Steam wand treating device

The present invention provides a device for treating a steam wand comprising: a gripping portion having at least one tube configured to transfer a treatment agent; a ring portion in communication with the gripping portion configured to encircle the steam wand and receive the treatment agent, the ring portion includes an inner ring and an outer ring defining a cavity containing a corrugated sheet; and, a plurality of apertures positioned on the inner ring configured to present the treatment agent onto the steam wand.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to systems for cleaning coffee machines in general and steam wands in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coffee machines are cooking appliances used to brew coffee. While there are many different types of coffee machines using a number of different brewing principles, in the most common devices, coffee beans are placed in a paper or metal filter inside a funnel while boiled water from a separate chamber is poured into the funnel. As coffee machines developed, additional appliances have been added to the procedure of coffee making, such as a steam wand.

A steam wand is a device used to heat and froth milk that can be added on top of hot beverages. Even though steam wands are simple to use it can be a challenge to keep them hygienic, since milk residues often stick to them serving as a platform for the growth of bacteria.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing a steam wand using streams of water and/or steam. Embodiments of the invention are directed to a device for treating a steam wand comprising: a gripping portion having at least one tube configured to transfer a treatment agent; a ring portion in communication with said gripping portion configured to encircle said steam wand and receive said treatment agent, said ring portion includes an inner ring and an outer ring defining a cavity containing a corrugated sheet; and, a plurality of apertures positioned on said inner ring configured to present said treatment agent onto said steam wand.

Optionally, the at least one tube is controlled by a valve.

Optionally, the treatment agent is steam.

Optionally, the treatment agent is water.

Optionally, the ring portion includes a first ring portion and a second ring portion in communication with one another, said first ring portion configured to present a first treatment agent and said second ring portion configured to present a second treatment agent.

Optionally, the cavity includes a plurality of ring-shaped portions wherein every two ring-shaped portions of said plurality of ring-shaped portions include a corrugated sheet between them.

Optionally, the device is incorporated into a standard coffee machine.

Optionally, the device includes a crumpled sheet extending around said ring portion.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a device for treating a steam wand comprising: a chamber having a rear wall, oppositely disposed lateral walls and a moveable door, said chamber is configured for receiving said steam wand; at least one set of apertures including a pattern of plurality of apertures configured to present said treatment agent onto said steam wand.

Optionally, the pattern of plurality of apertures includes apertures arranged in a column.

Optionally, the treatment agent is steam.

Optionally, the treatment agent is water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention refers to a steam wand treating device for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing a steam wand using streams of water and/or steam. The present invention prevents unwanted milk residues from sticking to the steam wand in addition to preventing the accumulation of bacteria on top of the steam wand.

FIG.1is a perspective view of the steam wand treating device100. The steam wand treating device100includes a gripping portion102connected to a ring portion104featuring a plurality of apertures106shaped to allow the exit of a treatment agent, for example, a fluid. The apertures106go along the entire inner circumference of the ring portion104in a symmetric pattern.

The gripping portion102contains a tube108connected to a coffee machine's fluid container (not shown) so as to transfer fluid, for example, water from the container into the ring portion104. The tube is controlled by a valve110, for example, a spring valve, a pressed valve, etc. positioned on the gripping portion102. The valve110controls the passage rate of water passing from the gripping portion102into the ring portion104.

The ring portion104includes a first inner ring112and a second outer ring114extending around the first inner ring112and defining a cavity. The cavity between the first and second ring portions includes, for example, a corrugated sheet115(best seen inFIG.2) configured for imparting pressure, by generating sub-pressure, to fluid passing through the cavity.

The ring portion104may include a plurality of ring-shaped portions located between the second outer ring and the first inner ring such that every two ring-shaped portions of the plurality of ring-shaped portions include a corrugated sheet between them.

In operation, the ring portion104encircles, for example, a steam wand incorporated into a standard coffee machine such that the steam wand is at the center of the ring portion104. Fluid passes through tube108from the coffee machine's fluid container to the gripping portion102and into the ring portion104. The passage rate of the fluid is controlled by the valve110.

As the fluid reaches the ring portion104, it enters the cavity between the first inner ring112and the second outer ring114. At the cavity, the corrugated sheet (FIG.2) imparts pressure to the fluid, causing the pressurized fluid to exit through the plurality of apertures106onto the steam wand at the center of the ring portion104. The pressurized fluid exiting the plurality of apertures106removes any unwanted milk residues that may be stuck to the steam wand. Lifting and lowering the steam wand treating device100along the steam wand, using gripping portion102, ensures the full cleaning of any unwanted milk residues.

