Coffee bean grinder

Abstract

To provide a coffee grinder capable of improving taste of coffee drink by performing grinding processing that considers extraction efficiency with respect to the coffee grinder grinding coffee beans.SOLUTION: A coffee grinder includes a grinder grinding coffee beans and a container PFb housing ground beans ground by the grinder. It can perform one set of grinding operation according to start operation by a user, one set of grinding operation being grinding operation that grinds coffee beans in different grain sizes so that grounded beans of first grain size (fine grain size) are housed in a first area (an area relatively close to a filter) of the container PFb and ground beans in second grain size (a rough grain size) are housed in a second area (an area relatively away from the filter) of the container PFb.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 46

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coffee bean grinder for grinding coffee beans.

Background Art

[0002] Coffee bean grinders for grinding coffee beans have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). The coffee bean grinder proposed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a coffee bean grinding device (grinder) and a coffee beverage extraction device. Also, coffee bean grinders equipped with only a grinder are known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In conventional coffee bean grinders, grinding processing considering extraction efficiency has not been performed, and there is room for improvement in the taste of coffee beverages.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a coffee bean grinder capable of improving the taste of coffee beverages by performing grinding processing considering extraction efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The coffee bean grinder of the present invention for solving the above object is A grinder for grinding coffee beans, a start operation unit operable by a user, and a coffee bean grinder comprising: responsive to a start operation by the user on the start operation unit, capable of performing one set of grinding operations; the one set of grinding operations refers to an operation of grinding coffee beans into different particle sizes such that after the ground beans ground by the grinder are accommodated in a container, the ground beans of a first particle size are accommodated, and then the ground beans of a second particle size are accommodated on top of the ground beans of the first particle size; responsive to the start operation by the user, capable of performing the one set of grinding operations multiple times, characterized in that. Also, the container may have a filter at the bottom. Alternatively, A grinder for grinding coffee beans, A container for storing the ground coffee beans drawn by the grinder, A coffee bean grinder comprising: It is capable of performing one set of grinding operations in response to a start operation by the user, The one set of grinding operations refers to an operation of grinding coffee beans into different particle sizes such that the ground coffee beans with a first particle size are stored in a first region of the container and the ground coffee beans with a second particle size are stored in a second region of the container. Characterized in that it may be a coffee bean grinder.

[0007] Note that the amount of coffee beans ground in the one set of grinding operations may be the amount required to extract one cup of coffee beverage or the amount required for one extraction. Also, the first particle size may be coarser than the second particle size.

[0008] Also, in the above coffee bean grinder, The first particle size is finer than the second particle size. It may also be characterized in that.

[0009] Also, in the above coffee bean grinder, The container has a filter, The first region is a region closer to the filter in the container than the second region. It may also be characterized in that.

[0010] Note that the first region may be a region below the second region in the container.

[0011] Also, in the above coffee bean grinder, Equipped with a storage device capable of storing the one set of grinding operations as a recipe, It may be characterized by.

[0012] Further, in the above coffee bean grinder, It is possible to execute the grinding operation of the set a plurality of times in response to a start operation by the user. It may be characterized by.

Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coffee bean grinder capable of improving the taste of coffee beverages by performing a grinding process considering extraction efficiency.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] <1. Outline of Beverage Manufacturing Apparatus> FIG. 1 is an external view of a beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. The beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus for automatically manufacturing a coffee beverage from roasted coffee beans and a liquid (here, water), and can manufacture a cup of coffee beverage per one manufacturing operation. The roasted coffee beans as raw materials can be accommodated in a canister 40. A cup placement part 110 is provided at the lower part of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1, and the manufactured coffee beverage is poured from a pouring part 10c into a cup.

[0017] The beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a housing 100 that forms its exterior and encloses the internal mechanism. The housing 100 is roughly divided into a main body portion 101 and a cover portion 102 that covers a part of the front and a part of the side of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. An information display device 12 is provided on the cover portion 102. The information display device 12 shown in FIG. 1 is a touch panel type display, and in addition to displaying various information, it can receive inputs from the device administrator and beverage consumers. The information display device 12 is attached to the cover portion 102 via a moving mechanism 12a and can be moved vertically within a certain range by the moving mechanism 12a.

[0018] The cover portion 102 is also provided with a bean inlet 103 and an opening / closing door 103a for opening and closing the bean inlet 103. By opening the opening / closing door 103a, it is possible to put roasted coffee beans different from those stored in the canister 40 into the bean inlet 103. This makes it possible to provide a special cup of beverage to the beverage consumers.

[0019] The cover portion 102 shown in FIG. 1 is formed of a light-transmissive material such as acrylic or glass, and constitutes a transparent cover whose entire part is a transmissive portion. For this reason, the mechanism inside covered by the cover portion 102 is visible from the outside. In the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, a part of the manufacturing portion for manufacturing coffee beverages is visible through the cover portion 102. The main body portion 101 shown in FIG. 1 has its entire part as a non-transmissive portion, and it is difficult to visually recognize its inside from the outside.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1, and shows a part of the manufacturing portion that is visible to the user when viewed from the front of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. The cover portion 102 and the information display device 12 are shown by imaginary lines.

[0021] The housing 100 in the front portion of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 has a double structure of the main body portion 101 and the cover portion 102 on its outer side (front side). A part of the mechanism of the manufacturing portion is arranged between the main body portion 101 and the cover portion 102 in the front-rear direction, and is visible to the user through the cover portion 102.

[0022] Some mechanisms of the manufacturing section that can be visually recognized by the user through the cover section 102 include the collective conveyor section 42, the first grinder 5A, the second grinder 5B, the separation device 6, the extraction container 9, etc. On the front section of the main body section 101, a rectangular concave section 101a that is recessed toward the back side is formed, and the extraction container 9 etc. are located on the back side within this concave section 101a.

[0023] Since these mechanisms can be visually recognized from the outside through the cover section 102, it may be easier for the administrator to perform inspections and operation confirmations. Also, for beverage consumers, they may be able to enjoy the manufacturing process of coffee beverages.

[0024] Note that the cover section 102 is supported on the main body section 101 via a hinge 102a at its right end so as to be openable and closable in a side-opening manner. At the left end of the cover section 102, an engaging section 102b for maintaining the main body section 101 and the cover section 102 in a closed state is provided. The engaging section 102b is, for example, a combination of a magnet and iron. The administrator can perform inspections etc. of a part of the above-described manufacturing section inside by opening the cover section 102.

[0025] Note that the cover section 102 shown in FIG. 1 is of the side-opening type, but it may be of the vertical-opening type (up-and-down opening type) or the slide type. Also, the cover section 102 may have a configuration where it cannot be opened or closed.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the functions of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. The beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a bean processing apparatus 2 and an extraction apparatus 3 as a coffee beverage manufacturing section.

[0027] The coffee bean processing device 2 produces ground coffee beans from roasted coffee beans. The extraction device 3 extracts coffee liquid from the ground coffee beans supplied from the coffee bean processing device 2. The extraction device 3 includes a fluid supply unit 7, a drive unit 8 (see FIG. 5) described later, an extraction container 9, and a switching unit 10. The ground coffee beans supplied from the coffee bean processing device 2 are put into the extraction container 9. The fluid supply unit 7 puts hot water into the extraction container 9. Coffee liquid is extracted from the ground coffee beans in the extraction container 9. The hot water containing the extracted coffee liquid is sent to the cup C as coffee beverage through the switching unit 10.

[0028] <2. Fluid Supply Unit and Switching Unit> The configurations of the fluid supply unit 7 and the switching unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. First, the fluid supply unit 7 will be described. The fluid supply unit 7 supplies hot water to the extraction container 9 and controls the air pressure in the extraction container 9 and the like. In this specification, when the air pressure is exemplified by a number, it means absolute pressure unless otherwise specified, and the gauge pressure is the air pressure with the atmospheric pressure being 0 atm. The atmospheric pressure refers to the air pressure around the extraction container 9 or the air pressure of the beverage manufacturing device 1. For example, when the beverage manufacturing device 1 is installed at a location of 0 m above sea level, it is the reference air pressure (1013.25 hPa) at 0 m above sea level of the International Standard Atmosphere (= "International Standard Atmosphere" [abbreviation: ISA]) established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (= "International Civil Aviation Organization" [abbreviation: ICAO]) in 1976.

[0029] The fluid supply unit 7 includes pipes L1 to L3. The pipe L1 is a pipe through which air circulates, the pipe L2 is a pipe through which water circulates. The pipe L3 is a pipe through which both air and water can circulate.

[0030] The fluid supply unit 7 includes a compressor 70 as a pressure source. The compressor 70 compresses and delivers the atmosphere. The compressor 70 is driven, for example, by a motor (not shown) as a drive source. The compressed air delivered from the compressor 70 is supplied to a reserve tank (accumulator) 71 via a check valve 71a. The air pressure in the reserve tank 71 is monitored by a pressure sensor 71b, and the compressor 70 is driven so as to be maintained at a predetermined air pressure (for example, 7 atm (gauge pressure: 6 atm)). A drain 71c for draining is provided in the reserve tank 71, enabling the drainage of water generated by air compression.

[0031] Hot water (water) constituting the coffee beverage is accumulated in the water tank 72. A heater 72a for heating the water in the water tank 72 and a temperature sensor 72b for measuring the temperature of the water are provided in the water tank 72. Based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 72b, the heater 72a maintains the temperature of the accumulated hot water at a predetermined temperature (for example, 120 degrees Celsius). The heater 72a is turned on, for example, when the temperature of the hot water is 118 degrees Celsius and turned off when it is 120 degrees Celsius.

[0032] A water level sensor 72c is also provided in the water tank 72. The water level sensor 72c detects the water level of the hot water in the water tank 72. When it is detected by the water level sensor 72c that the water level has dropped below a predetermined water level, water is supplied to the water tank 72. Tap water is supplied to the water tank 72 shown in FIG. 3 via a water purifier (not shown). A solenoid valve 72d is provided in the middle of the pipe L2 from the water purifier. When the water level sensor 72c detects a drop in the water level, the solenoid valve 72d is opened to supply water, and when the predetermined water level is reached, the solenoid valve 72d is closed to cut off the water supply. In this way, the hot water in the water tank 72 is maintained at a constant water level. Note that the water supply to the water tank 72 may be performed each time the hot water used for manufacturing a single coffee beverage is discharged.

