JP2011161125A - Milk whipping and heating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems of having no capacity for adjusting temperature for warming, having many components to be cleaned and causing much trouble, and spreading spray or the like in whipping and heating milk. <P>SOLUTION: The milk whipping and heating device 17 of tank container type is provided with an opening/closing mechanism 23 in the interior of a steam path 21 for switching on/off the air mixing, is configured to directly injecting air-mixed steam or steam alone to the milk so as to inject only the steam therein, and can adjust the temperature for warming to raise the temperature of the milk. The constitution can decrease the number of components coming into contact with the milk so as to reduce the number of components to be cleaned. Furthermore, the milk is whipped and heated in a tank so as to eliminate the spread or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a milk frothing heating apparatus for producing frothed milk or heated milk used in cappuccino or latte.

  In recent years, beverages such as cappuccino and latte, which are produced by adding milk whipped to coffee or heated milk, are preferred. As one means for producing these frothed milk and heated milk, a milk frothing heating apparatus associated with a coffee maker or the like is known.

  Conventionally, in a milk frothing heating apparatus associated with this type of coffee maker, etc., in order to achieve stable milk frothing heating and to be suitable for moving and storing milk before and after operation, There is a tank container type milk frothing heating device having a connection port to a steam discharge port (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the conventional milk frothing heating device described in Patent Document 1 before mounting on a coffee maker, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the conventional milk frothing heating device mounted on a coffee maker. 8 and 8 are side views showing an axial cross section of the conventional milk frothing heating apparatus.

  Hereinafter, a conventional milk frothing heating apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

  An operation switch 2 is provided on the upper front side of the coffee maker 1, a coffee outlet 3 is provided near the center, and a steam outlet 4 is provided on the right side of the coffee outlet 3. A conventional milk frothing heating container 5 includes a tank 6 for containing milk and a lid 8 having a steam introduction part 7. The steam introduction part 7 is provided with an air hole 9. Further, the lid 8 is provided with a milk suction pipe 10 for sucking the milk in the tank 6 and communicates with the steam introducing portion 7. In addition, a side of the conventional milk frothing heating device 5 has a discharge nozzle 11 communicated with the steam introducing portion 7 in order to pour the froth heated milk into a cup placed sideways. Further, on the upper surface of the lid 8, a pin 12 for opening and closing the air hole 9 of the steam introduction portion 7, a first lever arm 13 and a first lever arm that are fixed to the pin 12 and that lower and raise the pin 12. 13, a second lever arm 14 that is pivotably locked to 13, a guide portion 15 that guides the operation of the second lever arm 14 using an inclination, and an end portion of the second lever arm, A knob portion 16 for operating with a finger is provided.

  The operation of the conventional milk froth heating apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  First, the production of a cappuccino beverage produced by pouring whipped milk onto coffee will be described.

In the coffee maker 1, the coffee extracted by the operation of an internal coffee extraction mechanism (not shown) is discharged from the coffee discharge port 3 by the operation of the operation switch 2 and poured into the cup. Then, after putting milk in the tank 6 of the conventional milk frothing heating device 5 and closing the lid 8, the steam inlet 7 is set so as to be inserted into the steam outlet 4 of the coffee maker 1. Further, since it is possible to store the milk in the tank 6, the milk is put in the tank 6 and the milk frothing heating device 5 with the lid 8 is kept in a refrigerator or the like. At this time, it is possible to take out the milk frothing heating device 5 as it is from a refrigerator or the like and set it in the coffee maker 1.

  After the milk foaming device 5 is set in the coffee maker 1, steam is generated by a steam generator (not shown) in the coffee maker 1 according to the steam discharge instruction by the operation switch 2, and the steam is discharged through the steam outlet 4. The milk is introduced into the steam introduction part 7 of the frothing heating container 5. The steam discharged from the steam discharge port 4 is foamed by mixing the milk in the tank 6 sucked up from the milk suction pipe 10 and the air from the air hole 9 by the venturi effect in the steam introduction part 7. The milk is poured into a cup containing already extracted coffee through the discharge nozzle 11 and becomes a cappuccino beverage. The milk used for the cappuccino beverage is frothed milk, and in this case for producing frothed milk, the air holes 9 of the steam introduction part 7 are in an open state.

