Coffee maker

Abstract

To provide a coffee maker capable of reducing the number of parts, achieving compactification, and improving maintainability.SOLUTION: A coffee maker 1 includes: an extraction container (second container 42) for extracting coffee liquid from hot water and coffee powder; a server container (first container 41) for storing coffee liquid; a communication part 43 for communicating the inside of the extraction container with the inside of the server container; and a filter 44 disposed inside the extraction container for filtering out coffee powder by passing the coffee liquid through the filter. The coffee maker is configured so as to move the coffee liquid from the extraction container to the server container through the communication part 43 while filtering the coffee liquid with the filter 44. The server container stores water that is a base of the hot water for extracting the coffee liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coffee maker technology that automatically extracts coffee liquid using coffee powder and hot water. [Background technology]

[0002] There are various known techniques for coffee makers that automatically brew coffee using ground coffee and hot water, such as siphon and drip types.

[0003] Also, a known coffee maker includes an extraction container that extracts coffee liquid, a server container that stores the coffee liquid, and a filter that filters out coffee powder by passing the coffee liquid through it (see Patent Document 1). The coffee maker is configured to leave the coffee powder in the extraction container soaked in hot water for a predetermined time, and then move the coffee liquid to the server container while filtering it through the filter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-55980 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, the coffee maker requires a water tank, separate from the extraction container and the server container, for storing water that serves as the base for hot water (hot water or steam) for extracting coffee liquid in the extraction container. Because the coffee maker requires a water tank separate from the extraction container and the server container, the number of parts increases, the size increases, and maintenance becomes difficult.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coffee maker that can reduce the number of parts, achieve a compact size, and improve ease of maintenance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The coffee maker according to the present invention includes an extraction container for extracting coffee liquid from hot water and coffee powder, a server container for storing the coffee liquid, a communication part that communicates between the extraction container and the server container, and a filter that is disposed in the extraction container and filters out the coffee powder by passing the coffee liquid through the filter. The coffee liquid is transferred from the extraction container to the server container via the communication part while being filtered by the filter. The server container stores water that is the basis of the hot water for extracting the coffee liquid. and a sub-tank for temporarily storing a portion of the water stored in the server container. It is.

[0008] The coffee maker according to the present invention is configured to serve both as a water tank and a server container, which reduces the number of parts, makes it possible to make the device more compact, and improves ease of maintenance. In addition, with this configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation in which it is not possible to properly extract coffee liquid because it is not possible to secure water (hot water, steam, etc.) other than the water (hot water) used to soak the coffee powder.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the extraction container is disposed below the server container.

[0010] According to this configuration, the presentation of the operation of extracting coffee liquid can be improved.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the communication portion includes an abutment portion that protrudes from an opening at the lower end of the communication portion toward the lower side of the extraction vessel and abuts against the inner surface of the lower part of the extraction vessel within the extraction vessel.

[0012] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a small amount of coffee liquid extracted in the extraction container remains in the extraction container without being transferred to the server container via the communication part.

[0015] In the present invention, after the coffee liquid has been discharged, it is preferable to circulate outside air through the coffee liquid discharge path from the server container to the discharge outlet to discharge the coffee liquid remaining in the coffee liquid discharge path.

[0016] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the coffee liquid remaining in the discharge path of the coffee liquid from dripping (dripping) from the discharge port after the discharge of the coffee liquid has been completed.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that a pressure difference be generated between the inside of the extraction container and the inside of the server container, so that the coffee liquid is moved from the extraction container to the server container through the communication part while being filtered by the filter.

[0018] According to this configuration, the presentation of the operation of extracting coffee liquid can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a coffee maker according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] A rear view showing the internal structure of the coffee maker. [Diagram 5] This is also a control block diagram for a coffee maker. [Figure 6] This is also a control block diagram for a coffee maker. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first flow pipe of the coffee maker. [Figure 8] An enlarged cross-sectional view of the coffee maker's brewing unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the brewing unit of the coffee maker. [Figure 10]FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a coffee maker, in which (A) hot water is poured into the second container, (B) coffee powder is immersed in the hot water, and (C) the coffee liquid is extracted by passing it through a filter, while flowing out of the second container and into the first container. [Figure 11] This is also a control block diagram for a coffee maker. [Figure 12] This is also a control block diagram for a coffee maker. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] [Overall configuration of the coffee maker] Next, the coffee maker 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 11 will be described. The coffee maker 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 11 is one embodiment of the coffee maker according to the present invention. For ease of explanation, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined for the coffee maker 1 as shown by the arrows in Figs. 1 to 4. However, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 do not limit the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the coffee maker according to the present invention. In the following explanation, the terms front, rear, left, right, up, down, etc. refer to the orientation of each part of the coffee maker 1 when it is assembled in a predetermined position when the coffee maker 1 is used.

