coffee machine

Abstract

This invention relates to a coffee machine equipped with an upper and lower blade for grinding coffee beans, thereby shortening the grinding time. The lower blade 541 has an impeller 70 with a plurality of blades 70B at the position where coffee beans fed through the through hole 5310 fall. The impeller 70 guides the coffee beans falling onto the lower blade 541 to the second blade 541b by rotating in the same positive rotation direction as a predetermined rotation direction. The second blade 541b is located outside the impeller 70. Each of the plurality of blades 70B extends outward from the upper end 720 of the inner circumference of the impeller 70, and equally divides the space below the upper end 720 circumferentially. The outer circumference of the second blade 541b is higher than its inner circumference. Each of the plurality of blades extends from the upper end 720 to the entire upper surface 70B3, which is higher than the midpoint between the inner and outer circumferences of the second blade 541b.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a coffee machine having an upper and lower blade for grinding coffee beans. Prior Technology

[0002] One proposal includes a coffee machine having a first blade formed as a downward-facing upper blade around a through hole, and a second blade formed as an upward-facing lower blade opposite to the upper blade, for grinding coffee beans between the first blade and the second blade (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the coffee machine proposed in Patent Document 1, coffee beans are inserted through a through hole in the upper blade, and the inserted coffee beans fall onto the lower blade. The portion of the lower blade from which the coffee beans fall is an inclined surface sloping downwards from the inside to the outside, and a plurality of guide vanes are provided on this inclined surface. Each of the plurality of guide vanes extends from a midpoint along the inclined surface from the inside to the outside to its outer end, protruding slightly upwards. In the coffee machine proposed in Patent Document 1, these plurality of guide vanes are used to guide or expel the falling coffee beans outwards. [Previous Technical Documents] [Patent Literature]

[0004] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2024-079476 Summary of the Invention

[0005] [The problem the invention aims to solve] However, because the guide vane is low, the falling coffee beans do not come into contact with the guide vane and skip over it. Not only are the coffee beans difficult to disperse evenly, but it also takes time to guide or squeeze them outward from the guide vane. As a result, the grinding time for coffee beans becomes longer.

[0006] In view of the above, the objective of this invention is to provide a coffee machine that can shorten the coffee grinding time. [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0007] The coffee machine that solves the above problems is characterized by the following features: The upper cutting edge, around the through hole, forms the first cutting edge downwards; The lower blade, which is positioned opposite the upper blade, forms the second blade upwards; and The drive unit drives the lower blade to rotate in a predetermined rotational direction; and The aforementioned driving unit drives the lower blade to rotate in the specified rotation direction, grinding coffee beans that have been fed into the through hole and fallen onto the lower blade between the first blade and the second blade. The aforementioned lower blade is an impeller with multiple blades located at the point where the coffee bean inserted through the aforementioned through hole falls; and The impeller described above guides the coffee beans falling to the lower blade to the second blade by rotating in the same positive rotation direction as the specified rotation direction. The second blade is located on the outer side of the impeller. Each of the aforementioned plurality of blades extends outward from the upper end of the inner circumference of the impeller, and divides the space below the upper end equally in the circumferential direction; The outer periphery of the second cutting edge is higher than the inner periphery of the second cutting edge; and Each of the aforementioned plurality of blades is located on the entire upper surface connected to the aforementioned upper end, above the midpoint between the aforementioned inner and outer circumferential sides of the aforementioned second blade.

[0008] Furthermore, the aforementioned upper end can be a horizontal surface, an inclined surface that slopes downwards towards the outside, an inclined surface that slopes upwards towards the outside, or a curved surface. Also, the aforementioned upper end can be the radially included central portion of the impeller, or a portion located further outwards from that central portion. Moreover, the aforementioned upper end can be the highest point of the impeller.

[0009] Furthermore, the impeller can use the centrifugal force generated by rotating in the same direction as the specified rotation of the lower blade to guide the coffee beans falling onto the lower blade to the second blade. Alternatively, the impeller can also use rotation in the same direction as the specified rotation of the lower blade to guide the coffee beans falling onto the lower blade along the sides of the plurality of blades to the second blade.

[0010] Alternatively, the characteristics of the aforementioned coffee machine can be described as follows: Each of the aforementioned plurality of blades is the entire upper surface connected from the aforementioned upper end, which is above the height of the aforementioned outer peripheral side of the aforementioned second blade.

[0011] When the height of the inner circumference of the second blade differs in the circumferential direction, the height of the inner circumferential side is the lowest point. Similarly, when the height of the outer circumferential side of the second blade differs in the circumferential direction, the height of the outer circumferential side is also the lowest point. Furthermore, the height of the inner circumferential side of the second blade can be uniform in the circumferential direction, and the height of the outer circumferential side can also be uniform in the circumferential direction.

[0012] The aforementioned upper surface can be a horizontal plane, a sloping surface that descends towards the outer edge, or a sloping surface that rises towards the outer edge. Furthermore, the aforementioned upper surface can be a plane or a curved surface.

[0013] Alternatively, the characteristics of the aforementioned coffee machine can be described as follows: Each of the aforementioned multiple blades has the same height on both the inner and outer sides of its upper surface.

[0014] Alternatively, the characteristics of the aforementioned coffee machine can be described as follows: The aforementioned impeller has a planar or curved side surface that gradually expands downwards and outwards from the outer side of the upper end. The aforementioned plurality of blades are formed on the aforementioned side surface.

[0015] Alternatively, the characteristics of the aforementioned coffee machine can be described as follows: The aforementioned plurality of blades are as follows: The outer portion of the downstream side of the aforementioned positive rotation direction is formed such that the coffee bean falling onto the aforementioned lower blade forms an acute angle with the entry angle of the aforementioned second blade. The aforementioned downstream side surface is formed into a curved shape that protrudes downstream in the aforementioned positive rotation direction.

[0016] Alternatively, each of the aforementioned plurality of blades may be the outer portion [e.g., a specific outer portion Blo] that enters the upstream side of the aforementioned positive rotation direction.

[0017] Furthermore, the aforementioned entry angle system is the angle between the tangent (e.g., the tangent shown by the chain line at a point in Figures 10 and 11(A)) at the position of the outer end (e.g., the outer end Ble) of the aforementioned outer portion (e.g., the outer specific portion Blo) and the outer portion (e.g., the outer specific portion Blo).

[0018] Furthermore, the shape of the curve mentioned here can be an involute curve, a cycloid curve, or an Archimedean spiral. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The coffee machine according to the present invention can shorten the coffee grinding time. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, namely a coffee bean grinder. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the control device of the coffee bean grinder shown in Figure 1. Figure 3(A) is a perspective view showing the state of the first grinder unit with its housing removed, and (B) is a diagram illustrating the structure of the second grinder unit. Figure 4(A) is a diagram showing the state of the rotating blade unit removed from the second grinder unit as shown in the lower left of Figure 3(B) in an upside-down manner. (B) is a perspective view of the rotating blade unit removed from the second grinder unit. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the impeller in the first embodiment. Figure 6(A) is a top view of the impeller shown in Figure 5, and (B) is a side view of the impeller shown in (A). Figure 7 is a top view showing the impeller and rotating blade installed in the rotating blade unit shown in Figure 4(B). Figure 8(A) is a perspective view of the fixed blade, the rotating blade opposite to the fixed blade, the rotating shaft that rotates the rotating blade, and the impeller fixed to the rotating shaft in the second coffee grinder unit. (B) is a perspective view of the AA section in (A). (C) is a front view of the AA section. Figure 9(A) shows an example of increasing the height of the impeller, (B) shows an example of changing the shape of the body into a cap shape, and (C) shows an example of changing the number of blades to only 2. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the impeller in the second embodiment. Figure 11(A) is a top view of the impeller shown in Figure 10, and (B) is a side view of the impeller shown in (A). Figure 12(A) shows a variation of the body of the impeller in the second embodiment being a cap-shaped body; (B) shows a variation of the impeller in the second embodiment having two blades; and (C) shows another example. Figure 13(A) is a schematic diagram showing the height relationship between the fixed blade, rotating blade, and impeller shown in Figure 8(C). Figure 13(B) is a schematic diagram showing the height relationship between the fixed blade, rotating blade, and the impeller with increased height shown in Figures 9, 10, 12(A), and 12(B). Figure 13(C) is a schematic diagram showing the height relationship between the fixed blade, rotating blade, and impeller with a curved top surface of the body and the upper surface of the blades tilting upwards towards the outer side. Figure 13(D) is a schematic diagram showing the height relationship between the fixed blade, rotating blade, and impeller with an inclined top surface of the body and the upper surface of the blades tilting downwards towards the outer side. Figure 14(A) is a perspective view of a coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a partial front view of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus, showing a portion of the manufacturing section that is visible to the user when viewing the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus from the front. Implementation

[0021] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an example of one embodiment of the coffee machine of the present invention, namely a coffee bean grinder, will be described.

[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coffee bean grinder, one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a block diagram of the control device of the coffee bean grinder shown in Figure 1.

[0023] The coffee bean grinder GM shown in Figure 1 is a coffee machine that grinds and roasts coffee beans. A start button 150 is located on the front of the coffee bean grinder GM; pressing the start button 150 initiates the grinding process.

[0024] The coffee bean grinder GM has a storage device 4, a grinding device 5, and a control device 11 shown in Figure 2 for controlling these components. The coffee bean grinder GM also has an information display device 12 connected to the control device 11. The information display device 12 is a touch panel display used for inputting various control instructions or settings for the coffee bean grinder GM. In addition to displaying various information, it can also accept input from managers or users.

[0025] The control device 11 controls the entire coffee bean grinder GM. The control device 11 includes a processing unit 11a, a memory unit 11b, and an I / F (Interface) unit 11c. The processing unit 11a is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory unit 11b is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory). The recipe is stored in the memory unit 11b. The recipe includes information on various conditions for grinding coffee beans, bean information, recipe maker information, or comments from the recipe maker. The I / F unit 11c includes an input / output interface for inputting and outputting signals between external devices and the processing unit 11a. Furthermore, the I / F unit 11c includes a communication interface for data communication with external terminals such as a server 16 and a mobile terminal 17 via a communication network 15 such as the Internet. The server 16 can communicate with mobile terminals such as smartphones 17 via the communication network 15. For example, it can receive information such as reservations for coffee bean production or feedback from the user's mobile terminal 17. The coffee bean grinder GM, server 16, and mobile terminal 17 together constitute a coffee bean grinding system GS for grinding coffee beans.

