Coffee brewing equipment, coffee brewing methods, programs

Abstract

This allows for the provision of both regular coffee and decaffeinated coffee using the same coffee brewing equipment, while preventing unintended contamination with caffeine. [Solution] The coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 comprises a reception unit that receives instructions from the user for the type of coffee, a process control unit that manages the manufacturing process for the type of coffee instructed by the user, a control unit that controls the process control unit, a mill for grinding coffee beans, and a brewing unit for adding hot water to the coffee beans ground by the mill to extract coffee. The manufacturing process includes a main process for manufacturing the type of coffee instructed by the user, and a preliminary process for cleaning the mill and the brewing unit. When the reception unit receives instructions to manufacture a first type of coffee, the control unit controls the main process to be performed, and when the reception unit receives instructions to manufacture a second type of coffee, the control unit controls the main process to be performed after the preliminary process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coffee manufacturing apparatus, a coffee manufacturing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a coffee manufacturing apparatus installed in a store such as a convenience store and manufacturing a beverage selected by a user (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] } Conventionally, since coffee other than decaffeinated coffee (hereinafter also referred to as normal coffee) and decaffeinated coffee have different manufacturing processes and materials used, there were provided a coffee manufacturing apparatus dedicated to normal coffee and a coffee manufacturing apparatus dedicated to decaffeinated coffee, respectively. However, there were problems such as the need for space for installing separate coffee manufacturing apparatuses and an increase in costs for manufacturing separate coffee manufacturing apparatuses.

[0005] Further, if an attempt is made to manufacture normal coffee and decaffeinated coffee using the same coffee manufacturing apparatus, space saving and low cost can be achieved. However, when manufacturing decaffeinated coffee, there was a problem that caffeine would be mixed in due to the remaining caffeine in parts and the like used in the process of manufacturing normal coffee.

[0006] Therefore, when providing regular coffee and decaffeinated coffee through coffee brewing equipment, if the priority was to prevent unintentional caffeine contamination, it was necessary to install separate coffee brewing equipment.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide both regular coffee and decaffeinated coffee using the same coffee manufacturing equipment, while preventing unintended contamination with caffeine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A coffee manufacturing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a reception unit that receives instructions from a user for the type of coffee, a process control unit that manages the manufacturing process for the type of coffee instructed by the user, a control unit that controls the process control unit, a mill for grinding coffee beans, and a brewing unit for extracting coffee by adding hot water to the coffee beans ground in the mill. The manufacturing process includes a main process for manufacturing the type of coffee instructed by the user, and a preliminary process for cleaning the mill and the brewing unit. When the reception unit receives instructions to manufacture a first type of coffee, the control unit controls the main process to be performed. When the reception unit receives instructions to manufacture a second type of coffee, the control unit controls the main process to be performed after the preliminary process.

[0009] A coffee manufacturing method according to one aspect of the present invention is a coffee manufacturing method performed in a coffee manufacturing apparatus comprising a mill for grinding coffee beans and a brewing unit for extracting coffee by adding hot water to the coffee beans ground in the mill, and includes receiving a type of coffee instructed by a user, managing the manufacturing process of the type of coffee instructed by the user, and controlling the management of the manufacturing process, wherein the manufacturing process has a main process for manufacturing the type of coffee instructed by the user and a preliminary process for performing a cleaning process of the mill and the brewing unit, and the control includes controlling to perform the main process when an instruction to manufacture a first type of coffee is received from the user, and controlling to perform the main process after the preliminary process when an instruction to manufacture a second type of coffee is received from the user.

[0010] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a coffee manufacturing apparatus comprising a mill for grinding coffee beans and a brewing unit for extracting coffee by adding hot water to the coffee beans ground in the mill, and includes receiving the type of coffee instructed by the user, managing the manufacturing process of the type of coffee instructed by the user, and controlling the management of the manufacturing process, wherein the manufacturing process comprises a main process for manufacturing the type of coffee instructed by the user and a preliminary process for performing a cleaning process of the mill and the brewing unit, and the control involves causing the computer of the coffee manufacturing apparatus to perform the main process when it receives an instruction from the user to manufacture a first type of coffee, and to perform the main process after the preliminary process when it receives an instruction from the user to manufacture a second type of coffee. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide both regular coffee and decaffeinated coffee using the same coffee manufacturing apparatus while preventing unintended contamination with caffeine. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1]Figure 1 shows an example of the appearance of a coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the coffee brewing apparatus 1 in this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the manufacturing process flow in this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows another example of the manufacturing process flow in this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of this process in this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the liquid flow in this process according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a preliminary step in this embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the liquid flow in the preliminary step in this embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the control process flow in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] An embodiment of the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each figure, components denoted by the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 is installed, for example, in a convenience store or the like, receives an instruction from a user, and provides normal coffee or decaffeinated coffee. Hereinafter, when normal coffee and decaffeinated coffee are not particularly distinguished, they are also referred to as coffee. The purchaser may operate the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1, or an employee may operate the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1. Hereinafter, when the purchaser and the employee are not particularly distinguished, they are also referred to as a user.

