Coffee maker

Abstract

To provide a coffee maker which can relatively stabilize discharge of hot water from a discharge hole.SOLUTION: A coffee maker comprises: a water tank 7; a hot water supply part 5; a circulation part 6 which communicates with the water tank 7 and the hot water supply part 5 and in which water and hot water are circulated; and a heater 8 for heating the water circulated in the circulation part 6 and making the water into hot water. A discharge unit 50 of the hot water supply part 5 has an inner space 51, an inflow hole 52, and a discharge hole 53. The hot water circulated in the circulation part 6 flows into the inner space 51 through the inflow hole 52 and is discharged from the discharge hole 53, and in the inner space 51, a wall part 53 is provided. The wall part 53 is configured so that the hot water flowed from the inflow hole 51 collides with the wall part in the inner space 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coffee maker technology in which coffee powder is soaked in hot water in an extractor, then filtered through a filter to extract coffee liquid, and the coffee liquid is stored in a coffee server. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a known coffee maker is equipped with an extractor and a coffee server, in which coffee powder is soaked in hot water in the extractor and then filtered through a filter to extract coffee liquid, and the coffee liquid is stored in the coffee server (see Patent Document 1). The coffee maker includes a water tank for storing water, a hot water supply unit for discharging hot water to supply to an extractor, a water extraction passage communicating with the water tank and the water supply unit and through which water and hot water flow, and an electric heater for heating water flowing out of the water tank and flowing through the water extraction passage to make hot water. The water supply unit of the coffee maker includes a discharge port, and is configured so that the hot water flowing through the water extraction passage flows in and is discharged from the discharge port. It is publicly known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-27828 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the coffee maker, the hot water supplied to the water supply section contains a lot of steam. Therefore, the hot water may be forcefully discharged from the outlet due to steam pressure, or the hot water may be significantly disturbed when discharged from the outlet. In such cases, the load on the coffee powder increases when the coffee powder is immersed in the hot water, and the extracted coffee liquid may have a strong unpleasant taste.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coffee maker that can relatively stably dispense hot water from a dispensing port. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The container of the present invention is a coffee maker which comprises an extractor and a coffee server, in which coffee powder is soaked in hot water in the extractor and then filtered through a filter to extract coffee liquid, and which stores the coffee liquid in the coffee server, and which comprises a water tank in which the water is stored, a hot water supply section which discharges the hot water and supplies it to the extractor, a circulation section which is connected to the water tank and the hot water supply section and through which the water and the hot water circulate, and a heater which heats the water flowing out of the water tank and circulating through the circulation section to turn it into hot water, and the hot water supply section comprises a discharge unit which comprises an internal space, an inlet, and a discharge outlet, and the hot water circulating through the circulation section flows into the internal space through the inlet and is discharged from the discharge outlet, and further comprises a wall section within the internal space, and the wall section is configured so that the hot water flowing in from the inlet collides in the internal space.

[0007] According to the container of the present invention, steam can be separated from the hot water that collides with the wall in the internal space. This can reduce the forceful discharge of hot water from the outlet due to steam pressure, and can also reduce turbulence in the way the hot water is discharged from the outlet. Therefore, the discharge of hot water from the outlet can be made relatively stable.

[0008] In the present invention, it is preferable that a cross section of the hot water flow path in the internal space of the discharge unit is configured to be larger than a cross section of the hot water flow path in the circulation portion.

[0009] According to this configuration, the steam pressure of the hot water flowing into the internal space from the circulating portion can be reduced, and the momentum of the hot water in the internal space can be reduced, so that the discharge of the hot water from the discharge port can be made relatively stable.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the discharge unit includes a steam hole, and the steam hole is configured to allow steam to escape from the internal space.

[0011] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent steam from accumulating in the internal space.

[0012] In the present invention, the discharge unit is preferably configured to take in outside air from the steam hole into the internal space when the hot water is discharged from the discharge port.

[0013] According to this configuration, the operation of discharging hot water from the outlet can be performed stably.

[0014] In the present invention, it is preferable that the internal space of the discharge unit has a portion whose width narrows toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the hot water, and that the width of the internal space in the vicinity of the discharge port is configured to be the narrowest.

[0015] According to this configuration, hot water can be circulated within the internal space so as to be guided to the discharge port, and the circulation of hot water within the internal space can be stabilized.