[0026] The processing unit 11a executes the program stored in the memory unit 11b and controls the storage device 4 or the pulverizing device 5 according to the recipe. More precisely, the processing unit 11a controls the actuator group 14 according to the recipe, or based on instructions from the information display device 12, detection results from the sensor group 13, or instructions from the server 16. The sensor group 13 consists of various sensors (e.g., mechanism position detection sensors) installed in the storage device 4 or the pulverizing device 5. The actuator group 14 consists of various actuators (e.g., electric motors such as the first motor or the second motor described later) installed in the storage device 4 or the pulverizing device 5.

[0027] The storage device 4 shown in Figure 1 includes: a cylindrical canister storage unit 401, which houses roasted coffee beans; and a removable lid 401c, which is screwed onto the upper end of the canister storage unit 401 and covers the upper surface of the canister storage unit 401. The canister storage unit 401 is detachable from the main body GMb. When the canister storage unit 401 is installed on the main body GMb, it is connected to the first coffee grinder unit described later. When the canister storage unit 401 is removed while the first coffee grinder unit is rotating, the first coffee grinder unit is forcibly stopped. On the other hand, even if the lid 401c is removed, the first coffee grinder unit is not forcibly stopped. If a hand is placed inside the canister storage unit 401, there is a risk that the fingers may touch the rotating blade of the first coffee grinder unit. Therefore, an anti-contact member (not shown) is provided inside the canister storage unit 401. The anti-contact member has a plurality of ribs to prevent fingers from touching the rotating blade.

[0028] Furthermore, the grinding device 5 includes a first grinding unit and a second grinding unit (not shown in Figure 1), and a separation device 6 as shown in Figure 1. The first and second grinding units are mechanisms for grinding roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4. After being ground by the first grinding unit, the roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are further ground into powder by the second grinding unit. In Figure 1, the feed trough 539 of the second grinding unit is shown on the left front side. Similarly, the manual setting disc dial 534 and the fine adjustment knob dial 535 of the second grinding unit are also shown. A more detailed description of the first and second grinding units will be given later.

[0029] Separation device 6 is a mechanism for separating excess material from coffee grounds. Separation device 6 has a separation chamber (not shown) disposed between the first and second grinder units. This separation chamber is a hollow body through which coffee grounds falling freely from the first grinder unit pass. A suction unit 60 is connected to the separation chamber. The suction unit 60 is a centrifugal separation mechanism. The suction unit 60 includes a bean hull fan motor (not shown in FIG. 1), a bean hull fan driven by the rotation of the bean hull fan motor, an airflow dial 60D shown in FIG. 1, and a collection container 60B. Driven by the rotation of the bean hull fan, air is drawn into the separation chamber, thereby attracting lightweight objects such as bean hulls or fine particles. In this way, excess material is separated from the coffee grounds passing through the separation chamber. The air containing excess material flows into the collection container 60B, where the excess material falls due to its mass and collects. Meanwhile, the air is exhausted outside the separation device 6. The suction power of the bean shell fan can be changed by operating the airflow dial 60D.

[0030] Next, the first and second coffee grinder units will be described in detail.

[0031] The first coffee grinder unit is positioned above the upstream side, and the second coffee grinder unit is positioned below the downstream side. As described above, a separation chamber is provided between the first and second coffee grinder units. The first and second coffee grinder units grind coffee beans at different grit sizes. The first coffee grinder unit is for coarse grinding, and the second coffee grinder unit is for fine grinding. Both the first and second coffee grinder units are electric coffee grinder units, including a drive source (motor) and a rotating blade driven by the motor.

[0032] Both the first and second grinder units allow for adjustable rotation speed settings. The second grinder unit rotates at approximately 1600-1700 min⁻¹, while the first grinder unit rotates at a slower speed of approximately 125-135 min⁻¹. In the first grinder unit, the gap between the fixed blade 512 and the rotating blade 511 (described later) is looser, and the grinding process in the first grinder unit is for separating the coffee husks; therefore, the rotation speed of the first grinder unit is slower than that of the second grinder unit.

[0033] Figure 3(A) is a perspective view showing the state of the first grinder unit with its housing removed.

[0034] The first coffee grinder unit TM shown in Figure 3(A) grinds coffee beans to a certain size (e.g., 1 / 4 size) to easily separate excess material adhering to the beans. A rotating shaft (not shown in Figure 3(A)) extends from above, and a cutter, i.e., a rotating blade 511, is mounted on this shaft. A cutter, i.e., a fixed blade 512, is also mounted around the rotating blade 511. The fixed blade 512 shown in Figure 3(A) is located on the inner circumferential surface of the first coffee grinder unit body 510. The rotating shaft is rotated by a first motor (not shown), which causes the rotating blade 511 to rotate.

[0035] The upper surface 511a of the rotating blade 511 tilts downwards towards the downstream side of the positive rotation direction indicated by the thick arrow in Figure 3(A). At least, the highest position of the upper surface 511a of the rotating blade 511 is higher than that of the fixed blade 512. Roasted coffee beans arriving at the first grinder unit TM from the storage device 4 are guided by the upper surface 511a of the rotating blade 511 and, by centrifugal force, towards the fixed blade 512, or even if not guided by the upper surface 511a, towards the fixed blade 512, and are ground in a manner that is sandwiched between the fixed blade 512 and the rotating blade 511. By varying the rotational speed of the rotating blade 511, the size (particle size) of the ground roasted coffee beans can be varied. The ground beans are then discharged from the outlet 513 to the separation chamber.

[0036] Figure 3(B) is a diagram illustrating the structure of the second coffee grinder unit.

[0037] Above Figure 3(B), a perspective view of the second coffee grinder unit MM is shown. In this perspective view, the feed trough 539 of the second coffee grinder unit MM is located on the left rear side. The second coffee grinder unit MM has a connecting pipe 52, a fixed blade unit 53, and a rotating blade unit 54. The upper end of the connecting pipe 52 is connected to the separation chamber, and the ground coffee beans passing through the separation chamber reach the fixed blade unit 53 through the connecting pipe 52. In addition, an air intake 521 is provided at the lower part of the connecting pipe 52. By drawing air from the air intake 521, the separation performance of ground coffee beans and impurities is improved.

[0038] The fixed blade unit 53 and the rotating blade unit 54 are separable. The lower part of Figure 3(B) shows the state after the rotating blade unit 54 has been separated from the second grinder unit MM. That is, the lower right of Figure 3(B) shows the rotating blade unit 54 removed from the second grinder unit MM. On the other hand, the lower left of Figure 3(B) shows the state after the rotating blade unit 54 has been removed from the second grinder unit MM.

[0039] The fixed blade unit 53 is located inside the fixed blade housing 530 and has a fixed blade 531 (not shown in Figure 3(B)) (see Figure 4(A)).

[0040] The rotating blade unit 54 is located inside the rotating blade housing 540 and contains a rotating blade 541 and a drive gear 542. The rotating blade 541 rotates by transmitting rotational driving force from the second motor 540M, which is built into the main body GMb shown in FIG1, via the drive gear 542. A mounting arm 55 is also mounted on the rotating blade unit 54. The main body GMb of the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG1 is equipped with a frame member (not shown) for embedding the fixed blade housing 530. When the second grinder unit MM is mounted on the main body GMb, if the second grinder unit MM is brought close from below and the fixed blade housing 530 is embedded into the frame member (not shown), the front end of the mounting arm 55 aligns with a mounting hole provided in the main body GMb, and a fixing bolt is inserted into the mounting hole for bolt fixation.

[0041] The fixed blade 531 can be raised and lowered relative to the rotating blade 541. The fixed blade unit 53 includes a worm gear 532 with a gear section 532g, a connecting dial 533, a worm gear (not shown), and an adjustment motor (not shown) for rotating the worm gear, as part of the lifting mechanism of the fixed blade 531.

[0042] The fixed blade 531 is raised and lowered by the rotation of the worm gear 532. The rotation of the worm gear 532 can be switched between electric and manual. The gear portion 532g of the worm gear 532 meshes with a worm gear (not shown), and the fixed blade 531 is raised and lowered when the worm gear is driven by the rotation of the adjusting motor.

[0043] Furthermore, a connecting gear 533g is provided on the upper surface of the connecting dial 533. The manual setting dial 534 shown in Figure 1 is provided with a gear (not shown) that meshes with the connecting gear 533g. When the manual setting dial 534 is placed on the connecting dial 533, the gear (not shown) meshes with the connecting gear 533g. When the manual setting dial 534 is rotated, the worm gear (not shown) rotates via the connecting gear 533g, causing the fixed blade 541 to rise and fall.

[0044] Furthermore, even when the fine-adjustment knob 535 shown in Figure 1 is rotated, the worm gear 532 also rotates. If the fine-adjustment knob 535 is rotated one revolution, the gear portion 532g of the worm gear 532 rotates by one tooth. Therefore, when the fine-adjustment knob 535 is rotated, adjustments can be made up to a less than one tooth of the gear portion 532g of the worm gear 532.

[0045] Figure 4(A) is a diagram showing the state of Figure 3(B) with the rotating blade unit 54 removed from the second grinder unit MM reversed in an upside-down manner. Figure 4(A) also shows the connecting tube 52, connecting dial 533, worm gear 532, feed trough 539 and fixed blade unit 53.

[0046] In the fixed blade unit 53, a bean drop path 53L is provided in the center. The bean drop path 53L is the space connecting the connecting tube 52 and the rotating blade unit 54, and becomes the drop path for the crushed beans after being ground by the first grinder unit TM.

