Abstract: A radiation grill unit (1) comprises (i) a food support unit (100), (ii) a radiation unit (200) that includes a reflector (210) (with reflector opening (223)) hosting an IR radiation heater (220), wherein the radiation unit (200) is configured to provide IR radiation (201) in a direction of the food support unit (100), and (iii) a radiation grill unit cavity (3) configured to host a drip tray (300). A radiation unit housing includes a convection channel between (i) a back side of the reflector, opposite a front side that reflects IR radiation in the direction of the food support unit, and (ii) an inner surface of the radiation unit housing. The housing further comprises a lower opening below a lower part edge of the reflector and an upper opening above an upper part edge of the reflector to define a lower end and an upper end, respectively, of the convection channel.

Abstract: A radiation grill unit (1) comprises (i) a food support unit (100) with bars (110), (ii) a radiation unit (200) that includes a reflector (210) (with reflector opening (223)) hosting an IR radiation heater (220), wherein the radiation unit (200) is configured to provide IR radiation (201) in a direction of the food support unit (100), and (iii) a radiation grill unit cavity (3) configured to host a drip tray (300). The drip tray is configured in the radiation grill unit cavity below a lower part edge of the reflector and out of a line of sight of direct IR radiation from the IR radiation heater. The drip tray further comprises a drip tray face and at least one drip tray reservoir configured at a side edge of the drip tray in a location that does not receive direct IR radiation, and configured to store a lipid comprising liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides a radiation grill unit (1) comprising (i) a food support unit (100), for instance with bars (110), (ii) a radiation unit (200) comprising a reflector (210) (with reflector opening (223)) hosting an (electrical) IR radiation heater (220), wherein the radiation unit (200) is optionally configured to provide IR radiation (201) in a direction of the food support unit (100), and (iii) a radiation grill unit cavity (3) configured to host a drip tray (300) (with edge (311)).

Abstract: A radiation grill unit (1) comprises (i) a food support unit (100), (ii) a radiation unit (200) that includes a reflector (210) (with reflector opening (223)) hosting an IR radiation heater (220), wherein the radiation unit (200) is configured to provide IR radiation (201) in a direction of the food support unit (100), and (iii) a radiation grill unit cavity (3) configured to host a drip tray (300). The reflector comprises (i) an upper part having a parabolic shape with an upper part edge and (ii) a lower part with a lower part edge, wherein the lower part includes (a) only one face, (b) two faces, or (c) more than two faces, wherein each face includes a straight segment shape.

Abstract: The invention provides a radiation grill unit (1) comprising (i) a food support unit (100), for instance with bars (110), (ii) a radiation unit (200) comprising a reflector (210) (with reflector opening (223)) hosting an (electrical) IR radiation heater (220), wherein the radiation unit (200) is optionally configured to provide IR radiation (201) in a direction of the food support unit (100), and (iii) a radiation grill unit cavity (3) configured to host a drip tray (300) (with edge (311)).

Abstract: A beverage maker for making a beverage includes a duct system having at least one duct for conveying a fluid beverage ingredient, and at least two elements for defining the duct system, which are configured to be fitted closely together. Recesses are arranged in a surface of at least one of these two elements, and serve for defining the ducts of the duct system. The duct system is further configured to convey steam besides the fluid beverage ingredient, where the steam serves for heating and pumping the fluid beverage ingredient. Furthermore, the duct system may also include at least one duct for supplying air to the fluid beverage ingredient, so that a frothed beverage may be obtained.

Abstract: Device (1) for frothing a liquid, comprising a chamber (10), which chamber comprises a supply tube (11) for supplying the liquid to be frothed and frothing gas, and comprises a substantially round outlet tube (12) provided at the bottom of the chamber. The outlet tube being arranged for letting out a mixture of the liquid and the frothing gas, i.e. the liquid in a frothed state, and for letting out excess frothing gas. The chamber (10) is cylinder-shaped and the supply tube (11) has a tangential arrangement with respect to the chamber (10) and is provided at a height h from the bottom of the chamber. The ratio of the value of the height (h) of the supply tube and the height (H) of the chamber is in a range between 0.2 to 0.7, and the ratio of the value of the diameter of the outlet tube (d) and the value of the diameter (D) of the chamber is in a range of 0.6 to 0.95. This device provides for a high quality of milk froth without excessive or insufficient foam formation or very coarse foam bubbles.

