U.S. patent application number 12/697479 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-27 for self-cleaning mixing head for producing a milk-based mixture.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nestec S.A.. Invention is credited to Fabien Ludovic Agon, Christophe S. Boussemart, Antoine Ryser, Alfred Yoakim.
Application Number | 20100128557 12/697479 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34927345 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100128557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Agon; Fabien Ludovic ; et
al. |
May 27, 2010 |
SELF-CLEANING MIXING HEAD FOR PRODUCING A MILK-BASED MIXTURE
Abstract
A method for cleaning milk residues from a mixing head for
producing heated milk in the form of a froth or water-milk mixture.
The mixing head includes a steam feed, a milk inlet, a mixing area
where the steam feed and milk inlet join and the steam and milk
combine, an outlet nozzle for draining the resulting mixture from
the mixing head, a rinsing medium supply, a milk supply and a
transfer mechanism that provides relative movement between the milk
inlet and the rinsing medium supply or the milk supply for
selectively bringing the milk inlet into fluid connection with the
rinsing medium supply or the milk supply, such that milk or a
rinsing medium, as desired, can enter the mixing head at the milk
inlet. The introduction of the rinsing medium cleans any residual
milk from the milk inlet.
Inventors: |
Agon; Fabien Ludovic; (Le
Bouveret, CH) ; Boussemart; Christophe S.; (Lugrin,
FR) ; Yoakim; Alfred; (St-Legier-La Chiesaz, CH)
; Ryser; Antoine; (Lausanne, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WINSTON & STRAWN LLP;PATENT DEPARTMENT
1700 K STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
Nestec S.A.
|
Family ID: |
34927345 |
Appl. No.: |
12/697479 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11743975 |
May 3, 2007 |
7681491 |
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|
12697479 |
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|
PCT/EP2005/011866 |
Nov 7, 2005 |
|
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11743975 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
366/138 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 31/061 20130101;
A47J 31/469 20180801; A47J 31/60 20130101; A47J 31/4482 20130101;
A47J 31/4485 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
366/138 |
International
Class: |
B01F 15/00 20060101
B01F015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 11, 2004 |
EP |
04026844.3 |
Claims
1. A method for cleaning or rinsing of a mixing head for producing
heated milk, wherein the mixing device comprises a steam feed, a
milk inlet, a mixing area where the steam feed and milk inlet join
to allow steam and milk to combine to form a mixture, and an outlet
nozzle for draining the mixture from the mixing head, which
comprises bringing the milk inlet of the mixing head into fluid
contact with a rinsing medium supply, and having a rinsing medium
from the supply enter the milk inlet and pass through the mixing
head to remove milk residues before leaving the mixing head at the
outlet nozzle.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the steam is supplied by the
steam feed into the mixing head, and the milk is provided from a
milk supply through the milk inlet and into the mixing head.
3. The method of claim 1, which further comprises introducing the
rinsing medium into the milk inlet by the effect of suction created
when passing the steam into the mixing head.
4. The method of claim 1, which further comprises alternatively
delivering the milk and rinsing medium into the mixing head at the
milk inlet, such that when the rinsing medium is provided into the
mixing head it cleans any residual milk from the milk inlet.
5. The method of claim 4, which further comprises moving the milk
inlet to connect the rinsing medium supply to the mixing head for
the cleaning of the residual milk from the milk inlet.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein milk inlet is moved via a
mechanical transfer mechanism.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the mechanical transfer mechanism
is motorized and is operatively associated with a control unit that
controls the movement of the mechanical transfer mechanism.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the
movement of the mechanical transfer member between the milk inlet
and the milk supply or rinsing medium supply to enable the
alternative delivery of the milk and rinsing medium.
9. The method of claim 1, which further comprises removing any
residual milk from the mixing head by transferring any fluid
leaving the outlet nozzle into a milk supply receptacle when the
milk inlet is in fluid connection with the rinsing medium
supply.
10. The method of claim 1, which further comprises moving the
outlet nozzle to either a retracted position where the mixing head
outlet nozzle is configured and positioned to be cleaned or rinsed,
or to a product delivery position in which the outlet nozzle
protrudes from a front wall of the housing to deliver the
mixture.
