Capsule dispenser with continuous brewing prevention function

Abstract

To provide a capsule dispensing machine with a function to prevent continuous brewing. [Solution] The capsule extractor comprises a housing 100, a lancet 200, a water supply module, a processor, a sensor 500, and a brewing key 101. The housing has a connected main body 110 and lid 120, and a storage tank 111. The water supply module introduces water from an external water source for storage. A sensor is installed on the main body or the lid, and a sensor that detects the opening and closing of the lid relative to the main body detects that the lid is closed. When this is detected, the brewing key can trigger the processor to control the water supply module to transport water to the lancet and extract capsule A in the storage tank. After each capsule extraction is complete, the processor prevents continuous brewing by disabling the brewing key until the sensor detects that the lid is open.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage machine for brewing drinks such as tea and coffee, and more particularly to a capsule extractor that extracts drinks such as tea and coffee using capsules.

Background Art

[0002] As capsule technology matures day by day, especially with the maturity of low-pressure capsule technology, it has become possible to produce different-flavored drinks such as coffee, milk tea, black tea, and green tea using capsules even at pressures within 2 bar. Capsule extractors have gradually become popular and are widely used in places such as homes, offices, and stores.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, some capsules (for example, coffee capsules) cannot be brewed multiple times. Therefore, in order to maintain the flavor and quality of the brewed drinks, such capsules need to be replaced with unused capsules after being used once. However, due to the large sales volume in stores, the variety of drink types, or the busy daily work of store clerks, they may forget to replace the capsules and extract using the same capsule repeatedly, which may have a significant impact on the flavor and quality of the drink, or may provide customers with the wrong type of drink.

[0004] Therefore, the inventor of the present invention considered that the above-mentioned drawbacks could be improved, and as a result of repeated intensive studies, the present invention was proposed to effectively improve the above problems through a reasonable design.

[0005] The main object of the present invention is to provide a capsule extractor with a continuous brewing prevention function that can prevent an operator from continuously brewing drinks using the capsule extractor, thereby ensuring that the capsules are correctly used, in order to solve the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, one aspect of the present invention, a capsule dispenser with a continuous dispensing prevention function, comprises a housing, a lancet, a water supply module, a processor, a sensor, and a dispensing key. The housing includes a main body and a lid, and the housing has a storage tank for storing capsules at the top of the main body. The lid is connected to the top of the main body and is arranged to open and close relative to the main body. The lancet is installed inside the housing corresponding to the storage tank and is arranged to pierce capsules in the storage tank. The water supply module is installed in the housing and is arranged to introduce water from an external water source for storage. The processor is installed inside the housing. The sensor is installed on one of the main body and the lid and is positioned toward the other, is electrically connected to the processor, and is arranged to detect the opening and closing of the lid relative to the main body. The dispensing key is installed on the surface of the housing and is electrically connected to the processor. When a sensor detects that the lid is closed relative to the main unit, the brew key is positioned to trigger a processor that controls the water supply module to transport water to the lancet and extract into the capsule. Each time the water supply module transports water to the lancet and completes the extraction into the capsule, the processor controls the brew key to be deactivated until a sensor detects that the lid is open relative to the main unit.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a warning device is further provided, which is installed in the housing and electrically connected to the processor. The warning device is configured to issue a warning notification each time the immersion key is disabled.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the warning device is a display screen, a warning lamp, a buzzer, or a vibrator.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the sensor is a pressure sensor or a proximity sensor.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the water supply module comprises a water supply pipe and a pump. The pump is connected to the water supply pipe and is arranged to extract water from an external water source via the water supply pipe.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the housing further comprises a water tank that is detachably attached to the main body. The water tank is in communication with the pump and is arranged to store water introduced by the water supply module.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the water supply module further comprises a first water supply pipe, the ends of which are connected to a pump and a water tank, respectively.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the water supply module further includes a heater and a second water supply pipe and a third water supply pipe. The heater is housed within the housing, with both ends of the second water supply pipe communicating with the water tank and the heater, respectively, and both ends of the third water supply pipe communicating with the heater and the puncture needle, respectively.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, a control valve assembly member is further provided, which is installed in the water tank and connected to one end of the second water supply pipe that is away from the heater.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, a power key is further provided, which is mounted on the surface of the housing and electrically connected to the processor. The power key is positioned to trigger the capsule extractor to start or stop. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As this invention is configured as described above, it produces the following effects. The capsule dispenser with continuous dispensing prevention function according to this disclosure is equipped with a sensor on the main body or lid that can detect the opening and closing of the lid relative to the main body, and a water supply module transports water to the puncture needle. After each capsule extraction is complete, the processor controls the system to disable the dispensing key until the sensor detects that the lid is open relative to the main body. This ensures that the operator first opens the lid to verify that the capsule is correct before dispensing the beverage. In this way, the operator can be effectively prevented from continuously dispensing beverages using the capsule dispenser, and the capsules are used correctly.

