Dripper

Abstract

To provide a dripper for extracting coffee, which prevents an extract from flowing down unevenly along a specific path and allows the coffee powder to be extracted uniformly from the whole coffee grounds. [Solution] The dripper (1) has a funnel-shaped inner surface (1C) that holds a filter from an upper opening (1A) toward the bottom, and an outlet hole at the bottom for the extract to flow out. The inner surface is provided with a plurality of equally spaced linear ribs (10) extending from the upper opening to the periphery of the outlet hole. The ribs are distributed at equal intervals around the outlet hole, with specific ribs that maintain a constant height from the upper opening to the periphery of the outlet hole. Between the specific ribs, ribs whose height gradually decreases toward the outlet hole near the bottom are distributed at equal intervals. The flow paths for the extract formed between the multiple ribs are combined into the flow paths formed between the specific ribs near the bottom.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dripper. [Background technology]

[0002] Drippers, which have a filter attached to the funnel-shaped inner surface to extract coffee, are widely used when brewing coffee using a paper dripper or a drip-type coffee maker. Known drippers of this type have multiple ribs on the funnel-shaped inner surface.

[0003] The prior art described in Patent Document 1 below proposes a dripper in which the ribs provided on the inner surface of the dripper include a plurality of first rib portions and a plurality of second rib portions, and the protruding height of the first rib portions is different from the protruding height of the second rib portions, and the length of the first rib portions is different from the length of the second rib portions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3227141 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the aforementioned prior art, varying the ribs on the inner surface of the dripper is believed to ensure a uniform flow rate and extraction rate during coffee extraction. However, when ribs with different protruding heights are provided, the highest rib preferentially supports the filter, and lower ribs may not be able to effectively support the filter. This can easily cause distortion of the filter during extraction, which can prevent the liquid from flowing steadily and evenly from the entire dripper.

[0006] Furthermore, when the ribs are different lengths, short ribs create areas on the inner surface toward the bottom where the ribs are absent, and the filter tends to come into direct contact with the inner surface. This hinders the smooth flow of the extract and causes the extract to flow down a specific path. This makes it difficult to extract the powder evenly from the entire surface of the filter.

[0007] As described above, conventional drippers have difficulty extracting coffee evenly from the entire coffee grounds on the filter, resulting in areas that are left unextracted. Furthermore, the extraction time can be prolonged, leading to over-extraction and unstable quality of the extracted liquid.

[0008] The objective of this invention is to solve these problems by preventing the liquid extract from flowing unevenly along a specific path, ensuring that the liquid extract is extracted evenly from the entire powder, and stabilizing the flow of the liquid extract so that a consistent quality of liquid extract can be obtained. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve these problems, the dripper according to the present invention has the following configuration. This dripper has a funnel-shaped inner surface that holds a filter from an upper opening toward a bottom, and an outlet hole for discharging the extract at the bottom. The inner surface is provided with a plurality of equally spaced linear ribs extending from the upper opening to the periphery of the outlet hole. The ribs include specific ribs that maintain a constant height from the upper opening to the periphery of the outlet hole and are distributed at equal intervals around the outlet hole. Between the specific ribs, ribs whose height gradually decreases toward the outlet hole near the bottom are distributed at equal intervals. The extract flow paths formed between the multiple ribs are combined into the flow paths formed between the specific ribs near the bottom. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] A dripper with these characteristics prevents the liquid extract from flowing unevenly along a specific path, allowing for uniform extraction from the entire grounds. It also stabilizes the flow of the liquid extract, ensuring consistent quality of the liquid extract. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the dripper of the present invention in use. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view of the dripper of the present invention. [Figure 3] Bottom view of the dripper of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a side view of the dripper of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (AA cross-sectional view) of the dripper of the present invention. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view (BB cross section) of the dripper of the present invention. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view (CC cross section) of the dripper of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different drawings denote parts with the same functions, and redundant description in each drawing will be omitted where appropriate.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows dripper 1 in use, FIG. 2 is a top view (plan view) of dripper 1, FIG. 3 is a bottom view (bottom view) of dripper 1, and FIG. 4 is a side view (side view) of dripper 1.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, dripper 1 is used by placing it on the opening of an extraction container (not shown) using base 2. Base 2 may be integrated with the main body of dripper 1 or may be a separate part. Hereinafter, the main body excluding base 2 will be referred to as dripper 1.

