DE102022128936A1 - Device for emulsifying and/or heating milk - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) for emulsifying and/or heating milk comprises an electronic controller (15), a milk container (3), a mixer (4), a milk supply circuit provided with an inlet (5) of milk into the mixer (4) , milk heating means and an air supply circuit provided with an inlet (6) of air into the mixer (4), the milk supply circuit comprising a milk extraction impeller (41) positioned inside the milk tank (3) and an electric motor (42) for actuating the rotation of the impeller (41 ) comprises, and means for regulating the speed of rotation of the impeller (41) are provided.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for emulsifying and/or heating milk, suitable for the production of a milk drink at different temperature and degree of air emulsion.

Devices of this type, which include a mixer using a flow of heating steam which draws air and milk into a mixing chamber by the Venturi effect, are known.

In order to regulate the temperature and degree of froth of the beverage, the mixing ratios of milk and air can be changed by changing the amplitude of the milk inlet section and/or the air inlet section in the mixing chamber.

For example, given the same steam flow and air inlet section, the larger the milk inlet section, the larger the sucked milk flow and thus the lower the temperature and the amount of froth of the milk beverage. In addition, the larger the air inlet section, the greater the degree of froth of the beverage, always with the same steam flow and milk inlet section. Obviously, the main disadvantage of this solution is that temperature regulation has an undesirable effect on foam level regulation and vice versa.

On the other hand, if the milk and air intake sections are not changed, but only the steam temperature is increased at the same flow, one will simply have a change in the brewing time at the same temperature of the beverage.

Mixing systems that do not use the Venturi effect are known from the prior art.

For example, a device has been proposed in which the milk is heated in an airtight container by an electric heater and conveyed to a mixing zone with compressed air.

In this case, the compressed air is generated by an air pump that always works at full capacity.

The function of the compressed air flow is to pressurize the milk container in order to displace the heated milk towards the mixing zone. Part of the compressed air flow is also extracted to emulsify the milk extracted from the tank.

Such an emulsifying device is made, for example EP2665396 known. However, with such a device it is not possible to control the temperature, only the degree of foam.

Another example of a pressure can for the preparation of cold foam is in the patent US5238155A specified.

The technical task of the present invention is therefore that of realizing a device for emulsifying and/or heating milk which makes it possible to eliminate the technical disadvantages of the known art which have been complained of.

Within the scope of the technical task, an object of the invention is to realize a device for emulsifying and/or heating milk that allows the temperature and degree of froth of the milk beverage to be regulated.

Another object of the invention is to realize a device for emulsifying and/or heating milk, which makes it possible to regulate a specific temperature of the milk beverage.

The technical task and these and other purposes are achieved according to the invention by realizing a device for emulsifying and/or heating milk, comprising an electronic controller, a milk tank, a mixer, a milk supply circuit provided with an inlet for milk into the mixer, Milk heating means and an air supply circuit provided with an inlet of air into the mixer, characterized in that the milk supply circuit comprises a milk extraction impeller positioned inside the milk tank and an electric motor for actuating the rotation of the impeller, and in that it comprises means for regulating the rotation speed of the impeller .

Preferably, the milk heating means comprise an inlet of steam into the mixer and a circuit for supplying steam to the steam inlet, the steam supply circuit comprising a water pump, a steam boiler and a line for supplying steam to the steam inlet provided with steam shut-off valves.

Preferably, the means for regulating the speed of rotation of the impeller are designed to modulate the power supply to the electric motor. Preferably, the rotational speed control means comprise a control program stored by the electronic control.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a magnetic drive for the rotation of the electric motor to the impeller is provided.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic drive comprises a rotary table supported by an output shaft of the electric motor and optionally by motion transmission means, first magnetic elements supported by the rotary table and second magnetic elements supported by the impeller, the first and second magnetic elements are designed and arranged for magnetic interaction.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a milk temperature sensor present in the milk container is provided.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air supply circuit comprises an air pump and a line for supplying pressurized air to the air inlet.

In another embodiment of the invention, the air supply circuit includes a venturi effect air extraction system that is actuated by the vapor supplied from the vapor supply circuit.

The present invention also discloses a method of making a milk drink with such a device, in which the temperature of the drink is regulated by changing the rotational speed of the impeller. The present invention finally discloses a coffee maker incorporating such a device for emulsifying and/or heating milk.

It should be noted that the regulation of the temperature and degree of foam of the milk drink can be carried out with a wide margin from each other, since regulation is possible with special means for regulating the speed of the impeller, special means for regulating the air circuit and special means for regulating the steam circuit is.