[0033] The water tank 72 is also provided with a pressure sensor 72g. The pressure sensor 72g detects the atmospheric pressure inside the water tank 72. The atmospheric pressure inside the reserve tank 71 is supplied to the water tank 72 via a pressure regulating valve 72e and a solenoid valve 72f. The pressure regulating valve 72e reduces the atmospheric pressure supplied from the reserve tank 71 to a predetermined atmospheric pressure. For example, it reduces the pressure to 3 atmospheres (2 atmospheres in gauge pressure). The solenoid valve 72f switches between supplying and blocking the atmospheric pressure regulated by the pressure regulating valve 72e to the water tank 72. The solenoid valve 72f is controlled to open and close so that the atmospheric pressure inside the water tank 72 is maintained at 3 atmospheres except when tap water is supplied to the water tank 72. When tap water is supplied to the water tank 72, the atmospheric pressure inside the water tank 72 is reduced to a pressure lower than the water pressure of the tap water (for example, less than 2.5 atmospheres) by the solenoid valve 72h so that the tap water can be smoothly replenished into the water tank 72 by the water pressure of the tap water. The solenoid valve 72h switches whether to release the inside of the water tank 72 to the atmosphere or not, and releases the inside of the water tank 72 to the atmosphere during decompression. Also, when the atmospheric pressure inside the water tank 72 exceeds 3 atmospheres other than when tap water is supplied to the water tank 72, the solenoid valve 72h releases the inside of the water tank 72 to the atmosphere and maintains the inside of the water tank 72 at 3 atmospheres.

[0034] The hot water in the water tank 72 is supplied to the extraction container 9 via a check valve 72j, a solenoid valve 72i, and a pipe L3. By opening the solenoid valve 72i, hot water is supplied to the extraction container 9, and by closing it, the supply of hot water is blocked. The supply amount of hot water to the extraction container 9 can be controlled by the opening time of the solenoid valve 72i. However, the supply amount may be measured and the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 72i may be controlled. A temperature sensor 73e for measuring the temperature of the hot water is provided in the pipe L3, and the temperature of the hot water supplied to the extraction container 9 is monitored.

[0035] The air pressure in the reserve tank 71 is also supplied to the extraction container 9 via the pressure regulating valve 73a and the solenoid valve 73b. The pressure regulating valve 73a reduces the air pressure supplied from the reserve tank 71 to a predetermined air pressure. For example, it reduces the pressure to 5 atmospheres (gauge pressure: 4 atmospheres). The solenoid valve 73b switches between supplying and blocking the air pressure regulated by the pressure regulating valve 73a to the extraction container 9. The air pressure in the extraction container 9 is detected by the pressure sensor 73d. When the extraction container 9 is pressurized, the solenoid valve 73b is opened based on the detection result of the pressure sensor 73d, and the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized to a predetermined air pressure (for example, up to 5 atmospheres (gauge pressure: 4 atmospheres)). The air pressure in the extraction container 9 can be reduced by the solenoid valve 73c. The solenoid valve 73c switches whether to release the inside of the extraction container 9 to the atmosphere, and when there is an abnormal pressure (for example, when the pressure inside the extraction container 9 exceeds 5 atmospheres), it releases the inside of the extraction container 9 to the atmosphere.

[0036] When the production of one cup of coffee beverage is completed, the inside of the extraction container 9 is washed with tap water. The solenoid valve 73f is opened during washing to supply tap water to the extraction container 9.

[0037] Next, the switching unit 10 will be described. The switching unit 10 is a unit that switches the delivery destination of the liquid sent out from the extraction container 9 to either the pouring section 10c or the waste tank T. The switching unit 10 includes a switching valve 10a and a motor 10b that drives the switching valve 10a. When delivering the coffee beverage inside the extraction container 9, the switching valve 10a switches the flow path to the pouring section 10c. The coffee beverage is poured from the pouring section 10c into the cup C. When discharging the waste liquid (tap water) and residue (ground beans) during washing, the flow path is switched to the waste tank T. The switching valve 10a shown in Fig. 3 is a 3-port ball valve. Since the residue passes through the switching valve 10a during washing, the ball valve is suitable for the switching valve 10a, and the motor 10b rotates its rotating shaft to switch the flow path.

[0038] <3. Bean processing device> With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the bean processing device 2 will be described. The bean processing device 2 includes a storage device 4 and a grinding device 5.

[0039] <3-1. Storage device> The storage device 4 includes a plurality of canisters 40 that contain roasted coffee beans. Three canisters 40 are provided as shown in FIG. 1. The canister 40 includes a cylindrical main body 40a that houses the roasted coffee beans and a handle 40b provided on the main body 40a, and is configured to be detachable from the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0040] Each canister 40 may contain different types of roasted coffee beans, and the type of roasted coffee beans used for manufacturing coffee beverages may be selected by an operation input to the information display device 12. Different types of roasted coffee beans are, for example, roasted coffee beans with different varieties of coffee beans. Also, different types of roasted coffee beans may be roasted coffee beans of the same variety but with different roasting degrees. Also, different types of roasted coffee beans may be roasted coffee beans with different varieties and different roasting degrees. Further, at least one of the three canisters 40 may contain roasted coffee beans in which a plurality of types of varieties of roasted coffee beans are mixed. In this case, the roasted coffee beans of each variety may have approximately the same roasting degree.

[0041] Note that although a plurality of canisters 40 are provided in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, a configuration in which only one canister 40 is provided may be used. Also, when a plurality of canisters 40 are provided, the same type of roasted coffee beans may be stored in all or a plurality of canisters 40.

[0042] Each canister 40 is detachably attached to a conveyor 41 that is a metering and conveying device. The conveyor 41 is, for example, an electric screw conveyor, and automatically measures a predetermined amount of roasted coffee beans contained in the canister 40 and sends them to the downstream side.

[0043] Each conveyor 41 discharges the roasted coffee beans to the downstream collective conveying unit 42. The collective conveying unit 42 is composed of a hollow member and forms a conveying passage for the roasted coffee beans from each conveyor 41 to the grinding device 5 (particularly the first grinder 5A). The roasted coffee beans discharged from each conveyor 41 move inside the collective conveying unit 42 by their own weight and flow down to the grinding device 5.

[0044] In the collective conveying unit 42, a guiding portion 42a is formed at a position corresponding to the bean inlet 103. The guiding portion 42a forms a passage for guiding the roasted coffee beans introduced from the bean inlet 103 to the grinding device 5 (particularly the first grinder 5A). Thereby, in addition to the roasted coffee beans stored in the canister 40, coffee beverages made from the roasted coffee beans introduced from the bean inlet 103 can also be produced.

[0045] <3-2. Grinding Device> The grinding device 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4. FIG. 4 is a partially broken perspective view of the separation device 6. The grinding device 5 includes a first grinder 5A, a second grinder 5B, and a separation device 6. The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are mechanisms for grinding the roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4. The roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are ground by the first grinder 5A, then further ground by the second grinder 5B into a powder form, and are introduced from the discharge pipe 5C into the extraction container 9.

[0046] The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B have different grinding particle sizes for the beans. The first grinder 5A is a grinder for coarse grinding, and the second grinder 5B is a grinder for fine grinding. The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are each an electric grinder, and include a motor as a driving source and a rotating blade or the like driven by the motor. By changing the rotational speed of the rotating blade, the size (particle size) of the roasted coffee beans to be ground can be changed.

[0047] The separating device 6 is a mechanism for separating impurities from the ground beans. The separating device 6 includes a passage portion 63a disposed between the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B. The passage portion 63a is a hollow body that forms a separation chamber through which the ground beans freely falling from the first grinder 5A pass. A passage portion 63b extending in a direction (for example, the left - right direction) intersecting the passing direction of the ground beans (for example, the up - down direction) is connected to the passage portion 63a, and a suction unit 60 is connected to this passage portion 63b. By the suction unit 60 sucking the air in the passage portion 63a, lightweight objects such as chaff and fine powder are sucked. Thereby, impurities can be separated from the ground beans.

[0048] The suction unit 60 is a mechanism of the centrifugal separation method. The suction unit 60 includes a blower unit 60A and a collection container 60B. The blower unit 60A shown in FIG. 4 is a fan motor that exhausts the air in the collection container 60B upward.

[0049] The collection container 60B includes an upper part 61 and a lower part 62 that are detachably engaged. The lower part 62 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top, forming a space for accumulating impurities. The upper part 61 constitutes a lid portion attached to the opening of the lower part 62. The upper part 61 includes a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 61a and an exhaust cylinder 61b formed coaxially therewith. The blower unit 60A is fixed to the upper part 61 above the exhaust cylinder 61b so as to suck the air in the exhaust cylinder 61b. A passage portion 63b is connected to the upper part 61. The passage portion 63b opens to the side of the exhaust cylinder 61b.

[0050] By driving the blower unit 60A, airflows indicated by arrows d1 - d3 in FIG. 4 are generated. Due to this airflow, the air containing impurities from the passage portion 63a is sucked into the collection container 60B through the passage portion 63b. Since the passage portion 63b opens to the side of the exhaust cylinder 61b, the air containing impurities swirls around the exhaust cylinder 61b. The impurities D in the air fall due to their weight and are collected in a part of the collection container 60B (deposited on the bottom surface of the lower part 62). The air is exhausted upward through the inside of the exhaust cylinder 61b.

[0051] A plurality of fins 61d are integrally formed on the circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe 61b. The plurality of fins 61d are arranged in the circumferential direction of the exhaust pipe 61b. Each fin 61d is inclined obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the exhaust pipe 61b. By providing such fins 61d, the swirling of the air containing the unwanted matter D around the exhaust pipe 61b is promoted.

[0052] The lower part 62 shown in FIG. 4 is formed of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic or glass, and constitutes a transparent container whose entire part is a transmitting part. Further, the lower part 62 is a part covered with the cover part 102 (FIG. 2). The administrator and the beverage consumers can visually recognize the unwanted matter D accumulated in the lower part 62 through the cover part 102 and the peripheral wall of the lower part 62. For the administrator, it may be easy to confirm the cleaning timing of the lower part 62, and for the beverage consumers, by visually recognizing that the unwanted matter D has been removed, the expectation for the quality of the coffee beverage during production may increase.

