Patent ID: 8770099

Claim:
A beverage preparation machine comprising: a steam outlet for dispensing steam or a hot water/steam mixture, an apparatus for frothing or heating milk, which apparatus is connected via a milk suction hose to a milk container, and a cleaning apparatus configured to clean the milk suction hose and the apparatus for frothing or heating milk by means of a flushing fluid, wherein the apparatus for frothing or heating milk comprises a chamber, and a milk suction hose docking, wherein the milk suction hose docking is in fluid communication with the chamber and is configured to receive one end of the milk suction hose, wherein a steam nozzle for supplying steam or the hot water/steam mixture into the chamber is provided, the steam nozzle being connected to the steam outlet, wherein the apparatus for frothing or heating milk is configured to cause a vacuum to be generated in the chamber by supplying steam or the hot water/steam mixture from the steam outlet into the chamber via the steam nozzle, wherein the cleaning apparatus comprises a switching valve and a flushing hose, wherein the milk suction hose docking is connected to the switching valve via the milk suction hose and the milk suction hose is connected to the milk container via the switching valve, wherein the switching valve is configured to be switched into an operating position in which a milk connection is enabled between the milk container and the chamber via the switching valve and the milk suction hose, and wherein the switching valve is further configured to be switched to a flushing position in which a first flushing fluid connection is enabled between the steam outlet and the chamber via the flushing hose, the switching valve, and the milk suction hose, wherein, when the switching valve is switched to the operating position, milk from the milk container is enabled to be sucked into the chamber via said milk connection by a vacuum generated in the chamber by introducing steam or the hot water/steam mixture from the steam outlet via the steam nozzle into the chamber, wherein when the switching valve is switched to the flushing position, a second flushing fluid connection is enabled between the steam outlet and the chamber via the steam nozzle and a flushing fluid being provided as a hot water/steam mixture is dispensable from the steam outlet to the chamber, and wherein the first flushing fluid connection and the second flushing fluid connection are configured to cause a first fraction of said flushing fluid to be passed through the first flushing fluid connection and a second fraction of the flushing fluid to be passed through the second flushing fluid connection.