Coffee makers and cold brew coffee makers

Abstract

The objective of this invention is to provide a coffee maker equipped with a cold brew function that can minimize the wasteful use of coffee beans. [Solution] The coffee maker 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a holding unit D and a course switching unit. The holding unit holds the coffee beans. The course switching unit switches between a water extraction course and hot water extraction courses CB and R. The water extraction course has a first wetting step. In the first wetting step, the coffee beans CM are wetted with a first wetting medium Va. The hot water extraction course has a second wetting step. In the second wetting step, the coffee beans CM are wetted with a second wetting medium Va. The amount of the first wetting medium used in the first wetting step is less than the amount of the second wetting medium used in the second wetting step. Note that different wetting mediums may be used for the first and second wetting mediums, or the same wetting medium may be used.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coffee maker and a pour-over coffee maker.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, not only coffee extracted with hot water (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "pour-over coffee"), but also coffee extracted with water (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "drip coffee") has been preferred. Drip coffee has a unique taste different from pour-over coffee. This is because by extracting coffee components with water at a lower water temperature than hot water, the extraction of the unique oil and bitter components of coffee is suppressed. For this reason, in the past, coffee makers equipped with a drip function (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "drip function-equipped coffee makers") have been developed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-244150).

[0003] However, in conventional drip function-equipped coffee makers, when extracting coffee components from coffee beans with water using the drip function, a phenomenon occurs in which water flows concentratedly to a specific part in the coffee beans (hereinafter, this phenomenon may be referred to as "channeling"), and coffee components are not properly extracted from the coffee beans in parts other than the above specific part. That is, not all coffee beans are effectively utilized, and a part of the coffee beans is wasted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a drip function-equipped coffee maker that can prevent wasteful use of coffee beans as much as possible. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A coffee maker according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a holding unit and a course switching unit. The holding unit holds the coffee beans. The course switching unit switches between a water extraction course and a hot water extraction course. The water extraction course has a first wetting step. In the first wetting step, the coffee beans are wetted with a first wetting medium. The hot water extraction course has a second wetting step. In the second wetting step, the coffee beans are wetted with a second wetting medium. The amount of the first wetting medium used in the first wetting step is less than the amount of the second wetting medium used in the second wetting step. Note that different wetting mediums may be used for the first and second wetting mediums, or the same wetting medium may be used.

[0007] With the above configuration, when brewing coffee, the entire coffee bean can be uniformly moistened with either the first or second wetting medium. This prevents the formation of channels, which has been a problem in conventional coffee makers, and minimizes the wasteful use of coffee beans. Furthermore, by setting the amount of the first wetting medium to be less than the amount of the second wetting medium, the extraction efficiency in cold brewing can be made as good as that in hot brewing.

[0008] A coffee maker according to the second aspect of the present invention is a coffee maker according to the first aspect, wherein in the water extraction course, a water pouring step is performed in which water is poured onto the coffee beans after the first wetting step. In the hot water extraction course, a hot water pouring step is performed in which hot water is poured onto the coffee beans after the second wetting step. The coffee maker further comprises a liquid supply nozzle and a water spray plate. The liquid supply nozzle is positioned above the holding part. The water spray plate is positioned above the holding part and below the liquid supply nozzle. The water spray plate has a contact portion, a first hole and a second hole. Water or hot water falling from the liquid supply nozzle comes into contact with the contact portion. Multiple first holes are provided around the contact portion. Multiple second holes are provided outside of the first holes.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the coffee beans can be moistened as uniformly as possible in the first wetting process.

[0010] A coffee maker according to a third aspect of the present invention is a coffee maker according to a first aspect, further comprising a pump and a control unit. The pump dispenses water or hot water. The control unit controls the pump. The control unit makes the water dispensing speed of the pump slower than the hot water dispensing speed.

[0011] According to the above configuration, coffee components can be fully extracted from coffee beans by cold brewing.

[0012] A coffee maker according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a coffee maker according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit controls the pump so that the pump dispenses an amount of water within the range of 2.0 g to 10.0 g per minute.

[0013] The above configuration minimizes variations in the taste of cold brew coffee.

