DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCE OF A DRINK, IN PARTICULAR COFFEE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing a beverage, in particular coffee, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A known drive device according to EP 0 528 759 A1 comprises a drive spindle and at least one support element connected to a brewing cylinder of a brewing unit. The support element has partial threads on the side facing the spindle thread, which engage with the spindle thread. Because the support element only partially encloses the circumference of the drive spindle, several brewing units can be arranged evenly distributed around the circumference of the drive spindle and driven jointly by the latter. When the drive spindle is rotated in one direction or the other, the brewing cylinders are moved vertically towards one end or the other of the drive spindle and, to reach a brewing position, are movable upwards towards the first pistons.After the filling funnels have been pivoted outwards, the brewing cylinders slide over the first pistons, forming a brewing chamber in each cylinder. During this movement, the lower shaft is lifted from its corresponding spouts. Hot water is forced under pressure into the brewing chambers and flows through the coffee grounds inside. The brewed coffee is then discharged through the second set of spouts.

[0003] Document WO 2021 / 115792 A1 discloses a unit for preparing beverages by brewing a portion of a brewing product, comprising at least one receiving container with a brewing chamber. The brewing chamber is covered by a movable plate with an opening that can be selectively positioned opposite an opening of the respective receiving container of the brewing chamber to open or close the brewing chamber depending on the position of the opening. The respective brewing chamber includes a sealing element to seal between the edge zone of the brewing chamber opening and an underside of the plate. A control system for the plate is provided, configured to rotate the plate and determine a value that establishes the rotational speed of the plate.

[0004] A known coffee machine, as described in German patent application DE 20 2005 020 774 U, features a revolver mechanism with multiple brewing chambers, a filling station, a brewing station, and a discharge station. These chambers are arranged sequentially within the revolver mechanism such that rotation of the mechanism pivots the brewing chambers successively from the filling station to the brewing station and then to the discharge station. This allows coffee powder to be filled into one brewing chamber while simultaneously brewing in the next, offset by 90° and containing pre-filled powder. The resulting coffee beverage is then dispensed from the bottom. This inherently enables a higher output of coffee beverages.The loading station, the brewing station and the emptying station are designed as separate units, taking up a lot of space and in principle, in which the seals on the brewing chamber supports are not permanently guaranteed.

[0005] Based on this known coffee machine, the invention aims to further develop a device or a coffee machine of the aforementioned type in such a way that automated production of coffee with an increased output is achieved by means of a compact and simple design of the device.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, this device has at least two feed channels and two extraction pistons spaced apart from these above the carousel-like rotatable brewing cylinders, wherein in a certain position of the brewing cylinders the feed channels can each be connected at least above a brewing cylinder for feeding the beverage powder, into which a piston (31) can each be inserted from below, while the extraction pistons are arranged to be inserted into or removed from a brewing cylinder next to the brewing cylinder to be fed.

[0008] With this inventive design of the device, at least two brewing cylinders can be filled with beverage powder very efficiently with each carousel-like rotation of the brewing cylinders, and at least two portions of coffee can be produced and dispensed simultaneously. This allows beverages to be filled ready-to-drink into one or preferably several containers, such as cups, in a cycle, through two outlets. Only brief interruptions in the beverage dispensing occur when the filled brewing cylinders change to the extraction positions rotated by 60° and when the pistons move back.

[0009] The brewing cylinders, arranged parallel to each other, are very advantageously held in a circular position around the axis of rotation in a carousel and can be moved in a vertical guide towards or away from the feed channels and the extraction pistons.

[0010] Preferably, six brewing cylinders are held on the support element of the carousel at a distance of 60° from each other, wherein the two feed channels and the two extraction pistons interact in a specific position of the same with a brewing cylinder that is offset from each other by 180°.

[0011] Advantageously, a swiveling element positioned below the brewing cylinders with at least two pistons can be moved up and down on the same vertical guide as the carousel, wherein this swiveling element is height-adjustable by a drive element and can also be rotated by an additional drive element.

