Liquid cartridge for use in a beverage system

• US 20070158366A1
• Filed: 12/20/2004
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Van Deer Meer, Sijtze, Drent, Gertjan
• Granted Patent: US 9,049,961 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/222
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4485 Nozzles dispensing heated and foamed milk, i.e. milk is sucked from a milk container, heated and foamed inside the device, and subsequently dispensed from the nozzle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for preparing a heated liquid for use with a beverage-making appliance (15), said device (1) comprising a liquid transport channel (25) in communication with a liquid reservoir (11) which discharges into a first chamber (26), said first chamber (26) comprising a steam inlet (16) which is connectable to a steam generator (32), and a second chamber (28) which is connected to the first chamber (26) via a restriction (27) and which has a liquid outlet (29), wherein the device for preparing a heated liquid comprises a cartridge (100) in which the liquid reservoir (11), the liquid transport channel (25), the first chamber (26), the steam inlet (16), the restriction (27), the second chamber (28), and the liquid outlet (29) are provided. All components of the device are integrated into one cartridge, so the cartridge can be discarded after use. Thus a hygienic device is provided which is also user-friendly because it does not have to be cleaned after use.

Claims

1. A device for preparing a heated liquid, said device comprising:

a liquid transport channel in communication with a liquid reservoir,

a steam inlet which is connectable to a steam generator,

a liquid outlets, and

means for transporting a combined flow of at least liquid and steam to the liquid outlet,

characterized in that the device comprises a cartridge in which the liquid reservoir the liquid transport channel the means for transporting, and the liquid outlet are provided.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the means for

transporting comprise a first and a second chamber, wherein the liquid transport channel discharges into the first chamber and said first chamber comprises the steam inlet and wherein the second chamber is connected to the first chamber via a restriction and comprises the liquid outlet

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, for use with a beverage-making appliance characterized in that it is at least partly detachably connectable to the beverage-making appliance

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the cartridge is detachably connectable to the appliance via the steam inlet

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said liquid transport channel comprises an air inlet

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the air inlet is closable.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that a valve is provided for opening and closing the air inlet

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the liquid comprises milk.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the liquid comprises liquid coffee extract.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the first chamber comprises a water inlet which is connectable to a water reservoir

11. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least the second chamber is provided with obstructions for enhancing the frothing of liquid in the second chamber during operation.

12. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the liquid reservoir is a refillable reservoir

13. A device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the liquid reservoir is provided in an element which is moveable between a first position in which it covers the liquid transport channel the first chamber the steam inlet the restriction the second chamber and the liquid outlet during operation and a second position in which it leaves these components exposed for cleaning purposes in a non-operating status.

14. A beverage-making appliance for use with a device for preparing a heated liquid according to claim 1, characterized in that the appliance comprises a space for receiving the device for preparing a heated liquid.

15. A beverage-making appliance as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the appliance comprises a steam generator which is connectable to the steam inlet of the device upon receipt of the device in the space

16. A beverage-making appliance as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the appliance comprises means for opening a liquid flow path between the reservoir and the liquid channel

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)