[0015] Dripper 1 has a funnel-shaped inner surface 1C that holds a filter (filter paper) (not shown) from top opening 1A to bottom 1B. While there are no particular limitations on the outer surface 1D of dripper 1, in the illustrated example, it has a funnel shape (frustum shape) that conforms to the inner surface 1C. Bottom 1B of dripper 1 is provided with an outlet hole 1E through which the extracted liquid flows out.

[0016] A plurality of ribs 10 are provided on the inner surface 1C of dripper 1. These ribs 10 have a linear ridge shape that extends from upper opening 1A of dripper 1 to the periphery of outlet hole 1E provided in bottom portion 1B of dripper 1, and a plurality of ribs 10 are provided at equal intervals on upper opening 1A.

[0017] The multiple ribs 10 are divided into specific ribs 10A and other ribs 10B, but all of the ribs 10 have the same shape at the upper end opening 1A. The specific ribs 10A here are ribs 10 that maintain a constant height from the upper end opening 1A to the periphery of the outflow hole 1E, and these specific ribs 10A are distributed at equal intervals around the periphery of the outflow hole 1E (around the upper end opening 1A). Furthermore, between one specific rib 10A and another specific rib 10A, other ribs 10B are distributed at equal intervals.

[0018] In the illustrated example, the ridges of all of the multiple ribs 10 extending from the upper end opening 1A to the outlet holes 1E are curved. The ridges here refer to lines connecting the protruding ends of the ribs 10 from top to bottom. Above the vicinity of the bottom 1B, all of the ribs 10, including the specific rib 10A, have the same shape in cross section, resulting in a jagged cross section. Furthermore, the cross section of the ribs 10 protrudes in an eccentric direction relative to the center of the upper end opening 1A.

[0019] Here, if the number of specific ribs 10A is n, the total number of ribs 10 is (n × m). Here, n and m are integers between 5 and 10. In the illustrated example, the number of specific ribs 10A is 9 (n = 9), and the total number of ribs 10 is 72 (m = 8). As a result, many extremely fine ribs 10 are formed on the inner surface 1C of the dripper 1. The protruding ends of the extremely fine, jagged ribs 10 linearly support the outside of a filter (not shown), and a flow path for the extract is formed between the protruding ends of the consecutive ribs 10, from the upper opening 1A to the outlet hole 1E.

[0020] The difference between the specific rib 10A and the other ribs 10B will now be explained. As mentioned above, the specific rib 10A maintains a constant height from the upper end opening 1A to the periphery of the outflow hole 1E. As a result, the specific rib 10A is arranged in the same manner as the other ribs 10B at the upper end opening 1A, but around the outflow hole 1E, only the specific rib 10A has a predetermined height, and an inward protruding portion is formed at the outflow hole 1E to correspond to the height of the specific rib 10A.

[0021] In contrast, the height of the other ribs 10B gradually decreases near the bottom 1B toward the outlet hole 1E. As a result, the flow paths for the extract formed between the protruding ends of successive ribs 10 merge near the bottom 1B as the height of the other ribs 10B gradually decreases, and the flow paths are concentrated into the flow paths formed between the specific ribs 10A, which maintain a predetermined height up to the outlet hole 1E. In the illustrated example, therefore, 72 flow paths are formed by 72 ribs 10 above the vicinity of the bottom 1B, but around the outlet hole 1E, these are concentrated into 9 flow paths by 9 specific ribs 10A, and the extract flows into the outlet hole 1E.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of dripper 1 (a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2), and FIGS. 6 and 7 are horizontal cross-sectional views of dripper 1 (FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 4).

[0023] As shown in Figure 5, the spacing between the ribs 10 gradually narrows from the top opening 1A toward the bottom 1B, so that the width of the flow path for the extract formed between the protruding ends of the ribs 10 narrows from top to bottom.