[0047] The fixing blade 531 has a downward-facing cutting surface 531b around the through hole 5310. Furthermore, in Figure 4(A), it is reversed in an upside-down manner, so the cutting surface 531b faces upward. The through hole 5310 of the fixing blade 531 forms part of the bean-dropping path 53L. Also, in Figure 4(A), the head 5311 of the bolt that fixes the fixing blade 531 can be seen on the cutting surface 531b.

[0048] Furthermore, an internal threaded portion 530n for assembly is provided on the inner periphery of the rotating blade unit 54 side of the fixed blade housing 530.

[0049] Figure 4(B) is a perspective view of the rotating blade unit 54 removed from the second grinder unit MM, and it is the same as the figure shown in the lower right of Figure 3(B).

[0050] Figure 4(B) shows the rotating blade housing 540 of the rotating blade unit 54 and the mounting arm 55. An external threaded portion 540n for assembly is provided on the outer periphery of the rotating blade housing 540 on the side of the fixed blade unit 53. If the inner periphery of the fixed blade housing 530 on the side of the rotating blade unit 54 is inserted into the outer periphery of the rotating blade housing 540 on the side of the fixed blade unit 53, and either the fixed blade housing 530 or the rotating blade housing 540 is rotated by hand in a predetermined direction, the internal threaded portion 530n and the external threaded portion 540n for assembly will engage, thereby making the fixed blade housing 530 and the rotating blade housing 540 a single unit. Conversely, if, with the fixed blade housing 530 and the rotating blade housing 540 integrated, either housing is rotated by hand in the opposite direction of a predetermined direction, the fixed blade housing 530 and the rotating blade housing 540 will separate. The fixed blade housing 530 and the rotating blade housing 540 can be integrated without tools, or the fixed blade housing 530 and the rotating blade housing 540 can be separated, making them easy to maintain.

[0051] A rotating base 543 is installed on the rotating blade housing 540. The rotating blade 541 is fixed to the rotating base 543 by bolts, and the head 5411 of the bolts can be seen on the blade face 541b. The blade face 541b of the rotating blade 541 is an upward-facing blade face. A rotating shaft 545 (see Figure 8) passes through the center of the rotating blade 541. The rotating shaft 545 rotates around the shaft by a portion of the drive gear 542 that can be seen from the gear meshing window 540w of the rotating blade housing 540. The center hole 710 of the impeller 70 (see Figure 5, etc.) also passes through the rotating shaft 545. A locking protrusion (e.g., double D cut) is provided on the bottom surface of the impeller 70, and a locking groove is provided on the rotating base 543 to lock the locking protrusion. By locking the locking protrusion in the locking groove, the impeller 70 is mounted on the rotating base 543 without being rotated. Alternatively, a locking groove can be provided on the bottom surface of the impeller 70, and a locking protrusion can be provided on the rotating base 543. Furthermore, the impeller 70 can be mounted on the rotating base 543 in a manner that prevents it from rotating, using a key and keyway. Moreover, the impeller 70 is fixed to the rotating shaft 545 by bolts 544.

[0052] The cutting edge 541b of the rotating blade 541 is located outside the impeller 70, surrounding it. This cutting edge 541b slopes downwards towards the inward side. Figure 4(B) shows the inner periphery 541e and outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541. Due to the slope of the cutting edge 541b, the inner periphery 541e is lower than the outer periphery 541f. The inner periphery 541e of the rotating blade 541 has different heights in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, the height of the outer periphery 541f is uniform in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, the height of the inner periphery 541e can also be uniform in the circumferential direction, and the outer periphery 541f can also have different heights in the circumferential direction. The outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541 is higher than the inner periphery 541e.

[0053] Alternatively, the rotating blade 541 and the impeller 70 can be separate entities, but they can also be formed as a single unit.

[0054] The rotating blade 541 rotates around the rotating shaft 545, and the impeller 70 also rotates together with the rotating blade 541. That is, when the rotating blade 541 rotates in the prescribed direction of rotation for grinding coffee beans (e.g., counterclockwise), the impeller 70 also rotates in the same direction of rotation as the prescribed direction of rotation (hereinafter referred to as the forward rotation direction). The impeller 70 will be described in detail later.

[0055] The ground coffee beans from the first grinding unit TM are further ground into powder by the second grinding unit MM between the cutting surfaces 541b of the rotating blade 541 and 531b of the fixed blade 531. Furthermore, the particle size of the coffee beans in the second grinding unit MM can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the rotating blade 541 and the fixed blade 531.

[0056] Figure 4(B) shows six blades 5431. These six blades 5431 rotate within the fixed blade housing 530, with the fixed blade housing 530 and the rotating blade housing 540 integrated, causing the ground coffee particles to move circumferentially. The ground coffee particles are then discharged from the machine through an outlet (not shown) via a feed trough 539.

[0057] Furthermore, with the fixed blade housing 530 and the rotating blade housing 540 separated, the cutting tip or face of the fixed blade 531 mounted in the fixed blade housing 530 can be accessed for maintenance and replacement. Similarly, the cutting tip or face of the rotating blade 541 mounted in the rotating blade housing 540 can be accessed for both maintenance and replacement.

[0058] Next, the impeller 70 will be described in detail. Various impellers 70 can be used; first, the impeller 70 shown in FIG. 4(B) will be described. Hereinafter, this impeller 70 will be referred to as the impeller 70 of the first embodiment.

[0059] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the impeller of the first embodiment. In the following description, the side of the impeller 70 at the center of rotation is referred to as the inner side, and the side outward from the center of rotation in the radial direction is referred to as the outer side.

[0060] The impeller 70 shown in Figure 5 has been removed from the rotating shaft 545 (see Figure 8). The impeller 70 has a body portion 71, which has a curved side surface 711 that gradually expands downwards and outwards. That is, the body portion 71 is formed by a curved surface that causes the side surface of the truncated cone to bulge inwards. A central hole 710 for the rotating shaft 545 to pass through is provided in the central portion of the top surface 720 of the body portion 71. The top surface 720 is the highest part of the impeller 70 and is the upper end, and is a horizontal surface. Furthermore, three blades 70B are formed on the side surface 711 of the body portion 71 at circumferential intervals of 120 degrees. These three blades 70B have the same shape, but in the following description, they may be referred to as the first blade 701, the second blade 702, and the third blade 703 as needed. The outer periphery 712o of the bottom surface 712 of the body 71 becomes the outermost periphery of the impeller 70.

[0061] In Figure 5, the forward rotation direction of the impeller 70 is indicated by a solid arc-shaped arrow, which is a counter-clockwise direction. As shown in Figure 5, each blade 70B extends from the inner side to the outer side of the impeller 70, having an upstream side surface Bu that is upstream in the forward rotation direction and a downstream side surface Bd that is downstream in the forward rotation direction. The thickness Bt of each blade 70B (the length between the upstream side surface Bu and the downstream side surface Bd) gradually thins outwards in the outer portion. Each blade 70B has a connecting surface 70B1 with the side surface 711 and an upright surface 70B2 that rises from the connecting surface 70B1. The downstream side surface Bd is formed by the connecting surface 70B1 and the upright surface 70B2 on the downstream side in the forward rotation direction. The upright surface 70B2 is connected to the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B. The upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is a horizontal surface that continues from the top surface 720 of the body portion 71. That is, the height position of the top surface 720 of the main body 71 is the same as the height position of each blade 70B.

[0062] Each blade 70B divides the space below the top surface 720 of the body 71 equally in the circumferential direction. The lower end of this space is defined by the bottom surface 712 of the body 71. In Figure 5, the space divided by the first blade 701 and the second blade 702 is shown as block 731, the space divided by the second blade 702 and the third blade 703 is shown as block 732, and the space divided by the third blade 703 and the first blade 701 is shown as block 733. The volumes of block 731, block 732, and block 733 are equal. Falling broken beans are appropriately and evenly dispersed by being distributed into any of the blocks.

[0063] The crushed beans falling through the bean-falling path 53L (see Figure 4(A)) located at the center of the fixed blade unit 53 reach the rotating blade unit 54, and fall onto the bolt 544 or the impeller 70. As described above, the cutting edge 541b of the rotating blade 541 is located outside the impeller 70 in a manner that surrounds the impeller 70, and the impeller 70 guides the falling crushed beans toward the cutting edge 541b of the rotating blade 541. That is, the falling crushed beans are induced to the cutting edge 541b of the rotating blade 541 by the centrifugal force of the impeller 70 rotating in the forward direction. In Figure 5, an example of the path of the falling crushed beans induced by the impeller 70 rotating in the forward direction is shown in dashed lines. In the example shown by the dashed line, the crushed beans falling between the second blade 702 and the third blade 703 are propelled by centrifugal force and the inclined surface from the upper end to the lower end of the body 71 towards the outer periphery of the downstream side surface Bd of the second blade 702. After reaching the downstream side surface Bd, they are induced along the downstream side surface Bd to the cutting surface 541b of the rotating blade 541. As a result, the time that the falling crushed beans stay in the inner part of the rotating blade unit 54 is shortened, thereby reducing the grinding time.

[0064] Furthermore, Figure 5 shows another example of the path of falling coffee beans induced by the impeller 70 rotating in the forward direction, indicated by a dotted chain line. In the example shown by the dotted chain line, the coffee beans falling between the first blade 701 and the second blade 702, i.e., the first block 731, bounce back on the side 711d. After hitting the upper part of the upright surface 70B2 on the downstream side of the first blade 701, they are induced along the downstream side surface Bd of the first blade 701 to the cutting edge 541b of the rotating blade 541. Even though the coffee beans bounce back on the side 711d and rise to a considerable height, because each blade 70B reaches the highest position of the impeller 70, the bounced coffee beans hit the blade 70B and remain within the block where they fell, maintaining a moderately dispersed state at the time of fall. As a result, the falling coffee beans are moderately and evenly dispersed while being immediately induced to the cutting edge 541b of the rotating blade 541. Therefore, in the example shown by the chain line, the time that the crushed beans stay on the inner part of the rotating blade unit 54 is also shortened, thereby reducing the grinding time.

[0065] Figure 6(A) is a top view of the impeller shown in Figure 5. In Figure 6(A), the direction of rotation of the impeller 70 is also indicated by a solid arc-shaped arrow, which means the direction of rotation is counterclockwise.