[0053] As described above, the roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are first roughly ground by the first grinder 5A, and when the roughly ground beans pass through the passage part 63a, the separating device 6 separates the unwanted matter. The roughly ground beans from which the unwanted matter has been separated are finely ground by the second grinder 5B. The unwanted matter separated by the separating device 6 is typically chaff and fine powder. These may reduce the taste of the coffee beverage, and by removing chaff and the like from the ground beans, the quality of the coffee beverage can be improved.

[0054] The grinding of the roasted coffee beans may be performed by one grinder (one-stage grinding). However, by performing two-stage grinding using the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, the particle size of the ground beans is likely to be uniform, and the extraction degree of the coffee liquid can be made constant. When grinding the beans, heat may be generated due to the friction between the cutter and the beans. By performing two-stage grinding, heat generation due to friction during grinding can be suppressed, and deterioration of the ground beans (for example, loss of flavor) can be prevented.

[0055] Also, by going through the steps of rough grinding → separation of unwanted materials → fine grinding, when separating unwanted materials such as chaff, the mass difference between the unwanted materials and the ground beans (necessary parts) can be increased. This can improve the separation efficiency of the unwanted materials and prevent the ground beans (necessary parts) from being separated as unwanted materials. Further, by intervening a separation process of unwanted materials using air suction between the rough grinding and the fine grinding, the heat generation of the ground beans can be suppressed by air cooling. Thereby, deterioration of the ground beans (for example, the flavor deteriorates) can also be prevented.

[0056] <4. Drive Unit and Extraction Container> <4-1. Overview> The drive unit 8 and the extraction container 9 of the extraction device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drive unit 8 and the extraction container 9. Most of the drive unit 8 is surrounded by the main body portion 101.

[0057] The drive unit 8 is supported by the frame F. The frame F includes upper and lower beam portions F1, F2 and column portions F3 that support the beam portions F1, F2. The drive unit 8 is roughly divided into three units: an upper unit 8A, a middle unit 8B, and a lower unit 8C. The upper unit 8A is supported by the beam portion F1. The middle unit 8B is supported by the beam portion F1 and the column portion F3 between the beam portion F1 and the beam portion F2. The lower unit 8C is supported by the beam portion F2.

[0058] The extraction container 9 is a chamber including a container body 90 and a lid unit 91. The extraction container 9 may sometimes be referred to as a chamber. The middle unit 8B includes an arm member 820 that detachably holds the container body 90. The arm member 820 includes a holding member 820a and a pair of shaft members 820b spaced apart left and right. The holding member 820a is an elastic member such as resin formed in a C-shaped clip shape, and holds the container body 90 by its elastic force. The holding member 820a holds the left and right side portions of the container body 90, and the front side of the container body 90 is exposed. Thereby, the inside of the container body 90 becomes easy to visually recognize in a front view.

[0059] The attachment and detachment of the container body 90 to and from the holding member 820a is manually operated. The container body 90 is attached to the holding member 820a by pressing the container body 90 backward in the front-rear direction against the holding member 820a. Also, the container body 90 can be separated from the holding member 820a by pulling it out forward in the front-rear direction from the holding member 820a.

[0060] The pair of shaft members 820b are each rods extending in the front-rear direction and are members that support the holding member 820a. Although the number of the shaft members 820b is two, it may be one or three or more. The holding member 820a is fixed to the front ends of the pair of shaft members 820b. By a mechanism described later, the pair of shaft members 820b advance and retreat in the front-rear direction, whereby the holding member 820a advances and retreats in the front-rear direction, and a moving operation can be performed to translate the container body 90 in the front-rear direction in parallel. The middle unit 8B can also perform a rotating operation of inverting the up and down of the extraction container 9 as described later.

[0061] <4-2. Extraction Container> The extraction container 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a view showing the closed state and the open state of the extraction container 9. As described above, the extraction container 9 is inverted up and down by the middle unit 8B. The extraction container 9 in FIG. 6 shows the basic posture in which the lid unit 91 is located on the upper side. When the vertical positional relationship is described in the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, it means the vertical positional relationship in the basic posture.

[0062] The container body 90 is a bottomed container and has a bottle shape having a neck portion 90b, a shoulder portion 90d, a body portion 90e, and a bottom portion 90f. A flange portion 90c that defines an opening 90a communicating with the internal space of the container body 90 is formed at the end of the neck portion 90b (the upper end portion of the container body 90).

[0063] Both the neck portion 90b and the body portion 90e have a cylindrical shape. The shoulder portion 90d is a portion between the neck portion 90b and the body portion 90e, and has a tapered shape such that the cross-sectional area of its internal space gradually decreases from the body portion 90e side toward the neck portion 90b side.

[0064] The lid unit 91 is a unit that opens and closes the opening 90a. The opening and closing operation (lifting and lowering operation) of the lid unit 91 is performed by the upper unit 8A.

[0065] The container body 90 includes a body member 900 and a bottom member 901. The body member 900 is a cylindrical member with open top and bottom that forms the neck portion 90b, the shoulder portion 90d, and the body portion 90e. The bottom member 901 is a member that forms the bottom 90f, and is inserted into and fixed to the lower part of the body member 900. A seal member 902 is interposed between the body member 900 and the bottom member 901 to improve the airtightness inside the container body 90.

[0066] The body member 900 shown in FIG. 6 is formed of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic or glass, and constitutes a transparent container in which the whole is a transmitting portion. The administrator and the consumers of beverages can visually recognize the extraction status of the coffee beverage inside the container body 90 through the cover portion 102 and the body member 900 of the container body 90. For the administrator, it may be easy to confirm the extraction operation, and for the consumers of beverages, they may be able to enjoy the extraction status.

[0067] A convex portion 901c is provided at the center of the bottom member 901. In this convex portion 901c, a communication hole for communicating the inside of the container body 90 to the outside and a valve (valve 903 in FIG. 8) for opening and closing this communication hole are provided. The communication hole is used for discharging waste liquid and residues when cleaning the inside of the container body 90. A seal member 908 is provided on the convex portion 901c, and the seal member 908 is a member for maintaining airtightness between the upper unit 8A or the lower unit 8C and the bottom member 901.

[0068] The lid unit 91 includes a hat-shaped base member 911. The base member 911 has a convex portion 911d and a flange portion 911c that overlaps with the flange portion 90c when closed. The convex portion 911d has the same structure as the convex portion 901c in the container body 90, and is provided with a communication hole for communicating the inside of the container body 90 to the outside, and a valve (valve 913 in FIG. 8) for opening and closing this communication hole. The communication hole in the convex portion 911d is mainly used for injecting hot water into the container body 90 and delivering coffee beverages. A seal member 918a is provided on the convex portion 911d. The seal member 918a is a member for maintaining airtightness between the upper unit 8A or the lower unit 8C and the base member 911. The lid unit 91 is also provided with a seal member 919. The seal member 919 improves the airtightness between the lid unit 91 and the container body 90 when the lid unit 91 is closed. A filter for filtration is held by the lid unit 91.

[0069] <4-3. Upper Unit and Lower Unit> The upper unit 8A and the lower unit 8C will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a partial configuration of the upper unit 8A and the lower unit 8C, and FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 7.

[0070] The upper unit 8A includes an operation unit 81A. The operation unit 81A performs the opening and closing operation (lifting and lowering) of the lid unit 91 with respect to the container body 90 and the opening and closing operation of the valves of the convex portions 901c and 911d. The operation unit 81A includes a support member 800, a holding member 801, a lifting shaft 802, and a probe 803.

[0071] The support member 800 is fixedly provided so that its relative position with respect to the frame F does not change, and houses the holding member 801. The support member 800 is also provided with a communication portion 800a that communicates the inside of the pipe L3 and the support member 800. Hot water, tap water, and air pressure supplied from the pipe L3 are introduced into the support member 800 through the communication portion 800a.

[0072] The holding member 801 is a member that can detachably hold the lid unit 91. The holding member 801 has a cylindrical space into which the convex portion 911d of the lid unit 91 or the convex portion 901c of the bottom member 901 is inserted, and includes a mechanism for detachably holding them. This mechanism is, for example, a snap ring mechanism, which engages with a certain pressing force and is disengaged with a certain separating force. The hot water, tap water, and air pressure supplied from the pipe L3 can be supplied into the extraction container 9 through the communication portion 800a and the communication hole 801a of the holding member 801.

[0073] The holding member 801 is also a movable member slidably provided in the vertical direction within the support member 800. The lifting shaft 802 is provided such that its axial direction is the vertical direction. The lifting shaft 802 airtightly penetrates the top portion of the support member 800 in the vertical direction and is provided so as to be vertically movable with respect to the support member 800.

[0074] The top portion of the holding member 801 is fixed to the lower end portion of the lifting shaft 802. By the lifting of the lifting shaft 802, the holding member 801 slides in the vertical direction, and the holding member 801 can be attached to and detached from the convex portion 911d and the convex portion 901c. Also, the lid unit 91 can be opened and closed with respect to the container body 90.

[0075] A screw 802a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lifting shaft 802. A nut 804b is screwed onto this screw 802a. The upper unit 8A includes a motor 804a, and the nut 804b is rotated on the spot (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 804a. By the rotation of the nut 804b, the lifting shaft 802 moves up and down.

[0076] The lifting shaft 802 is a tubular shaft having a through hole in its central axis, and a probe 803 is slidably inserted into this through hole in the vertical direction. The probe 803 airtightly penetrates the top portion of the holding member 801 in the vertical direction and is provided so as to be vertically movable with respect to the support member 800 and the holding member 801.

[0077] The probe 803 is an operator for opening and closing the valves 913 and 903 provided inside the convex portions 911d and 901c. By lowering the probe 803, the valves 913 and 903 can be changed from the closed state to the open state, and by raising the probe 803, the valves can be changed from the open state to the closed state (by the action of a return spring not shown).

[0078] A screw 803a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the probe 803. A nut 805b is screwed onto this screw 803a. The upper unit 8A includes a motor 805a, and the nut 805b is provided so as to rotate in place (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 805a. The probe 803 moves up and down by the rotation of the nut 805b.

[0079] The lower unit 8C includes an operation unit 81C. The operation unit 81C has a configuration in which the operation unit 81A is inverted up and down, and performs the opening and closing operations of the valves 913 and 903 provided inside the convex portions 911d and 901c. The operation unit 81C can also open and close the lid unit 91, but the operation unit 81C is not used for opening and closing the lid unit 91.

[0080] Hereinafter, although it is substantially the same as the description of the operation unit 81A, the operation unit 81C will be described. The operation unit 81C includes a support member 810, a holding member 811, a lifting shaft 812, and a probe 813.

