Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a froth or steam wand for use with steam to create froth from a beverage and froth or steam wands comprising frothing attachments. The present invention further relates to a use of frothing attachments; the use of steam wands; methods of creating a frothed beverage with frothing attachments; and methods of creating a frothed beverage with steam wands.

Background to the Invention

Beverage preparation machines, such as coffee machines, are known to be provided with frothing systems with which a milk container can be associated for warming and/or frothing a milk beverage. The increasing demand for coffee preparations including a layer of frothed milk, such as, for example, cappuccino, macchiato, flat white and/or latte, has directed the coffee industry to focus on developing new and/or improved frothing systems.

In these known frothing systems, the heating is usually provided via a flow of steam which is sent into the milk container through a steam wand (also called froth wand), to warm and emulsify the milk beverage.

These known steam wands are provided with a steam nozzle comprising multiple apertures of reduced dimensions (orifices), for the exit of the steam flow or steam jet. The presence of multiple orifices ensures that the steam exiting the nozzle is sent in several directions, creating turbulence in the milk and facilitating the formation of a layer of foam on the top surface of the milk beverage.

The layer of foam improves the appeal of the beverage preparation, resulting in a better experience for consumers and a higher customer satisfaction.

These known frothing systems have the disadvantage of being costly and suffer from manufacturing difficulties, due to the very small dimensions of these orifices. In addition, these small orifices can easily clog due to dried residue of milk, generating malfunctions in the steam wand. Furthermore, they require a continuous attention to cleaning to avoid hygiene issues and to avoid potential cross-contamination between two consecutive beverage preparations as the orifices are not easy to clean.

Alternative known frothing systems comprise steam wands provided with a Venturi type frothing system. In these known frothing systems, foam is generated by injecting into the milk beverage a mixture of air and steam accelerated by a Venturi constriction, generating an air/steam jet which reaches the milk beverage allowing turbulence and facilitating a stable formation of fine bubbles.

These known Venturi frothing systems are complex, and their manufacture can be costly.

Furthermore, as for the steam nozzles, the reduced dimension of the Venturi restriction can lead to hygiene issues.

It would be therefore advantageous to provide a solution which would mimic the behaviour of the known frothing systems but without one or more of the problems associated with known frothing systems.

It would be furthermore advantageous to provide a solution which would overcome hygiene issues and cross-contamination between two consecutive uses or preparations.

In addition, it would be advantageous to provide a solution which would ensure a low-cost route to manufacturing, by converting a complex structure as the steam nozzles or Venturi systems into a simplified structure which allows ease of manufacture and assembly.

Finally, it would be advantageous to provide a solution suitable for several beverage preparations comprising coffee, milk, chocolate, tea preparations and/or soups, broths or other food beverages, or the like.

It is therefore an aim of embodiments of the invention to mitigate or overcome at least one problem of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a froth wand or froth wand attachment comprising an elongate steam wand portion having a steam inlet at a first end, at least one steam outlet at a second end thereof and a steam channel connecting the steam inlet with the at least one steam outlet, and a spoon bowl at a distal end of the elongate steam wand portion, the spoon bowl including at least one lip portion wherein the at least one steam outlet is located adjacent to the at least one lip portion, and close to the at least one lip portion so that steam exiting the at least one steam outlet impinges on the at least one lip portion and is deflected substantially horizontally into surrounding milk/beverage.

Providing a froth wand or froth wand attachment in which the at least one steam outlet is located directly adjacent to the at least one lip portion, and close to the at least one lip portion so that steam exiting the at least one steam outlet impinges on the at least one lip portion and is deflected substantially horizontally may increase the agitation of the surrounding milk/beverage to froth the surrounding milk/beverage more effectively.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a froth wand or froth wand attachment comprising an elongate steam wand portion having a steam inlet at a first end, a steam outlet at a second end thereof and a steam channel connecting the steam inlet with the steam outlet, the elongate steam wand portion comprising at least two portions releasably attachable relative to one another configured to allow separation of the at least two portions to expose at least a part of a length of the steam channel.

Providing a froth wand or froth wand attachment in which the elongate steam wand portion is formed from at least two portions releasably attachable relative to one another to allow separation of the at least two portions to expose at least a part of a length of the steam channel may allow the steam wand portion to be dismantled to allow more effective cleaning of the steam channel for example.

