KR20180135456A

KR20180135456A - How to use the foamer, the foamer assembly and the device

Info

Publication number: KR20180135456A
Application number: KR1020187031086A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 티에르드 피테르 슈라벤딜
Original assignee: 티에르드 피테르 슈라벤딜
Priority date: 2016-04-21
Filing date: 2017-04-14
Publication date: 2018-12-20
Also published as: WO2017183964A1

Abstract

Milk bubbling for Cappuccino is a technology that many of the staff at restaurants and cafes can not take. Therefore, Cappuccino is not always as creamy as the customer prefers. The present invention provides an apparatus for foaming liquids. These devices allow the staff of restaurants and cafes with minimal skill and training to bubble milk for a very impressive cappuccino. The apparatus comprising: a support for positioning the device on a receptacle holding a liquid; And a guide for guiding an outlet for discharging the fluid for bubbling the liquid, wherein the guide is adapted to position the outlet at a predetermined angle and / or depth inside the receptacle with respect to the support.

Description

How to use the foamer, the foamer assembly and the device

The present invention relates to the field of frothing devices, foaming assemblies and methods of use of these devices.

Milk bubbling for Cappuccino is a technology that many of the staff at restaurants and cafes can not take. Milk bubbling for cappuccino requires talent and training to create a creamy substance or milk foam or foam to make a cappuccino that can inspire a customer's admiration.

A typical coffee machine in a restaurant and cafe has a steam pipe for milk foam. Operators of a coffee machine, such as a barista, place the end of the steam pipe in the milk can. After that, the operator allows steam flow for bubbling milk. Thus, if done proficiently, the steam is gradually mixed with milk to produce creamy milk foam.

In order to develop the skill of milk bubbling, training must follow. Learning during work is a less desirable alternative because the cappuccino provided during the learning period will be of poor quality. A clear need to shorten the training period for milk bubbling and to reduce the amount of talent and / or skill required for learning to bubble milk, with the fact that work at the restaurant is often considered a secondary and the staff turnover is high .

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for foaming a liquid such as milk and a method of using the device.

To this end, according to a first aspect of the present invention, an auxiliary device for foaming liquid in a receptacle comprises: a support for positioning the device on a receptacle holding a liquid; And a guide for positioning an outlet for discharging the fluid for bubbling the liquid, the guide having an angle to the inside of the receptacle relative to the support to cause the fluid to create a jetstream in the liquid, and / / &Lt; / RTI >

Foaming the liquid requires positioning of the outlet to discharge fluid at a certain depth below the level of the liquid in the receptacle and at an angle. Upon ejection of the liquid when the exit is located, the fluid creates a jet stream in the liquid that is comparable to the speedboat. The jet stream mixes fluid and liquid. In order to produce homogeneous foam of gas pockets of similar small size, a foam action is required. This type of foam is known as micro-foam. Foam action is the action of a jet stream, which is located at a predetermined depth in the liquid so that air flows out at an outlet, preferably along a guide, and mixes with the liquid to produce these small gas pockets of usually the same size. If the outlet is located too shallow, the jet stream will rush out too much gas, such as air, along the outlet, preferably the guide, and mix with the liquid to produce a larger sized gas pocket Will create a larger gas pocket with variations. And, if the outlet is much shallower or above the liquid, the jet stream will cause the liquid to move away from the jet stream without causing the gas to mix with the liquid. If the outlet is located too deep, the liquid will cover over the jet stream and no gas other than the gas in the fluid will be introduced into the liquid. This will cause the foam to become inferior or even absent. By placing the outlet in the liquid at a particular depth as described above, the foam action can be optimized to produce a homogeneous foam of small air pockets of suitable similar size.

