Patent Description:
Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

A barista is a person who is specially trained in the making and serving of coffee drinks, as in a cafe or other hospitality-based enterprise. Many coffee drinks, such as Cafe Latte and Cappuccino, include a large proportion of milk that must be heated and specially textured. In the course of a busy day a barista will make many cups of coffee that require specially textured milk. The milk that is used for such drinks is typically produced by an espresso machine which dispenses steam through a wand that the barista applies to a jug of milk. The steam froths and heats the milk under the control of the barista.

There can be a considerable degree of variability between the jugs of milk that are produced depending on the skill and diligence of the various baristas.

Other devices which suck milk from a container and dispense foamed milk are known for example from <CIT> and <CIT>.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved apparatus that can both texture and dispense milk.

According to the invention, a milk texturing and dispensing assembly is provided as defined in independent claim <NUM>.

In one aspect there is provided a milk texturing and dispensing assembly including:.

In a further aspect there is provided a milk texturing and dispensing assembly including:.

In another aspect there is provided a milk texturing and dispensing assembly including:.

According to the invention, there is provided a milk texturing and dispensing assembly comprising:.

In an embodiment the aeration assembly includes a controllable air source for introducing air into a conduit along which the milk progresses and a controllable restriction valve for restricting passage of the milk through the conduit.

In an embodiment the controller is configured to operate the controllable air source and/or the controllable restriction valve, taking into account the first milk volume per unit of time and the second milk volume per unit of time.

In an embodiment the controller is configured to determine an increase in volume of the milk due to aeration of the milk by the controllable air source as a ratio of the second milk volume per unit of time to the first milk volume per unit of time whereby the controller operates the milk pump to dispense a volume of milk corresponding to a volume of the container.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes a milk store, wherein the milk inlet arrangement is configured to couple to each of a number of milk vessels of the milk store for containing one or more different types of milk.

In an embodiment wherein the milk inlet arrangement includes a number of milk vessel valves wherein each milk vessel valve is connectable to a respective one of the milk vessels.

In an embodiment passage of milk from each of the milk vessels is controlled by a respective one of the milk vessel valves under control of the controller.

In an embodiment an outlet side of each of the milk vessel valves is in fluid communication with the milk pump.

In an embodiment the milk inlet arrangement includes a manifold, wherein the outlet side of each milk vessel valve is in fluid communication with the milk pump via the manifold.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes a first flow detector arranged to detect flow of milk from the manifold wherein the controller is responsive to the first flow detector.

In an embodiment the first flow detector comprises a portion of the milk inlet arrangement.

In an embodiment the milk inlet arrangement is locatable within a refrigeration unit wherein the milk store is located within the refrigeration unit.

In an embodiment an outlet side of the controllable air source is coupled to the conduit along which the milk progresses via a non-return valve.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes a heater for heating milk.

In an embodiment the heater is in parallel with a bypass conduit.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes a first controllable selector for selecting between passage of milk through the heater or through the bypass conduit the first controllable selector being coupled to the controller for control thereby.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes a second flow detector that is coupled to an outlet side of the heater wherein the controller is responsive to the second flow detector.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes a first temperature probe wherein the first temperature probe is arranged to sense temperature of milk from the heater.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes a second temperature probe that is arranged to sense temperature about the milk inlet arrangement.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes a second controllable selector configured to switch passage of milk between the outlet and a drain.

In an embodiment the milk inlet arrangement includes a plurality of milk valves for selectively placing a manifold of the milk inlet arrangement in fluid communication with milk vessels of the milk store.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes a controllable milk line cleaning water source;.

In an embodiment the controllable milk line cleaning water source comprises a portion of the milk inlet arrangement.

In an embodiment the controllable milk line cleaning water source comprises an outlet fluidly connected to the manifold and an inlet connectable to a water supply, whereby the controller is configured to operate the controllable milk line cleaning water source to direct water from the water supply into the manifold.

In an embodiment the controller is configured to operate the controllable milk line cleaning source to direct water from the water supply through a conduit of the milk inlet arrangement to thereby clean the conduit of the milk inlet arrangement.

