluid create a jetstream in the liquid.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the angle is in the range of 55-89 degrees.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises a coupling for releasable coupling to the receptacle.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises a recess for receiving a part of the receptacle for positioning the device.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the recess comprises two walls having an arced shape having distinct centres and wherein at least one of the walls is resilient, for forming a coupling for releasable coupling to the receptacle.

6. A device according to claim 4, wherein the recess has a cross sectional shape of a U, wherein one leg of the U is longer relative to the other leg.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the guide has a hollow elongated body comprising an abutment on one end for receiving the outlet in the body and for abutting the outlet on the abutment for positioning the outlet at the angle relative to the flow direction inside the receptacle relative to the support.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the guide has a level indicator for indicating a preferred filling level of the fluid.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the support and the guide are releasably connectable.

10. A device according to claim 1, comprising a temperature indicator for indicating a temperature inside the receptacle of the liquid or the frothed liquid.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is a liquid containing protein, such as milk, and the expelled fluid is steam.

12. An assembly comprising: a receptacle and an auxiliary device for frothing a liquid in the receptacle, the device comprising a support for positioning the device on the receptacle holding the liquid; and a guide for positioning an outlet for expelling a fluid for frothing the liquid, wherein the guide is adapted for positioning the outlet at an angle inside the receptacle relative to the support for letting the fluid create a jetstream in the liquid.

13. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the receptacle comprises a side wall, wherein at least a part of the side wall is transparent.

14. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the receptacle comprises a rim forming an opening for receiving the fluid inside the receptacle, wherein the rim comprises a recess for receiving the support.

15. A method for frothing a liquid, the method comprising the steps of: positioning an auxiliary device on the receptacle wherein the device comprises a support for positioning the device on the receptacle; and a guide for positioning an outlet for expelling a fluid for frothing the liquid, wherein the guide is adapted for positioning the outlet at an angle inside the receptacle relative to the support for letting the fluid create a jetstream in the liquid; positioning the outlet at an angle inside the receptacle relative to the support with the guidance of the guide; filling the receptacle with a liquid; and frothing the liquid by expelling a fluid via the outlet such that a jetstream is created.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein the guide is further adapted for positioning the outlet at a depth inside the receptacle relative to the support for letting the fluid create a jetstream in the liquid.

17. A device according to claim 2, wherein the angle is in the range of 65-85 degrees.

18. A device according to claim 9, wherein the support and the guide are releasably connectable under different angles and at different distances.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The invention will be apparent from and elucidated further with reference to the embodiments described by way of example in the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0042] FIG. 1 schematically shows a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for frothing a liquid.

[0043] FIG. 2 schematically shows a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for frothing a liquid.

[0044] FIG. 3 schematically shows a bottom view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for frothing a liquid.

[0045] FIG. 4 schematically shows a cross-section of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for frothing a liquid along the line IV in FIG. 2.

[0046] FIG. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for frothing a liquid.

[0047] FIG. 6 schematically shows a side view of an assembly for frothing a liquid.

[0048] The figures are purely diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. In the figures, elements which correspond to elements already described may have the same reference numerals.

TABLE-US-00001 LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 auxiliary device 2 support 3 guide 4 releasable connected 10 longitudinal axis of guide 11 axis perpendicular to support, axis A 12 first angle 15 level indicative support positioned on receptacle 16 level indicative of position of outlet 17 depth 18 second angle 20 coupling 21 recess 22 first wall 23 second wall 24 arc shape first wall 25 arc shape second wall 26 resilient wall 27 U shape 28 recess bottom 29 plane B 30 hollow elongated body 31 aperture 32 abutment 34 level indicator 40 temperature indicator 50 assembly 60 receptacle 61 side wall 62 transparent part of side wall 63 rim 64 opening 65 recess in rim 66 liquid level 67 protrusion 68 resilient clip

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0049] The following figures may detail different embodiments.