  Next, the production of latte, in which heated milk is poured into coffee, will be described.

  The milk poured into the latte does not need whipping and is only heated.

  By operating the knob portion 16 at the top of the lid 8, the second lever arm 14 rises in the tilt direction via the guide portion 15, and the first lever arm 13 to which the movement is transmitted causes the pin 12 to move. The fixed end is lowered, and the lowered pin 12 blocks the air hole 9 provided in the steam introducing portion 7. In a state where the air hole 9 is blocked, the air does not enter the steam introducing portion 7. Although the steam discharged from the steam discharge port 4 by the instruction to discharge the steam by the operation of the operation switch 2 is mixed with the milk sucked from the milk suction pipe 10 due to the venturi effect in the steam introducing portion 7. In this case, the air is not mixed. Therefore, the milk whose temperature has been raised by mixing with steam becomes milk that is heated only, and is poured into a cup containing already extracted coffee through the discharge nozzle 11 to become a latte drink.

Special table 2007-533382 gazette

  However, the conventional configuration has a problem that the temperature of the finished foamed milk or heated milk is low. By opening and closing the air hole by the vertical movement of the pin, the amount of air mixed with the milk is adjusted, and it is possible to use foamed milk containing air and heated milk that does not contain air. The temperature of milk or heated milk is uniquely determined by the temperature and amount of steam and the initial milk temperature. That is, there is a problem that the temperature for heating cannot be adjusted. In particular, in a domestic coffee maker, the temperature of steam to be generated is relatively low and the amount of steam is not large, so that it becomes frothed milk or heated milk that has not been sufficiently heated. Then, even when processed into a drink such as cappuccino or latte together with coffee, there was a problem that a delicious drink could not be provided.

Furthermore, the conventional configuration has a problem of cleanability. Since milk tends to corrode, the parts that come into contact with milk will cause problems such as odor and rot if left unattended, so it must be cleaned frequently. Because it produces heated milk, there are many parts that milk can pass through and touch, and there are many parts that must be cleaned. Specifically, the tank naturally touches the milk, but the milk suction pipe, the steam inlet, and the discharge nozzle route, as well as the steam outlet on the coffee maker body and the pin that blocks the air hole, Since it touches, it must be cleaned, and there is a problem that it is very troublesome to clean many parts.

  Furthermore, there is a problem that steam, hot water spray, and the like blow out. Water and water droplets for cleaning, dew condensation water, etc. always exist in the route to the steam outlet in the coffee maker body, the milk suction pipe in the milk frothing heating device, the steam inlet, and the discharge nozzle. To do. In that state, put the milk in the milk frothing heating device and set it in the coffee maker, and when the steam is discharged by operating the operation switch, the hot water and water in the path will splash from the discharge nozzle. It becomes scattered. Furthermore, since there is no stable discharge of steam until there is no hot water or water in the path, milk is not sucked up due to the Venturi effect, and the surrounding area becomes dirty with hot water spray. Similarly, when the milk in the tank runs out, the steam continues to be discharged, so that the splashed milk splatters from the discharge nozzle together with the steam and soils the surroundings.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can be heated to a desired temperature when producing frothed milk or heated milk, and there are few parts to be cleaned, and further, such as splashing, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide a milk frothing heating device that eliminates scattering.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the milk frothing heating apparatus of the present invention is a tank container type milk frothing heating apparatus provided with an opening / closing mechanism for switching the presence or absence of air in the steam path, In this case, the mixed milk with air or only the steam is blown directly into the milk.

  As a result, it is possible to continue to inject only the steam, and the temperature can be adjusted for warming and the temperature of the milk can be raised. Also, the number of parts that come into contact with milk is reduced, and fewer parts are required to be cleaned. Further, since foaming is performed in the tank, scattering and the like can be eliminated.