In an embodiment the conduit of the milk inlet arrangement comprises a milk line for coupling to a milk vessel of the milk store.

In an embodiment the milk inlet arrangement includes a first at least one clean line sensor for sensing a presence of milk or water in a conduit between the milk store and the outlet that dispensers milk into a container.

In an embodiment the first at least one clean line sensor comprises an optical sensor.

In an embodiment the controller is configured to operate the controllable milk line cleaning water source to clean the one or more conduits between the milk store and the outlet until the first at least one clean line sensor indicates that the one or more conduits are cleaned of milk.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes a controllable selector having an inlet port and a first outlet port connected to the outlet for dispensing the milk into the container and a second outlet port coupled to a drain wherein the controllable selector is under control of the controller.

In an embodiment a second at least one clean line sensor is provided for sensing a presence of milk or water in a conduit coupled to the inlet port.

In an embodiment the second at least one clean line sensor comprises an optical sensor.

In an embodiment the controller is configured to operate the controllable selector to divert the inlet port to the second outlet port coupled to the drain for cleaning the conduit.

In an embodiment the controller is configured to operate the controllable milk line cleaning water source to flush water through the conduit whilst the controllable selector diverts the inlet port to the second outlet port coupled to the drain.

In an embodiment the controller is configured to respond to the second at least one clean line sensor wherein the controller operates the controllable milk line cleaning water source whilst the controllable selector diverts the inlet port to the second outlet port at least until the second at least one clean line sensor indicates that the conduit is clean.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes container sensors configured to sense one or more qualities of the container and a heater for heating the milk.

In an embodiment the controller is operationally connected to the container sensors and is responsive thereto to implement particular control of the heater and the milk pump depending on the one or more qualities of the container.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes a drain and a source of rinse water for rinsing the container.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes a heater for heating the milk progressing from the milk inlet arrangement to the outlet;
wherein the controller is configured to operate the milk pump and the heater.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes container sensors configured to sense one or more predetermined qualities of the container; and
wherein the controller is responsive to the container sensors and is configured to implement control of the heater and the milk pump depending on the one or more qualities of the container.

In an embodiment the container sensors include at least two height sensors for sensing a height of the container wherein the height of the container comprises one of the one or more qualities of the container.

In an embodiment the one or more container sensors include a color sensor for sensing a color of the container wherein the color of the container comprises one of the one or more qualities of the container.

In an embodiment the milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes a jug proximity sensor wherein the controller is responsive to the jug proximity sensor and configured to determine that the container is sufficiently close to the one or more container sensors for sensing the one or more predetermined qualities of the container.

In an embodiment the controller is operationally connected to the container sensors and is responsive thereto to implement control of the heater and the milk pump depending on the one or more qualities of the container.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for texturing and dispensing milk comprising the steps of:.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly for texturing and dispensing milk comprising:.

In a further aspect there is provided a method for texturing and dispensing milk comprising:.

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:.

<FIG> depicts a milk texturing and dispensing assembly <NUM>. <FIG> is a hydraulic schematic of the milk texturing and dispensing assembly <NUM> whereas <FIG> is a corresponding electrical schematic.

The milk texturing and dispensing assembly <NUM> includes a milk unit <NUM>, which is typically mounted on a counter of a hospitality venue such as a cafe or restaurant. As will be discussed the milk texturing and dispensing assembly <NUM> also includes a milk inlet arrangement <NUM> which can be coupled to a milk store, such as a number of milk vessels. For example, the milk inlet arrangement <NUM> may include a number of detachable connectors for connecting to the milk vessels which may be bladders, plastic milk bottles or milk cartons such as tetra packs. In use the milk inlet arrangement <NUM> and the milk store <NUM> are located in a refrigeration unit <NUM>, which may be mounted under the counter and which cools the milk store <NUM>. The temperature in the refrigeration unit <NUM> is monitored by a temperature sensor <NUM> (<FIG>) that is incorporated into the milk inlet arrangement <NUM> and which is monitored by controller <NUM> (<FIG>). It will be realized that the milk unit <NUM> may be mounted on a suitable surface other than a counter and the refrigeration unit <NUM> may be mounted above, or to the side of the milk unit.

