Beverage extraction device and beverage dispenser

Abstract

This disclosure provides a beverage extraction device and a beverage extractor that can adjust the concentration of a beverage while keeping the number of parts to a minimum. [Solution] A beverage extractor according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a powder storage section for storing powdered material to be extracted, an extraction port provided at the lower part of the powder storage section for passing the extract, and a valve body that opens and closes the extraction port by moving vertically, wherein the valve body includes a flow rate adjustment section, the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the flow rate adjustment section varies depending on the vertical position of the flow rate adjustment section, and the amount of vertical movement of the valve body adjusts the flow rate of the extract passing through the extraction port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a beverage extraction device and a beverage extractor.

Background Art

[0002] A filter for a beverage extraction device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a flow rate adjusting means configured by a plurality of throttle members that are detachably attached to the spout of a basket and have mutually different cross-sectional areas of liquid passages, and it is disclosed that by changing the throttle member used during beverage extraction, the cross-sectional area of the liquid passage is changed, and by adjusting the beverage extraction time, the strength of the beverage can be adjusted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Patent Document 1 has a problem that since it is necessary to provide a plurality of throttle members for adjusting the strength of a beverage, the number of parts increases, which raises costs, and for users, the number of parts to be cleaned increases, leading to increased maintenance effort.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure provides a beverage extraction device and a beverage extractor capable of adjusting the concentration of a beverage while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A beverage extractor according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a powder storage section for storing a powdered material to be extracted, an extraction port provided at the lower part of the powder storage section for passing the extract, and a valve body that opens and closes the extraction port by moving vertically, wherein the valve body includes a flow rate adjustment section, the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the flow rate adjustment section varies depending on the vertical position of the flow rate adjustment section, and the amount of vertical movement of the valve body adjusts the flow rate of the extract passing through the extraction port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a beverage extraction device and a beverage extractor that can adjust the concentration of a beverage with a simple configuration while keeping the number of parts to a minimum. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a coffee maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a coffee maker. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the valve body of a coffee maker. [Figure 4A] This figure shows the position of the valve body and the cross-section of the outlet at that point. [Figure 4B] This figure shows the position of the valve body and the cross-section of the outlet at that point. [Figure 5A] Figure 1 is a top view of the lid of the coffee maker. [Figure 5B] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the lid at point B-B. [Figure 6A] This is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the valve body relating to this disclosure. [Figure 6B] This is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the valve body relating to this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The beverage extraction device and beverage dispenser in this embodiment will be described using a coffee maker as an example.

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of coffee maker 1. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of coffee maker 1. In Figures 1 and 2, arrows indicate the directions in which coffee maker 1 is installed. The symbol UP indicates upward, the symbol R indicates to the right, and the symbol FR indicates forward.

[0011] The coffee maker 1 of this embodiment is a coffee brewing device that can extract coffee fully automatically from coffee beans. The coffee maker 1 has a main body 2, a water container 3, and a coffee container 4. The coffee maker 1 is an example of a beverage extraction device.

[0012] The water container 3 is a container for holding water for coffee extraction. The water container 3 is detachably attached along the rear of the main body 2. A water container lid 31 is attached to the top of the water container 3 so that it can be opened and closed, and a filter section 32 for filtering water is provided below the water container lid 31. As a result, the water container 3 contains water that has been filtered by the filter section 32.

[0013] The coffee container 4 is a container for holding brewed coffee. The coffee container 4 is placed on a heat-insulating plate 5 located below the main body 2. As a result, the coffee inside the coffee container 4 is kept warm by heat conduction from the heat-insulating plate 5. The coffee container 4 is equipped with a removable lid 41. The lid 41 has a hole 42 through which coffee poured from above flows into the coffee container 4. The coffee container is an example of a beverage container.

[0014] The main unit 2 comprises a bean container 21, a grinding unit 22, a powder storage unit 23, a water supply unit 24, a heating unit 25, and an operating unit 26.

[0015] The bean container 21 is provided at the upper part of the main body 2 and stores coffee beans. A bean container lid 211 is provided at the upper opening of the bean container 21 so as to be openable and closable. In the coffee maker 1, coffee beans can be put into the bean container 21 when the bean container lid 211 is in an open state. Note that when the bean container lid 211 is in the open state, a mill blade 221 to be described later is exposed. Therefore, the bean container lid 211 can prevent contact between the mill blade 221 and the user by being set at the position where it is in a closed state.