[0016] In the present invention, it is preferable that the circulation section is configured so that a flow direction of the hot water is changed in a circulation path through which the hot water flows.

[0017] According to this configuration, the flow rate of the hot water flowing into the discharge unit through the circulating portion can be suppressed, and therefore the discharge of the hot water from the discharge port can be made relatively stable.

[0018] In the present invention, it is preferable that the diameter of the discharge port of the discharge unit is at least as large as or smaller than the diameter of the inlet port.

[0019] According to this configuration, the steam pressure of the hot water flowing into the internal space from the inlet can be reduced, and the momentum of the hot water in the internal space can be reduced, so that the discharge of the hot water from the discharge port can be made relatively stable.

[0020] In the present invention, it is preferable that the lower surface of the internal space of the discharge unit has an inclined surface, and the inclined surface is configured as a surface that inclines so that the upstream side in the flow direction of the hot water in the internal space is upward and the downstream side is downward, and the discharge outlet is positioned downstream of the inlet in the flow direction of the hot water, formed on the inclined surface, and positioned below the inlet.

[0021] According to this configuration, hot water can be circulated within the internal space so as to be guided to the discharge port, and the circulation of hot water within the internal space can be stabilized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a coffee maker according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a coffee maker. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the hot water supply unit of the coffee maker. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the hot water supply unit of the coffee maker. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] [Overall configuration of the coffee maker] Next, the coffee maker 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 7 will be described. The coffee maker 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 7 is one embodiment of the coffee maker according to the present invention. For ease of explanation, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined for the coffee maker 1 as shown by the arrows in Figs. 1 to 7. However, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction shown in Figs. 1 to 7 do not limit the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the coffee maker according to the present invention. In the following explanation, the terms front, rear, left, right, up, down, etc. refer to the orientation of each part of the coffee maker 1 when it is assembled in a predetermined position when the coffee maker 1 is used.

[0024] Coffee maker 1 is operated by a user to automatically extract coffee liquid using coffee powder and hot water. Coffee maker 1 is an immersion type coffee maker that extracts coffee liquid by filtering coffee powder after it is immersed in hot water. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, coffee maker 1 includes a coffee server 2, a mounting base 3, a support section 4, a hot water supply section 5, an extractor 6, a water tank 7, a heater 8, and a circulation section 9.

[0025] The base 3 constitutes the lower part of the coffee maker 1, and the coffee server 2 is placed thereon. The support column 4 extends forward from the rear end of the mounting table 3 . Hot water supply unit 5 constitutes the upper part of coffee maker 1, and is disposed above table 5. Hot water supply unit 5 extends forward from the upper end of support column 4. Hot water supply unit 5 includes a discharge unit 50 therein. Coffee maker 1 is configured to be substantially U-shaped when viewed from the side, and is made up of a base 3, a support section 4, and a hot water supply section 5.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 to 7, discharge unit 50 of hot water supply section 5 has internal space 51, inlet 52, and discharge outlet 53. Discharge unit 50 of hot water supply section 5 is configured in a box shape whose width in the front-to-back or left-to-right direction is larger than its width in the up-down direction, and is configured to be hollow inside. The hollow space inside discharge unit 50 is configured as internal space 51. Inlet 52 is provided at the rear end of discharge unit 50. Discharge outlet 53 is provided at the front lower end of discharge unit 50.

[0027] 1 and 2, the extractor 6 is configured in a funnel shape, and a filter and coffee powder are placed inside. The extractor 6 is located above the coffee server 2 and below the hot water supply unit 5. The extractor 6 is configured to protrude forward from the vertical midpoint of the support unit 4. The water tank 7 stores water for extracting coffee liquid. The water tank 7 is provided at the rear upper part of the support part 4.

[0028] The heater 8 is an electric heater configured as a water heating means, and is disposed inside the mounting table 3. The heater 8 is located within the mounting table 3 below the upper surface of the mounting table 3 and disposed so as to be close to the upper surface of the mounting table 3. When powered, the heater 8 heats the upper surface of the mounting table 3, thereby heating and keeping warm the coffee liquid in the coffee server 4 placed on the upper surface of the mounting table 3. The heater 8 also heats a part of the circulation section 9, heating the water that has flowed out of the water tank 7 and is circulating within the circulation section 9, to turn it into hot water.

