Patent ID: 8056469

Claim:
A coffee machine which comprises at least one steam generator for producing steam, an apparatus for producing the coffee with associated dispensing device, a storage tank containing a ready prepared, liquid, chocolate-based product having a density suitable for being a conventional chocolate beverage, a heating device provided with a chocolate-based product inlet and an outlet for the product to be heated and a steam inlet for introducing the steam, a chocolate-based product line between said storage tank and the chocolate-based product inlet of said heating device, a metering pump arranged along said chocolate-based product line for conveying a predetermined amount of chocolate-based product from said storage tank to said heating device and for circulating said amount inside it, a steam line for the steam, connecting said steam generator to said steam inlet for the steam of the heating device, a first steam intercept valve having an open state and a closed state arranged along the said steam line as well as a beverage dispensing device connected through a dispensing line to the outlet of the said heating device, wherein, owing to the presence of said first steam intercept valve, said metering pump may dispense the chocolate beverage in hot condition when said first steam intercept valve is in said open state or in cold condition when said first steam intercept valve is in said closed state.