Assembly for preparing hot and frothed milk

Details Assembly for preparing hot and frothed milk Assembly for preparing hot and frothed milk

1997-04-22

2001-07-03

Simone, Timothy F. (Department: 1761)

Foods and beverages: apparatus

Mechanical, fluid or heat treatment of dairy food

With temperature or atmosphere modification

C099S275000, C099S293000, C099S323100, C099S453000, C261S142000, C261SDIG001

Reexamination Certificate

active

06253667

ABSTRACT:

This invention relates to an assembly for preparing hot milk, more particularly for preparing frothed milk, at least comprising at least one milk supply duct with a first and second open end and a mixing device for at least mixing steam and milk for preparing hot milk for cappuccino and similar beverages, the mixing device comprising at least one steam inlet, at least one milk inlet and an outlet, while a first end of the at least one milk supply duct is connected to the at least one milk inlet, a second end of the at least one milk supply duct is disposed at a height lower than the highest point of the at least one milk supply duct, while further in use the second end of the at least one milk supply duct is in fluid communication with a milk-filled milk container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Such an assembly is known from international patent application WO91/00041. In this known assembly, the mixing device consists of an emulsifier which, in addition to the milk inlet and the steam inlet, further comprises an air inlet. The steam inlet, air inlet and the milk inlet open into a suction chamber. Further, the known emulsifier comprises a mixing chamber which is in fluid communication with the suction chamber. The mixing chamber in turn is in communication with an outlet of the emulsifier. When steam is supplied to the steam inlet under high pressure, this will create a reduced pressure in the suction chamber. As a result, milk will be sucked in via the milk inlet and air will be sucked in via the air inlet. The thus sucked-in milk and air then move together with the steam to the mixing chamber. In the mixing chamber, frothed milk is formed which leaves the emulsifier via the outlet referred to. This frothed milk can be used for preparing cappuccino. In the known assembly, a problem occurs in that it is found that the heated milk that is dispensed is not always entirely pure. The heated milk has been found to contain traces of bad milk. As a result, the quality of the heated milk greatly deteriorates, so that the taste, the colour and the appearance of the milk dispensed are adversely affected. This may also be unhealthy. However, in the catering industry regulations may apply or may do so in the future, that impose minimum requirements regarding the quality of the milk dispensed by an emulsifying assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the invention is to provide a solution to the above-mentioned problem and moreover to provide an assembly that can always satisfy the highest quality requirements.
An assembly according to a first aspect of the invention is characterized in that the assembly further comprises at least one aeration valve which is connected to the at least one milk supply duct, the at least one milk supply duct being aerated when the aeration valve is in its opened position.
This aspect of the invention is based on the insight that milk residues may be left behind in the milk supply duct when an amount of heated milk is prepared using the assembly. When subsequently the assembly is not used for some time, these milk residues will gradually go bad. Subsequently, when the assembly is set into operation again after some time, milk flowing through the milk supply duct will carry along these residues of bad milk. These residues will then end up in the milk dispensed by the assembly. It is clear that the quality of the dispensed milk will greatly deteriorate as a result. In accordance with the invention, the aeration valve can be opened after an amount of heated milk has been dispensed with the aid of the assembly. By opening the aeration valve, the milk supply duct is aerated, with the result that milk residues left behind in the milk supply duct will drain from this duct. A part of the milk will flow back to the milk container, while another part of the milk will flow to the mixing device. The mixing device can be made of such design that this milk leaves the mixing device via its outlet.
The aeration valve can be operated by hand. It is also possible, however, to operate the aeration valve automatically with the aid of a control signal.
The aeration valve additionally provides a number of other particular advantages. The above-mentioned known apparatus has, for instance, a further drawback in that the assembly may continue to dispense milk when no steam is being supplied to the steam inlet anymore. This is caused by so-called siphon action in the milk supply duct. When the first end of the milk supply duct is situated, for instance, below the liquid level in the milk container, the milk container, once the milk flow has been set in motion, will drain of itself. In accordance with the invention, this siphon action can be interrupted by opening the aeration valve, so that the milk supply duct is aerated. The opening of the aeration valve can again be carried out after the steam supply to the steam inlet has been stopped. Again, the aeration valve is preferably operated automatically, for instance by means of a control unit which also controls a steam generator which generates steam whereupon the steam is supplied to the steam inlet. However, the aeration valve also opens other possibilities for application. Thus it is possible to heat up the mixing device before it is used to generate heated milk. To that end, first the aeration valve is opened. Then steam is supplied to the steam inlet. Owing to the aeration valve being opened, the mixing device will not be able to suck in any milk via the milk supply duct. However, the steam will heat up the mixing device. When thereafter the mixing device has been heated up sufficiently, the aeration valve can be closed, so that milk is sucked in via the milk supply duct. The result is that hot milk is dispensed whose temperature is constant over time. This also serves the purpose of the invention, viz. improving the quality of the milk dispensed. This last is also the case when someone uses the aeration valve according to the invention for cleaning the mixing device. In doing so, any milk residues left behind in the mixing device are removed and hence are not given an opportunity to go bad. To that end, the aeration valve is opened so that the milk supply duct is aerated. Then under high pressure steam is supplied to the steam inlet. Owing to the aeration valve being opened, no milk will be sucked in through the milk supply duct, but the steam will flow through the mixing device and thereby entrain any milk residues. The steam together with any milk residues will thereafter leave the mixing device through the outlet of the mixing device. The result is that the entire mixing device is blown clean. In this way too, therefore, the quality of the milk dispensed will be improved compared with that dispensed by the known apparatus. Additionally, the aeration valve can be used for cleaning the supply duct itself. To that end, the aeration valve is opened again and, for instance via the aeration valve or via one of the open ends of the milk supply duct, steam is supplied to the milk supply duct for cleaning this duct.
In particular, the assembly further comprises a steam generator which is connected to the steam inlet, and a control unit which controls the aeration valve and the steam generator. The control unit, for the purpose of preparing the heated milk, will close the aeration valve, so that the milk supply duct is not aerated by the aeration valve, and activate the steam generator for supplying steam to the mixing device. After sufficient milk has been dispensed, the control unit will deactivate the steam generator and open the aeration valve to prevent the siphon action referred to. Then the control unit, before heated milk is dispensed again, will open the aeration valve, insofar as it has not been opened yet, and activate the steam generator for supplying steam to the mixing device, without milk being sucked in via the milk supply duct, for the purpose of preheating and/or cleaning the mixing device.
According to another aspect of the invention, whereby the object of the invention is likewise achieved, the assembly compri

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