[0066] Each of the three blades 70B in the impeller 70 is formed with its downstream side surface Bd bulging downwards in the forward rotation direction. In the third blade 703 shown in Figure 6(A), the imaginary line of the two-point chain represents the centerline of the unbent, straight blade in the thickness direction. As indicated by the arrow of the dashed line orthogonal to the imaginary line of the two-point chain, it can be seen that each of the three blades 70B in the impeller 70 is bent in a manner bulging downwards in the forward rotation direction. Furthermore, another perspective will be provided. The three blades 70B in the impeller 70 are identical, but for clarity, the first blade 701 will be used here instead of the third blade 703. In the first blade 701 shown in Figure 6(A), the straight line of the one-point chain represents the tangent passing through the root of the first blade 701, and the arrow of the dashed line is orthogonal to the tangent of that one-point chain. Taking the arrow of the dashed line as a reference, as shown by the arrow of the chain line at a point in the first blade 701 in Figure 6(A), it can be said that the three blades 70B in the impeller 70 are each formed with their front ends curved towards the upstream side. The curved shape mentioned here can be an involute curve, a cycloid curve, or an Archimedean spiral. By forming the entire downstream side surface Bd into this curved shape, the outer part Bdo of the downstream side surface Bd enters the upstream side in the positive rotation direction. The falling broken beans are smoothly guided by this curved shape, reducing damage to the broken beans.

[0067] Figure 6(B) is a side view of the impeller shown in Figure (A). In Figure 6(A), the second blade 702 is shown at the bottom (position 6), the first blade 701 is at the upper left (position 10), and the third blade 703 is at the upper right (position 2). The side view of Figure (B) is the side view viewed from the direction of the blank arrow shown in Figure (A). That is, in the side view of Figure 6(B), the second blade 702 is located in the center near the front, the first blade 701 is located at the left rear, and the third blade 703 is located at the right rear.

[0068] The curved shape of the side surface 711 of the body portion 71 is represented by the curve shown between the first blade 701 and the second blade 702 in Figure 6(B) (the curve of the lead-out line of the lead-out 711). This curve slopes downwards and outwards from the upper end to the lower end of the body portion 71. Furthermore, the boundary line 711b between the side surface 711 of the body portion 71 and each blade 70B is also represented by a curve.

[0069] Furthermore, as can be seen from Figure 6(B), the top surface 720 of the main body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B are planes of the same height.

[0070] Figure 6(A) shows the result of dividing the space below the top surface 720 of the main body 71 (on the back of the paper) and defined by the curved side surface 711 and the bottom surface 712 of the main body 71 into three equal circumferential sections: section 1 731, section 2 732, and section 3 733, by means of each blade 70B. Figure 6(B) shows section 1 731 and section 2 732.

[0071] Alternatively, the main body 71 can be a truncated cone. When the main body 71 is a truncated cone, the side surface 711 is composed of a plane, and the aforementioned curve becomes a straight line. However, what remains unchanged is that from the upper end to the lower end of the main body 71, it slopes outwards towards the lower end. Furthermore, the top surface 720 becomes a horizontal plane.

[0072] Figure 7 is a top view showing the impeller and rotating blade installed in the rotating blade unit shown in Figure 4(B). In Figure 7, the forward rotation direction of the impeller 70 is also indicated by a solid arc-shaped arrow, which means the forward rotation direction is counterclockwise.

[0073] In the cutting surface 541b of the rotating blade 541, the portion 541o, which forms the outer blade with cross-shading lines, the portion 541i, which forms the inner blade with transverse shaded lines, and the portion 541c, which forms the breaking blade with longitudinal shaded lines, are positioned 180 degrees opposite each other. The blank portion 541n in the rotating blade 541 without the cutting surface 541b is lowered, and the mounting orientation of the impeller 70 is adjusted so that the leading edge of the blade 70B is located in this portion 541n.

[0074] The outer portion Bdo of the downstream side surface Bd is formed at an acute angle θ1 to the entry angle θ1 of the falling broken beans toward the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541. The outer portion Bdo can be the outer portion of the upright surface 70B2 on the downstream side in the positive rotation direction, or it can be the outer portion of the connecting surface 70B1 on the downstream side in the positive rotation direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the entry angle θ1 mentioned here is the angle between the tangent shown by the chain line passing through the two points of the outer end Bde of the outer portion Bdo and the outer portion Bdo. The tangent in Figure 7 is the tangent to the outer end of the outer portion of the upright surface 70B2 on the downstream side in the positive rotation direction. When it is the tangent to the outer end of the outer portion of the connecting surface 70B1 on the downstream side in the positive rotation direction, the angle of entry angle θ1 changes, but it remains an acute angle. Alternatively, the tangent can be the tangent to the circle containing the blade cascade lines of the first blade 701, the second blade 702, and the third blade 703.

[0075] By making the entry angle θ1 acute, the path of the falling crushed beans toward the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 gradually narrows. As a result, the crushed beans can be gathered on this path, increasing the induction toward the blade surface 541b and further shortening the grinding time. Also, the outer portion Bdo enters the upstream side of the positive rotation direction, thereby allowing the entry angle θ1 to be set to an acute angle.

[0076] Figure 8(A) is a perspective view of the fixed blade 531, the rotating blade 541 opposite to the fixed blade 531, the rotating shaft 545 that rotates the rotating blade 541, and the impeller 70 fixed to the rotating shaft 545 in the second coffee grinder unit.

[0077] As shown in Figure 8(A), a bean entry gap GB is provided between the inner periphery of the fixed blade 531 and the inner periphery of the rotating blade 541. The broken beans falling through the bean drop path 53L are directed toward the outer periphery of the impeller 70 as described above, and enter the space between the fixed blade 531 and the rotating blade 541 through the bean entry gap GB.

[0078] Figure 8(B) is a perspective view of section AA in Figure (A), and Figure (C) is a front view of section AA. In both Figure 8(B) and Figure (C), the section is filled with gray.

[0079] Figure 8(B) shows a portion of the cutting surface 531b of the fixed blade 531 and a portion of the cutting surface 541b of the rotating blade 541. Also shown is the bolt 544 that engages with the rotating shaft 545. Furthermore, the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is also shown. Furthermore, the inner periphery 531e of the fixed blade 531 and the inner periphery 541e of the rotating blade 541 are also shown.

[0080] Figure 8(C) shows the highest height position of the blade surface 531b of the fixed blade 531 in the bean entry gap GB. That is, it shows the height position of the highest part of the inner periphery 531e of the fixed blade 531. On the other hand, the two-point chain line shows the lowest height position of the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 in the bean entry gap GB. That is, it shows the height position of the lowest part of the inner periphery 541e of the rotating blade 541. This lowest height position is a part lower than any part of the portion 541o constituting the outer blade, the portion 541i constituting the inner blade, and the portion 541c constituting the breaking blade as described using Figure 7. The dashed line shows the height position of the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B. Also, as mentioned above, the top surface 720 of the body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B are planes of the same height, so the dashed line also shows the height position of the top surface 720 of the body 71.

[0081] From the height relationship between the two-point chain line and the dashed line, it can be seen that the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B and the top surface 720 of the body 71 are higher than any part of the rotating blade 541 that constitutes the outer blade 541o, the inner blade 541i, and the breaking blade 541c. Furthermore, since there is a dashed line between the one-point chain line and the two-point chain line, it can also be seen that at least a portion of the blade 70B is located within the bean entry gap GB, and that the entire top surface 720 of the body 71 is located within the bean entry gap GB. Additionally, the lowermost end 70BL of the blade 70B is located below the bean entry gap GB.

[0082] Figure 9 shows a variation of the impeller of the first embodiment shown in Figure 5. In the following description, the differences from the impeller 70 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 5 will be the focus, and repeated descriptions will be omitted. Furthermore, components with the same names as those described so far will be labeled with the same symbols used so far.

[0083] Figure 9(A) shows a variation in the height of the impeller 70. In this variation, the height of the body portion 71 of the impeller 70 is higher than that of the impeller 70 shown in Figure 5, and the height of the three blades 70B is also increased. By increasing the height of the body portion 71, the slope of the inclined surface from the upper end to the lower end of the body portion 71 becomes larger, making it easier for falling broken beans to graze towards the outer periphery of the downstream side surface Bd.

[0084] Furthermore, the central hole 710 provided on the top surface 720 of the body 71 is larger than the central hole 710 shown in FIG. 5, and the area of ​​the top surface 720 is smaller. The top surface 720 shown in FIG. 9(A) is also the highest part of the impeller 70 and becomes the upper end, which is a horizontal surface. The upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B shown in FIG. 9(A) is also a horizontal surface that continues from the top surface 720 of the body 71.

[0085] Furthermore, in the impeller 70 shown in Figure 9(A), the space below the top surface 720 is longer in the vertical direction, and each blade 70B divides this space equally in the circumferential direction, as shown in Figure 9(A) as block 1 731, block 2 732, and block 3 733. The volumes of each of the blocks 1 731, 2 732, and 3 733 shown in Figure 9(A) are also equal.

[0086] Figure 9(B) shows a variation of the body portion being shaped like a cap. In this variation, the body portion 71 has a flat, circular bottom surface 712 and a cylindrical portion 713 with a diameter smaller than that of its bottom surface 712. The hole at the center of the cylindrical portion 713 is called a central hole 710, and the thickness surface defining the edge of the central hole 710 is called a top surface 720. Three blades 70B extend outward from the side surface 7131 of the cylindrical portion 713. Therefore, there is no inclined surface from the upper end to the lower end of the body portion 71. Therefore, the falling broken beans do not use the inclined surface to move towards the outer periphery of the downstream side surface Bd, but are instead moved towards its outer periphery by centrifugal force.

[0087] Furthermore, the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B shown in Figure 9(B) is also a horizontal surface that continues from the top surface 720 of the body 71.