[0015] The coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that manufactures coffee from coffee beans and a liquid such as hot water (hereinafter also referred to as hot water). It is possible to manufacture one cup of coffee per manufacturing operation. A stage for placing the cup 100 is provided at the lower part of the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1, and the coffee manufactured by the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 is poured into the cup 100.

[0016] The coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 has a door 23 that opens and closes the outlet of the cup 100. By this door 23, it is possible to open and close the outlet on the front surface of the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1, and the user can take out the coffee poured into the cup 100.

[0017] An operation unit 15 is provided above the door 23 of the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1. The operation unit 15 is composed of, for example, a touch panel, operation buttons, etc., and can display various information. The user operates the operation unit 15 such as a touch panel or operation buttons to indicate the type of coffee such as normal coffee or decaffeinated coffee, and the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures the coffee according to the instruction. Details of the operation unit 15 will be described later.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a plurality of canisters 2 that store coffee beans as coffee materials, and a plurality of feeders 3 corresponding to the plurality of canisters 2. The plurality of canisters 2 are provided side by side on the left and right.

[0019] In the first canister 2A, coffee beans for manufacturing ordinary coffee are stored, and in the second canister 2B, coffee beans for manufacturing decaffeinated coffee are stored. By rotating the feeder 3 corresponding to the canister 2, the coffee beans stored in the canister 2 are supplied to the mill 4. For example, by rotating the first feeder 3A, the coffee beans stored in the first canister 2A can be supplied to the mill 4.

[0020] The mill 4 is located below the canister 2, and by rotating the feeder 3, the coffee beans supplied from the canister 2 are ground to a predetermined particle size. Then, the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 sends the powder of the coffee beans ground by the mill 4 (hereinafter also referred to as ground beans) to the brewer unit 5 and adds hot water supplied from the water supply tank 6 to generate a mixture.

[0021] In the brewer unit 5, coffee is extracted by filtering the generated mixture with a paper filter. The coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a waste container 7 for discarding the extracted decaffeinated coffee, coffee grounds after extraction, the paper filter, etc. in a preliminary process 50 described later.

[0022] In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a controller 10 etc. for controlling the operation of the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1. The controller 10 includes a control unit 11, a process management unit 12, a reception unit 13, a storage unit 14, etc. The reception unit 13 receives information from the operation unit 15 and the sensor 16.

[0023] The control unit 11 includes a processor such as a CPU, and controls the operations of the motors of each feeder 3, the motor of the mill 4, the paper filter and valve of the brewer unit 5, the pump of the water supply tank 6, etc. The control unit 11 may be realized, for example, by causing a processor such as a CPU to execute a program, that is, by software, or by hardware such as an IC, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0024] The control unit 11 is electrically connected to the canister 2, the process control unit 12, etc., and controls the process control unit 12, which manages the manufacturing process of the type of coffee specified by the user. It also comprehensively controls the operation of each of these units according to the programs and data stored in the storage unit 14, which is also electrically connected.

[0025] When the receiving unit 13 receives an instruction to manufacture, for example, regular coffee, as the first type of coffee, the control unit 11 controls the process control unit 12 to perform the main process 60. When the receiving unit 13 receives an instruction to manufacture, for example, decaffeinated coffee, as the second type of coffee, the control unit 11 controls the process control unit 12 to perform the main process 60 after the preliminary process 50.

[0026] The process control unit 12 manages the manufacturing process for the type of coffee instructed by the user, as received from the reception unit 13, according to the programs and data for managing the processes stored in the memory unit 14. The processes managed by the process control unit 12 include the main process 60 and the preliminary process 50.

