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CN-121985895-A - Ring segment for a gas turbine engine

CN121985895ACN 121985895 ACN121985895 ACN 121985895ACN-121985895-A

Abstract

A milk frother (100) is provided, comprising a chamber (102) for receiving milk to be frothed and a milk frothing system for frothing milk received in the chamber. The milk frother comprises a pressure control system (112) for regulating the pressure in the chamber. Further provided is a beverage machine comprising a milk frother, and a method of frothing milk.

Inventors

  • C.C.E. Weining

Assignees

  • 范颂尼控股有限公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20241107
Priority Date
20231220

Claims (15)

  1. 1. A milk frother (100), comprising: a chamber (102) for receiving milk to be frothed; a milk frothing system for frothing milk received in the chamber, and A pressure control system (112) for regulating the pressure in the chamber, wherein the milk frothing system comprises a mechanical milk frothing system.
  2. 2. The milk frother (100) according to claim 1, wherein the pressure control system (112) comprises a pump (116) operable to provide a negative pressure in the chamber (102).
  3. 3. Milk frother (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a pressure release system controllable to release the pressure in the chamber.
  4. 4. A milk frother (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressure control system (112) is configured to enable a user to select different pressures in the chamber (102).
  5. 5. Milk frother (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pressure control system (112) is operable to provide a pressure in the sealed chamber (102) of less than 1 bar absolute, preferably between 0.01 and 0.95 bar absolute, more preferably between 0.1 and 0.8 bar absolute, most preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 bar absolute.
  6. 6. Milk frother (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressure control system (112) comprises an expandable container in fluid communication with the chamber (102), expansion of the container resulting in a pressure reduction in the sealed chamber.
  7. 7. The milk frother (100) according to claim 6, wherein the inflatable container is defined by a tube and a plunger movable along the tube.
  8. 8. Milk frother (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pressure control system (112) comprises a pressure measuring device (118) for indicating the pressure in the chamber (102).
  9. 9. Milk frother (100) according to claim 8, wherein the pressure measuring device (118) comprises a pressure gauge.
  10. 10. Milk frother (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the chamber (102) is defined by a chamber wall (104) and a closing member (106) movable relative to the chamber wall to open and close the chamber, wherein the chamber is sealable by a sealing member (114) located between the chamber wall and the closing member.
  11. 11. Milk frother (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mechanical milk frothing system comprises a whisk movable in the chamber to froth milk.
  12. 12. Beverage machine comprising a milk frother (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, optionally wherein the beverage machine comprises a coffee brewing apparatus.
  13. 13. A method (200) of frothing milk, comprising: -receiving (202) milk to be frothed in a chamber; regulating (206) the pressure in the chamber, and Frothing (208) milk by whipping the milk in the pressure regulated chamber, and wherein the frothing comprises using a mechanical milk frothing system to froth the milk.
  14. 14. The method (200) of claim 13, wherein adjusting (206) the pressure in the sealed chamber includes providing a negative pressure in the chamber.
  15. 15. The method (200) of claim 14, comprising releasing (210) the negative pressure after the milk froths (208).

Description

Ring segment for a gas turbine engine Technical Field The present invention relates to a milk frother and a beverage machine, such as a coffee machine, comprising such a milk frother. The invention also relates to a milk frothing method. Background A milk frother is a device that alters the texture of milk by introducing bubbles into the milk (typically by means of aeration). Bubbles introduced in milk may create a foamy texture. A number of different types of milk frothers are known. Some milk frothers employ a steam jet that is forced through a venturi restriction. This can create a local pressure drop downstream of the restriction. This pressure drop causes air to be sucked in and mixed with the milk. The milk foam thus produced may have relatively small bubbles and may be poured relatively easily. This may be referred to as "coffee maker foam". While milk frothed in this manner may be desirable, for example, for certain types of beverages (e.g., latte and hot chocolate), the use of steam to froth a liquid may place certain restrictions on the characteristics of the milk froth. For example, the process inherently provides only hot milk frothing. Other types of milk frothers utilize a whisk to introduce bubbles into the milk by whisking the milk, for example using a whisking action. For example, the milk may be heated while stirring, or the cold foam may be prepared by not heating the milk during stirring. Frothing milk in this manner tends to produce a relatively thick froth that may be less prone to toppling than the "coffer froth" described above. US2015/335195A1 discloses a milk-based beverage making device designed for use with a steam output of a coffee machine. CN117224013a discloses a milk frothing apparatus comprising a mixing portion comprising a mixing chamber, a steam inlet, a main flow conduit connecting the steam inlet aperture to the mixing chamber, and a milk supply conduit. CN117224012a discloses a milk frothing apparatus comprising a mixing portion comprising a mixing chamber, a steam inlet, a main flow conduit connecting the steam inlet aperture to the mixing chamber, a milk supply duct and an air supply duct. US10582799B2 discloses a appliance for preparing frothed milk comprising a container for receiving milk and a docking element for connection to a beverage preparation machine. Disclosure of Invention It is desirable to provide a milk frother and a milk frothing method that enable an enhanced control of the characteristics of milk frothing, for example enabling the preparation of various forms of milk frothing and/or being independent of the milk frothing temperature. The invention is defined by the claims. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a milk frother comprising a chamber for receiving milk, a milk frothing system for frothing the milk received in the chamber, and a pressure control system for regulating the pressure in the chamber. The milk frothing system may operate to mix a gas (e.g., air) into the milk received in the chamber. Because the chamber is sealable, adjusting the pressure within the sealed container may provide enhanced control over the characteristics of the milk foam as compared to conventional milk frothers that include agitators. For example, due to the pressure regulation achieved by the combination of the sealable chamber and the pressure control system for regulating the pressure in the sealed chamber, the nature (e.g. size) of the bubbles in the milk foam may be controlled. The milk frothing system may have any suitable design as long as the milk frothing system is capable of frothing milk. In some embodiments, the milk frothing system includes a mechanical milk frothing system. The mechanical milk frothing system may have any suitable design as long as the milk frothing system is capable of frothing milk by a mechanical movement of the mechanical milk frothing system. By exclusively using a mechanical milk frothing system, the milk frother may not be limited in terms of the temperature of the milk froth (as is the case with other types of milk frothing systems, for example milk frothing systems that employ steam injection to froth milk). In some embodiments, the mechanical milk frothing system includes a whisk that is movable within the chamber to froth milk. For example, such agitators may be movable within the chamber at least when the chamber is sealed. In this way, the whisk may foam milk received in the chamber while the pressure is adjusted by the pressure control system. Alternatively or additionally, the mechanical milk frothing system may include an actuator coupled to a chamber wall at least partially defining the chamber, the actuator configured to move (e.g., vibrate) the chamber wall to froth milk received in the chamber. In some embodiments, the chamber may be at least partially defined by a movable chamber wall comprising an integrated turbulence generating geometry for generating turbulence in milk receiv