[0081] The support member 810 is fixedly provided so that its relative position with respect to the frame F does not change, and houses the holding member 811. The support member 810 also includes a communication portion 810a that communicates the switching valve 10a of the switching unit 10 with the inside of the support member 810. The coffee beverage, tap water, and ground bean residue in the container body 90 are introduced into the switching valve 10a through the communication portion 810a.

[0082] The holding member 811 has a cylindrical space into which the convex portion 911d of the lid unit 91 or the convex portion 901c of the bottom member 901 is inserted, and is provided with a mechanism for detachably holding them. This mechanism is, for example, a snap ring mechanism, which engages with a certain pressing force and the engagement is released by a certain separating force. The coffee beverage, tap water, and ground bean residue in the container body 90 are introduced into the switching valve 10a through the communication portion 810a and the communication hole 811a of the holding member 811.

[0083] The holding member 811 is also a movable member slidably provided in the vertical direction within the support member 810. The lifting shaft 812 is provided such that its axial direction is the vertical direction. The lifting shaft 812 penetrates the bottom of the support member 800 airtightly in the vertical direction and is provided so as to be vertically movable relative to the support member 810.

[0084] The bottom of the holding member 811 is fixed to the lower end portion of the lifting shaft 812. By the lifting of the lifting shaft 812, the holding member 811 slides in the vertical direction, and the holding member 811 can be attached to and detached from the convex portion 901c and the convex portion 911d.

[0085] A screw 812a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lifting shaft 812. A nut 814b is screwed onto this screw 812a. The lower unit 8C includes a motor 814a, and the nut 814b is rotated in place (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 814a. The lifting shaft 812 moves up and down by the rotation of the nut 814b.

[0086] The lifting shaft 812 is a tubular shaft having a through hole in its central axis, and a probe 813 is slidably inserted into this through hole in the vertical direction. The probe 813 penetrates the bottom of the holding member 811 airtightly in the vertical direction and is provided so as to be vertically movable relative to the support member 810 and the holding member 811.

[0087] The probe 813 is an operator for opening and closing valves 913 and 903 provided inside the convex portions 911d and 901c. When the probe 813 rises, the valves 913 and 903 are changed from the closed state to the open state, and when the probe 813 descends, the valves are changed from the open state to the closed state (by the action of a return spring not shown).

[0088] A screw 813a that constitutes a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the probe 813. A nut 815b is screwed onto this screw 813a. The lower unit 8C includes a motor 815a, and the nut 815b is provided so as to rotate in place (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 815a. The probe 813 moves up and down by the rotation of the nut 815b.

[0089] <4-4. Middle Unit> The middle unit 8B will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 9. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the middle unit 8B. The middle unit 8B includes a support unit 81B that supports the extraction container 9. The support unit 81B includes, in addition to the arm member 820 described above, a unit body 81B' that supports a lock mechanism 821.

[0090] The locking mechanism 821 is a mechanism that maintains the lid unit 91 in a closed state with respect to the container body 90. The locking mechanism 821 includes a pair of gripping members 821a that sandwich the flange portion 911c of the lid unit 91 and the flange portion 90c of the container body 90 vertically. The pair of gripping members 821a has a C-shaped cross-section that sandwiches and fits the flange portion 911c and the flange portion 90c, and is opened and closed in the left-right direction by the driving force of the motor 822. When the pair of gripping members 821a is in the closed state, as shown by the solid line in the enclosed view of FIG. 9, each gripping member 821a fits into and sandwiches the flange portion 911c and the flange portion 90c vertically, and the lid unit 91 is airtightly locked to the container body 90. In this locked state, even if an attempt is made to open the lid unit 91 by raising the holding member 801 by the lifting shaft 802, the lid unit 91 does not move (the lock is not released). That is, the locking force by the locking mechanism 821 is set stronger than the force to open the lid unit 91 using the holding member 801. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the lid unit 91 from being opened with respect to the container body 90 in the event of an abnormality.

[0091] Further, when the pair of gripping members 821a is in the open state, as shown by the dashed line in the enclosed view of FIG. 9, the gripping members 821a are separated from the flange portion 911c and the flange portion 90c, and the lock between the lid unit 91 and the container body 90 is released.

[0092] When the holding member 801 holds the lid unit 91 and the holding member 801 is raised from the lowered position to the raised position, the lid unit 91 is separated from the container body 90 when the pair of gripping members 821a is in the open state. Conversely, when the pair of gripping members 821a is in the closed state, the engagement of the holding member 801 with respect to the lid unit 91 is released, and only the holding member 801 rises.

[0093] The middle unit 8B also includes a mechanism that horizontally moves the arm member 820 in the front-rear direction with the motor 823 as the drive source. Thereby, the container body 90 supported by the arm member 820 can be moved between the rear extraction position (state ST1) and the front bean input position (state ST2). The bean input position is the position where ground beans are input into the container body 90. The ground beans ground by the second grinder 5B are input from the discharge pipe 5C shown in FIG. 2 into the opening 90a of the container body 90 from which the lid unit 91 is separated. In other words, the position of the discharge pipe 5C is above the container body 90 located at the bean input position.

[0094] The extraction position is the position where the container body 90 can be operated by the operation units 81A and 81C, is a position coaxial with the probes 803 and 813, and is the position where coffee liquid is extracted. The extraction position is deeper than the bean input position. FIGS. 5, 7, and 8 all show the case where the container body 90 is at the extraction position. In this way, by changing the position of the container body 90 for the input of ground beans and the extraction of coffee liquid and the supply of water, it is possible to prevent the steam generated during coffee liquid extraction from adhering to the discharge pipe 5C which is the supply part of the ground beans.

[0095] The middle unit 8B also includes a mechanism that rotates the support unit 81B around the axis 825 in the front-rear direction with the motor 824 as the drive source. Thereby, the posture of the container body 90 (extraction container 9) can be changed from the upright posture (state ST1) with the neck portion 90b on the upper side to the inverted posture (state ST3) with the neck portion 90b on the lower side. During the rotation of the extraction container 9, the lid unit 91 is maintained in a locked state with respect to the container body 90 by the lock mechanism 821. The extraction container 9 is inverted up and down between the upright posture and the inverted posture. At the position of the convex portion 901c in the upright posture, the convex portion 911d is located in the inverted posture. Also, at the position of the convex portion 911d in the upright posture, the convex portion 901c is located in the inverted posture. For this reason, in the inverted posture, the operation unit 81A can perform the opening and closing operation on the valve 903, and the operation unit 81C can perform the opening and closing operation on the valve 913.

[0096] <5. Control Device> Referring to FIG. 10, the control device 11 of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control device 11.

[0097] The control device 11 controls the entire beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. The control device 11 includes a processing unit 11a, a storage unit 11b, and an I / F (interface) unit 11c. The processing unit 11a is a processor such as a CPU. The storage unit 11b is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The I / F unit 11c includes an input / output interface that performs input / output of signals between an external device and the processing unit 11a. The I / F unit 11c also includes a communication interface capable of data communication with the server 16 via a communication network 15 such as the Internet. The server 16 can communicate with a portable terminal 17 such as a smartphone via the communication network 15, and can receive, for example, information such as a reservation for beverage manufacturing or impressions from the portable terminal 17 of a beverage consumer.

[0098] The processing unit 11a executes a program stored in the storage unit 11b, and controls the actuator group 14 based on an instruction from the information display device 12, a detection result of the sensor group 13, or an instruction from the server 16. The sensor group 13 is various sensors provided in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 (for example, a hot water temperature sensor, a mechanism operation position detection sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.). The actuator group 14 is various actuators provided in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 (for example, a motor, a solenoid valve, a heater, etc.).

[0099] <6. Example of Operation Control> An example of the control process of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 executed by the processing unit 11a will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A(A) and (B). FIG. 11(A) shows an example of control related to a single coffee beverage manufacturing operation. The state of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 before the manufacturing instruction is called the standby state. The states of the respective mechanisms in the standby state are as follows.

[0100] The extraction device 3 is in the state shown in FIG. 5. The extraction container 9 is in an upright posture and is located at the extraction position. The lock mechanism 821 is in a closed state, and the lid unit 91 closes the opening 90a of the container body 90. The holding member 801 is in the lowered position and is attached to the convex portion 911d. The holding member 811 is in the raised position and is attached to the convex portion 901c. The valves 903 and 913 are in the closed state. The switching valve 10a communicates the communication portion 810a of the operation unit 81C with the waste tank T.

[0101] In the standby state, when there is an instruction to manufacture a coffee beverage, the process of FIG. 11(A) is executed. In S1, a preheating process is executed. This process is to pour hot water into the container body 90 and preheat the container body 90 in advance. First, the valves 903 and 913 are opened. As a result, the pipe L3, the extraction container 9, and the waste tank T are in a communicating state.

[0102] The solenoid valve 72i is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1500 msec) and then closed. As a result, hot water is poured from the water tank 72 into the extraction container 9. Subsequently, the solenoid valve 73b is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 500 msec) and then closed. As a result, the air in the extraction container 9 is pressurized, promoting the discharge of hot water to the waste tank T. By the above process, the inside of the extraction container 9 and the pipe L2 are preheated, and in the subsequent production of coffee beverages, it is possible to reduce the cooling of hot water.

[0103] In S2, a grinding process is performed. Here, roasted coffee beans are ground, and the ground beans are put into the container body 90. First, the lock mechanism 821 is opened, and the holding member 801 rises to the raised position. The lid unit 91 is held by the holding member 801 and rises together with the holding member 801. As a result, the lid unit 91 separates from the container body 90. The holding member 811 descends to the lowered position. The container body 90 is moved to the bean input position. Subsequently, the storage device 4 and the grinding device 5 are operated. As a result, one cup of roasted coffee beans is supplied from the storage device 4 to the first grinder 5A. The roasted coffee beans are ground in two stages by the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, and impurities are separated by the separating device 6. The ground beans are put into the container body 90.

[0104] Return the container body 90 to the extraction position. The holding member 801 descends to the lowered position to attach the lid unit 91 to the container body 90. The lock mechanism 821 is set to the closed state, and the lid unit 91 is airtightly locked to the container body 90. The holding member 811 ascends to the raised position. Among the valves 903 and 913, the valve 903 is set to the closed state and the valve 913 is set to the open state.

[0105] In S3, an extraction process is performed. Here, coffee liquid is extracted from the ground coffee in the container body 90. FIG. 11(B) is a flowchart of the extraction process in S3.

