System & Method for Producing Foamed and Steamed Milk

Abstract

A foamed milk system for creating foamed milk from a source of milk, a source of air, and a source of steam. The system may include a milk inlet system for pressurizing the milk, an air inlet system for pressurizing the air, a mixing area to mix the pressurized milk, the pressurized air, and the steam, and an expansion area to expand the mixture of the pressurized milk, the pressurized air, and the steam.

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       32 . A beverage system having a source of a beverage, a source of air, and a source of a sanitizing fluid, comprising: 
 a beverage line for the source of the beverage;    an air line for the source of the air;    a mixing chamber for mixing the beverage and the air;    a mixture line for dispensing the mixed beverage and air; and    a sanitizing fluid line for the source of the sanitizing fluid;    the sanitizing fluid line in communication with the mixing chamber so as to run the sanitizing fluid through the mixing chamber and the mixture line.    
   
   
       33 . The beverage system of  claim 32 , wherein the beverage line comprises a disposable hose.  
   
   
       34 . The beverage system of  claim 32 , wherein the mixture line comprises a disposable hose.  
   
   
       35 . The beverage system of  claim 32 , wherein the mixing chamber comprises a three way connector.  
   
   
       36 . The beverage system of  claim 32 , wherein the mixing chamber comprises a four way connector.  
   
   
       37 . The beverage system of  claim 32 , wherein the sanitizing fluid comprises hot water.  
   
   
       38 . The beverage system of  claim 37 , wherein the hot water comprises about 190 degrees Fahrenheit (about 88 degrees Celsius).  
   
   
       39 . The beverage system of  claim 32 , further comprising a mixing area in communication with the mixture line and wherein the sanitation fluid runs through the mixing area.  
   
   
       40 . A dispenser for mixing air and a liquid, comprising: 
 a refrigerator for storing the liquid;    an air line for the air;    a liquid line for the liquid;    wherein the liquid line is positioned within the refrigerator;    a mixing chamber for mixing the air and the liquid;    wherein the mixing chamber is positioned about the refrigerator;    a sanitation fluid source; and    a sanitation fluid line;    wherein the sanitation fluid line merges with the air line such that the sanitation fluid flows through the sanitation fluid line, the air line, and the mixing chamber.    
   
   
       41 . The dispenser of  claim 40 , wherein the sanitizing fluid comprises hot water.  
   
   
       42 . The dispenser of  claim 41 , wherein the hot water comprises about 190 degrees Fahrenheit (about 88 degrees Celsius).  
   
   
       43 . The dispenser of  claim 40 , wherein the air line comprises a check valve thereon.  
   
   
       44 . The dispenser of  claim 40 , wherein the sanitation fluid source is activated on a predetermined schedule.  
   
   
       45 . The dispenser of  claim 44 , wherein the predetermined schedule comprises about two (2) hours of operation.  
   
   
       46 . The dispenser of  claim 44 , wherein the air line comprises a disposable hose.  
   
   
       47 . The dispenser of  claim 44 , wherein the liquid line comprises a disposable hose.  
   
   
       48 . The dispenser of  claim 44 , further a mixture line in communication with the mixing chamber and further comprising a mixing area in communication with the mixture line and wherein the sanitation fluid runs through the mixture line and the mixing area.  
   
   
       49 . The dispenser of  claim 48 , wherein in the mixture line comprises a disposable hose.  
   
   
       50 . A method of operating a beverage system for mixing a fluid and air comprising: 
 storing the liquid in a refrigerator;    flowing the liquid through a liquid line to a mixture chamber;    maintaining the liquid line and the mixture chamber about the refrigerator;    flowing the air to the mixture chamber; and    sanitizing the system on a first predetermined schedule;    wherein the sanitizing step comprises flowing a sanitizing fluid through the air line and the mixture chamber.    
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the sanitizing step further comprises replacing liquid line and the air line on a second predetermined schedule.