[0014] A coffee maker according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is a coffee maker according to the first aspect, further comprising a first selection unit. The user can select the extraction concentration of coffee components to be extracted from coffee beans using this first selection unit. Then, according to the selected extraction concentration, the control unit changes the water injection speed by the pump.

[0015] With the above configuration, the concentration of extracted components in the cold brew coffee can be appropriately selected according to the user's preference.

[0016] A coffee maker according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is a coffee maker according to the first aspect, further comprising a second selection unit. The user can select the extraction time for extracting coffee components from coffee beans using this second selection unit. Then, according to the selected extraction time, the control unit changes the water injection speed by the pump.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the taste of the pour-over coffee can be appropriately selected according to the user's preference.

[0018] The pour-over coffee maker according to the seventh aspect of the present invention includes a holding part, a water supply nozzle, and a water sprinkling plate. The holding part holds coffee beans. The water supply nozzle is disposed above the holding part. The water sprinkling plate is disposed above the holding part and below the water supply nozzle. Further, the water sprinkling plate has a contact part, a first hole, and a second hole. Water falling from the water supply nozzle contacts the contact part. A plurality of first holes are provided around the contact part. A plurality of second holes are provided outside the first holes.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the coffee beans can be wetted as uniformly as possible with water.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is an external perspective view of the coffee maker according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an external front view of the coffee maker according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a longitudinal sectional view of the coffee maker according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is an upper perspective view of the state where the water sprinkling plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the dripper. [Figure 5] It is an exploded perspective view of the dripper and the water sprinkling plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is an upper perspective view of the water sprinkling plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a plan view of the water sprinkling plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a front view of the operation panel according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 9]An image diagram showing a mechanism for preventing channeling from occurring in coffee beans by wetting the entire coffee beans with water vapor or condensed water in the first wetting step or the second wetting step according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] An enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] An image diagram showing a mechanism in which water or hot water falls from a discharge port to an abutting portion of a water dispersion plate and the water or hot water after the fall is poured near the center of the coffee beans in the dripper through a first hole in the water injection step or the hot water pouring step according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] A timing chart comparing the water vapor supply frequency in the first wetting step when the "Cold Brew Selection Button" is pressed and the water vapor supply frequency in the second wetting step when the "Regular Selection Button" is pressed. [Figure 13] A photographic view showing a specific example of the water dispersion plate in Modification (C).

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] <Structure of a Coffee Brewer According to an Embodiment of the Present Invention> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the coffee brewer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention mainly includes a main body 200 and a tank 300. These components will be described in detail below.

[0022] 1. Main Body As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the main body 200 mainly includes a housing 210, a mounting table 220, a flow meter 230, a pump 240, a heater 250, a discharge port 260, a support portion 270, a dripper D, a liquid guiding portion 280, an operation panel by 290, a control board (not shown), a power cord PC, and a power plug PP. These components will be described in detail below.

[0023] (1) Housing The housing 210 is a molded body made of resin, metal, or the like, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, it mainly consists of an upper housing portion 211, an intermediate housing portion 212, and a lower housing portion 213.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the upper housing portion 211 constitutes the upper part of the housing 210. A lid 211A is formed on the upper wall of the upper housing portion 211, and when the lid 211A is closed, the input opening (not shown) is blocked. The user can open the input opening by opening the lid 211A, and insert the dripper D into the support portion 270 from there. An operation panel 290 is provided on the front of the upper wall of the upper housing portion 211. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, a tank 300 is mounted on the rear of the upper housing portion 211.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the intermediate housing section 212 extends vertically from the lower end of the upper housing section 211 to the upper end of the lower housing section 213. The flow meter 230 is housed in the intermediate housing section 212.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the lower housing section 213 constitutes the lower part of the housing 210. The lower housing section 213 houses the pump 240, heater 250, and other components.

[0027] (2) Mounting platform As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the mounting platform 220 extends forward from the lower part of the front wall of the lower housing portion 213. When in use, i.e., when manufacturing coffee beverages, the coffee server CS and other containers (e.g., mugs, single-walled glass containers, double-walled stainless steel vacuum containers, etc.) are placed on this mounting platform 220.