[0106] In S41, in order to steam the ground coffee in the extraction container 9, an amount of hot water less than one cup is injected into the extraction container 9. Here, the solenoid valve 72i is opened and closed for a predetermined time (for example, 500 msec). As a result, hot water is injected from the water tank 72 into the extraction container 9. Then, it waits for a predetermined time (for example, 5000 msec) and ends the process of S41. By this process, the ground coffee can be steamed. By steaming the ground coffee, the carbon dioxide gas contained in the ground coffee can be released, and the subsequent extraction effect can be enhanced.

[0107] In S42, the remaining amount of hot water is injected into the extraction container 9 so that one cup of hot water is contained in the extraction container 9. Here, the solenoid valve 72i is opened and closed for a predetermined time (for example, 7000 msec). As a result, hot water is injected from the water tank 72 into the extraction container 9.

[0108] By the process of S42, the inside of the extraction container 9 can be set to a state where the temperature exceeds 100 degrees Celsius at 1 atmosphere (for example, about 110 degrees Celsius). Subsequently, the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized by S43. Here, the solenoid valve 73b is opened and closed for a predetermined time (for example, 1000 msec), and the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized to a pressure at which the hot water does not boil (for example, about 4 atmospheres (about 3 atmospheres in gauge pressure)). Then, the valve 913 is set to the closed state.

[0109] Subsequently, this state is maintained for a predetermined time (e.g., 7000 milliseconds) to perform immersion coffee liquid extraction (S44). Thereby, immersion extraction of coffee liquid under high temperature and high pressure is performed. In the immersion extraction under high temperature and high pressure, the following effects can be expected. The first is that by increasing the pressure, it becomes easier for hot water to penetrate into the ground coffee beans, and the extraction of coffee liquid can be promoted. The second is that by increasing the temperature, the extraction of coffee liquid is promoted. The third is that by increasing the temperature, the viscosity of the oil contained in the ground coffee beans decreases, and the extraction of oil is promoted. Thereby, a highly fragrant coffee beverage can be produced.

[0110] The temperature of the hot water (high-temperature water) only needs to exceed 100 degrees Celsius, but a higher temperature is more advantageous in terms of coffee liquid extraction. On the other hand, generally, increasing the temperature of the hot water increases the cost. Therefore, the temperature of the hot water can be, for example, 105 degrees Celsius or higher, or 110 degrees Celsius or higher, or 115 degrees Celsius or higher, and also, for example, 130 degrees Celsius or lower, or 120 degrees Celsius or lower. The atmospheric pressure only needs to be such that the hot water does not boil.

[0111] In S45, the inside of the extraction container 9 is depressurized. Here, the atmospheric pressure inside the extraction container 9 is switched to the atmospheric pressure at which the hot water boils. Specifically, the valve 913 is opened, and the solenoid valve 73c is opened and closed for a predetermined time (e.g., 1000 milliseconds). The inside of the extraction container 9 is released to the atmosphere. Then, the valve 913 is closed again.

[0112] The inside of the extraction container 9 is rapidly depressurized to a pressure lower than the boiling point pressure, and the hot water inside the extraction container 9 boils all at once. The hot water and the ground coffee beans inside the extraction container 9 scatter explosively inside the extraction container 9. Thereby, the hot water can be boiled uniformly. Also, the destruction of the cell walls of the ground coffee beans can be promoted, and the subsequent extraction of coffee liquid can be further promoted. Also, since the ground coffee beans and the hot water can be stirred by this boiling, the extraction of coffee liquid can be promoted. In this way, the extraction efficiency of coffee liquid can be improved.

[0113] In S46, the extraction container 9 is inverted from the upright position to the upside-down position. Here, the holding member 801 is moved to the raised position and the holding member 811 is moved to the lowered position. Then, the support unit 81B is rotated. After that, the holding member 801 is returned to the lowered position and the holding member 811 is returned to the raised position. In the upside-down position of the extraction container 9, the neck portion 90b and the lid unit 91 will be positioned on the lower side.

[0114] In S47, a permeation-type coffee liquid extraction is performed and the coffee beverage is delivered to the cup C. Here, the switching valve 10a is switched to communicate the pouring portion 10c and the passage portion 810a of the operation unit 81C. Also, both the valves 903 and 913 are set to the open state. Further, the solenoid valve 73b is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 10000 msec) to set the inside of the extraction container 9 to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (for example, 1.7 atm (gauge pressure: 0.7 atm)). Inside the extraction container 9, the coffee beverage in which the coffee liquid is dissolved in hot water passes through the filter provided in the lid unit 91 and is delivered to the cup C. The filter regulates the leakage of the ground coffee residue. Thus, the extraction process is completed.

[0115] By using both the immersion-type extraction in S44 and the permeation-type extraction in S47, the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid can be improved. When the extraction container 9 is in the upright position, the ground coffee accumulates from the body portion 90e to the bottom portion 90f. On the other hand, when the extraction container 9 is in the upside-down position, the ground coffee accumulates from the shoulder portion 90d to the neck portion 90b. The cross-sectional area of the body portion 90e is larger than the cross-sectional area of the neck portion 90b, and the deposition thickness of the ground coffee in the upside-down position is thicker than that in the upright position. That is, the ground coffee accumulates relatively thinly and widely when the extraction container 9 is in the upright position, and accumulates relatively thickly and narrowly when in the upside-down position.

[0116] Since the immersion extraction in S44 is performed with the extraction container 9 in the upright position, hot water and ground beans can be brought into contact over a wide area, improving the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid. However, in this case, the hot water and the ground beans tend to come into partial contact. On the other hand, since the permeation extraction in S47 is performed with the extraction container 9 in the inverted position, the hot water will pass through the accumulated ground beans while coming into contact with more ground beans. The hot water will come into contact with the ground beans more evenly, and the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid can be further improved.

[0117] Returning to Fig. 11(A), after the extraction process in S3, the discharge process in S4 is performed. Here, the process related to the cleaning of the extraction container 9 is performed. The cleaning of the extraction container 9 is performed by returning the extraction container 9 from the inverted position to the upright position and supplying tap water (purified water) to the extraction container 9. Then, the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized, and the water inside the extraction container 9 is discharged to the waste tank T together with the residue of the ground beans.

[0118] Thus, one cycle of coffee beverage production process is completed. Thereafter, the same process is repeated for each production instruction. The time required for the production of one cup of coffee beverage is, for example, about 60 to 90 seconds.

[0119] <7. Minor parentheses about the device configuration> As described above, the beverage production apparatus 1 includes the bean processing apparatus 2 and the extraction apparatus 3 as the production unit. More specifically, the bean processing apparatus 2 includes the storage apparatus 4 and the grinding apparatus 5, and the extraction apparatus 3 includes the fluid supply unit 7, the drive unit 8, the extraction container 9, and the switching unit 10 (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3, etc.). The grinding apparatus 5 receives the roasted coffee beans for one cup from the storage apparatus 4 and performs two-stage bean grinding by the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B. At this time, unnecessary substances such as chaff are separated from the ground beans by the separation apparatus 6. After the ground beans are put into the extraction container 9, through the pouring of hot water into the extraction container 9 by the fluid supply unit 7, the inversion of the posture of the extraction container 9 by the drive unit 8, the delivery of the liquid from the extraction container 9 to the cup C by the switching unit 10, etc., one cup of beverage is provided.

[0120] A part of the above manufacturing unit is covered by a cover part 102 configured as a transparent cover whose entire part is a transmissive part, and is visible to a user (e.g., an administrator of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1, a consumer of beverages, etc.) from outside the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. Among the above manufacturing unit, a plurality of canisters 40 which are a part of the storage device 4 are exposed, and it is assumed that other elements are substantially housed in the housing 100, but all of the manufacturing unit may be housed in the housing 100. In other words, the cover part 102 may be provided so as to cover at least a part of the manufacturing unit.

[0121] Since at least a part of the manufacturing unit is visibly covered by the cover part 102 from outside the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1, for example, when the user is an administrator of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1, the administrator may be able to perform operation inspection of the apparatus together with the preparation for manufacturing beverages. When the user is a purchaser of beverages, the purchaser may be able to wait for the completion of manufacturing of the beverages while enhancing the expectation for the beverages. For example, the extraction container 9 of the extraction device 3 is visible from outside the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 through the cover part 102, and an extraction process which is relatively highly interesting to the user among several processes for manufacturing beverages is observable. The drive unit 8 acts as a posture changing unit for changing the posture of the extraction container 9, and as described above, the extraction container 9 is a movable part that can be turned upside down in the manufacturing unit. Therefore, the turning operation of this extraction container 9 is relatively likely to attract the interest of the user, and by making this observable by the user, it may be possible to entertain the user.

[0122] Subsequently, a modified example of the grinding device 5 will be described. In the following description, components having the same names as the components described so far will be described with the same reference numerals as those used so far. The grinding device 5 described here has a different appearance from the grinding device shown in FIG. 2, but is functionally the same.

[0123] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the grinding device 5, and FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the grinding device 5 shown in FIG. 12.

[0124] The grinding device 5 shown in Fig. 12 also includes a first grinder 5A, a second grinder 5B, and a separation device 6, just like the grinding device shown in Fig. 2. The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are mechanisms for grinding the roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 shown in Fig. 2. The first grinder 5A is a grinder for grinding the coffee beans to a certain size (for example, about 1 / 4) in order to facilitate the separation of unnecessary substances adhering to the coffee beans. The second grinder 5B is a grinder for grinding the coffee beans in the state ground by the first grinder 5A into ground coffee of a desired particle size. For this reason, the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B have different particle sizes for grinding the beans, and the second grinder 5B has a finer particle size than the first grinder 5A. Although there may be an error (about ±5 μm) in the particle size of the ground coffee in the second grinder 5B, it can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the rotary blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b.

[0125] The first grinder 5A includes a motor 52a (see Fig. 12) and a main body 53a. The motor 52a is a driving source of the first grinder 5A. The main body 53a is a unit for housing a cutter, and a rotary shaft 54a is built therein as shown in Fig. 13. A gear 55a is provided on the rotary shaft 54a, and the driving force of the motor 52a is transmitted to the rotary shaft 54a via the gear 55a.