[0027] The reception unit 13 receives information from the operation unit 15 and the sensor 16. For example, the operation unit 15 is an interface consisting of a touch panel, operation buttons, etc., and the reception unit 13 receives the type of coffee instructed by the user from the operation unit 15. The user may be a purchaser or an employee. Alternatively, the cup 100 may be placed on the stage, and the type of coffee may be instructed by having the sensor 16 read the colors and patterns printed on the cup 100.

[0028] Sensor 16 can detect whether or not cup 100 is properly placed. For example, if cup 100 is not placed within the normal range, if cup 100 is deformed, or if cup 100 has a lid and it is not possible to pour coffee into cup 100, sensor 16 can detect an abnormality and output an alert.

[0029] The storage unit 14 includes memory such as ROM or RAM and stores the program for operating the coffee brewing apparatus 1. The storage unit 14 also stores the recipe data for the coffee that can be supplied, as well as programs and data for managing the process. The stored programs and recipe data may be updatable via a communication medium or storage medium.

[0030] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the manufacturing process flow according to this embodiment, and Figure 4 is a diagram showing another example of the manufacturing process flow according to this embodiment. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the process control unit 12 of the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 manages the manufacturing process, which includes the main process 60 and the preliminary process 50.

[0031] The main process 60 is the process of producing the type of coffee specified by the user. The preliminary process 50 is the process of cleaning the mill 4 and brewing unit 5 to remove caffeine before producing the type of coffee specified by the user to be provided to the user, and is, for example, a preliminary process of producing the coffee to be produced in the main process 60.

[0032] If the type of coffee specified by the user is the first type of coffee, for example, regular coffee, the control unit 11 controls the process control unit 12 to perform only the main process 60. On the other hand, if the type of coffee specified by the user is the second type of coffee, for example, decaffeinated coffee, the control unit 11 controls the process control unit 12 to perform the preliminary process 50 first, and then the main process 60. As a result, when manufacturing decaffeinated coffee, the cleaning process of the mill 4 and brewing unit 5 is performed in the preliminary process 50, which removes a certain amount of caffeine adhering to the mill 4 and brewing unit 5.

[0033] First, the details of the main process 60, which is a manufacturing process managed by the process control unit 12, will be explained. Figure 5 is a flowchart of an example of the main process 60. As shown in the figure, the main process 60 includes a bean dispensing process S11, a grinding process S12, a hot water extraction process S13, a pre-infusion process S14, a stirring process S15, an extraction process S16, and an extraction process S17. In the main process 60, the type of coffee specified by the user is manufactured and provided to the user.

[0034] First, in the bean dispensing process S11, the feeder 3 dispenses the coffee beans stored in the canister 2. Here, the first feeder 3A dispenses the coffee beans for producing regular coffee that are stored in the first canister 2A.

[0035] Next, in grinding step S12, the mill 4 grinds the coffee beans supplied from the first canister 2A to produce regular coffee.

[0036] Next, in the hot water extraction process S13, the brewing unit 5 produces a mixture from the ground coffee beans supplied from the mill 4 and the hot water supplied from the water tank 6.

[0037] Next, in the steeping process S14, the mixture is steeped for a predetermined amount of time. During this time, the components contained in the coffee beans gradually dissolve into the hot water, creating the aroma and flavor of the coffee.

[0038] Next, in the stirring step S15, the steeped mixture is stirred in a predetermined manner. By stirring, the time required for extraction in the subsequent extraction step can be shortened.

[0039] Next, in extraction step S16, the generated mixture is filtered using a paper filter to extract regular coffee from the mixture.

[0040] Next, in serving step S17, the extracted regular coffee is poured through the nozzle 8 into the cup 100 placed on the stage.

[0041] Figure 6 shows an example of liquid flow in process 60. In flow F11, water is supplied from a water tap or the like to the water supply tank 6, and the water is stored in the water supply tank 6.

[0042] In flow F12, hot water is generated by heating the water stored in the water supply tank 6, and this hot water is supplied to the brewing unit 5 for use in the hot water extraction process.

[0043] In flow F13, a mixture is created by adding coffee beans ground in mill 4 and hot water supplied from water tank 6 to brew unit 5. The resulting mixture is filtered through a paper filter, extracted as coffee, and supplied to cup 100 via nozzle 8.