[0028] (3)Flowmeter The flow meter 230 is a measuring instrument for measuring the flow rate of water per unit time flowing in from the tank 300 through the piping P1. As described above, it is housed in the intermediate housing 212 and positioned below the tank 300. As shown in Figure 3, the inlet of the flow meter 230 is connected to the tank 300 via piping P1, and the outlet of the flow meter 230 is connected to the pump 240 via piping P2.

[0029] (4) Pump The pump 240 is responsible for supplying water W stored in the tank 300 to the coffee beans held in the dripper D via the heater 250 and the outlet 260, and as described above, it is housed in the lower housing 213. As shown in Figure 3, the inlet of the pump 240 is connected to the flow meter 230 via piping P2, and the outlet of the pump 240 is connected to the heater 250 via piping P3.

[0030] (5) Heater The heater 250 is responsible for heating the water W supplied by the pump 240 via piping P3 to generate hot water HW or steam Va, and as described above, it is housed in the lower casing 213. As shown in Figure 3, the inlet of the heater 250 is connected to the pump 240 via piping P3, and the outlet of the heater 250 is connected to the discharge port 260 via piping P4 and P5. Therefore, the hot water HW or steam Va generated by the heater 250 is supplied to the discharge port 260 via piping P4 and P5. When the "Cold Brew Selection Button CB" (water extraction course) is pressed by the operation button group 290A, the output of the heater 250 is stopped by the control board during the water injection process described later. Therefore, during the water injection process, the water W supplied by the pump 240 via piping P3 is supplied to the discharge port 260 via piping P4 and P5 without being heated by the heater 250.

[0031] (6)Discharge port The discharge port 260 is responsible for discharging water W, hot water HW, or steam Va supplied via the heater 240, piping P4, and piping P5. As shown in Figure 3, it is housed in the upper housing 211 and positioned above the dripper D.

[0032] (7) Support part As shown in Figure 3, the support portion 270 has a funnel shape that tapers in diameter towards the bottom and opens to both the top and bottom. A dripper D for obtaining brewed coffee from coffee beans is detachably attached to this support portion 270.

[0033] (8) Dripper As shown in Figure 3, the dripper D has an outer surface that is substantially the same shape as the inner surface of the support part 270, and as described above, it is detachably attached to the support part 270. This dripper D plays the role of holding raw materials such as coffee beans via a paper filter, and also plays the role of passing the extract extracted from the coffee beans through the liquid guide part 280. A water spray plate WDP is detachably attached to this dripper D, as shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[0034] (8-1) Sprinkler plate As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the water spray plate WDP is detachably attached to the dripper D, positioned above the dripper D and below the discharge port 260. As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the water spray plate WDP has a contact portion CP, multiple first holes Ho1 provided around the contact portion CP, and multiple second holes Ho2 provided outside the first holes Ho1. As a result, in the first or second wetting step described later, the water vapor supplied from the discharge port 260 evenly wets the coffee beans held in the dripper D through the first holes Ho1 and the second holes Ho2 (see Figures 9 and 10). Furthermore, in the water pouring step or hot water pouring step described later, water W or hot water HW falling from the discharge port 260 comes into contact with the contact portion CP. This prevents the formation of channels in the coffee beans CM when extracting components from the beans (see Figure 11).

[0035] (9) Liquid guide part The liquid guide section 280 is the part for pouring the extracted coffee bean liquid into a coffee server CS or mug placed on the mounting base 220, and is formed in the lower center of the dripper D, as shown in Figure 3.

[0036] (10) Control panel As described above, the control panel 290 is located at the front of the upper wall of the upper housing 211. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 8, the control panel 290 has a power off button and a group of control buttons 290A including a cold brew selection button CB and a regular selection button R. When the user of the coffee maker 100 presses the "cold brew selection button CB", the production of cold brew coffee begins, and when the user presses the "regular selection button R", the production of hot brew coffee begins. As shown in Figure 8, when the user produces cold brew coffee by pressing the "cold brew selection button CB", the user can select one of three extraction concentrations from "weak", "normal", or "strong" depending on the number of times the "cold brew selection button CB" is pressed (for example, pressing the "cold brew selection button CB" once selects "normal", pressing it twice selects "strong", pressing it three times selects "weak", and pressing it four times selects "normal" again). The extraction concentration is adjusted by the control board controlling the amount of water delivered per unit time (i.e., the pouring speed) and the pouring time of the pump 240. Similarly, when the user selects the "Regular Selection Button R" to produce hot-brew coffee, they can select one of two extraction concentrations, "Mild" or "Strong," depending on the number of times they press the "Regular Selection Button R" (for example, pressing the "Regular Selection Button R" once selects "Mild," pressing it twice selects "Strong," and pressing it three times selects "Mild" again). The extraction concentration is adjusted by the control board controlling the amount of hot water delivered per unit time (i.e., the pouring speed) and the pouring time of the pump 240.

