Automatic device for heating and frothing a liquid, in particular milk

Abstract

An automatic device for heating and frothing a liquid, in particular milk, comprises a container for the liquid, inside which a first tube for introducing pressurised steam into the liquid is removably mounted. The first tube has an inlet in correspondence of the bottom of the container, for receiving steam from a duct located within a support base of the container, and is secured, for at least part of its length, to a second tube for introducing air into the liquid.

1 . A device for heating and frothing a liquid comprising a container and a steam tube in a container, one end of said steam tube being connected to a source of steam, the other end of said steam tube being located near the bottom of said container and having an outlet opening by which steam exits the steam tube in a direction parallel to the bottom of the container, wherein said container is removably mounted on a base and said base and said steam source comprise an opening in said base through which steam is provided to said steam tube.  
   
   
       2 . A device, as in  claim 1 , wherein the tube outlet is located near the side of the container and the outlet opening causes the steam to exit the tube in a direction toward the center of the container.  
   
   
       3 . A device, as in  claim 1 , wherein the container includes a second tube, the second tube having an inlet open to the atmosphere and located high enough in the container to be above a preselected level, said preselected level being above the intended highest liquid level in the container, the second tube having an opening located adjacent the exit opening of the steam tube.  
   
   
       4 . A device, as in  claim 2 , wherein the container includes a second tube, the second tube having an inlet open to the atmosphere and located high enough in the container to be above a preselected level, said preselected level being above the intended highest liquid level in the container, the second tube having an opening located adjacent the exit opening of the steam tube.