• 1 schematisch eine erste Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung zum Emulgieren und/oder Erhitzen von Milch;
• 2 schematisch eine weitere Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung zum Emulgieren und/oder Erhitzen von Milch;
• 3 schematisch eine weitere Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung zum Emulgieren und/oder Erhitzen von Milch.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the device for emulsifying and/or heating milk according to the invention, illustrated by way of indication and not by way of limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which it shows:

• 1 schematically a first embodiment of the device for emulsifying and/or heating milk;
• 2 schematically another embodiment of the device for emulsifying and/or heating milk;
• 3 schematically a further embodiment of the device for emulsifying and/or heating of milk.

Equivalent parts of the different embodiments are given the same reference numbers.

With reference to said figures, there is shown a device for emulsifying and/or heating milk, indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 1.

The device 1 comprises an electronic control 15, a user control panel 17 provided with operating elements 16 for manually selecting the temperature and the degree of foam of the milk beverage, a milk container 3, a mixer 4 provided with a milk inlet 5, an air inlet 6 and an outlet 7 of a milk beverage.

The device 1 further comprises a circuit for supplying air to the air inlet 6, milk heating means and a circuit for supplying milk to the milk inlet 5.

The milk supply circuit comprises a line 8 for the connection between the milk container 3 and the milk inlet 5.

The pipe 8 is immersed in the milk and extends towards the bottom of the milk container 3.

The milk heating means comprise an inlet 18 of steam into the mixer 4 and a circuit 2 for supplying steam to the steam inlet 18. The steam supply circuit 2 comprises a water pump 19, a steam boiler 20 and a pipe 21 for supplying steam to the steam inlet 18.

The line 21 for supplying steam to the steam inlet 18 is in turn provided with steam shut-off valves 22, for example but not necessarily a three-way shut-off solenoid valve, which also connects the steam supply line 21 to an expansion chamber 23. The air supply circuit includes in its in 1 illustrated preferred embodiment an air pump 9, in particular an electric pump, and a line 11 for the supply of compressed air to the air inlet 6.

Along the supply line 30 of the air pump 9 there is a calibrated opening 32 which could alternatively be mounted in front of the air pump 9. Along the line 30 or 11, a pressure sensor 24 are arranged. The pressure sensor 24 communicates the detected pressure value to the controller 15, which in turn modulates the air pump 9 in order to optimize foaming.

The air supply circuit includes in its in 2 illustrated preferred embodiment, a duct 11' for the supply of air which is sucked in at the inlet 6 by the venturi effect generated by the steam in the mixer 4. Before the inlet 6, the line 11' is provided with a calibrated orifice 32' and valves 50 necessary to control the level of foaming.

Alternatively, the calibrated orifice 32' could be mounted in front of the valves 50.

The air supply circuit includes in its in 3 illustrated preferred embodiment an air pump 9, in particular an electric pump, and a compressed air supply line 11", which shuts off the steam line 21 at the connection point 48.

The air inlet 6 and the steam inlet 18 in the mixing chamber 4 coincide.

A calibrated opening 32" and a non-return valve 47 are located in front of the connection point 48 along the feed line 30 of the air pump 9. Alternatively, the calibrated opening 32" could be installed in front of the air pump 9.

A pressure sensor 24 can be arranged along the line 30 or 11". The pressure sensor 24 communicates the detected pressure value to the controller 15, which in turn modulates the air pump 9 in order to optimize the foaming. Advantageously, the milk supply circuit comprises in relation to all the solutions shown milk extraction impeller 41 positioned inside the milk container 3 and an electric motor 42 for actuating the rotation of the impeller 41.

Advantageously, the device 1 provides suitable means for regulating the speed of rotation of the impeller 41.

The means for regulating the speed of rotation of the impeller 41 are designed to modulate the power supply to the electric motor 42 .

The rotational speed control means comprise a control program present in the memory of the electronic control 15.

The impeller 41 is positioned at the bottom of the milk tank 3 and has blades designed for radial suction of the milk and an axial milk feed connected to the duct 8 for connection between the milk tank 3 and the milk inlet 5 into the mixer 4 .

The impeller 41 can be supported by the duct 8 .

In particular, the impeller 41 can be freely rotatably supported coaxially with the duct 8 .

The line 8 and thus the impeller 41 have a vertical axis for the rise of the milk from the bottom of the milk container 3 to the mixer 4 above.

The device 1 includes a magnetic drive of the rotation of the electric motor 42 to the impeller 41.

The magnetic drive comprises a turntable 43 supported by an output shaft 44 and optionally by motion transmission means, first magnetic elements 45 supported by the turntable 43 and second magnetic elements 46 supported by the impeller 41, the first and second magnetic elements 45, 46 are designed and arranged for magnetic interaction. For example, the first magnetic elements 45 are co-rotating permanent magnets and the second magnetic elements 46 are permanent magnets that are co-rotated by the co-rotating permanent magnets.

The device 1 includes means for regulating the steam temperature.