11. In a device that includes a mixing head for producing heated
milk, wherein the mixing device comprises a steam feed, a milk
inlet, a mixing area where the steam feed and milk inlet join to
allow steam and milk to combine to form a mixture, and an outlet
nozzle for draining the mixture from the mixing head, the
improvement which comprises bringing the milk inlet of the mixing
head into fluid contact with a rinsing medium supply, and having a
rinsing medium from the supply enter the milk inlet and pass
through the mixing head to remove milk residues before leaving the
mixing head at the outlet nozzle.
12. The invention of claim 11, wherein the rinsing medium is
introduced into the milk inlet by the effect of suction created
when passing the steam into the mixing head.
13. The invention of claim 11, wherein the milk and rinsing medium
are delivered alternatively into the mixing head at the milk inlet,
such that when the rinsing medium is provided into the mixing head
it cleans any residual milk from the milk inlet.
14. The invention of claim 11, wherein any residual milk is removed
from the mixing head by transferring any fluid leaving the outlet
nozzle into a milk supply receptacle when the milk inlet is in
fluid connection with the rinsing medium supply.
15. The invention of claim 11, wherein the outlet nozzle is moved
to either a retracted position where the mixing head outlet nozzle
is configured and positioned to be cleaned or rinsed, or to a
product delivery position in which the outlet nozzle protrudes from
a front wall of the housing to deliver the mixture.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No.
11/743,975 filed May 3, 2007, which is a continuation of
International application PCT/EP2005/011866 filed Nov. 7, 2005, the
entire content of each of which is expressly incorporated herein by
reference thereto.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of
producing a milk/water mixture. Such mixture can be prepared for
producing a cappuccino-type coffee beverage by adding the mixture
on top of a coffee beverage.
[0003] A device for producing such a mixture can be a stand-alone
solution or integrated into a coffee or other beverage producing
machine. As it is known form the prior art, in order to produce
such a mixture, water is supplied to a heater unit heating the
water and producing steam. The thus generated steam is fed to a
mixing head in which, e.g., by applying a Venturi effect, milk
supplied from a milk supply and air from an air inlet is sucked
into the water steam flow which results in a heated water/milk
mixture which can then be drained from an outlet nozzle of the
mixing head to a cup.
[0004] A well known problem is that after having produced the
desired amount of the mixture, the milk inlet of the mixing head,
the interior of the mixing head itself as well as the outlet nozzle
have been in contact with milk and thus have to be cleaned e.g., by
rinsing the milk flow path from the milk inlet to the mixing area
and the outlet nozzle. In known devices this is a labor intensive
and time consuming process generally requiring a manual rinsing of
the milk flow path. The rinsing or cleaning can actually take
substantially more time and effort than the step of producing the
mixture. The cleaning is particularly difficult when the milk has
dried on the surfaces of the mixing head. On the other hand, if the
cleaning is not carried out properly and frequently enough, there
can be hygienic problems in any subsequent use of the device.
[0005] This, there is a need in the art for improved cleaning
processes and devices that incorporate the same, and these are now
provided by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention now provides a user-friendly cleaning
or rinsing process for a mixing head that is used to prepare heated
milk-water mixtures. The invention thereby proposes mechanical
means and in particular a mechanical arrangement that facilitates
the cleaning procedure in order to facilitate the cleaning step and
ensure that cleaning is carried out properly.
[0007] The invention relates to a mixing head for producing heated
milk in the form of a froth or water-milk mixture. The mixing head
comprises a steam feed, a milk inlet, a mixing area where the steam
feed and milk inlet join and wherein the steam and milk combine to
form a mixture, an outlet nozzle for draining the mixture from the
mixing head, a rinsing medium supply, and a milk supply. The mixing
head further comprises a mechanism for selectively bringing the
milk inlet into fluid connection with the rinsing medium supply and
the milk supply, such that milk or a rinsing medium can enter the
mixing head at the milk inlet.