[0044] Next, the details of the preliminary process 50, which is a manufacturing process managed by the process control unit 12, will be described. Figure 7 is a flowchart of an example of the preliminary process 50. In this embodiment, the preliminary process 50 preliminarily produces the type of coffee specified by the user to be produced in the main process 60. When the control unit 11 receives an instruction to produce decaffeinated coffee, it controls the system to perform the preliminary process 50 before the main process 60. Therefore, the type of coffee specified by the user to be produced in the preliminary process 50 is decaffeinated coffee. The preliminary process 50 includes a bean dispensing process S21, a grinding process S22, a pouring process S23, a paper feed process S24, and a waste disposal process S25.

[0045] First, the bean dispensing process S21 is a process for dispensing coffee beans for producing decaffeinated coffee, which are stored in the second canister 2B, using the second feeder 3B. The coffee beans in the bean dispensing process S21 are dispensed from the same second canister 2B as the coffee beans in the bean dispensing process S11 of the main process 60, which is performed after the preliminary process 50. The amount of beans used in the preliminary process 50 may be the same as the amount of beans used in the main process 60. This makes it possible to share at least a portion of the program and data that manages the processes stored in the storage unit 14 between the main process 60 and the preliminary process 50, thereby simplifying maintenance.

[0046] Next, grinding step S22 is a process for grinding coffee beans. In mill 4, the coffee beans supplied from the second canister 2B are ground. In grinding step S22, any coffee powder that was attached to mill 4 before the preliminary step 50 is performed is scraped out of mill 4 by the ground coffee beans and falls into the brewing unit 5 together with the ground coffee beans.

[0047] Next, the pouring process S23 is the process for extracting coffee. In the brewing unit 5, hot water supplied from the water tank 6 is poured over the ground coffee beans supplied from the mill 4 to create a mixture, and coffee is extracted from the mixture. In the preliminary process 50, unlike the main process 60, no steeping or stirring is required after pouring the hot water. The amount of hot water supplied in the preliminary process 50 may be the same as the amount of hot water supplied in the main process 60. This allows at least some of the programs and data that manage the processes stored in the memory unit 14 to be common to both the main process 60 and the preliminary process 50, simplifying maintenance. In addition, the cleaning process of the mill 4 and the brewing unit 5 can be carried out more effectively, and caffeine and other contaminants can be removed.

[0048] Next, the paper filter feeding process S24 is a process in which the paper filter is fed by the paper filter feeding device and the extracted residue on the paper filter is discarded into the residue container 7. In order to discard the powder and dirt remaining on the paper filter and to feed a new paper filter, the paper filter with the powder and dirt remaining on it is fed away from the side where the coffee is served, and the coffee manufacturing device 1 cuts the paper filter at predetermined intervals, and the cut paper filter with the powder and dirt remaining on it is discarded into the residue container 7.

[0049] Next, in the disposal process S25, the decaffeinated coffee extracted in the preliminary process 50 is discarded into the waste container 7. When the decaffeinated coffee is discarded into the waste container 7, any caffeine remaining in the mill 4 or brewing unit 5 before the preliminary process 50 is discarded into the waste container 7 along with the decaffeinated coffee. With this, the preliminary process 50 is completed, and the control unit 11 controls the system to proceed with the next process, the main process 60.

[0050] Figure 8 shows an example of liquid flow in the preliminary process 50. In flow F21, water is supplied from the water supply to the water supply tank 6 and stored in the water supply tank 6.

[0051] In flow F22, hot water is generated by heating the water stored in the water supply tank 6, and the predetermined amount of hot water is supplied to the brewing unit 5.

[0052] In flow F23, the decaffeinated coffee produced in the preliminary process 50 is discarded from the brewing unit 5 into the waste container 7.

[0053] Therefore, in the preliminary process 50, since decaffeinated coffee that is scheduled to be manufactured in the main process 60 immediately after the preliminary process 50 is manufactured, any caffeine and other residues remaining on the parts due to the previous manufacture of regular coffee in the main process 60 can be disposed of in the waste container 7 along with the decaffeinated coffee extracted in the preliminary process 50.

[0054] As a result, caffeine and other substances remaining on the parts can be disposed of more effectively into the waste container 7 than when washing with hot water, and the decaffeinated coffee produced by the main process 60 immediately after the preliminary process 50 will contain less caffeine and other substances remaining on the parts than before the preliminary process 50 was performed.

[0055] Furthermore, because regular coffee, for example, is less likely to mix with the decaffeinated coffee to be served in step 60, the decaffeinated coffee to be served in step 60 will be of higher purity, and the quality of the decaffeinated coffee will be improved.

[0056] Figure 9 shows an example of process control according to the present invention. The operation of the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 will be explained while describing the processing content of the process control.