The steam temperature control means includes a temperature sensor (not shown) of boiler 20 connected to control unit 15; the temperature sensor of the boiler 20 communicates with the control unit 15 to modulate the power supply of the boiler 20.

The device 1 advantageously comprises a milk temperature sensor 25 present in the milk container 3; the milk temperature sensor 25 communicates with the control unit 15 to modulate the power supply of the electric motor 42 and/or the boiler 20 and/or the air pump 9 in order to obtain the beverage at the desired temperature. The mixer 4 as in 1 shown may comprise, connected in cascade, a pre-mixing chamber 4a including the air inlet 6 and the steam inlet 18, and a mixing chamber 4b including the milk inlet 5. Or, as in FIG 2 shown, it may comprise a single mixing chamber 4b into which the air inlet 6, the steam inlet 18 and the milk inlet 5 converge.

The mixer 4 can be integrated into a possibly removable cover 26 for closing the milk container 3 .

The device 1 can be at least partially integrated into a coffee machine 27, in which the electronic controller 15 is preferably installed.

In practice, the coffee machine 27 can have an interface for the mechanical, electrical, WiFi, optical, pneumatic and hydraulic connection to the milk container 3.

The interface for the mechanical connection (not shown, of a known type) enables the milk container 3 to be fixed in a predetermined manner to the coffee machine 27.

The interface for the electrical connection 28 makes it possible for all active components installed in the milk container 3, that is to say all components which require power and data for their operation, to communicate with the electronic control 15.

The hydraulic connection interface allows the connection of the line 21 for the supply of steam to the water pump 19, which is preferably installed in the coffee maker 27 together with the boiler 20 and the steam shut-off valves 22.

The interfaces for the pneumatic connection allow, when solving in 1 to connect the air supply line 11 to the mixer 4, the calibrated orifice 32 and the air pump 9, preferably installed in the coffee maker 27; at 2 to connect the air supply line 11' to the mixer 4, the calibrated orifice 32' and the solenoid valve 50, preferably installed in the coffee maker 27; and at 3 to connect the steam supply line 11" to the steam line 21, the non-return valve 47, the calibrated orifice 32", the air pump 9, which are preferably installed in the coffee maker 27. Preferably, but not necessarily, as shown, all active components except temperature sensor 25 are installed within coffee maker 27 .

With regard to the temperature sensor 25, a solution is shown in which it is immersed in the milk container 3 and communicates with the electronic controller 15 via electrical wiring.

Alternatively, a wireless connection of the temperature sensor to the electronic controller 15 can be provided.

However, it is also possible to implement a solution with an infrared temperature sensor installed in the coffee machine 27 in a position facing the milk container 3 at a height such that it is at a level below the surface of the milk.

In this case no active component of the device 1 is installed in the milk container 3 .

Or it is also possible to provide a temperature sensor installed in the coffee machine 27 and working in contact with a metal wall of the milk container 3.

Also in this case no active component of the device 1 is installed in the milk container 3 .

All active components, which of course communicate with the electronic control 15, are then installed in the coffee machine 27, just like the electronic control 15 itself.

It is not excluded that in a solution that is not shown, the device 1 is structurally and functionally independent of a coffee machine.

It is also not excluded that in a solution not shown, the electronic control 15 and other active components are mounted in the milk container 3 or in the lid 26 and that after the connection of the milk container 3 to the coffee machine 27, the electronic control 15 of the device 1 with the electronic control of the coffee machine 27 can establish a dialogue in order to coordinate the operation of the device 1. The operation of the device 1 in relation to the 1 , 2 and 3 Illustrated device 1 is briefly as follows.

The controller 15 has in memory standard correlation tables between the desired thermal state of the desired beverage, e.g. "cold" beverage, "warm" beverage, "hot" beverage and "very hot" beverage, and the desired froth level, the values of the power supply of the Electric motor 42 with corresponding values of the activation and/or modulation time of the air pump 9 (for the 1 and 3 solutions shown) or the opening time of the air shut-off valves 50 (for the in 2 shown solution) correlate. Depending on the choice of milk drink made by the user, the controller 15 sets the value of the power supply of the electric motor 42 and the corresponding value of the activation time of the air pump 9 (for the 1 and 3 solutions shown) or the opening time of the air shut-off valves 50 (for those shown in Fig 2 solution shown).

In the solutions in 1 and 3 For example, the air pump 9 can be modulated by the controller 15 to operate at ideal pressures for better and more constant frothing of the beverage through feedback received from the pressure sensor 24.

In principle, an increase in the rotational speed of the impeller 41 corresponds to a larger flow of milk introduced into the mixing chamber 4 and thus, under the same conditions, to a lower temperature of the beverage produced, and vice versa, a decrease in the rotational speed of the impeller 41 corresponds to a smaller flow of milk introduced into the mixing chamber 4 and thus below the same conditions of a higher temperature of the beverage produced.