[0021] Coffee maker 1 is operated by a user to automatically extract coffee liquid using coffee powder and hot water. Coffee maker 1 is an immersion type coffee maker 1, and extracts coffee liquid by immersing coffee powder in hot water and then filtering the coffee liquid with filter 44. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , coffee maker 1 includes main body 2 and extraction unit 40.

[0022] [Main unit] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the main body 2 has an extraction switch 3, a discharge switch 4, a discharge port 5, and a taste setting section 6, and supports an extraction unit 40. The main body 2 houses various parts within its housing for the operation of the coffee maker 1 to extract coffee liquid. The main body 2 (housing) has a lower part 7, a rear part 8, and an upper part 9, and is configured such that the rear part 8 extends upward from the rear end of the lower part 7 and the upper part 9 extends forward from the upper end of the rear part 8, and is configured to be roughly C-shaped in side view. A support hole 10 is formed in the upper part 9 (left part of the upper part 9) of the main body 2, which penetrates in the vertical direction, and the main body 2 supports the extraction unit 40 at the support hole 10.

[0023] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the extraction switch 3 is a push switch and is arranged on the upper surface of the right part of the upper part 9. The extraction switch 3 is not limited to being a push switch and may be configured, for example, as a touch panel, etc., and is set appropriately depending on the specifications and uses of the coffee maker 1. The discharge switch 4 is a lever switch and is arranged on the side of the right part of the upper part 9. The discharge switch 4 is not limited to being a lever switch and may be configured, for example, as a touch panel, etc., and is set appropriately depending on the specifications and uses of the coffee maker 1. The discharge port 5 discharges coffee liquid based on a user's instruction. The discharge port 5 is arranged on the lower surface of the right part of the upper part 9 and opens downward.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the taste setting unit 6 is provided on the upper surface of the right part of the upper portion 9. The taste setting unit 6 is operated by a user to cause the coffee maker 1 to perform various operations and to perform various settings of the coffee maker 1. For example, the user operates the taste setting unit 6 to select the taste of the coffee liquid extracted by the coffee maker 1 (for example, selection of "clean" or "strong", or "prominent sourness" or "prominent bitterness"). The taste setting unit 6 is composed of a plurality of tactile switches. Note that the taste setting unit 6 is not limited to this configuration and may be composed of, for example, a touch panel, and the display mode and switch operation configuration are appropriately set according to the specifications and use of the coffee maker 1.

[0025] [Extraction unit] The extraction unit 40 extracts coffee liquid and stores the extracted coffee liquid. When the extraction switch 3 is operated by a user, the coffee maker 1 automatically starts the operation of extracting coffee liquid in the extraction unit 40 based on a program stored in the control unit 11, and stores the extracted coffee liquid in the extraction unit 40. Then, when the discharge switch 4 is operated by a user, the coffee liquid stored in the extraction unit 40 is discharged from the discharge port 5. The extraction unit 40 is detachably supported by the main body 2. As shown in Figs. 5, 7 to 9, the extraction unit 40 includes a first container 41, a second container 42, a communication portion 43, a filter 44, a filter stand 47, and a support portion 60.

[0026] The first container 41 stores water that is the base of hot water (hot water or steam) for extracting the coffee liquid, prior to storing the coffee liquid. The water is stored in the first container 41 by the user. Furthermore, the first container 41 stores the extracted coffee liquid. That is, the first container 41 is configured to serve both as a water tank for storing water and a server container for storing the coffee liquid. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the first container 41 is disposed above (directly above) the second container 42 and the support part 60. The first container 41 is a bottomed cylindrical member, and is configured by disposing a cylindrical part and a substantially hemispherical bottom part at its upper end. The cylindrical part of the first container 41 is configured to be slightly flared in side view. The first container 41 is configured to protrude upward from the upper surface of the upper part 9 of the main body 2 when the extraction unit 40 is attached to the main body 2. The first container 41 is made of heat-resistant glass. First container 41 is transparent or translucent, and configured so that stored water or coffee liquid, etc. can be seen from the outside. Note that the shape of first container 41 is not limited to such a configuration, and can be an appropriate shape depending on the specifications and use of coffee maker 1. Furthermore, first container 41 is not limited to being made of heat-resistant glass or being transparent or translucent, and a material, etc. that is configured can be selected depending on the specifications and use of coffee maker 1, etc.