[0037] (11) Control board The control board is connected to the pump 240, heater 250, operation panel 290, etc., and controls the start / stop and pressure of the pump 250, as well as the output of the heater 250, based on the input of the operation button group 290A.

[0038] (12) Power cord and power plug As shown in Figure 3, the power cord PC extends outward through the side wall (or rear wall) of the lower housing portion 213. The power plug PP is attached to the end of the power cord PC, as shown in Figure 3. The coffee maker 100 according to this embodiment of the present invention can be used when the power plug PP is connected to an external power source.

[0039] 2. Tank The tank 300 is for storing water W and, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, is detachably attached to the rear of the upper housing 211. The tank 300 mainly consists of a water inlet (not shown), a container body 301, a lid 302, and a stopper mechanism (not shown). The container body 301 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped container with an open top, as shown in Figure 3. The lid 302 is attached to the upper end of the container body 301, and when the lid 302 is closed, the water inlet is sealed. When the user opens the lid 302, the water inlet is opened, and water W can be supplied to the tank 300 from there. The stopper mechanism is located on the bottom wall of the container body 301. Furthermore, a first through-hole (not shown) is formed in the mounting portion of the tank 300, which communicates with the piping P1. When the plugging mechanism (not shown) of the tank 300 is fitted into this first through-hole, the plugging mechanism opens, and the internal space of the tank 300 communicates with the piping P1.

[0040] <Fluid path of a coffee maker according to an embodiment of the present invention> The fluid path of the coffee maker 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0041] The fluid path consists of piping P1, flow meter 230, piping P2, pump 240, piping P3, heater 250, piping P4, and piping P5. When the user selects either the "cold brew selection button CB" or the "regular selection button R" on the operation button group 290A, the fluid path is responsible for supplying steam Va to the outlet 260 in the first wetting process, supplying steam Va to the outlet 260 in the second wetting process, supplying water W to the outlet 260 in the water injection process, and supplying hot water HW to the outlet 260 in the hot water injection process. First, when the user selects either the "cold brew selection button CB" or the "regular selection button R" on the operation button group 290A, the pump 240 supplies water W stored in the tank 300 to the flow meter 230 located below the tank 300 via piping P1. Next, the water W, whose flow rate per unit time is measured by the flow meter 230, is supplied by the pump 240 to the heater 250 located above the pump 240 via pipes P2 and P3.

[0042] In the preheating process described later, the control board controls the output of the heater 250 so that the temperature of the heater 250 is within the range of approximately 90°C to approximately 110°C. Then, in the first or second wetting process described later, the water W supplied to the heater 250 is heated by the heater 250 to generate steam Va. The steam Va is then supplied to the discharge port 260 via piping P4 and piping P5 by the pump 240. That is, in the first or second wetting process described later, water W flows through piping P1, piping P2 and piping P3, and steam Va flows through piping P4 and piping P5.

[0043] Furthermore, after the completion of the first wetting process described later (i.e., before the start of the water injection process), the control board stops the output of the heater 250 (i.e., in the water injection process described later, the water W supplied to the heater 250 is not heated by the heater 250). The water W that has passed through the heater 250 is then supplied to the discharge port 260 via pipes P4 and P5 by the pump 240. In other words, in the water injection process described later (i.e., when making cold brew coffee), water W flows through pipes P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5.

[0044] Furthermore, after the completion of the second wetting process described later (i.e., before the start of the pouring process), the control board controls the output of the heater 250 so that the temperature of the heater 250 is within the range of approximately 80°C to approximately 98°C. As a result, the water W supplied to the heater 250 is heated by the heater 250, generating hot water HW. The hot water HW is then supplied to the outlet 260 via pipes P4 and P5 by the pump 240. In other words, during the pouring process described later (i.e., when making hot-brew coffee), water W flows through pipes P1, P2 and P3, and hot water HW flows through pipes P4 and P5.