[0126] As shown in Fig. 13, a rotary blade 58a, which is a cutter, is provided on a rotary shaft 54a. Further, a fixed blade 57a, which is a cutter, is provided around the rotary blade 58a. The inside of the main body 53a communicates with a charging port 50a (see Fig. 12) and a discharge port 51a (see Fig. 13). The roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 shown in Fig. 2 enter the main body 53a from the charging port 50a formed in the upper part of the main body 53a and are crushed so as to be sandwiched between the rotary blade 58a and the fixed blade 57a shown in Fig. 13. Further, as shown in Fig. 13, a restraining plate 56a is provided above the rotary blade 58a of the rotary shaft 54a, and the restraining plate 56a restrains the roasted coffee beans from escaping upward. In the first grinder 5A, the roasted coffee beans are crushed to about 1 / 4, for example. The crushed ground coffee beans are discharged from the discharge port 51a to the separating device 6.

[0127] Note that the roasted coffee beans supplied to the charging port 50a may be supplied at a height such that they hit the side surface, rather than from above the rotary blade 58a. In that case, since the rotary blade 58a restrains the roasted coffee beans from escaping upward, the restraining plate 56a may not be provided.

[0128] The first grinder 5A may change the size of the roasted coffee beans discharged after being crushed by changing the rotational speed of the rotary blade 58a. Further, it may be changed by manually adjusting the distance between the rotary blade 58a and the fixed blade 57a.

[0129] The separating device 6 shown in Fig. 12 has the same configuration as the separating device 6 described with reference to Fig. 4, and is a mechanism that is disposed between the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B and separates unnecessary substances such as chaff and fine powder from the ground coffee beans by the suction force of air. The roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are first roughly ground by the first grinder 5A, and unnecessary substances are separated from the roughly ground coffee beans by the separating device 6. The roughly ground coffee beans from which the unnecessary substances have been separated are finely ground by the second grinder 5B.

[0130] The second grinder 5B includes a motor 52b (see FIG. 12) and a main body 53b. The motor 52b is a drive source of the second grinder 5B. The main body 53b is a unit that houses a cutter, and a rotating shaft 54b is built therein as shown in FIG. 13. A pulley 55b is provided on the rotating shaft 54b, and the driving force of the motor 52b is transmitted to the rotating shaft 54b via a belt 59b and the pulley 55b.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 13, a rotary blade 58b is also provided on the rotating shaft 54b, and a fixed blade 57b is provided above the rotary blade 58b. The inside of the main body 53b communicates with the inlet 50b shown in FIG. 12 and the outlet 51b also shown in FIG. 12. The ground beans that fall from the separating device 6 enter the main body 53b from the inlet 50b and are further crushed so as to be sandwiched between the rotary blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b. The ground beans crushed into powder are discharged from the outlet 51b. Note that the particle size of the ground beans in the second grinder 5B can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the rotary blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b.

[0132] Subsequently, regarding the separating device 6, although there are parts that overlap with the previous description, it will be described again. FIG. 14 is a partially broken perspective view of the separating device 6. The separating device 6 includes a suction unit 6A and a forming unit 6B. The forming unit 6B is a hollow body that forms a separation chamber SC (see FIG. 13) through which the ground beans that freely fall from the first grinder 5A pass. The suction unit 6A is a unit that communicates with the separation chamber SC in a direction (in this example, the left-right direction) intersecting the passing direction of the ground beans (in this example, the up-down direction) and sucks the air in the separation chamber SC. By sucking the air in the separation chamber SC, lightweight objects such as chaff and fine powder are sucked. Thereby, unnecessary substances can be separated from the ground beans.

[0133] The suction unit 6A is a mechanism of a centrifugal separation method. The suction unit 6A includes a blower unit 60A and a collection container 60B. The blower unit 60A is a fan motor that exhausts the air in the collection container 60B upward.

[0134] The recovery container 60B includes an upper part 61 and a lower part 62 that are detachably engaged. The lower part 62 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top, forming a space for accumulating unwanted substances. The upper part 61 constitutes a lid part attached to the opening of the lower part 62. As shown in FIG. 14, the upper part 61 includes a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 61a and an exhaust cylinder 61b formed coaxially therewith. The blower unit 60A is fixed to the upper part 61 above the exhaust cylinder 61b so as to suck the air inside the exhaust cylinder 61b. The upper part 61 also includes a cylindrical connecting part 61c extending in the radial direction. The connecting part 61c is connected to the forming unit 6B, communicating the separation chamber SC and the recovery container 60B. The connecting part 61c opens to the side of the exhaust cylinder 61b.

[0135] By driving the blower unit 60A, airflows indicated by arrows d1 to d3 are generated in FIG. 14. Due to this airflow, the air containing unwanted substances is sucked from the separation chamber SC into the recovery container 60B through the connecting part 61c. Since the connecting part 61c opens to the side of the exhaust cylinder 61b, the air containing unwanted substances swirls around the exhaust cylinder 61b. The unwanted substances D in the air fall due to their weight and are collected in a part of the recovery container 60B (deposited on the bottom surface of the lower part 62). The air is exhausted upward through the inside of the exhaust cylinder 61b.

[0136] A plurality of fins 61d are integrally formed on the peripheral surface of the exhaust cylinder 61b. The plurality of fins 61d are arranged in the circumferential direction of the exhaust cylinder 61b. Each fin 61d is inclined obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the exhaust cylinder 61b. By providing such fins 61, the swirling of the air containing unwanted substances D around the exhaust cylinder 61b is promoted. Also, the separation of the unwanted substances D is promoted by the fins 61. As a result, the vertical length of the suction unit 6A can be suppressed, contributing to the miniaturization of the device.

[0137] In addition, a forming unit 6B is arranged in the falling path of the ground beans by the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, and a suction unit 6A of a centrifugal separation method is arranged on the side of the falling path. Although the mechanism of the centrifugal separation method tends to be long in the vertical direction, by shifting the suction unit 6A from the falling path and arranging it laterally, the suction unit 6A can be arranged side by side with the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B in the lateral direction. This contributes to suppressing the vertical length of the apparatus. In particular, when performing two-stage grinding by the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, the vertical length of the apparatus tends to increase, so such an arrangement of the suction unit 6A is effective for miniaturizing the apparatus.

[0138] The forming unit 6B will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17. FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of the forming unit 6B. FIG. 16 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of the forming unit 6B. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the forming unit 6B and is a comparative explanatory view of the cross-sectional areas.

[0139] The forming unit 6B shown in FIG. 15 is formed by joining two members that are halved vertically. The forming unit 6B includes a pipe portion 63 and a separation chamber forming portion 64, and has a spoon shape in plan view. The pipe portion 63 is a cylindrical body that forms a communication passage 63a with the suction unit 6A, and extends in the lateral direction (the direction intersecting the center line CL described later). The separation chamber forming portion 64 is connected to the pipe portion 63 and is an annular hollow body that forms a separation chamber SC and has an opening in the vertical direction at the center.

[0140] In the separation device 6 shown in FIG. 14, when separating impurities from the ground beans, a method is adopted in which a lateral wind pressure is applied to the ground beans falling from the first grinder 5A to suck the impurities. This is advantageous in that the vertical length can be made shorter than that of the centrifugal separation method.

[0141] The separation chamber forming portion 64 shown in FIG. 15 includes a cylindrical portion 65 extending in the vertical direction. The cylindrical portion 65 protrudes into the separation chamber SC from the central portion to the lower portion in the vertical direction. The cylindrical portion 65 has an opening 65a at one upper end, and the opening 65a forms an input port for ground beans that communicates with the separation chamber SC. The opening 65a is located outside the separation chamber SC and is connected to the discharge port 51a (see FIG. 13) of the first grinder 5A. Thereby, the ground beans falling from the discharge port 51a are introduced into the separation chamber forming portion 64 without leakage. The cylindrical portion 65 has an opening 65b at the other lower end. The opening 65b is located inside the separation chamber SC. Since the opening 65b faces the separation chamber SC, the ground beans falling from the discharge port 51a are introduced into the separation chamber SC without leakage.

[0142] The cylindrical portion 65 has a cylindrical shape, and the openings 65a and 65b have concentric circular shapes located on the center line CL. Thereby, it becomes easier for the ground beans falling from the discharge port 51a to pass through the cylindrical portion 65. The cylindrical portion 65 has a tapered shape in which the cross-sectional area of the internal space gradually decreases from the opening 65a side toward the opening 65b side. Since the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 65 has a mortar shape, the falling ground beans are likely to collide with the inner wall. The ground beans falling from the first grinder 5A may fall in a state where the grains are in close contact with each other and form a lump. If the ground beans are in a lump state, the separation efficiency of impurities may decrease. In the cylindrical portion 65 shown in FIG. 15, the lumped ground beans collide with the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 65, so that the lump can be broken and the impurities can be easily separated.

[0143] In terms of breaking up the mass of ground beans, the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 65 is not limited to the shape of a mortar. If there is a location in the middle part of the cylindrical portion 65 where the cross-sectional area of the internal space is smaller than that of the opening 65a, and thus there is an inner wall inclined (not horizontal) with respect to the center line CL, it is possible to promote the collision with the mass while smoothly dropping the ground beans. Also, the cylindrical portion 65 does not necessarily protrude into the separation chamber SC, and it may only have a portion protruding upward from the outer surface of the separation chamber forming portion 64. However, by protruding the cylindrical portion 65 into the separation chamber SC, the wind speed around the cylindrical portion 65 can be improved. Therefore, in the region R1 relatively far from the pipe portion 63, the separation effect of unnecessary matter by wind pressure can be enhanced.

[0144] The separation chamber forming portion 64 has a discharge port 66 communicating with the separation chamber SC through which the ground beans after separating unnecessary matter are discharged. The discharge port 66 shown in FIG. 15 is located below the opening 65b, and the ground beans passing through the cylindrical portion 65 freely fall from the discharge port 66 after passing through the separation chamber SC. The discharge port 66 is a circular opening located on the center line CL and is concentric with the opening 65a and the opening 65b. Therefore, it becomes easier for the ground beans to pass through the separation chamber forming portion 64 by free fall, and it is possible to prevent the ground beans from accumulating in the separation chamber forming portion 64.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 17, the cross-sectional area SC2 of the discharge port 66 is larger than the cross-sectional area SC1 of the opening 65b. The opening 65b and the discharge port 66 overlap each other when viewed in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the opening 65b is projected onto the discharge port 66 in the vertical direction, the opening 65b fits inside the discharge port 66. In other words, the opening 65b fits within the region obtained by extending the discharge port 66 in the vertical direction. A configuration in which the opening 65b and the discharge port 66 are not on the same center line but overlap, or a configuration in which at least one of them is not circular but they overlap, can also be adopted.

