Abstract: The invention relates to a feed unit (1) for feeding a liquid foodstuff to a beverage dispensing device, the feed unit having a feed line (2) for feeding the liquid foodstuff from a foodstuff tank (3) to the feed unit (1), a cleaning agent tank (3) for a cleaning agent, and also a cleaning agent pump (7) for conveying the cleaning agent out of the cleaning agent tank (8), the feed unit being characterized in that the device has a cleaning-agent mixing tank (6), which optionally can be arranged at or in the feed unit (1) in a cleaning mode and can be removed from the feed unit (1) in a foodstuff dispensing mode, wherein, in the cleaning mode, cleaning agent can be fed from the cleaning agent tank (8) to the cleaning-agent mixing tank (6) by the cleaning agent pump (7), and cleaning agent and/or a cleaning mixture can be discharged out of the cleaning-agent mixing tank (6) by the feed line (2).

Abstract: A device for discharging milk and/or milk froth, including a pump to convey milk from a container, a flow-heater, and an output for discharging milk, embodied cooperating with each other such that milk conveyed via the pump and heated via the flow-heater can be discharged from the output. At least one steam generator is provided cooperating with the flow-heater such that downstream in reference to the flow-heater and upstream in reference to the output, steam can be fed to the milk for an additional heating step. An air valve to create milk froth is provided, and the air valve is openable to introduce air upstream in reference to the flow-heater.

Abstract: A device for generating milk froth, including a pump for conveying milk from a reservoir, an air intake, and at least one pressure booster, with the pressure booster being arranged upstream in reference to the pump and the air intake upstream in reference to the pressure booster. The pressure booster is embodied as a mixing element, which has in the direction of flow a cross-sectional area that the flow passes through that is not reducing, with the cross-sectional area that the flow passes through at the input side being at least equivalent to the cross-section of the connecting pipeline arranged between the pump and the mixing element. A method for generating milk froth as well as the use of a helical mixer for the generation of milk froth are also provided.

Abstract: A device for frothing a liquid food, particularly milk, having a pump for the liquid food from a reservoir, a continuous-flow heater, at least one throttle and one air supply, with the throttle and the continuous-flow heater being arranged at the pressurized side of the pump (2), and the air supply for supplying air into the flow path of the food being arranged upstream from the throttle. In a cold froth mode a flow path for the food-air mixture is pre-determinable through a throttle (4a) having a first throttle cross-section, and in a warm froth mode a flow path for the food-air mixture is through a throttle with a second throttle cross-section, arranged at the pressurized side of the pump (2), as well as through the continuous-flow heater, with the first and the second throttle cross-section being different. A method for frothing a liquid food, particularly milk, is also provided.

Abstract: A brewing assembly for a coffee machine, which brewing assembly includes a brewing module with a brewing head, an upper and lower closure element, and a drive module with at least one linear guide element. The brewing head has a cylindrical brewing chamber, which can be closed by the upper and lower closure elements and cooperates with the linear guide such that the brewing head is displaceable linearly in the brewing assembly. The drive unit also includes a motor drive for the linear guide element. The brewing head and at least one of the two closure elements with at least a brewing chamber are arranged in the brewing module in a linearly displaceable fashion. The brewing module is arranged detachably in or on the drive unit such that when it is in or on the drive unit at least the brewing head is linearly displaceable via the linear guide element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1, 10) for the production of cooled coffee, comprising a brewing unit (4) for the production of coffee, a cooling assembly (11) and a coffee cooler (14) formed as a heat exchanger, wherein the coffee cooler (14) has at least one first and one second flow path that are connected thermally but not in a fluid-conducting manner, wherein a coolant can flow through the first flow path and the second flow path is connected in a fluid-conducting manner with a coffee outlet (5) of the brewing unit (4).