[0008] The mechanism preferably comprises a transfer member that
provides relative movement between the milk inlet and the rinsing
medium supply or the milk supply. The mixing head may also be
designed such that, when the milk inlet is in fluid connection with
the rinsing medium supply, any fluid leaving the outlet nozzle is
transferred into a milk supply receptacle.
[0009] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a mixing head
for producing heated milk froth or heated milk/water mixtures
comprising a steam feed, a milk inlet, a mixing area where the
steam feed and milk inlet join and wherein the steam and milk
combine and to form an emulsified mixture, an outlet nozzle for
draining the mixture from the mixing head, and a milk supply
receptacle. The mixing head also comprises a mechanism for
selectively bringing the outlet nozzle into a position in which any
fluid leaving the outlet nozzle is transferred actively or
passively into the milk supply receptacle.
[0010] For this embodiment, a transfer member can be included to
provide relative movement between the mixing head and a rinsing
medium supply receptacle or a milk supply receptacle.
[0011] For either embodiment, the milk inlet can be adapted to be
selectively provided in sealing engagement with a milk supply
receptacle that includes the milk supply. Also, the steam feed can
be a water/steam feed.
[0012] Yet another embodiment of the invention relates to a device
for producing heated milk comprising a housing and a mixing head
comprising a steam feed, a milk inlet, a mixing area where the
steam feed and milk inlet join and wherein the steam and milk
combine and to form a mixture, and an outlet nozzle for draining
the mixture from the mixing head. The device also includes a
transfer mechanism for selectively moving the outlet nozzle from a
retracted position where the mixing head outlet nozzle are
configured and positioned to be cleaned or rinsed, and a product
delivery position in which the outlet nozzle protrudes from a front
wall of the housing. In the retracted position, the mixing head
preferably becomes flush with the front wall of the housing. Also,
the mixing head may be displaceable in a rotational movement along
at least one guiding curve between the retracted and product
delivery positions.
[0013] The device may further include a water tank, a pump and a
heating unit for producing the steam supplied to the steam inlet of
the mixing head. Then the rinsing medium supply receptacle can be
selectively put in fluid connection with a circuit connecting a
secondary side of the pump with the heating unit.
[0014] The invention also relates to a beverage production machine
comprising a device or mixing head as disclosed herein.
[0015] The invention further relates to a method for cleaning or
rinsing of a mixing head for producing heated milk, wherein the
mixing device comprises a steam feed, a milk inlet, a mixing area
where the steam feed and milk inlet join and wherein the steam and
milk combine to form a mixture, an outlet nozzle for draining the
mixture from the mixing head, and a milk supply. The method
comprises bringing the milk inlet of the mixing head into fluid
contact with a rinsing medium supply, and having a rinsing medium
from the supply enter the milk inlet and pass through the mixing
head to remove milk residues before leaving the mixing head at the
outlet nozzle.
[0016] In this method, the rinsing medium can be introduced into
the milk inlet by the effect of the liquid suction created as a
result of passing the steam into the mixing head. Also, the milk
inlet can be moved to connect to the rinsing medium supply to the
mixing head. This can be achieved by moving milk inlet via a
mechanical transfer mechanism. If desired, the mechanical transfer
mechanism can be motorized and operatively associated with a
control unit that controls the movement of the mechanical transfer
mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Further advantages, objects and features of the present
invention will become evident for the man skilled in the art when
reading the following detailed explanation of an embodiment of the
present invention taken in conjunction with the figures of the
enclosed drawings.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of a device according
to the present invention,
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the media
streams in a device according to the present invention,
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a front view without the housing of the
device,
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view without the housing,
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a side view without the housing,
[0023] FIG. 6 shows the device in an intermediate position in which
the milk receptacle can be inserted into or removed from the
device,
[0024] FIG. 7 shows the device in an operating position in which a
produced mixture can be drained from the mixing head,
[0025] FIG. 8 shows the device in a retracted rinsing position,
and
[0026] FIG. 9 shows schematically a control unit according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] As noted herein, a first aspect of the present invention
relates to a device for producing a milk froth or hot milk has a
mixing head presenting:
[0028] a water steam feed,
[0029] a milk inlet, the water steam feed and the milk inlet
joining in a mixing area of the mixing head, the mixing area being
adapted to mix the supplied water steam and milk,
[0030] an outlet nozzle for draining the mixture from the mixing
head,
[0031] a rinsing medium supply, and
[0032] a milk supply.
