Method for producing coffee and device for carrying out said method

Abstract

In the coffee production method, coffee beans are ground very finely, with or without the addition of water, to form a mixture of coffee powder and water, from which coffee is extracted and preferably conveyed to an outlet. The coffee beans and the water in the grinding chamber can be supplied to at least one mill, where the coffee beans are ground together with the supplied water to form a mixture. To form the mixture, cold or hot water is supplied to the mill during and / or after the grinding process in the grinding chamber. The coffee thus produced has a particularly full-bodied taste.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing coffee, and to an associated device, according to the preambles of claims 1 and 12, respectively. [Background technology]

[0002] Using the known method according to the printed publication US-A-6192785, cold coffee with or without milk can be dispensed from a coffee machine, in which the cold coffee is pre-prepared and filled into a container and then sucked up in a controlled manner by a pump and, via a connecting element and a corresponding closing valve, is either heated by a flow heater or conveyed in a cold state directly via a line to an outlet nozzle. This coffee filled into the container is preferably produced in the conventional manner by brewing with hot water, then filled into the container and cooled. It is therefore possible to dispense cold or hot coffee as required, but not as freshly brewed coffee. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The invention is based in particular on the object of providing a method and a device, respectively, with which cold coffee can be produced in a relatively short time, the prepared coffee having a particularly full-bodied taste, whereby the aromatic substances contained in the coffee beans are better extracted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] This object is solved according to the present invention according to the features of claims 1 and 12, respectively.

[0005] In this method according to the invention, coffee beans are ground very finely with or without the addition of water, a mixture of coffee powder and water is formed, coffee is extracted from this mixture and preferably conveyed to an outlet, the coffee thereby produced having a pleasant new type of full-bodied aroma.

[0006] In one embodiment variant according to the invention, the coffee beans and water are conveyed to the grinding chamber of at least one mill, and the coffee beans are ground together with the charge of water, so that the mixing of the coffee and the water has already taken place during the grinding stage, which improves the extraction of the coffee filtered therefrom.

[0007] Very advantageously, cold water at room temperature is used for mixing and extracting the coffee. As the water is heated during grinding, it may be advantageous to further cool it before and / or after mixing. However, hot water may also be used.

[0008] The mixing ratio of coffee beans to water, the grinding time, and / or the degree of grinding of the coffee powder are predetermined so that the coffee extracted therefrom exhibits a desired taste.

[0009] According to the invention, the method is used in a coffee machine capable of producing and dispensing hot coffee by brewing. With this additional option, coffee of the desired aroma can be produced and dispensed at the touch of a button, while freshly brewed coffee is produced in the conventional way.

[0010] The invention and further advantages thereof are explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a unit of the device according to the invention when filling a chamber in a cylinder with a mixture. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the unit when pushing a piston in a cylinder. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the unit in a compressed state of the mixture. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the unit with the cylinder and one piston pulled away from the other piston. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] A method for producing coffee is provided, in which coffee beans are ground and coffee is produced from coffee powder and water and conveyed to an outlet. The coffee beans used are advantageously roasted or at least lightly roasted beans and may originate from different regions where such beans are grown, depending on the particular taste.

[0013] According to the invention, coffee beans are ground very finely, with or without the addition of water, and a mixture of coffee powder and water is formed, from which the extracted coffee is in particular filtered and preferably conveyed to an outlet.

[0014] In one exemplary embodiment, coffee beans and water are conveyed to a grinding chamber of the mill, the coffee beans are ground together with a charge of water to form a mixture, and coffee extracted from the mixture is preferably conveyed to an outlet.

[0015] It is possible to convey cold water at approximately room temperature, grind it and enter the grinding chamber of the mill. This cold water, which is heated during grinding, is advantageously further cooled before and / or after mixing into the grinding chamber, so that the extracted coffee presents approximately room temperature or a selectable temperature at the outlet. This can be achieved by corresponding cooling means and, if necessary, by a temperature control mechanism. Drinking water can be used as water, provided that it is pure and chlorine-free. However, it is also possible to use the water mixture together with aroma additives or other additives.

[0016] The coffee beans and water that may be charged into the grinding chamber are preferably precisely metered to obtain a predetermined mixture ratio selected to obtain an optimal taste in the extracted coffee. Similarly, the grinding time is determined, which determines the degree of grinding of the coffee powder. The finer the ground coffee particle size, the better the penetration of the water into the mixture and therefore the greater the absorption of aromas. These particle sizes of the coffee powder are preferably on average less than 200 μm, and advantageously even less than 150 μm.

[0017] Purposefully, in each case both at the coffee bean container outlet and at the water supply line, metering means are provided which can each be activated by a control device not shown in detail, making it possible to precisely meter the amounts introduced from both sources, on the one hand, and also to vary them, on the other hand.

[0018] Depending on the requirements, water may be introduced into the grinding chamber of the mill simultaneously with or after a particular grinding timing of the coffee beans, depending on factors to be taken into consideration, for example the degree of hardness of the coffee beans.