Milk unit <NUM> includes a touchscreen <NUM> for users to select milk texturing options and for displaying status messages and confirming user selections. The milk unit <NUM> also includes a platform <NUM> for supporting a milk container such as jug <NUM>. A container sensing assembly <NUM> (which is sometimes referred to as a "jug detection unit" or "jug sensing assembly" herein) is provided which includes a number of container sensors 67a,. ,67e (<FIG>) for sensing one or more qualities of the jug <NUM> including its height and color and its proximity beneath a outlet <NUM> (<FIG>) of the milk unit <NUM>. The container sensors are coupled to a controller <NUM> of the milk unit <NUM> so that the controller <NUM> is able to monitor the sensors to ascertain height and color of the jug and that it is placed under the outlet <NUM>.

Platform <NUM> is formed with a grate <NUM> that is coupled to a drain <NUM> (<FIG>) and a source of rinse water for rinsing the container in the form of a tap <NUM> about which there is a grate <NUM>. The tap <NUM> is activated by manually pressing down on the grate <NUM>. Consequently, by inverting the jug <NUM> and placing it over the source of rinse water in the form of tap <NUM> and pressing down on the grate <NUM>, a jet of water can be caused to issue from the tap <NUM> into the jug to clean it. The water deflected from the inside of the inverted jug then falls through grate <NUM> and thence passes along drainage line <NUM> (<FIG>) to drain <NUM>.

Controller <NUM> is configured, so that depending on the color and height of the jug, which is sensed by container sensing assembly <NUM>, that is placed on the platform <NUM> under the outlet <NUM>, it selects one of a number of specifications for texturing the milk. For example and in order to provide a brief overview of the operation of the milk texturing and dispensing assembly <NUM>, if the jug <NUM> is either a first height or a second height but not a third height and the jug is of a particular color, such as yellow, then the controller <NUM> will reference a specification, which may be stored in onboard memory or retrieved from a source across a data network <NUM> (<FIG>), corresponding to that combination of qualities and accordingly select a particular one of the milks in the milk store and heat it to a certain temperature and texturize it in a particular fashion. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> is configured, for example by a program stored in onboard firmware, to recognize that a particular jug is of a certain volume and is to be filled with milk that is conditioned for making a particular type of drink.

The milk texturing and dispensing assembly <NUM> includes a milk inlet arrangement <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>) which configured to be connected to one or more milk vessels that comprise the milk store <NUM>, and which store one or more types of milk. In the presently described embodiment the milk store <NUM> comprises a number of vessels 9a,. ,9n for storing milk. Each vessel may contain the same type of milk or the milk contained may differ from vessel to vessel. For example, one or more vessels may contain full cream milk whereas another one or more vessel may contain reduced fat milk and another one or more vessel may contain almond milk, oat milk or some other type of milk.

Milk inlet arrangement <NUM> includes a number of milk vessel valves 11a,. ,11n and each milk vessel valve 11a,. ,11n is connectable to a respective one of the milk vessels 9a,. ,9n by suitable tubing. The milk vessel valves <NUM> are each controllable by the controller <NUM> (<FIG>), as will be discussed further, for selecting milk from one or more of the milk vessels 9a,.

An outlet side 13a,. ,13n of each milk vessel valve 11a,. ,11n is connected to a manifold <NUM>.

The terms "outlet side" and "inlet side" are used herein to indicate ports or conduits through which fluid flows out of or into the component that is being referred to.

A controllable milk line cleaning water source <NUM> is also provided which has an outlet side 15a that is also connected to the manifold <NUM> and which is also under control of the controller <NUM>. As will be discussed, the controllable milk line cleaning water source <NUM> can be activated by the controller <NUM> for the purpose of cleaning conduits and passages, e.g. tubing, along which the milk flows from the vessels 9a,. ,9b to the outlet <NUM>. For example, <FIG> includes a flowchart of a sequence of steps implemented by controller <NUM> to clean milk lines, (i.e. conduits 10a to 10n) by directing water from controllable milk line cleaning water source <NUM> through each of the milk vessel solenoids 9a to 9n, one by one.