[0033] Further on, a mechanism is provided for selectively bringing
the milk inlet in a fluid connection with the rinsing medium supply
and the milk supply, such that selectively milk or a rinsing medium
such as e.g. water can enter the mixing head at the milk inlet.
[0034] The mixing head can be designed such that, when the milk
inlet is in fluid connection with the rinsing medium supply, any
fluid leaving the outlet nozzle is transferred into a milk supply
receptacle.
[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
device for producing a mixture of milk and water steam has means
for selectively bringing the outlet nozzle in a position in which
any fluid leaving the outlet nozzle is transferred into a
collecting receptacle, which can be e.g., the milk supply
receptacle or a separate waste tank.
[0036] The milk inlet of the mixing head can be adapted to be
selectively in a sealing engagement with a milk supply receptacle
for containing the milk supply. Transfer means can be provided for
a relative movement of the mixing head and a rinsing medium supply
receptacle, or transfer means can be provided for a relative
movement of the mixing head and a milk supply receptacle.
[0037] According to a still further aspect of the present invention
a device for producing a mixture of milk and water steam has a
mechanism for selectively moving the outlet nozzle inside and
outside a front wall of the casing. The mixing head can be
displaceable along a guiding curve. The advantage thereof lies in
the simplification of the device by using only one motor to drive
the mixing head in motion along a combination of vertical and
horizontal directions.
[0038] The rinsing medium supply receptacle can be selectively put
in fluid connection with the water source, in particular, with the
main water delivery line downstream of the water pump. A valve is
provided to control the filling of the rinsing medium receptacle
with water as the rinsing medium.
[0039] A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a
beverage production machine comprising such a device for producing
a mixture of milk and water steam.
[0040] The invention also proposes a method for cleaning or rinsing
a mixing head of a device for producing a milk froth or hot milk
using water steam, the method comprising the following steps:
[0041] bringing a milk inlet of the mixing head in fluid contact
with a rinsing medium supply, and
[0042] having the rinsing medium enter the milk inlet and pass
through the mixing head and to leave the mixing head at the outlet
nozzle.
[0043] The method also comprises entering the rinsing medium in the
milk inlet by effect of the liquid suction created as a result of
passing water steam in the mixing head. In other words, one takes
advantage of the suction effect created normally to draw the milk
in the device in order to rinse the device by the rinsing medium
that replaces the milk in the rinsing process.
[0044] More particularly, the effect of liquid suction is obtained
by a Venturi means placed in the mixing head.
[0045] FIG. 1 shows the outer appearance of a milk/water mixture
production device 1. Such a device 1 can be a stand-alone solution
as shown in FIG. 1, but can also be integrated in a coffee machine
or other beverage production devices.
[0046] The device 1 comprises a casing 16 having a front wall 17
directed towards a user. On the front wall 17 of the casing 16 a
mixing head 2 is provided, which can be moved at least in a plane
perpendicular to the front wall 17 of the casing 16.
[0047] Alternatively or additionally also a displacement of the
mixing head in a plane parallel to the front wall of the casing can
be envisaged.
[0048] Particularly the mixing head 2 can at least assume a first
operation position as shown in FIG. 1 in which the mixing head
protrudes from the front wall 17 of the housing 16. As will be
explained later on, in another position the mixing head can be
retracted such the front plate 26 of the mixing head 2 becomes
essentially flush with the front wall 17 of the housing 16.
[0049] Preferably the mixing head 2 can not only assume different
horizontally displaced positions, but also vertically displaced
positions.
[0050] From an outlet nozzle 5 of the mixing head 2 the produced
water/milk mixture can be drained in order to supply it to a
receptacle such as e.g. a coffee cup 23 provided on a
height-adjustable support 22. In case in the cup 23 a coffee
beverage is already present before the water/milk mixture
eventually having a foamy texture is introduced, a cappuccino-style
beverage can be produced.
