Device to Produce Milk-Based Drinks with Safety Mechanisms and Coffee Maker Containing Such a Device

• US 20150335196A1
• Filed: 05/22/2015
• Published: 11/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SEB SA
• Original Assignee: SEB SA
• Inventors: Beaudet, Olivier, Guerin, Christophe
• Granted Patent: US 10,178,926 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4489 Steam nozzles, e.g. for introducing into a milk container to heat and foam milk
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4496 Means to produce beverage with a layer on top, e.g. of cream, foam or froth
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/07 Mixing ingredients into milk or cream, e.g. aerating
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/235 for making foam

Abstract

Provided is a milk-based drink production device with a connection system designed to work with a steam output nozzle tip of a coffee maker, where said connection system has a connected position, in which a watertight connection is formed between the steam output nozzle tip and the device, and a disconnected position, in which the device may be separated from the steam output nozzle tip, and the device contains a frothing system which shifts between an installed position on the device and a position removed from the device. The device contains extraction safety mechanisms which prevent the frothing system from moving from the installed position to the removed position when the connection system is in the connected position and/or connection safety mechanisms which prevent the connection system from moving from the disconnected position to the connected position when the frothing system is not in the installed position.

Claims

1. A milk-based drink production device containing a connection system designed to work with a steam output nozzle tip of a coffee maker, where said connection system has a connected position, in which a watertight connection is formed between the steam output nozzle tip and the device, and a disconnected position, in which the device may be separated from the steam output nozzle tip, where the device contains a removable frothing system between an installed position on the device and a withdrawn position removed from the device, wherein the device contains extraction safety mechanisms which prevents the frothing system from switching from the installed position to the removed position when the connection system is in the connected position and/or connection safety mechanisms which prevent the connection system from switching from the disconnected position to the connected position when the frothing system is not in the installed position.

2. A milk-based drink production device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the extraction safety mechanisms and/or the connection safety mechanisms are mechanical devices.

3. A milk-based drink production device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the extraction safety mechanisms of the frothing system include a bolt which is part of the connection system, where said bolt shifts between a position to secure the frothing system when the connection system is in the connected position and a position to release the frothing system when the connection system is in the disconnected position.

4. A milk-based drink production device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the bolt cooperates in the secure position with a cavity in the frothing system.

5. A milk-based drink production device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the bolt rotates.

6. A milk-based drink production device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the connection system contains a mobile jaw, a lever and a transfer piece to move the lever toward the mobile jaw and the transfer piece contains the bolt.

7. A milk-based drink production device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connection safety mechanisms includes a mobile stop which shifts between a locked position and a released position.

8. A milk-based drink production device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the stop contains an outgrowth which works with the frothing system to shift the stop from the locked position to the released position when the frothing system moves from the withdrawn position to the installed position.

9. A milk-based drink production device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the connection safety mechanisms includes a recall device to pull the stop from the released position to the locked position.

10. A milk-based drink production device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the recall device includes a spring.

11. A milk-based drink production device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the connection safety mechanisms include a mobile body which is part of the connection system, where said mobile body works with the stop to immobilize the connection system when the stop is in the locked position and to release the connection system when the stop is in the released position.

12. A milk-based drink production device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the connection system contains a mobile jaw, a lever and a transfer piece to move the lever toward the mobile jaw, where the mobile body is formed by the transfer piece.

13. A coffee maker with a milk-based drink production device in accordance with claim 1.

14. A coffee maker in accordance with claim 13, wherein the steam output nozzle tip is bent down.