Patent Publication Number: US-2023148787-A1

Title: Coffee machine

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2021/057888, filed Mar. 26, 2021, which claims priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102020000008128, filed Apr. 16, 2020. The entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an automatic coffee machine and, in particular, to a manual coffee machine for domestic use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Coffee machines have been available on the market for some time now which enable coffee- and milk-based drinks to be obtained such as cappuccino, latte or macchiato by simply pressing a button. In these machines, the coffee is mixed with the milk which may be more or less frothy (in this application the term “milk” means any type of drink commonly known as milk whether it is of animal or vegetable origin), obtained through suction by means of the Venturi effect from a milk tank connected to a source of steam. These machines are known in the state of the art, for example, in patent applications EP3166454A1 and WO2005102126A2. 
     On the contrary, the milk froth is commonly obtained in professional machines by means of a vertical dispenser of the lance type, used by the operator in conjunction with a metal creamer with a circular plan. This type of preparation of milk froth, commonly known as “latte art” then enables the spout of the creamer to be used to obtain decorations on the surface of the drink. 
     Although there are coffee machines in the state of the art that have a steam dispensing rod in addition to an automatic device for producing milk froth (e.g. the machine described in patent application WO2011064 702A1), such machines do not enable latte art milk froth to be obtained in a professional way. 
     In particular, the steam lance is in a fixed position and does not allow sufficient manual dexterity in the whipping of the milk, forcing the user to perform an ineffective operation. 
     Furthermore, to obtain a satisfactory result, it is not possible to use the jug normally provided with the machine as it is made of plastic, which is not suitable for withstanding high temperatures and does not enable quick diffusion of heat during the whipping operation, hence causing an insufficient milk temperature and lack of foam production. To use the steam lance it is therefore necessary to be equipped with a separate metal jug, thus generating an extra cost for the user and requiring additional space for storing this extra part. Finally, the plastic jug is not generally provided with a spout to facilitate the pouring of milk into the cup, therefore creating waste and mess. A need is therefore perceived to provide a coffee machine for domestic use that enables a completely automatic operation to be performed for dispensing mixed drinks containing coffee and milk, but that also enables the preparation of “latte art” milk froth in a professional way, while still maintaining the practical characteristics typical of a home machine. 
     SUMMARY 
     The technical task of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a coffee machine for domestic use which obviates the above-described technical drawbacks of the prior art. 
     Within the context of this technical task, an object of the invention is to provide a coffee machine for domestic use comprising at least two steam dispensers. 
     This technical task, as well as these and other purposes, according to the present invention, are reached by realizing a coffee machine for domestic use comprising a machine body, at least one boiler, at least one water tank, at least one machine operating selection system, at least one steam distribution system comprising at least two steam dispensers characterized in that a first steam dispenser extends horizontally from the machine body and is connected to a removable metal jug through a lid comprising a Venturi effect milk frother; and a second steam dispenser extends vertically from the machine body and is connected to a steam lance. 
     Another object of the invention is that of providing a method for preparing a drink comprising coffee and milk through the coffee machine for domestic use comprising at least two steam dispensers. 
     This technical task, as well as these and other objects, according to the present invention are reached by providing a method for preparing a drink containing coffee and milk with the coffee machine comprising at least two steam dispensers, comprising the following steps:
         adding milk to the metal jug;   whipping the milk through the selective dispensing of steam from the first or second steam dispenser.       