Mixing action is required to create foam over the entire receptacle. The mixing action is the action of the jet stream, which is placed in the liquid at the right angle and position, causing a vortex in the receptacle to mix the foam with the liquid. This action causes the liquid to move along the jet stream and produce foam. When the outlet is positioned too acutely with the liquid, the generally horizontal segment, such as the cylindrical segment or the upper portion of the liquid, will mix and thus foam. This situation can also be perceived from the action of the discharged fluid rushing into the liquid instead of into the liquid producing the jet stream. And, if the outlet is positioned too obtuse with the liquid, only the vertical segments, such as the pie segment of the liquid, will mix and thus foam. And, even if a vortex occurs, such vortex will slow the rotation and cause an insufficient mixing action. And, if the outlet is placed too much in the center of the receptacle, such as the center of the cylindrical receptacle, the jet stream will cause a slow spinning swirl, resulting in insufficient mixing action. And, if the outlet is positioned too close to the sidewall of the receptacle, such as the sidewall of the cylindrical receptacle, the jet stream will interact with the sidewall to damp the action of the jet stream and also interfere with the mixing action. By placing the outlet at a certain angle and position in the liquid, the mixing action can be optimized to produce an evenly distributed foam.

A fluid, such as a liquid or foam, in the receptacle has a level that is the liquid or the top of the fluid. The support of the device for foaming is arranged on the receptacle so that the support can be arranged at a certain distance from the level. The outlet guided to the home position discharges fluid at a predetermined position relative to the support. Due to the predetermined distance and the specific distance between the support and the guided outlet to the position, the depth of the discharged fluid relative to the level is limited. Further, the support portion disposed on the receptacle fixes the direction of the guide. Further, the fluid discharged from the outlet has a flow direction to the outlet. The outlet guided to the home position provides a predefined angle between the guide and the ejected fluid, thereby indirectly defining the angle between the level and the ejected fluid. Therefore, the guide of the apparatus is adapted to position the outlet so that the discharged fluid is discharged at a predetermined angle and / or depth inside the receptacle relative to the level.

Foaming requires placing the exit at an angle with the level and at a predetermined depth to the level, but the device for locating the exit for one of these parameters has already reached the object of the present invention. A device for locating the exit only for one parameter allows the operator to focus on other parameters, thereby shortening the training period and thus reaching the object of the present invention.

The angle with the level is typically in the range of 55 to 89 degrees, preferably in the range of 65 to 85 degrees, more preferably in the range of 70 to 82 degrees, and most preferably in the range of about 80 degrees. The depth of the outlet to the level is typically 0.5 to 20 mm, preferably 0.7 to 15 mm, more preferably 0.9 to 10 mm, and most preferably 1 to 5 mm.

For foaming, after the angle and depth of the outlet, the pressure of the discharged fluid is the parameter to be considered. Depending on the pressure of the discharged fluid, the angle and / or depth may be different. The pressure of the discharged fluid is typically in the range of 0.2 to 8 bar, preferably 0.2 to 5 bar, more preferably 0.3 to 3 bar, most preferably 1.4 bar.

In addition to the range of angles, depths and pressures given above, the support must provide a stable platform for guiding the outlet in a stable manner inside the receptacle during foaming. The angular variation is typically in the range of 6 degrees, preferably 4 degrees, more preferably 1 degree, and most preferably 0.5 degrees. The depth variation is typically in the range of 7 mm, preferably 4 mm, more preferably 1 mm, and most preferably 0.5 mm. The pressure variation is typically 0.6 bar, preferably 0.4 bar, more preferably 0.2 bar, most preferably 0.1 bar.

The air pockets in the foam are typically spherical. The air pocket can be characterized by the diameter of the air pocket. The homogeneity of the foam can be expressed as the variation of the diameter of the air pocket forming the foam. The homogeneous foam micro-foam generally comprises air pockets having a diameter ranging from 0.1 mm to 2.5 mm, preferably from 0.2 mm to 2 mm, more preferably from 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm. Inhomogeneous foam generally comprises air pockets having a diameter greater than 3 mm, preferably greater than 3.5 mm, more preferably greater than 4 mm, and the diameter of the bulk of the air pocket is greater than 3 mm, preferably less than 4 mm More preferably greater than 10 mm, and most preferably greater than or equal to 15 mm.

