FR3150409A1 - Milk frothing device and coffee machine comprising such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

Milk frothing device and coffee machine comprising such a device This milk frothing device (30) comprises: - a main body (32) comprising a first inlet port (36), suitable for receiving steam and/or hot water, a second inlet port (38) suitable for receiving milk, a first frothing chamber and a frothed milk outlet port; and - a milk supply device (34) suitable for being connected to the main body (32) and comprising a milk dispensing nozzle (48). According to the invention, the frothing device comprises a cleaning tool (100) suitable for cleaning the milk dispensing nozzle and a receiving housing (102) for the cleaning tool, the cleaning tool (100) being suitable for being positioned in a removable manner in the receiving housing (102). Abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Milk frothing device and coffee machine comprising such a device

The present invention relates to the field of milk frothing devices and in particular milk frothing devices suitable for being arranged on a coffee machine delivering steam and/or hot water. Such devices require in particular regular cleaning to avoid any operating problems or risks linked to a lack of hygiene.

State of the art

Document EP2272409 discloses a coffee machine comprising a milk frothing device comprising a frothing chamber supplied by a hot water/steam supply pipe, a milk supply pipe comprising a milk dispensing outlet and an air supply pipe. In this document, the cleaning of the milk frothing device is ensured by a system implementing a cleaning product tank, a reversing valve and a washing pipe.

However, such a system is relatively complex and expensive to implement and does not ensure optimized cleaning of the milk supply pipe outlet, particularly if milk has dried at this outlet.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

The technical problem underlying the invention is to provide a milk frothing device with a simple, economical and reliable structure, the cleaning of which can be carried out simply and effectively.

• un corps principal comportant :

• un premier port d’entrée, propre à recevoir de la vapeur et/ou de l’eau chaude,
• un deuxième port d’entrée propre à recevoir du lait,
• une première chambre de moussage, et
• un port de sortie de lait moussé ; et

• un dispositif d’amenée de lait propre à être connecté au corps principal et comprenant une buse de distribution de lait.

Conformément à l’invention, le dispositif de moussage de lait comprend un outil de nettoyage propre à nettoyer la buse de distribution de lait, et un logement de réception de l’outil de nettoyage, l’outil de nettoyage étant propre à être positionné de manière amovible dans le logement de réception.For this purpose, the invention relates to a milk frothing device comprising:

• a main body comprising:

• a first inlet port, suitable for receiving steam and/or hot water,
• a second inlet port suitable for receiving milk,
• a first foaming chamber, and
• a frothed milk outlet port; and

• a milk supply device suitable for being connected to the main body and comprising a milk dispensing nozzle.

According to the invention, the milk frothing device comprises a cleaning tool suitable for cleaning the milk dispensing nozzle, and a housing for receiving the cleaning tool, the cleaning tool being suitable for being positioned removably in the receiving housing.

By virtue of the invention, the cleaning tool is housed on the frothing device, which allows a user to quickly view it and have it available whenever they wish to clean the device, particularly the milk dispensing nozzle. In addition, such a tool makes it possible to effectively clean the milk dispensing nozzle and thus ensure proper operation of the frothing device. In addition, the fact that the frothing device comprises a milk supply device capable of being connected to the main body makes it possible to easily disassemble the frothing device to optimize its cleaning. Finally, the simplicity of the cleaning tool and the structure of the main body make it possible to obtain a device with a simple, economical and reliable structure.

According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a foaming device may incorporate one or more of the following features, taken in any technically admissible combination.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the receiving housing is delimited at least partially by the main body.