     Other characteristics of the present invention are further defined below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the coffee machine according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of approximate and non-limiting example in the attached drawings, of which: 
         FIG.  1    shows a front view of the coffee machine with the jug and lid removed; 
         FIG.  2    shows a front view of the manual coffee machine; 
         FIG.  3    shows a front view of the manual coffee machine where the jug is used for “latte art” whipping; 
         FIG.  4    shows a vertical section of the jug; and 
         FIG.  5    shows a vertical section of the jug, the lid and the Venturi system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , a coffee machine is shown and indicated in its entirety by reference number  1 . 
     The preferred application is envisaged for a manual coffee machine for domestic use, i.e. a coffee machine that envisages a filter holder cup that can be engaged and released by hand from the infuser, where the user is required to load the coffee powder into the filter holder cap before engaging the latter with the coffee machine infuser. The coffee machine  1  comprises a machine body  2 , at least one boiler for producing hot water and/or steam, at least one water tank, preferably at least one coffee storage, grinding and distribution system, at least one machine operating selection system  3 , at least one steam distribution system comprising at least two steam dispensers, a first horizontal dispenser  4  and a second vertical dispenser  5 . Thanks to the presence of the two steam dispensers, it is possible to obtain milk froth in two ways, automatic and “latte art”. 
     In  FIG.  2   , the coffee machine is reproduced so as to show the metal jug  6  and the lid  7 . In this position, it is possible to operate the machine completely automatically: by adding milk to the jug  6  and activating the machine through the machine operating selection system  3 , the milk is whipped thanks to the Venturi system present in the lid  7  and not shown here in detail. The machine then mixes the frothed milk with the coffee. Furthermore, this can be considered as the “rest” position of the machine, in which the jug  6  and the lid  7  are placed within the dimensions of the machine, thus enabling an increase in tidiness to be obtained on the machine&#39;s resting surface, and the total space needed for operating the machine to be reduced, as it is not necessary to provide any space outside the machine for storing an extra metal jug. 
       FIG.  3    shows the manual operating method. The jug  6  is released from the lid  7 , and the whipping of the milk is performed with “latte art” thanks to a lance  25  connected to the second dispenser  5 . 
     With reference also to  FIG.  4   , the lance  25  is connected to the second steam dispenser  5  through a swivel joint  26  which enables the lance  25  to be extracted from the shape of the machine body, so as to enable the user to whip the milk more easily, as the jug can be shaken freely in a space not occupied by the machine body. 
     Preferably, to move the lance  25  even further away from the machine, it is possible to equip the lance with at least one or more curves  30  particularly but not necessarily at  90 ° which separate rectilinear portions of the steam lance  25 . To obtain simpler processing, the end of the lance  25  distal from the second steam dispenser  5  can be substantially rectilinear. 
     Preferably, the jug comprises stainless steel, so as to enable safe and hygienic treatment of the milk. 
     Preferably, the jug has a circular section, so as to enable a distribution with circular movements of the steam and, during the typical movements performed in the creation of latte art, any sprays of the contents to be prevented. 
       FIG.  4    shows a section of the metal jug  6 . In particular, it is possible to see an upper perimeter  10  along the opening thereof, an inner surface  11 , an outer surface  12 , a handle  13 , and a spout  14 . 
     The metal jug can also comprise a bracket  15  useful for the snap fit connection of the jug  6  with the lid  7 . 
     The spout enables the whipped milk to be poured with precision and typical drawings of latte art to be completed. 
     In  FIG.  5   , the snap fit connection of the lid  7  with the jug  6  is shown in detail through a vertical section. 
     In particular, the bracket  15  is engaged by a lever  20  that can be integrated into the lid  7 , to enable a more stable connection between the jug and the lid. 
     Preferably, the lid is shaped so as to adapt to the upper perimeter  10  of the metal jug, in order to obtain a substantially hermetic closure of the jug and thus prevent the exit of steam or liquid during the operation. 
     Furthermore, the closure of the jug by means of the lid enables the contents of the jug to be protected from external agents, e.g. during storage in the fridge. 
     The operation of the coffee machine according to the invention appears clear from the description and illustration and, in particular, is substantially as follows. 
     In the preparation method using the coffee machine of the present invention, it is possible to identify three successive steps, in particular:
         adding milk to the metal jug;   whipping the milk through the dispensing of steam;   mixing milk and coffee.       

     The second step can be performed both through automatic mode, when the jug is connected to the machine through the lid and the steam dispensing takes place by means of the horizontal dispenser, or in manual mode when the jug is released from the lid and the vertical dispenser is used to whip the milk. 
     In practice, it has been noted how the coffee machine according to the invention is particularly advantageous for being able to obtain good quality mixed drinks containing milk and coffee and with a professional appearance, without sacrificing the characteristics of practicality, simplicity of use and compactness typical of a coffee machine for domestic use. 
     In particular, the metal jug is configured for the correct execution of milk frothing both automatically and manually. 
     The jug is therefore made of metal material, for example steel, both to resist thermal changes, since the milk quickly passes from a low fridge temperature (e.g. 4° C.) to a high temperature during frothing (e.g. 70° C.), and to slow down the heating process if the jug has been previously kept in the fridge. 
     The truncated-cone geometry of the metal jug at the same time guarantees the incorporation of the steam and the amalgamation of the milk froth thanks to the vortex effect, the handle guarantees a firm grip, and the spout guarantees the correct pouring of the milk cream for preparing cappuccino. 
     The coffee machine as conceived herein is susceptible to many modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept defined in the claims; furthermore, all the details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to the needs and the state of the art.