The froth wand or froth wand attachment may comprise a connector portion configured to detachably connect the froth wand or froth wand attachment to a steam source, in use.

The connector portion may have any configuration and may comprise a bayonet and/or a threaded connection and/or a resilient clamp and/or enlarged portion, possibly part spherical, to be clamped in a seat. In some embodiments, the froth wand or froth wand attachment may be made of a polymeric material. The polymeric material may comprise polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), elastomers, rubbers, polysiloxanes and/or a combination thereof. The polymeric material may comprise decomposable material and/or a biodegradable material, for example one or more polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHAs) and/or one or more poly hydroxybutyrate (PHBs). The polymeric material may include one or more additional materials for example bamboo or other fibres.

In some embodiments, the froth wand or froth wand attachment may be configured to be disposable after no more than five uses, preferably after single use.

In some embodiments the froth wand or froth wand attachment may be made of a metal, such as stainless-steel.

The froth wand or froth wand attachment comprises an elongate steam wand portion having a steam inlet at a first end, at least one steam outlet at a second end thereof and a steam channel connecting the steam inlet with the at least one steam outlet.

The elongate steam wand portion may have an arcuate outer surface, at least on an upper side thereof. The elongate steam wand portion may taper in size, reducing in size from the steam inlet end to the steam outlet end. The elongate steam wand portion may be partially conical from the steam inlet end to the steam outlet end.

The elongate steam wand portion may have any length. For example, the elongate steam wand portion may be sufficiently long to function as a steam wand or froth wand. Alternatively, the elongate steam wand portion may be configured as a wand attachment, configured for attachment to a second steam wand portion in order to form a steam wand or froth wand.

The steam wand or froth wand may be a single piece steam wand or froth wand or a multi-piece steam wand or froth wand. The steam wand or froth wand may be configured to attach one or more attachments of different configurations at a lower end thereof.

The steam wand or froth wand will preferably be attachable to a steam source. One or more elongate steam wand portions may be attached together end to end to form an elongate steam wand or froth wand.

A steam source will preferably be connected to the inlet end of the froth wand to allow steam to flow into the froth wand through the steam inlet, through the steam channel connecting the steam inlet with the at least one steam outlet and out of the steam outlet.

Preferably, a single steam inlet will be provided. More than one steam outlet may be provided. Where more than one steam outlet is provided, one or more of the steam outlets may be oriented in different directions, although at least one of the steam outlets will be located adjacent to the at least one lip portion. All of the steam outlets may be directed at the at least one lip portion, albeit different portions of the at least one lip portion.

The at least one steam outlet is preferably coaxial with the steam channel. The at least one steam outlet may be oriented in line with the length of the steam channel.

The at least one steam outlet may have any shape, but a circular shape is preferred. A lower edge or periphery of the at least one steam outlet may be coplanar with an upper surface of the spoon bowl.

A lower end of the elongate steam wand portion may extend partially over or across the spoon bowl to position the at least one steam outlet adjacent to the at least one lip portion.

The steam channel may be tapered. The steam channel may narrow toward the at least one steam outlet. The steam channel may narrow from the at least one steam inlet to the at least one steam outlet. Narrowing the steam channel toward the at least one steam outlet may preferably increase the exit velocity of the steam from the at least one steam outlet.

An upper or outer portion of the outer wall of the elongate steam wand portion may be arcuate. A lower portion of the outer wall of the elongate steam wand portion may be planar, preferably depending from the widest point of the upper or outer portion to the upper surface of the spoon bowl. The froth wand or froth wand attachment may include a spoon bowl. The spoon bowl may be ellipsoidal in shape although any shape could be used. Preferably, where the lower end of the elongate steam wand portion extends partially over or across the spoon bowl, an outer wall of the elongate steam wand portion preferably follows the shape of the spoon bowl surface so that there are no gaps between the elongate steam wand portion and the upper surface of the spoon bowl.