[0027] The second container 42 extracts coffee liquid by mixing hot water and coffee powder, immersing the coffee powder in the hot water, and filtering the mixture with a filter 44. That is, the second container 42 is configured as an extraction container that extracts coffee liquid from the coffee powder. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the second container 42 is disposed below (directly below) the first container 41 and the support portion 60. The second container 42 is a bottomed cylindrical member, and is configured by disposing a cylindrical portion and a substantially hemispherical bottom portion at its lower end. The cylindrical portion of the second container 42 is configured to be slightly inverted and flared in side view. The second container 42 is configured to protrude downward from the lower surface of the upper portion 9 of the main body 2 when the extraction unit 40 is attached to the main body 2. The second container 42 is configured of heat-resistant glass. The second container 42 is configured to be transparent or semi-transparent, and configured to allow the hot water or the extracted coffee liquid, etc. to be visible from the outside. The shape of the second container 42 is not limited to this configuration, and can be an appropriate shape depending on the specifications and uses of the coffee maker 1. The second container 42 is not limited to being made of heat-resistant glass or being transparent or translucent, and the material of which it is made is selected according to the specifications and use of the coffee maker 1, etc.

[0028] The positional relationship between the first container 41 and the second container 42 is not limited to the first container 41 being positioned directly above the second container 42, and may be, for example, configured so that the first container 41 is positioned to the side of the second container 42, and the first container 41 and the second container 42 only partially overlap each other when viewed in a plan view or from the side, or may be configured so that the first container 41 and the second container 42 do not overlap each other when viewed in a plan view or from the side.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the communication part 43 is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction. The communication part 43 has an upper end opening (one opening) disposed in the first container 41 and a lower end opening (the other opening) disposed in the second container 42, thereby communicating the first container 41 with the second container 42. The communication part 43 is configured as a flow path through which the coffee liquid flows. The coffee liquid (filtered coffee liquid) extracted in the second container 42 flows out of the second container 42 through the communication part 43 and flows into the first container 41. The communication part 43 is made of heat-resistant glass. The communication part 43 is configured to be transparent or semi-transparent so that the flowing coffee liquid can be seen from the outside. Note that the communication part 43 is not limited to being made of heat-resistant glass or being transparent or semi-transparent, and a material or the like to be configured is selected according to the specifications and use of the coffee maker 1. The shape of communication part 43 is not limited to this configuration, and can be any suitable shape depending on the specifications and use of coffee maker 1. Communication part 43 is not limited to being made of heat-resistant glass or being transparent or translucent, and a material for making communication part 43 is selected depending on the specifications and use of coffee maker 1.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the filter 44 filters and removes coffee powder mixed in the coffee liquid by passing the coffee liquid through it. The filter 44 is disposed on a filter stand 47 in the second container 42, and divides the space in the second container 42 into two, upper and lower. The filter 44 is disposed in the lower part of the second container 42, near the upper part of the opening of the lower part of the communication part 43. In the second container 42, the opening of the communication part 43 is not disposed in one (upper) space of the spaces divided by the filter 44, and the opening of the communication part 43 is disposed in the other (lower) space. The filter 44 is disposed in the second container 42 by the user, and a predetermined amount of coffee powder is disposed above the filter 44 by the user. When the coffee liquid is extracted, in one (upper) space of the spaces divided by the filter 44 in the second container 42, the coffee liquid is mixed with the coffee powder. When extracting coffee liquid, in the other (lower) space of the spaces divided by the filter 44 in the second container 42, the coffee liquid passes through the filter 44 and the coffee powder is filtered by the filter 44, resulting in the coffee powder being removed from the coffee liquid.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the support part 60 supports the first container 41, the second container 42, and the support part 60. The support part 60 is configured in a generally flat disk shape. The support part 60 is configured in a watertight manner by disposing a packing in a state where the upper surface of the support part 60 abuts against the lower end of the first container 41 (the opening of the first container 41). Water, coffee liquid, or the like is stored in a space formed by the upper surface of the support part 60 and the inside of the first container 41. The space formed by the upper surface of the support part 60 and the inside of the first container 41 is configured as an enclosed space. The support part 60 is configured in a watertight manner by disposing a packing in a state where the lower surface of the support part 60 abuts against the upper end of the second container 42 (the opening of the second container 42). The coffee liquid is extracted and filtered in the space formed by the lower surface of the support part 60 and the inside of the second container 42. A through hole penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the approximate center of the support part 60. The communication part 43 is held by the support part 60 in a state where it is inserted into the through hole. When the brewing unit 40 is attached to the main body 2, the support part 60 is disposed in the upper part 9 of the main body 2, and is connected to the circulation pipes (the first circulation pipe 101, the second circulation pipe 102, the sixth circulation pipe 106, the seventh circulation pipe 107, and the thirteenth circulation pipe 113) which are flow paths for water, hot water, steam, coffee liquid, or the like (see FIGS. 4 and 7).