[0012] Advantageously, a vertical drive spindle is provided in the center of the device as the drive element of the swiveling device, which is rotatably connected to the swiveling device and preferably extends from a lower base plate through the swiveling device and the support element to a rotary drive element.

[0013] Another advantage is that the carousel with the brewing cylinders can be lowered, rotated to the next position, and raised by the pistons connected to this swiveling mechanism. This means that all movements of the system can be performed with just two drives.

[0014] When the beverage powder is being added, the two pistons of the swivel mechanism are inserted into one of the brewing cylinders each. They remain in this inserted position when the swivel mechanism, and with it the brewing cylinders, is lowered, pivoted to the next position, and the brewing cylinders, closed on the underside by the pistons, are inserted into the extraction piston. This simultaneous lowering, pivoting, and raising, achieved solely by actuating the swivel mechanism, also allows for very simple control of the system.

[0015] After extraction, the pistons of the swivel mechanism are moved out and swung away from the respective brewing cylinder by locking the carousel, and with it the brewing cylinder, at a specific height. This also contributes to the simple design of the device.

[0016] The invention and further advantages thereof are explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective exploded view of a device according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the device according to Fig. 1 in extended position; Fig. 3 a longitudinal section of the device. Fig. 1 with one brewing cylinder on the left during the filling of the beverage powder and the other on the right during the ejection of a beverage cake; Fig. 4 a longitudinal section of the device. Fig. 1 with the brewing cylinder lowered, containing the beverage powder and the lower piston inside, which are together rotated to the next position to the right; and Fig. 5 a longitudinal section of the device. Fig. 1 with the brewing cylinder on the right containing beverage powder, the inserted extraction piston at the top and the lower piston inside it in the extraction position.

[0017] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 Figure 10 shows a device for producing a beverage, in particular coffee, which can be directed through an outlet into a container, such as a pot or a cup. It is advantageously suited for brewing and producing hot coffee. However, it could also produce cold coffee, in which case the brewing cylinders, generally designated with reference numeral 24, would not actually brew but only extract the coffee.

[0018] Such a device 10 can be designed as a coffee machine with a conventional housing and could include at least a control panel with a display, a bean container, a water supply and / or discharge system, a milk container, a milk frother, outlets, and other components, which are not shown in detail. However, this device 10 can also be designed as at least one separate module.

[0019] Instead of coffee, this device can also be used to produce other beverages, such as mixed drinks, where, instead of coffee powder, a mixed or other powder could be added from one or more separate containers, such as chocolate powder or similar.

[0020] In this device 10 according to the invention, a structure is provided which is divided into four independently arranged levels E1 to E4. In the uppermost level E1 of the structure, a preferably modular unit 15 is positioned, which is arranged in a stationary position. This unit 15 comprises a base plate 11, a grinding mechanism 12 located on the base plate with a drive 14, connecting pieces 17 leading away from the drive, two feed channels 16, a rotary drive element 22 for a drive element, two downwardly extending extraction pistons 21, and two rinsing pistons 18. The beverage powder is fed in portions into the brewing cylinders 24 through the connecting pieces 17 and the two feed channels 16.

[0021] This rotary drive element 22 has a driven wheel 22' rotatable by a toothed belt 19, which is coupled as a drive element to the vertical drive spindle 25 mounted on the upper side of the base plate 11. The toothed belt 19 is rotatably connected to a drive wheel of a motor (not shown in detail). In addition, sliding guides 27 are provided parallel to the drive spindle 25 and are attached to the upper side of the base plate 11.

