FROTHING CONTAINER AND METHOD OF CREATING A FROTHED BEVERAGE

Abstract

A container for frothing a beverage or component of a beverage, comprising a side wall and a base which define an inner volume, and an opening for filling said inner volume with said beverage or component, characterised in that an interior surface of said base and/or side wall comprises at least a primary protrusion and/or a primary depression, connected thereto and/or formed therein.

Claims

1. A container for frothing a beverage or component of a beverage, comprising a side wall and a base which define an inner volume, and an opening for filling said inner volume with said beverage or component, wherein an interior surface of said base and/or side wall comprises at least a primary protrusion and/or a primary depression, connected thereto and/or formed therein.

2. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 1 wherein said primary protrusion comprises a convex protrusion.

3. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 1 wherein said primary depression comprises a concave depression.

4. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 1 wherein said primary protrusion and/or primary depression further comprises an impingement.

5. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 4 wherein said impingement comprises a secondary protrusion and/or secondary depression.

6. A container for frothing a beverage according claim 5 wherein said primary protrusion comprises a convex protrusion and said impingement comprises a secondary protrusion.

7. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 6 wherein said secondary protrusion extends from said convex protrusion.

8. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 7 wherein said secondary protrusion is positioned centrally with respect to the convex protrusion and/or said base.

9. A container for frothing a beverage according to claims 5 wherein each secondary protrusion and/or depression comprises a shape independently selected from the group comprising: a dome, a spike, a hemisphere, a cone, a bead, and a wedge.

10. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 5 wherein said secondary protrusion and/or secondary depression comprises a plurality of impingements.

11. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of impingements are arranged in a pattern.

12. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of impingements are randomly arranged.

13. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 4 wherein the or each impingement is arranged on the centre of said base.

14. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 4 wherein the or each impingement is positioned eccentrically with respect to the centre of said base the base.

15. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 4 wherein the or each impingement is arranged on the side wall.

16. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 1 wherein the primary protrusion and/or depression comprises an insert detachably or fixedly connected to said side wall and/or said base.

17. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 5, wherein the primary protrusion and/or depression comprises an insert detachably or fixedly connected to said side wall and/or said base, and wherein said secondary protrusion and/or depression is connected to or formed into said insert.

18. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 16 wherein said insert comprises a base and/or side wall connector, such as a hook, resilient clamp, bayonetted connector, threaded connector or snap on connector.

19. A container for frothing a beverage according to claim 1 wherein the container comprises handling means and/or a spout.

20. A method of creating a frothed beverage with a container according to claim 1 comprising the steps of: filling said container with a beverage or a component of a beverage; immersing a steam outlet of a steam wand in said beverage or component; supplying steam through said steam wand into said beverage or component.

21. Use of a container according to claim 1 for frothing a beverage or component of a beverage.

22. A system for creating a frothed beverage or component of a beverage comprising: a container according to claim 1; and a beverage machine comprising a steam wand.

23. A system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the beverage machine is a coffee machine.

Description

[0043] Referring to the Figures, like numbers represent like components.

[0044] Referring firstly to FIG. 1 a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a container (1) for frothing a beverage is shown.

[0045] The embodiment comprises a container (1) for frothing a beverage comprising an opening (2) into a side wall (4) which is connected to a substantially circular base (6), which together define an inner volume (7) of the container (1). The base (6) comprises an inner surface (60) which faces the opening (2) and an outer surface (61) which represents the external bottom of the container (1). The two surfaces (60, 61) define a primary protrusion (600), generally dome-shaped, which extends into the inner volume (7). Protruding from the inner surface (60) of the protrusion (600) toward the inner volume (7) there is provided an impingement in the form of a secondary protrusion (8). The secondary protrusion is generally conical spike-shaped. The container (1) further comprises a spout (10) extending from the side wall (4) and a handle (12) extending from the side wall (4) in a position diametrically opposite to the spout (10).

[0046] The side wall (4) of the container (1) has a substantially cylindrical shape, but is also partially tapered to form a truncated cone shape, where the largest diameter corresponds to the base (6) of the container (1) and the smallest diameter corresponds to the top opening (2) or vice versa.

[0047] In other embodiments the base (6) can have a different shape such as for instance square, oval, or polygonal.

[0048] The spout (10) extends from the perimeter of the opening (2) along the side wall (4) toward the base (6) for at least half of the height of the container (1) and tapers inwardly towards the base.