[0017] The following information will become clear from the description in the specification and drawings described later. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is an external perspective view showing a capsule extraction machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a capsule extraction machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from another angle. [Figure 3] This is a side cross-sectional view showing a capsule extractor according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows the state of use of a capsule extraction machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the use of a capsule extraction machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible within the scope described. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0020] Terms referring to orientations and positional relationships such as "front side", "rear side", "left side", "right side", "front end", "rear end", "end", "vertical direction", "horizontal direction", "vertical direction", "upper part", "bottom", etc. are used only for the convenience of explaining and briefly describing the present invention based on the orientations and positional relationships shown in the attached drawings, and it should be understood that they do not indicate or imply that the specified device or member has a specific orientation, structure and operation in a specific orientation, and thus should not be understood as a limiting condition for the present invention.

[0021] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", and "fifth" used in this specification are for explaining various members, assembled members, regions, layers, / or parts, and these members, assembled members, regions, layers, / or parts are not subject to the limitations of these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, assembled member, region, layer, or part from another. Unless clearly indicated in the context before and after, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", and "fifth" used in this specification do not imply order or sequence.

[0022] The terms "substantially" and "about" without separate definitions used here are used to explain and describe small changes. When associated with an event or situation, the terms may include the exact point in time when the event or situation occurred, and an approximate point close to the point in time when the event or situation occurred. For example, when associated with a numerical value, the terms may include a range of change that is within ± 10% of the numerical value, such as within ± 5% or less, ± 4% or less, ± 3% or less, ± 2% or less, ± 1% or less, ± 0.5% or less, ± 0.1% or less, or ± 0.05% or less.

[0023] The detailed description and technical content of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the attached drawings are only used for explanation and do not limit the present invention.

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of a capsule extractor having a continuous flooding prevention function of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0025] The capsule extractor with continuous brewing prevention function according to this disclosure is used to produce beverages corresponding to the contents of capsule A, such as coffee or tea, by drawing water from an external water source (not shown), heating and pressurizing it, and extracting it into capsule A. The capsule extractor with continuous brewing prevention function according to this disclosure mainly comprises a housing 100, a puncture needle 200, a water supply module 300, a processor 400, a sensor 500, and at least one brewing key 101 (see Figures 1 to 4).

[0026] The housing 100 mainly comprises a main body 110 and a lid 120. In this embodiment, the main body 110 has a substantially rectangular shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The housing 100 has a storage tank 111 for storing capsules A at the top of the main body 110, and the operator can store the corresponding capsules A in the storage tank 111 according to the beverage to be brewed. The lid 120 is connected to the top of the main body 110. In this embodiment, the lid 120 is pivotally mounted on one side of the top of the main body 110 and is openable and closable relative to the main body 110, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the lid 120 may be slidably positioned relative to the top of the main body 110, and may cover or expose the top of the main body 110. The housing 100 has a beverage nozzle 112 and a receiving tray 113 on the front side of the main body 110. To explain in more detail, the receiving tray 113 is located at the front bottom of the main body 110 and is used to place a cup (not shown), while the beverage nozzle 112 is positioned directly above the receiving tray 113 and is connected to the storage tank 111. In this way, when capsule A in the storage tank 111 is brewed, the beverage passes through the beverage nozzle 112 and is poured into the cup on the receiving tray 113.

[0027] The lancet 200 is housed within the housing 100 so as to correspond to the storage tank 111. Specifically, the lancet 200 is housed within the lid 120, with its end exposed on one side of the lid 120 facing the main body 110, and positioned to correspond to the upper part of the storage tank 111. The lancet 200 is hollow so as to allow water to be injected. Therefore, once capsule A is stored in the storage tank 111 at the top of the main body 110, and the main body 110 is closed with the lid 120, the lancet 200 becomes capable of piercing capsule A in the storage tank 111. The lancet 200 then injects heated and pressurized water into the capsule A, thereby extracting the beverage from capsule A.

[0028] The water supply module 300 is installed inside the housing 100. The water supply module 300 is configured to allow water from an external water source (not shown) to be introduced and stored in the housing 100. Specifically, the water supply module 300 mainly comprises a water supply pipe 310, a pump 320, and a first water supply pipe 330, and the housing 100 further includes a water tank 130. The water tank 130 is detachably attached to the rear side of the main body 110. The water supply pipe 310 is connected to the pump 320, and the pump 320 is connected to the water tank 130 via the first water supply pipe 330. The pump 320 is configured to extract water from the external water source via the water supply pipe 310, and the introduced water is stored in the water tank 130 and used when brewing beverages.