An outlet side <NUM> of the manifold <NUM> is in fluid communication, for example by suitable tubing, with a milk pump <NUM> located in the milk unit <NUM>, via a flow detector <NUM> and a first flow meter <NUM>. The first flow meter <NUM> generates a signal that controller <NUM> is configured to monitor and which indicates rate of flow of fluid from the manifold <NUM> to the milk pump <NUM>. Similarly, the flow detector <NUM> is an optical sensor which determines opacity of fluid in the line and thus generates a signal indicating if milk is present in the line, which controller <NUM> is configured to monitor.

The milk vessel valves 11a,. ,11n are each remotely operable by controller <NUM> by virtue of them including solenoids (or other electrical actuators) that are arranged to open respective internal closures, i.e. fluid valves, of each milk vessel valve. The internal closures are biased to close upon the solenoid being de-energized. One example of such a food-grade, solenoid operated valve, that is suitable for implementing the milk vessel valves 11a,, 11n is the SV0021 valve offered by Custom Valves on their webpage: https://www. customvalves. de/products/food-grade-valves/ (retrieved on <NUM> February <NUM>).

Each milk vessel valve 11a,. ,11n is controlled by controller <NUM> (<FIG>) via a driver board <NUM>. The driver board <NUM> is typically implemented using switching MOSFETs that switch a DC power rail of the power supply <NUM> across the solenoid of a respective milk vessel valve 11a,. Each MOSFET has a gate, a drain and a source. The gate has a very high input impedance and is responsive to low voltage switching signals from the controller <NUM>. Upon a gate having a suitable switching voltage applied thereto, a resistance between the source and the drain of the MOSFET falls to a fraction of an ohm, so that current from the DC power line flows through the respective solenoid to thereby cause it to become energized and overcome the biasing of the internal closure so that the internal closure opens. MOSFET driver circuits for energizing solenoids are well known. For example, the IRL540N MOSFET is one example of a MOSFET that may be used although other MOSFETs and indeed other types of transistor and even relays may be used to implement the driver board <NUM>. In the presently described embodiment the power rail that operates the solenoids is at +24v DC but other voltages may also be used depending on the force needed to open the closure and the specification of the solenoids being used.

An aeration assembly <NUM> is provided that includes a controllable air source <NUM>, milk pump <NUM> and controllable restriction valve <NUM>. Controllable air source <NUM> comprises an air inlet side <NUM> and an air outlet side <NUM> with a closure therebetween that may be opened by a solenoid of the controllable air source. The controllable air source <NUM> operates under control of the controller <NUM> and is coupled to an inlet side 25a of the milk pump <NUM> via a non-return valve <NUM> which prevents fluid from flowing in to the air outlet side <NUM> of the controllable air source <NUM> and potentially damaging it. It will be realized that in some embodiments the non-return valve <NUM> may not be required, for example where the controllable air source <NUM> is mounted above the milk pump or where a small positive air pressure is maintained at the air outlet side <NUM>.

The milk pump <NUM> is in fluid communication with a controllable restriction valve <NUM> by means of suitable tubing and so in use the milk pump <NUM> forces milk, mixed with some air, into the controllable restriction valve <NUM>.

Operation of controllable restriction valve <NUM> is controlled by controller <NUM>. The controllable restriction valve <NUM> operates to cause "slip" in the milk pump <NUM> which results in whipping of the milk and air that enters the pump. For example, the controller <NUM> may apply a pulse width modulated signal to the driver board <NUM> in order to effectively cause variable operation of the solenoid of the controllable restriction valve <NUM> to thereby vary the amount of slip of the milk pump <NUM>. The combination of variable air, variable pump speed and variable slip enables controller <NUM> to achieve various, user selected, texturing of the milk and air mixture that leaves the milk pump <NUM>. In other, less preferred embodiments the restriction valve may not be present and instead a fixed restrictor may be there instead which has a set air inlet orifice size to cause a fixed amount of slip so that variation in texturing is achieved by operation of the controllable air source and variation of the pump speed by controller <NUM>.

