초록 ▼

A fully automatic, milk inclusive espresso coffee machine which includes coffee bean grinding and brewing apparatus and a milk aeration system which pumps a selection of milk from an internal refrigerator through a choice of aeration processes to a steaming apparatus for heating and further conditio

A fully automatic, milk inclusive espresso coffee machine which includes coffee bean grinding and brewing apparatus and a milk aeration system which pumps a selection of milk from an internal refrigerator through a choice of aeration processes to a steaming apparatus for heating and further conditioning the milk for joining the brewed coffee liquor. With each beverage production cycle all milk is hygienically either served or returned to its refrigerated reservoir. A process is disclosed which includes pumping milk, all in a refrigerated environment, selectively along a plurality of milk lines one of which may inject air for foaming the milk to a steam delivery line for heating and steaming it and delivering it to a beverage cup. After the desired amount of milk has been delivered, the steam flow continues momentarily to cleanse the line of residual milk.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A milk aeration and heating system comprising:A. a unitary beverage serving console including a beverage cup station;B. refrigeration means housed therewithin;C. at least one milk source housed within said refrigeration means;D. a steam source providing beverage production steam at

[ I claim:] [1.] A milk aeration and heating system comprising:A. a unitary beverage serving console including a beverage cup station;B. refrigeration means housed therewithin;C. at least one milk source housed within said refrigeration means;D. a steam source providing beverage production steam at a predetermined steam pressure and housed within said console;E. a first plurality of steam lines extending from said steam source to said beverage cup station;F. an electrically controllable steam valve interposed within each said steam line;G. a first plurality of milk lines each extending from said milk source and joining a respective one of said steam lines between its said steam valve and said beverage cup station;H. a positive flow self priming milk pump housed within said refrigeration means and interposed in each of said milk lines and being of the character to force milk into its respective said steam line with a pressure exceeding said predetermined steam pressure;I. an air inlet orifice interposed in at least one of said milk lines between said milk source and a respective one of said milk pumps, each said orifice being selectively openable;J. controller means coupled to each of said steam valves and milk pumps for opening and closing said valves and actuating said pumps selectively to pump a predetermined quantity of air entrained or non air entrained milk to a respective actuated steam line for heating and steaming it and delivering it to said beverage cup station and for steam cleaning said steam line of residual milk after the delivery of said predetermined quantity of milk.