  The milk frothing heating device of the present invention has an open / close mechanism that switches the presence or absence of air mixing. Therefore, when generating foamed milk with increased temperature, the milk is finished to a desired frothing by mixing air in the generation process. After that, it can be switched by an open / close mechanism, air can be mixed, only steam can be blown, and the temperature of frothed milk can be raised to a desired temperature. When it is desired to produce heated milk, it is possible to raise the temperature of the heated milk by spraying steam without air mixing from the initial stage of production and continuing to spray it to a desired temperature.

  Also, the milk frothing heating device of the present invention does not suck and mix the milk with the steam, but sprays the steam directly onto the milk, so there are fewer parts that touch the milk, and therefore fewer parts to clean. Easy to clean.

  Furthermore, since the milk frothing heating apparatus of the present invention performs frothing heating of milk in a tank container with a lid, even if splashing at the beginning of vapor generation occurs, the milk frothing is contaminated. In addition, since the milk is not discharged to the outside, there is no possibility that the milk in the tank disappears and only the steam is ejected.

Side surface sectional drawing of the milk frothing heating apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention The reverse side view of the milk frothing heating apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention Side surface sectional drawing of the milk frothing heating apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention Side surface sectional drawing of the milk frothing heating apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention. Front sectional drawing of the milk frothing heating apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention A perspective view of a conventional milk frothing heating device before installation in a coffee maker A perspective view of a conventional milk frothing heating device installed in a coffee maker Side view showing an axial cross-section of a conventional milk frothing heating device

  1st invention is equipped with the lid | cover which has a vapor | steam introduction part which can be detachably fitted to a vapor | steam discharge port, and the tank fitted with the said lid | cover, The said lid | cover is equipped with an air hole, a vapor | steam passage, and a vapor | steam discharge pipe. Furthermore, since the air hole is provided with an opening / closing mechanism, only the steam can be continuously injected, the temperature can be adjusted for warming, and the temperature of the milk can be raised. Also, the number of parts that come into contact with milk is reduced, and fewer parts are required to be cleaned. Further, since foaming is performed in the tank, scattering and the like can be eliminated.

  In the second invention, in particular, the opening and closing mechanism of the first invention can be switched between closing and opening of the air hole by sliding on the surface where the air hole is open, and a finger or the like can be hung. Continuing to inject only steam by comprising a slide plate having a convex portion, a regulating member that regulates the sliding direction of the slide plate, and a biasing means that biases the slide plate in the air hole direction. The temperature can be adjusted to increase the temperature of the milk. Also, the number of parts that come into contact with milk is reduced, and fewer parts are required to be cleaned. Further, since foaming is performed in the tank, scattering and the like can be eliminated.

  In particular, the third invention is characterized in that the opening / closing mechanism of the first invention comprises a circular pin having a tapered shape at one end and a substantially flat portion for pushing the other end with a finger or the like, and the pin provided on the lid. Can be held slidably and an air hole provided with an end abutting against the taper-shaped portion of the pin, so that only steam can be continuously injected, and temperature adjustment for heating is possible. It is possible and can raise the temperature of milk. Also, the number of parts that come into contact with milk is reduced, and fewer parts are required to be cleaned. Further, since foaming is performed in the tank, scattering and the like can be eliminated. Furthermore, since the pin has a tapered shape, the mixing ratio of air can be changed by adjusting the insertion depth of the pin, so that the amount of air in the milk, that is, the amount of foaming of the foamed milk is adjusted. I can do it.

  The fourth aspect of the invention is particularly the opening / closing mechanism of the first aspect of the invention, wherein the one end has a tapered shape and the other end is provided with a substantially flat portion for pushing with a member or the like, and the pin provided on the lid A sliding hole that can hold the pin slidably, an air hole provided with an end that contacts the tapered portion of the pin, an urging means that pushes the pin upward, and a pivotable shaft on the upper surface of the lid The lever includes a supported lever, and the lever is provided with an inclined portion for biasing the pin downward by rotating the lever, and the other end can be rotated by a finger or the like. By providing this, it is possible to continue injecting only steam, temperature adjustment for warming is possible, and the temperature of milk can be raised. Also, the number of parts that come into contact with milk is reduced, and fewer parts are required to be cleaned. Further, since foaming is performed in the tank, scattering and the like can be eliminated. Furthermore, since the pin has a tapered shape, the mixing ratio of air can be changed by adjusting the insertion depth of the pin, so that the amount of air in the milk, that is, the amount of foaming of the foamed milk is adjusted. It can be easily operated with one finger not only when it is desired to reduce the amount of air but also when it is desired to increase the amount of air.