[0051] The mixing head 2 presents a control button 41 upon
activation of which different operating modes of the device 1 can
be triggered by a user. The device 1 is programmed to assume the
subsequent one a cyclic sequence of operating modes upon activation
of the control button 41. The different operating modes will be
explained later on with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. The control
button or any alternative or additional user interface can also be
provided at other parts of the device 1.
[0052] FIG. 2 shows a schematic flow chart of the media streams in
such a device 1.
[0053] As it is known from prior art devices, water from a water
supply 15 (water tank or water conduit) is pumped to a heating
block 19 by a pump 18. The heating block 19 produces water steam on
demand, which water steam is then fed to the mixing head 2 via a
water steam inlet 9.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 2 the mixing head 2 comprises a mixing area
4 in which the supplied water steam from the water steam inlet 9 is
mixed with a second medium, such as for example milk from a milk
inlet 3. The mixing head 4 comprises a Venturi effect zone 55 with
reduced cross-section configured to create a local acceleration of
the water steam therethrough. As water steam is accelerated in the
zone with reduced cross-section, this creates a lowered static
pressure at the intersection between the water steam and milk
inlets. As a result of this lowered static pressure, milk is sucked
into the mixing head 2. In order to produce the froth, air must
also be drawn into the mixing area, as a result of the Venturi
effect. To this regard an air inlet 50 is provided, for instance,
at the intersection with the milk inlet (as shown) or
alternatively, directly at the intersection with the mixing area.
The control switch 39 manipulates a valve 56 for regulating the
amount of air which can be sucked in through the air inlet 50.
[0055] Having a pressurized water steam flow through the mixing
area 4, milk from the milk inlet 3 is sucked in and a foamy water
steam/milk mixture can thus be produced due to the turbulence in
the mixing area 4. Such water/milk mixture can then be drained from
the outlet nozzle 5 of the mixing head 2.
[0056] The control switch 39 can be provided to regulate the ratio
milk:air in the mixing head by acting on the air inlet valve 56. In
one possible position of the switch 39 and the valve 56, air
delivery can even be totally suppressed for delivering hot milk
only. In other incremental positions, the ratio milk:air can be
varied to vary the volume of froth.
[0057] As it is also known from the prior art, the milk inlet 3 of
the mixing head 2 can be in fluid connection with milk 7 contained
in a milk receptacle 13, which milk receptacle can be provided in
the interior or at the exterior of the casing 16 of the device 1.
Only as a matter of illustration in the following an example will
be explained in which the milk receptacle 13 for the milk supply 7
is housed inside the housing 16 of the device 1.
[0058] In order to assist to the Venturi effect and to ensure a
proper connection with the milk source, the milk inlet 3 is
connected to the milk receptacle 13 by means of a sealing connector
21. The sealing connector 21 presents a resilient (e.g.
rubber-elastic) upper contact surface having an opening into which
the lower end of the milk inlet 3 penetrates in order to produce a
sealed connection.
[0059] The sealing connector 21 is in tight fluid connection with a
pipe 40 which extends almost to the bottom of the milk receptacle
13 to ensure that essentially all of the milk supply 7 can be
sucked in.
[0060] According to the present invention it is proposed that the
milk inlet 3 of the mixing head 2 can not only be brought in fluid
connection with the milk supply 7 in the milk receptacle 13, but
also with a second (rinsing) medium such as, for example, water 6
contained in a second receptacle 12, which is physically separated
from the milk receptacle 13. Generally in the second receptacle 12
a rinsing medium such as for example water 6 or an other cleaning
or rinsing food-compatible media can be supplied.
[0061] To provide for the selective fluid connection of the milk
inlet 3 to the first receptacle 13 and the second receptacle 12,
respectively, a manual or automatic transfer mechanism 8, 11 is
provided for a relative movement between the milk inlet 3 and the
two receptacles 12, 13.
[0062] Again, although in the following description it will be
explained how the milk inlet 3 and actually the entire mixing head
2 is transferred to several different positions, it is obvious that
alternatively or additionally the position of at least one of the
receptacles 12, 13 can be changed by a manual or automatic transfer
mechanism for providing the selected fluid connection of the milk
inlet 3. This enables the alternative delivery of the milk and
rinsing medium into the mixing head at the milk inlet, such that
when the rinsing medium is provided into the mixing head it cleans
any residual milk from the milk inlet.