[0024] Furthermore, the protruding height of the multiple ribs 10 does not change above the vicinity of the bottom 1B, and as is clear from the BB cross section in Figure 6, all ribs 10 are the same height on this cross section, which is equivalent to the height of the ribs 10 at the upper end opening 1A.

[0025] In contrast, cross section CC in Figure 7 shows a cross section near the bottom 1B of the dripper 1, in which only the specific rib 10A maintains a predetermined height, while the height of the other ribs 10B gradually decreases toward the outlet hole 1E. As a result, the flow paths for the extracted liquid formed between the multiple ribs 10 are concentrated into a wide flow path formed between the specific ribs 10A near the bottom 1B.

[0026] In this dripper 1, a plurality of ribs 10 extending from the top opening 1A to the bottom 1B are arranged in a jagged pattern at equal intervals on the cross section of the funnel-shaped inner surface 1C of the dripper 1. This allows the filter attached to the inner surface 1C to be uniformly supported by the protruding ends of the ribs 10 at relatively close intervals, stably maintaining the filter shape during extraction. Furthermore, the jagged ribs 10 on the cross section uniformly form an extract flow path throughout the entire inner surface 1C, preventing the extract from flowing down a specific path. The extract flow path is formed along a ridge line connecting the protruding ends of the ribs 10. By making this ridge line curved, the flow rate of the extract can be appropriately adjusted depending on the degree of curvature.

[0027] The flow paths for the extract formed between the multiple ribs 10 narrow toward the bottom 1B because the inner surface 1C of the dripper 1 on which the ribs 10 are formed is funnel-shaped. In response to this, the height of the other ribs 10B, excluding the specific rib 10A, gradually decreases toward the outlet hole 1E near the bottom 1B. This causes the narrowed flow paths between the ribs 10 to converge into wider flow paths formed between the specific ribs 10A that are evenly spaced around the outlet hole 1E. This allows the extract to flow smoothly into the outlet hole 1E near the bottom 1B, ensuring an appropriate flow rate.

[0028] As described above, with the dripper 1 of the present invention, the extracted liquid that comes into contact with the coffee ground layer on the filter flows down evenly from the entire dripper 1. This prevents uneven distribution of the extracted liquid flow path, ensuring uniform extraction throughout the entire grounds. Furthermore, the flow along the multiple ribs 10 increases the extraction speed. Furthermore, the convergence of the flow paths smooths out any obstructions to the flow near the bottom 1B, preventing over-extraction due to excessive contact time. Furthermore, the flow paths between the multiple ribs 10 converge near the bottom 1B to form a wide flow path that leads to the outlet hole 1E, stabilizing the flow of the extracted liquid and ensuring consistent quality of extracted liquid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1: Dripper 2: Base 1A:Top opening 1B:Bottom 1C:Inner surface 1D:Outer surface 1E:Outflow hole 10: Rib 10A: Specific rib 10B: Other ribs

Claims

1. A dripper having a funnel-shaped inner surface that holds a filter from an upper opening toward a bottom, and an outlet hole for allowing the extract to flow out at the bottom, a plurality of linear ribs are provided at equal intervals on the inner surface from the upper end opening to the periphery of the outlet hole; The ribs are arranged so that specific ribs that maintain a constant height from the upper end opening to the periphery of the outflow hole are dispersed at equal intervals around the outflow hole, and between the specific ribs, ribs that gradually decrease in height toward the outflow hole near the bottom are arranged at equal intervals, The flow paths for the extract formed between the plurality of ribs are concentrated in the vicinity of the bottom into the flow paths formed between the specific ribs. Dripper.

2. The ribs, above the vicinity of the bottom, all have the same shape in cross section, including the specific rib, and the cross-sectional shape is jagged. The dripper according to claim 1.

3. The rib has a cross-sectional shape that protrudes in a direction eccentric to the center of the upper end opening. The dripper according to claim 1.

4. The rib has a curved ridgeline extending from the upper end opening to the outlet hole. The dripper according to claim 1.

5. The number of the specific ribs is n, the total number of the ribs is (n × m), and the n and m are integers from 5 to 10. The dripper according to claim 1.

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