In the fifth invention, in particular, the inner bottom of the tank of any one of the first to fourth inventions has a smooth shape that does not hinder the flow of fluid from the steam discharge pipe, and has a curved shape that protrudes downward. This prevents the milk from being shocked in the flow and prevents the milk from being inadvertently foamed.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, since the material of the tank of any one of the first to fifth aspects is transparent or translucent, the state of the milk in the tank can be easily seen. The state of foaming can be confirmed visually.

  In the seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, the lid of any one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention can easily hold the thermometer by having a holding portion that can penetrate and hold a thermometer for measuring the temperature in the tank. It is possible to know the temperature of the milk in the tank accurately.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a side sectional view of a milk frothing heating apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a reverse side view of the milk frothing heating apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

  1 and 2, the milk frothing heating device 17 has a tank 18 for containing milk and a lid 19 on the upper part of the tank 18. The lid 19 has a steam introduction portion 20 that can be detachably fitted to the steam outlet 4 of the coffee maker 1, and is fitted to the tank 18 at the outer peripheral portion of the bottom surface of the lid 19. The lid 19 has a steam passage 21 communicated with the steam introducing portion 20, and an air hole 22 for introducing outside air communicates with the steam passage 21.

  The slide plate 23 that switches between closing and opening of the air hole 22 by sliding on the surface on which the air hole 22 is open has a convex portion 24 that can be slid forward and backward with a finger or the like. ing. A restriction wall 25 for restricting an operating range on the sliding surface of the slide plate 23 is provided around the slide plate 23, and further has elasticity to urge the slide plate 23 toward the air hole 22. A pressing plate 26 made of a resin member is also provided. A steam discharge pipe 27 having a passage communicating with the steam passage 24 is detachably fitted to the bottom of the lid 17 via an O-ring 28 which is a sealing member. The bottom of the tank 18 has a curved shape that protrudes downward, and has a smooth shape that does not hinder the flow of fluid from the vapor discharge pipe 27. The tank 18 is a transparent glass member, is formed integrally with a holding member 30 that is molded of a resin material and has a handle portion 29, and further has a spout 31. The lid 19 has a holding portion 33 having a vertical thickness that can hold the thermometer 32 so as not to fall down.

  About the milk frothing heating apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, the production of a cappuccino beverage produced by pouring whipped milk onto coffee will be described.

In the coffee maker 1, the coffee extracted by the operation of an internal coffee extraction mechanism (not shown) is discharged from the coffee discharge port 3 by the operation of the operation switch 2 and poured into the cup. Thereafter, the milk is put into the tank 18 of the milk frothing heating device 17 of the present invention, the lid 19 is closed, and then the steam introduction part 20 is set to be inserted into the steam discharge port 4 of the coffee maker 1. Moreover, since the milk can be stored in the tank 18, the milk is put in the tank 18 and the milk frothing heating device 17 with the lid 19 is kept in a refrigerator or the like. At this time, it is possible to take out the milk frothing heating device 17 as it is from a refrigerator or the like and set it in the coffee maker 1.

  The slide plate 23 for switching the opening and closing of the air hole 22 is in the front position, and the air hole 22 is in an open state. Further, the thermometer 32 is held via the holding portion 33 of the lid 19, and the detection portion of the thermometer 32 detects the temperature of the milk in the tank 18.