[0063] Water as a rinsing medium can e.g. be fed from a valve 24 at
the downstream side of the pump 18 to the receptacle 12 through a
rinsing fluid filling conduit 51.
[0064] After having produced water steam, a certain over-pressure
will still be present at the downstream-side of the heating block
19. Such excess water steam can be released to the rinsing medium
receptacle 12 by means of a purging valve 53 and a purging conduit
54.
[0065] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a device 1 according to the
present invention, wherein in this view as well as the following
views according to FIGS. 4 to 8 the housing 16 is omitted for a
better illustration of the relevant parts in the interior of said
housing 16.
[0066] As can be seen from FIG. 3, the support 22 for the coffee
cup 23 is height-adjustable for example by means of a manually
operated or motor-driven spindle 25.
[0067] Particularly, it can be foreseen that an optical or
mechanical sensor detects the upper rim 38 of the cup 23 to ensure
a constant level of such rim 38 of the cup 23 vis-a-vis the outlet
nozzle 5 of the mixing head 2 independently from the size of the
cup 23. In other words, controlled by the sensor the spindle 25 can
be operated manually or automatically such that the height of the
support 22 for the cup 23 is adjusted such that in turn the upper
rim 38 has the desired vertical distance to the lower edge of the
outlet nozzle 5 of the mixing head 2. In the illustrated example, a
mechanical position sensor 52 in the form of an hinged horizontal
plate is positioned to engage the upper rim 38 of the cup 23. When
the rim 38 contacts the plate, a signal is sent to the control unit
(see FIG. 9). Depending on the location of the sensor, the control
device may further control a predetermined downward motion of the
cup support along the spindle to properly position the cup in its
final delivery position at the proper distance from the outlet
nozzle 5.
[0068] As can also be seen from FIG. 3, the milk inlet 3 is
horizontally offset vis-a-vis the outlet nozzle 5.
[0069] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the mixing head 2 having a front
cover plate 26 is actually supported by a supporting structure 34.
The supporting structure 34 connects the mixing head 2 to a
transfer mechanism which is generally referenced with the numeral 8
in FIG. 4. The transfer mechanism 8 can comprise an electric motor
27, a belt drive 28 and guiding curves 14, 14'. Via the guiding
curves 14, 14' and operated by the motor 27 and the belt drive 28
the support structure 34 and thus the mixing head 2 can carry out a
transfer movement which essentially follows the trajectory of the
guiding curves 14, 14'.
[0070] By having two essentially parallel guiding curves 14, 14' it
can be assured that the mixing head 2 carries out the corresponding
translational movements without having its position rotated.
Correspondingly, the vertical front plate 26 of the mixing head 2
will always maintain its vertical position independently from the
vertical or horizontal position of the mixing head 2.
[0071] Other designs are possible according to which the mixing
head alternatively or additionally carries out a rotational
displacement.
[0072] Note that the present invention also encompasses manually
driven transfer mechanisms as long as they can assure a relative
movement between at least the milk inlet 3 of the mixing head 2 and
two physically separated receptacles.
[0073] It is to be mentioned that for example by means of such an
electric motor alternatively or additionally at least one of the
two receptacles 12, 13 could be displaced selectively.
[0074] Due to the design of the guiding curves 14, 14' as shown in
FIG. 4 the mixing head 2 will carry out a combined movement having
both horizontal and vertical components. In other words, guided by
the guiding curves 14, 14' the mixing head will both change its
horizontal position as well as its vertical position. For example
as shown in FIG. 1 the mixing head 2 can be moved into a protruding
position in which the mixing head and especially the front cover 26
of the mixing head 2 protrudes from the front wall 17 of the casing
16 of the device 1.
[0075] Note that different kinematics for the mixing head 2 can be
provided having even more complex movements or having simplified
movements, i.e. only vertical or horizontal components and any
combination thereof.
