Steam docking unit of an espresso machine

An espresso machine steam docking unit which is connected to a milk steaming pitcher (1) and which comprises:

• a steam inlet (10), a steam outlet (7) which can be pressed, by means of an activation lever (19) that is swung out of a rest position into an operating position, against a steam inlet opening (2) of a milk steaming pitcher (1), a valve (12) which is connected to the steam inlet (10) and steam outlet (7) and which is activated by the activation lever (19), and a switching contact (21) which is activated by the activation lever (19) and which activates a steam generator in an espresso machine when the activation lever (19) is in an operating position, wherein
• a steam release line (18) is further provided and is connected as a function of operating state through the valve (12) to the steam inlet (10) and steam outlet (7), and
• the valve (12) is controlled by means of the activation lever (19);
• so that the valve (12) is closed when the activation lever (19) is moved out of its rest position into its operating position, before the switching contact (21) activates the steam generator, when the steam outlet (7) is connected to the steam inlet opening (28) of the milk steaming pitcher (1), and
• so that the valve (12) is opened, by moving the activation lever (19) out of its operating position into its rest position, after the switching contact (21) has turned off the steam generator, before the steam outlet (7) is separated from the steam inlet opening (28) of the milk steaming pitcher (1).