The stability of the foam may be a measure of the time taken for the excess fluid mixed with the foam to separate into gas bubbles and liquid. The stability of the foam may also be a measure of the time it takes for a portion of the air bubbles in the foam to rupture. The stability of the foam may be a combination of predefined scales.

In one embodiment of the device, the angle and / or depth may be adapted prior to foaming. This provides the advantage of adapting the device to at least one of a group of receptacles of different sizes, liquid level, liquid type, fluid type, and ejected fluid pressure.

In one embodiment of the device, the angle and / or depth is pre-specified. This provides a simple device that does not require any expert to foam the liquid to accurately set the angle and depth before the training period can begin, thereby reducing the training period accordingly.

In one embodiment of the device, the support includes a coupling for releasably coupling to the receptacle. When using the device to bubble out, the operator must operate the valve to hold the receptacle in place with one or more fingers or one hand and to control the flow of fluid exiting the outlet with the other hand. Advantageously, by engaging the device with the receptacle, the shift or rotation of the device relative to the receptacle during foaming is prevented, for example, when the operator releases or loosens the grip on the device at the moment for actuating the valve. This advantage will facilitate the handling of the operator, thereby shortening the training period.

In one embodiment of the device, the support includes a recess for receiving a portion of the receptacle to position the device. The recess advantageously restrains the device to provide improved stability when the support is positioned. This advantage will facilitate the handling of the operator, thereby shortening the training period.

In one embodiment of the device, the device comprises a recess comprising two walls with arc-shaped portions having a separate center, at least one of the walls being resilient to form a coupling. A separate center of the arc-shaped wall causes the width of the recess to vary over its length. The effect of this recession is that the receptacle can be gripped by this recess. Typically, the receptacle includes a cylindrical sidewall of predetermined thickness having a rim. The predetermined thickness is typically constant along the perimeter of the sidewall of the receptacle. The width of the recess at the narrowest point should be less than the thickness of the side wall. The combination of these narrowest points combined with at least one of the walls of the resilient recess provides the action of a support for clamping the receptacle, preferably the sidewall of the receptacle, to provide a stable position for the support. This advantage will facilitate the handling of the operator, thereby shortening the training period.

In another embodiment of the device, the width of the recess at the widest point is wider than the thickness of the sidewall. As a result, the recess will not provide a clamping action over the entire length of the recess. This provides the advantage of reducing friction when placing the support on the receptacle or removing it from the receptacle. This advantage will facilitate the handling of the operator, thereby shortening the training period.

In another embodiment of the device, narrower points are located on both sides of the widest point, and narrower points provide a narrower width than the thickness of the sidewall. This provides at least two clamping points disposed at a predetermined distance. The effect of the at least two clamping points disposed at a predetermined distance is to reduce friction when placing the support on the receptacle or removing it from the receptacle, while improving the stability of the support when placed on the receptacle.

In one embodiment of the device, the recess has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape, and one leg of the U-shape is longer than the other legs. The receptacle typically has sidewalls that provide rims. The recess needs to be aligned with the sidewall before the recess receives the sidewall to position the device. Typically, this alignment is performed by the operator while the receptacle is positioned below the eye level and the opening of the recess is directed downwardly away from the operator ' s field of view. The longer leg advantageously aligns the recess and rim in a tactile sense.

In one embodiment of the device, the guide has a hollow elongated body, the hollow elongate body including an abutment on one end to receive the outlet in a hollow elongate body, Or depth to the inside of the receptacle with respect to the outlet. The abutment is an advantageous embodiment for locating the exit. Typically, a conduit with an outlet on one end is used to drain fluid. A guide with a hollow elongated body provides the advantage of a longer locus along which the conduit is guided. Examples of hollow, elongated bodies are tubular bodies, hollow bars and hollow triangular prisms. The guide may also be, for example, a half-pipe.