Such an arrangement allows simple and rapid access to the cleaning tool and to keep it secured to the main body, in particular during storage or use of the frothing device. Thus, the cleaning tool is available to the user as soon as he wishes to carry out a cleaning operation on the milk supply device and in particular the milk dispensing nozzle.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the milk supply device comprises: a milk supply pipe fluidly connected to the milk distribution nozzle, and a connection member suitable for connecting the milk distribution nozzle at the second inlet port, the connection member delimiting with the main body, when it is connected to the main body, the housing for receiving the cleaning tool.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to associate the cleaning tool with the milk supply device that it is used to clean. In addition, this makes it possible to keep the cleaning tool secured to the main body and the connection member, in particular during storage or use of the frothing device. Thus, the cleaning tool is available to the user whenever he wishes to carry out a cleaning operation on the milk supply device and in particular the milk dispensing nozzle.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the connection member is movable between a position assembled with the main body and a disassembled position, the cleaning tool being able to be removed from the receiving housing by a user when the connection member is in the disassembled position and stuck in the receiving housing when the connection member is in the assembled position.

Such an arrangement allows the user to access the cleaning tool as soon as he separates the connection member from the main body. Access to the cleaning tool during a cleaning operation of the milk supply device is thus facilitated.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the cleaning tool, in particular a gripping zone of the cleaning tool, is flush with an upper face of the main body and an upper face of the connection member when the cleaning tool is arranged in the receiving housing and the connection member is in the assembled position.

Such an arrangement allows optimized integration of the cleaning tool with the rest of the milk frothing device and in particular with respect to the main body and the connection member.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the milk dispensing nozzle comprises a milk supply channel fluidly connected to the milk supply pipe and an air supply channel, the milk supply channel and the air supply channel being capable of opening upstream of an outlet of the milk dispensing nozzle to deliver an air and milk mixture through said outlet.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to obtain optimized foaming performance.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the cleaning tool comprises a proximal portion defining a gripping zone for a user and a distal portion comprising a cleaning needle.

The cleaning tool is therefore easy to use.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the cleaning tool comprises two axial projections for protecting the cleaning needle arranged on either side of the cleaning needle.

The integrity of the cleaning needle when handling the cleaning tool and the safety of the user are thus guaranteed.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the gripping zone comprises a slot suitable for receiving an axial prominence of the connection member for assembling the cleaning tool to the connection member at the receiving housing.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to improve the attachment of the cleaning tool to the milk supply device and therefore to the rest of the frothing device.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the milk frothing device also comprises a steam/hot water nozzle suitable for being connected to the first inlet port of the main body.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the gripping zone defines two opposite surfaces along a vertical axis perpendicular to the cleaning needle, respectively forming an upper finger rest and a lower finger rest.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, a lower face of the upper finger rest comprises at least one projection capable of cooperating with an upper face of the axial prominence to maintain by clamping/friction the gripping zone fixed to the connection member.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the main body comprises a first cavity for partial reception of the cleaning tool and in particular of the distal portion while the connection member comprises a second cavity for partial reception of the cleaning tool and in particular of the proximal portion.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the first and second cavities together form the receiving housing when the connection member is in the assembled position with the main body.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the cleaning tool comprises a cleaning needle suitable for cleaning the milk dispensing nozzle and in particular an outlet of the milk dispensing nozzle and advantageously at least a portion of the air supply channel and/or the milk supply channel.

The invention also relates to a coffee machine comprising a milk frothing device, a hot water/steam outlet nozzle and a boiler producing hot water and/or steam to supply said outlet nozzle, in which the frothing device is as described above and the first inlet port is capable of being fluidically connected to the outlet nozzle.

Brief description of the figures

The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

There is a very schematic representation of a coffee machine comprising a milk frothing device according to one embodiment of the invention comprising steam/hot water;

There is a perspective view of the milk frothing device of the for which the steam/hot water nozzle is not shown;

There is a partial exploded view of the milk frothing device of the ;

There is an exploded view of the milk frothing device of Figures 2 and 3;

There is a perspective view from two separate viewpoints of a cleaning tool for the milk frothing device of Figures 1 to 4;

There is a perspective view of a subassembly of the milk frothing device of Figures 1 to 4 comprising a main body, a frothing member and a connecting member;

There is a partial sectional view along the vertical section plane along line VII-VII of the milk frothing device of the ; And

There is a partial sectional view along the horizontal section plane along line VIII-VIII of the milk frothing device of the .

Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "transverse", used to describe the frothing device refer to this device in a usage situation, when it is connected to a hot water/steam outlet nozzle of a coffee machine 10 and it delivers frothed milk into a container.

Furthermore, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are defined according to the direction of circulation of milk and/or air and/or steam in the milk frothing device.

Furthermore, the terms “proximal” and “distal” are defined in relation to the user when using the milk frothing device. Thus a proximal portion/part will be closer to the user than a distal portion/part.

The coffee machine 10, represented very schematically in the , is advantageously a 10 automatic coffee machine.

The coffee machine 10 comprises a frame 12, a container support 14 on which a container can be placed and a dispensing head 16. The dispensing head 16 comprises at least one nozzle, preferably two nozzles 18A, 18B, for dispensing coffee. The coffee machine 10 comprises a control circuit 20 for managing the preparation of a beverage based on instructions given by a user. The coffee machine 10 comprises a boiler 22 producing hot water and/or steam and a tank 24 forming a cold water reserve. The tank 24 is used to supply the boiler 22 to produce hot water and/or steam.

The coffee machine 10 also includes a hot water/steam outlet nozzle 26 suitable for being supplied with hot water and/or steam by the boiler 22.

In a known manner and not shown, the coffee machine 10 advantageously comprises a coffee bean reservoir, an automatic bean grinder and an infusion chamber suitable for receiving the ground coffee beans and for being supplied with hot water by the boiler 22. The infusion chamber is fluidically connected to the dispensing head 16 so that the machine 10 is suitable for dispensing a coffee-based beverage at the coffee outlet nozzles 18A, 18B.

According to the invention, the coffee machine 10 also comprises a milk frothing device 30 capable of being connected to the hot water/steam outlet nozzle 26.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the milk frothing device 30 comprises a main body 32 and a milk supply device 34 suitable for being connected to the main body 32.

The main body 32 comprises a first inlet port 36, suitable for receiving steam and/or hot water from the outlet nozzle 26, a second inlet port 38 suitable for receiving milk and advantageously an air/milk mixture from the milk supply device 34, a first frothing chamber 40, visible at the , and an outlet port 42 for frothed milk. The main body 32 is advantageously made of silicone material.

the first inlet port 36 and the second inlet port 38 open near the first foaming chamber 40.

Advantageously, the milk frothing device 30 also comprises a steam/hot water nozzle 44, shown only schematically in the figure. , suitable for being connected between the main body 32 and the outlet tip 26.

the steam/hot water nozzle 44 is suitable for being assembled by clamping at the first inlet port 36. The steam/hot water nozzle 44 comprises, in a manner known per se, a steam supply duct, not shown in the figures, comprising a section restriction.

The milk supply device 34 is suitable for being connected to the main body 32 at the second inlet port 38. As visible in FIGS. 3 and 4, the milk supply device 34 comprises a milk distribution nozzle 48, a milk supply pipe 50 fluidly connected to the milk distribution nozzle 48 and a connection member 52 suitable for connecting the milk distribution nozzle 48 at the second inlet port 38.

The connecting member 52 is movable between a position assembled with the main body 32 and a disassembled position. In the disassembled position, the milk supply device 34 is disconnected from the main body 32 as shown in FIG. . In the assembled position the milk supply device 34 is connected to the main body 32 and the milk dispensing nozzle 48 is adapted to deliver milk at the second inlet port 38.

The connection member 52 has the overall shape of a half-cylinder and comprises along a vertical axis Z52, shown in , a lower end 53, a central zone 54 receiving the milk dispensing nozzle 48 and comprising connection means 55 with the milk supply pipe 50 and an upper end 56.

The lower end 53 comprises a disc 53A extending radially to the vertical axis Z52. The upper end 56 comprises an axial protrusion 56A extending radially to the vertical axis Z52 and dividing an internal space 57 of the half-cylinder into a lower housing 57A and an upper housing 57B.