[0045] <Method for producing coffee using a coffee maker according to an embodiment of the present invention> The following describes an example of a method for producing coffee using the coffee maker 100 according to this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this method of use.

[0046] First, the user places coffee beans or other raw materials into the dripper D, then attaches the water spray plate WDP to the dripper D. Next, the user attaches the dripper D to the support unit 270 through the input opening. Then, with the tank 300 attached to the rear of the upper housing unit 211, the user pours water W into the tank 300 through the water inlet using another container such as a cup. The poured water W is stored in the tank 300. Finally, when the user connects the power plug PP to an external power source, the coffee maker 100 is turned on.

[0047] 1. Method for making cold brew coffee In the coffee maker 100 according to this embodiment, when the "Cold Brew Selection Button CB" of the operation button group 290A is pressed, cold brew coffee is produced through a preheating process, a first wetting process, and a water pouring process. These processes will be described in detail below.

[0048] (1) Preheating process The preheating process is performed with the aim of heating the heater 250 to a temperature within the range of approximately 90°C to approximately 110°C in order to generate water vapor Va in the first wetting process described later. When the user presses the "Cold Brew Selection Button CB" of the operation button group 290A, the control board starts heating the heater 250. The control board then controls the output of the heater 250 so that its temperature is maintained within the range of approximately 90°C to approximately 110°C.

[0049] (2) First Wetting Process The first wetting step is performed to supply steam Va to the coffee beans CM in the dripper D, uniformly wetting the entire coffee bean, thereby improving the compatibility between the coffee beans and water W when water W is supplied in the water pouring step described later. First, when the user presses the "Cold Brew Selection Button CB" of the operation button group 290A, steam Va is generated from the water W stored in the tank 300 via the fluid path described above after the completion of the first preheating step, and this steam Va is supplied to the discharge port 260. Then, this steam Va is supplied from the discharge port 260 to the dripper D through the first hole Ho1 and the second hole Ho2 of the water spray plate WDP, wetting the coffee beans CM in the dripper D with steam Va. As a result, the steam Va spreads evenly over the coffee beans CM, and the entire coffee bean is uniformly wet (see Figures 9 and 10). Furthermore, at this time, condensation water CW is generated on the water spray plate WDP attached to the dripper D, and this condensation water CW spreads evenly to the coffee beans CM through the first holes Ho1 and second holes Ho2 of the water spray plate WDP, thereby wetting the entire coffee bean more uniformly (see Figures 9 and 10). The control board controls the output of the pump 240 so that the amount of water vapor Va used in this first wetting process is less than the amount of water vapor Va used in the second wetting process described later (see Figure 12). Specifically, as shown in Figure 12, for example, if the water vapor supply in the first and second wetting processes is performed for about 40 seconds, the frequency of turning the pump ON in the first wetting process (7 times) is less than the frequency of turning the pump ON in the second wetting process described later (10 times). This makes it possible to achieve extraction efficiency in cold brewing as good as extraction efficiency in hot brewing.

[0050] (3) Water injection process The water injection process is a process for extracting components from coffee beans CM using water W to produce an extract. In this water injection process, first, water W supplied to the discharge port 260 through the fluid path described above is supplied to the coffee beans CM in the dripper D mainly through the first holes Ho1 of the water spray plate WDP. At this time, a fixed amount of water W (for example, if the user presses the "cold brew selection button CB" once and selects the extraction concentration "normal", then an amount of water in the range of 2.0g to 3.0g per minute) is continuously supplied from the discharge port 260 to the contact portion CP of the water spray plate WDP in the dripper D. The water W that falls onto this contact portion CP then falls onto the coffee beans CM mainly through the first holes Ho1 of the water spray plate WDP (see Figure 11). This makes it possible to produce an extract from the entire coffee bean. Here, because the coffee beans CM and water W are well mixed by the first wetting process described above, the components of the coffee beans CM can be effectively extracted and an extract can be produced without channelization occurring. The extracted liquid then drips onto the coffee server CS or mug, which have been pre-placed on the mounting base 220.

