DE102005010601A1 - Disposable accessory for foaming milk fits on to steam outlet of espresso machine and comprises extruded plastic tube whose upper end has peripheral groove which snap-fits over rib on outlet - Google Patents

Abstract

The disposable accessory for foaming milk fits on to the steam outlet (1) of an espresso machine. It comprises an extruded plastic tube (13) with a chamber (34) at its base, in which low pressure is generated. A mixture of milk and air is sucked into this through a channel (37) through the tube. The upper end of the tube has a peripheral groove (19) which snap-fits over a rib (5) on the steam outlet.

Description

The The invention relates to a device for frothing milk with integrated Milk suction according to the preamble of claim 1.

The German patent application AZ 10 2004 025 037.5 describes a device for frothing of milk with integrated milk intake as an accessory for connection to the steam supply line provided with a steam nozzle of espresso machines or similar Household machines, the device in the treated Milk submersible and with a vacuum for generating a vacuum chamber provided by means of steam flow nozzle arrangement equipped and separately or jointly managed and suction pipes for milk connected to the vacuum space and air or milk-air mixture and a discharge opening for delivery of the produced steam-milk-air mixture, characterized in that the device comprises at least one to the steam supply with steam nozzle connectable Fixed part and one arranged below the fixed part and with composed of this easily replaceable connectable disposable part, and the disposable part at least one at its upper end with the solid part connectable steam pipe with substantially vertical arranged axis, one in the region of the lower end of the steam pipe arranged nozzle arrangement with feeder the steam flow over the Steam pipe and at least one axis parallel to the steam pipe arranged and approximately over its length from Area of the nozzle arrangement extending to the region of the fixed part feed tube for feeding the airflow or the air flow and milk flow to the nozzle assembly consists, whereby steam pipe and supply pipe essentially as thin-walled plastic pipes producible by extrusion trained and both together in one piece or separately executed in two parts are.

task of the intended use It is not the milk-wetted hard part as much as possible, the disposable part simple, small and inexpensive and its connectability to the steam supply allows comfortable to design. The hard part, however, can be rather elaborate as it is for long-term use is designed. Another advantage of the fixed part is that the Disposable parts for the same application on different espresso machines can be designed then the differences between the espres so-automates then be collected in different parts. This is simplified the marketing of disposable parts.

Stand However, espresso machines in large numbers with identical connection dimensions to the with steam nozzle equipped Steam supply for equipment ready with disposable frothing nozzles, so is the use of fixed parts consuming, since they are all identical accomplished are.

It is therefore an object of the invention, for these applications overcome the described disadvantage.

These The object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous Further developments are specified in the respective dependent claims.

The The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments. The Figures show a schematic representation:

1 Embodiment of the device according to the invention, functional, disposable part immersed in the milk to be frothed

2 Device after 1 Disposable item in position before sliding onto the steam nozzle

3 another embodiment of the device according to the invention, disposable part in position before pushing on the steam nozzle

1 and 2 show an embodiment of the device according to the invention for frothing milk ( 9 ). In 1 is the disposable part ( 10 ) ready for operation on the steam nozzle ( 2 ) of the steam supply line ( 1 ) and into the milk container ( 7 ) to be foamed milk ( 8th immersed). 2 shows the disposable part ( 10 ) in position before sliding on the steam nozzle ( 2 ).

The structure described below and the function of the device for frothing milk ( 8th ) are largely consistent with the device described in the German patent application AZ 10 2004 025 037.5 and their use and are therefore not explained in detail here.