[0146] The ratio of the cross-sectional area SC1 to the cross-sectional area SC2 is, for example, 95% or less, or 85% or less, and is also, for example, 60% or more, or 70% or more. Since the opening 65b and the discharge port 66 are concentric circles, they overlap each other when viewed in the direction of the center line CL. For this reason, the ground beans that freely fall from the opening 65b are easily discharged from the discharge port 66. In addition, it is possible to prevent the falling ground beans from colliding with the edge of the discharge port 66 and bouncing toward the pipe portion 63 side, and it is also possible to suppress the necessary ground beans from being sucked by the suction unit 6A. Although it has been exemplified that the opening area of the one-end opening (for example, 65a) is smaller than the opening area of the discharge port (for example, 66), the opening area of the discharge port (for example, 66) and the opening area of the one-end opening (for example, 65a) may be the same, or the opening area of the one-end opening (for example, 65a) may be larger than the opening area of the discharge port (for example, 66). Although it has been exemplified that the opening area of the other-end opening (for example, 65b) is smaller than the opening area of the discharge port (for example, 66), the opening area of the discharge port (for example, 66) and the opening area of the other-end opening (for example, 65b) may be the same, or the opening area of the other-end opening (for example, 65b) may be larger than the opening area of the discharge port (for example, 66). Although it has been exemplified that air is sucked from the discharge port 66 and the inlets (for example, 65a, 65a') by the suction unit (for example, 6A), the amount of air sucked from the discharge port 66 may be made larger than the amount of air sucked from the inlets (for example, 65a, 65a'). This may be realized by the fact that the other-end opening (for example, 65b) protrudes into the separation chamber, or the cross-sectional area of the discharge port 66 is larger than the size of the opening area of the one-end opening (for example, 65a), or the cross-sectional area of the discharge port 66 is larger than the size of the opening area of the other-end opening (for example, 65b), or the distance from the discharge port 66 to the separation chamber is closer than the distance from the one-end opening (for example, 65a) to the separation chamber, or the distance from the discharge port 66 to the exhaust cylinder 61b is closer than the distance from the one-end opening (for example, 65a) to the exhaust cylinder 61b, or the distance from the discharge port 66 to the blower unit 60A is closer than the distance from the one-end opening (for example, 65a) to the blower unit 60A.It may be any of the inner wall portions of the members (63 to 65) constituting the forming unit 6B and the separation chamber SC, the cylindrical portion 65, or the other end opening (for example, 65b), but it is in direct or indirect contact with the grinder (at least one of 5A and 5B) through another member, and is configured to vibrate when the vibration caused by the rotation of the grinder is transmitted. For example, in the case of the coffee bean grinder 1 in the embodiment, since they are in direct or indirect contact, during the operation of the grinder, any of the inner wall portions of the members (63 to 65) constituting the forming unit 6B and the separation chamber SC, the cylindrical portion 65, or the other end opening (for example, 65b) vibrates, and the turbulent air generated in the separation chamber SC due to the vibration brakes the light foreign matter entering the separation chamber SC from the other end opening (for example, 65b), making it easier for the suction unit (for example, 6A) to suck the foreign matter. In particular, like the coffee bean grinder 1 in the embodiment, the forming unit 6B is in direct contact with the first grinder 5A among the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B. By directly contacting one grinder in this way, appropriate vibration can be applied to the forming unit 6B to make it easier to suck light foreign matter.

[0147] The air sucked by the suction unit 6A is mainly sucked from the discharge port 66. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 13, a gap is provided between the discharge port 66 and the inlet 50b of the second grinder 5B, and the suction of air is promoted. The arrow d4 shown in FIG. 15 schematically shows the direction of the air flow of the air sucked by the suction unit 6A. By sucking air from the discharge port 66, it becomes difficult for foreign matter to be discharged from the discharge port 66, and the separation performance between the ground beans and the foreign matter can be improved. It should be noted that the air sucked by the suction unit 6A is also sucked from the opening 65a.

[0148] The peripheral wall that defines the discharge port 66 is formed with a turbulent flow promoting portion 67. The turbulent flow promoting portion 67 causes turbulent flow in the air sucked from the discharge port 66 into the separation chamber SC. By forming the turbulent flow promoting portion 67, particularly in the region R2 between the opening 65b and the discharge port 66, turbulent flow is likely to occur. Also, in the forming unit 6B shown in FIG. 15, since the wind speed is improved around the cylindrical portion 65, the generation of turbulent flow in the region R2 can be synergistically promoted.

[0149] The ground beans introduced into the inlet 65a are agitated under the influence of turbulent flow when passing through the region R2. In particular, as described above, since the cross-sectional area SC2 of the discharge port 66 is larger than the cross-sectional area SC1 of the opening 65b, the ground beans necessarily pass through the region R2. Turbulent flow makes it easier to separate impurities such as chaff and fine powder from the ground beans. Therefore, even if the separation chamber SC is a small space, the separation efficiency of impurities can be improved, particularly contributing to reducing the vertical length of the separation chamber SC, which is advantageous for miniaturizing the apparatus when performing two-stage grinding with the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B.

[0150] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the turbulent flow promoting portion 67 includes a plurality of turbulent flow promoting elements 67a. The turbulent flow promoting element 67a is a protrusion protruding downward in the vertical direction. The protruding direction of the turbulent flow promoting element 67a can be in any direction, but a direction within the range from the downward direction to the radially inner direction is preferable in terms of making it easier to generate turbulent flow in the separation chamber SC. If the protruding direction is downward, it is more preferable because the falling ground beans will not get caught.

[0151] The cross-sectional shape of the turbulent flow promoting element 67a is such that a trapezoidal square prism is arranged with the upper base of the cross-section facing the center line CL direction, and as shown in FIG. 16, a chamfer 67b is provided on the inner side of the tip. The shape of the turbulent flow promoting element 67a is not limited to this shape, but a shape that three-dimensionally complicates the shape of the discharge port 66 is preferable.

[0152] As shown in Fig. 16, the turbulent flow promoting elements 67a are repeatedly formed in the circumferential direction d5 around the discharge port 66. Thereby, air is blown into the region R2 from multiple directions, promoting the generation of turbulent flow. The pitch of adjacent turbulent flow promoting elements 67a may be an equal pitch or a different pitch. Also, although 12 turbulent flow promoting elements 67a are formed, the number of turbulent flow promoting elements 67a is arbitrary.

[0153] As described above, the grinding device 5 described with reference to Figs. 12 to 17 was incorporated into the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in Fig. 1, but it can also be used as a coffee bean grinder alone. In this case, a storage device for storing roasted coffee beans and supplying the coffee beans to the inlet 50a, a control device for controlling the grinding device 5, and an information display device are added.

[0154] Fig. 18 is an external perspective view of a coffee bean grinder, and Fig. 19 is a block diagram of the control device of the coffee bean grinder. The basic configuration of the coffee bean grinder shown in Fig. 18 is substantially the same as the basic configuration of the grinding device 5 described with reference to Figs. 12 to 17. Hereinafter, components having the same names as the components described so far will be given the same reference numerals as those used so far, and the description will focus on the differences from the grinding device 5 described with reference to Figs. 12 to 17.

[0155] The coffee bean grinder GM shown in Fig. 18 has a storage device 4, a grinding device 5, and a control device 11 shown in Fig. 19 for controlling these. The coffee bean grinder GM also has an information display device 12 (see Fig. 19) wirelessly connected to the control device 11. The information display device 12 is a touch panel type display for inputting instructions for various controls of the coffee bean grinder GM, setting values, etc., and can receive inputs from administrators and users in addition to displaying various information. Also, a speaker and a camera are provided in the information display device 12.

[0156] The control device 11 controls the entire coffee bean grinder GM. The control device 11 includes a processing unit 11a, a storage unit 11b, and an I / F (interface) unit 11c. The processing unit 11a is a processor such as a CPU. The storage unit 11b is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. A recipe is stored in this storage unit 11b. The recipe includes information on various conditions for grinding coffee beans, bean information, recipe creator information, comments from the recipe creator, and the like. The I / F unit 11c includes an input / output interface that performs input / output of signals between an external device and the processing unit 11a. The I / F unit 11c also includes a communication interface capable of data communication with external terminals such as a server 16 and a mobile terminal 17 via a communication network 15 such as the Internet. The server 16 can communicate with a mobile terminal 17 such as a smartphone via the communication network 15, and can receive, for example, a reservation for grinding coffee beans or information such as impressions from the mobile terminal 17 of a customer. The coffee bean grinder 1, the server 16, and the mobile terminal 17 together constitute a coffee bean grinding system GS for grinding coffee beans.

[0157] The processing unit 11a executes the program stored in the storage unit 11b and controls the storage device 4 and the grinding device 5 according to the recipe. Looking more closely, the processing unit 11a controls the actuator group 14 according to the recipe, or controls the actuator group 14 based on an instruction from the information display device 12, a detection result of the sensor group 13, or an instruction from the server 16. The sensor group 13 is various sensors (for example, a mechanism operation position detection sensor, etc.) provided in the storage device 4 and the grinding device 5. The actuator group 14 is various actuators (for example, a motor, etc.) provided in the storage device 4 and the grinding device 5.

[0158] The storage device 4 shown in Fig. 18 includes a cylindrical canister storage unit 401 and a removable cap 401c that is screwed onto the upper end of the canister storage unit 401 to cover the upper surface of the canister storage unit 401. An inner side of the canister storage unit 401 is provided with a canister storage chamber (not shown). The canister storage chambers are provided in a plurality in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of canisters can be stored inside the canister storage unit 401. Here, the canister (not shown) has the same structure as the canister shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, except that the handle 40b is not provided. In the storage device 4, a plurality of stored canisters can be selectively used. Therefore, it is possible to select roasted coffee beans of different varieties or roasted coffee beans with different roasting degrees for grinding, or to mix and grind a plurality of types of roasted coffee beans with different varieties and roasting degrees.

[0159] Further, the canister storage unit 401 is detachably attached to an option attachment portion GM11 provided on an upper portion of a center casing GM10 of the coffee bean grinder GM. A plurality of types of units can be attached to this option attachment portion GM11 in addition to the canister storage unit 401. The upper portion of the center casing GM10 covers the lower portion of the unit attached to the option attachment portion GM11. Note that an external terminal such as a mobile terminal 17 capable of communicating with the coffee bean grinder GM may be configured to display the type of the unit attached to the option attachment portion GM11.