FIG.3is a perspective view of the steam wand treating device200. The device200is similar in construction and operation to device100, as detailed above, except where indicated. The steam wand treating device200includes a gripping portion202connected to a ring portion204having a first liquid ring portion206and a second steam ring portion208each featuring a plurality of apertures210shaped to allow the exit of a treatment agent, such as liquid and/or steam respectively. The apertures210go along the entire inner circumference of the first and second ring portions in a symmetric pattern.

The gripping portion202includes a first tube212connected to a coffee machine's fluid container so as to transfer fluid, for example, water from the container to the first liquid ring portion206, and a second tube214connected to the coffee machine's boiler so as to transfer steam, for example, water vapor from the boiler to the second steam ring portion208(FIG.4). The tubes212and214are controlled by a valve216, for example, a spring valve, a pressed valve, etc. positioned on the gripping portion202.

Each of the first liquid ring portion206and the second steam ring portion208includes inner and outer ring portions defining a cavity, similar to those described for device100, with a corrugated sheet positioned within the cavity configured for imparting pressure to a fluid or steam passing from the outer ring to the inner ring.

In operation, the ring portion204encircles, for example, a steam wand incorporated into a standard coffee machine such that the steam wand is at the center of the ring portion204. Fluid and/or steam are transferred through tubes212and/or214respectively to the gripping portion202and into the ring portion204. The passage rate of the fluid and/or steam is controlled by the valve216.

As fluid and/or steam reach their designated ring portion, the fluid and/or steam enter the cavity between the first inner ring and the second outer ring of their designated ring portion. At the cavity, the fluid and/or steam reach the corrugated sheet of their designated ring portion, which imparts pressure to the fluid or steam passing through the cavity, causing the pressurized fluid or steam to exit through the plurality of apertures210onto the steam wand at the center of the ring portion204. The pressurized fluid and/or steam exiting the plurality of apertures210remove any unwanted milk residues that may be stuck to the steam wand. Lifting and lowering the steam wand treating device200along the steam wand, using gripping portion202, ensures the full cleaning of any unwanted milk residues.

The first liquid ring portion206and a second steam ring portion208can be operated either simultaneously or sequentially.

FIGS.5A and5Bare perspective views of the steam wand treating device300. The device300is similar in construction and operation to device100, as detailed above, except where indicated. The steam wand treating device300is, for example, incorporated into a standard coffee machine302and includes a gripping portion304connected to a ring portion306. The ring portion306encircles a steam wand310and features a plurality of apertures308shaped to allow the exit of fluids. The apertures308go along the entire inner circumference of the ring portion306in a symmetric pattern.

The steam wand treating device300further includes a crumpled sheet312extending around the periphery of the ring portion306. The top side of the crumpled sheet312is fixed to the coffee machine302using, for example, a magnet.

The gripping portion304includes a tube (not shown) connected to the coffee machine's302fluid container so as to transfer fluid, for example, water from the container into the ring portion306. The tube is controlled by a valve (not shown), for example, a spring valve, a pressed valve, etc. positioned on the gripping portion304.

In operation, the device300is pulled down from a first initial position320(FIG.5A) to a second distal position322(FIG.5B) using the gripping portion304. During the pulling of the gripping portion304, the crumpled sheet312is deployed downwards while pressurized fluid exits the plurality of apertures308removing any unwanted milk residues that may be stuck to the steam wand. The deployment of the crumpled sheet312creates a sterile environment for the cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing of the steam wand310.

The embodiment described in relation toFIGS.5A and5Bis also operative with the steam wand treating device200, as disclosed in relation toFIG.3, replacing the steam wand treating device100.

FIGS.6A,6B,6C and6Dare perspective views of the steam wand treating device400. The device400is, for example, a chamber incorporated into a standard coffee machine402. The chamber includes a rear wall403, oppositely disposed lateral walls406and408and a movable door404positioned between the lateral walls and configured to move from an open position to a closed position and vice versa. The chamber further features one or more sets of apertures410a-410bincluding a pattern of a plurality of apertures arranged in a column. The apertures are shaped to allow the exit of fluids and/or steam.

The sets of apertures410a-410bare connected to a first tube (not shown) connected to the coffee machine's402fluid container so as to transfer fluid, for example, water from the container, and to a second tube (not shown) connected to the coffee machine's boiler so as to transfer steam, for example, water vapor from the boiler.

In operation, once a steam wand cleanup is needed, the steam wand412moves from a first position (FIG.6A), outside the chamber400, to a second position (FIG.6B), inside the chamber400, using, for example, a motor (not shown). As the steam wand reaches the second position, the chamber's door closes and treating agent, such as fluid and/or steam exit the sets of apertures410a-410bonto the steam wand412at the center of chamber400(FIG.6C). The fluid and/or steam exiting the sets of apertures410a-410bremove any unwanted milk residues that may be stuck to the steam wand.

Once the process is completed, the chamber's door opens and the steam wand412moves back from the second position, inside the chamber400, to the first position, outside the chamber400, for further use (FIG.6D).