The milk dispensing nozzle 48 is suitable for being assembled by clamping and/or form cooperation at the second inlet port 38. The milk dispensing nozzle 48 is for example made of an elastically deformable material. The milk dispensing nozzle 48 defines a longitudinal axis X48, shown in FIG. , extending horizontally when assembled to the main body 32.

The milk dispensing nozzle 48 comprises, as visible in the , along its longitudinal axis X48, a first radial projection 58. When the connection member 52 is in the assembled position, the first radial projection 58 is capable of cooperating with an internal face 59 of the second inlet port 38 forming a first orifice whose width is less than that of the first radial projection 58. The first radial projection 58 is capable of cooperating by friction/tightening with the internal face 59 so as to ensure the maintenance by clamping of the milk dispensing nozzle 48 on the main body 32.

Advantageously, the milk dispensing nozzle 48 comprises, as visible in the , along its longitudinal axis X48, a second radial projection 60. When the connection member 52 is in the assembled position, the second radial projection 60 is capable of cooperating with an internal face 61 of the second inlet port 38 forming a second orifice whose width is less than that of the second radial projection 60. The second radial projection 60 is capable of cooperating by friction/tightening with the internal face 61 so as to ensure the maintenance by clamping of the milk dispensing nozzle 48 on the main body 32.

Advantageously, the milk dispensing nozzle 48 also comprises, as visible in the , along its longitudinal axis X48, portions of reduced section 62A, 62B relative to the second inlet port 38 and/or flats 62C, 62D so as to facilitate the assembly of the milk dispensing nozzle 48 to the second inlet port 38 by reducing friction during assembly.

Advantageously still, as visible in the , the milk dispensing nozzle 48 comprises at its distal end a groove 64 capable of cooperating with a lip 66 formed on an internal face of the second inlet port 38 in order to ensure a sealed connection between an outlet 67 of the milk dispensing nozzle 48 and the second inlet port 38.

As visible in the , the milk supply line 50 comprises a first end 68 suitable for being positioned in a milk tank not shown and a second end 70, opposite the first end 68, suitable for being connected to the milk dispensing nozzle 48.

The milk dispensing nozzle 48 comprises a milk supply channel 72 fluidly connected to the milk supply pipe 50 and an air supply channel 74. The milk supply channel 72 and the air supply channel 74 are capable of opening upstream of the outlet 67 of the milk dispensing nozzle 48 to deliver an air/milk mixture through said outlet 67.

The air supply channel 74 is positioned on an outer face 76 of the milk dispensing nozzle 48 and comprises a first portion 82 extending along the longitudinal axis, as well as a second portion 84 located downstream of the first portion 82 and extending between the first portion 82 and the milk supply channel 72. The second portion 84 extends in a direction radial to the longitudinal axis X48. The air supply channel 74 is located upstream of the first 58 and the second 60 radial projections.

The circulation of air between the exterior and the air supply channel 74 is essentially via a lower face 90 of the main body 32. Indeed, as shown in , in the assembled position of the connection member 52, the connection member 52 defines with the main body 32 at the lower face 90 an air inlet space 92 and a clearance 94 between the connection member 52 and the main body 32 which allows air to circulate to the milk dispensing nozzle 48. Then, the air is able to flow along a proximal part of the milk dispensing nozzle 48 to reach the first portion 82 of the air supply channel 74 and thus circulate through the air supply channel 74 to the milk supply channel 72 to obtain an air and milk mixture at the outlet 67 of the milk dispensing nozzle 48. The air circulation is represented by the dotted line F1 at and to the .

The circulation of milk between the container and the milk supply channel 72 takes place via the milk distribution line 50 and the milk supply channel 72. The circulation of milk is represented by the dotted line F2 at the .

The circulation of the air/milk mixture is represented by arrow F3 at .