[0032] [Details of the main body configuration] 4 to 6, the main body 2 includes a control unit 11, a power supply unit 12, a sub-tank 21, a first pump 22, a heater 23, a first valve unit 24, a second pump 25, a steam space 26, a drain 27, an atmosphere opening unit 28, a second valve unit 29, and a safety valve shaft 30, and the control unit 11 and the like are arranged inside the housing. The main body 2 also includes a plurality of circulation pipes 101 to 116 which are flow paths for water, hot water, steam, coffee liquid, or the like, and the plurality of circulation pipes 101 to 116 are arranged inside the housing.

[0033] 6, the control unit 11 controls various operations of the coffee maker 1 (the extraction switch 3, the discharge switch 4, the discharge outlet 5 (the valve of the discharge outlet 5), the taste setting unit 6, the power supply unit 12, the first pump 22, the heater 23, the first valve unit 24, the second pump 25, the second valve unit 29, and the safety valve shaft 30, etc.). The control unit 11 is electrically connected to the extraction switch 3, the discharge switch 4, the discharge outlet 5 (the valve of the discharge outlet 5), the power supply unit 12, the first pump 22, the heater 23, the first valve unit 24, the second pump 25, the second valve unit 29, and the safety valve shaft 30, etc.

[0034] 6, the power supply unit 12 supplies power to the control unit 11, which in turn supplies power to each part of the coffee maker 1 (such as the extraction switch 3, the discharge switch 4, the discharge port 5, the taste setting unit 6, the power supply unit 12, the first pump 22, the heater 23, the first valve unit 24, the second pump 25, the second valve unit 29, and the safety valve shaft 30) for performing various operations. The power supply unit 12 converts the power supplied from the outlet via an outlet cable (not shown) of the coffee maker 1 into a predetermined output power according to each part of the coffee maker 1. The coffee maker 1 is also configured to be able to store power.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5, or FIG. 7, the extraction unit 40 (second container 42) and the discharge port 5 are connected via a first flow pipe 101. When the user operates the discharge switch 4 to turn on the discharge, the valve of the discharge port 5 opens, and the coffee liquid stored in the extraction unit 40 (first container 41) flows out of the extraction unit 40, passes through the first flow pipe 101, and is discharged from the discharge port 5. When the user operates the discharge switch 4 to turn off the discharge, the valve of the discharge port 5 closes, and the discharge of the coffee liquid from the discharge port 5 is stopped. Note that the configuration may be such that when the user operates the discharge switch 4, the discharge switch is automatically turned off after a fixed amount of coffee liquid has been discharged from the discharge port 5.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the extraction unit 40 (first container 41) and the sub-tank 21 are connected via a second flow pipe 102, the sub-tank 21 and the first pump 22 are connected via a third flow pipe 103, the first pump 22 and the heater 23 are connected via a fourth flow pipe 104, the heater 23 and the first valve portion 24 are connected via a fifth flow pipe 105, and the first valve portion 24 and the extraction unit 40 (first container 41) are connected via a sixth flow pipe 106.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the sub-tank 21 is disposed on a water flow path when the water stored in the first container 41 flows out of the first container 41 and into the second container 42. Not all of the water stored in the first container 41 is used as hot water for soaking the coffee powder, but a part of the water stored in the first container 41 is temporarily stored in the sub-tank 21. The first pump 22 draws water from the first container 41 and supplies it to the second container 42. The first pump 22 performs the water drawing operation when the user operates the extraction switch 3 to start the operation of extracting coffee liquid. The heater 23 is a water boiling heater 23 (flow-through heater). The heater 23 can warm (heat) water to hot water by passing the water drawn by the first pump 22 and stored in the first container 41 through the heater 23, or can warm (heat) water to generate steam by passing the water drawn by the first pump 22 and temporarily stored in the sub-tank 21 through the heater 23. The first valve section 24 is a three-way valve, and when the user operates the extraction switch 3 to start the extraction operation of the coffee liquid, the flow path to the sixth flow pipe 106 or the flow path to the sixteenth flow pipe 116 is opened.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the extraction unit 40 (first container 41) and the second pump 25 are connected via a seventh flow pipe 107, the second pump 25 and the vapor space 26 are connected via an eighth flow pipe 108, the vapor space 26 and the drain 27 are connected via a ninth flow pipe 109, and the vapor space 26 and the atmosphere open section 28 are connected via a tenth flow pipe 110.