[0088] Furthermore, in the impeller 70 shown in Figure 9(B), the space below the top surface 720 is also longer in the vertical direction. This space becomes the space outside the cylindrical portion 713, defined by the side surface 7131 and the bottom surface 712. Each blade 70B divides this space equally in the circumferential direction, and Figure 9(B) also shows the first block 731, the second block 732, and the third block 733, each with the same volume.

[0089] Figure 9(C) shows a variation in which the number of blades 70B is two. In this variation, the body part 71 is the same as the taller body part 71 shown in Figure 9(A), and two blades 70B are formed on its side 711 at circumferential intervals of 180 degrees.

[0090] The upper surface 70B3 of the two blades 70B shown in Figure 9(C) is also a horizontal surface that continues from the top surface 720 of the main body 71.

[0091] Furthermore, the two blades 70B divide the space below the top surface 720 into two equally circumferentially divided blocks 731 and 732, each with the same volume, as shown in Figure 9(C).

[0092] Additionally, the number of blades 70B in impeller 70 can be more than four.

[0093] Next, the second embodiment of the impeller will be described. In the following description, the differences from the impeller 70 of the first embodiment shown in FIG5 will be the focus, and repeated descriptions will be omitted. Furthermore, for constituent elements with the same names as the constituent elements described so far, the same symbols used so far will be used for the description.

[0094] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the impeller in the second embodiment.

[0095] In Figure 10, the forward rotation direction of the impeller 70 in the second embodiment is indicated by a solid arc-shaped arrow, which is a counterclockwise direction. The body portion 71 of the impeller 70 shown in Figure 10 is the same as the body portion 71 with a higher height shown in Figure 9(A). The impeller 70 in the second embodiment has three blades 70B formed on the side surface 711 of its body portion 71 at circumferential intervals of 120 degrees. These three blades 70B also extend from the inner side of the impeller 70 to the outer side, and have an upstream side surface Bu that is the upstream side in the forward rotation direction, and a downstream side surface Bd that is the downstream side in the forward rotation direction, but their shapes are different from those of the blades 70B in the impeller 70 of the first embodiment. Each blade 70B shown in Figure 10 has a connecting surface 70B1 that is connected to the side surface 711, and an inclined surface 70B4 that is connected to the connecting surface 70B1. Figure 10 shows the downstream side surface Bd of the second blade 702 shown on the left front. The inclined surface 70B4 in the downstream side surface Bd extends obliquely upwards from the connecting surface 70B1 towards the downstream side in the forward rotation direction. The front end of this inclined surface 70B4 forms part of the upper end of the blade 70B. A lip portion Br is provided at the upper end of the blade 70B. The lip portion Br is a portion extending downstream in the forward rotation direction, like a folded-back portion. The upper surface of this lip portion Br becomes the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B, a horizontal surface continuing from the top surface 720 of the body portion 71. The top surface 720 shown in Figure 10 is also the highest part of the impeller 70 and forms the upper end, and is a horizontal surface. The thickness (width) of the upper surface 70B3 shown in Figure 10 decreases towards the outer side. Additionally, the lip margin Br can extend obliquely upwards along the downstream side of the positive rotation direction, or horizontally along the downstream side of the positive rotation direction, or obliquely downwards along the downstream side of the positive rotation direction.

[0096] Furthermore, in the impeller 70 shown in Figure 10, the space below the top surface 720 is equally divided in the circumferential direction by each blade 70B. Figure 10 also shows the first block 731, the second block 732 and the third block 733, each with the same volume.

[0097] Even if the falling broken beans bounce off the side 711, they are easily caught by the lip edge Br because it is positioned by covering the top. In addition, the lip edge Br can also prevent the broken beans from escaping upwards, increasing the guiding force towards the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 (see Figure 4(B)).

[0098] Additionally, in the second blade 702 shown on the left front in Figure 10, the boundary line 711b between the downstream side surface Bd and the side surface 711 of the main body 71 is shown. Also shown is the boundary line 70Bb between the connecting surface 70B1 and the inclined surface 70B4 in the downstream side surface Bd.

[0099] Figure 11(A) is a top view of the impeller shown in Figure 10. In Figure 11(A), the forward rotation direction of the impeller 70 is also indicated by a solid arc-shaped arrow, which means the forward rotation direction is counterclockwise.

[0100] Figure 11(A) shows the second blade 702 at the bottom (position at 6), the first blade 701 at the upper left (position at 10), and the third blade 703 at the upper right (position at 2). As can be seen from Figure 11(A), the three blades 70B have the same shape and are evenly spaced at 120-degree intervals in the rotational direction. Furthermore, Figure 11(A) shows the result of the blades 70B equally dividing the space below the top surface 720 of the main body 71 (on the back of the paper) and defined by the side surface 711 and bottom surface 712 in the circumferential direction into blocks 1 731, 2 732, and 3 733. The volumes of blocks 1 731, 2 732, and 3 733 shown in Figure 11(A) are all equal.

[0101] Furthermore, in Figure 11(A), although most of the downstream side surface Bd is not visible due to the upstream side surface Bu, the invisible portion of the side surface 711 of the main body 71 and the downstream side surface Bd of each blade 70B is indicated by a dashed line. Moreover, the boundary line 70Bb between the connecting surface 70B1 and the inclined surface 70B4 of the downstream side surface Bd is also indicated by a dashed line.

[0102] Each of the three blades 70B in the impeller 70 is formed in a curved shape, with the connecting surface 70B1 in the downstream side surface Bd protruding downstream in the forward rotation direction. In Figure 11(A), as shown in the upper right of the third blade 703, the center line in the thickness direction of the uncurved straight blade is represented by an imaginary line of two-point chain lines. As indicated by the arrow of the dashed line orthogonal to the imaginary line of two-point chain lines, it can be seen that each of the three blades 70B in the impeller 70 is curved in such a way that the connecting surface 70B1 in the downstream side surface Bd protrudes downstream in the forward rotation direction. Furthermore, another point of view will be explained. The three blades 70B in the impeller 70 are all the same, but for the sake of clarity of the diagram, the second blade 702 shown below is used for explanation instead of the third blade 703 used above. In Figure 11(A), the straight line of the chain line representing the second blade 702 is used to represent the tangent line passing through the root of the second blade 702. The arrow of the dashed line is orthogonal to the tangent line of the chain line. Taking the arrow of the dashed line as a reference, as shown by the arrow of the chain line in the second blade 702 shown in Figure 11(A), it can be said that the three blades 70B in the impeller 70 are each formed with their front ends curved towards the upstream side. The curved shape mentioned here can be an involute curve, a cycloid curve, or an Archimedean spiral.

[0103] The outer portion Blo of the connecting surface 70B1 in the downstream side surface Bd is formed at an acute angle θ2 with the falling crushed beans entering the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 (see Figure 4(B)). As shown in Figures 10 and 11(A), the entry angle θ2 mentioned here is the angle between the tangent line shown by the chain line passing through the position of the outer end Ble in the outer portion Blo and the outer portion Blo. The tangent line in Figures 10 and 11(A) is the tangent line at the outer end of the upper edge (corresponding to the dividing line 70Bb) of the connecting surface 70B1 in the downstream side surface Bd. Alternatively, it can be the tangent line at the outer end of the lower edge (corresponding to the dividing line 711b) of the connecting surface 70B1 in the downstream side surface Bd. In this case, the angle of entry angle θ2 changes, but it remains an acute angle.

[0104] Furthermore, in the impeller 70 of the second embodiment, a specific outer portion Blo enters the upstream side in the positive rotation direction.

[0105] Figure 11(B) is a side view of the impeller shown in Figure (A). This side view is viewed from the direction of the blank arrow shown in Figure 11(A). That is, in the side view of Figure 11(B), the second blade 702 is located near the front of the left side, the first blade 701 is located to the left rear, and the third blade 703 is located to the right rear.

[0106] The curved shape of the side surface 711 of the body portion 71 is represented by the curve shown between the first blade 701 and the second blade 702 in Figure 11(B) (the curve of the lead-out line of the lead-out 711). This curve slopes downwards and outwards from the upper end to the lower end of the body portion 71. Furthermore, the boundary line 711b between the side surface 711 of the body portion 71 and each blade 70B is also represented by a curve.

[0107] Furthermore, Figure 11(B) shows that the upper surface 70B3 of each blade 70B is a horizontal plane. Also shown are the first block 731 and the second block 732.

[0108] The connecting surface 70B1 in the downstream side surface Bd described above corresponds to one example of a specific part of the downstream side surface, and the outer specific part Blo corresponds to one example of the outer part of the specific part of the downstream side surface.

[0109] Next, variations of the impeller in the second embodiment shown in FIG10 will be described. In the following description, the differences from the impeller 70 in the second embodiment shown in FIG10 will be the focus, and repeated descriptions will be omitted. Furthermore, for constituent elements with the same names as the constituent elements described so far, the same symbols used so far will be used for the description.

[0110] Figure 12(A) shows a variation of the impeller body of the second embodiment, which is a cap-shaped body. In this variation, the body 71 has the same configuration as the body 71 in the variation of Figure 9(B), having a flat, circular bottom surface 712 and a cylindrical portion 713 with a diameter smaller than that of the bottom surface 712. The body 71 has no inclined surface from the upper end to the lower end. The hole at the center of the cylindrical portion 713 is called a center hole 710, and the thickness surface defining the edge of the center hole 710 is called a top surface 720. Three blades 70B, each with a lip portion Br, extend outward from the side surface 7131 of the cylindrical portion 713.

[0111] Furthermore, the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B shown in Figure 12(A) is also a horizontal surface that continues from the top surface 720 of the body 71.

[0112] Furthermore, in the impeller 70 shown in Figure 12(A), the space below the top surface 720 also becomes the space outside the cylindrical portion 713, defined by the side surface 7131 and the bottom surface 712. Each blade 70B divides this space equally in the circumferential direction, as shown in Figure 12(A) by its own first block 731, second block 732, and third block 733, each with the same volume.

[0113] Figure 12(B) shows a variation in which the number of blades of the impeller in the second embodiment is reduced to two. In this variation, two blades 70B are formed on the side 711 of the body 71 at circumferential intervals of 180 degrees. A lip Br is provided at the upper end of each of the two blades 70B.