[0050] FIG. 1 schematically shows a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device 1 for frothing a liquid. The device comprises a support 2 for positioning the device on a receptacle holding the liquid. When the support is positioned on the receptacle, this may be indicated by a first level 15. Typically, the receptacle comprises a rim, defining an opening for receiving the liquid, where upon the support is placed. The first level thereby defines the level of the rim. Further, the opening of the receptacle defines a plane B 29. This plane B may also be defined by a plane comprising all points where a rim of a receptacle contacts the support. An axis A 11 is defined perpendicular to this plane B.

[0051] The device further comprises a guide 3 for positioning an outlet for expelling a fluid for frothing the liquid. The guide may comprise an elongated body 30, such as a hollow elongated body, for receiving the outlet expelling the fluid. The outlet typically may be one end of a conduit, which conduit may be part of an apparatus preparing the fluid. The conduit is receivable inside the hollow elongated body. The hollow elongated body may comprise an abutment 32 for abutting the conduit receivable within the body. The abutment preferably defines an aperture 31 for letting the expelled fluid of the outlet through the aperture.

[0052] Typically, the aperture has a sharp edge. The sharp edge allows the outlet expelling the fluid to be positioned as close as possible to the outer surface of the auxiliary device. This provides the advantage of minimizing the depth variation for different shaped outlets of steam pipes. Further, this provides the advantage of optimizing the drawing of air along the guide for optimizing the frothing. The guide has a longitudinal axis 10, which normally defines the flow direction of the fluid expelled from the outlet. The outlet may be extended by an extension conduit being part of the guide. This extension conduit may influence the direction and position of where the fluid is expelled into the receptacle and thus the liquid. In this embodiment, it is an outlet of the extension conduit that should be taken as reference for expelling the fluid in the liquid. Further, typically, the receptacle will be held horizontal during frothing. Thus, when the longitudinal axis defines the direction of the expelled fluid, a first angle 12 between the longitudinal axis and the axis A defines an angle of the expelled fluid relative to axis A. A second angle 18 between the level, such as the liquid level in the receptacle, and the direction of the expelled fluid is 90 degrees minus the first angle. The second angle is typically equal to the angle between the expelled fluid and the liquid level.

[0053] The outlet comprises at least one opening for expelling the fluid. The outlet may comprise multiple openings, such as 2, 3, 4 or 5 openings. In a further embodiment of the outlet with multiple openings the openings direct the expelled liquid in different directions, which directions may make an angle in the range of 0.5 to 60 degrees. The number of openings and the direction wherein the openings expel the fluid relative to each other may influence the settings of the angle and the depth of the auxiliary device.

[0054] The guide positions the outlet at a certain level 16. The distance between the level when the support is positioned and the level of the outlet defines a depth 17 of the position of where the fluid is expelled in the receptacle relative to the rim of the receptacle, when the device is placed on the receptacle. Further, the receptacle is filled with a liquid to a predefined level and held horizontal during frothing. Thus, the depth indirectly defines a depth of the outlet relative to the liquid level.

[0055] The guide may further comprise a level indicator 34, preferably multiple level indicators 34. The level indicator indicates to which level the receptacle should be filled with liquid, when the device is placed upon the receptacle. The level indicator allows the depth of the outlet relative to the liquid level to be defined directly.

[0056] FIG. 2 schematically shows a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for frothing a liquid. The side view of FIG. 2 is a ninety-degree clockwise rotation of FIG. 1 along the axis A seen from above. Although FIG. 2 shows longitudinal axis A perpendicular to plane B, in a preferred embodiment the axis is not perpendicular to plane B. This has the effect of disrupting the cylindrically shaped swirl in the receptacle, thereby improving mixing of the liquid and the fluid.

[0057] The support may further comprise a first wall 22, a second wall 23 and a bottom 28 forming a recess 21. The recess may have the cross sectional shape 27 of a U. The recess is an embodiment of a coupling 20 for coupling with the side wall of a receptacle, wherein at least the recess bottom contacts the rim of the side wall.

[0058] FIG. 3 schematically shows a bottom view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for frothing a liquid. The first wall 22 has a first arc shape 24 and the second wall 23 has a second arc shape 25. The arc shapes are substantially the same as an arc shape of the side wall of the receptacle where upon the device is to be placed. Having a slightly different arc shape from the side wall of the receptacle may provide a releasable coupling between the support and the receptacle.