[0016] The grinding unit 22 is provided at the upper part of the main body 2, and grinds the coffee beans stored in the bean container 21 to generate coffee powder. The grinding unit 22 includes a mill blade 221 and a mill motor 222 that rotates the mill blade 221.

[0017] The mill blade 221 is provided inside the bean container 21. The mill blade 221 is connected to the rotation shaft 223 of the mill motor 222. Thereby, when the mill motor 222 is driven, the mill blade 221 rotates around the rotation shaft 223 to grind the coffee beans stored in the bean container 21. The coffee powder generated by the mill blade 221 falls into the powder storage unit 23 provided below the bean container 21. A mesh filter (not shown) is provided at the lower end of the bean container 21 to prevent coffee powder of a predetermined size or larger from falling into the powder storage unit 23.

[0018] The powder storage unit 23 stores the coffee powder generated by the mill blade 221. The powder storage unit 23 is formed in a tapered shape such that its diameter decreases downward. The powder storage unit 23 is movable to the side (the right side in the present embodiment) offset from the lower side of the bean container 21. Thereby, the user of the coffee maker 1 can arrange the coffee filter along the inner surface of the powder storage unit 23. In addition, when the user extracts coffee using coffee powder instead of coffee beans, the user can directly put the coffee powder into the powder storage unit 23 without grinding the beans in the bean container 21. The powder storage unit 23 is an example of a beverage extractor.

[0019] At the lower end of the powder accommodating portion 23, a valve element 231 is provided. The coffee container 4 is placed on the heat retaining plate 5 When placed on the heat retaining plate 5, the valve element 231 comes into contact with the lid body 41 and moves upward, so that the extraction port 232 is brought into an open state. As a result, coffee extracted by passing through the powder accommodating portion 23 flows into the extraction port 232, and the coffee extracted from the powder accommodating portion 23 is accommodated in the coffee container 4. On the other hand, when the coffee container 4 is not placed on the heat retaining plate 5, the valve element 231 is in a closed state. Thereby, coffee does not flow out below the powder accommodating portion 23.

[0020] The water supply portion 24 is provided in the main body 2 below the water container 3, and is connected to the lower end portion of the water container 3. The water supply portion 24 includes a pump that pumps water in the water container 3 toward the bean container 21. The water supply portion 24 discharges the water in the water container 3 through a water discharge port 241 that opens toward the inner surface of the bean container lid 211. The bean container lid 211 is provided with a shower dome 212 that discharges water upward in a hemispherical shape. The water discharged from the water discharge port 241 bounces off the inner surface of the shower dome 212, and falls in a shower-like manner toward the powder accommodating portion 23 via the bean container 21. Thereby, water can be uniformly supplied to the coffee powder in the powder accommodating portion 23. Note that when the water supply portion 24 heats water with a heater, it is also possible to pump the water in the water container 21 toward the bean container 21 by utilizing the volume change that occurs when water changes state to water vapor. In this case, the water supply portion 24 does not need to be provided with a pump.

[0021] The heating portion 25 is provided below the heat retaining plate 5. The heating portion 25 is constituted by, for example, a sheathed heater, and heats the water supplied by the water supply portion 24 while also heating the heat retaining plate 5.

[0022] The operation portion 26 has buttons, touch sensors, and the like for receiving user operations. The coffee maker 1 performs operations such as starting and stopping coffee extraction, as well as various settings such as reservations and operation modes, based on user operations on the operation portion 26.

[0023] Next, the valve body 231 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the valve body 231 in this embodiment. Figures 4A and 4B show the position of the valve body 231 when the upward movement distance of the valve body 231 is large and small, respectively, and horizontal cross-sectional views of the outlet 232 portion in each case. The valve body 231 has a sealing portion 231a that closes the outlet 232, a contact portion 231c that contacts the lid 41, and a conical flow rate adjustment portion 231b positioned between the sealing portion 231a and the contact portion 231c, and is positioned at the lower end of the powder storage portion 23 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

[0024] The sealing portion 231a closes the dispensing port 232 when the valve body 231 is at the lowest point within its movable range, preventing coffee in the powder storage portion 23 from flowing into the coffee container 4. On the other hand, when the valve body 231 rises, it opens the dispensing port 232, allowing coffee in the powder storage portion 23 to flow into the coffee container 4.

[0025] The contact portion 231c is located at the lower end of the valve body 231, and when the contact portion 231c comes into contact with the lid 41, the valve body 231 moves upward. Therefore, when the valve body 231 is at the lowest point of its movable range, the distance between the contact portion 231c and the heat-retaining plate 5 is shorter than the length from the lower end of the coffee container 4 to the upper end of the lid 41.