In another embodiment of the device, the guide has a level indicator for indicating the desired level of filling of the fluid. Typically, the liquid is injected into the receptacle after the support portion of the device is placed on the receptacle. The level indicator provides a simplified method of injecting this correct amount so that the operator can inject the correct amount of liquid into the receptacle and then drain the fluid out of the outlet located at the correct depth to the level of the fluid. In one embodiment, the level indicator is a groove, a projection or a line around the periphery of a long body of a guide or hollow. In one embodiment, the elongate body of the guide or hollow body is preferably of at least one of the group of setting the liquid type, the fluid type, the pressure of the discharged fluid, the size of the receptacle, and the angle and / or distance between the support and the guide Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > level < / RTI > In another embodiment, the elongate body of the guide or hollow body comprises a plurality of grooves around the periphery of the elongate body of the guide or hollow body for indicating different levels, and the elasticity, such as the rubber ring, The clip or ring selects the desired level indicator. In one embodiment of an elastic clip or ring, the clip or ring includes a projection. The protrusions can be used to improve the ease with which the clip or ring is held by hand to move the clip or ring from one groove to another, respectively. Alternatively, the protrusion may be used to indicate a level that is distinct from the level indicated by the groove in which the clip or ring is located, preferably lower than the groove where the clip or ring is located. Therefore, the protrusion provides the advantage of the indication for the level below the level that can be displayed by the low-level and / or the lowermost groove between two adjacent grooves.

In one embodiment of the device, the support and the guide are made of a connectable and formable material, the support including a recess having an opening, the direction perpendicular to the opening defining a first direction, And includes a hollow elongated body having a longitudinal axis defining a direction. Typically, the first and second directions are at different angles from zero. If the supports and guides are integrally made of plastic using a mold or matrix, the device will not self-unload from the mold. Advantageously, by shaping the support and the guide into separate parts, manufacturing is simplified by the self-unloading characteristics of the parts of the device.

In one embodiment of the device, the support and the guide may be releasably connected. This feature allows improved and simplified cleaning. In other embodiments of the device, the support and guide may be releasably connected at different angles and / or at different distances. This feature advantageously allows the device to adapt the device to at least one of the group of liquid type, fluid type, pressure of discharged fluid, and size of the receptacle.

In one embodiment of the device, the device comprises a temperature indicator for indicating the temperature inside the receptacle of the liquid or foamed liquid. Typically, the discharged fluid has a temperature different from that of the liquid. The temperature indicator advantageously allows the operator to monitor the temperature of the liquid or foamed liquid and to stop ejecting the fluid when the temperature of the foamed liquid reaches a predetermined temperature.

In one embodiment of the device, the device is adapted for foaming protein-containing liquids, such as milk, and / or the guide is suitable for positioning an outlet for discharging the vapor as a fluid. Milk is typically stored at a temperature of about 5 ° C. The vapor from the coffee machine is at least 100 ° C. Therefore, bubbling milk into the steam heats the milk. The experiment also shows that by producing small air pockets of similar size in milk, the milk will change to foam below 40 ° C. These types of small air pockets do not change much in size and are therefore considered homogeneous. The resulting foam will have a creamy flavor, and will be stable and homogeneous. In addition, the experiment shows that by creating a larger air pocket of variable size, the milk will change to foam above 40 ° C. These types of air pockets are less stable than smaller air pockets and can vary in size by far. The resulting foam with larger air pockets has a strong taste flavor and may be less stable and heterogeneous. Thus, above 40 캜, the vapor that causes the jet stream creates a homogeneous foam on the cream at a temperature that rises substantially by mixing the initially created small gas pocket with the liquid. It is also known that protein molecules in milk begin to degrade at temperatures above 68 ° C. Milk-based coffee needs to foam the milk with a homogeneous type of foam with a small air pocket to a temperature of about 65 ° C. This allows milk-based coffee to be provided, such as cappuccino, latte or latte macchiato, which lasts longer. The device is adapted to allow the operator to turn the milk into homogeneous foam with minimal effort and training before the temperature of the milk reaches about 40 占 폚. The device also allows the foam to be continuously mixed while heating the foam to about 65 ° C, so that a homogeneous mixture of liquid and gas or foam is formed.

As described above, the bubbling process can be subdivided into two stages. The first stage is to bubble milk to less than 40 ° C, and the second stage to foam the milk to more than 40 ° C. In both steps, there is a jet stream induced by the vented vapor.