[0057] First, in step S31, the user operates the control unit 15 on the control panel of the coffee maker 1 to specify the type of coffee, such as regular coffee or decaffeinated coffee, and the reception unit 13 receives the type of coffee specified by the user.

[0058] In step S32, the control unit 11 determines whether the type of coffee received is regular coffee or decaffeinated coffee.

[0059] When the instructed type of coffee is regular coffee (step S32: No), the control unit 11 controls the process control unit 12 to skip the preliminary step 50 and perform the main step 60.

[0060] When the instructed type of coffee is decaffeinated coffee (step S32: Yes), the control unit 11 controls the process control unit 12 to perform the preliminary step 50 before the main step 60.

[0061] In step S33, the control unit 11 controls the process control unit 12 to perform the preliminary process 50. The decaffeinated coffee liquid produced in the preliminary process 50 is discarded into the waste container 7. This allows any caffeine remaining in the mill 4 to be discarded together with the decaffeinated coffee.

[0062] In step S34, the control unit 11 controls the process control unit 12 to carry out the main process 60. The liquid produced in the main process 60 is poured through the nozzle 8 into the cup 100 placed on the stage.

[0063] According to the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1, coffee manufacturing method, and program of the present invention configured as described above, even when manufacturing both regular coffee containing caffeine and decaffeinated coffee without caffeine using a single coffee manufacturing apparatus 1, it is possible to provide various types of coffee while preventing unintended contamination with caffeine.

[0064] The program according to the present invention can be installed on or downloaded to an information processing device by downloading it via various recording media such as optical discs like CD-ROMs, magnetic discs, or semiconductor memory, or via a communication network.

[0065] In this specification, "part" does not merely mean a physical configuration, but also includes cases where the functions of that configuration are implemented by software. Furthermore, even if the functions of one configuration are implemented by two or more physical configurations, the functions of two or more configurations may be implemented by one physical configuration.

[0066] The embodiments described above are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. The elements, arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, and sizes of the embodiments are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, it is possible to partially substitute or combine the configurations shown in different embodiments.

[0067] For example, in the embodiments described above, coffee beans were used as an example of a bean-shaped raw material, but the bean-shaped raw material of the present invention may be any bean other than coffee beans. Furthermore, the first coffee material may be roasted green coffee beans, or it may be pre-ground coffee made from roasted coffee beans. The second coffee material may be roasted decaffeinated coffee beans, or it may be pre-ground decaffeinated coffee made from roasted decaffeinated coffee beans.

[0068] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 has a canister 2A for storing coffee beans for producing regular coffee and a corresponding feeder 3A, and a canister 2B for storing coffee beans for producing decaffeinated coffee and a corresponding feeder 3B. However, the configuration and number of canisters 2 and feeders 3 are not limited to the illustrated example, and for example, the number of canisters 2 and feeders 3 may be two or more. Also, the water supply tank 6 can generate hot water by heating water, and in the following description, the liquid supplied from the water supply tank 6 will be described using hot water, but the supplied liquid is not limited to hot water and may be cold water.

[0069] Furthermore, the preliminary step 50 may be carried out using the materials used in the main step 60, and each step included in the preliminary step 50 may be performed. For example, the beans used in the preliminary step 50 are beans stored in the same canister 2 as those used in the main step 60.

[0070] Therefore, since it is not necessary to prepare materials only in the preliminary process 50, the effort required for maintenance such as replenishing materials can be reduced. In addition, the internal space of the coffee manufacturing apparatus 1 can be used effectively.

[0071] The nozzle 8 dispenses the type of coffee specified by the user, produced by the coffee brewing device 1, into the cup 100. The nozzle 8 discharges the type of coffee specified by the user downwards. The coffee brewing device 1 may have multiple nozzles 8, and the control unit 11 may control valves that manage multiple nozzles 8.

[0072] For example, if the coffee maker 1 produces regular coffee, it is poured into the cup 100 through the first nozzle 8A. If the coffee maker 1 produces decaffeinated coffee, it may be poured into the cup 100 through the second nozzle 8B.

[0073] As described above, by using multiple nozzles 8 in different ways, even when the coffee brewing apparatus 1 produces both regular coffee containing caffeine and decaffeinated coffee without caffeine, it is possible to provide various types of coffee while preventing caffeine residue remaining in the nozzles 8 from being mixed in.