[0026] The flow rate adjustment section 231b is positioned between the seal section 231a and the contact section 231c, and has a shape in which the horizontal cross-sectional area differs depending on its position in the height direction. For example, as shown in Figure 3, it may have an inverted cone shape in which the horizontal cross-sectional area is large at the top and small at the bottom.

[0027] As described above, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow rate adjustment section 231b differs depending on its position in the height direction, making it possible to adjust the flow rate of coffee flowing from the extraction port 232 to the coffee container 4. In other words, the flow rate of coffee per unit time is equal to the area of ​​the flow path P (the cross-sectional area of ​​the extraction port 232). Since it is determined by ()-(cross-sectional area of ​​flow rate adjustment section 231b)), the flow rate of coffee per unit time can be adjusted by moving the flow rate adjustment section 231b in the vertical direction to adjust the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow rate adjustment section 231b at the extraction port 232.

[0028] When the coffee flow rate per unit time is high, the coffee flows into the coffee container 4 in a short time, reducing the contact time between the coffee grounds and water, resulting in a weaker concentration of extracted coffee. On the other hand, when the coffee flow rate per unit time is low, the time it takes for the coffee to flow into the coffee container 4 is longer, increasing the contact time between the coffee grounds and water, resulting in a stronger concentration of extracted coffee.

[0029] In other words, for example, when the upward distance of the valve body 231 is large, as shown in Figure 4A, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow rate adjustment section 231b at the position of the outlet 232 (AA) becomes relatively small, and the area of ​​the flow path P becomes large. In this case, the coffee extraction time becomes shorter, and weak coffee is extracted. On the other hand, when the upward distance of the valve body 231 is small, as shown in Figure 4B, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow rate adjustment section 231b at the position of the outlet 232 (AA) becomes relatively large, and the area of ​​the flow path P becomes small. In this case, the coffee extraction time becomes longer, and strong coffee is extracted.

[0030] Next, the lid 41 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 5A is a top view of the lid 41 in this embodiment. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the lid 41 at position BB in Figure 5A. The lid 41 comprises a lid body portion 411, a valve pressing portion 412, and a height adjustment portion 413. The lid body portion 411 is also provided with a hole 42 for allowing coffee that has passed through the extraction port 232 and fallen from the powder storage portion 23 to flow into the coffee container 4.

[0031] The valve pusher upper part 412 contacts the contact portion 231c of the valve body 231, moving the valve body 231 upward and opening the outlet 232.

[0032] The height adjustment section 413 adjusts the vertical position of the valve retainer upper section 412. For example, by making the height adjustment section 413 screw-shaped and rotating the height adjustment section 413 and the valve retainer upper section 412 relative to the lid body section 411, the vertical position of the valve retainer upper section 412 can be changed, and the vertical movement distance of the valve body 231 can be adjusted.

[0033] The configuration for adjusting the position of the valve press upper part 412 is not limited to the above configuration. Furthermore, by making it possible to attach multiple types of lids 41 with different heights of the valve press upper part 412 to a single coffee container 4, the concentration of the extracted coffee can be changed by changing the type of lid 41 used. In this case, since there is no need to provide a height adjustment part 413 to the lid 41, the lid 41 can be made simpler, improving ease of cleaning.

[0034] (Other embodiments) In the above description, the flow rate adjustment section 231b was described as having a conical shape with a continuously changing cross-sectional area. However, the shape of the flow rate adjustment section 231b is not limited to this, and it is sufficient to have a part with a different cross-sectional area in the height direction. For example, it may have a shape in which the cross-sectional area changes in steps, as shown in Figure 6A. In this case, it is possible to adjust the coffee concentration in steps (for example, in three stages: strong, normal, and weak). Alternatively, it may have a shape in which the upper cross-sectional area is small and the lower cross-sectional area is large, as shown in Figure 6B. In this case, strong coffee is extracted when the upward distance of the valve body 231 is large, and weak coffee is extracted when the upward distance of the valve body 231 is small.

[0035] Furthermore, the above explanation described the case in which the valve body 231 is moved vertically by pushing up the valve body 231 with the lid 41, thereby opening the outlet 232. The method is not limited to this. For example, the main body 2 may be provided with a valve body movement part (not shown) that allows the valve body 231 to move vertically. The valve body movement part may be, for example, a knob that the user can manually move the valve body 231 with. Alternatively, the valve body movement part may be made operable using a motor or other power source so that the valve body 231 is moved automatically during the extraction process, or the valve body 231 may be moved by the user operating the operation unit 26. Even with these configurations, it is possible to extract coffee at a controlled concentration by adjusting the amount of vertical movement of the valve body 231. Note that if a valve body movement part is provided, the contact part 231c does not need to be provided on the valve body 231.