[0039] The second pump 25 sucks the gas in the first container 41 to reduce the pressure in the first container 41. After the coffee liquid is extracted in the second container 42, the first container 41 is depressurized, and the coffee liquid in the second container 42 is sucked through the communication part 43 and supplied to the first container 41. The second pump 25 automatically performs the suction operation after a predetermined time has elapsed (after the coffee liquid extraction is completed) since the user operates the extraction switch 3 to start the coffee liquid extraction operation. The steam space 26 is disposed on a flow path for steam, moisture, etc., when the steam and moisture in the first container 41 are discharged to the outside of the coffee maker 1. The drain 27 is a part where the water accumulated in the steam space 26 flows through the ninth flow pipe 109 and is accumulated as unnecessary moisture, and is disposed in the lower part 7 of the main body 2. The drain 27 is configured to be removable, and for example, when a certain amount of waste water is accumulated, the drain 27 is removed from the main body 2 by the user, and the accumulated waste water is treated. The atmosphere opening section 28 is a section that exhausts unnecessary steam, gas, etc. to the outside of the coffee maker 1 via the steam space 26, and opens to the upper end of the main body 2 (upper portion 9 of the main body 2).

[0040] 4 or 5, the seventh flow pipe 107 (the seventh flow pipe 107 and the first container 41) and the second valve portion 29 are connected via an eleventh flow pipe 111, and the second valve portion 29 and the steam space 26 are connected via a twelfth flow pipe 112. The second container 42 and the sub-tank 21 are connected via a thirteenth flow pipe 113. The fifth flow pipe 105 and the safety valve shaft 30 are connected via a fourteenth flow pipe 114, and the safety valve shaft 30 and the sub-tank 21 are connected via a fifteenth flow pipe 115.

[0041] When the second valve unit 29 is in the closed state, the inside of the first container 41 becomes a sealed space. When it is desired to lower the internal pressure of the first container 41 (when it is desired to open the first container 41 to the atmosphere), the second valve unit 29 is in the open state. When the pressure in the first container 41, the second container 42, and the circulation pipes 101 to 116 is abnormally high, the safety valve shaft 30 is automatically opened to lower the internal pressure in the first container 41, the second container 42, and the circulation pipes 101 to 116. The pressure in the first container 41, the second container 42, and the circulation pipes 101 to 116 is detected by a pressure sensor (not shown), and when the pressure sensor detects an abnormal value or the like, it communicates that fact to the control unit 11.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the first valve section 24 and the seventh flow pipe 107 are communicated with each other via the sixteenth flow pipe 116. One end of the seventh flow pipe 107 is communicated with the steam flow section 46, so that steam from the heater 23 can flow into the first container 41 via the fifth flow pipe 105, the first valve section 24, the sixteenth flow pipe 116, the seventh flow pipe 107, and the steam flow section 46. The first valve section 24 is configured to be able to switch the flow paths of hot water, steam, etc. between the sixth flow pipe 106 and the sixteenth flow pipe 116. When hot water from the heater 23 is caused to flow into the second container 42 (when pouring hot water into the second container 42), the first valve section 24 is set so that hot water flows through the sixth flow pipe 106. When steam from the heater 23 is caused to flow into the first container 41 when mixing the hot water and coffee powder, the first valve section 24 is set so that steam flows through the sixteenth flow pipe 116.

[0043] [Regarding the operation of extracting coffee liquid] Next, the operation of extracting coffee liquid by the coffee maker 1 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 10(A), when the user operates the extraction switch 3 to start the operation of extracting coffee liquid, the first pump 22 is operated, and the water stored in the first container 41 flows out of the extraction unit 40, passes through the second flow pipe 102, and flows into the sub-tank 21. Then, the water that flows into the sub-tank 21 flows out of the sub-tank 21, passes through the third flow pipe 103, and flows into the heater 23 through the first pump 22 and the fourth flow pipe 104. The water that flows into the heater 23 is heated by the heater 23 to become hot water. Furthermore, the hot water heated by the heater 23 flows out of the heater 23, passes through the fifth flow pipe 105, and flows into the second container 42 through the first valve unit 24 and the sixth flow pipe 106. When a predetermined amount of water flows into the second container 42, the operation of the first pump 22 stops. In this manner, the water in the first container 41 is drained, the water is turned into hot water, and the hot water is caused to flow into the second container 42 (pouring hot water into the second container 42). During the operation of pouring hot water into the second container 42, the second valve portion 29 is in an open state.

[0044] Then, as shown in Fig. 10(B), hot water and ground coffee are mixed in second container 42 (in the upper space in second container 42) for a predetermined time, so that the ground coffee is immersed in the hot water (immersed state). At this time, first container 41 is empty with no water stored therein. The predetermined time for which the ground coffee is immersed in the hot water is set in advance. Even at this time, second valve portion 29 is kept open.