In the first step, the jet stream causes air to mix into the milk when the outlet is at a predetermined depth below the liquid level so that the jet stream sucks air from above the liquid level into the foam. At this stage, the foam action is predominant.

In the second stage, the milk expands at the time of foam formation and there is a jet stream at a depth below the level of the liquid such that the jet stream can not be sucked into the foam from above the liquid level. At this stage, the mixing action is dominant.

When bubbling milk, an inferior foam is produced at temperatures above 40 ° C, so the formation of foam in milk should be performed at temperatures below 40 ° C. An accurate balance should be maintained so that the foam forms in the milk before the milk reaches 40 ° C, which is heated by the vapor exiting the outlet.

According to another aspect of the invention, the assembly includes an auxiliary device and a receptacle for foaming according to any of the preceding embodiments. The device is advantageously adapted to the receptacle to prevent it from constituting the device prior to foaming, thereby shortening the training period.

In one embodiment of the assembly, the device is integrated into the receptacle. This embodiment facilitates foaming by the operator and thereby provides the further advantage of further shortening the training period.

In one embodiment of the assembly, the receptacle includes a side wall, and at least a portion of the side wall is transparent. When injecting liquid into the receptacle, the liquid level is difficult to estimate. By making at least a portion of the sidewall transparent, the operator provides a simplified and more accurate method of viewing the liquid level from the side and estimating the liquid level. In another embodiment of the assembly, the guide has a level indicator. The combination of features that make at least a portion of the sidewalls transparent and features that have a level indicator on the guide is advantageous because the operator can easily see the side view on the indicator And milk. &Lt; / RTI > In another embodiment of the assembly, the receptacle includes a level indicator for indicating a desired level of liquid in the receptacle. The level indicator may include a display line on a transparent portion of the sidewall, in and / or next to the portion.

In another embodiment of the assembly, the guide is adjustable in depth, the receptacle includes a sidewall, and at least a portion of the sidewall is transparent. By making at least a portion of the sidewalls transparent, the operator is able to view the liquid level from the side, thereby providing a simplified and more precise method of estimating the liquid level and adjusting the guide to position the exit to the desired depth for the liquid level.

In another embodiment of the assembly, the guide has a level indicator. The combination of features that make at least a portion of the sidewalls transparent, features with adjustable guides, and features with level indicators on the guides is a combination of the level indicator with a further advantage of providing a direct indication of the exit depth to the liquid level , Providing the operator with the advantage of injecting milk with side view on the indicator. According to a further effect, the amount of liquid added to the receptacle by the operator is less important because the guide and its outlet are positionable according to the liquid level in the receptacle. This provides the advantage of placing the outlet to get the foamed liquid still while loading the receptacle faster.

In another embodiment of the assembly, the receptacle further comprises a sidewall, wherein at least a portion of the sidewall is transparent, and the receptacle further comprises two level indicia arranged on the transparent portion indicative of a maximum and a minimum charge level for the liquid . This allows the liquid to be loaded with a slight margin, providing the advantage of faster loading of the liquid to the receptacle. In such an embodiment, the guide of the device is adjustable over the same range as the minimum and maximum charge levels for bubbling at least the liquid.

In one embodiment of the assembly, the receptacle includes a rim defining an opening for receiving fluid within the receptacle, and the rim includes a recess for receiving the support. The recess of the rim has the effect of reducing the maximum volume of liquid held by the receptacle when the receptacle is placed on a horizontal plane. This feature can be seen in that the receptacle provides an implicit level indicator for milk, and after the liquid is injected into the receptacle, the device is placed on the receptacle. This provides an advantage of helping milk infusion and shortening the training period. This feature can also be seen to force the operator to position the device on the receptacle before the receptacle bubbles because otherwise the receptacle can not hold the proper amount of liquid for bubbling. This provides an advantage that the operator does not forget to position the device, which helps training and shortens the training period accordingly. In another embodiment of the assembly, the device includes a handle for lifting or handling the assembly when positioned on the receptacle. And, this handle can be seen as a removable handle of the receptacle integrated with the device.