[0051] 2. Method for making hot brew coffee The following describes an example of a method for producing hot-brew coffee using the coffee maker 100 according to this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this method of use.

[0052] In the coffee maker 100 according to this embodiment, when the "Regular Selection Button R" of the operation button group 290A is selected, hot-brew coffee is produced through a preheating process, a second wetting process, and a pouring process. These processes will be described in detail below.

[0053] (1) Preheating process When the user presses the "Regular Selection Button R" on the control button group 290A, the preheating process described above is performed, similar to when the "Cold Brew Selection Button CB" is selected.

[0054] (2) Second Wetting Process The second wetting step is performed to supply steam Va to the coffee beans CM in the dripper D, uniformly wetting the entire coffee bean, thereby improving the compatibility between the coffee beans and the hot water HW when hot water HW is supplied in the pouring step described later. First, when the user presses the "Regular Selection Button R" of the operation button group 290A, steam Va is generated from the water W stored in the tank 300 via the fluid path described above after the completion of the second preheating step, and this steam Va is supplied to the discharge port 260. This steam Va is then supplied from the discharge port 260 to the dripper D through the first hole Ho1 and the second hole Ho2 of the water spray plate WDP, wetting the coffee beans CM in the dripper D with steam Va. As a result, the steam Va spreads evenly throughout the coffee beans CM, and the entire coffee bean CM is uniformly wet (see Figures 9 and 10). Furthermore, at this time, condensation water CW is generated on the watering plate WDP attached to the dripper D, and this condensation water CW spreads evenly to the coffee beans CM through the first pores Ho1 and the second pores Ho2 of the watering plate WDP, thereby allowing the entire coffee bean CM to be moistened more uniformly (see Figures 9 and 10).

[0055] (3)Pouring process The pouring process is a process for extracting components from coffee beans CM using hot water HW to produce an extract. In this pouring process, first, hot water HW supplied to the discharge port 260 through the fluid path described above is supplied to the coffee beans CM in the dripper D mainly through the first holes Ho1 of the water spray plate WDP. At this time, a fixed amount of hot water HW (for example, if the user presses the "Regular Selection Button R" once and "Mild" is selected, an amount of hot water in the range of 80g to 500g per minute) is continuously supplied from the discharge port 260 to the contact part CP of the water spray plate WDP in the dripper D. Then, the hot water HW that falls onto this contact part CP falls onto the coffee beans CM mainly through the first holes Ho1 of the water spray plate WDP. This makes it possible to produce an extract from the entire coffee beans CM (see Figure 11). Furthermore, as a result of the second wetting step described above, the coffee beans CM and hot water HW blend well, allowing for effective extraction of the components of the coffee beans CM without the formation of channels, thereby producing an extract. This extract then drips onto a coffee server CS or mug that has been pre-placed on the mounting base 220.

[0056] <Features of the coffee maker according to the embodiment of the present invention> (1) The coffee maker 100 according to this embodiment is equipped with a "cold brew selection button CB" and a "regular selection button R," which allow the user to switch between producing cold brew coffee and hot brew coffee. When the user presses the "cold brew selection button CB," cold brew coffee is produced through a first wetting step in which the coffee beans CM are moistened with water vapor Va, and a water pouring step. When the user presses the "regular selection button R," hot brew coffee is produced through a second wetting step in which the coffee beans CM are moistened with water vapor Va, and a hot water pouring step. Therefore, the user can selectively produce cold brew coffee and hot brew coffee with this coffee maker 100. Furthermore, in this coffee maker 100, when the user presses the "cold brew selection button CB" or the "regular selection button R" of the operation button group 290A, the entire coffee bean CM is uniformly moistened with water vapor Va when extracting components from the coffee beans CM. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of channel formation, which has been a problem in conventional coffee makers, and minimize the wasteful use of coffee beans (CM). In addition, the amount of water vapor (Va) used in the first wetting process when the "Cold Brew Selection Button CB" is pressed is less than the amount of water vapor (Va) used in the second wetting process when the "Regular Selection Button R" is pressed. As a result, the extraction efficiency in cold brew can be made as good as that of hot brew.