Abstract: A device (1) for steaming food comprises a base part(2)and at least one basket (5) for containing the food to be steamed, having a bottom (51) provided with holes (53)for letting through steam to the food, wherein the at least one basket (5) is intended to be positioned above the base part (2), wherein the base part (2) comprises a steam chamber (25) for containing water to be converted into steam and heating means (23) associated with the steam chamber (25) for heating water which is inside the steam chamber (25), and wherein the device (1) is capable of producing steam at a high start-up efficiency, by minimizing heat loss from the steam chamber (25).

Abstract: A brewing unit used in a beverage maker is adapted to make a beverage based on an interaction between a beverage extract and an extracting fluid, and includes a chamber that can receive and accommodate a quantity of beverage extract, a lid that is movable between an open and closed state for opening and closing the chamber, and an outlet for letting out fluid from the chamber. The outlet includes a first outlet passage and restrictor for restricting an outlet flow in the first outlet passage, and a second outlet passage. The brewing unit further includes a controller device for interacting with the lid so as to block the outlet flow to the second outlet passage when the lid is in the closed state and to allow a free outlet flow from the chamber to the second outlet passage when the lid is in the open state.

Abstract: Milk frothing system (1) including a water conduit (10) that successively interconnects a water reservoir (11); a pump (12); a heater (15), configured to evaporate water; and a mixing node (31). The system further includes an air conduit (20) that successively interconnects an air inlet (21); a first check valve (22); a second check valve (24); and the mixing node. The system also includes a steam/air conduit (30) that successively interconnects the mixing node, and a frothing device (32). The milk frothing system additionally includes an expansion vessel (60), having a water chamber and an air chamber, said water chamber being connected to a point of the water conduit, downstream of the pump and upstream of the heater, and said air chamber being connected to a point of the air conduit, downstream of the first check valve and upstream of the second check valve provided therein.

Abstract: A device (1) comprises an intake duct (11) for taking in milk, an intake duct (15) for taking in a cleaning fluid, a central duct (13) in which both intake ducts (11, 15) are merging, and a pump (31) which is arranged in the central duct (13). Cleaning the device (1) involves filling both the central duct (13) and the milk intake duct (11) with the cleaning fluid. In particular, the pump (31) is a bi-directional pump, wherein filling the central duct (13) with the cleaning fluid is realized by operating the pump (31) in one direction while blocking the milk intake duct (11), and wherein filling the milk intake duct (11) with the cleaning fluid is realized by opening the milk intake duct (11) and operating the pump (31) in a reversed direction, wherein cleaning fluid is displaced from the central duct (13) to the milk intake duct (11).

Abstract: An Espresso making device includes a brew chamber for enclosing a quantity of coffee grind, and a tube for supplying pressurized hot water to the brew chamber. Espresso is obtained by conducting the hot water through the coffee grind, where the water and the coffee grind are forced to interact. During an Espresso making process, a pressure of the water in the water supplying tube is monitored and compared to a predetermined pressure. In case the measured pressure appears to deviate from the predetermined pressure, a size of an internal volume of the brewing chamber is adjusted, so that an extent to which the coffee grind is compressed and a flow through resistance of the coffee grind are adjusted. Due to this, it is possible to adjust the pressure in such a way that the predetermined pressure is reached.

Abstract: Device (1) for frothing a liquid, comprising a chamber (10), which chamber comprises a supply tube (11) for supplying the liquid to be frothed and frothing gas, and comprises a substantially round outlet tube (12) provided at the bottom of the chamber. The outlet tube being arranged for letting out a mixture of the liquid and the frothing gas, i.e. the liquid in a frothed state, and for letting out excess frothing gas. The chamber (10) is cylinder-shaped and the supply tube (11) has a tangential arrangement with respect to the chamber (10) and is provided at a height h from the bottom of the chamber. The ratio of the value of the height (h) of the supply tube and the height (H) of the chamber is in a range between 0.2 to 0.7, and the ratio of the value of the diameter of the outlet tube (d) and the value of the diameter (D) of the chamber is in a range of 0.6 to 0.95. This device provides for a high quality of milk froth without excessive or insufficient foam formation or very coarse foam bubbles.

Abstract: Milk frothing system (1) including a water conduit (10) that successively interconnects a water reservoir (11); a pump (12); a heater (15), configured to evaporate water; and a mixing node (31). The system further includes an air conduit (20) that successively interconnects an air inlet (21); a first check valve (22); a second check valve (24); and the mixing node. The system also includes a steam/air conduit (30) that successively interconnects the mixing node, and a frothing device (32). The milk frothing system additionally includes an expansion vessel (60), having a water chamber and an air chamber, said water chamber being connected to a point of the water conduit, downstream of the pump and upstream of the heater, and said air chamber being connected to a point of the air conduit, downstream of the first check valve and upstream of the second check valve provided therein.