[0029] The circulation section 9 is composed of a number of tubular members through which the water stored in the water tank 7 and the hot water generated by heating the water by the heater 8 flow. The circulation section 9 is disposed within the support section 4 and within the mounting base 5, and is in communication with the water tank 7 and the hot water supply section 5. When the user operates the operation panel or the like, a pump is activated, causing water to flow out of the water tank 7 and flow through the circulation section 9, and the water flowing through the circulation section 9 is heated by the heater 8 to become hot water, and the hot water flows from the circulation section 9 into the hot water supply section 5. The portion of the circulating portion 9 that communicates with the water tank 7 is configured to extend downward from the water tank 7 within the support portion 4. Water flows out from within the water tank 7 into the circulating portion 9 and circulates downward. The circulating part 9 is configured to extend forward from the lower end of the part communicating with the water tank 7, enter into the mounting table 5, and then extend rearward to return to the support part 4. The part of the circulating part 9 placed inside the mounting table 5 is located below the heater 8 and is placed close to the heater 8. The water circulating inside the circulating part 9 in the mounting table 5 is heated by the heater 8 to become hot water. The flow section 9 is configured to extend upward from the rear end of the portion disposed within the mounting table 5, and further within the support section 4, and hot water heated by the heater 8 flows upward. Circulation section 9 is configured to extend forward from the upper end of a portion extending upward within support section 4, and is connected to inlet 52 of discharge unit 50 of hot water supply section 5.

[0030] The hot water flowing through the flow section 9 flows into the internal space 51 through the inlet 53 of the discharge unit 50 of the hot water supply section 5, and is discharged from the discharge port 53. The hot water discharged from the discharge port 53 of the discharge unit 50 is poured into the extractor 6 through the hot water inlet of the upper cover of the extractor 6. The coffee powder in the extractor 6 is soaked in the hot water poured into the extractor 6 and then filtered through a filter to extract coffee liquid. The extracted coffee liquid is discharged from the opening at the bottom of the extractor 6, flows into the opening at the top of the coffee server 2, and is stored in the coffee server 2.

[0031] [Details of the discharge unit] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the discharge unit 50 includes a wall portion 54, a steam hole 55, a hot water reservoir portion 56, and an inclined portion 57.

[0032] The wall 54 of the discharge unit 50 is disposed in the internal space 51 and configured to divide the internal space 51 into an upstream side and a downstream side. The upstream space in the internal space 51 is configured as an upstream space 51a, and the downstream space in the internal space 51 is configured as a downstream space 51b. The wall 54 is configured to protrude downward from the upper surface of the discharge unit 50 in the internal space 51. The wall 54 is disposed so as to span both side surfaces of the discharge unit 50 in the internal space 51. The lower end (protruding end) of the wall 54 is configured so as to form a predetermined gap between the lower surface of the discharge unit 50. The upstream space 51a and the downstream space 51b communicate with each other through a predetermined gap between the lower end of the wall 54 and the lower surface of the discharge unit 50. The wall 54 is configured so that hot water (hot water containing a relatively large amount of steam) flowing in from the inlet 52 collides with the wall 54 in the upstream space 51a. The wall 54 is disposed so as to face the inlet 52. The wall portion 54 is disposed so as to overlap with the inlet 52 in a front view.

[0033] As described above, the wall 54 of the discharge unit 50 is configured so that the hot water flowing in from the inlet 52 collides with the wall 54 in the internal space 51 (upstream space 51a), so that steam can be separated from the hot water that collides with the wall 54 in the internal space 51. This makes it possible to reduce the forceful discharge of hot water from the discharge port 51 due to steam pressure, and also to reduce turbulence in the way the hot water is discharged from the discharge port 51. This makes it possible to relatively stabilize the discharge of hot water from the discharge port 53.

[0034] The cross section of the hot water flow path in the internal space 51 of the discharge unit 50 is configured to be larger than the cross section of the hot water flow path in the circulating section 9. Here, the hot water flow path in the internal space 51 runs from rear to front, and the cross section of the hot water flow path in the internal space 51 shows the state in which the internal space 51 is cut in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the hot water flow path in the internal space 51. In addition, the hot water flow path in the circulating section 9 immediately before being connected to the discharge unit 50 runs from rear to front, and the cross section of the hot water flow path in the circulating section 9 shows the state in which the circulating section 9 is cut in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the hot water flow path in the circulating section 9.