[0022] In the second level E2 of the structure below level E1, a carousel 20 is arranged with six brewing cylinders 24, which are rotatable in a circular pattern around a rotational axis A and are parallel to each other. A support element 26 holds these cylinders, and a vertical sliding guide 27 is also present. Within the brewing cylinders, this carousel 20 is enclosed along this sliding guide 27 by a lower [unclear], as shown in [unclear]. Fig. 2 As can be seen, the base plate 11 can be moved to and from an upper position, up to and away from the feed channels 16 below it. The six brewing cylinders 24 are held at intervals of 60° to each other on the disc-shaped or otherwise shaped support element 26. The two feed channels 16 and the two extraction pistons 21 are arranged in the base plate 11 such that they interact with two brewing cylinders 24 that are positioned opposite each other at an angle of 180°.

[0023] In the third level E3 below the carousel 20, a pivoting element 30, also height-adjustable in this sliding guide 27, is arranged with two pivotable pistons 31 and two bowls 32 positioned next to them. This pivoting element 30 is rotatably connected to the drive spindle 25 and is adjusted upwards or downwards when the latter rotates. The two pistons 31 are pivotably mounted about the axis of rotation A by means of a bearing ring 33 engaging the pivoting element 30 and are positioned such that they can each be pushed into or out of a specific brewing cylinder 24. In addition, each piston 31 is provided with a central bore 31' for the discharge of the produced beverage from the extraction cell formed in the brewing cylinder 24.

[0024] In the fourth level E4 of the structure, a stationary collection tray 40 with a drawer (not shown) for collecting beverage residue, such as coffee grounds, is arranged below the pivoting element 30. This collection tray 40, like the modular unit 15, is positioned in a removable, stationary housing or similar structure. A drive motor 41 is located laterally at the tray 40. This motor is operatively connected to a drive shaft 42 via a transmission (not shown) to the bearing ring 33, enabling controlled pivoting of the pistons 31. Furthermore, the drive spindle 25 and the sliding guides 27, which extend from the base plate 11 through the carousel 20 and the pivoting element 30 to the collection tray 40, are supported on the underside of this collection tray 40 in bearing elements 25', 27'.

[0025] According to the invention, the two feed channels 16 can be connected in a specific position of the brewing cylinders 24 above each brewing cylinder 24 for feeding the beverage powder, and a piston 31 can be inserted into each of these brewing cylinders 24 from below, while the extraction pistons 21 are arranged to be inserted into or removed from each brewing cylinder 24 next to the brewing cylinder 24 that can be fed.

[0026] With this arrangement, it is possible to fill a predetermined quantity of beverage powder into two brewing cylinders 24 and simultaneously extract the beverage in the next two brewing cylinders 24'. Thus, with this compact device 10, a beverage can be efficiently and practically continuously dispensed ready-to-drink through two outlets into one or preferably several containers, such as cups, with only brief interruptions of the beverage outlet occurring at full capacity when the filled brewing cylinders 24 are switched to the extraction positions rotated by 60° or when the pistons 31 are swung back from the respective extraction to the filling position.

[0027] The feed channels 16 are positioned above each brewing cylinder 24, 24' when loaded with beverage powder, and the pistons 31 are tightly inserted at the bottom, while the extraction pistons 21 are arranged to be inserted into or removed from each brewing cylinder 24' next to a brewing cylinder 24 that can be loaded. Each of these extraction pistons 21 is assigned a valve-controlled port 21' for dispensing the beverage into the extraction cells in the loaded brewing cylinder 24', while each piston 31 has a valve-controlled water port 36 for dispensing the produced beverage.

[0028] The two extraction pistons 21 and two rinsing pistons 18 extend downwards from the base plate 11 that holds them, allowing the brewing cylinders 24, 24' to be inserted into them. The rinsing pistons 18 for cleaning each extraction cell are arranged next to a brewing cylinder 24' in the extraction position. Each brewing cylinder 24 can be tightly attached to or removed from a rinsing piston 18. The feed channels 16, the extraction pistons 21, and the rinsing pistons 18 in the base plate 11 are thus arranged in the unit 15 with the brewing cylinders, alternately offset from each other by 60° around the axis of rotation A. They form a circular shape with the same dimensions as the brewing cylinders.