[0057] (2) In the coffee maker 100 according to this embodiment, a water spray plate WDP is placed on the upper side of the dripper C, and a discharge port 260 is positioned on the upper side of the water spray plate WDP. The water spray plate WDP has a contact portion CP, a first hole Ho1, and a second hole Ho2. Water W or hot water HW falling from the discharge port 260 comes into contact with the contact portion CP. The first hole Ho1 is provided at six locations around the contact portion CP. The second hole Ho2 is provided at two locations outside the first hole Ho1. Therefore, in this coffee maker 100, the coffee beans CM can be moistened as uniformly as possible with water vapor Va in the first or second moistening step.

[0058] (3) The coffee maker 100 according to this embodiment includes a pump 240 and a control board ECU. The pump 240 supplies water W or hot water HW to coffee beans CM. The control board controls the pump 240. In this coffee maker 100, the control board slows the water dispensing speed of the pump 240 down to the hot water dispensing speed. Therefore, this coffee maker 100 can sufficiently extract coffee components from coffee beans CM by cold brewing.

[0059] <Variation> (A) In the coffee maker 100 according to the previous embodiment, when the user selected the "cold brew selection button CB" of the operation button group 290A, water vapor Va was used as the first wetting medium in the first wetting process. However, in the present invention, water spraying or mist may be used as the first wetting medium in the first wetting process. When water spraying is used as the first wetting medium, water flows through pipes P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 in the fluid path described above (i.e., the heater output is stopped by the control board), and the water W is sprayed by a shower head or the like and supplied to the coffee beans. When mist is used as the first wetting medium, the discharge port in the coffee maker according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to a mist generator. Then, the water W supplied from the tank to the discharge port via the fluid path described above is converted into mist by the mist generator and supplied to the coffee beans in the dripper. In this case, water W flows through pipes P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 in the aforementioned fluid path (i.e., the heater output is stopped by the control board).

[0060] (B) In the coffee maker 100 according to the previous embodiment, when the user selected the "Regular Selection Button R" of the operation button group 290A, water vapor was used as the second wetting medium in the second wetting process. However, in the present invention, water spraying or mist may be used as the second wetting medium in the second wetting process. When water W is used as the second wetting medium, water W flows through pipes P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 in the fluid path described above (i.e., the heater output is stopped by the control board), and the water W is sprayed by a shower head or the like and supplied to the coffee beans. When mist is used as the second wetting medium, the discharge port in the coffee maker according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to a mist generator. Then, the water W supplied from the tank to the discharge port via the fluid path described above is converted into mist by the mist generator and supplied to the raw materials such as coffee beans in the dripper. In this case, water W flows through pipes P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 in the aforementioned fluid path (i.e., the heater output is stopped by the control board).

[0061] (C) In the coffee maker 100 according to the previous embodiment, the water spray plate WDP had six first holes Ho1 around the contact portion CP, and two second holes Ho2 located further out than the first holes Ho1. However, in the water spray plate WDP according to the embodiment of the present invention, the number of first holes Ho1 may be more than or less than the six around the contact portion CP. Also, the number of second holes Ho2 may be more than the two further out than the first holes Ho1. A specific example of such a water spray plate WDP is, for example, the one shown in Figure 13, in which eight first holes Ho1 are provided around the contact portion CP, and eight second holes Ho2 are provided further out than the first holes Ho1.

[0062] (D) In the coffee maker 100 according to the previous embodiment, the user could select the extraction concentration of the cold brew or hot brew coffee produced by pressing the "cold brew selection button CB" or the "regular selection button R" a certain number of times. However, in the coffee maker according to the embodiment of the present invention, extraction time selection buttons may be further arranged in the operation button group 290A, and different extraction times may be assigned to each extraction time selection button. These extraction time selection buttons allow the user to select the extraction time for which the extract is extracted from the coffee beans CM. Then, according to the selected extraction time, the control board changes the water injection speed by the pump 240 in the water injection process. This allows the user to appropriately select the taste of the cold brew coffee according to their preference.

[0063] (E) The coffee maker 100 according to the previous embodiment was capable of producing both cold brew coffee and hot brew coffee. However, the present invention may also be applied to a coffee maker for producing cold brew coffee (i.e., a coffee maker dedicated to cold brew coffee).