[0035] As described above, the cross section of the hot water flow path in internal space 51 of discharge unit 50 is configured to be larger than the cross section of the hot water flow path in circulating section 9, so that it is possible to reduce the steam pressure of the hot water that has flowed from circulating section 9 into internal space 51, and to reduce the momentum of the hot water in internal space 51. Therefore, the discharge of hot water from discharge port 53 can be made relatively stable.

[0036] The diameter of the discharge port 53 of the discharge unit 50 is configured to be at least as large as or smaller than the diameter of the inlet 52. Because of this configuration, it is possible to reduce the steam pressure of the hot water that flows into the internal space 51 from the inlet 52, and to reduce the momentum of the hot water in the internal space 51. Therefore, the discharge of the hot water from the discharge port 53 can be made relatively stable.

[0037] The steam hole 55 of the discharge unit 50 allows steam to escape from the internal space 51 to the outside of the discharge unit 50. The steam hole 55 communicates with the internal space 51 (downstream space 51b). The steam hole 55 is configured to cut out the upper surface of the discharge unit 50. The steam hole 55 is configured such that the longitudinal direction is the left-right direction and both ends reach the vicinity of both side surfaces of the discharge unit 50. The steam hole 55 is disposed near the downstream side of the wall portion 54.

[0038] As described above, the steam hole 55 of the discharge unit 50 allows steam to escape from the internal space 51, thereby preventing steam from accumulating in the internal space 51. Furthermore, as described above, the steam hole 55 is disposed near the downstream side of the wall portion 54, so that the steam that collides with the wall portion 54 and is separated from the hot water can be stably discharged outside the internal space 51.

[0039] The discharge unit 50 is configured to take in outside air from the steam hole 55 into the internal space 51 when discharging hot water from the discharge port 53. Therefore, the operation of discharging hot water from the discharge port 53 can be performed stably.

[0040] A plurality of ribs 58 (three in this embodiment) are provided in the steam hole 55 of the discharge unit 50 so as to divide the steam hole 55 into a plurality of parts (four in this embodiment). By providing the ribs 58 in this manner, the rigidity of the upper part of the discharge unit 50 can be ensured even when the steam hole 55 is formed, and also, foreign matter can be prevented from entering the internal space 51 through the steam hole 55. The number of ribs 58 is not limited to this, but can be set appropriately according to the specifications, and may be two or less or four or more.

[0041] The hot water reservoir 56 of the discharge unit 50 is formed in the downstream space 51b. The upstream portion of the downstream space 51b is configured to protrude upward and has a larger volume than the downstream portion. The hot water reservoir 56 is configured to be configured to store hot water by being configured as a portion of the upstream portion of the downstream space 51b having a larger volume. In this way, since the hot water reservoir 56 is configured to store hot water in the downstream space 51b, even if the pump stops during the coffee liquid extraction operation and the hot water inside the heater 8 suddenly flows into the discharge unit 50, the flowing hot water can be stored in the hot water reservoir 56. Therefore, even if the pump stops during the coffee liquid extraction operation and the hot water inside the heater 8 suddenly flows into the discharge unit 50, the hot water can be prevented from overflowing from the steam hole 55.

[0042] The internal space 51 of the discharge unit 50 has a portion where the left-right width (width of the hot water flow path) narrows toward the downstream side in the hot water flow direction, and the left-right width of the internal space 51 near the discharge port 53 is configured to be the narrowest. It is formed in a tapered shape from the downstream side of the hot water reservoir 56 to the discharge port 53. The discharge unit 50 is configured to be polygonal in a plan view. In this way, the internal space 51 has a portion where the left-right width (width of the hot water flow path) narrows toward the downstream side in the hot water flow direction, and the left-right width of the internal space 51 near the discharge port 53 is configured to be the narrowest, so that the hot water can be circulated within the internal space 51 so as to be guided to the discharge port 53, and the flow of hot water within the internal space 51 can be stabilized.

[0043] The lower surface of the internal space 51 of the discharge unit 50 is formed by an inclined surface 57. The inclined surface 57 is formed by a surface that is inclined so that the upstream side in the flow direction of hot water in the internal space 51 is upward and the downstream side is downward. The internal space 51 is formed in a roughly cone shape. The discharge outlet 53 is disposed downstream of the inlet 52 in the flow direction of hot water, and is formed on the inclined surface 57 and positioned below the inlet 52. Because of this configuration, the hot water can be circulated within the internal space 51 so as to be guided to the discharge outlet 53, and the flow of hot water within the internal space 51 can be stabilized.