At least one lip portion may be provided on the spoon bowl. The at least one lip portion is preferably provided at an outer radial edge of the spoon bowl. The at least one lip portion may be provided completely about the spoon bowl. The at least one lip portion may be continuous or separated lip portions may be provided. In an embodiment, the at least one lip portion may extend from one side of the elongate steam wand portion extending partially over or across the spoon bowl, about an outer edge of the spoon bowl around to an opposite side of the elongate steam wand portion extending partially over or across the spoon bowl.

The at least one lip portion need only be a part of a lip provided. The at least one lip portion may therefore be a surface provided on a lip.

The at least one lip portion may be or include a surface angled relative to the upper surface of the spoon bowl. Although any angle could be used and the angle may vary with the exit velocity of the steam from the at least one steam outlet, an angle of between 30° and 90°, preferably greater that 60° or between 75° and 80° is used.

The at least one steam outlet will preferably be directed at the at least one lip portion.

The at least one steam outlet is located adjacent to the at least one lip portion. The at least one steam outlet will preferably be spaced from the at least one lip portion. The at least one steam outlet may be spaced from the at least one lip portion by a distance of between 0.5mm and 10mm, preferably between 2 to 4mm and 7 mm. The spacing is dependent upon the exit velocity of the steam from the at least one steam outlet with a higher exit velocity allowing an increased distance. However, the separation distance should also be optimised so that the exit velocity of the steam is not too high as this can create the danger of the steam being redirected by impingement with the at least one lip portion in a manner that could be dangerous to a user (as it may exit the container holding the milk or beverage or cause the milk or beverage to be force from the container). Locating the at least one steam outlet a closer distance from the at least one lip is therefore preferred as this allows use of a lower exit velocity for the steam. This is safer but the impingement with the at least one lip portion still allows frothing to occur at the lower exit velocity.

One or more baffles or flow disturbing devices or structures or surface finishes may be applied to an outer surface of the spoon bowl and/or elongate steam wand portion.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the elongate steam wand portion comprises at least two portions releasably attachable relative to one another configured to allow separation of the at least two portions to expose at least a part of a length of the steam channel.

The at least two portions each preferably include a part of the steam channel such that when attached together, a closed, elongate steam channel is formed through the steam wand portion.

Preferably, two portions will be provided. The two portions may divide the elongate steam wand portion approximately in half. An upper portion and a lower portion may be provided. The upper portion may include an upper part of the elongate steam wand portion. The lower portion may include a lower part of the elongate steam wand portion and a spoon bowl at an end thereof.

At least one seal may be provided between the at least two portions.

The at least two portions will preferably correspond in shape at least internally to allow them to be attached together to form the closed, elongate steam channel through the steam wand portion. The at least two portions may preferably correspond in shape externally.

At least a part of an attachment mechanism may be provided on one or all of the at least two portions. Any type of attachment mechanism may be provided, for example one or more clamps, clips, snap fit attachments, sliding attachments or threaded attachments. A releasable snap fit attachment mechanism is preferred. In one embodiment, one or more legs may be provided on one of the at least two portions, each one or more leg with an enlarged head having an abutment shoulder. A corresponding abutment shoulder may be provided on another of the at least two portions to abut or engage with the abutment shoulder on the enlarged head. The corresponding abutment shoulder may be provided in or relative to an opening into which the enlarged head is inserted and pressed until the abutment shoulder abuts or engages with the corresponding abutment shoulder to hold the portions together.

Each of the one or more legs may be partially resilient requiring deformation during insertion and up until abutment or engagement whereupon the resilience of the one of more legs will hold the abutment shoulder in abutment or engagement with the corresponding abutment shoulder. The one or more legs may be deflectable under the application of force.

Preferably, the one or more legs may be provided in opposed pairs. More than one opposed pair can be provided on one or more of the at least two portions.

The attachment mechanism may be provided on or relative to an enlarged part on the outside of the at least two portions.

The enlarged parts may be shaped. A part spherical shape is preferred.

In an embodiment, an attachment mechanism may be provided at the inlet end of the elongate steam wand portion. An attachment mechanism may be provided between the inlet end of the elongate steam wand portion and the outlet end of the elongate steam wand portion.