Abstract: A device for discharging milk and/or milk froth, including a pump to convey milk from a container, a flow-heater, and an output for discharging milk, embodied cooperating with each other such that milk conveyed via the pump and heated via the flow-heater can be discharged from the output. At least one steam generator is provided cooperating with the flow-heater such that downstream in reference to the flow-heater and upstream in reference to the output, steam can be fed to the milk for an additional heating step. An air valve to create milk froth is provided, and the air valve is openable to introduce air upstream in reference to the flow-heater.

Abstract: A device for discharging milk and/or milk froth, including a pump to convey milk from a container, a flow-heater, and an output for discharging milk, embodied cooperating with each other such that milk conveyed via the pump and heated via the flow-heater can be discharged from the output. At least one steam generator is provided cooperating with the flow-heater such that downstream in reference to the flow-heater and upstream in reference to the output, steam can be fed to the milk for an additional heating step.

Abstract: A device for foaming a liquid foodstuff, in particular, milk, including a foaming chamber (5), a foodstuff feed line (4), a steam feed line (7), and an air feed line (8) is provided. The foodstuff, steam, and air feed lines are connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the foaming chamber (5). The air feed line (9) includes an air valve (10) that can be controlled by a control unit (9), and the air valve (10) is an intermittent air valve in which, by use of the control unit (9), at least one state with a high air flow and a state with relatively lower air flow and/or with no air flow can be specified selectively. The control unit (9) and air valve (10) have an interacting construction such that the average air flow of the air valve (10) can be controlled by repeated switching between the at least two states of the air valve (10). The invention further includes a method for foaming the liquid foodstuff.

Abstract: A device for foaming a liquid foodstuff, especially milk, is provided including a pump (2) that has, on the suction side, a feed line (3) that can be connected in a fluid-conducting way to a storage container for the liquid foodstuff. An air feed line (3a) by which air can be fed to the foodstuff is arranged in a path of flow of the liquid foodstuff on the suction side of the pump (2) and, a throttle (4a) is arranged in the path of flow of the foodstuff on the downstream side of the pump (2).

Abstract: A brewing assembly for a coffee machine, which brewing assembly includes a brewing module with a brewing head, an upper and lower closure element, and a drive module with at least one linear guide element. The brewing head has a cylindrical brewing chamber, which can be closed by the upper and lower closure elements and cooperates with the linear guide such that the brewing head is displaceable linearly in the brewing assembly. The drive unit also includes a motor drive for the linear guide element. The brewing head and at least one of the two closure elements with at least a brewing chamber are arranged in the brewing module in a linearly displaceable fashion. The brewing module is arranged detachably in or on the drive unit such that when it is in or on the drive unit at least the brewing head is linearly displaceable via the linear guide element.

Abstract: A device for foaming a liquid foodstuff, especially milk, is provided including a pump (2) that has, on the suction side, a feed line (3) that can be connected in a fluid-conducting way to a storage container for the liquid foodstuff. An air feed line (3a) by which air can be fed to the foodstuff is arranged in a path of flow of the liquid foodstuff on the suction side of the pump (2) and, a throttle (4a) is arranged in the path of flow of the foodstuff on the downstream side of the pump (2).

Abstract: A device for foaming a liquid foodstuff, in particular, milk, including a foaming chamber (5), a foodstuff feed line (4), a steam feed line (7), and an air feed line (8) is provided. The foodstuff, steam, and air feed lines are connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the foaming chamber (5). The air feed line (9) includes an air valve (10) that can be controlled by a control unit (9), and the air valve (10) is an intermittent air valve in which, by use of the control unit (9), at least one state with a high air flow and a state with relatively lower air flow and/or with no air flow can be specified selectively. The control unit (9) and air valve (10) have an interacting construction such that the average air flow of the air valve (10) can be controlled by repeated switching between the at least two states of the air valve (10). The invention further includes a method for foaming the liquid foodstuff.

Abstract: A device (1, 10) and method for the production of cooled coffee are provided. The device has a brewing unit (4) for the production of coffee, a cooling assembly (11) and a coffee cooler (14) formed as a heat exchanger. The coffee cooler (14) has at least one first and one second flow path that are connected thermally but not in a fluid-conducting manner. A coolant can flow through the first flow path and the second flow path is connected in a fluid-conducting manner with a coffee outlet (5) of the brewing unit (4). The device also has a fresh-water supply (2) and a fresh-water cooler (13) formed as an additional heat exchanger.

