Patent ID: 6854381

Claim:
An espresso machine steam docking unit which is connected to a milk steaming pitcher ( 1 ) and which comprises: a steam inlet ( 10 ), a steam outlet ( 7 ) which can be pressed, by means of an activation lever ( 19 ) that is swung out of a rest position into an operating position, against a steam inlet opening ( 2 ) of a milk steaming pitcher ( 1 ), a valve ( 12 ) which is connected to the steam inlet ( 10 ) and steam outlet ( 7 ) and which is activated by the activation lever ( 19 ), and a switching contact ( 21 ) which is activated by the activation lever ( 19 ) and which activates a steam generator in an espresso machine when the activation lever ( 19 ) is in an operating position, wherein a steam release line ( 18 ) is further provided and is connected as a function of operating state through the valve ( 12 ) to the steam inlet ( 10 ) and steam outlet ( 7 ), and the valve ( 12 ) is controlled by means of the activation lever ( 19 ); so that the valve ( 12 ) is closed when the activation lever ( 19 ) is moved out of its rest position into its operating position, before the switching contact ( 21 ) activates the steam generator, when the steam outlet ( 7 ) is connected to the steam inlet opening ( 28 ) of the milk steaming pitcher ( 1 ), and so that the valve ( 12 ) is opened, by moving the activation lever ( 19 ) out of its operating position into its rest position, after the switching contact ( 21 ) has turned off the steam generator, before the steam outlet ( 7 ) is separated from the steam inlet opening ( 28 ) of the milk steaming pitcher ( 1 ).