[0029] The processor 400 is housed within the housing 100. The processor 400 may be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Micro Control Unit (MCU), a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), a System on Chip (SoC), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc.

[0030] The sensor 500 is installed on one of the main body 110 and the lid 120, and is positioned facing the other. In this embodiment, the sensor 500 is installed on the top of the main body 110 and is directed toward the bottom of the lid 120, but in other embodiments, the sensor 500 may be installed on the bottom of the lid 120 and directed toward the top of the main body. The sensor 500 is electrically connected to the processor 400 and is positioned to detect the opening and closing of the lid 120 relative to the main body 110. In this embodiment, the sensor 500 is a pressure sensor, but in other embodiments, the sensor 500 may be a proximity sensor.

[0031] The brewing key 101 is mounted on the surface of the housing 100 and is electrically connected to the processor 400. In this embodiment, there are multiple brewing keys 101, each corresponding to a different type of beverage. That is, each brewing key 101 corresponds to a different water volume setting and water temperature setting, so the number of brewing keys 101 can be adjusted as needed. Furthermore, the capsule dispenser with continuous brewing prevention function according to this disclosure further includes a power key 102. The power key 102 is mounted on the surface of the housing 100 and is electrically connected to the processor 400. The power key 102 is triggerable to start or stop the capsule dispenser with continuous brewing prevention function according to this disclosure. Each brewing key 101 and power key 102 may be a mechanical button or a touch-controlled button, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0032] When the sensor 500 detects that the lid 120 is closed relative to the main body 110, each brewing key 101 is positioned to trigger the processor 400 to control the water supply module 300 to transport water to the lancet 200 and extract capsule A, after being pressed or touched. In other words, if the lid 120 is open relative to the main body 110, each brewing key 101 will not trigger the processor 400 to control the water supply module 300 to transport water to the lancet 200 and extract capsule A, even if pressed or touched. That is, the capsule extractor with continuous brewing prevention function according to this disclosure will not perform the operation of extracting and brewing a beverage.

[0033] Each time the water supply module 300 delivers water to the puncture needle 200 and the extraction of capsule A is completed, the processor 400 controls the dispensing keys 101 to be disabled until the sensor 500 detects that the lid 120 is open relative to the main body 110. Specifically, each dispensing key 101 can trigger the capsule dispensing machine having the continuous dispensing prevention function according to this disclosure. In order to perform the extraction and dispense the beverage, the sensor 500 needs to detect that the lid 120 is closed relative to the main body 110. Therefore, after the extraction and beverage has been dispensed, the lid of the main body 110 must be closed with the lid 120, and the operator will not be able to see the type of beverage corresponding to capsule A, which is shielded by the lid 120. This mechanism ensures that when the operator opens the lid 120 of the main body 110, they simultaneously check whether the capsule A in the storage tank 111 needs to be replaced based on the type of beverage to be brewed next. This prevents the operator from using a capsule A that is not suitable for continuous brewing and brewing beverages continuously, which would result in a deterioration of the beverage's taste.

[0034] In order to trigger the processor 400 to control the water supply module 300 to transport water to the puncture needle 200 and perform extraction into capsule A after each brewing key 101 is pressed or touched, the sensor 500 needs to detect that the lid 120 is closed relative to the main body 110. Therefore, the processor 400 releases the disabled state of each brewing key 101 after the sensor 500 detects that the lid 120 is open relative to the main body 110. It should be noted that in order to restore each brewing key 101 so that it can be triggered to perform extraction and brew a beverage after being pressed or touched, the operator must first close the lid 120 relative to the top of the main body 110 so that the sensor 500 detects that the lid 120 is closed relative to the main body 110.