[0114] The upper surface 70B3 of the two blades 70B shown in Figure 12(B) is also a horizontal surface that continues from the top surface 720 of the main body 71.

[0115] Furthermore, the two blades 70B divide the space below the top surface 720 into two equal parts in the circumferential direction, namely the first block 731 and the second block 732, which have the same volume, as shown in Figure 12(B).

[0116] Figure 12(C) shows another example.

[0117] In Figure 12(C), a rotating body 80 is shown, replacing the impeller 70 and fixed together with the rotating blade 541 to a rotating shaft passing through the center of the rotating blade 541. This rotating body 80 has a body portion 81 with the same configuration as the body portion 71 in the impeller 70 of the first embodiment. That is, the body portion 81 has a curved side surface 811 that gradually expands downwards and outwards. In another example of the body portion 81 shown in Figure 12(C), no blades are formed on its side surface 811. Crushed beans falling onto the rotating body 80 are guided by centrifugal force and the inclined surface from the upper end to the lower end of the body portion 81 to the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 (see Figure 4(B)). Alternatively, the body portion 81 can be a truncated cone with a flat side surface 811.

[0118] The impeller 70 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 5, the impeller 70 of a variation of the first embodiment shown in Figure 9, the impeller 70 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 10, and the impeller 70 of a variation of the second embodiment shown in Figure 12 all have the same shape for the plurality of blades 70B. However, blades of different shapes can be combined while considering rotational balance. For example, blades with a lip Br and blades without a lip Br can be combined, as can blades of different heights. To ensure uniform mass of each blade while considering rotational balance, perforation or additional weight can be performed. Alternatively, rotational balance can be achieved by arranging blades of different shapes evenly in the direction of rotation. For example, blades with a lip Br can be arranged at 0 degrees and 180 degrees, and blades without a lip Br can be arranged at 90 degrees and 270 degrees.

[0119] Furthermore, the number of blades in 70B is not limited to 3 or 2, but can also be 4 or more.

[0120] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 8(C), the lowest point 70BL of any blade 70B is located below the bean entry gap GB. However, it is also possible for the lowest point 70BL of some or all of the blades 70B to be located above the inner periphery 541e of the rotating blade 541 (see Figure 8(B)). That is, the lowest point 70BL of some or all of the blades 70B can enter the bean entry gap GB. As an example, the lowest point 70BL of some or all of the blades 70B can be at the same height as the inner periphery 541e of the rotating blade 541 throughout the entire circumference, or it can be at the same height in a certain part.

[0121] Furthermore, the height of the impeller or the shape of its top surface can also be changed. In the following description, components with the same names as those described so far will also be marked with the same symbols as those used so far.

[0122] Figure 13 shows multiple examples of changing the height or top surface shape of the impeller. Figure 13 shows the top surface 720 of the body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B. Also, the side with the central hole 710 is the inner side, and the side with the fixed blade 531 or the rotating blade 541 is the outer side.

[0123] Figure 13(A) is a schematic diagram showing the height relationship between the fixed blade 531, the rotating blade 541, and the impeller 70 as shown in Figure 8(C).

[0124] The two-point chain line shown in Figure 13(A) is the same as the two-point chain line shown in Figure 8(C), indicating the height position of the lowest part of the inner periphery 541e of the rotating blade 541. On the other hand, the one-point chain line shown in Figure 13(A) is different from the one-point chain line shown in Figure 8(C), indicating the height position of the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541 (also the same in Figures 13(B) to 13(D)). In addition, the height of the outer periphery 54 of the rotating blade 541 is uniform in the circumferential direction. The outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541 is higher than the inner periphery 541e. Furthermore, in Figure 13(A), the dashed line indicates the height position between the lowest part of the inner periphery 541e of the rotating blade 541 and the height position of the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541.

[0125] As shown in Figure 13(A), the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is a horizontal surface that continues from the flat top surface 720 of the body 71. Therefore, the top surface 720 of the body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B are at the same height on both the inner and outer sides. Furthermore, the top surface 720 of the body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B are at the same height as the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541. Therefore, the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(A) is higher than the middle height position indicated by the dashed line. Alternatively, the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B may be lower than the height position of the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541 but higher than the middle height position indicated by the dashed line.

[0126] As shown by the dotted chain line in Figure 5, even if the falling coffee bean bounces back to a considerable height on the side 711d, since the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(A) is higher than the middle height shown by the dotted line, the rebounding coffee bean will also hit the blade 70B and stay in the area where it fell, and will be immediately guided to the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541.

[0127] Figure 13(B) is a schematic diagram showing the height relationship between the fixed blade 531, the rotating blade 541, and the raised impeller 70 shown in Figures 9, 10, 12(A) and 12(B).

[0128] As shown in Figure 13(B), the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is also a horizontal surface continuing from the flat top surface 720 of the body 71, and the top surface 720 of the body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B have the same height on both the inner and outer sides. Furthermore, both the top surface 720 of the body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B are higher than the height of the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541 indicated by a chain line. Additionally, the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is lower than the lowest point of the inner periphery 531e of the fixed blade 531.

[0129] Even if the falling coffee beans bounce back to a considerable height on the side 711d, the rebounding coffee beans are more likely to hit the blade 70B because the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(B) is higher than the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541.

[0130] Figure 13(C) is a schematic diagram showing the height relationship of the fixed blade 531, the rotating blade 541, and the top surface 720 of the body 71, which is curved, and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B tilts upwards and outwards.

[0131] As shown in Figure 13(C), the top surface 720 of the body portion 71 is a curved surface formed by a portion of a sphere, rather than a flat surface, and it decreases in height towards the outer side (blade 70B). Furthermore, the top surface 720 of the body portion 71 can be an inclined surface with a pointed central portion, rather than a curved surface. The upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is connected to the top surface 720 of this curved surface and is a flat surface that slopes upwards towards the outer side. Therefore, the top surface 720 of the body portion 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B have different heights on the inner and outer sides. The innermost part of the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B (the connection point with the top surface 720) is also higher than the height of the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541 indicated by the dotted chain line.

[0132] Even if the falling coffee beans bounce back to a considerable height on the side 711d, the rebounding coffee beans are more likely to hit the blade 70B because the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(C) is also higher than the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541.

[0133] In Figure 13(A), Figure 13(B), and Figure 13(C), the blade 70B has its upper surface 70B3 extending above the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541. As a result, the height of the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B becomes uniform, making it less likely for falling coffee beans to bounce off the side 711d and over the blade 70B.

[0134] However, in the blade 70B in Figure 13(C), the upper surface 70B3 can be positioned at a height that is lower than the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541 at the innermost side, and higher than the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541 at the outermost side.

[0135] However, the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B in Figure 13(C) can be the following surface: at the innermost position, which is lower than the height of the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541, and at the outermost position, which is higher than the height of the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541.

[0136] Figure 13(D) is a schematic diagram showing the height relationship of the fixed blade 531, the rotating blade 541, and the top surface 720 of the body 71, which is an inclined surface, and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B, which is inclined downward as it faces outward.

[0137] As shown in Figure 13(D), the top surface 720 of the body 71 is a flat surface that gradually rises towards the outer side (blade 70B), rather than a horizontal surface. The upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is connected to the top surface 720 and is a flat surface that slopes downwards towards the outer side. Therefore, the top surface 720 of the body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B have different heights on the inner and outer sides. The outermost part of the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is also higher than the height of the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541 indicated by the dotted chain line. Therefore, in the blade 70B in Figure 13(D), all parts of the upper surface 70B3 are also above the height of the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541.

[0138] Even if the falling coffee beans bounce back to a considerable height on the side 711d, the rebounding coffee beans are more likely to hit the blade 70B because the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(D) is also higher than the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541.

[0139] However, in the blade 70B in Figure 13(D), the upper surface 70B3 can also be positioned at a height higher than the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541 on the innermost side, and lower than the outer periphery 541f of the rotating blade 541 on the outermost side.

[0140] Additionally, the upper surface 70B3 of each blade 70B of the impeller 70 shown in Figures 13(A) to 13(D) is a plane, but it can also be a curved surface.

[0141] Furthermore, the impeller 70 shown in Figures 13(A) to 13(D) can be fixed using various methods. For example, it can be fixed by external and internal threads that engage in the opposite direction of the forward rotation, and this forward rotation direction is the same as the specified rotation direction of the rotating blade 541 for grinding coffee beans. More specifically, the bottom surface of the impeller 70 can be machined with external threads, and the rotating base 543 shown in Figure 4 can be machined with internal threads; conversely, the bottom surface of the impeller 70 can be machined with internal threads, and the rotating base 543 can be machined with external threads. Alternatively, it can be fixed using D-cutting, or it can be fixed using hexagonal concave head retaining screws.

[0142] Next, another embodiment of the coffee machine of the present invention, namely a coffee beverage making apparatus, will be described.

[0143] Figure 14(A) is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, namely a coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus.

[0144] The coffee beverage making apparatus CM shown in Figure 14(A) is an automatic device that produces coffee beverages from roasted coffee beans and liquid (in this case, water). Each production cycle produces one cup of coffee beverage. The roasted coffee beans used as raw materials are stored in a container C40. A cup-holding part C92 is provided at the lower part of the coffee beverage making apparatus CM, and the produced coffee beverage is injected into the cup from the injection part C91.

[0145] The coffee beverage making apparatus CM has an outer casing C10 that forms its exterior and surrounds the internal mechanisms. The outer casing C10 is generally divided into a main body C11 and a cover C12 that covers part of the front and part of the side of the coffee beverage making apparatus CM. An information display device C13 is provided on the cover C12. The information display device C13 shown in Figure 14(A) is a touch panel type display that, in addition to displaying various information, can also accept input from the apparatus manager or beverage customers. Furthermore, a speaker or camera is provided on the information display device C13.