The device is an accessory for connection to the with a steam nozzle ( 2 ) provided steam supply ( 1 ), the disposable part ( 10 ) is intended for a substantially one-time use. The disposable part ( 10 ) consists of a steam pipe ( 11 ), one in the region of the lower end of the steam pipe ( 11 ) arranged as Dü body ( 27 ) executed nozzle arrangement ( 26 ) with a vacuum chamber ( 34 ) for generating negative pressure by means of the steam pipe ( 11 ) and as a free jet ( 33 ) in the vacuum chamber ( 34 ) incoming steam flow ( 41 ) and one to the vacuum chamber ( 34 ) connected suction line ( 35 ) for the milk stream ( 42 ) and the airflow ( 43 ) and a discharge opening ( 38 ) for dispensing the milk foam formed, and from a steam pipe ( 11 ) approximately concentrically enclosing feed tube ( 22 ) for supplying the air flow ( 43 ) to the nozzle assembly ( 26 ) via a in the nozzle body ( 27 ) groove ( 28 ). Steam pipe ( 11 ) and feed tube ( 22 ) are formed substantially as producible by extrusion thin-walled plastic pipes.

The steam pipe ( 11 ) has at its upper vapor access ( 14 ) a shape, the one quickly producible and detachable connection with the with a steam nozzle ( 2 ) equipped steam supply ( 1 ). For this purpose, the steam pipe ( 11 ) in the illustrated embodiment in the region of the connection to the steam supply line ( 1 ) an expansion ( 17 ) to an inner diameter D2 ( 16 ), which is approximately equal to the outer diameter D1 ( 3 ) of the steam nozzle ( 2 ) corresponds. The steam nozzle ( 2 ) is equipped with a locking ring ( 5 ) with a characteristic outer diameter greater than D1 ( 3 ), the steam pipe ( 11 ) with an annular locking groove ( 19 ) with a characteristic inner diameter greater than D2 ( 16 ) Mistake.

3 shows another embodiment of the device according to the invention for frothing milk ( 9 ). The disposable part ( 10 ) is in a position before sliding on the steam nozzle ( 2 ). The nozzle arrangement ( 26 ) is as a nozzle body ( 27 ) carried out, in contrast to the embodiment according to 1 an annulus ( 29 ), in which an intensive mixing of the milk-air mixture ( 44 ) takes place, as well as a groove ( 28 ) for supplying the milk flow ( 42 ). In addition, the discharge opening ( 38 ) for the milk foam a constriction ( 39 ), which have an upstream mixing room ( 40 ). The steam pipe ( 11 ) has in the region of the annulus ( 29 ) an air opening ( 20 ).

The steam pipe ( 11 ) has in the embodiment, as in 1 and Fig., In the region of the connection to the steam supply line ( 1 ) an expansion ( 17 ) to an inner diameter D2 ( 16 ), which is approximately equal to the outer diameter D1 ( 3 ) of the steam nozzle ( 2 ) corresponds. The steam nozzle ( 2 ) is with a locking groove ( 6 ) with a characteristic inner diameter smaller than D1 ( 3 ), the steam pipe ( 11 ) with an annular locking ring ( 18 ) with a characteristic inner diameter smaller than D2 ( 16 ). The feed tube ( 22 ) for supplying the air flow ( 43 ) lies in this embodiment of the expansion ( 17 ) of the steam pipe ( 11 ) and has an air supply opening ( 24 ).

The in the 1 to 3 illustrated embodiments of the device according to the invention for frothing milk ( 9 ) contain different detail designs, which should not be limited to the combination shown but should be interchangeable.

Is in the previous description, the steam nozzle ( 2 ) as in the flow direction of the vapor flow ( 41 ) Last member of the steam supply line ( 1 ), it is also within the scope of the invention, the steam nozzle ( 2 ) in the course of the steam supply ( 1 ) and the disposable part ( 10 ) not to the steam nozzle ( 2 ) but to the steam nozzle ( 2 ) downstream steam supply ( 1 ). In this case, all statements about the design of the steam nozzle ( 2 ) with locking ring ( 5 ), Locking groove ( 6 ) and their diameter D1 ( 3 ) also for the corresponding design of the area of the steam supply ( 1 ) to which the disposable part ( 10 ) is to be connected.

Overall, the invention provides a device for frothing milk ( 9 ) with integrated milk suction as an additional device for connection to the with a steam nozzle ( 2 ) provided steam supply ( 1 ) of cappuccino machines or similar household machines, which can be easily connected without additional hard part or transition part and their operation without expensive cleaning is possible.