[0029] In Fig. 3 bis Fig. 5 The positions of two adjacent brewing cylinders 24a, 24b of the device 10 are illustrated successively. Not all details are explained again. It is self-evident that these positions are simultaneously present for the brewing cylinders 24, arranged 180° apart, on the other side of the carousel 20, and that the same process is carried out, which is not shown in detail.

[0030] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows two of the brewing cylinders 24a and 24b side by side. Brewing cylinder 24a on the left is shown being loaded with beverage powder, and brewing cylinder 24b on the right is shown ejecting a cake. This position is achieved by adjusting the pivoting element 30 upwards. During this adjustment, the piston 31 is inserted into brewing cylinder 24a, thereby moving the carousel 20 with the brewing cylinders 24 and pushing it up to the base plate 11 as a stop. The extraction cell 34a of brewing cylinder 24a is tightly closed at the bottom by the piston 31 and open at the top by the connection of the feed channel 16 and a connecting sleeve 37 that penetrates the base plate 11. This allows the beverage powder to be portioned into this extraction cell 34a. The powder is either ground by the grinder 12 or fed in a controlled manner from a container.This connecting sleeve 37 preferably projects with its underside into the brewing cylinder 24a, thus ensuring a tight connection and serving as the upper stop of the carousel 20. These positions for feeding the beverage powder are predetermined by the fixed arrangement of the feed channels 16 on the base plate 11.

[0031] In the other brewing cylinder 24b on the right, the extraction piston 21, in this raised position of the carousel 20, extends into the lower part of the extraction cell 34b and causes the beverage cake to be ejected. This cake has formed as a result of the prior extraction of the powder in this brewing cylinder 24b, as will be explained in more detail below. For this purpose, a space is provided between the piston 31 and the tray 32 below the open-bottomed extraction cell 34b, and an opening 44 is formed in the collection tray 40 through which the cake can fall into the aforementioned drawer.

[0032] The piston 31 rests against the lower end of the respective brewing cylinder 24a, where the inner wall 24' of the brewing cylinder, which forms the extraction cell 34a, transitions from a cylindrical to a frustoconical shape 24". This also has the advantage that the cake remaining in this conical area easily detaches from the inner wall 24' after extraction when it is pushed downwards by the extraction piston 21.

[0033] According to Fig. 4 After loading the respective extraction cell 34a, the pivoting element 30 and the carousel 20 with the brewing cylinders 24 held by it are lowered by rotating the drive spindle 25 to such an extent that the respective extraction piston 21 is removed from the brewing cylinder 24b and that the carousel 20 with the brewing cylinders 24 is thus moved by 60° from the two pistons 31 of the pivoting element 30 remaining in them into the next position according to Fig. 5 which can be rotated to the right, showing just under half of the distance traveled.

[0034] Fig. 5 The figure on the right shows the position during the extraction of the beverage powder, in which the brewing cylinder 24a is rotated by 60° by the piston 31 located within it and consequently inserted into the extraction piston 21, which projects downwards from the base plate 11. The pistons 31 and the bearing ring 33 are pivoted and can be lifted upwards by the controlled pivoting element 30. It is advantageous if the respective piston is pushed upwards in the extraction cell 34a to such an extent that the beverage powder is slightly compressed. The extraction cell 34a is located in the frustoconical area of ​​the inner wall 24'. The brewing cylinder 24c, pivoted into the loading position, is also visible.

[0035] During the brewing process, cold, warm, or hot water is preferably forced under pressure from the valve-controlled water connection 36 through at least one bore 31' in the piston 31 and through the coffee grounds, thus brewing the beverage. The resulting beverage, particularly coffee, is then conveyed through at least one bore 21" in the extraction piston 21 to the valve-controlled connection 21' and from there to an outlet (not shown). Alternatively, during this extraction process, the water could be directed from above, instead of from below, through the extraction piston, the coffee grounds, and the piston 31 to a beverage outlet.