[0146] On the back of the information display device C13, a control device C14 is installed. The control device C14 controls the entire coffee beverage making apparatus CM. The control device C14 has the same configuration as the control device 11 of the coffee bean grinder GM. That is, the control device C14 includes a processor such as a CPU, a RAM or ROM, a memory unit that stores recipes, and an I / F unit that can communicate with external terminals such as servers or mobile terminals 17. The processing unit executes the program stored in the memory unit and controls various actuators (such as motors, solenoid valves, heaters, etc.) of the coffee beverage making apparatus CM based on instructions from the information display device C13, detection results from various sensors installed in the coffee beverage making apparatus CM (such as hot water temperature sensors, mechanism position detection sensors, pressure sensors, etc.), or instructions from the server.

[0147] The cover C12 shown in Figure 14(A) is made of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic or glass, and its entire structure is a transparent cover with a transparent portion. The cover C12 can be opened and closed freely relative to the main body C11. Between the main body C11 and the cover C12, a part of the manufacturing mechanism is arranged, which can be viewed by the user through the cover 102.

[0148] Figure 14(B) is a partial front view of the coffee beverage making apparatus CM, showing a portion of the making unit that is visible to the user when viewing the coffee beverage making apparatus CM from the front. The cover C12 or the information display device C13 is shown in an imaginary line drawing.

[0149] The components of the manufacturing unit that can be viewed by the user through the cover C12 include the collection and conveying unit C42, the first grinder unit C51, the second grinder unit C52, the separation device C60, the drive unit C80, and the extraction container C90. On the front of the main body C11, a rectangular recess C11a is formed that is recessed to the rear, and the extraction container C90 and the like are located in the rear side of the recess C11a.

[0150] The roasted coffee beans contained in container C40 are conveyed to the collection and conveying unit C42. The collection and conveying unit C42 is composed of hollow components, forming a conveying path for the roasted coffee beans to the first grinding unit C51. The roasted coffee beans move under their own weight inside the collection and conveying unit C42 and flow down to the first grinding unit C51.

[0151] The first coffee grinder unit C51 has the same configuration as the first coffee grinder unit TM shown in Figure 3(A), grinding roasted coffee beans to a certain size (e.g., 1 / 4 size), which is called ground beans. The separation device C60 has the same configuration as the separation device 6 of the coffee bean grinder GM. Furthermore, the second coffee grinder unit C52 has the same configuration as the second coffee grinder unit MM shown in Figure 4, having a fixed blade unit C521 and a rotating blade unit C522. The fixed blade unit C521 is equipped with a fixed blade having a through hole, and a bean drop path is formed partly by the through hole. The rotating blade unit C522 is equipped with a rotating blade, and an impeller identical to the impeller 70 described in Figure 5 is inserted into a rotating shaft that rotates the rotating blade, and is fixed to the rotating shaft together with the rotating blade by bolts. Therefore, the crushed coffee beans, falling through the bean drop path of the fixed blade unit C521, land on the bolt or impeller. The impeller, rotating in the forward direction, guides them to the cutting edge of the rotating blade, where they are crushed into powder by being sandwiched between the cutting edges of the rotating and fixed blades. The powdered coffee beans are fed from the feed tank C523 into the extraction container C90. Hot water is supplied to the extraction container C90 from a liquid supply unit (not shown), and coffee liquid is extracted from the coffee beans within the extraction container C90. During the extraction process, immersion extraction and percolation extraction are performed. Between immersion extraction and percolation extraction, the extraction container C90 is reversed from an upright position to an inverted position by the drive unit C80. Percolation extraction is performed in the inverted extraction container C90, and the hot water containing the extracted coffee liquid is dispensed as a coffee beverage from the inlet C91 into a cup.

[0152] Based on the above records, the following explanations are provided. A coffee machine, characterized in that it is one of the following [for example, the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 1, the coffee beverage making apparatus CM shown in FIG. 14], and comprises: The upper cutting edge [e.g., fixed cutting edge 531] forms the first cutting edge [e.g., cutting edge 531b] downward around the through hole [e.g., through hole 5310]; The lower cutting edge [e.g., rotating cutting edge 541], which is arranged opposite to the upper cutting edge, forms the second cutting edge [e.g., cutting surface 541b] facing upward; and The drive unit [e.g., the second motor 540M] drives the lower blade to rotate in a predetermined direction of rotation [e.g., counterclockwise to clockwise]; and The aforementioned driving unit rotates the lower blade in the specified rotation direction, grinding the coffee beans that have been fed into the through hole and fallen onto the lower blade between the first and second blades; and The aforementioned lower blade is equipped with an impeller (e.g., impeller 70) having a plurality of blades (e.g., blade 70B) at the position where the coffee bean inserted through the aforementioned through hole falls; and The impeller, by rotating in the same direction as the specified rotation direction (e.g., counterclockwise), guides the coffee beans falling to the lower blade to the second blade; The second blade is located on the outer side of the impeller. Each of the aforementioned plurality of blades extends outward from the upper end of the inner circumference of the impeller [e.g., top surface 720], and divides the space below the upper end equally in the circumferential direction [e.g., into a first block 731, a second block 732, and a third block 733].

[0153] According to this coffee machine, since each of the aforementioned plurality of blades extends outward from the upper end of the inner circumference of the impeller and divides the space below the upper end equally in the circumferential direction, the coffee beans falling onto the lower blade are appropriately and evenly dispersed by being distributed into any block of the blade [e.g., block 1 731, block 2 732, or block 3 733]. Furthermore, even if the coffee beans falling onto the lower blade bounce back at the point of impact, they easily encounter the higher blades, remain within the block where they fell, maintain an appropriate dispersion at the time of impact, and are immediately guided to the second blade. As a result, the coffee beans can be appropriately and evenly dispersed while being efficiently guided to the second blade, thus shortening the grinding time.

[0154] Furthermore, the following explanation is also provided. A coffee machine, characterized in that the outer periphery of the second blade is higher than the inner periphery of the second blade. Each of the aforementioned plurality of blades [e.g., blades 70B shown in Figures 13(A) to 13(D)] has its upper surface [e.g., upper surface 70B3] connected to the upper end [e.g., top surface 720] all above the midpoint between the inner and outer circumferential sides of the second blade [e.g., the height position shown by the dashed line in Figure 13(A)].

[0155] According to the coffee machine, the blades are higher than the middle position, so even if the coffee beans are distributed appropriately and evenly in each block, they are more likely to hit the blades when they bounce back at the point of fall, thus more reliably maintaining an appropriate dispersion at the point of fall.

[0156] Furthermore, the following explanation is also provided. A coffee machine, characterized in that the outer periphery of the second blade is higher than the inner periphery of the second blade. Each of the aforementioned plurality of blades [for example, blades 70B shown in Figures 13(A) to 13(D)] has its upper surface [for example, upper surface 70B3] connected to the aforementioned upper end [for example, top surface 720] above the height of the aforementioned outer peripheral side of the aforementioned second blade [for example, the height shown by a chain line at a point in Figures 13(A) to 13(D)].

[0157] According to the coffee machine, the blade is above the height of the outer periphery of the second blade. Even if the coffee beans are distributed appropriately and evenly in each block and bounce back at the point of fall, they are more likely to hit the blade, thus more reliably maintaining an appropriate dispersion at the point of fall.

[0158] Furthermore, the following explanation is also provided. "A coffee machine characterized in that each of the plurality of blades [e.g., blades 70B shown in Figures 13(A) and 13(B) respectively] has an upper surface [e.g., upper surface 70B3] with the same height on both the inner and outer sides."

[0159] According to this coffee machine, the height of the upper surface of the blades becomes uniform, making it less likely for coffee beans falling onto the lower blade to bounce back from their point of impact. As a result, the coffee beans can remain within the area of ​​the blades, making it easier to maintain a proper dispersion at the point of impact.

[0160] Furthermore, the following explanation is also provided. A coffee machine characterized in that the impeller has a planar or curved side surface that gradually expands downwards and outwards from the outer side of the upper end [e.g., side surface 711]. The aforementioned plurality of blades [e.g., blade 70B] are formed on the aforementioned side surface.

[0161] According to the coffee machine, it is preferable that the second blade is more easily guided to the aforementioned side within the aforementioned area at the point of impact.

[0162] Furthermore, the following explanation is also provided. A coffee machine characterized in that, among each of the plurality of blades [e.g., blade 70B] The outer portion (e.g., outer portion Bdo) of the downstream side surface (e.g., downstream side surface Bd) on the downstream side of the aforementioned positive rotation direction is formed such that the angle of entry of the coffee bean falling onto the aforementioned lower blade toward the aforementioned second blade (e.g., the entry angle θ1 shown in Figure 7) is acute, and It is formed into a curved shape that protrudes downstream in the aforementioned positive rotational direction [e.g., downstream side surface Bd].

[0163] According to this coffee machine, by gradually narrowing the path that leads to the second blade, the coffee beans are suppressed from bouncing, making it easier to lead to the second blade, thereby further shortening the grinding time.

[0164] Furthermore, based on the above records, the following explanations are provided. A coffee machine, characterized in that it is one of the following [for example, the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 1, the coffee beverage making apparatus CM shown in FIG. 14], and comprises: The upper cutting edge [e.g., fixed cutting edge 531] forms the first cutting edge [e.g., cutting edge 531b] downward around the through hole [e.g., through hole 5310]; The lower cutting edge [e.g., rotating cutting edge 541], which is arranged opposite to the upper cutting edge, forms the second cutting edge [e.g., cutting surface 541b] facing upward; and The drive unit [e.g., the second motor 540M] drives the lower blade to rotate in a predetermined direction of rotation [e.g., counterclockwise to clockwise]; and The driving unit rotates the lower blade in the specified direction, grinding the coffee beans that have fallen through the through hole into the lower blade between the first and second blades; and The aforementioned lower blade is equipped with an impeller (e.g., impeller 70) having a plurality of blades (e.g., blade 70B) at the position where the coffee bean inserted through the aforementioned through hole falls; and The impeller, by rotating in the same direction as the predetermined rotation direction of the lower blade (e.g., counterclockwise), guides the coffee beans falling onto the lower blade to the second blade.

[0165] According to this coffee machine, the coffee beans falling to the lower blade are induced to the second blade by the impeller rotating in the forward direction. Therefore, the time the falling coffee beans stay is shortened, thereby shortening the grinding time.