[0045] Furthermore, when the hot water and the coffee powder are mixed and the coffee powder is immersed in the hot water, steam is introduced into the second container 42 to agitate the hot water and the coffee powder with the steam. At this time, the first pump 22 is operated, and the water temporarily stored in the sub-tank 21 flows out of the sub-tank 21 and into the heater 23, where it is heated by the heater 23 and becomes steam. The steam heated by the heater 23 flows out of the heater 23 and into the first container 41, and then flows into the second container 42 through the communication part 43. In this way, steam is introduced into the second container 42 to agitate the hot water and the coffee powder with the steam. When the hot water and the coffee powder have been agitated by the steam for a predetermined time, the operation of the first pump 22 is stopped. The timing at which steam is introduced into the second container 42 (the timing at which the first pump 22 is operated) and the amount of steam are predetermined by a program or the like. In addition, the configuration may not require the operation of "introducing steam into second container 42 to agitate the hot water and coffee powder when the hot water and coffee powder are mixed and immersed in the hot water," or the configuration may allow steam heated by heater 23 to flow from heater 23 into second container 42 without passing through first container 41 and communicating portion 43.

[0046] After the coffee powder is soaked in the hot water for a predetermined time, as shown in FIG. 10(C), the coffee liquid is passed through the filter 44 to filter the coffee powder from the coffee liquid, while the coffee liquid extracted in the second container 42 flows out of the second container 42 through the communication part 43 and into the first container 41. At this time, a pressure difference is generated between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42, and the coffee liquid is moved from the second container 42 to the first container 41 through the communication part 43 while being filtered by the filter 44. When the extracted coffee liquid is moved from the second container 42 to the first container 41, the second valve part 29 is closed, and the inside of the first container 41 is sealed. In this manner, the coffee maker 1 performs the operation of extracting coffee liquid.

[0047] As described above, the first container 41 (server container) stores water before storing the coffee liquid, and serves as both a water tank and a server container, so the number of parts can be reduced compared to a device that does not serve as both a water tank and a server container (a device in which the extraction container, server container, and water tank are each separately configured). This allows for a compact design and improved ease of maintenance.

[0048] As described above, the first container 41 serves as both a water tank and a server container, and the water stored in the first container 41 flows into the second container 42 as hot water via the second flow pipe 102, the sub-tank 21, the third flow pipe 103, the first pump 22, the fourth flow pipe 104, the heater 23, the fifth outlet pipe 105, the first valve unit 24, and the sixth flow pipe 106. Then, the coffee liquid extracted in the second container 42 is moved from the second container 42 to the first container 41 through the communication unit 43 while being filtered by the filter 44 by generating a pressure difference between the first container 41 and the second container 42. Furthermore, the first container 41, the second container 42, and the communication unit 43 are configured so that the water, coffee liquid, etc. inside them can be seen from the outside. This improves the performance of the operation of extracting the coffee liquid.

[0049] 1 to 3, the second container 42 is disposed below the first container 41. The bottom end of the second container 42 is located lower than the bottom end of the first container 41. Therefore, according to the coffee maker 1, the performance of the operation of extracting coffee liquid can be improved.

[0050] As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the communication part 43 has a plurality of (three) abutment parts 48. The abutment part 48 abuts against the inner surface (inner surface of the bottom part) at the lowest position of the lower part of the second container 42 in the second container 42. The three abutment parts 48 are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction at the opening (the other opening) at the lower end of the communication part 43. The abutment part 48 protrudes downward (toward the lower part of the second container 42) from the opening at the lower end of the communication part 43, and its protruding end part (lower end part) abuts against the lower part of the second container 42. The abutment part 48 protrudes from the opening at the lower end of the communication part 43 by about several mm (for example, about 2 mm). When the abutment part 48 abuts against the second container 42, a slight gap is formed between the opening at the lower end of the communication part 43 and the inner surface at the lower part of the second container 42. The coffee liquid (filtered coffee liquid) extracted in the second container 42 passes through the gap and flows into the communicating part 43 through the opening at the lower end of the communicating part 43, and then moves to the first container 41 via the communicating part 43.

[0051] Since the contact portion 48 is provided as described above, when the amount of coffee liquid in the second container 42 becomes small when the coffee liquid moves to the first container 41 through the communication portion 43, the coffee liquid flows into the communication portion 43 through a gap between the opening at the lower end of the communication portion 43 and the inner surface of the lower portion of the second container 42, so as to flow along the contact portion 48. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which a small amount of coffee liquid remains in the second container 42 without being moved to the first container 41 through the communication portion 43. The number of the contact portions 48 is not limited to a plurality, and may be a single one. The number of the contact portions 48 may be two or less, or four or more. The protruding length of the contact portions 48 is not limited to this, and may be set appropriately according to the specifications and applications of the coffee maker 1.