[0036] After extraction, device 10 is moved into the extended position, as shown in Fig. 2 As can be seen, the pistons 31 are each pushed downwards from their respective brewing cylinders 24a and pivoted back to the brewing cylinder 24c, which has been supplied, and inserted into it. For this purpose, the carousel 20, which is itself held by the pivoting element 20, is releasably locked in a height position by a locking device (not shown in detail), in which the pistons 31 are extended from the brewing cylinders at the bottom and the extraction pistons 21 are extended from the brewing cylinders at the top.

[0037] Simultaneously during loading, the beverage cake is ejected from the brewing cylinders 24a and, during the re-rotation of the carousel 20, in which the brewing cylinders 24c are moved into the extraction position, the opposing brewing cylinders 24a are brought below the rinsing pistons 18, each equipped with a water connection 18', and in the raised position of the swiveling element and the carousel, which corresponds to that shown in Fig. 3If this is the case, a controlled rinsing process is carried out in the brewing cylinder 24a. It is then lowered, swiveled, and raised again at the rear to the other outlet channel 16 for filling.

[0038] The invention is sufficiently demonstrated by the above embodiments. However, it could be further explained by other variations. Instead of this pivoting element, the pistons could also be arranged to pivot or be adjustable individually. The modular unit 15 with the grinding mechanism and the feed channels could also be designed differently.

[0039] In principle, the carousel could consist of four brewing cylinders, in which the functions of extraction, cake ejection, and rinsing of the extraction cells would take place in one position. However, the device is also suitable for more than six, such as nine brewing cylinders, each with three feed channels, three pistons, three rinsing pistons, and three outlets.

[0040] The carousel with the multiple brewing cylinders or the swiveling mechanism could be fixedly arranged, and the feed channels and the extraction pistons could be height-adjustable together or separately.

[0041] This vertical drive spindle 25 is designed as a threaded rod. However, it could also be designed as a geared rod with a pinion drive in the swivel mechanism, electromagnetically, or similarly. Likewise, the sliding guide 27 could be designed differently than by means of guide rods arranged side by side, such as a guide tube or the like. The drive element 22 could also be an electric motor directly coupled to the drive spindle.

[0042] The drive element could also be designed in such a way that it would simultaneously cause the pivoting element to move up and down and also pivot the pistons 31.

Claims

1. A device for generating a beverage, in particular coffee, which comprises a plurality of carousel-like brewing cylinders (24) that are adjustable about an axis of rotation, each having an extraction cell (34a, 34b), above which there is at least one supply passage (16) for the beverage powder as well as an extraction piston (21), and below the brewing cylinders (24) there are at least two pistons (31), characterised in that the at least two pistons (31) located below the brewing cylinders (24) are positioned such that they are each slidable into or out of a respective brewing cylinder (24), wherein at least two supply channels (16) and at least two extraction pistons (21) arranged spaced apart therefrom are provided above the brewing cylinders (24), wherein, in a given position of the brewing cylinders (24), the supply channels (16) are connectable above a respective brewing cylinder (24) for loading the beverage powder, into which one respective piston (31) can be inserted from below, while the extraction pistons (21) are arranged so as to be slidable into or out of a brewing cylinder (24) adjacent to the respective brewing cylinder (24) that is loaded by each supply channel (16).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that, after the pistons (31) are moved out of and pivoted away from a respective brewing cylinder (24) and moved upward into a respective adjacent brewing cylinder (24) to be loaded, the extracted cake can be ejected downwardly by the extraction pistons (21) into the respective brewing cylinder (24) released by the piston.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, in the position when loading the beverage powder, the two pistons (31) are inserted into a respective one of the brewing cylinders (24), wherein they remain in these brewing cylinders (24) in the inserted state when they, and with them the brewing cylinders (24), are lowered, pivoted into the next position, and pushed up again, until the brewing cylinders (24) moved by the pistons (31) are inserted into the respective extraction piston (21).

