Gruppo Cimbali S.p.a.

Dario Sala

Andrea Coccia

Claudio Bianchi

Paolo Vecchio

A machine for preparing coffee and milk based beverages having a steam generator, a first apparatus for producing coffee as well as a source of liquid milk and a second apparatus for preparing and dispensing a beverage from a concentrated fluid product. The second apparatus includes a beverage preparation device associated with a second dispenser connected via first line to a first connector unit of the second apparatus to receive a concentrated fluid product pre-diluted in the first connector unit and, via a second line, to the source of liquid milk to complete dilution and obtain a diluted product to be dispensed from the beverage preparation device.

Apparatus for preparing and dispensing a beverage, in particular a chocolate-based beverage in a coffee machine

Apparatus for preparing and dispensing hot or cold milk, in the frothed or non-frothed state, in a coffee machine for preparing various types of beverages based on coffee with milk, said coffee machine comprising a coffee apparatus for producing coffee with an associated coffee dispensing device, a first water heater for producing steam, a second water heater for producing hot water for preparation of the coffee in said coffee apparatus, said first and second heaters being connected to a water source for replenishing them with water, a frothing device provided with an internal chamber for frothing the milk when required and at least one nozzle for dispensing the milk externally, said apparatus comprising a milk line for the milk, connecting a source of liquid milk to the frothing device, a steam line for the steam, connecting the first water heater to the frothing device, as well as an air line for the air, connecting a source of air to the said frothing device, a pump arranged along the milk line for supplying the milk from said source of liquid milk to said frothing device, a first intercept valve arranged along the steam line and a second intercept valve arranged along the air line, wherein said pump arranged along the milk line and said first and second intercept valves are able to be operated independently of each other such that the milk line, the steam line and the air line are connected to said chamber of the frothing device one at a time or in combination with each other.

Apparatus and method for preparing milk under various temperature and consistency conditions in a coffee machine for forming various types of beverages

Device for the replacement of sterile containers () containing concentrated products in apparatus for the production of beverages from these concentrated products, said sterile containers () being provided with a union () having a one-way valve for dispensing the product, said device comprising a body () with a seat () for engagement with said union (), said seat () being in fluid connection with the chamber () into which the concentrated product and at least the liquid for reconstituting the beverage are supplied, as well as locking means () for keeping the said union () in position inside said seat (). Sensor means () are provided between said body () with the seat () for engagement with the union () and said locking means, said sensors () detecting the relative position of the said locking means () with respect to the body () and emitting a corresponding signal.

Device for the replacement of sterile containers containing concentrated products in apparatus for the production of beverages

Apparatus for preparing a beverage using a soluble preparation, comprising a container for the soluble preparation, a mixer provided with a mixing chamber, said chamber having a filling inlet for the soluble preparation, at least one opening for supplying a liquid for solubilizing the preparation and forming the beverage, a duct for evacuating any vapour and/or aerosol which forms during preparation of the beverage, said duct comprising a suction fan, as well as an opening for dispensing the prepared beverage, a centrifuging device housed inside said mixing chamber and rotationally operated by an associated electric motor positioned outside said chamber, means for conveying a predetermined quantity of soluble preparation from the said container to the filling mouth of said mixing chamber, as well as means for conveying the solubilization liquid from the associated source to the respective opening of the mixing chamber. The apparatus also includes a movable member for closing and opening the said filling inlet of the mixing chamber and means for displacing this member from a position where it keeps the filling inlet open during introduction of a quantity of soluble preparation and a position where it is over said inlet and keeps it closed during formation of the beverage and vice versa.

Apparatus for preparing beverages from soluble preparations with aroma-preserving device

Apparatus for preparing a beverage using a soluble preparation, comprising a container for a soluble preparation, a mixer provided with a mixing chamber, said chamber having a filling inlet for the soluble preparation, at least one opening for supplying a liquid for solubilizing the preparation and forming the beverage, a duct for evacuating any vapor and/or aerosol which forms during preparation of the beverage, said duct comprising a suction fan, as well as an opening for dispensing the prepared beverage, a centrifuging device housed inside said mixing chamber and rotationally operated by an associated electric motor positioned outside said chamber, means for conveying a predetermined quantity of soluble preparation from the said container to the filling inlet of said mixing chamber, as well as means for conveying the solubilizing liquid from the associated source to the respective opening of the mixing chamber. The apparatus includes means for closing and opening the said duct for evacuating any vapor and/or aerosol which forms during preparation of the beverage.