[0052] 8 and 9, the filter base 47 is formed in a generally disk shape. The filter base 47 is disposed in the second container 42 with its radially outer end abutting the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the second container 42. The filter base 47 has the filter 44 disposed thereon and has a plurality of openings 47a through which the coffee liquid filtered by the filter 44 can flow downward. The filter base 47 has an insertion hole 47b in its center, and is held in a state in which the communication portion 43 is inserted into the insertion hole 47b.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the communication part 43 includes a first communication part 43a, a second communication part 43b, and a cap 43c. The first communication part 43a is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction. The first communication part 43a is disposed in the first container 41 with its lower end inserted into the through hole of the support part 60 and supported by the support part 60. A screw groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lower end of the first communication part 43a. The second communication part 43b is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction. The second communication part 43b is disposed in the second container 42 with its upper end inserted into the through hole of the support part 60 and supported by the support part 60. The first communication part 43a and the second communication part 43b are connected to each other by screwing the lower end of the first communication part 43a and the upper end of the second communication part 43b together.

[0054] In this manner, the second communication portion 43b (communication portion 43) can be removed from the second container 42 by releasing the state in which it is screwed into the first communication portion 43a and pulling it out from the support portion 60, thereby removing it from the first communication portion 43a and the support portion 60. That is, the second communication portion 43b (communication portion 43) is configured to be detachable from the support portion 60. Therefore, when performing maintenance such as cleaning, the communication portion 43 can be removed from the second container 42, improving ease of maintenance.

[0055] A flange 49 is provided on the lower part of the second communication part 43b (below the vertical middle part). The flange 49 abuts when the communication part 43 is inserted into the insertion hole 47b of the filter base 47, and is configured to position the filter base 47 relative to the communication part 43. A screw thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end part of the second communication part 43b. The cap 43c is a cylindrical member, and a screw groove is formed on its inner peripheral surface. The cap 43c is attached by screwing it onto the lower end part of the second communication part 43b. The communication part 43 is inserted into the insertion hole 47b of the filter base 47, and the communication part 43 and the filter base 47 are integrally configured by attaching the cap 43c to the second communication part 43b.

[0056] In this way, since the second communication part 43b (communication part 43) and the filter stand 47 are integrally configured, when the second communication part 43b (communication part 43) is removed from the second container 42 during maintenance such as cleaning, the filter stand 47 can be removed from the second container 42 together with the communication part 43, improving ease of maintenance. Also, the filter stand 47 can be removed from the communication part 43 by releasing the cap 43c from the state where it is screwed into the second communication part 43b. That is, the filter stand 47 is configured to be detachable from the communication part 43. Therefore, the filter stand 47 can be removed from the communication part 43 during maintenance such as cleaning, improving ease of maintenance.

[0057] As a configuration in which "a pressure difference is generated between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42, and the coffee liquid is moved from the second container 42 to the first container 41 through the communication part 43 while being filtered by the filter 44", for example, the inside of the first container 41 may be suctioned (gas in the first container 41 is sucked in) to reduce the pressure inside the first container 41, and the coffee liquid extracted in the second container 42 flows out of the second container 42 through the communication part 43 and into the first container 41. At this time, the second pump 25 is operated to suction the inside of the first container 41 through the seventh flow pipe 107 into the first container 41. In this way, the inside of the first container 41 is reduced in pressure by the suction of the second pump 25, and the coffee liquid in the second container 42 is extracted, and the coffee liquid is moved from the second container 42 to the first container 41. That is, the negative pressure in the second container 42 is used for the extraction and movement of the coffee liquid.