  After the milk foaming device 17 is set in the coffee maker 1, steam is generated by a steam generator (not shown) in the coffee maker 1 according to the steam discharge instruction by the operation switch 2, and the steam is discharged through the steam outlet 4. , And sent to the steam introduction part 20 of the milk frothing heating container 17. The steam discharged from the steam discharge port 4 sucks air from the air hole 22 due to the venturi effect in the steam introduction part 20, becomes mixed steam with air, passes through the steam discharge pipe 27, and the milk in the tank 18. Injected into. Foamed milk is produced by the mixed steam with the blown air. When the mixed steam is blown, the flow of the mixed steam causes the milk to circulate along the curved shape at the bottom of the tank 18. This smooth flow prevents the milk from being shocked and prevents inadvertent foaming of the milk.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the positional relationship between the steam discharge pipe 27 and the tank 18 is deviated from the lowest point of the tank 18. Thereby, when the flow of the mixed steam from the steam discharge pipe 27 follows the curved shape, a large convection is caused to the whole milk, and the product temperature can be raised efficiently in a short time without unevenness.

While observing the state of the milk in the tank 18 visually, when the milk is in the desired foamed state, the slide plate 23 moves forward by pushing the convex portion 24 of the slide plate 23 with a finger. It comes to the position which obstruct | occludes the air hole 22. FIG. Meanwhile, the slide plate 23 is urged downward by the downward urging force of the presser plate 26 and does not float. By closing the air hole 22, air is not mixed in the steam flowing through the steam passage 21, and only the steam is injected into the milk from the steam discharge pipe 27. Thus, the milk is heated without foaming.
When the desired temperature is reached while looking at the thermometer 32, the operation switch 2 of the coffee maker 1 stops the steam discharge. Thereafter, the handle 29 of the milk frothing heating device 17 is held, and the frothed milk is poured from the spout into a cup containing already extracted coffee. This makes a cappuccino beverage.

Next, the production of latte, in which heated milk is poured into coffee, will be described.
The milk poured into the latte does not need whipping and is only heated.

  The milk is put into the tank 18 of the milk frothing heating device 17 of the present invention, the lid 19 is closed, and then the steam inlet 20 is set so as to be inserted into the steam outlet 4 of the coffee maker 1. The projection 23 of the plate 23 is pushed with a finger to block the air hole 22. In this state, the steam is sent to the steam introduction part 7 of the milk frothing heating container 17 through the steam discharge port 4 according to the steam discharge instruction by the operation switch 2. The steam flowing through the steam passage 21 is not mixed with air, and only steam is blown into the milk from the steam discharge pipe 27. Thus, the milk is heated without foaming.

  When the desired temperature is reached while looking at the thermometer 32, the operation switch 2 of the coffee maker 1 stops the steam discharge. Thereafter, the handle 29 of the milk frothing heating device 17 is held, and the heated milk is poured from the spout 31 into a cup containing already extracted coffee. This makes a latte drink.

After cleaning these beverages, when cleaning the milk adhering portion, the milk frothing heating device 1
7, the tank 18 and the lid 19 can be separated, and the vapor discharge pipe 27 can be separated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the opening / closing mechanism can be switched between closing and opening of the air hole 22 by sliding on the open surface of the air hole 22, and a finger or the like can be hung. By comprising a slide plate 23 having a convex portion 24 that can be formed, a regulating wall 25 that regulates the sliding direction of the slide plate 23, and a press plate 26 that biases the slide plate 23 toward the air hole 22, Only steam can be blown in, the temperature can be adjusted to warm, and the temperature of milk can be raised. Also, the number of parts that come into contact with milk is reduced, and fewer parts are required to be cleaned. Further, since foaming is performed in the tank, scattering and the like can be eliminated.

  In the present embodiment, the inner bottom of the tank 18 has a smooth shape that does not impede the flow of fluid from the steam discharge pipe 27 and has a curved shape that protrudes downward. Will not be impacted, and inadvertent foaming of milk can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, since the material of the tank 18 is transparent glass, the state of the milk in the tank 18 can be easily seen, and the state of foaming can be visually observed. Can be confirmed.

  In the present embodiment, the thermometer 32 can be easily held by providing the lid 19 with the holding portion 33 that can pass through and hold the thermometer 32 for measuring the temperature in the tank 18. It is possible to know the temperature of the milk in the tank accurately.

