Abstract: In a cleaning device for a beverage preparation machine, in particular for a coffee machine, which includes a first chamber for receiving a cleaning agent and a liquid line system with a water line connectable to a water connection for supplying water and a discharge line connected to the first chamber and connectable to the beverage preparation machine, a first piston is insertable into the first chamber. With this cleaning device, the cleaning agent can be completely and homogeneously dissolved in the first chamber and thereby converted into a homogeneous cleaning agent solution, which can be supplied to the beverage preparation machine via the discharge line for carrying out a cleaning process.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a solution from an active substance and a solvent and supplying the solution to a beverage preparation machine, such as a coffee machine, includes a dissolving chamber for receiving the active substance, a supply element for supplying a quantity of the active substance to the chamber and a liquid line system coupled to the chamber and having a solvent line, which is connectable to a solvent supply for supplying the solvent. A discharge line is connected to the chamber and is connectable to the beverage preparation machine. To achieve a complete dissolution and an optimum concentration of the active substance in the solvent with a homogeneous concentration distribution over the volume of the solution, the apparatus has a piston unit which contains a first piston that can be introduced into the chamber, a second piston and a connecting line arranged between the first and second pistons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding coffee powder (a) into a brewing chamber of a coffee machine, comprising a brewing chamber container (1) having a filling opening (2) for receiving and brewing the coffee powder (a) and a feeding apparatus (3) for feeding the coffee powder (a) into the brewing chamber container (1) through the filling opening (2). By means of a shaking apparatus (4), which is coupled to the brewing chamber container (1), the brewing chamber container (1) is set vibrating during and/or after the filling with coffee powder. As a result, the coffee powder put into the brewing chamber container is compressed and evened out and, in particular, the coffee powder is prevented from piling up in the form of hills as the coffee powder is put into the brewing chamber container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a milk frothing device 1, a beverage preparation device 100 comprising the milk foaming device 1, and a method for producing milk foam. Particularly in the coffee beverage industry, there is a need for producing a variety of different milk modifications, such as fine-pored or coarse-pored milk foam, based on different milk starting products. This often requires a variety of different equipment. The invention makes it possible to produce a wide range of different milk modifications by applying compressed air to milk on an outlet side A of a pumping device 2.

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.