1

steam supply

2

frother

3

outer diameter D1 steam nozzle

4

Nozzle opening steam nozzle

5

locking ring frother

locking groove frother

7

milk container

8th

milk

9

contraption for frothing of milk

10

disposable part

11

steam pipe

12

inside steam pipe

13

outside steam pipe

14

steam access in steam pipe

15

lower End steam pipe

16

Inner diameter D2 steam pipe

17

widening steam pipe

18

locking ring steam pipe

19

locking groove steam pipe

20

Intake opening in Wall steam pipe

21

reinforcement ring steam pipe

22

feed

23

Inner diameter feed

24

Air supply feed pipe

25

narrowing feed

26

nozzle assembly

27

nozzle body

28

groove nozzle body

29

annulus nozzle body

30

radial opening nozzle body

31

venturi

32

Open Jet

33

free jet

34

Pressurized space

35

suction for milk

36

suction for air

37

suction for milk-air mixture

38

discharge opening

39

narrowing discharge opening

40

mixing room before discharge opening

41

steam flow

42

milk flow

43

airflow

44

Flow milk-air mixture

Claims (6)

Device for frothing milk with integrated milk suction as an attachment for connection to the provided with a steam nozzle steam supply line of espresso machines or similar household appliances, consisting of an easily removable disposable part for substantially single use, the disposable part at least from a steam tube with substantially vertical arranged axis, arranged in the region of the lower end of the steam pipe nozzle arrangement with a vacuum chamber for generating negative pressure by means of the steam flow steam flow supplied to the vacuum chamber and connected suction duct for milk-air mixture with mixing space for milk flow and air flow and a discharge opening for delivery of the milk foam forming steam-milk-air mixture, as well as at least one axially parallel to the steam pipe and arranged approximately over its length extending supply pipe for supplying the air flow to The nozzle assembly is formed, wherein steam pipe and feed tube formed substantially as producible by extrusion thin-walled plastic pipes and both together in one piece or separately from each other are made in two parts, characterized in that the steam pipe ( 11 ) at its upper steam inlet ( 14 ) has a shape that provides a quick to make and detachable connection with the with a steam nozzle ( 2 ) equipped steam supply ( 1 ). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the steam pipe ( 11 ) in the region of its admission of steam ( 14 ) an inner diameter D2 ( 16 ) approximately equal to the outer diameter D1 ( 3 ) of the steam nozzle ( 2 ), and with an annular detent groove ( 19 ) with a characteristic inner diameter greater than D2 ( 16 ), which is the disposable part ( 10 ) at the with a locking ring ( 5 ) with a characteristic outer diameter greater than D1 ( 3 ) provided steam nozzle ( 2 ) using the elastic extensibility of the steam pipe ( 11 ) make fixable. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the steam pipe ( 11 ) in the region of its admission of steam ( 14 ) an inner diameter D2 ( 16 ) approximately equal to the outer diameter D1 ( 3 ) of the steam nozzle ( 2 ) and with a locking ring ( 18 ) with a characteristic inner diameter smaller than D2 ( 16 ), which is the disposable part ( 10 ) at the with a locking groove ( 6 ) with a characteristic outside diameter smaller than D1 ( 3 ) provided steam nozzle ( 2 ) using the elastic extensibility of the steam pipe ( 11 ) make fixable. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steam pipe ( 11 ) in the region of the connection to the steam supply line ( 1 ) to the inner diameter D2 ( 16 ) which is approximately equal to the outer diameter D1 ( 3 ) of the steam nozzle ( 2 ) corresponds Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steam pipe ( 11 ) in the region of the connection to the steam supply line ( 1 ) with an elastic reinforcing ring ( 21 ) is provided. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the reinforcing ring ( 21 ) made of thermosetting plastic in liquid form on the inside ( 12 ) and / or outside ( 13 ) of the steam pipe ( 11 ) can be applied.