Milk, that has been textured and aerated, passes from the controllable restriction valve <NUM> through a second flow meter <NUM> (monitored by controller <NUM>) to a first controllable selector <NUM> which is under control of controller <NUM> and which includes a solenoid actuated fluid switch for switching between input port <NUM> to either first outlet port 30a or second outlet port 30b. The first outlet port 30a is coupled to a second controllable selector <NUM> via a flow detector <NUM> and temperature probe <NUM>, both of which are electrically coupled to the controller <NUM> so that the controller <NUM> is able to monitor flow rate and temperature of the milk that enters the second controllable selector <NUM>.

The second outlet port 30b of the first controllable selector is coupled to a heater in the form of a heat exchanger <NUM> for heating the milk as it flows therethrough and thence via the flow detector <NUM> and temperature probe <NUM> to inlet port <NUM> of the second controllable selector <NUM>.

The second controllable selector <NUM> has a first outlet port 40a, for dispensing the milk to a container, such as jug <NUM> and a second outlet port 40b for connection to a drain <NUM>. The second controllable selector <NUM> includes a solenoid that is controllable by the controller <NUM> via the driver board <NUM> for switching fluid progressing from the inlet port <NUM> to either the first outlet port 40a or the second outlet port 40b. When switched to the first outlet port 40a, milk that has been heated and textured flows through outlet <NUM> into a container, such as a jug <NUM>. When switched to the second outlet port 40b milk, or rinse water, flows to drain <NUM>.

The tubes and various components that have been described, from the manifold <NUM> to the outlet <NUM> comprise a passage for the milk that needs to be regularly cleaned. Bearing that in mind a water line 46a is provided that is coupled to mains water inlet <NUM>. The water line 46a is connected to a pressure reduction valve <NUM> which is coupled to an inlet side 15b of the controllable milk line cleaning water source <NUM>.

It is also advantageous that the jug can be conveniently rinsed and so the mains water inlet <NUM> is also coupled to a source of rinse water in the form of tap <NUM> which, as previously discussed, is a manually operated tap that a user can operate to produce a jet of water that issues upwardly from the platform for cleaning the inside of the jug <NUM> when inverted over the jet as shown in <FIG>. Wastewater from the jet then flows through grate <NUM> and thence out through the drain <NUM>.

Controller <NUM> includes a communications port <NUM> so that it is able to establish communications, for example via a wired local area network, WIFI and/or Bluetooth with a data network <NUM>. For example the controller <NUM> may establish communications with data network <NUM> for the purpose of receiving firmware updates and milk texturising specifications for particular combinations of the predetermined container qualities, such as jug height and color.

<FIG> comprise flowcharts <NUM>, <NUM>,. ,<NUM> illustrating procedures that the controller <NUM> is configured, by firmware, to implement. In the leftmost column <NUM>, titled "User/Display Interface" in <FIG> there are a set out procedural flowcharts by which the controller <NUM> operates the touchscreen <NUM>. In the next column <NUM>, titled "System/MCU" there are set out flowcharts of procedures that the controller <NUM> implements to monitor and operate the various sensors and actuators, such as valves, motor and heater, of the milk texturing and dispensing assembly <NUM>. In the next column <NUM> titled "IoT" there are set out flowcharts of procedures that the controller <NUM> implements to send and receive data across the data network <NUM>. Column <NUM> "Comments" sets out comments in relation to the procedural steps that are set out in the adjacent flowchart portions.

For example, during system standby mode <NUM>, as indicated by flowchart box <NUM>, controller <NUM> presents a first user interface screen on touchscreen <NUM>, which may for example be a screen inviting the user to make a manual selection of the type of milk, size of serving and texture that the user desires. In another operating thread, indicated by flowchart boxes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, during system standby the controller <NUM> monitors the temperature sensor <NUM> (to ascertain the temperature in the milk store), heat exchange temperature sensor in the form of temperature probe <NUM> and proximity sensor 67a. Controller <NUM> transmits data collected in flowchart boxes <NUM>, <NUM> via communications port <NUM> to the data network <NUM> for remote monitoring as indicated by boxes <NUM> and <NUM>.