[0076] FIG. 5 shows more details of the transfer mechanism 8. The
electric motor 27 moves a first pulley 32 in order to move a belt
28, which in turn moves a second pulley 33.
[0077] In FIG. 5 also the position sensor 57 for detecting the
lower position of the spindle drive and the support 22 as well as
the mechanical detector 52 for the upper rim 38 of the cup 23 can
be seen.
[0078] Finally, in order to detect the current state of the mixing
head, at the guiding curve 14 the following contact switches
respectively operated by a cam 36 are provided:
[0079] a contact switch 58 for detecting the position of the mixing
head 2 corresponding to the operating mode shown in FIG. 5,
[0080] a contact switch 59 for detecting the position of the mixing
head 2 corresponding to the stand-by mode shown in FIG. 6, and
[0081] a contact switch 60 for detecting the position of the mixing
head 2 corresponding to the stand-by mode shown in FIG. 9.
[0082] As can be seen from FIG. 6 showing the opposite side of the
device in a state corresponding to FIG. 5, the secondary side
pulley 33 is connected to a lever actuator 35 by means of a
rotating belt 33'. The actuator lever 35 is connected to the
support structure 34 of the mixing head 2 by means of a cam 36
which can be moved forth and back (operated by the belt drive 8 and
the electric motor 27) inside the guiding curve 14.
[0083] A second cam 37 is provided to follow passively the
movements of the first cam 36 in the second guided curve 14'. The
second cam assures the constant orientation of the mixing head 2
during the course of the translational displacements.
[0084] From FIG. 6 it can be seen that inside the housing 16 a
combined receptacle 29 is provided having the already mentioned
milk supply 7 in a milk supply receptacle 13 as well as a rinsing
medium supply 6 and a second receptacle 12.
[0085] The combined receptacle 29 can be inserted and removed,
respectively, from the casing 16. To verify the presence of such
combined receptacle 29 inside the housing 16 a contact switch 30 is
provided.
[0086] FIG. 6 shows the device in an intermediate state in which
the mixing head 2 is in a lifted position in the middle of the
guiding curves 14, 14' such that the combined receptacle 29 can be
removed or inserted from/into the housing 16 with ease. The
receptacle can then be removed by the user for emptying the
receptacle from the rinsing medium and for proper cleaning of the
receptacle e.g. in a dishwashing machine.
[0087] In order to assume such position a non-shown control device
controls the electric motor 27 such that the mixing head 2 and the
support structure 34 assume the position as shown in FIG. 6.
[0088] Furthermore, in each position taken by the head, switches
are provided to sense the position of the transfer mechanism 8, for
instance, of the cam with respect to the static part of the
mechanism, so that the motor 27 is stopped by the control device
when the proper position has been sensed by the proper switch and a
corresponding signal has been sent to the control device.
[0089] In such a position of the mixing head 2 a user can insert a
combined receptacle 29 containing both milk 7 in the receptacle 13
as well as a rinsing medium such as water 6 in the second
receptacle 12. After having inserted the combined receptacle 29
inside the housing 16 of the device 1 the user can then position a
coffee cup 23 on the support 22.
[0090] Automatically or triggered by a user input the control of
the device 1 can then transfer the support 34 and the mixing head 2
on the position shown in FIG. 6 (intermediate position) into the
operation position as shown in FIG. 7. In the position as shown in
FIG. 7 the mixing head 2 is lowered again and has assumed a first
end position vis-a-vis the guiding curves 14, 14'. Such position
can be described as the maximum protruding and lowered position.
This position according to FIG. 7 corresponds to the view as shown
in FIG. 1. Again, in a fully automatic scheme of control, each
position; i.e., the protruding position and the lowered position,
will be sensed by a corresponding switch (not shown) and a
corresponding signal sent to the control device for stopping the
motor 27.
[0091] In such a position as depicted in FIG. 7 the milk inlet 3
will be in a sealed connection (connected 21) with the milk supply
7 provided in the milk receptacle 13. In such a state water steam
can be fed to the mixing area 4 of the mixing head 2 (please see
FIG. 1) and milk from the milk receptacle 13 will be sucked in due
to the Venturi effect, such that finally a water/milk mixture
eventually with a foamy texture will be drained from the outlet
nozzle 5 of the mixing head 2. In such an operation of the mixing
head 2 the milk head from the connecting end of the milk inlet 3 to
the mixing area and the outlet nozzle 5 of the mixing head 2 will
be contaminated with milk, which will eventually dry after the use
and which will constitute an undesired growth medium for any micro
organisms.