According to another aspect, a method for foaming a liquid includes positioning an ancillary device according to any of the preceding embodiments on a receptacle; Positioning the outlet at a predetermined angle and / or depth inside the receptacle with respect to the support in accordance with the guidance of the guide; Filling the receptacle with a liquid; And bubbling the liquid by discharging the fluid through the outlet to produce a jet stream.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become more readily apparent and with reference to the embodiments described by way of example in the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.
Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for foaming liquids.
Figure 2 schematically shows a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for foaming liquids.
Figure 3 schematically shows a bottom view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for foaming liquids.
Figure 4 schematically shows a cross-section of one embodiment of an auxiliary device for foaming liquid, according to line IV of Figure 2;
Figure 5 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for foaming liquids.
Figure 6 schematically shows a side view of an assembly for bubbling liquid.
The drawings are simple diagrams and are not drawn to scale. In the drawings, elements corresponding to the elements already described can have the same reference numerals.

The following figures can be used to describe different embodiments.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device 1 for foaming liquids. The device comprises a support (2) for positioning the device on a receptacle for holding a liquid. If the support is located on the receptacle, this can be indicated by the first level 15. Typically, the receptacle includes a rim defining an opening for receiving a liquid and a support portion disposed thereon. Thereby, the first level defines the level of the rim. In addition, the opening of the receptacle defines plane B (29). This plane B may also be defined by a plane including all points where the rim of the receptacle contacts the support. The axis A (11) is defined perpendicular to this plane B.

The apparatus further comprises a guide (3) for positioning an outlet for discharging the fluid for bubbling the liquid. The guide may include an elongate body 30, such as a hollow elongated body for receiving an outlet for discharging fluid. The outlet may typically be at one end of the conduit, which may be part of the device for preparing the fluid. The conduit is receivable inside a hollow elongate body. The hollow elongate body may include an abutment 32 abutting a conduit that is receptacles in the body. The abutment preferably defines the opening 31, which allows the discharged fluid at the outlet to pass through the opening.

Typically, the openings have sharp edges. The sharp edges allow the outlet for the fluid to be as close as possible to the outer surface of the auxiliary device. This provides the advantage of minimizing depth variations for the outlet of different shapes of the steam pipe. This also provides the advantage of optimizing the suction of air along the guide to optimize foaming. The guide typically has a longitudinal axis 10 that defines the direction of flow of fluid exiting the outlet. The outlet may be extended by an extension conduit that is part of the guide. Such an extension conduit may affect the direction and position in which fluid exits into the receptacle and hence into the liquid. In this embodiment, what is to be taken as a reference for discharging the fluid into the liquid is the outlet of the extension conduit. Also, typically, the receptacle will remain horizontal during foaming. Thus, when the longitudinal axis defines the direction of the discharged fluid, the first angle 12 between the longitudinal axis and the axis A defines the angle of the discharged fluid with respect to the axis A. The second angle 18 between the level, such as the liquid level in the receptacle, and the direction of the ejected fluid is the first angle minus 90 degrees. The second angle is typically equal to the angle between the fluid level and the ejected fluid.

The outlet includes at least one opening for discharging the fluid. The outlet may comprise a plurality of openings, such as two, three, four or five openings. In another embodiment of an outlet having a plurality of openings, the openings direct the discharged liquid in different directions, which may be in the range of 0.5 to 60 degrees. The number of openings and the direction in which the openings discharge the fluid relative to one another can influence the setting of the angle and depth of the auxiliary device.

The guide places the exit at a particular level 16. The distance between the level when the support is positioned and the level of the outlet defines the depth 17 of the position at which fluid is discharged into the receptacle relative to the rim of the receptacle when the device is placed on the receptacle. In addition, the receptacle is filled with liquid to a predetermined level and held horizontally during foaming. Thus, the depth indirectly defines the depth of the outlet to the liquid level.

The guide may further comprise a level indicator 34, preferably a plurality of level indicators 34. [ The level indicator indicates to what level the receptacle should be filled with liquid when the device is placed on the receptacle. The level indicator allows the depth of the outlet to the liquid level to be directly confined.