[0035] More specifically, the capsule dispenser having a continuous brewing prevention function according to this disclosure further comprises a warning device 600. The warning device 600 is installed in the housing 100 and is electrically connected to the processor 400. The warning device 600 is configured to automatically emit a warning notification each time each brewing key 101 is deactivated. For example, the warning device 600 may be a display screen, a warning lamp, a buzzer, or a vibrator. If the warning device 600 is a display screen, the warning notification may be characters or patterns. If the warning device 600 is a warning lamp, the warning notification may be a light signal of a specific color (e.g., red or yellow). If the warning device 600 is a buzzer, the warning notification may be a buzzer sound of a specific frequency or rhythm. If the warning device 600 is a vibrator, the warning notification may be a vibration of a specific frequency or rhythm. Thus, the warning device 600 can be selected as needed, and furthermore, a combination of two or more types of warning devices 600 may be employed, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the warning device 600 is a warning lamp located behind each brewing key 101 and power key 102, and when a warning notification is issued, the corresponding color can be displayed by the transparent or translucent brewing key 101 and power key 102, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0036] Furthermore, the capsule dispenser having a continuous dispensing prevention function according to this disclosure further comprises a heater 700 and a control valve assembly member 800, and the water supply module 300 further includes a second water supply pipe 340 and a third water supply pipe 350. The heater 700 is installed inside the housing 100 and is configured to heat water. Both ends of the second water supply pipe 340 are connected to the water tank 130 and the heater 700, respectively, and both ends of the third water supply pipe 350 are connected to the heater 700 and the puncture needle 200, respectively. In other words, the second water supply pipe 340 can transport water from the water tank 130 into the heater 700 for heating, and the third water supply pipe 350 transports the heated water to the puncture needle 200. The control valve assembly member 800 is installed in the water tank 130 and is connected to one end of the second water supply pipe 340 away from the heater 700. In this embodiment, the control valve assembly member 800 is installed at the bottom of the water tank 130 and is used to control the amount of water entering the water tank 130 from the first water supply pipe 330 and the amount of water being discharged from the water tank 130 by the second water supply pipe 340.

[0037] More specifically, the capsule dispenser having a continuous dispensing prevention function according to this disclosure further comprises a lock plate 900. The lock plate 900 has a plate shape and is pivotally mounted on the lid portion 120 and pivotally movable relative to the lid portion 120. A recessed groove 121 is provided on the upper part of the lid portion 120, and the lock plate 900 is pivotally mounted on the inner wall of the recessed groove 121 and is able to fit into or protrude from the recessed groove 121. The lock plate 900 has a movable portion 910. When the movable portion 910 receives force and the lock plate 900 is rotated in a direction approaching the lid portion 120 until it is fitted into the recessed groove 121, the lock plate 900 holds the lid portion 120 so that it is locked to the main body 110. When the lock plate 900 is actuated by the movable part 910 to rotate away from the lid 120 until the lock plate 900 protrudes from the recessed groove 121, the lock plate 900 can be opened relative to the main body 110 to release the lid 120 and expose the storage tank 111. In this way, the lock plate 900 makes it difficult to accidentally open the lid 120, thereby preventing the puncture needle 200 from accidentally puncturing capsule A and injecting hot water, and making it difficult for the lid 120 to be accidentally opened and for incorrect extraction to occur.

[0038] Figure 5 is a flowchart of the use of a capsule extractor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The continuous dispensing prevention mechanism of the capsule extractor having a continuous dispensing prevention function according to the present disclosure, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, is specifically disclosed. The continuous dispensing prevention mechanism includes a startup step S1, a pre-processing step S2, a monitoring step S3, a dispensing step S4, and a warning step S5. These will be described in detail below.

[0039] First, in the startup step S1, the operator can start the capsule dispenser having the continuous brewing prevention function according to the present disclosure by pressing the power key 102.

[0040] Next, in pre-processing step S2, the operator opens the lid 120 of the main body 110, places the capsule A to be brewed into the storage tank 111, then closes the lid on top of the main body 110 with the lid 120, and punctures the capsule A with the puncture needle 200.

[0041] Next, in monitoring step S3, the processor 400 checks the opening and closing of the lid 120 relative to the main body 110 by judging the signal from the sensor 500. If the processor 400 determines that the sensor 500 has detected that the lid 120 is open relative to the main body 110, the processor 400 returns to pre-processing step S2 and waits, and controls each brewing key 101 to be disabled, so that even if each brewing key 101 is pressed or touched, the brewing function cannot be triggered. If the processor 400 determines that the sensor 500 has detected that the lid 120 is closed relative to the main body 110, the processor 400 proceeds to brewing step S4 and waits.

[0042] Next, in the brewing step S4, the operator presses the brewing key 101 corresponding to capsule A, allowing the puncture needle 200 to inject heated and pressurized water into capsule A, thereby extracting and producing a beverage.

[0043] Next, in warning step S5, the processor 400 controls the warning device 600 to disable each brewing key 101 and to continuously issue a warning notification, and the processor 400 confirms the opening and closing of the lid 120 relative to the main body 110 by judging the signal from the sensor 500. When the processor 400 determines that the sensor 500 has detected that the lid 120 is closed relative to the main body 110, the processor 400 controls the warning device 600 to maintain the disabled state of each brewing key 101 and to issue a warning notification. When the processor 400 determines that the sensor 500 has detected that the lid 120 is open relative to the main body 110, the processor 400 returns to preprocessing step S2 and waits, releases the disabled state of each brewing key 101 and terminates the warning notification from the warning device 600.