One or more guide or alignment portions or formations may be provided on a free edge of at least one of the at least two portions to aid in alignment of the at least two portions during attachment.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of creating a frothed beverage with a froth wand or froth wand attachment of the first aspect of the invention and/or a froth wand or froth wand attachment of the second aspect of the invention comprising the steps of: coupling said froth wand or froth wand attachment to a steam wand for frothing a beverage; and supplying steam through said steam wand into said beverage.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of: decoupling said steam wand; and using said steam wand as a stirrer and/or a spoon.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a froth wand of an embodiment in the detached condition.

Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the configuration illustrated in Figure 1 from a different angle.

Figure 3 is an isometric view of a froth wand attachment of an embodiment from a first side.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the froth wand attachment illustrated in Figure 3 from a second side.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the froth wand attachment illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a side view of the froth wand attachment illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is an end view of the froth wand attachment illustrated in Figure 3, from the steam inlet end.

Figure 8 is an end view of the froth wand attachment illustrated in Figure 3, from the steam outlet end.

Figure 9 is a bottom view of the froth wand attachment illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 10 is sectional side view of the froth wand attachment illustrated in Figure

9, along line A- A. As illustrated in the accompanying Figures, a froth wand 10 (illustrated in Figures 1 and 2) or froth wand attachment 11 (illustrated in Figures 3 to 10) is provided. The froth wand 10 and froth wand attachment 11 comprising an elongate steam wand portion 12 having a steam inlet 13 at a first end, a steam outlet 14 at a second end thereof and a steam channel 15 connecting the steam inlet 13 with the steam outlet 1. A spoon bowl 16 is provided at a distal end of the elongate steam wand portion 12.

The spoon bowl 16 includes a circumferential lip 17 with at least one lip portion 18. As shown in the Figures, the steam outlet 14 is located adjacent to the lip 17 and at least one lip portion 18, close to the at least one lip portion 18 so that steam exiting the steam outlet 14 impinges on the at least one lip portion 18 and is deflected substantially horizontally into surrounding milk/beverage (not shown).

The froth wand 11 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a connector portion 19 configured to detachably connect the froth wand to a steam source, in use. The connector portion illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is part spherical to be clamped in a corresponding seat, and is located at the inlet end of the froth wand. When the two portions of the froth wand 11 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 are attached together, a substantially spherical connector portion 19 is formed.

The froth wand attachment 10 illustrated in Figures 3 to 19 also comprises a connector portion configured to detachably connect the froth wand attachment 10 to a steam source in use or to another froth wand portion (not shown) to form a froth wand which is in turn, detachably connected to a steam source, in use.

The elongate steam wand portion 12 illustrated has an arcuate outer surface, at least on an upper side thereof. The elongate steam wand portion 12 tapers in size, reducing in size from the steam inlet end to the steam outlet end.

The elongate steam wand portion may have any length. For example, the elongate steam wand portion may be sufficiently long to function as a froth wand 11 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Alternatively, the elongate steam wand portion may be configured as a wand attachment 10 as shown in Figures 3 to 10, configured for attachment to a second steam wand portion in order to form a froth wand.

As shown, a single steam inlet 13 is provided. A single steam outlet 14 is provided.

The steam inlet 13 and steam outlet 14 are both coaxial with the steam channel 15. The steam outlet 14 in particular is oriented in line with the length of the steam channel 15.

The steam outlet illustrated is circular in shape. A lower edge or periphery of the steam outlet 14 is coplanar with an upper surface of the spoon bowl 16, best illustrated in Figure 3.

A lower end of the elongate steam wand portion 12 extends partially over or across the spoon bowl 16 to position the steam outlet 14 adjacent to the at least one lip portion 18.

The steam channel 15 is tapered, narrowing toward the steam outlet 14. Narrowing the steam channel 15 toward the steam outlet 14 may will preferably increase the exit velocity of the steam from the steam outlet 14.

As shown, an upper or outer portion of the outer wall of the elongate steam wand portion 12 is arcuate. As shown in Figures 2 to 4 in particular, where the lower end of the elongate steam wand portion 12 extends partially over or across the spoon bowl 16, an outer wall of the elongate steam wand portion 16 preferably follows the shape of the spoon bowl surface so that there are no gaps between the elongate steam wand portion 12 and the upper surface of the spoon bowl 16. A depending wall portion 20 can be provided to fill any space.