The milk frothing device 30 comprises a Venturi effect milk and air suction system from a hot water/steam supply from the boiler 22. The Venturi effect suction system is formed from the section restriction of the steam supply duct of the steam/hot water nozzle 44 which opens into the first frothing chamber 40. The passage of the steam flow at the section reduction creates a depression at the outlet of the section restriction. The outlet 67 of the milk dispensing nozzle 48 is suitable for being connected to the outlet of the section restriction of the steam supply duct of the steam/hot water nozzle 44. The vacuum makes it possible to suck in, by the Venturi effect, the milk and air from the air supply channel 74 and the milk supply channel 72 and in particular to suck in an air/milk mixture at the outlet 67 of the milk dispensing nozzle 48.

The Venturi effect is the name given to a phenomenon in fluid dynamics, according to which a flowing fluid undergoes a depression where the flow section narrows and where the flow speed increases.

The milk frothing device 30 also includes a cleaning tool 100, shown in , suitable for cleaning the milk dispensing nozzle 48 and a receiving housing 102 for the cleaning tool 100. The cleaning tool 100 is removable relative to the rest of the milk frothing device 30 and in particular to the main body 32. The cleaning tool 100 is positioned removably in the receiving housing 102.

The cleaning tool 100 comprises a proximal portion 106 defining a gripping area 107 suitable for being grasped by the user. The cleaning tool 100 also comprises a distal portion 108 comprising a cleaning needle 110 suitable for cleaning the milk dispensing nozzle 48 and in particular the outlet 67 of the milk dispensing nozzle 48 and advantageously at least a portion of the air supply channel 74 and/or the milk supply channel 72.

The gripping area 107 is generally cylindrical in shape and defines two opposite surfaces along a vertical axis Z107 perpendicular to the needle 110 respectively forming an upper finger rest 112 and a lower finger rest 114. The gripping area 107 is thus suitable for being grasped by a user between two fingers.

The gripping area 107 also comprises a slot 118 suitable for receiving the axial protrusion 56A of the connection member 52 for assembling the cleaning tool 100 to the connection member 52. Thus, when the cleaning tool 100 is assembled to the connection member 52, the lower housing 57A receives the lower finger rest 114 and the upper housing 57B receives the upper finger rest 112. The slot 118 is positioned between the two finger rest surfaces. The slot 118 is delimited by a lower face 120 of the upper finger rest 112 and an upper face 121 of the lower finger rest 114.

Advantageously, and as shown in the , the lower face 120 of the upper finger rest 112 comprises two vertical projections 122, 124, such as tabs 122, 124, capable of cooperating with an upper face 126 of the axial prominence 56A to maintain by clamping/friction the gripping zone 107 fixed to the connection member 52 and in particular to the axial prominence 56A.

Advantageously, the lower housing 57A and the upper housing 57B are capable of receiving the lower finger rest 114 and the upper finger rest 112 indifferently.

As shown in detail in the , the cleaning tool 100 comprises two axial needle protection projections 130, 132 arranged on either side of the cleaning needle 110.

Advantageously, the axial projections of protections 130, 132 each comprise an outer edge 130, 136 provided with gripping reliefs 138, 140 of the cleaning tool 100.

The receiving housing 102 is delimited at least partially by the main body 32.

Advantageously, and as shown in the , the connection member 52 delimits with the main body 32, when it is connected to the main body 32, the receiving housing 102 of the cleaning tool 100.

When the connecting member 52 is in the assembled position, the cleaning tool 100 is stuck in the receiving housing 102 as visible in the . When the connection member 52 is in the disassembled position, the cleaning tool 100 is able to be removed from the receiving housing 102 by a user, as visible in FIGS. 3 and 4.

More specifically, the main body 32 comprises a first cavity 146 for partially receiving the cleaning tool 100 and in particular the distal portion 108 while the connection member 52 comprises a second cavity 148 for partially receiving the cleaning tool 100 and in particular the proximal portion 106. The second cavity 148 is formed by the lower housing 57A and the upper housing 57B and comprises the axial prominence 56A which separates the lower housing 57A and the upper housing 57B.