[0166] Alternatively, the impeller can use the centrifugal force generated by rotating in the same direction as the specified rotation of the lower blade to guide coffee beans falling onto the lower blade to the second blade. Or, the impeller can also use rotation in the same direction as the specified rotation of the lower blade to guide coffee beans falling onto the lower blade along the sides of the plurality of blades to the second blade.

[0167] Furthermore, the following explanation is also provided. A coffee machine characterized in that each of the plurality of blades of the aforementioned impeller [e.g., impeller 70] extends from the inner side to the outer side of the impeller. The aforementioned second cutting edge [e.g., cutting edge 541b] is located on the outer side of the aforementioned impeller, and Of the aforementioned plurality of blades, the outer portion (e.g., outer portion Bdo) of the downstream side surface (e.g., downstream side surface Bd) on the downstream side of the aforementioned positive rotation direction is formed such that the angle of entry of the coffee bean falling onto the lower blade toward the second blade (e.g., the entry angle θ1 shown in Figure 7) is acute.

[0168] By using the aforementioned acute angle of entry, the path of the coffee bean toward the second blade gradually narrows, suppressing the coffee bean from bouncing and increasing its induction toward the second blade, thereby further shortening the grinding time.

[0169] Additionally, each of the aforementioned plurality of blades may be the outer portion that enters the upstream side of the aforementioned positive rotation direction.

[0170] Furthermore, the angle between the aforementioned entry angle system and the tangent line (e.g., the tangent line shown by the two-point chain line in Figure 7) at the position of the outer end (e.g., the outer end Bde) of the outer portion (e.g., the outer portion Bdo) is the angle between the outer portion (e.g., the outer portion Bdo).

[0171] Furthermore, the following explanation is also provided. "A coffee machine characterized in that each of the plurality of blades is formed in a curved shape, with the downstream side surface [e.g., the entire downstream side surface Bd] bulging downstream in the positive rotation direction."

[0172] By using the shape of the downstream side, the coffee beans can be smoothly guided to the second blade, thereby reducing damage to the coffee beans.

[0173] Furthermore, the shape of the curve mentioned here can be an involute curve, a cycloid curve, or an Archimedean spiral.

[0174] Furthermore, the following explanation is also provided. A coffee machine, characterized in that each of the plurality of blades of the impeller extends from the inner side to the outer side of the impeller. The second blade is located on the outer side of the impeller. Each of the above-mentioned multiple blades The upper end has a lip portion extending downstream in the aforementioned positive rotation direction [e.g., lip portion Br], and The outer portion (e.g., outer portion Blo) of the downstream side surface (e.g., downstream side surface Bd) of the downstream side surface (e.g., connecting surface 70B1) of the lower end of the aforementioned positive rotation direction is formed such that the angle of entry of the coffee bean falling onto the lower blade toward the second blade (e.g., the entry angle θ2 shown in Figures 10 and 11(A)) is acute.

[0175] Even when a coffee bean falls onto the lower blade while it is rotating in the aforementioned positive direction, it bounces back upon impact and is easily caught by the aforementioned lip edge. Furthermore, the aforementioned lip edge also prevents the coffee bean from escaping upwards, increasing its guiding effect, which is therefore superior. Moreover, even with this coffee machine, the acute angle of entry gradually narrows the path of the coffee bean towards the second blade, suppressing the bean's bounce and increasing its guiding effect towards the second blade, thereby further shortening the grinding time.

[0176] Furthermore, the aforementioned downstream side portion can be located as low as the aforementioned upper portion, and is not limited to the lower portion.

[0177] Furthermore, each of the aforementioned plurality of blades may be the outer portion [e.g., a specific outer portion Blo] that enters the upstream side of the aforementioned positive rotation direction.

[0178] Furthermore, the aforementioned entry angle system is the angle between the tangent (e.g., the tangent shown by the chain line at a point in Figures 10 and 11(A)) at the position of the outer end (e.g., the outer end Ble) of the aforementioned outer portion (e.g., the outer specific portion Blo) and the outer portion (e.g., the outer specific portion Blo).

[0179] Furthermore, the following explanation is also provided. "A coffee machine characterized in that each of the plurality of blades is formed in a curved shape, with a specific portion of the downstream side surface [e.g., connecting surface 70B1] protruding downstream in the positive rotation direction."

[0180] By using the shape of the downstream side portion, the coffee bean can be smoothly guided to the second blade, thereby reducing damage to the coffee bean.

[0181] Furthermore, the shape of the curve mentioned here can be an involute curve, a cycloid curve, or an Archimedean spiral.

[0182] Furthermore, the following explanation is also provided. A coffee machine, characterized in that the impeller is provided with a body portion [e.g., body portion 71] having a planar or curved side surface that gradually expands towards the lower and outwards. The aforementioned plurality of blades [e.g., blade 70B] are formed on the aforementioned side surface.

[0183] It is better to induce coffee beans that have been induced from the aforementioned multiple leaves to the second blade to be induced outward.

[0184] This invention is not limited to the various forms and examples shown above. These elements can be combined with each other without departing from the spirit of this invention, and can be partially modified according to purpose, etc. Furthermore, the various terms used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only, and this invention is not limited to their strict meanings, but may include their equivalents. For example, terms such as "device" and "part" may be replaced with "unit" and "module," etc.

[0185] 4: Storage device 5: Crushing device 6: Separation device 11: Control device 11a: Processing Department 11b: Memory Department 11c:I / F section 12: Information display device 13: Sensor Cluster 14: Actuator Group 15: Communication Networks 16: Server 17: Mobile Terminal 52: Connecting pipe 53: Fixed blade unit 53L: Bean Drop Path 54: Rotating Blade Unit 55: Mounting arm 60: Attraction Unit 60B: Recycling Container 60D: Airflow dial 70: Impeller 70B: Blade 70B1: Connecting surface 70B2: Vertical surface 70B3: Upper surface 70B4: Inclined surface 70Bb: Boundary line 70BL: Bottom 71: Ontology part 80: Solid of Revolution 81:Ontology part 150: Start button 401: Can Storage Unit 401c: Cover 510: First coffee grinder unit body 511: Rotating Blade 511a: Upper surface 512: Fixed blade 521: Air intake 530: Fixed blade housing 530n: Internal threaded part for assembly 531: Fixed blade 531b: Cutting edge 531e: Inner periphery 532: Worm Gear 532g: Gear section 533: Link Dial 533g: Connecting gear 534: Manual setting using a disc dial 535: Fine-tuning knob / dial 539: Feed trough 540: Rotating Blade Box 540M: Second Motor 540n: External threaded part for assembly 540w: Gear meshing window 541: Rotating Blade 541b: Cutting edge (second cutting edge) 541c: Partial 541e: Inner periphery 541f: Peripheral edge 541i: Partial 541n: Part 541o: Part 542: Drive gear 543: Rotating base 544: Bolt 545: Rotation axis 701: First blade 702: Second blade 703: Third blade 710: Center Hole 711: Side View 711b: Boundary Line 712: Bottom 712o: Peripheral edge 713: Cylindrical section 720: Top surface (upper end) 731: Block 1 732: Block 2 733: Block 3 811: Side View 5310: Through hole 5311: Head 5411: Head 5431: Propeller blade 7131: Side View Bd: Downstream side Bde: outer end Bdo: outer part Ble: outer end Blo: outer part (specific outer portion) Bt: Thickness Bu: upstream side Br: Lip margin C10: Outer Cover C11: Main body part C11a: concave part C12: Cover C13: Information display device C14: Control device C40: Can C42:Gathering and transporting department C51: First Coffee Grinder Unit C52: Second Coffee Grinder Unit C60: Separation device C80: Drive Unit C90: Extraction container C91: Injection section C92: Mounting section C521: Fixed Blade Unit C522: Rotary Blade Unit C523: Feed trough CM: Coffee Beverage Manufacturing Equipment GB: Beans enter the gap GM: Coffee Bean Grinder GMb: body part GS: Coffee Bean Grinding System MM: Second coffee grinder unit TM: First Coffee Grinder Unit θ1: Angle of entry θ2: Angle of entry

Claims

1. A coffee machine, characterized in that it comprises: an upper blade, which is formed downward around a through hole; a lower blade, which is disposed opposite to the upper blade and formed upward; and a drive unit that drives the lower blade to rotate in a predetermined rotation direction; and by driving the lower blade to rotate in the predetermined rotation direction, the lower blade grinds coffee beans that are fed into the through hole and fall onto the lower blade between the first blade and the second blade; the lower blade has an impeller having a plurality of blades at the position where the coffee beans fed into the through hole fall; the impeller guides the coffee beans falling onto the lower blade to the second blade by rotating in a positive rotation direction that is the same as the predetermined rotation direction; the second blade is located outside the impeller; each of the plurality of blades extends outward from the upper end of the inner circumference of the impeller and divides the space below the upper end equally in the circumferential direction. The outer periphery of the second blade is higher than the inner periphery of the second blade; and each of the plurality of blades has its entire upper surface connected from the upper end, which is higher than the midpoint between the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the second blade.

2. The coffee machine of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of blades is the entire upper surface connected from the upper end, and is above the height of the outer periphery of the second blade.

3. For coffee machines as requested in item 1 or 2, each of the aforementioned plurality of blades has the same height on both the inner and outer sides of the aforementioned upper surface.

4. The coffee machine of claim 3, wherein the impeller has a planar or curved side surface that gradually extends downward and outward from the outer side of the upper end, and the plurality of blades are formed on the side surface.

5. The coffee machine of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of blades is as follows: the outer portion of the downstream side surface that is the downstream side in the positive rotation direction is formed such that the angle of entry of the coffee bean falling to the lower blade toward the second blade is acute, and the downstream side surface is formed into a curved shape that protrudes toward the downstream side in the positive rotation direction.

6. The coffee machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of blades is as follows: the outer portion of the downstream side surface that is the downstream side in the positive rotation direction is formed such that the angle of entry of the coffee bean falling to the lower blade toward the second blade is acute, and the downstream side surface is formed into a curved shape that protrudes toward the downstream side in the positive rotation direction.

Images