Patent ID: 8784570

Claim:
Method for cleaning a steam nozzle of a beverage preparation machine, the machine having: a steam nozzle ( 7 ) having a free end ( 7 a ) capable of being immersed in a beverage; a rinsing container ( 12 ) having a top opening ( 22 ) and a draining device ( 23 ) for evacuating the liquid contained therein to a collection system ( 9 ); a feed device for feeding the nozzle with rinsing liquid; a moving device ( 13 ) for moving the nozzle ( 7 ) vertically, at least when the nozzle is inside a cleaning area ( 25 ), so that the free end of said nozzle enters through the top opening of the rinsing container ( 12 ); and an electronic control unit for controlling at least the feed device and the moving device, wherein said method includes at least one rinsing sequence comprising the following steps, in the order recited: lowering the nozzle ( 7 ) into a rinsing position inside the rinsing container ( 12 ); filling the rinsing container ( 12 ) with rinsing liquid from the nozzle ( 7 ); then draining the rinsing container by actuating the draining device ( 23 ) by the control unit for controlling at least the devices for moving and feeding the nozzle ( 7 ).