Figure 2 schematically shows a side view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for foaming liquids. The side view of FIG. 2 is rotated 90 ° clockwise in FIG. 1 along the axis A from above. Figure 2 shows a longitudinal axis A perpendicular to plane B, but in the preferred embodiment this axis is not perpendicular to plane B. This has the effect of preventing the cylindrical vortex in the receptacle and improving the mixing of the liquid and the fluid.

The support may further include a first wall 22, a second wall 23, and a bottom 28 forming a recess 21. The recess may have a " U " shaped cross-sectional feature 27. The recess is one embodiment of the coupling 20 for engaging the side wall of the receptacle, at least the recess bottom contacting the rim of the side wall.

Figure 3 schematically shows a bottom view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for foaming liquids. The first wall 22 has a first arc feature 24 and the second wall 23 has a second arc feature 25. The arc feature is substantially the same as the arc feature of the side wall of the receptacle on which the device is to be placed. By having an arc feature that is slightly different than the side wall of the receptacle, releasable coupling between the support and the receptacle can be provided.

The arc features of the first wall and the second wall may be different to provide a recess having a varying width. Variable width recesses have the advantage of providing a clamping effect at narrower points and providing lower friction over a broader width of the recess.

The first wall and / or second wall may also consist of an elastic wall 26 to provide more flexibility in fitting recesses to the side walls of the different receptacles and clamping the recesses on the side walls, The shape and / or thickness of the arc of the arc varies.

Optionally, one of the level indicators 34 implemented as a groove holds the resilient clip 68. In another embodiment of the clip, the clip includes a projection 67.

Figure 4 schematically shows a cross-section of one embodiment of an auxiliary device for foaming liquid, according to line IV of Figure 2. The device may comprise a support 2 releasably connected (4) and a guide (3). The guide includes a wedge shape on one end. The support includes an opening. And, upon connection, one end of the guide is wedged into the opening to provide a stable connection. The guide may comprise a lip and the opening may comprise a recess for receiving the lip upon connection to pre-specify the angle of rotation and / or position of the guide relative to the support, Angle and / or depth.

Figure 5 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an auxiliary device for foaming liquids. A device such as a support may include a temperature indicator 40. The temperature indicator may be a fluid-based thermometer. Alternatively, the temperature indicator may comprise a thermochromic pigment. If the support comprises a thermochromic pigment, the pigment needs to be thermally coupled to a foam or liquid in the receptacle. Such coupling may include a thermally conductive material, such as a metal rod integrated with the guide or along with the guide.

In one embodiment, the ancillary device has a shaped guide as a pipe acting as a sleeve on the steam pipe when positioned in the auxiliary device. Typically, the openings of the guides form a hermetic seal that prevents air from being sucked in between the guide and the steam pipe, thereby preventing additional air from mixing into the liquid. Thereby, the operator controls the amount of air added by placing the outlet at a predetermined angle and / or depth inside the receptacle with respect to the support portion. By controlling the amount of air, the operator can control the thickness of the foam. In an alternative embodiment, the guide may comprise an elastic ring, such as a rubber ring, arranged concentrically around the opening to form the seal.

Figure 6 schematically shows a side view of an assembly 50 for foaming liquids. The assembly includes an auxiliary device (1) and a receptacle (60). The device (1) comprises a support (2) and a guide (3).

The receptacle includes a side wall (61). The side walls may be substantially cylindrical. Alternatively, the side wall may be substantially conical, such as a truncated cone. The side walls provide a rim 63 that defines an opening 64 for receiving liquid.

The receptacle may include a portion 62 of the transparent sidewall. This shape of the transparent portion may have any shape as long as it provides at least a field of view at the liquid level 66. Alternatively, the side walls may be entirely transparent.

In an alternative embodiment of the apparatus, the support may cover or substantially cover the opening of the receptacle. The support portion may have a cap shape covering the opening of the receptacle. In an alternative embodiment, the support includes a cap and a pedestal, the pedestal is on one side of the cap, e.g., the bottom side, to fit the pedestal inside the opening of the receptacle, and the cap and pedestal form a coupling.