  In the present embodiment, the pressing plate 26 is a resin member, but naturally, other elastic members are also possible. Although the tank 18 is made of a glass material, it can be made of a highly heat-resistant transparent or translucent resin member molded in the same manner as the holding member 30. Two parts become one part, and the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. Specifically, it can be molded from a material such as polysulfone.

  In FIG. 1, the positional relationship between the steam discharge pipe 27 and the tank 18 in the present embodiment is eccentric from the lowest point of the tank, but the tank 18 is positioned in the steam discharge pipe 27 immediately above the lowest point. It is also possible to do. Thereby, the steam discharge pipe 27 can be further lengthened. In other words, it is possible to boil and heat milk even with a small amount of milk.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the milk frothing heating apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, a milk frothing heating apparatus 101 has a tank 18 for containing milk, and a lid 102 on the upper part of the tank 18. The lid 102 has a steam introduction portion 103 that can be detachably fitted to the steam discharge port 4, and an air hole 105 for introducing outside air, which has a steam passage 104 communicated with the steam introduction portion 103. It communicates with the steam passage 104. A sliding hole 106 is provided at the extension of the air hole 105. A circular pin 109 having a tapered portion 107 at one end and a substantially flat portion 108 for pressing the other end with a finger or the like is slidably held in the sliding hole 106. Further, in the middle of the air hole 105, there is an end portion 110 that comes into contact with the tapered portion 107 of the pin 109. The pin 109 is provided with an O-ring 111 for sealing with the sliding hole 106. The O-ring 111 prevents the pin 109 from rattling.

Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The operation and action of the milk frothing heating apparatus 101 configured as described above will be described below.

  The case of producing frothed milk in the production of a cappuccino beverage produced by pouring frothed milk onto coffee as in Embodiment 1 will be described.

  The milk is put into the tank 18 of the milk frothing heating apparatus 101 of the present invention, the lid 102 is put, and then the steam introduction part 103 is set so as to be inserted into the steam outlet 4 of the coffee maker 1. The pin 109 for switching the opening and closing of the air hole 105 is in a position near the insertion side, and the tapered portion 107 and the end portion 110 in the middle of the air hole 105 are held with a sufficient distance.

  The steam discharged from the steam discharge port 4 sucks air from the air hole 105 due to the venturi effect in the steam introduction portion 103, becomes mixed steam with the air, passes through the steam discharge pipe 27, and the milk in the tank 18. Injected into. Foamed milk is produced by the jetted mixed steam.

  In the process of generating the frothed milk, the amount of air mixed into the steam can be adjusted by adjusting the gap between the taper portion 107 and the end portion 110 according to the amount by which the pin 109 is pushed. If the push-in of the pin 109 is reduced, the amount of air is increased. That is, the amount of air can be adjusted with respect to the foaming of the milk, and the foaming can be adjusted.

  While observing the state of milk in the tank 18, when the milk becomes a desired foamed state, the pin 109 is moved forward by pushing the substantially flat portion 108 of the pin 109 with a finger, and the taper of the pin 109 is tapered. The portion 107 and the end portion 110 of the air hole 105 are brought into contact with each other to close the air hole 105. By closing the air hole 105, air is not mixed in the steam flowing through the steam passage 104, and only the steam is injected into the milk from the steam discharge pipe 27. Thus, the milk is heated without foaming.

  When the desired temperature is reached while looking at the thermometer 32, the generation of frothed milk is completed by stopping the discharge of steam by the operation switch 2 of the coffee maker 1.

  Next, the case where the heated milk in the production | generation of the latte beverage produced | generated by pouring heated milk into coffee is demonstrated.