[0019] It may be advantageous to leave the viscous mixture formed from the coffee powder and water, for example in a separate container, for a period of time before extracting coffee from the mixture, thereby improving the transfer of aromas from the powder to the water. Furthermore, in this situation, cooling of the formed coffee can be performed by a temperature control mechanism, if necessary.

[0020] A device for carrying out the method according to the invention as described above consists of at least one container containing coffee beans, at least one mill with a grinding chamber for grinding the coffee beans, a unit 10 for producing coffee and an outlet for the beverage into a container. The device is assigned a program control unit with a display, e.g. with a touch screen, by means of which the method is carried out. Of course, the device may also include further elements.

[0021] Figures 1 to 4 show in principle a unit 10 for extracting coffee from a mixture 11 formed from coffee powder and water. The unit 10 comprises, in the housing frame 14 shown, a cylinder 15 with at least one filling opening 12 which can be moved back and forth, and two pistons 16, 17 which form a sealed chamber 13 in this cylinder and can be moved relative to each other. One piston 16 is equipped with a sieve screen 16' and is connected to an outlet line 18. In this situation, the piston 16 is fixed in the housing frame 14 and cannot be moved. The opposing piston 17 is mounted so that it can be moved in the cylinder 15 by a drive device, not shown, as will be explained further below.

[0022] The supply of coffee beans and water to the likewise not shown mill, which has a grinding chamber with at least one opening, is carried out by means of conveying means, for example a conveying worm and a water pump. On the outlet side, the mill comprises a connecting line which leads to the outlet opening 12 of the cylinder 15. However, a container of coffee beans can also be placed above the mill in a known manner, so that the coffee beans are always placed above the mill and delivered without conveying means.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows the pistons 16, 17, respectively, positioned at the ends of the cylinder 15, creating a sealing effect so that the filling opening 12 is in an open position, and the water and coffee powder mixture 11 from the mill partially fills this chamber 13.

[0024] As can be seen in FIG. 2, as soon as the chamber 13 is close to being filled, preferably with the mixture 11, one piston 17 is pressed against the other fixed piston 16, in the cylinder 15, at its rear side 15', and in this situation the filling opening 12 of the cylinder is closed by the latter piston, and by the pressure of the piston 17 on the mixture 11, the coffee liquid, in the extracted state, is squeezed through the filtering screen sieve 16' and conveyed to the outlet through the outlet line 18 to be filled into cups or the like.

[0025] The pressing of one piston 17 against the other piston 16 in the cylinder 15 can be achieved, in addition to the mechanical compression movement of the two pistons, by creating a negative pressure in the chamber 13, which is not shown in further detail. At least one switchable line connection must be provided between a device for creating a negative pressure (vacuum) and the chamber 13, via one or both pistons 16, 17 and / or via the cylinder 15.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, it is also possible to provide the piston 17 with a passage opening 19 for water, for flushing or to introduce water as required, for example if the mixture is too viscous or if the flow through the screen sieve 16' becomes blocked.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows the end position of the cylinder 15, which, along with the piston 17, causes almost all the coffee to be extracted, leaving only the compressed cake of coffee puck 11' in the chamber 13.

[0028] According to figure 4, after extraction is completed, the cylinder 15 and the piston 17 remaining therein are retracted with its piston rod 17' against the stop wall 14' of the housing frame 14. The length of the cylinder 15 and the piston 17 are dimensioned such that when they come into contact, the coffee puck 11' is pushed out of the cylinder 15 by the piston 17 and falls downwards into a collecting container.

[0029] As an advantageous variant, it is possible not only to provide the piston 16 with a screen sieve 16' and to connect it to the outlet line 18, but also to assign a screen sieve and an outlet line to the opposing piston 17. Likewise, one or both pistons can be provided with passage openings 19 for supplying water as required, which would be arranged parallel to the respective outlet lines, and corresponding valves are provided for these lines in order to perform the mentioned functions.

[0030] Very advantageously, in particular for the production of cold coffee, the device is integrated into a coffee machine, for the main purpose of which hot coffee as well as milk or foamed milk can be produced and dispensed. The device can in principle be integrated to use existing containers with coffee beans and a water connection. The unit 10 for extracting cold coffee and the outlet at the front of the coffee machine are installed separately.

[0031] The present invention has been adequately explained with the exemplary embodiments described so far. However, the present invention can also be explained with further variants. Instead of storing the extracted coffee directly at the connection, it can also be stored in a container for a certain period of time and only then be conveyed to the outlet. This has the advantage that the aroma of the extracted coffee is more pronounced and stronger.

[0032] Instead of filling the unit 10, a mixture of coffee powder and water with a thick consistency can also be filled into at least one coffee filter, the coffee being filtered from the filter by running off. In this situation, cold or hot water can also be used. In the mixing stage, a water mixture is also possible, for example with means to promote extraction or full-bodied taste.