The first and second cavities 146, 148 together form the receiving housing 102 when the connection member 52 is in the assembled position with the main body 32.

The receiving housing 102 comprises an upper opening 150 whose surface and shape correspond to that of the gripping zone 107. Thus, as visible in the , the gripping zone 107 of the cleaning tool 100 and in particular the upper finger rest 112, is flush with an upper face 152 of the main body 32 and an upper face 154 of the connection member 52 when the cleaning tool 100 is arranged in the receiving housing 102 and the connection member 52 is in the assembled position.

As visible in the and to the , the main body 32 comprises at the level of the first cavity 146 a recess 160 for receiving the needle. Advantageously, and as shown in the , the first cavity 146 comprises two axial projections 162, 164 covered by the upper face 152 of the main body 32 and defining the recess 160 for receiving the cleaning needle 110. The two axial projections 162, 164 also form, with a respective inner edge of the first cavity 146, two areas 168, 170 for receiving the axial protection projections 130, 132 located on either side of the recess.

When the cleaning tool 100 is positioned in the receiving housing 102, the cleaning needle 110 is housed in the needle receiving recess 160, the axial projections 130, 132 in the corresponding receiving areas 168, 170 and the slot 118 receives the axial prominence 56A. The upper finger support 112 and the lower finger support 114 are then located on either side of the axial prominence 56A along the vertical axis Z52 respectively in the upper housing 57B and in the lower housing 57A.

Advantageously, the milk frothing device 30 comprises a frothing member 174 capable of being connected to the main body 32 at the frothed milk outlet port 42 and of being fluidically connected to the first frothing chamber 40. The frothing member 174 comprises at least a second frothing chamber 176 and a frothed milk outlet orifice 177.

The second frothing chamber 176 is configured to obtain good expansion of the mixture coming from the frothed milk outlet port 42 and to regulate its flow rate.

Advantageously, the foaming member 174 also comprises a homogenization chamber 178 configured to improve the homogeneity of the foamed milk obtained and creates a regular outlet flow by an expansion phenomenon.

Advantageously, the steam/hot water nozzle 44 and the foaming member 174 are capable of being assembled in a removable manner by clamping, via shape cooperation on the main body 32. The main body 32 notably comprises sealing lips 180, 182 capable of being housed in radial grooves 184 formed on the foaming member 174 and the steam/hot water nozzle 44 when the foaming member 174 and the steam/hot water nozzle 44 are connected to the main body 32.

The structure of the frothing device 30 allows easy disassembly of the various elements composing it and thus ensures simple and effective cleaning of the main body 32, the milk supply device 34, the steam/hot water nozzle 44 and the frothing member 174.

The operation and use of the milk frothing device 30 will be explained below via an example of use.

In an initial step, the user assembles the steam/hot water nozzle 44 to the first inlet port 36, the milk supply device 34 to the second inlet port 38, positioning the cleaning member 100 in the receiving housing 102, and the frothing member 174 on the outlet port 42.

Then, in a next step, the user connects the steam/hot water nozzle 44 to the outlet tip 26 and places the first end 68 of the milk line 50 in a container filled with milk.

Then, the user operates the coffee machine 10 to circulate steam through the steam/hot water nozzle 44 and create a vacuum at the outlet of the section restriction of the steam supply duct of the steam/hot water nozzle 44. The vacuum allows, by the Venturi effect, to suck air through the air supply channel 74 and milk through the milk supply channel 72 and to obtain an air/milk mixture at the outlet 67 of the milk dispensing nozzle 48 and an air/milk/water vapor mixture in the first frothing chamber 40.

Then, the air/milk/water vapor mixture circulates through the second frothing chamber 176 and the homogenization chamber 178 to obtain frothed milk at the outlet of the milk frothing device 30.

Once the desired quantity of frothed milk has been obtained, the user separates the milk supply device 34 from the rest of the milk frothing device 30 and can then easily remove the cleaning member 100 from the receiving housing 102 and take hold of it.