Abstract: A device for producing froth includes means (1) which are adapted to perform a pumping function and to perform a mixing process of at least one liquid and a gas at the same time. Furthermore, the device includes suitable means (2) for supplying the liquid and the gas to the pumping means (1), and suitable means (3) for discharging froth from the pumping means (1). In order for the device to be capable of producing hot froth, means (4) for supplying steam are provided, and arranged such as to supply the steam directly to the pumping means (1), in particular to an outlet side of the pumping means (1). This way of attributing a heating functionality to the pumping means (1) has many advantages, including the option of a most compact design. Furthermore, the steam may be used for cleaning the pumping means (1).

Abstract: A device(2)for heating and frothing a liquid such as milk comprises means (32) for generating steam which is to be used for heating the liquid, and an intake (27) of air which is to be used for frothing the liquid. Other than in conventional devices, the air intake (27) is arranged in the steam generating means (32), so that it is possible to supply air directly into the steam generating means (32), namely through the air intake (27), and to realize a combined flow of steam and air, which is very well suitable to be used in the heating and frothing processes to be performed. As a consequence, a heating/frothing unit (40) which is part of the device (2) only needs to have one connection to a supply line (60) besides a connection to a supply line (10) for supplying the liquid.

Abstract: Brewing unit (1) for use in a beverage maker which is adapted to make a beverage on the basis of interaction between a beverage extract and an extracting fluid, the brewing unit (1) comprising a chamber (2) for receiving and accommodating a quantity of beverage extract, a lid movable between an open and closed state for opening and closing the chamber (2), and outlet means (5) for letting out fluid from the chamber (2), wherein the outlet means (5) comprise a first outlet passage (6) and means (7) for restricting an outlet flow in the first outlet passage (6), wherein the outlet means (5) furthermore comprise a second outlet passage (8), and wherein the brewing unit (1) further comprises means interacting with the lid so as to block the outlet flow to the second outlet passage (8) when the lid is in a closed state and to allow a free outlet flow from the chamber (2) to the second outlet passage (8) when the lid is in an open state.

Abstract: A device for producing froth comprises means (1) which are adapted to perform a pumping function and to perform a mixing process of at least one liquid and a gas at the same time. Furthermore, the device comprises suitable means (2) for supplying the liquid and the gas to the pumping means (1), and suitable means (3) for discharging froth from the pumping means (1). In order for the device to be capable of producing hot froth, means (4) for supplying steam are provided, and arranged such as to supply the steam directly to the pumping means (1), in particular to an outlet side of the pumping means (1). This way of attributing a heating functionality to the pumping means (1) has many advantages, including the option of a most compact design. Furthermore, the steam may be used for cleaning the pumping means (1).

Abstract: A device (1) comprises an intake duct (11) for taking in milk, an intake duct (16) for taking in a cleaning fluid, a central duct (13) in which both intake ducts (11, 16) are merging, and a pump (31) which is arranged in the central duct (13). Cleaning the device (1) involves filling both the central duct (13) and the milk intake duct (11) with the cleaning fluid. In particular, the device (1) also comprises a pump (32) which is arranged in the cleaning fluid intake duct (16), wherein filling the central duct (13) with the cleaning fluid is realized by operating both pumps (31, 32) while blocking the milk intake duct (11), and wherein filling the milk intake duct (11) with the cleaning fluid is realized by opening the milk intake duct (11) and only operating the pump (32) which is arranged in the cleaning fluid intake duct (16).

Abstract: An Espresso making device comprises a brew chamber (10) for enclosing a quantity of coffee grind (30), and a tube (20) for supplying pressurized hot water to the brew chamber (10). Espresso is obtained by conducting the hot water through the coffee grind (30), wherein the water and the coffee grind (30) are forced to interact. During an Espresso making process, a pressure of the water in the water supplying tube (20) is monitored and compared to a predetermined pressure. In case the measured pressure appears to deviate from the predetermined pressure, a size of an internal volume (12) of the brewing chamber (10) is adjusted, so that an extent to which the coffee grind (30) is compressed and a flow through resistance of the coffee grind (30) are adjusted. Due to this, it is possible to adjust the pressure in such a way that the predetermined pressure is reached.