Patent ID: 8003148

Claim:
A device for frothing and steaming milk including a steamer ( 1 ), a steam conduit ( 2 ) connecting the steamer ( 1 ) to a steamer tube ( 3 ) for insertion into the milk, a temperature sensor ( 11 ) arranged on the steamer tube ( 3 ) for sensing the milk temperature and a controller ( 13 ) connected to the temperature sensor ( 11 ), and further comprising: a venturi nozzle ( 5 ) defined in the steam conduit ( 2 ), said venturi nozzle provided with an air feeder port ( 6 ) selectively closable by means of the controller ( 13 ); an externally activated closure means ( 8 ) for closing off the air feeder port ( 6 ), the controller ( 13 ) configured to actuate the closure means ( 8 ) as a function of the mode of operation and/or the sensed milk temperature, characterized in that the closure means ( 8 ) includes a spring-loaded closure element ( 9 ) for closing off the air feeder port ( 6 ), the closure element ( 9 ) being configured and arranged to close off the air feeder port ( 6 ) in the active operating position whilst releasing the air feeder port ( 6 ) by spring force in the non-active operating position.