[0059] The arc shapes of the first and second wall may differ to provide a recess with varying width. The recess of varying width has the advantage of providing a clamping effect at narrow width points and providing low friction on wide width points of the recess.

[0060] Furthermore, the first and/or second wall may be made a resilient wall 26 for providing more flexibility of adapting the recess to and/or clamping the recess upon the side wall of different receptacles, wherein the arc shape and/or thickness of side wall varies.

[0061] Optionally, one of the level indicators 34, embodied as grooves, holds a resilient clip 68. In a further embodiment of the clip, the clip comprises a protrusion 67.

[0062] FIG. 4 schematically shows a cross-section of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for frothing a liquid along the line IV in FIG. 2. The device may comprise a support 2 and a guide 3, which are releasable connected 4. The guide comprises a wedge shape on one end. The support comprises an opening. And when connected, the one end of the guide is wedged into the opening for providing a stable connection. The guide may comprise a lip and the opening may comprise a recess for receiving the lip when connected for predefining the angle of rotation and/or position of the guide relative to the support, thereby influencing the angle and/or depth of the outlet.

[0063] FIG. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for frothing a liquid. The device, such as the support, may comprise a temperature indicator 40. The temperature indicator may be a fluid based thermometer. Alternatively, the temperature indicator may comprise thermochromic pigment. If the support comprises thermochromic pigment, the pigment needs to be thermally coupled to the liquid or the foam in the receptacle. This coupling may comprise thermally conductive material, such as a metal rod along or integrated with the guide.

[0064] In an embodiment, the auxiliary device has a guide shaped as a pipe acting as a sleeve over a steam pipe, when positioned in the auxiliary device. Typically, the aperture of the guide forms an air-tight sealing preventing air to be sucked in between the guide and the steam pipe preventing additional air to be mixed into the liquid. The operator thereby controls the amount air added by positioning the outlet at an angle and/or a depth inside the receptacle relative to the support. By controlling the amount of air, the operator is able to control the thickness of the foam. In an alternative embodiment, the guide may comprise a resilient ring, such as a rubber ring, arranged concentric around the aperture to form the sealing.

[0065] FIG. 6 schematically shows a side view of an assembly 50 for frothing a liquid. The assembly comprises an auxiliary device 1 and a receptacle 60. The device 1 comprises a support 2 and a guide 3.

[0066] The receptacle comprises a side wall 61. The side wall may be substantially cylindrically shaped. Alternatively, the side wall may be substantially conically shaped, such as a truncated conical shape. The side wall provides a rim 63 forming an opening 64 for receiving the liquid.

[0067] The receptacle may comprise a part 62 of the side wall, which is transparent. The shape of this transparent part may have any shape as long as it at least provides a view at the liquid level 66. Alternatively, the side wall as a whole may be transparent.

[0068] In an alternative embodiment of the device the support may cover or substantially cover the opening of a receptacle. The support may have the shape of a cap covering the opening of a receptacle. In an alternative embodiment, the support comprises a cap and a pedestal on a side, such as a bottom side, of the cap for fitting the pedestal inside an opening of a receptacle, wherein the cap and pedestal form the coupling.

[0069] In an alternative embodiment of the assembly, the rim 63 of the receptacle 60 comprises a recess 65 and the support 2 is shaped for the support to form a liquid and/or foam proof seal with the side wall.

[0070] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, the shapes may be any type of shape suitable to achieve the desired effect. Devices functionally forming separate devices may be integrated in a single physical device.

[0071] However, other modifications, variations and alternatives are also possible. The specifications and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense.

[0072] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word comprising or including does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the terms a or an, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. Also, the use of introductory phrases such as at least one and one or more in the claims should not be construed to imply that the introduction of another claim element by the indefinite articles a or an limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases one or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an. The same holds true for the use of definite articles. Unless stated otherwise, terms such as first and second are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.