[0064] (F) In the coffee maker 100 according to the previous embodiment, the extraction concentration of "cold brew coffee" or "hot brew coffee" was selected by the number of times the "cold brew selection button CB" or "regular selection button R" was pressed. However, the present invention may also be applied to coffee makers that have a specification that allows the extraction concentration of "cold brew coffee" or "hot brew coffee" to be selected by selecting "weak," "normal," "strong," etc. with a dial, or to coffee makers that have extraction concentration selection buttons such as "weak," "normal," and "strong," and allow the extraction concentration of "cold brew coffee" or "hot brew coffee" to be selected by pressing each concentration selection button.

[0065] (G) In the coffee maker 100 according to the previous embodiment, when the "regular selection button R" was selected, after the completion of the second wetting process (i.e., before the start of the pouring process), the control board controlled the output of the heater 250 so that the temperature of the heater 250 was within the range of approximately 80°C to approximately 98°C. However, in the present invention, the operation panel 290 may further include a heater temperature selection unit that allows the user to freely set the temperature of the heater 250. Once the heater temperature is set by this heater temperature selection unit, after the completion of the second wetting process (i.e., before the start of the pouring process), the control board controls the output of the heater 250 so that the temperature of the heater 250 reaches the set temperature. Therefore, the user can freely set the temperature of the heater 250 using the heater temperature selection unit, thereby appropriately setting the temperature of the hot water HW used for extraction in the pouring process. Note that the temperature that can be selected by the heater temperature selection unit is not particularly limited as long as it is "a temperature set to generate the hot water HW used for extraction from water W".

[0066] The above variations (A) to (G) may be applied individually or in combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 100 Coffee Makers 240 pumps 260 Discharge port (liquid supply nozzle) CB Cold Brew Selection Button (Course Switching Section, 1st Selection Section, 2nd Selection Section) CP contact part D Dripper (Holding part) Ho1 First hole Ho2 second pore R Regular Selection Button (Course Switching Section, 1st Selection Section, 2nd Selection Section) WDP Sprinkler Plate

Claims

1. A part that holds the coffee beans, A course switching unit that switches between a water extraction course having a first wetting step of wetting the coffee beans with a first wetting medium and a hot water extraction course having a second wetting step of wetting the coffee beans with a second wetting medium. Equipped with, The amount of the first wetting medium used in the first wetting step is less than the amount of the second wetting medium used in the second wetting step. Coffee maker.

2. In the water extraction course, after the first wetting step, a water pouring step is performed in which water is poured onto the coffee beans. In the aforementioned hot water extraction course, a pouring step is performed in which hot water is poured onto the coffee beans after the second wetting step. A liquid supply nozzle is positioned above the aforementioned holding portion, The device further comprises a spray plate positioned above the holding portion and below the liquid supply nozzle, having a contact portion against which the water or hot water falling from the liquid supply nozzle strikes, a plurality of first holes provided around the contact portion, and a plurality of second holes provided outside the first holes. The coffee maker according to claim 1.

3. A pump for supplying water or hot water, A control unit that controls the pump and Furthermore, The control unit makes the water injection speed by the pump slower than the hot water injection speed. The coffee maker according to claim 2.

4. The control unit controls the pump so that it dispenses an amount of water within the range of 2.0 g to 10.0 g per minute. The coffee maker according to claim 3.

5. The system further comprises a first selection unit for selecting the extraction concentration of coffee components extracted from the aforementioned coffee beans, The control unit changes the water injection speed by the pump according to the extraction concentration of the coffee component selected by the first selection unit. The coffee maker according to claim 3.

6. The system further includes a second selection unit for selecting the extraction time for extracting coffee components from the aforementioned coffee beans. The control unit changes the water injection speed by the pump according to the extraction time of the coffee components selected by the second selection unit. The coffee maker according to claim 3 or 5.

7. A part that holds the coffee beans, A water supply nozzle positioned above the aforementioned holding portion, A watering plate is positioned above the holding portion and below the water supply nozzle, and has a contact portion that comes into contact with water falling from the water supply nozzle, a plurality of first holes provided around the contact portion, and a plurality of second holes provided outside the first holes. Equipped with, Cold brew coffee maker.

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