During the dispense cycle <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) the controller <NUM> operates in either an automatic mode, initiated at box <NUM> or a manual mode, initiated at box <NUM>. The automatic mode is initiated when the controller <NUM>, by monitoring proximity sensor 67a, senses that a container, e.g. a jug <NUM>, has been placed under the dispensing outlet <NUM>. At box <NUM>, the controller <NUM> uses sensor data from colour sensor 67b and height sensors 67c, 67b, 67b to determine colour and height qualities of the jug. At box <NUM> the controller checks if the colour and height qualities that were determined at box <NUM> correspond to a prestored combination of qualities, if that is the case then the jug is deemed to be "recognised" and the controller retrieves solenoid and texture parameters that correspond to the jug that has been recognised and also the volume of the jug. For example, the height and colour of the jug may correspond to solenoid and texture parameters for making <NUM> of milk that suits the creation of a Cappuccino coffee. If at box <NUM> the jug is not automatically recognised, then control diverts to box <NUM> for manual input.

At boxes <NUM> to <NUM>, a user operates the touchscreen <NUM> to manually input milk selection, milk texture selection and size, i.e. volume, of textured milk to be dispensed.

At box <NUM>, the controller <NUM> compiles information for making textured milk as specified either automatically via boxes <NUM> to <NUM> or manually via boxes <NUM> to <NUM>.

The controller then operates one or more of the various milk vessel valves 11a,. 11n, milk pump <NUM>, controllable restriction valve <NUM>, controllable air source <NUM>, first controllable selector <NUM>, heat exchanger <NUM>, and second controllable selector <NUM> etc, whilst monitoring the various temperature and flow sensors, as indicated through boxes <NUM> to <NUM> (<FIG>) in order to dispense the specified volume of specified textured milk.

Various other operational cycles are documented in the remaining flowchart <FIG> including line cleaning and container cleaning cycles, a set up cycle and a status/diagnostic cycle. The various features and combination of features illustrated therein comprise additional aspects and embodiments.

It will therefore be realised that in one aspect there is provided a milk texturing and dispensing assembly <NUM>, which includes a milk pump <NUM> that is in fluid communication with a milk inlet arrangement <NUM> and also with an outlet <NUM> for dispensing milk into a container such as a jug <NUM>. The milk pump <NUM> has inlet and outlet ports that are respectively in fluid communication with the milk inlet arrangement, for example with manifold <NUM>, and the outlet <NUM> via various components and tubing that are shown in <FIG>. The milk texturing and dispensing assembly includes an aeration assembly <NUM> to introduce air into the milk the aeration assembly is coupled to the controller <NUM> for control thereby. For example, the aeration assembly <NUM> includes a controllable air source <NUM> and also a controllable restriction valve <NUM>. Either or both of the controllable air source <NUM> and the controllable restriction valve <NUM> may be controlled by the controller <NUM> for the purpose of varying aeration of the milk that passes through the aeration assembly <NUM>. The milk texturing and dispensing assembly <NUM> also includes a first flow meter <NUM> (or as sometimes referred to "lower flow meter") which is located in a conduit <NUM> of the assembly prior to the aeration assembly <NUM> and thus which is upstream of the aeration assembly <NUM>. The first flow meter <NUM> is configured to sense a first milk volume per unit of time through the conduit <NUM> upstream of the aeration assembly <NUM>. The milk texturing and dispensing assembly <NUM> also includes a second flow meter <NUM> that is arranged to sense a second milk volume per unit of time through conduit <NUM>, downstream of the aeration assembly <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is configured to operate the aeration assembly <NUM> taking into account a signal from the first flow meter <NUM> indicating the first milk volume per unit of time through conduit <NUM> and a signal from the second flow meter <NUM> indicating the second milk volume per unit of time through conduit <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is configured to operate the controllable air source <NUM> of the aeration assembly <NUM> and/or the controllable restriction valve <NUM>, taking into account the first milk volume per unit of time and the second milk volume per unit of time as sensed by the first flow meters <NUM> and the second flow meter <NUM>.