[0044] The capsule dispenser with continuous dispensing prevention function according to this disclosure is equipped with a sensor 500 on the main body 110 or lid 120 that can detect the opening and closing of the lid 120 relative to the main body 110, and the water supply module 300 transports water to the puncture needle 200. Each time the extraction of capsule A is completed, the processor 400 controls the dispensing keys 101 to be disabled until the sensor 500 detects that the lid 120 is open relative to the main body 110. This prevents the operator from continuously dispensing beverages using the capsule dispenser and ensures that capsule A is used correctly.

[0045] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design modifications and the like are also included within the scope of the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 100 Housing 101 Brewing Key 102 Power Key 110 Main Unit 111 Storage tank 112 Beverage nozzles 113 Drip tray 120 Lid 121 Recessed groove 130 water tanks 200 Puncture needle 300 Water Supply Modules 310 Water supply pipe 320 pump 330 1st water pipe 340 2nd water pipe 350 3rd water pipe 400 Processors 500 sensors 600 Warning device 700 Heater 800 Control valve assembly components 900 Lock Plate 910 Moving parts A Capsule S1 Startup Step S2 Pre-treatment step S3 monitoring steps S4 Brewing Steps S5 Warning Step

Claims

1. A housing including the main body and the lid, The housing has a storage compartment for storing capsules at the top of the main body, The lid is connected to the upper part of the main body and is arranged to open and close relative to the main body, and the housing A puncture needle is installed inside the housing so as to correspond to the storage tank and is positioned to puncture the capsule located inside the storage tank, A water supply module, which is installed in the aforementioned housing and is positioned to introduce water from an external water source for storage, The processor housed within the aforementioned housing, A sensor is installed on one of the main body and the lid, positioned facing the other, electrically connected to the processor, and configured to detect the opening and closing of the lid relative to the main body. The housing is provided with a key that is mounted on the surface of the housing and electrically connected to the processor, When the sensor detects that the lid is closed to the main body, the dispensing key is configured to trigger the processor to control the water supply module to transport water to the puncture needle and perform extraction into the capsule. A capsule dispensing machine having a continuous dispensing prevention function, characterized in that each time the water supply module transports water to the puncture needle and completes extraction into the capsule, the processor controls itself to disable the dispensing key until the sensor detects that the lid is open relative to the main body.

2. The housing is further equipped with a warning device that is installed in the housing and electrically connected to the processor, The capsule dispensing machine having a continuous brewing prevention function according to claim 1, characterized in that the warning device is arranged to issue a warning notification each time the brewing key is disabled.

3. The capsule dispensing machine having a continuous brewing prevention function according to claim 2, characterized in that the warning device is a display screen, a warning lamp, a buzzer, or a vibrator.

4. The capsule dispensing machine having a continuous brewing prevention function according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor is a pressure sensor or a proximity sensor.

5. The water supply module includes a water supply pipe and a pump, The capsule dispensing machine having a continuous brewing prevention function according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump is in communication with the water supply pipe and is arranged to extract water from the external water source via the water supply pipe.

6. The housing further comprises a water tank, The water tank is detachably attached to the main body. The capsule dispensing machine having a continuous brewing prevention function according to claim 5, characterized in that the water tank is in communication with the pump and is arranged to store the water introduced by the water supply module.

7. The water supply module further comprises a first water supply pipe, The capsule dispensing machine having a continuous dispensing prevention function according to claim 6, characterized in that both ends of the first water supply pipe are connected to the pump and the water tank, respectively.

8. It also has a heater, The water supply module further includes a second water supply pipe and a third water supply pipe, The heater is installed inside the housing, Both ends of the second water supply pipe are connected to the water tank and the heater, respectively. The capsule extractor having a continuous dispensing prevention function according to claim 6, characterized in that both ends of the third water supply pipe are connected to the heater and the puncture needle, respectively.

9. The capsule dispensing machine having a continuous brewing prevention function according to claim 8, further comprising a control valve assembly member installed in the water tank and connected to one end of the second water supply pipe away from the heater.

10. The housing further comprises a power key that is mounted on the surface of the housing and electrically connected to the processor, The capsule dispensing machine having a continuous brewing prevention function according to claim 1, characterized in that the power key is arranged to trigger the start or stop of the capsule dispensing machine.

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