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least two rinsing pistons (18) for cleaning a respective extraction cell (34a, 34b) are arranged so as to be inserted and removed in a respective brewing cylinder (24) adjacent to a brewing cylinder (24) in the extraction position.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the brewing cylinders (24) arranged axially parallel to one another are held in a circular manner around an axis of rotation (A) in a carousel (20), which is preferably movable by a vertical sliding guide (27) towards and away from the supply channels (16) and the extraction pistons (21), respectively.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterised in that six brewing cylinders (24) are held in the carousel (20), each at a distance of 60° from one another, wherein the two supply channels (16) and the two extraction pistons (21) cooperate with a respective brewing cylinder (24) in a given position of the former, being arranged opposite one another by 180°.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a pivot member (30) positioned below the brewing cylinders (24) with the at least two pistons (31) is movable up and down on a sliding guide (27), wherein this pivot member (30) is at least height-adjustable by a drive element, and at least the pistons (31) are held so as to be pivotable by an additional drive member (41) on the pivot member.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterised in that a vertical drive spindle (25) is provided as the drive element of the pivot member (30), preferably in the centre of the device (10), which is rotationally connected to the pivot member (30).

9. The device according to claim 8, characterised in that the vertical drive spindle (25), and parallel thereto the sliding guide (27), extend from a lower collecting pan (40) through the pivot member (40) and the carousel (20) up to a rotary drive member (22) of an upper unit (15).

10. The device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the carousel (20) with the brewing cylinders (24) can be lowered by the operatively connected pivot member (30) and pistons (31), respectively, and can be rotated and pushed up into the next position.

11. The device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that the carousel (20) held by the pivot member (30) can be releasably locked by a locking means in an elevated position in which, when the pivot member (30) is lowered, the pistons (31) below and the extraction pistons (21) above are extended out of the brewing cylinders (24).

12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the supply channels (16), the extraction pistons (21), and the rinsing pistons (18) are arranged in an alternating fashion about the axis of rotation (A) in a modular unit (15) so as to cooperate with the brewing cylinders (24).

13. The device according to claim 12, characterised in that, for supplying the beverage powder into the supply channels (16), at least one grinder (12) is installed in the modular unit (15), with a drive (14) and at least one connection piece (17) leading away therefrom.

14. The device according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that, a rotary drive member (22) is arranged in the modular unit (15) for the vertical drive spindle (15) which is supported therein.

15. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that each piston (31) is associated with a respective water port (36) for extracting the beverage in the loaded brewing cylinder (24b), while a respective port (21') for discharging the generated beverage out of the extraction cell (34b) of the brewing cylinder (24b) is provided at each of the extraction pistons (21).

16. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that a structure is provided, which is subdivided into four distinct planes (E1 to E4), in which a preferably modular unit (15) with the supply channels (16) for the beverage powder, the extraction piston (21), and the rinsing piston (18) is positioned in the first plane (E1), the brewing cylinders (24) in a second plane (E2), the pistons (31) in a third plane (E3), and preferably a collecting pan (40) in a fourth plane (E4).

17. The device according to claim 16, characterised in that the modular unit (15) of the first and the collecting pan (40) of the fourth plane (E1, E4) are arranged so as to be stationary, and the vertical drive spindle (25) and the sliding guide (27) are arranged so as to extend therebetween and are held by them.

18. The device according to claim 17, characterised in that the brewing cylinders (24) in the second plane (E2) and the pistons (31) in the third plane (E3) are height-adjustable into various specified positions.

19. The device according to claim 17, characterised in that a carousel (20) with the brewing cylinders (24) is arranged in the second plane (E2), and a pivot member (30) with the pistons (31) is arranged in the third plane (E3).