Cleaning system and method for beverage appliance

Abstract

The beverage appliance of the present invention includes a venturi having a steam inlet and a milk inlet. The steam inlet and milk inlet each include a solenoid valve configurable between an open state and a closed state. The solenoid valves are electrically coupled to a processor and are controllable through first and second switches. In operation, upon activation of the first switch, the solenoid valves are controlled to their open states to deliver milk and steam to the venturi to produce frothed milk. When a desired amount of frothed milk has been dispensed, the user deactivates the first switch and the processor controls only the milk inlet solenoid valve to its closed state. The steam inlet solenoid valve remains in its open state for a predetermined amount of time such that a burst of steam only is forced through the venturi and distribution lines to purge them of milk.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A brewed beverage appliance, comprising:
 a housing;   a steam source;   a milk reservoir;   a brewed beverage dispensing spout;   a frothed milk dispensing spout;   a milk frothing unit fluidly coupled to said frothed milk dispensing spout, said milk frothing unit having a steam inlet for receiving steam from said steam source and a milk inlet for receiving milk from said milk reservoir;   a first valve associated with said milk inlet and controllable between an open state and a closed state to control a flow of milk to said milk frothing unit;   a second valve associated with said steam inlet and controllable between an open state and a closed state to control a flow of steam to said milk frothing unit.   
     
     
         2 . The brewed beverage appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a processor electrically coupled to said first and said second valves and configured to control said first and second valves between said open and closed states.   
     
     
         3 . The brewed beverage appliance of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said processor is configured to control said first valve and said second valve to said open states to permit said flow of milk and said flow of steam into said milk frothing unit to produce frothed milk; and   wherein said processor operates according to a control algorithm such that when a desired quantity of frothed milk is dispensed from said frothed milk dispensing spout, said first valve is controlled to said closed state and said second valve is maintained in said open state for a predetermined amount of time to cleanse said milk frothing unit and milk dispensing spout.   
     
     
         4 . The brewed beverage appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first switch electrically coupled to said first valve for manually controlling said first valve between said open and closed states; and   a second switch electrically coupled to said second valve for manually controlling said second valve between said open and closed states.