[0036] Furthermore, although the beverage extractor was described above as a powder storage unit 23 which is part of a beverage extraction device (coffee maker), the beverage extractor in the present invention is not limited to being part of a beverage extraction device, but may be a standalone device such as a coffee dripper. In this case, the beverage extractor itself may be provided with a valve body movement unit to adjust the travel distance of the valve body 231, or a separate mounting device (such as a stand) may be provided that allows adjustment of the distance between the beverage extractor and the beverage container.

[0037] (Note) (Technology 1) A beverage extractor comprising: a powder receiving section for containing powdered material to be extracted; an extraction port provided at the bottom of the powder receiving section for passing the extract; and a valve body that opens and closes the extraction port by moving vertically, wherein the valve body includes a flow rate adjustment section, the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the flow rate adjustment section varies depending on the vertical position of the flow rate adjustment section, and the amount of vertical movement of the valve body adjusts the flow rate of the extract passing through the extraction port.

[0038] This allows for adjustment of the concentration of the dispensed beverage by controlling the vertical movement of the valve body, enabling beverage concentration adjustment while minimizing the increase in the number of parts.

[0039] (Technology 2) The beverage dispenser according to Technology 1, wherein the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the flow rate adjustment section changes continuously depending on the vertical position.

[0040] This makes it possible to precisely adjust the concentration of beverages.

[0041] (Technology 3) The beverage dispenser according to Technology 1, wherein the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the flow rate adjustment section changes in steps depending on the vertical position.

[0042] This allows for stable adjustment of the beverage concentration each time the beverage is prepared.

[0043] (Technology 4) A beverage extraction device comprising a main body, a water container, and a beverage container, wherein the beverage container is provided with a lid, and the main body is equipped with the beverage extractor described in Technical 1.

[0044] This allows the concentration of the dispensed beverage to be adjusted by adjusting the vertical movement of the valve body in the beverage dispensing device, enabling beverage concentration adjustment while keeping the number of parts to a minimum.

[0045] (Technology 5) The beverage dispenser according to Technology 4, wherein the beverage container is provided with a lid, and the amount of vertical movement of the valve is adjusted by the lid pushing up the valve.

[0046] This allows the concentration of the beverage to be adjusted by the lid's configuration, thus simplifying the main body's structure and improving the ease of cleaning the beverage dispensing device.

[0047] (Technology 6) The beverage extraction apparatus according to Technical Reference 4, wherein the main body has a valve body movement unit that moves the valve body vertically, and the amount of vertical movement of the valve body is adjusted by the valve body unit.

[0048] This allows the concentration of the beverage to be adjusted by operating the device itself. [Industrial applicability]

[0049] This disclosure is applicable to beverage extraction devices and beverage extractors capable of adjusting the concentration of beverages. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1. Coffee maker 2 Main unit 23 Powder storage section 231 Valve body 231a Seal part 231b Flow rate adjustment section 231c Contact part 232 Extraction port 41 Lid 411 Lid body part 412 Valve press upper part 413 Height adjustment section

Claims

1. A powder container for containing the powdered material to be extracted, An extraction port for passing the extract is provided at the bottom of the powder storage section, It comprises a valve body that opens and closes the extraction port by moving in the vertical direction, The valve body is equipped with a flow rate adjustment section, The horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the flow rate adjustment section varies depending on the vertical position of the flow rate adjustment section. A beverage dispenser that adjusts the flow rate of the extract passing through the outlet by the amount of vertical movement of the valve body.

2. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the flow rate adjustment section changes continuously depending on the vertical position.

3. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the flow rate adjustment section changes in steps depending on the vertical position.

4. The main unit and A water container, A beverage dispenser comprising a beverage container, The beverage container is equipped with a lid. The main body is equipped with the beverage dispenser described in claim 1. Beverage extraction equipment.

5. The beverage container is equipped with a lid. The cover pushes up the valve body, thereby adjusting the amount of vertical movement of the valve body. The beverage extraction apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The main body has a valve body movement part that moves the valve body in the vertical direction, The beverage dispensing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the amount of vertical movement of the valve body is adjusted by the valve body moving part.

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