[0049] Diametrically opposite to the spout (10) on the side wall (4) a handle (12) is provided to allow the operator to safely lift and use the container (1) when its surface is heated by the steam injected into the beverage. The handle (12) is in the form of a standard handle for cups, but different handles can be used. For example, any handling means which allows insulation of the container (1) with respect to the operator's hand during the foaming process can be used. This includes a thermally isolating chamber and/or gap (such as a thermal jacket) between the internal and external surfaces of the side wall (6) and/or thermally isolating gripping materials directly and/or indirectly applied to the external surface of the side wall (6), as for example polymeric material such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), rubber, silicone and/or a combination thereof, wood and/or glass can be used.

[0050] The protrusion (600) of the base (6) of the container (1) of FIG. 1 confers to the base a domed shape from the apex of which an impingement in the form of a secondary protrusion (8) extends toward the inner volume (7). Said impingement is in the shape of a conical spike, having an inverted V cross-sectional shape, but other shapes can be used for instance a truncated cone, hemisphere, wedge, or bead shape, for example. In further embodiments (not shown) the V shape of the secondary protrusion (8) can be reversed to extend into the domed protrusion (600) of the base (6), forming a secondary depression, and so that the apex of the V shape points away from the opening (2) of the container (1) towards the outer surface (61).

[0051] The secondary protrusion (8) is furthermore positioned at substantially the centre of the inner surface (60) of the base (6), but other positions are possible, for example an eccentric position with respect to the centre of the inner surface (60) can be selected.

[0052] In addition, although secondary protrusion (8) of the container (1) of Figure lis a single impingement, in other embodiments there may be multiple impingements distributed in a structured pattern, for example in a matrix and/or in a circle or concentric circles. These multiple impingements can also be distributed randomly on the inner surface (60) of the primary protrusion (600) and/or base (6).

[0053] In other embodiments the base (6) can also present a primary protrusion (600) which is partially set in and spaced apart from the side wall (4), rather than extending from the periphery of the base at the side wall. The secondary protrusion (8) can be placed on this primary protrusion (600) in a central or in an eccentric position with respect to the primary protrusion (600). Furthermore, multiple secondary protrusions (8) can be used and arranged in a structured and/or random pattern.

[0054] In some embodiments the primary protrusion (600) can be positioned on the side wall (4) and secondary protrusion/protrusions (8) can be placed on the primary protrusion (600) in the same way as described for FIG. 1. In these embodiments the primary protrusion (600) is not part of the base (6), but it projects laterally from the side wall (4) toward the inner volume (7). In these embodiments the primary protrusion (600) can partially or entirely engage the side wall (4) of the container (1), being positioned and projecting from the side wall (4) along the side wall (4) perimeter towards the inner volume (7), in order to directly and/or indirectly intercept the stream of steam coming out from a conventional steam/froth wand, in use. Such protrusion (600) can also comprise a secondary protrusion (8), which intercepts the steam stream, splitting the steam flow and generating an intense turbulent movement inside the beverage. The secondary protrusion (8), when positioned beneath the steam stream of a steam/froth wand intercepts the stream and splits the steam flow deviating it in multiple directions, radially, allowing the generation of a whirling movement (e.g. turbulence) within the beverage which facilitates incorporation of air and therefore the creation of a fine foam.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 2, a container (1) as described in FIG. 1 is represented in side cross-sectional view, together with an indication of steam flow direction (14) during the foaming process (from a steam wand, not shown).

[0056] In use the container (1) of FIGS. 1 is filled with a beverage to be foamed or a component of a beverage to be foamed. This beverage, or component, can be fresh and/or UHT milk (skimmed or whole) and/or a non-dairy milk as for example oat, rice, coconut, almond, soy milk. Other beverage preparations can be chocolate preparations for instance. The container (1) is then positioned by the operator beneath the froth wand of a conventional beverage preparation machine (such as a coffee machine, for example, not shown) in such a way that the outlet or nozzle of the froth wand is immersed into the beverage and points generally towards the secondary protrusion (8). Steam is then sent to the froth wand to foam the beverage. After having placed the jug beneath the steam flow direction it can be left in this position, without needing further manual operation of the jug by the operator. The container (1) is kept in the same position during the whole foaming process. The steam flow accesses the inner volume (7) along the direction (14) and is intercepted by the secondary protrusion (8) which splits the steam flow radially, allowing the generation of a turbulent flow which creates a vortex which allows incorporation of steam and air, generating a fine foam. Once a certain temperature is reached (between 60 and 70° C.) the foaming process is stopped and the steam flow is interrupted and a finely foamed beverage is obtained.

