Abstract: A device for the preparation of frothed milk includes an a steam pipe arrangement including an inner pipe having one end adapted for connecting to a superheated steam generator of a coffee or espresso maker with superheated steam flowing through the inner pipe during operation, and an outer pipe arranged coaxially with the inner pipe and defining at least one air flow channel between the inner and outer pipes. The pipe arrangement includes an outlet configuration for outputting a mixture of steam and air. The outlet configuration includes at least two outlets arranged for opening directly into a container of milk, with at least one of the outlets being substantially radially-oriented with respect to a longitudinal direction of the steam pipe arrangement and being formed by approximately radial openings in the inner and outer pipes that are aligned with one another.

Abstract: A permanent filter for coffee grind in an espresso maker includes a pot-shaped filter element having a bottom including several relief slots. The relief slots each have a width smaller than a mean diameter of particles of the coffee grind and a length which is a multiple of the mean diameter of the particles of coffee grind. The use of this permanent filter element accomplishes uniformly satisfactory espresso results independently of the type of coffee used, the fineness of grind and the dust content of the ground coffee.

Abstract: An espresso machine has an underside provided with a brewing head into which a strainer holder having a handle can be inserted from below with a strainer inserted in the holder. The brewing head has slots and the strainer holder includes corresponding lugs that fit through the slots so that the strainer holder can be released from or locked to the brewing head by a pivoting movement of the strainer holder around an axis of the brewing head which places the lugs in or out of alignment with the slots, respectively. A positioning ring has a top end rotatably secured to the brewing head and a cutout that is open toward the bottom end of the positioning ring for receiving the handle of the strainer holder.

Abstract: A coffee machine comprises a fresh water reservoir. A heating block, having a first flow heater pipe, is in fluid communication with the reservoir via a first connection line and a second connection line. The first connection line has a check valve disposed therein, the second connection line has a pump disposed therein. A coffee-making head is in fluid communication with the heating block via a pipe. The pipe ascends from the heating block to the coffee-making head. A steam nozzle is in fluid communication with the heating block via a steam line. A device fluidly connects the reservoir with the steam outlet when the pump is operating.

Abstract: This invention relates to an espresso machine comprising a boiler (1) and a filter chamber (5) which is connected to the boiler (1) via a hot water line (11) and which comprises an outlet (18) and is divided via an inserted screen (6) into two chamber regions (b, c), a thermostat switch (TH1) which is responsive to the temperature within the boiler (1) and connected in series with the heating apparatus (2) to limit the temperature within the boiler to a predetermined upper value, an air pump (8) terminating in the boiler (1), a first shut-off valve (17) positioned in the hot water line (11) and a second shut-off valve (19) positioned upstream of the outlet of the filter chamber (5).

Abstract: A device is disclosed for the preparation of milk froth for cappuccino (milk-coffee beverage) to be employed as an accessory to coffee or espresso makers or steam preparation machines equipped with a superheated steam generator and a steam pipe. A venturi is disposed at the outlet end of the steam pipe and has an associated air intake conduit and a milk intake conduit that are arranged in such a way that the outlet opening of the air intake conduit and the outlet opening of the milk intake conduit open in the venturi in the zone of greatest subatmospheric pressure. Due to the subatmospheric pressure created in the venturi by the flowing steam, air and milk are sucked in and mixed with the superheated steam in the diffusion path of the venturi. Thus the three-component mixture of steam, air and milk required for the generation of milk froth is created already in the venturi and the desired milk froth is available at the outlet of the venturi.

Abstract: Apparatus of this type, for instance Espresso machines, comprising a plurality of preparation devices such as a coffee filter, a foaming nozzle or the like, are equipped with a multiple-way valve operable to supply hot water or hot steam to the various preparation devices. Conventional valves of this type are not sufficiently resistant against the corrosive action of the hot and frequently also aggressive water.In the apparatus according to the invention, the multiple-way valve (5) is formed as a ceramic valve comprising a number of ceramic discs (11 to 13) provided with distributor passages (14, 15, 16, 17, 23) and mounted in sealing surface contact for displacement relative to one another.The apparatus is suitable for the preparation of hot beverages, particularly Espresso.