The controller may be configured to determine an increase in volume of the milk due to aeration of the milk as a ratio of the second milk volume per unit of time to the first milk volume per unit of time. Consequently, the controller <NUM> is able to operate the milk pump <NUM> to dispense a volume of milk from the outlet <NUM> corresponding to a volume of the container, e.g. jug <NUM> so that the jug can be accurately filled.

As previously mentioned, in one aspect there is provided a milk texturing and dispensing assembly <NUM> that includes a controllable milk line cleaning water source <NUM> in the form of solenoid actuated water valve, which is provided in the presently described embodiments as part of the milk inlet arrangement <NUM> but which can also be provided outside of the milk inlet arrangement <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be configured to operate the milk pump <NUM>, for example to dispense milk through the outlet <NUM>, and then to operate the controllable milk line cleaning water source <NUM> to clean one or more conduits between the milk store <NUM> and the outlet <NUM>.

The milk inlet arrangement <NUM> is suitable for placement inside a refrigeration unit and it includes a first at least one clean line sensor in the form of flow detector <NUM> for sensing the presence of milk or water in a conduit, such as conduit <NUM>, between the milk store <NUM> and the outlet <NUM>. The flow detector <NUM> is preferably an optical sensor such as an infra-red flow detector.

Controller <NUM> is configured to operate the controllable milk line cleaning water source <NUM> to clean the one or more conduits between the milk store <NUM> and the outlet <NUM> at least until the flow detector <NUM> indicates that the conduits are cleaned of milk.

As previously discussed, the milk texturing and dispensing assembly <NUM> of the preferred embodiment that has been described, in one aspect includes a second controllable selector <NUM> having an inlet port <NUM> and a first outlet port 40a connected to the outlet <NUM> for dispensing the milk into a jug <NUM> and a second outlet port 40b coupled to the drain <NUM>. The second controllable selector <NUM>, which is preferably solenoid actuated, is under control of the controller <NUM>.

A second at least one clean line sensor in the form of an optical sensor being an infra-red flow detector <NUM> is provided for sensing the presence of milk or water in a conduit <NUM> coupled to the inlet port.

The controller <NUM> is configured to operate the second controllable selector <NUM> to divert the inlet port <NUM> to the second outlet port 40b, which coupled to the drain <NUM> for the purpose of cleaning the conduits.

The controller <NUM> is configured to operate the controllable milk line cleaning water source <NUM> to flush water through the conduits whilst the second controllable selector <NUM> diverts the inlet port <NUM> to the second outlet port 40b that is coupled to the drain <NUM>.

Furthermore, the controller is configured to respond to the second at least one clean line sensor wherein the controller operates the controllable water source whilst the controllable selector diverts the inlet port to the second outlet port at least until the second at least one clean line sensor indicates that the conduits are clean.

Other embodiments and variations are possible and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams of a further embodiment corresponding to those of <FIG> and <FIG> but including a pressure sensor 25b for monitoring fluid pressure in the line 12a from milk pump <NUM>.

The pressure sensor 25b allows the controller to monitor for more information about texture.

A bypass valve 27a is included in the embodiment of <FIG> so that the controller can operate bypass valve 27a in the event that fluids need to pass through without restriction.

The temperature probe <NUM> has been moved closer to the heat exchanger <NUM> to improve heat control relative to the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A milk texturing and dispensing assembly comprising:
a milk pump in fluid communication with a milk inlet arrangement and an outlet for dispensing milk into a container, the milk pump being arranged to progress milk from the milk inlet arrangement to the outlet;
an aeration assembly to introduce air into the milk, wherein the aeration assembly is coupled to a controller for control thereby; and
a first flow meter arranged to sense a first milk volume per unit of time upstream of the aeration assembly and being characterized by comprising
a second flow meter arranged to sense a second milk volume per unit of time downstream of the aeration assembly;
wherein the controller is configured to operate the aeration assembly taking into account the first milk volume per unit of time and the second milk volume per unit of time.