Improved Apparatus and Method for Frothing Milk

Abstract

A temperature sensing assembly for a milk frothing apparatus. The assembly including: a temperature sensor element and a resilient support element that receives and biases the temperature sensor element towards thermal communication with the underside of a vessel; wherein the assembly is located towards the end of a protruding portion that extends from the body of the a milk frothing apparatus; and wherein an upper surface of the temperature sensor assembly is adapted to promote liquid movement into a drip tray reservoir. The apparatus may include: a steam source; an air source coupled to an air injector module for mixing the air and steam; a user interface for receiving input from a user; and wherein the apparatus is configurable by receiving input parameters through the user interface, whereby the parameters includes final milk temperature, and an indication of froth amount.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A temperature sensing assembly for a milk frothing apparatus, the assembly including:
 a temperature sensor element and a resilient support element that receives and biases the temperature sensor element towards thermal communication with the underside of a vessel;   wherein the assembly is located towards the end of a protruding portion that extends from the body of the a milk frothing apparatus; and   wherein an upper surface of the temperature sensor assembly is adapted to promote liquid movement into a drip tray reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the support forms a seal between protruding portion  1021  and the upper surface defined by a separate element  1023 . 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the upper surface element has an aperture, such that the resilient support element forms a seal for limiting ingress of fluid through the aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 2  or  claim 3 , wherein the resilient support element is held in compression between the protruding portion of the and the upper surface element for creating a water tight seal. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to any one of  claims 2  to  4 , wherein the upper surface element is coupled to the protruding portion by one or more press clips extending from the underside the upper surface element that engage cooperating recesses in the protruding portion. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to any one of  claims 2  to  5 , wherein a shoulder of the protruding portion supports the resilient support element, such that resilient support element is captured and abutting held by the protruding portion and the upper surface element. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protruding portion has an aperture for receiving the temperature sensor, which is covered by the resilient support element. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature sensor element is retained within the resilient support element, and a U clip engages both the temperature sensor element and the resilient support element. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the U clip prevents the temperature sensor element from being pulled upward, and prevents the temperature sensor element being deflected too far downward due to it engaging the chassis. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein a rib of the milk frothing apparatus limits downward deflection of the temperature sensor element. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a sleeve defined by the protruding portion captures the downwardly extending outer wall of the resilient support element. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a void space below the resilient support element allows downward travel of the resilient support element. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature sensor element is thermally coupled to the vessel, wherein the temperature sensor element  1021  is further coupled to a processor module that receives a temperature signal and controls a steam generation module for generating steam delivered to the vessel. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the milk frothing apparatus includes:
 a steam source;   an air source coupled to an air injector module for mixing the air and steam;   a user interface for receiving input from a user; and   wherein the apparatus is configurable by receiving input parameters through the user interface, whereby the parameters includes final milk temperature, and an indication of froth amount.   
     
     
         15 . The assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the indication of froth amount is be represented in the user interface by a scale for user selection. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly according to  claim 14  or  claim 15 , wherein the input parameter further includes milk type. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly according to any one of  claims 14  to  16 , wherein the apparatus further included:
 is a steam path for providing heated steam to heat the milk; 
 an air path including an air pump; 
 the air injection module for guiding air from the air path into the steam path, resulting in an air steam mixture; 
 a steam output to provide egress of the air steam mixture for heating the milk; 
 a plurality of sensors, including a steam and/or air path pressure sensor; and 
 a controller in communication with memory storing operating and frothing parameters, the controller adapted to: receive the operating parameters and sensed signals from the plurality of sensors; calculate a pressure set point from the operating parameters and signals; and provide control signals for controlling the operation of the steam path and the air path to froth the milk according to the operating parameters. 
 
     
     
         18 . The assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein an input froth consistency parameter is used with an input milk type parameter to enable retrieving an operating parameter for frothing the specified milk type to the specified froth consistency. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly according to  claim 17  or  claim 18 , wherein the controller is adapted to log the sensed pressure signal over time during the frothing process, and to determine whether the sensed pressure signal exceeds a maximum pressure threshold. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 17  to  19 , wherein the controller is adapted to provide a signal indicative of a blocked steam wand to the user interface for display, and also a signal indicative of a likely cause of the blocked steam wand based on whether a maximum pressure threshold and/or a maximum pump power threshold have been exceeded.