Apparatus for preparing beverages from soluble preparations with improved aroma-preserving device

Coffee machine, comprising at least one steam generator for producing steam and an apparatus for producing the coffee with associated dispensing device, a storage tank containing a ready prepared liquid chocolate product with a density suitable for being a conventional chocolate beverage, a heating device provided with an inlet and an outlet for the product to be heated and an inlet for introducing the steam, a line between said storage tank and the inlet of said heating device, a metering pump arranged along said line for conveying a predetermined amount of chocolate-based product from said storage tank to said heating device and for circulating it inside it, a line for the steam, connecting said steam generator to said inlet for the steam of the heating device, an intercept valve arranged along the said steam line as well as a beverage dispensing device connected to the outlet of the said heating device. The machine allows the dispensing of various types of beverages, such as chocolate, coffee, milk and cappuccino and owing to the presence of said intercept valve, said metering pump may dispense the chocolate beverage in hot condition or in cold condition.

Coffee machine with dispenser of a ready prepared chocolate-based beverage

Apparatus for washing hydraulic circuits involved in the preparation of milk-based beverages in machines for automatically dispensing hot drinks and/or in machines for preparing and supplying espresso coffee, said circuits comprising at least one first hydraulic path which extends between a point for detachable connection to a milk storage vessel and the orifice of at least one pouring spout of a delivery device. A motor-driven pump is arranged along said first hydraulic path and valve means allow washing liquid, drawn from a source to reach said first hydraulic path. The apparatus envisages a hollow, detergent-containing, cartridge provided with unions which, when it is required to perform washing, allow connection of the orifice of said at least one pouring spout supplied by said first hydraulic path to the said connection point which can be detached from the milk source.

Apparatus for washing circuits involved in the preparation of milk-based beverages

Apparatus for washing hydraulic circuits involved in the preparation of milk-based beverages in machines () for automatically dispensing hot drinks and/or in machines () for preparing and supplying espresso coffee, said circuits comprising at least one first hydraulic path () which extends between the milk storage vessel () and the delivery device (), at least one second hydraulic path () which extends between a steam source () and the same delivery device (), a source () of washing liquid, means () for connecting and disconnecting said source () of washing liquid to/from a point () along the said first hydraulic path (). The apparatus provides means () for connecting the said first hydraulic path () to the said second hydraulic path (), producing a closed recirculating circuit for the washing liquid, as well as valve means () for connecting the resultant hydraulic circuit () to a discharge outlet (). In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cartridge () having a closed internal cavity () provided with first means () for connection to the said first hydraulic path () as well as second means () for connection to said second hydraulic path (), to be positioned on the machine in place of the beverage delivery unit ().

Automatic apparatus for treating milk by means of steam comprises a steam-generating source, a reservoir containing the milk to be treated, a mixing chamber into which a flow of milk with a predetermined flow-rate and at least one flow of steam with a predetermined flow-rate are brought through respective ducts opening into the mixing chamber, the chamber being provided with an opening for the delivery of the mixture produced, as well as a peristaltic pump operating on the milk duct between the reservoir and the chamber and driven by an electric motor with adjustable speed. The flow-rate of the pump and consequently the ratio between the flow of milk and the flow of steam can thus be varied so as to achieve the desired temperature in the final product. The apparatus includes an air source, a respective duct connecting the air source to the mixing chamber in order to bring a predetermined air-flow thereto, and a milk frothing chamber disposed downstream of the mixing chamber and in communication therewith, and having an opening for the delivery of the product which, in the case in question, is heated and frothed milk.

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Binasco, Italy

Dario Sala