[0044] The inlet 52 and the outlet 53 of the discharge unit 50 are arranged side by side in a plan view in the direction of hot water flow in the internal space 51. Because of this configuration, the flow of hot water from the inlet 52 to the outlet 53 in the internal space 51 can be stabilized.

[0045] The circulation section 6 is configured so that the flow direction of the hot water is changed in the circulation path through which the hot water flows. Because of this configuration, it is possible to suppress the flow rate of the hot water flowing into the discharge unit 50 via the circulation section 6. Therefore, it is possible to relatively stabilize the discharge of the hot water from the discharge port 53.

[0046] The circulation path through which the hot water flows in the circulation section 6 is composed of a portion disposed within the mounting base 3 of the circulation section 6 where the water is heated by the heater 8, a portion extending upward within the support section 4 through which the hot water flows upward, and a portion extending forward from the upper end of the upwardly extending portion and connected to the inlet 52 of the discharge unit 50. The portion disposed within the mounting base 3 of the circulation section 6 where the water is heated by the heater 8 and the portion extending upward within the support section 4 through which the hot water flows upward are connected, and are configured so that the direction in which the portion extending upward within the support section 4 through which the hot water flows upward extends is at least 90° or more relative to the direction in which the portion disposed within the mounting base 3 where the water is heated by the heater 8 extends. The portion of the circulating section 6 that extends upward within the support section 4 and through which hot water flows upward and the portion that extends forward and is connected to the inlet 52 of the discharge unit 50 are connected together, and the direction in which the portion that extends forward and is connected to the inlet 52 of the discharge unit 50 extends is at least 90° or more relative to the direction in which the portion that extends upward within the support section 4 and through which hot water flows upward. This configuration makes it possible to more reliably suppress the flow rate of the hot water flowing into the discharge unit 50 via the circulating section 6. Therefore, the discharge of hot water from the discharge port 53 can be made relatively stable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Coffee maker 2. Coffee Server 3. Placement table 4 Support section 5 Hot water supply section 6 Extractor 7. Water Tank 8. Heater 9 Distribution Department 50 Discharge unit 51 Interior Space 52 Inlet 53 Discharge port 54 Wall 55 Steam Vent 56 Water tank 57 Slope 58 Ribs

Claims

1. A coffee maker comprising an extractor and a coffee server, in which coffee powder is soaked in hot water in the extractor and then filtered through a filter to extract coffee liquid, and the coffee liquid is stored in the coffee server, A water tank in which the water is stored; A hot water supply unit that discharges the hot water and supplies it to the extractor; A circulating section communicating with the water tank and the hot water supply section through which the water and the hot water circulate; a heater for heating the water flowing out of the water tank and flowing through the flow section to make the water hot, The hot water supply unit includes a discharge unit, The discharge unit includes: The hot water circulating in the flow section flows into the internal space through the inlet and is discharged from the outlet, Further comprising a wall within the interior space; The coffee maker, characterized in that the wall portion is configured so that hot water flowing in from the inlet collides with the wall portion in the internal space.

2. A cross section of the hot water flow path in the internal space of the discharge unit is configured to be larger than a cross section of the hot water flow path in the circulating portion.

2. The coffee maker of claim 1.

3. The discharge unit includes a steam vent. The steam vent allows steam to escape from the interior space.

3. The coffee maker of claim 2.

4. The discharge unit is configured to take in outside air from the steam hole into the internal space when the hot water is discharged from the discharge port.

4. The coffee maker of claim 3.

5. The internal space of the discharge unit has a portion whose width narrows toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the hot water, and the width of the internal space in the vicinity of the discharge port is configured to be the narrowest.

2. The coffee maker of claim 1.

6. The circulating portion is configured so that the flow direction of the hot water is changed in a flow path through which the hot water flows.

2. The coffee maker of claim 1.

7. The diameter of the discharge port of the discharge unit is at least as large as or smaller than the diameter of the inlet port.

2. The coffee maker of claim 1.

8. The lower surface of the internal space of the discharge unit has an inclined surface, The inclined surface is configured as a surface that is inclined such that the upstream side in the flow direction of the hot water in the internal space is upward and the downstream side is downward, The discharge port is disposed downstream of the inlet in a flow direction of hot water, and is formed on the inclined surface and positioned below the inlet. Coffee maker according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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