US 5,638,740 · Granted 1997-06-17

Apparatus for brewing espresso and cappuccino

An improved espresso/cappuccino machine and methods which comprise a crema device downstream of the coffee filter for producing consistent and rich crema on top of the espresso and an automatic milk frothier for producing a predetermined amount of visually appealing foamy head for the milk, both in a manner that is independent of the operators' skill. The crema device comprises an expandable opening for forming a stream or jet of espresso, a crema chamber having keeping means for maintaining an amount of espresso in the chamber during the brewing process, and an arrangement that allows the jet of espresso to plunge directly into the espresso maintained in the chamber thereby producing the crema. The automatic frothier comprises an expandable opening for forming a steam jet, an automatic fluid regulating system for selectively introducing air into the frothier before the predetermined amount of foamy head has been produced and introducing foam into the frothier afterwards, a chamber for mixing the steam with the air and foam, and a reflector for confining the steam above the reflector and preventing the steam from spraying the milk.

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