In an alternative embodiment of the assembly the rim 63 of the receptacle 60 comprises a recess 65 and the support 2 is provided with a liquid and / or foam proof seals.

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

However, other variations, modifications and alternatives are also possible. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word 'comprising' or 'comprising' does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in the claims. Also, as used herein, the term " a or an " is defined as one or more than one. It is also to be understood that the use of introducing terms such as "at least one" and "one or more" in the claims means that the introduction of other claim elements by "a" or "an" Quot; or " at least one " and an indefinite article (e.g., " a " or " an ") to limit the invention to any particular claim, Should not be construed as meaning. The same is true for the use of the definite article. Unless otherwise stated, terms such as " first " and " second " are used to arbitrarily distinguish the elements described by such terms. Accordingly, these terms are not necessarily intended to represent the temporal or other priorities of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in different claims does not indicate that a combination of such measures can not be used to advantage.

1: auxiliary device
2: Support
3: Guide
4: releasable connection
10: Sub-axis of guide
11: axis perpendicular to the support, axis A
12: first angle
15: level indicating the support positioned on the receptacle
16: Level indicating exit position
17: Depth
18: 2nd angle
20: Coupling
21: recess
22: first wall
23: second wall
24: arc-shaped first wall
25: arc-shaped second wall
26: Elastic wall
27: 'U' shaped portion
28: recess bottom
29: Plan B
30: elongated hollow body
31: opening
32: abutment portion
34: Level indicator
40: Temperature indicator
50: Assembly
60: Receptacle
61: side wall
62: transparent portion of side wall
63: rim
64: aperture
65: recess in the rim
66: liquid level
67:
68: Elastic clip

Claims

An auxiliary device for bubbling liquid in a receptacle,
- a support (2) for positioning the device on the receptacle holding the liquid; And
- a guide (3) for positioning an outlet for discharging the fluid for bubbling the liquid, the guide being arranged in the receptacle with respect to the support to create a jet stream in the liquid Is suitable for positioning said outlet at a predetermined angle (12).

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the angle ranges from 55 degrees to 89 degrees, preferably from 65 degrees to 85 degrees.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the guide is adapted to position the outlet at a predetermined depth (17) inside the receptacle with respect to the support to allow the fluid to create a jet stream in the liquid.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Wherein the support comprises a coupling (20) for releasably engaging the receptacle.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the support comprises a recess (21) for receiving a portion of the receptacle for positioning the device.

The method according to claim 5,
Characterized in that the recess comprises two walls (22, 23) having arc-shaped portions (24, 25) with separate centers, at least one of the walls (26) being resilient to form the coupling, Auxiliary device.

The method according to claim 5 or 6,
Said recess having a U-shaped cross-sectional feature 27, wherein one leg of the U-shape is longer than the other leg.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Said guide having a hollow elongated body (30), said body including an abutment (32) on one end for receiving said outlet in said body, said abutment being located on the inside of said receptacle To contact said outlet on said buttress to position said outlet at said angle relative to said depth and / or flow direction.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Said guide having a level indicator (34) for indicating a desired level of filling of said fluid.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The support and the guide being releasably connectable (4).

11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the support and the guide can be releasably connected at different angles and / or at different distances.

An assembly (50) comprising an auxiliary device (1) and a receptacle (51) for foaming according to one of the claims 1 to 11.

13. The method of claim 12,
The receptacle includes a side wall (61), and at least a portion (62) of the side wall is transparent.

The method according to claim 12 or 13,
Wherein the receptacle includes a rim (63) defining an opening (64) for receiving fluid within the receptacle, the rim including a recess (65) for receiving the support (2).

As a method for foaming liquid,
- positioning the ancillary device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 on the receptacle (60);
Positioning the outlet at an angle to the inside of the receptacle with respect to the support in accordance with the guidance of the guide;
- filling the receptacle with liquid; And
- bubbling said liquid by discharging fluid through said outlet to produce a jet stream.