The more complex hypothesis is that when the user wants a drink in the cup at a certain temperature and foaming, not just a more or less hot milky drink with a certain degree of foaming. In this case, the electronic control 15 must know the temperature of the milk in the container 3, but this can be detected by the temperature sensor 25.

Depending on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 25, the electronic control 15 can adjust the power supply of the electric motor 42, the value of the activation and/or modulation time of the air pump 9 (for the 1 and 3 solutions shown) or the opening time of the air shut-off valves 50 (for the in 2 solution shown) and the parameters of the steam circuit, for example the power supply of the boiler 20 and/or the amount of steam, which can be regulated by determining the opening time of the steam shut-off valves 22 and/or the activation time of the pump 19, independently modulating each other.

An even finer regulation of the beverage temperature can be achieved with a temperature sensor attached to the outlet 7 of the mixer 4, which can report the deviation between the beverage outlet temperature and the desired temperature to the electronic controller 15 in real time, so that the electronic controller 15 can make the necessary adjustments again Modulation of the above parameters can always be carried out in real time.

The device thus conceived for emulsifying and/or heating milk can be subject to many modifications and variants, all falling within the framework of the inventive concept; furthermore, all the details can be interchanged with technically equivalent elements.

The air-steam mixture can, for example, enter the pre-mixing chamber 4a and then mix with the milk in the mixing chamber 4b, as in FIG 1 shown, or it may mix directly with the milk in the mixing chamber 4, which would render the pre-mixing chamber 4a superfluous, as in Fig 2 shown. The air can be released into the steam after the valve shut-off valves 22, as in 3 shown, or injected before them between the water pump 19 and the boiler 20.

Furthermore, air, steam and milk could be injected into the mixing chamber 4 in a completely independent way, in which case the inlets 5, 6 and 18 are all located in the mixing chamber 4 as in Fig 2 shown would converge.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the sizes, can be any according to needs and the state of the art.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 2665396 [0010]
• US5238155A [0011]

Claims (13)

Device (1) for emulsifying and/or heating milk, comprising an electronic control (15), a milk container (3), a mixer (4), a milk supply circuit provided with an inlet (5) of milk into the mixer (4) , milk heating means and an air supply circuit provided with an inlet (6) of air into the mixer (4), characterized in that the milk supply circuit comprises a milk extraction impeller (41) positioned inside the milk container (3) and an electric motor (42) for actuating the rotation of the impeller (41), and in that it comprises means for regulating the speed of rotation of the impeller (41). Device (1) for emulsifying and/or heating milk claim 1 , characterized in that the milk heating means comprise an inlet (18) of steam into the mixer (4) and a circuit for the supply of steam to the steam inlet (18), the steam supply circuit comprising a water pump (19), a steam boiler (20) and a line (21) for supplying steam to the steam inlet (18), provided with steam shut-off valves (22). Device (1) for emulsifying and/or heating milk according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for regulating the speed of rotation of the impeller (41) for modulating the power supply of the electric motor (42) connected to the electronic control (15) are designed. Device (1) for emulsifying and/or heating milk according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means for regulating the speed of rotation comprise a regulation program memorized by the electronic controller (15). Device (1) for emulsifying and/or heating milk according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a magnetic drive of rotation from the electric motor (42) to the impeller (41). Device (1) for emulsifying and/or heating milk according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the magnetic drive comprises a turntable (43) rotatably supported by an output shaft (44) of the electric motor (42) and optionally by movement transmission means. first magnetic members (45) supported by the turntable (43) and second magnetic members (46) supported by the impeller (41), the first and second magnetic members (45, 46) being configured for magnetic interaction and arranged. Device (1) for emulsifying and/or heating milk according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air supply circuit comprises an air pump (9), a calibrated orifice (32, 32") and a pipe (11, 11") for the Includes supply of compressed air to the air inlet (6). Device (1) for emulsifying and/or heating milk according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the air supply circuit comprises a pressure sensor (24) connected to the electronic control (15). Device (1) for emulsifying and/or heating milk according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the compressed air supply line (11") shuts off this steam supply circuit at a connection point (48) upstream of the mixing chamber (4). Device (1) for emulsifying and/or heating milk according to a claim 1 until 9 , characterized in that the air supply circuit comprises a venturi effect air extraction system generated by the steam supplied from the steam supply circuit. Device (1) for emulsifying and/or heating milk according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the duct (11') for the supply of air to the air inlet (6) is provided with valves (50) for shutting off the air before the mixing chamber ( 4) is provided. Device (1) for emulsifying and/or heating milk according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a milk temperature sensor (25) present in the milk container (3). Method for preparing a milk drink with a device according to any one of the preceding claims and characterized in that the temperature of the drink is regulated by changing the speed of rotation of the impeller.

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