[0033] For spatial reasons, the unit 10 with the horizontally moving cylinder 15 and piston 17 can also be arranged vertically or with an angle between them.

[0034] It is also possible to use a coffee machine provided in a known manner with a removable piston, into which coffee powder can be filled or a pad placed, which can likewise additionally be provided with a device according to the invention.

Claims

1. A method for producing coffee, comprising the steps of: grinding coffee beans; producing the coffee from coffee powder and water; and conveying the coffee to an outlet; said coffee beans are ground very finely with or without the addition of water, a mixture of said coffee powder and water is formed, said coffee is extracted from said mixture and preferably conveyed to said outlet, 1. A method for producing coffee, characterized in that the extraction of the coffee from the mixture (11) is performed by a unit (10) comprising a movable cylinder (15) having at least one filling opening (12) and two pistons (16, 17) movable in the movable cylinder (15) and relative to each other, the two pistons (16, 17) forming a closable chamber (13) in the movable cylinder (15), at least one of which is formed from a screen sieve (16') and connected to an outlet line (18) so that the mixture (11) fills the chamber (13) and at least one piston (17) is pressed against the other piston in the movable cylinder (15), so that the coffee is extracted from the mixture (11) and conveyed through the screen sieve (16') to the outlet line (18).

2. The coffee beans and the water are fed into a grinding chamber of at least one mill, the coffee beans are ground together with the water introduced therein, and the mixture is formed therefrom. A method for producing coffee according to claim 1.

3. Cold or heated water is introduced into the grinding chamber of the mill during and / or after the grinding to form the mixture.

3. A method for producing coffee according to claim 2.

4. The mixing ratio of the coffee beans to the water, the grinding time, and / or the degree of grinding of the coffee powder are determined so that the coffee extracted therefrom has a desired taste. A method for producing coffee according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The water is introduced into the grinding chamber of the mill simultaneously with or after a specific grinding timing of the coffee beans. A method for producing coffee according to any one of claims 2, 3 and claim 4 which directly or indirectly derives from claim 2.

6. The mixture of the coffee powder and the water in a thick consistency is allowed to stand for a period of time and the extracted coffee is filtered off. A method for producing coffee according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The mixture of the coffee powder and the water having a thick consistency is filled into at least one coffee filter, and the extracted coffee is filtered by flowing through the filter. A method for producing coffee according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The piston (17), opposite the piston (16) containing the screen (16'), contains a passage opening (19) for water to be conveyed to the chamber (13) or to carry out flushing, if necessary. A method for producing coffee according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The cylinder (15) and the piston (17) remaining therein may be retracted after the extraction is completed to allow a coffee puck (11') from the mixture (11) to be pushed out of the cylinder (15) by the piston (17). A method for producing coffee according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The average particle size of said ground coffee powder is preferably less than 200 μm, advantageously even less than 150 μm. A method for producing coffee according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The pressing of one piston against the other in the cylinder (15) is preferably achieved by creating a negative pressure in the chamber (13) in addition to the mechanical compression of the two pistons. A method for producing coffee according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The water is cooled prior to mixing into the grinding chamber and / or after the grinding mixture so that at the outlet, the brewed coffee exhibits approximately room temperature or a selectable temperature. A method for producing coffee according to claims 2, 3, 5 and any one of claims 4, 6 to 10 which directly or indirectly depend on claim 2.

13. A device for implementing the method for producing coffee according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising at least one container containing coffee beans, at least one mill with a grinding chamber for grinding said coffee beans, a unit (10) for extracting said coffee, and an outlet, The unit (10) comprises a movable cylinder (15) with at least one filling opening (12) and two pistons (16, 17) movable in the movable cylinder (15), forming a chamber (13) and movable relative to each other, at least one of which is formed from a screen sieve (16') and is connected to an outlet line (18), the grinding chamber of the at least one mill comprising in each case openings for conveying the coffee beans and water and a connecting line leading to the filling opening (12) of the cylinder. A device comprising:

14. Assigned to both pistons (16, 17) in each case is a screen (16'), an outlet line (18) and assigned to at least one piston is a passage opening (19) for supplying water.

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that

15. A programmable control device is provided with a display, such as a touch screen, by which the production of the extractable coffee can be programmed and operated.

15. A device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that

16. In a coffee machine capable of preparing and dispensing hot coffee by brewing, coffee beans are ground very finely with or without the addition of water, a mixture of coffee powder and water is formed, and said coffee is extracted from said mixture and preferably conveyed to an outlet of said coffee machine. Use of a method for producing coffee according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

17. Coffee beans and water are introduced into at least one separate mill with a grinding chamber of the coffee machine, the coffee beans are ground together with the introduced water, and the coffee in the mixture thus formed is extracted and preferably conveyed to the outlet of the coffee machine.

17. The use according to claim 16.

18. The mixture of coffee powder and water of a thick consistency is conveyed to at least one replaceable coffee filter in the coffee machine and preferably from said filter to said outlet.

18. Use according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that

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