[0074] Furthermore, the amount of beans dispensed in the bean dispensing process S21 may be less than the amount of beans used in the main process 60. This allows for bean conservation. For example, a predetermined amount of beans less than the amount used in the main process 60 may be used in the preliminary process 50. Similarly, the amount of hot water supplied in the hot water pouring process S23 may be less than the amount of hot water used in the main process 60. This allows for hot water conservation. For example, a predetermined amount of hot water less than the amount used in the main process 60 may be used in the preliminary process 50. As a result, the amount of decaffeinated coffee and the like discarded into the waste container 7 can be reduced, and the time required for the entire preliminary process can be shortened. Note that the predetermined amount of beans and hot water used in the preliminary process 50 may be constant regardless of the amount of beans and hot water used in the main process 60.

[0075] As a result, the amount of liquid produced in the preliminary process 50 that flows into the waste container 7 is reduced, thereby reducing the maintenance effort required for the waste container 7. The amount of beans used in the preliminary process 50 can be adjusted by changing the program and data that manage the process and are stored in the memory unit 14.

[0076] While it is preferable for the process change to be controlled automatically by the control unit 11, various other methods, such as manually changing the process, can also be employed.

[0077] If the coffee ingredients stored in multiple canisters 2 are coffee grounds or instant coffee, the mill 4 may be omitted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 1...Coffee brewing machine, 2...Canister, 2A...First canister, 2B...Second canister, 3...Feeder, 3A...First feeder, 3B...Second feeder, 4...Grinder, 5...Brewer unit, 6...Water tank, 7...Waste container, 8...Nozzle, 10...Controller, 11...Control unit, 12...Process control unit, 13...Reception unit, 15...Operation unit, 16...Sensor, 23...Door, 50...Preliminary process, 60...Main process, 100...Cup.

Claims

1. A reception desk that accepts the type of coffee requested by the user, A process control unit that manages the manufacturing process of the type of coffee specified by the user, A control unit that controls the process control unit, A mill for grinding coffee beans, The system includes a brewing unit for extracting coffee by adding hot water to coffee beans ground in the aforementioned mill, The manufacturing process includes a main process for producing the type of coffee specified by the user, and a preliminary process for cleaning the mill and the brewing unit. When the receiving unit receives an instruction to manufacture the first type of coffee, the control unit controls the process to carry out the above-mentioned step. When the receiving unit receives an instruction to manufacture the second type of coffee, the control unit controls the main process to be performed after the preliminary process. Coffee brewing equipment.

2. The first type of coffee mentioned above is coffee other than decaffeinated coffee. The second type of coffee mentioned above is decaffeinated coffee. The coffee manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned preliminary step involves grinding decaffeinated coffee beans in the mill and then performing the cleaning process by extracting coffee using the ground decaffeinated coffee beans in the brewing unit. The coffee manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The amount of coffee beans used in the preliminary step is the same as the amount of coffee beans used in the main step. The coffee manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The coffee extracted in the aforementioned preliminary step is discarded. The coffee manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. A coffee manufacturing method performed in a coffee manufacturing apparatus comprising a mill for grinding coffee beans and a brewing unit for extracting coffee by adding hot water to the coffee beans ground by the mill, The aforementioned coffee manufacturing method is The system accepts the type of coffee specified by the user, To manage the manufacturing process of the type of coffee specified by the user, This includes controlling the aforementioned manufacturing process, The manufacturing process includes a main process for producing the type of coffee specified by the user, and a preliminary process for cleaning the mill and the brewing unit. The aforementioned control means When the system receives an instruction from the user to produce the first type of coffee, it controls the system to perform the above process. When the user gives an instruction to produce a second type of coffee, the system controls the process to perform the main process after the preliminary process. A coffee manufacturing method that performs this process.

7. A computer in a coffee manufacturing apparatus comprising a mill for grinding coffee beans and a brewing unit for extracting coffee by adding hot water to the coffee beans ground by the mill, The system accepts the type of coffee specified by the user, To manage the manufacturing process of the type of coffee specified by the user, A program for controlling and executing the aforementioned manufacturing process, The manufacturing process includes a main process for producing the type of coffee specified by the user, and a preliminary process for cleaning the mill and the brewing unit. The aforementioned control means When the system receives an instruction from the user to produce the first type of coffee, it controls the system to perform the above process. When the user gives an instruction to produce a second type of coffee, the system controls the process to perform the main process after the preliminary process. A program that includes this.

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