Then, the user can, using the cleaning needle 110, clean the milk dispensing nozzle 48 and in particular the outlet 67 of the milk dispensing nozzle 48 and advantageously at least a portion of the air supply channel 74 and/or the milk supply channel 72. The cleaning tool ensures effective and in-depth cleaning of the milk dispensing nozzle 48, because it allows cleaning to be carried out by rubbing and to access the interior of the channels of the milk dispensing nozzle 48.

Once the cleaning operation is completed, the user can reassemble the milk frothing device 30 so as to obtain a reusable single-piece assembly. Thus, the cleaning member 100 is always associated with the rest of the milk frothing device 30 so that the latter is always accessible and does not risk being lost.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only as an example. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the cleaning tool is devoid of axial projections to protect the needle.

According to another variant, the position of the grooves and lips ensuring the seals is reversed.

According to another variant, the internal face of the second inlet port comprises the radial projections and not the milk dispensing nozzle.

The embodiments and variants envisaged above are capable of being combined with each other to give rise to other embodiments of the invention.

Claims (10)

Milk frothing device (30) comprising:

• a main body (32) comprising:
  • a first inlet port (36), suitable for receiving steam and/or hot water,
  • a second inlet port (38) suitable for receiving milk,
  • a first foaming chamber (40), and
  • a frothed milk outlet port (42); and
• a milk supply device (34) suitable for being connected to the main body (32) and comprising a milk dispensing nozzle (48),

characterized in that the milk frothing device (30) comprises a cleaning tool (100) suitable for cleaning the milk dispensing nozzle (48), and in that the milk frothing device (30) comprises a receiving housing (102) for the cleaning tool (100), the cleaning tool (100) being suitable for being removably positioned in the receiving housing (102). Milk frothing device (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving housing (102) is delimited at least partially by the main body (32). Milk frothing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the milk supply device comprises:

• a milk supply line (50) fluidically connected to the milk dispensing nozzle (48), and
• a connecting member (52) suitable for connecting the milk dispensing nozzle (48) at the second inlet port (38), the connecting member (52) delimiting with the main body (32), when connected to the main body (32), the receiving housing (102) of the cleaning tool (100).

Milk frothing device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connection member (52) is movable between a position assembled with the main body (32) and a disassembled position, the cleaning tool (100) being able to be removed from the receiving housing (102) by a user when the connection member (52) is in the disassembled position and stuck in the receiving housing (102) when the connection member (52) is in the assembled position. Foaming device according to claim 4, characterized in that the cleaning tool (100), in particular a gripping zone (107) of the cleaning tool (100), is flush with an upper face (152) of the main body and an upper face (154) of the connection member (52) when the cleaning tool (100) is arranged in the receiving housing (102) and the connection member (52) is in the assembled position. Frothing device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the milk dispensing nozzle (48) comprises a milk supply channel (72) fluidly connected to the milk supply pipe (50) and an air supply channel (74), the milk supply channel (72) and the air supply channel (74) being able to open upstream of an outlet (67) of the milk dispensing nozzle (48) to deliver an air and milk mixture through said outlet. Milk frothing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning tool (100) comprises a proximal portion (106) defining a gripping area (107) for a user and a distal portion (108) comprising a cleaning needle (110). Foaming device according to claim 7, characterized in that the cleaning tool (100) comprises two axial projections (130, 132) for protecting the cleaning needle (110) arranged on either side of the cleaning needle (110). Milk frothing device according to any one of claims 7 to 8 and according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the gripping zone (107) comprises a slot (118) suitable for receiving an axial prominence (56A) of the connection member (52) for assembling the cleaning tool (100) to the connection member (52) at the receiving housing (102). Coffee machine comprising a milk frothing device (30), a hot water/steam outlet nozzle (26) and a boiler (22) producing hot water and/or steam to supply said outlet nozzle (26), characterized in that the milk frothing device (30) is according to any one of the preceding claims and in that the first inlet port (36) is capable of being fluidically connected to the outlet nozzle (26).