As shown, the spoon bowl 15 is ellipsoidal in shape although any shape could be used.

A circumferential lip 17 is provided about the outer edge of the spoon bowl 16 with the at least one lip portion provided on the circumferential lip. In the embodiments illustrated, the lip 17 and at least one lip portion extend from one side of the elongate steam wand portion 12 extending partially over or across the spoon bowl 16, about an outer edge of the spoon bowl 16 around to an opposite side of the elongate steam wand portion 12 extending partially over or across the spoon bowl 16.

In the illustrated embodiments, the at least one lip portion is a surface 18 provided on the lip 17.

The surface 18 is angled relative to the upper surface of the spoon bowl 16. Although any angle could be used, and the angle may vary with the exit velocity of the steam from the steam outlet 14, an angle of between 30° and 90°, preferably greater that 60° or between 75° and 80° is used.

The steam outlet 14 is located adjacent to the and preferably directed at the surface 18.

As shown, the steam outlet 14 is spaced from the surface 18 or at least one lip portion. In the illustrated embodiments, the steam outlet 14 is spaced from the at least one lip portion by a distance of between 0.5mm and 10mm, preferably between 2 to 4mm and 7 mm.

The froth wand illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 includes many if not all of the features discussed above, albeit in an elongate froth wand 11 having a steam inlet 13 at a first end, a steam outlet 14 at a second end thereof and a steam channel 15 connecting the steam inlet 13 with the steam outlet 14. As shown, the elongate froth wand illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises two portions 21 releasably attachable relative to one another configured to allow separation of the two portions 21 to expose at least a part of a length of the steam channel 15.

The two portions 21 each include a part of the steam channel 15 such that when attached together, a closed, elongate steam channel 15 is formed through the froth wand 11.

The two portions 21 divide the elongate steam wand portion 12 of the froth wand 11 approximately in half. An upper portion and a lower portion are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The upper portion includes an upper part of the elongate steam wand portion 12. The lower portion includes a lower part of the elongate steam wand portion 12 and a spoon bowl 16 at an end thereof. At least one seal (not shown) may be provided between the two portions.

The two portions 21 correspond in shape at least internally to allow them to be attached together to form the closed, elongate steam channel 15. The two portions 21 shown also correspond in shape externally.

At least a part of an attachment mechanism may be provided on one or both of the two portions.

The attachment mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is a releasable snap fit attachment mechanism. In this embodiment, one or more legs 22 are provided on one of the portions 21, each leg 22 with an enlarged head 23 having an abutment shoulder 24.

A corresponding abutment shoulder (obscured) is provided on the other of the portions 21 to abut or engage with the abutment shoulder 24 on the enlarged head 23. In the illustrated embodiment, the corresponding abutment shoulder is provided in or relative to an opening 25 into which the enlarged head 23 is inserted and pressed until the abutment shoulder 24 abuts or engages with the corresponding abutment shoulder to hold the portions 21 together.

Each of the one or legs 22 is preferably partially resilient requiring deformation during insertion and up until abutment or engagement whereupon the resilience of the one of more legs 22 will hold the abutment shoulder 24 in abutment or engagement with the corresponding abutment shoulder.

As shown, the legs 22 are provided in opposed pairs. Two opposed pairs are provided on one of the two portions.

The attachment mechanism is provided on or relative to an enlarged part 26 on the outside of the two portions 21. The enlarged parts 26 are part spherical shape in the illustrated embodiment.

In the illustrated embodiment, an attachment mechanism is provided at the inlet end of the froth wand 11. An attachment mechanism is also provided between the inlet end of the froth wand 11 and the outlet end of the elongate steam wand portion 12. In some embodiments, the froth wand or froth wand attachment may be made of a polymeric material. The polymeric material may comprise polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), elastomers, rubbers, polysiloxanes and/or a combination thereof. The polymeric material may comprise decomposable material and/or biodegradable material, for example polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), poly hydroxybutyrates and/or bamboo fibres.

In some embodiments, the froth wand or froth wand attachment may be configured to be disposable after no more than five uses, preferably after single use. In some embodiments the froth wand or froth wand attachment may be made of a metal, such as stainless-steel.

The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.