[0092] Therefore, according to the present invention, the mixing
head will, upon completion of the mixture production, automatically
or manually be transferred from the position as shown in FIG. 7 to
the position as shown in FIG. 8. In the position as shown in FIG. 8
the support structure 34 of the mixing head 2 is in the rearward
end position of the guiding curves 14, 14'.
[0093] In such a position the front plate 26 flushes with the front
wall 17 of the housing 16, which is schematically depicted in FIG.
8.
[0094] In such a position the milk inlet 3 of the mixing head 2 is
in fluid connection with the rinsing medium 6 contained in the
second receptacle 12. As soon as such a position is detected by
contact switches (not shown in FIG. 8), the control of the device 1
will again pump water through the heating block 19 and into the
mixing area 4 of the mixing head 2. However, as the milk inlet 3 is
now in fluid connection with a rinsing medium 6 contained in the
second receptacle 12, not milk but a rinsing medium will be sucked
into the milk inlet 3 and thus into the mixing area 4. The rinsing
medium now flowing through the milk flow path will rinse and clean
said milk flow path such that a contaminated rinsing medium/water
mix will be drained from the outlet nozzle 5 of the mixing head
2.
[0095] In case the rinsing medium in the second receptacle 12 is
water, this water can be supplied selectively from the downstream
side of the pump 18 by means of a selectively operable valve 24
such as a solenoid valve. Preferably, a rinsing fluid line 51 is
provided in fluid communication with the main water line after the
pump and before heating block so that non-heated water can be
delivered in the rinsing fluid receptacle 12. The valve 24 is thus
installed between the main water line and rinsing fluid line 51 in
order to selectively deliver water either to the heating block or
to fill in the rinsing fluid receptacle 12. In other words, in such
a scenario a portion of the water supplied by the pump 18 can be
supplied to the second receptacle 12 to serve as a rinsing
medium.
[0096] The contaminated rinsing medium leaving the outlet nozzle 5
of the mixing head 2 will accumulate in the combined receptacle 29.
After having finished a controlled rinsing step in the position
according to FIG. 8, the mixing head 2 can again be transferred
into the intermediate position as shown in FIG. 6 in which the user
can remove the combined receptacle 29 to dispose of the
contaminated rinsing medium, to further clean the receptacle and
then refill milk into the milk receptacle 13 and eventually even to
refill a rinsing medium 6 into the second receptacle 12.
[0097] FIG. 9 shows a control unit which can be implemented e.g. as
an ASIC or a microprocessor. The control unit 41 can carry out a
pre-programmed processing triggered by a user's input command e.g.
via the already mentioned button 42. E.g. upon manipulation of such
control button 42 the control unit 41 can control cyclically the
respectively subsequent one of the following states:
[0098] stand-by state according to FIG. 6
[0099] operation state according to FIG. 7, and
[0100] rinsing state according to FIG. 8.
[0101] To this effect the control unit 41 is supplied with input
signals reflecting the current state of the device, such as
e.g.
[0102] the presence of the receptacle 29 (detected by the contact
switch 30),
[0103] the current position of the mixing head 2 (via the contact
switches 58, 59, 60 at the guiding curves 14, 14' activated by the
cams),
[0104] the position of the cup support (by means e.g. of the
contact switch 57),
[0105] the level of the upper rim 38 of the cup 23 (detected e.g.
by an optical sensor), and
[0106] the water steam temperature or pressure.
[0107] Depending on the user's input and the current value of the
above input signals, the control unit can calculate and generate
e.g., the following output signals
[0108] activation of an actuator for the spindle 25,
[0109] control of the actuator (electric motor) 27 for the belt
drive 28,
[0110] control of the heating block 19,
[0111] control of the pump 18, and
[0112] control of the valves 24 and 53.
* * * * *