  The milk is put into the tank 18 of the milk frothing heating apparatus 101 of the present invention, the lid 102 is put, and then the steam introduction part 103 is set so as to be inserted into the steam outlet 4 of the coffee maker 1. At that time, the substantially flat surface portion 108 of the pin 109 is pushed to bring the tapered portion 107 into contact with the end portion 110 to block the air hole 105. In this state, the steam is sent to the steam introducing part 103 of the milk frothing heating container 101 through the steam discharge port 4 in accordance with the steam discharge instruction by the operation switch 2. The steam flowing through the steam passage 104 is not mixed with air, and only steam is blown into the milk from the steam discharge pipe 27. Thus, the milk is heated without foaming.

  When the desired temperature is reached while looking at the thermometer 32, the steam generation is stopped by the operation switch 2 of the coffee maker 1 to complete the production of the heated milk.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the mixing ratio of the steam and air can be changed by changing the pushing distance of the pin 109. You can make it your own state.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the milk frothing heating apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the milk frothing heating apparatus according to Embodiment 3.

  4 and 5, the milk frothing heating apparatus 201 has a tank 18 for containing milk, and a lid 202 on the upper part of the tank 18. The lid 202 has a steam introduction portion 203 that can be detachably fitted to the steam discharge port 4, and an air hole 205 for introducing outside air that has a steam passage 204 communicated with the steam introduction portion 203. The top surface 206 of the lid 202 communicates with the steam passage 204. A sliding hole 207 is provided at the extension destination of the air hole 205. A circular pin 210 having a tapered portion 208 at one end and a substantially flat portion 209 for pressing the other end with a member or the like is slidably held in the sliding hole 207. Further, in the middle of the air hole 205, there is an end portion 211 that comes into contact with the tapered portion 208 of the pin 210. The pin 210 is provided with a spring 212 as urging means for pushing the pin 210 upward. The top surface 206 of the lid 202 has a lever 214 that is pivotally supported via a rotation shaft 213. One end of the lever 214 is provided with an inclined portion 215 for urging the pin 210 downward by the rotation of the lever 214, and a knob that can be rotated with a finger or the like at the other end. Is provided.

  Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The operation and action of the milk frothing heating apparatus 201 configured as described above will be described below.

  The case of producing frothed milk in the production of a cappuccino beverage produced by pouring frothed milk onto coffee as in Embodiment 1 will be described.

  The milk is put in the tank 18 of the milk frothing heating apparatus 201 of the present invention, the lid 202 is put, and then the steam introduction part 203 is set so as to be inserted into the steam outlet 4 of the coffee maker 1. The pin 210 for switching the opening and closing of the air hole 205 is not located at the position where the inclined portion 215 of the lever 214 pushes the pin 210, and is lifted upward by the biasing force of the spring 212. The end 211 is held with a sufficient distance.

  The steam discharged from the steam discharge port 4 sucks air from the air 205 by the venturi effect in the steam introduction unit 203, becomes mixed steam with the air, passes through the steam discharge pipe 27, and becomes milk in the tank 18. Squirted. Foamed milk is produced by the jetted mixed steam.

In the process of generating the frothed milk, the amount of rotation of the lever 214 is changed by operating the knob portion 216, whereby the amount of the inclined portion 215 that the pin 210 is pushed in also changes. If the position of the pin 210 in the vertical direction changes, the gap between the tapered portion 208 of the pin 210 and the end portion end 211 of the air hole 205 also changes, and the amount of air mixed into the steam is adjusted. be able to. If the rotation amount of the lever 214 is small, the amount of air is increased, and if the push is deepened, the amount of air is decreased. That is, the amount of air can be adjusted with respect to the foaming of the milk, and the foaming can be adjusted.

While observing the state of the milk in the tank 18 visually, when the milk becomes a desired foamed state, the rotation amount of the lever 214 is increased and the inclined portion 215 pushes the substantially flat portion 209 of the pin 210. As a result, the pin 210 moves downward, the tapered portion 208 of the pin 210 and the end portion 211 of the air hole 205 are brought into contact with each other, and the air hole 205 is closed. By closing the air hole 205, air is not mixed in the steam flowing through the steam passage 204, and only the steam is blown into the milk from the steam discharge pipe 27. Thus, the milk is heated without foaming.
When the desired temperature is reached while looking at the thermometer 32, the generation of frothed milk is completed by stopping the discharge of steam by the operation switch 2 of the coffee maker 1.