[0057] A preferred shape of said secondary protrusion (8) for use in a container of the invention is shown in FIG. 3). A secondary protrusion (8) comprises a cone shape (80) having a cone body (84) and a flat toroid structure (82) projecting around an outer surface of said cone body (84). The secondary protrusion (8) of FIG. 3 may be used in the container (1) of FIG. 1 or any other container.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 4, a side cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a container (11) of the invention is shown.

[0059] The container (11) comprises a base (16) which includes spaced apart inner (160) and outer (161) surfaces. The inner surface (160) is concave and its perimeter abuts an internal surface of a side wall (15). The inner surface (160) forms a primary depression in the base (16).

[0060] In these embodiments when a stream of steam is injected into the container (11) it hits the concave surface (160), deviating its direction and generating turbulence within the beverage contained in the container (11). This turbulence allows incorporation of air generating a fine layer of micro-bubbles (micro foam).

[0061] Referring now to FIG. 5, a side cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the container (21) of the first aspect of the invention is shown.

[0062] The container (21) comprises a side wall (24) and a base (26), which is defined by an inner (260) and outer (261) surface, defining a primary concave depression. A single secondary protrusion (28), in the form of a conical spike is positioned substantially centrally on the inner surface (260) of the base (26), extending into the inner volume of the container (21).

[0063] The secondary protrusion (28) can comprise multiple protrusions and can be placed centrally or eccentrically with respect to the base (26) centre. In the case of multiple protrusions these can be displayed in a random and/or regular structure/deployment.

[0064] The secondary protrusion/protrusions (28) can also be of the same type as described in FIG. 3.

[0065] In some other embodiments the inner and outer surfaces of FIGS. 4 and 5 (160, 161 and 260, 261 respectively) may form a flat base, rather than a concave or convex base. Single or multiple protrusion/protrusions can be placed centrally or eccentrically on the flat base. Said protrusion/protrusions can be as described for FIG. 3.

[0066] In some other embodiments a primary depression can be generated on the side wall (4) for example a concave area formed in the side wall (4), and impingement/impingements in the form of secondary protrusion/protrusions can be placed within this depression in the same way as described for FIG. 1.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 6, a side cross-sectional view of a further container (31) of the invention is represented.

[0068] Said container (31) comprises a side wall (34) and a base (36) defined by an inner and an outer surface (360, 361). The inner surface (360) of the base (36) has a concave shape. An impingement in the form of a secondary depression (38) has a V cross-sectional shape or conical spike shape and extends into said base (36).

[0069] The secondary depression (38) is in the shape of a cone formed or cut into the base (36), but any further shape can be used, for example a hemisphere, a wedge or cubic shape. There may be a single secondary depression (38) or multiple secondary depressions, which can be placed centrally or eccentrically with respect to the base (36) centre.

[0070] Multiple protrusions and/or depressions can be displayed in a random and/or regular pattern/deployment.

[0071] The containers (1, 11, 21, 31) of FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 can be made of stainless-steel material, ceramic and/or polymeric substrates and/or a combination thereof.

[0072] Referring finally to FIG. 7 a container (701) is shown with an insert (700) connected thereto, to form a container of the first aspect of the invention. The container (701) includes a flat base (706) and a side wall (704) extending around the base (706).

[0073] The insert (700) comprises connecting means (702) to connect said insert (700) to the side wall (704) of the beverage frothing container (701). The insert (700) includes a primary protrusion (760) in the form of a dome-shaped base which further comprises an impingement in the form of a secondary spike-shaped protrusion (708) extending from the top of the dome-shaped primary-protrusion (760).

[0074] The insert (700) is removably connected to said state-of-the-art beverage frothing container (701) through said connecting means (702) which may comprise for instance a hook, a resilient clamp, a bayonetted connection, a threaded connection (such as a screw thread) and/or a snap on connection, depending on the configuration of the edge of the side wall (704).

[0075] The insert (700), when connected to the container side wall (704), forms a primary protrusion extending from the base (706), within the container (701), thus transforming the container (704) to a container according to the invention.

[0076] The primary and secondary (760, 708) protrusions may be of the type already described for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3, for example.

[0077] The insert (700) can be made of stainless steel, polymeric substrate, rubber silicone, glass, ceramic and/or a combination thereof, for example.

[0078] In use, once inserted into the state-of-the-art beverage frothing container (701) and fixed to the side wall (704) through the connecting means, the insert (700) operates as described for the container (1) of FIGS. 1 and 6.

[0079] All of the containers (1, 11, 21, 31, 701) of FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 can be used directly beneath a steam wand of a beverage machine, particularly a coffee machine, and filled with a suitable beverage material or component, such as milk.