System for heating and frothing a beverage, a device for heating and frothing a beverage suitable for being used in such a system, a froth wand suitable for being used in such a system and a method of preparing a beverage using such a system

Abstract

A system for heating and frothing a beverage comprises a device for heating and frothing a beverage and a froth wand. The device for heating and frothing a beverage includes a steamer, a steam conduit connecting the steamer to a steam nozzle and a froth wand holder for removably holding a froth wand. The froth wand is a disposable froth wand and comprises a tubular wall having a steam inlet end comprising a steam inlet, a steam outlet end comprising a steam outlet separate from the steam inlet and a steam channel extending between the steam inlet and the steam outlet. The froth wand holder is arranged for holding the disposable froth wand at least in an operational position in the device for heating and frothing a beverage in which operational position the steam nozzle is in communication with the steam inlet of the disposable froth wand.

1 . A system for heating and frothing a beverage, said system comprising a device for heating and frothing a beverage and a froth wand, said device for heating and frothing a beverage including a steamer, a steam conduit connecting the steamer to a steam nozzle and a froth wand holder for removably holding a froth wand, said froth wand being a disposable froth wand comprising a tubular wall having a steam inlet end comprising a steam inlet, a steam outlet end comprising a steam outlet separate from the steam inlet and a steam channel extending between the steam inlet and the steam outlet, said froth wand holder being arranged for holding the disposable froth wand at least in an operational position in the device for heating and frothing a beverage in which operational position the steam nozzle is in communication with the steam inlet of the disposable froth wand and wherein the froth wand extends substantially off centre in the operational position. 
     
     
         2 . A system for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 1 , wherein the system for heating and frothing a beverage comprises a support for a cup, said froth wand holder and support being mutually arranged such that the froth wand held in the froth wand holder extends into a cup positioned on the support in the operational position of the froth wand holder such that the froth wand extends substantially off centre into the cup. 
     
     
         3 . A system for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 1 , wherein the froth wand comprises a blade at the steam outlet end. 
     
     
         4 . A system for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 3 , wherein the blade is shaped asymmetrical with regard to a longitudinal axis of the tubular wall. 
     
     
         5 . A system for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 3 , wherein the blade is shaped symmetrical with regard to a longitudinal axis of the tubular wall. 
     
     
         6 . A system for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 1 , wherein the froth wand comprises a grip at the steam inlet end. 
     
     
         7 . A system for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 6 , wherein the grip is shaped asymmetrical with regard to a longitudinal axis of the tubular wall. 
     
     
         8 . A system for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 6 , wherein the grip is shaped symmetrical with regard to a longitudinal axis of the tubular wall. 
     
     
         9 . A system for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 1 , wherein the froth wand holder is arranged for holding the froth wand in a substantially vertical position in the operational position. 
     
     
         10 . A system for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 1 , wherein the froth wand holder comprises a horizontal seat for holding the froth wand. 
     
     
         11 . A system for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 10 , wherein the horizontal seat comprises a froth wand opening for receiving a part of the froth wand. 
     
     
         12 . A system for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 11 , wherein the horizontal seat comprises a radial slot opening into the froth wand opening. 
     
     
         13 . A device for heating and frothing a beverage suitable for being used in a system for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 1 , wherein said device for heating and frothing a beverage includes a steamer, a steam conduit connecting the steamer to a steam nozzle and a froth wand holder for removably holding a disposable froth wand, said froth wand holder being arranged for holding the disposable froth wand at least in an operational position in the device for heating and frothing a beverage and wherein the froth wand holder is arranged for holding the froth wand substantially off centre in the operational position. 
     
     
         14 . A device for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 13 , wherein the system for heating and frothing a beverage comprises a support for a cup, said froth wand holder and support being mutually arranged such that the froth wand held in the froth wand holder extends into a cup positioned on the support in the operational position of the froth wand holder such that the froth wand extends substantially off centre into the cup. 
     
     
         15 . A device for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 13 , wherein the froth wand holder is arranged for holding a froth wand in a substantially vertical position in the operational position. 
     
     
         16 . A method of preparing a beverage using a system for heating and frothing a beverage according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises the step of positioning a froth wand in the froth wand holder of the device for heating and frothing a beverage such that the froth wand is held in the froth wand holder in a substantially vertical position, the step of activating the device for heating and frothing a beverage when the froth wand holder is in the operational position in the device for heating and frothing a beverage in which operational position the steam nozzle is in communication with the steam inlet of the froth wand, the step of supplying steam to and through the froth wand, the step of releasing the froth wand from the froth wand holder after steam has passed a predetermined number of times through the froth wand and the step of disposing the froth wand wherein the froth wand holder is arranged for holding the froth wand substantially off centre in the operational position. 
     
     
         17 . A method for preparing a beverage according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of supplying steam is enabled only after the froth wand is held in the froth wand holder. 
     
     
         18 . A method of preparing a beverage according to  claim 16 , wherein the predetermined number of times is less than five. 
     
     
         19 . A method of preparing a beverage according to  claim 16 , wherein the predetermined number of times is one. 
     
     
         20 . A method for preparing a beverage according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of supplying steam is enabled only after the froth wand is held in the froth wand holder.