[0058] As described above, not all of the water stored in the first container 41 is used as hot water for soaking the coffee powder, and the sub-tank 21 temporarily stores a portion of the water stored in the first container 41. For this reason, in the configuration in which "a pressure difference is generated between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42, and the coffee liquid is moved from the second container 42 to the first container 41 through the communication part 43 while being filtered by the filter 44", for example, in the case where steam is flowed into the second container 42 to pressurize the inside of the second container 42, and the coffee liquid extracted in the second container 42 is moved from the second container 42 to the first container 41 through the communication part 43, the water to be used as the steam to be flowed into the second container 42 can be temporarily stored in the sub-tank 21. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which water (hot water, steam, etc.) other than the water (hot water) for soaking the coffee powder cannot be secured, and the coffee liquid cannot be appropriately extracted.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 11, the subtank 21 can be arranged so as to overlap the first container 41 in a side view. In this case, the water level of the water stored in the subtank 21 can be recognized from the outside. Furthermore, when water is stored in the first container 41, or when the first container 41 (the extraction unit 40) in which water is stored is attached to the main body 2, the water stored in the first container 41 flows into the subtank 21 through the second flow pipe 102. Therefore, it can be recognized from the outside that the water level of the water stored in the first container 41 and the water level of the water stored in the subtank 21 are the same. Therefore, the amount of water stored in the first container 41 and the subtank 21 can be easily adjusted, and the amount of water corresponding to the number of cups of coffee liquid to be extracted can be stored in the first container 41 and the subtank 21.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 12, the main body 2 may also include a seventeenth communicating pipe 117. The seventeenth communicating pipe 117 is connected to the first communicating pipe 101 and the eighth communicating pipe 108 or the twelfth communicating pipe 112. Through the seventeenth communicating pipe 117, the coffee liquid discharge path (first communicating pipe 101) from the first container 41 to the discharge port 5 is connected to a path for introducing outside air (the eighth communicating pipe 108 communicated with the second pump 25, or the twelfth communicating pipe 112 communicated with the eighth communicating pipe 108). Therefore, after the discharge of the coffee liquid from the discharge port 5 is completed, the second pump 25 is operated (for example, for about one second) to allow the outside air to flow through the first communicating pipe 101, so that the coffee liquid remaining in the coffee liquid discharge path (first communicating pipe 101) can be discharged from the discharge port 5. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the coffee liquid remaining in the discharge path (first flow pipe 101) of the coffee liquid from dripping (dripping) from the discharge port 5 after the discharge of the coffee liquid has been completed.

[0061] The control unit 11 is configured to automatically operate the second pump 25 after the coffee liquid discharge operation from the discharge port 5 is completed, thereby discharging the coffee liquid remaining in the discharge path of the coffee liquid (first flow pipe 101) from the discharge port 5. At this time, when the user operates the discharge switch 4 to turn the discharge OFF (when the valve of the discharge port 5 is closed), the control unit 11 is configured to detect the discharge OFF of the discharge switch 4 and automatically operate the second pump 25. In addition, in the case of a configuration in which the discharge switch 4 is operated by the user to automatically turn the discharge OFF after a fixed amount of coffee liquid is discharged from the discharge port 5, the control unit 11 is configured to detect the discharge OFF of the discharge switch 4 after the automatic discharge OFF, and automatically operate the second pump 25. In addition, the second pump 25 can also be operated by the user operating a predetermined operating tool (for example, an operating switch or a remote control provided on the main body 2), i.e., by the user's initiative, to discharge the coffee liquid remaining in the discharge path of the coffee liquid (first flow pipe 101) from the discharge port 5.

[0062] Here, a control board (not shown) is disposed below the extraction switch 3 or the taste setting unit 6, and the control board is disposed above the first flow pipe 101 (near the first flow pipe 101). Since the first flow pipe 101 and a path for introducing outside air (the eighth flow pipe 108 communicated with the second pump 25, or the twelfth flow pipe 112 communicated with the eighth flow pipe 108) are connected via the seventeenth flow pipe 117, for example, when opening to the atmosphere, the second valve unit 29 is opened to allow the atmosphere to flow into the first flow pipe 101 and to flow out from the discharge port 5, whereby the control board disposed near the first flow pipe 101 can be cooled by the atmosphere flowing through the first flow pipe 101. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Coffee maker 2 Main unit 41 First container (water container and server container) 42 Second container (extraction container) 43 Communication part 44 Filters

Claims

1. An extraction container for extracting coffee liquid from hot water and coffee powder; A server container for storing the coffee liquid; A communication part that communicates between the inside of the extraction container and the inside of the server container; A filter is provided in the extraction vessel and filters out the coffee grounds by passing the coffee liquid through the filter. The coffee liquid is moved from the extraction container to the server container through the communication part while being filtered by the filter, The server container stores water that is the basis of the hot water for extracting the coffee liquid, The coffee maker is provided with a sub-tank for temporarily storing a portion of the water stored in the server container.

2. 2. The coffee maker of claim 1, wherein the brewing vessel is disposed below the serving vessel.

3. The communication portion includes a contact portion, 3. The coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion protrudes from an opening at a lower end of the communication portion toward a lower side of the extraction container and contacts an inner surface of a lower portion of the extraction container within the extraction container.

4. 4. The coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein after the coffee liquid has been discharged, outside air is circulated through the coffee liquid discharge path from the server container to the discharge outlet to discharge the coffee liquid remaining in the coffee liquid discharge path.

5. 5. The coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein a pressure difference is generated between the inside of the extraction container and the inside of the server container, and the coffee liquid is moved from the extraction container to the server container through the communication part while being filtered by the filter.

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