  Next, the case where the heated milk in the production | generation of the latte beverage produced | generated by pouring heated milk into coffee is demonstrated.

  The milk is put in the tank 18 of the milk frothing heating apparatus 201 of the present invention, the lid 202 is put, and then the steam introduction part 203 is set so as to be inserted into the steam outlet 4 of the coffee maker 1. At this time, the lever 214 is rotated in a large amount, the substantially flat portion 209 of the pin 210 is pushed, the taper portion 208 is brought into contact with the end portion 211, and the air hole 205 is blocked. In this state, the steam is sent to the steam introducing unit 203 of the milk frothing heating container 201 through the steam discharge port 4 in accordance with the steam discharge instruction by the operation switch 2. The steam flowing through the steam passage 204 is not mixed with air, and only steam is blown into the milk from the steam discharge pipe 27. Thus, the milk is heated without foaming.

  When the desired temperature is reached while looking at the thermometer 32, the steam generation is stopped by the operation switch 2 of the coffee maker 1 to complete the production of the heated milk.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, by changing the rotation amount of the lever 214, the mixing ratio of steam and air can be changed. You can make it your own state.

  In the present embodiment, the knob portion 216 can be easily operated with a finger. While holding the handle 201 by the handle 29, the operation can be performed with one thumb or the like.

  As described above, since the milk frothing heating device according to the present invention can be frothed or heated with steam in a container, it can also be applied to uses such as frothing or warming beverages other than milk. .

4 Steam Discharge Port 17 Milk Foaming Heating Device 18 Tank 19 Lid 20 Steam Introducing Port 21 Steam Passage 22 Air Hole 23 Slide Plate 24 Convex Portion 25 Regulating Wall 26 Press Plate 27 Steam Discharge Pipe 32 Thermometer 33 Holding Portion 101 Milk Foaming Heater 102 Lid 105 Air hole 106 Sliding hole 107 Tapered part 108 Substantially flat part 109 Pin 110 End part 202 Lid 205 Air hole 207 Sliding hole 208 Taper part 209 Substantially flat part 210 Pin 211 End part 212 Spring 214 Lever 215 Inclination Part 216 Knob part

Claims (7)

A lid having a steam introducing portion that can be detachably fitted to the steam discharge port; and a tank fitted to the lid; the lid includes an air hole, a steam passage, and a steam discharge pipe; and the air A milk frothing heating device characterized in that an opening / closing mechanism is provided in the hole. The opening / closing mechanism includes a slide plate having a convex portion that can be switched between closing and opening of the air hole by sliding on the surface of the air hole, and on which a finger or the like can be hung, and a slide of the slide plate. 2. The milk frothing heating apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a regulating member that regulates a moving direction; and a biasing unit that biases the slide plate in the air hole direction. The opening / closing mechanism includes a circular pin having a substantially flat portion for one end having a tapered shape and the other end being pushed by a finger, a sliding hole provided on a lid and capable of holding the pin slidably, 2. The milk frothing heating device according to claim 1, comprising air holes provided with end portions in contact with the tapered shape portions of the pins. The opening / closing mechanism includes a circular pin having a tapered shape at one end and a substantially flat portion for pressing the other end by a member, a sliding hole provided on a lid and capable of holding the pin slidably, An air hole provided with an end that comes into contact with the tapered portion of the pin, an urging means for pushing the pin upward, and a lever pivotally supported on the upper surface of the lid, the lever having one end 2. The knob portion according to claim 1, wherein an inclined portion for biasing the pin downward by rotation of the lever is provided, and a knob portion at which the other end can be rotated by a finger or the like is provided. Milk frothing heating device. 5. The milk according to claim 1, wherein the inner bottom of the tank has a smooth shape that does not hinder the flow of fluid from the steam discharge pipe, and has a curved shape that protrudes downward. Foaming heating device. The milk frothing heating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a material of the tank is transparent or translucent. The milk frothing heating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lid has a holding part capable of penetrating and holding a thermometer for measuring the temperature in the tank.