Abstract: A cleaning module for machines for the production of liquid foods, particularly for coffee makers, including at least one reservoir for cleaning agents to accept cleaning agents, with at least one dosing device having a control connector and at least one discharge chamber, with the dosing device being connected to the cleaning reservoir and the discharge chamber such that cleaning agents can be fed by the dosing device from the reservoir for cleaning agents to the discharge chamber. The invention further relates to a device for the production of liquid foods and a method for its cleaning.

Abstract: A coffee maker is disclosed, having at least one coffee bean container adapted to receive whole coffee beans and a brewing module including a brewing chamber for brewing a coffee beverage by means of hot brewing water. The coffee bean container is subdivided into two compartments, whereby an individual coffee grinder assembly is assigned to each compartment. The outlets of the coffee grinder assemblies open into a common feeding channel serving for filling the brewing chamber with ground coffee. The coffee maker further comprises a slide controller serving for preselecting the proportional amount of coffee beans to be discharged from the particular compartment and ground by the coffee grinder assembly assigned to the particular compartment. With such a coffee maker, a coffee beverage can be prepared, using different blends of freshly ground coffee beans.

Abstract: The filter cartridge for the water tank of a coffee machine comprises a housing having on both sides a plurality of slot-shaped openings constituting two inlets. For softening the water, the housing of the filter cartridge contains a ion exchange resin. The bottom of the housing comprises a central outlet. The interior of the housing is provided with a plurality of baffle members increasing the length of the flow path of the water between inlets and outlet. The housing comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, sealingly fixed to each other. The baffle members extend essentially in vertical direction and are alternately fixed to the upper and to the lower housing portion. Water passages are provided between the upper housing portion and the baffle members fixed to the lower housing portion, as well as between the lower housing portion and the baffle members fixed to the upper housing portion.

Abstract: A coffee maker is disclosed, having at least one coffee bean container adapted to receive whole coffee beans and a brewing module including a brewing chamber for brewing a coffee beverage by means of hot brewing water. The coffee bean container is subdivided into two compartments, whereby an individual coffee grinder assembly is assigned to each compartment. The outlets of the coffee grinder assemblies open into a common feeding channel serving for filling the brewing chamber with ground coffee. The coffee maker further comprises a slide controller serving for preselecting the proportional amount of coffee beans to be discharged from the particular compartment and ground by the coffee grinder assembly assigned to the particular compartment. With such a coffee maker, a coffee beverage can be prepared, using different blends of freshly ground coffee beans.

Abstract: The filter cartridge for the water tank of a coffee machine comprises a housing having on both sides a plurality of slot-shaped openings constituting two inlets. For softening the water, the housing of the filter cartridge contains a ion exchange resin. The bottom of the housing comprises a central outlet. The interior of the housing is provided with a plurality of baffle members increasing the length of the flow path of the water between inlets and outlet. The housing comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, sealingly fixed to each other. The baffle members extend essentially in vertical direction and are alternately fixed to the upper and to the lower housing portion. Water passages are provided between the upper housing portion and the baffle members fixed to the lower housing portion, as well as between the lower housing portion and the baffle members fixed to the upper housing portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing coffee beverages in coffee machines wherein all of the residual water remaining between the boiler and the outlet is removed from the coffee machine between every two cycles of coffee beverage preparation. It also provides an apparatus for preparing coffee beverages comprising means for draining all of the residual water remaining between the boiler and the outlet from the coffee machine after each cycle of coffee beverage preparation. These measures secure that the residual water remaining in the apparatus after the brewing cycle is nearly completely drained from said apparatus. This guarantees that such a coffee machine prepares a beverage which meets the requirements of the user with respect to taste and temperature. Moreover, this beverage is impeccable as to its hygienic and microbiological condition.