Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for heating and foaming a liquid, in particular a beverage, comprising a steam line (6), which can be connected to a steam generator (1); a pressurized gas line (4), which can be connected to a pressurized gas source (2); and a conveying means (3), connected to the steam line (6) and the pressurized gas line (4), for generating and transferring a steam/gas mixture into the liquid, and a controllable switching valve (5), wherein hot steam is supplied to the conveying means (3) via the steam line (6) and a pressurized gas flow under a defined constant pressure is supplied via the pressurized gas line (4) and pressure pulses (p) are generated from the pressurized gas flow by means of the switching valve (5). In order to damp the generated pressure pulses, the conveying means (3) comprises an expansion chamber (15) having a nozzle (14) arranged on the downstream end of the expansion chamber (15).

Abstract: A device and a method for heating and foaming a liquid, in particular a beverage such as a milk-containing beverage for example. The device comprises a steam generator, a pressurized gas source, and a pump means which is connected to the steam generator and the pressurized gas source for transporting a steam/gas mixture into the liquid. The pressurized gas source comprises a controllable switching valve in order to generate pressure pulses. The pressure pulses generated by the pressurized gas source are introduced into the pump means and mixed with the liquid in the pump means, whereby the liquid is foamed. The foam properties of the foamed liquid, such as consistency, creaminess, density, and porosity, can be influenced by the frequency, amplitude, and pulse duration of the pressure pulses.

Abstract: An appliance for heating and/or frothing milk, in which steam or a mixture of steam and air acting as a heat carrier is injected into the milk, with the heating unit including an inner steam channel and an outer annular channel for the milk. The outer annular channel coaxially surrounds the inner steam channel, with hot steam or a mixture of steam and air being supplied at an upstream end of the steam channel and with milk being supplied at an upstream end of the annular channel. To improve the heat output and the energy efficiency of the heating unit and to reduce the maintenance requirement, the steam channel and the annular channel are separated from one another, with their downstream ends opening out into an outlet channel for discharging the heated and/or frothed milk.

Abstract: A beverage machine for producing coffee-based beverages includes a pump supplying pressurized water; a heater heating the water; a brewing chamber, which is fillable with coffee powder; piping in fluid connection with the pump, heater and brewing chamber for conducting pressurized water into the brewing chamber; and a dispensing device dispensing coffee-based beverage produced in the brewing chamber by brewing the coffee powder with the water. The piping has a first feed pipe between the pump and heater and a second feed pipe between the heater and brewing chamber. The second feed pipe has at least a first valve. A cooler is arranged in the second feed pipe downstream of the first valve for cooling water heated by the heater, to enable production of coffee-based beverages having different temperatures, in particular temperatures below 50° C., which allow pouring the produced beverage into a bio-degradable cup made of polylactic acid (PLA).

Abstract: A device and a method for heating and foaming a liquid, in particular a beverage such as a milk-containing beverage for example. The device comprises a steam generator, a pressurized gas source, and a pump means which is connected to the steam generator and the pressurized gas source for transporting a steam/gas mixture into the liquid. The pressurized gas source comprises a controllable switching valve in order to generate pressure pulses. The pressure pulses generated by the pressurized gas source are introduced into the pump means and mixed with the liquid in the pump means, whereby the liquid is foamed. The foam properties of the foamed liquid, such as consistency, creaminess, density, and porosity, can be influenced by the frequency, amplitude, and pulse duration of the pressure pulses.

Abstract: An appliance for heating and/or frothing milk, in which steam or a mixture of steam and air acting as a heat carrier is injected into the milk, with the heating unit including an inner steam channel and an outer annular channel for the milk. The outer annular channel coaxially surrounds the inner steam channel, with hot steam or a mixture of steam and air being supplied at an upstream end of the steam channel and with milk being supplied at an upstream end of the annular channel. To improve the heat output and the energy efficiency of the heating unit and to reduce the maintenance requirement, the steam channel and the annular channel are separated from one another, with their downstream ends opening out into an outlet channel for discharging the heated and/or frothed milk.