[0160] Fig. 20(a) is a view showing the coffee bean grinder GM to which a hopper unit 402 is attached instead of the canister storage unit 401 shown in Fig. 18, and Fig. 20(b) is a view showing the coffee bean grinder GM to which a funnel unit 403 is attached.

[0161] Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the coffee bean grinder GM seen from the front left obliquely, while Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the coffee bean grinder GM seen from the front right obliquely.

[0162] The option mounting portion GM11 shown in Fig. 18 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the center casing GM10. The mounting method of each unit to this option mounting portion GM11 may be a screwing method, or a method in which the locking claws provided on each unit are locked to the option mounting portion GM11, or a method in which the locking claws provided on the option mounting portion GM11 are locked to each unit.

[0163] The hopper unit 402 shown in Fig. 20(a) is a transparent container, inside which roasted coffee beans are stored, and the upper surface is covered by a removable cap 402c. This hopper unit 402 corresponds to a large single canister.

[0164] On the other hand, the funnel unit 403 shown in Fig. 20(b) is funnel-shaped with the inner side tapering towards the option mounting portion GM11 side, and the upper end is open. Roasted coffee beans are also stored in this funnel unit 403. In the funnel unit 403, the supply of roasted coffee beans to the downstream side is smoother compared to the canister and the hopper unit 402. Whether it is the canister storage unit 401, the hopper unit 402, or the funnel unit 403, they are all storage units capable of storing roasted coffee beans. These storage units (401 - 403) are provided with supply ports for supplying roasted coffee beans to the downstream side.

[0165] Also, a weighing unit can be attached to the option mounting portion GM11.

[0166] Fig. 21(a) is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a weighing unit 404 is attached to the option mounting portion GM11.

[0167] The coffee bean grinder GM shown in Fig. 21(a) has a canister storage unit 401 shown in Fig. 20 further attached to a weighing unit 404 attached to an optional attachment part GM11. A storage unit (401 - 403) capable of storing roasted coffee beans can be detachably attached to the weighing unit 404. The attachment method of the storage unit to the weighing unit 404 may be a screwing method, similar to the attachment method of each unit to the optional attachment part GM11, or a method in which the locking claws provided on each unit lock to the weighing unit 404, or a method in which the locking claws provided on the weighing unit 404 lock to the storage unit. In the example shown in Fig. 21(a), the locking claw 404k provided on the weighing unit 404 is locked to the protrusion GM11t of the optional attachment part GM11. Also, the locking claw 401k provided on the canister storage unit 401 is locked to the protrusion 404t provided on the upper part of the inner peripheral wall of the weighing unit 404.

[0168] The weighing unit 404 has an inlet 4040, a guide passage 4041, a conveying passage 4042, and an outlet 4043. When the storage unit (401 - 403) is attached to the weighing unit 404, the supply port USP of the storage unit is connected to the inlet 4040 of the weighing unit 404, and the roasted coffee beans stored in the storage unit are supplied to the inlet 4040. The upstream side of the inlet 4040 and the conveying passage 4042 is connected by the guide passage 4041. In the conveying passage 4042 shown in Fig. 21(a), the right side is the upstream side and the left side is the downstream side. An electric screw conveyor ESC is arranged in the conveying passage 4042, and the roasted coffee beans are conveyed in the conveying passage 4042 and sent out from the outlet 4043 toward the grinding device 5. That is, the roasted coffee beans supplied to the inlet 4040 are guided to the conveying passage 4042 through the guide passage 4041 and conveyed from the right side to the left side of the conveying passage 4042 shown in Fig. 21(a). The conveying path 4042 shown in Fig. 21(a) is provided horizontally, but the downstream end opening 4042o of the conveying path 4042 is formed to open obliquely upward. Note that the conveying path 4042 may be inclined such that the downstream side is higher than the upstream side.

[0169] FIG. 21(b) is a perspective view showing an electric screw conveyor ESC.

[0170] In the electric screw conveyor ESC shown in FIG. 21(b), the right back side is the upstream side, and the left front side is the downstream side. The electric screw conveyor ESC has a screw shaft ESC1 and screw blades ESC2 spirally provided on the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft ESC1. Further, a motor ESC3 for rotationally driving the screw shaft ESC1 is built in the upstream end portion of the electric screw conveyor ESC. The roasted coffee beans led to the conveying passage 4042 are conveyed in the conveying passage 4042 by the rotating screw blades ESC2. The control device 11 controls the rotation of the motor ESC3, and the amount of roasted coffee beans is automatically measured according to the rotation amount of the screw shaft ESC1. The electric screw conveyor ESC automatically measures the roasted coffee beans stored in the storage units (401 to 403) and conveys them toward the downstream side.

[0171] As shown in FIG. 21(a), a covering member 460 is provided at the downstream end opening 4042o of the conveying passage 4042. As described above, the downstream end opening 4042o is formed facing obliquely upward, and the covering member 460 is also arranged obliquely. The covering member 460 has a covering plate 461 and a belt-like member 451.

[0172] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing some modes of the covering member 460 arranged at the downstream end opening 4042o of the conveying passage 4042.

[0173] The downstream end opening 4042o shown in FIG. 22(a) is covered by the covering plate 461 in the upper half. The covering plate 461 is a rigid body made of resin.

[0174] Also, an outlet portion 45 is provided at the downstream end of the conveyance path 4042. This outlet portion 45 is formed by arranging flexible strip members 451 in the lateral direction with an interval W1 therebetween. The strip members 451 are more flexible than the cover plate 461. The interval W1 between the strip members 451 is narrower than the size of a general roasted coffee bean B. Also, the upper ends of the strip members 451 are fixed to the lower edge portion of the cover plate 461, while the lower ends of the strip members 451 are free ends. Further, the lower ends of the strip members 451 are located inside by a length shorter than the size of the roasted coffee bean B from the edge 4042e that defines the downstream end opening 4042o. The strip members 451 narrow the area of the downstream end opening 4042o, but allow the passage of the roasted coffee beans B conveyed by the rotating screw blades ESC2 by means of flexibility. That is, originally, the area of the downstream end opening 4042o is narrowed to about half by the cover plate 461, and the roasted coffee beans B are less likely to fall from the downstream end opening 4042o when the rotation of the screw blades ESC2 stops. Moreover, the area of the downstream end opening 4042o is further narrowed by the strip members 451, and the roasted coffee beans B are even less likely to fall from the downstream end opening 4042o. Therefore, it is suppressed that the roasted coffee beans B inadvertently enter the downstream side. On the other hand, since the strip members 451 are flexible and the lower ends are free ends, they are turned outward by the pushing force (corresponding to the conveying force) of the roasted coffee beans B conveyed by the rotating screw blades ESC2. As a result, the interval W1 between the strip members 451 and the gap between the lower ends of the strip members 451 and the edge 4042e that defines the downstream end opening 4042o expand, and the roasted coffee beans B are sent out from the expanded interval and gap.

[0175] Also, in the covering member 460 arranged obliquely upward, the strip members 451 are also inclined, and the outlet portion 45 also faces obliquely upward. The outlet portion 45 shown in FIGS. 22(a) to 22(f) faces obliquely upward. Also, due to the outlet portion 45 facing obliquely upward in this way, it is difficult for the roasted coffee beans B to fall from the outlet portion 45. However, the outlet portion 45 shown in FIGS. 22(a) to 22(f) may face directly sideways.

[0176] The downstream end opening 4042o shown in Fig. 22(a) has its upper half covered by the covering plate 461. The covering plate 461 is a rigid body made of resin.

[0177] The covering member 460 shown in Figs. 22(b) and (c) is the same as the covering member 460 shown in Fig. 22(a), except that the strip member 451 is longer. The strip member 451 shown in Fig. 22(b) extends downward beyond the edge 4042e that defines the downstream end opening 4042o, and the lower end of the strip member 451 is located outside the edge 4042e. The strip member 451 shown in Fig. 22(c) extends exactly downward to the edge 4042e that defines the downstream end opening 4042o, and the lower end of the strip member 451 overlaps the edge 4042e. Therefore, in both of the covering members 460 shown in Figs. 22(b) and (c), the area of the downstream end opening 4042o can be made narrower than that of the covering member 460 shown in Fig. 22(a), and the allowability of the passage of the roasted coffee beans B is reduced. However, both the strip member 451 shown in Fig. 22(b) and the strip member 451 shown in Fig. 22(c) have flexibility and the lower end is a free end, so they are turned outward by the pushing force of the roasted coffee beans B conveyed by the rotating screw blade ESC2. As a result, the roasted coffee beans B are sent out by the pushing force from both the outlet 45 shown in Fig. 22(b) and the outlet 45 shown in Fig. 22(c).

[0178] The covering members 460 shown in FIGS. 22(d) and 22(e) are the same except that the size of the cover plate 461 is different from that of the covering member 460 shown in FIG. 22(a). In the covering member 460 shown in FIG. 22(d), the cover plate 461 covers the upper portion corresponding to one-third of the size of the downstream end opening 4042o. In the covering member 460 shown in FIG. 22(e), the cover plate 461 covers the portion from the upper part to the middle corresponding to two-thirds of the size of the downstream end opening 4042o. Therefore, in the covering member 460 shown in FIG. 22(d), compared with the covering member 460 shown in FIG. 22(a), the area of the downstream end opening 4042o is not narrowed, and the allowability of the passage of the roasted coffee beans B is increased. However, when the strip member 451 is also combined, the area of the downstream opening 41h is narrowed by more than half, and it becomes difficult for the roasted coffee beans B to fall from the outlet portion 45 when the rotation of the screw blade ESC2 stops. Further, in the covering member 460 shown in FIG. 22(e), compared with the covering member 460 shown in FIG. 22(a), the area of the downstream end opening 4042o is further narrowed, and the allowability of the passage of the roasted coffee beans B is considerably low. For this reason, it is preferable to use a strip member having better flexibility than the strip member 451 shown in FIG. 22(a).

[0179] The covering member 460 shown in Fig. 22(f) has no cover plate 461 and is composed only of the outlet portion 45 made of the strip member 451. Both ends of the strip member 451 are fixed to the edge 4042e that defines the downstream end opening 4042o. In the covering member 460 shown in Fig. 22(f), the strip member 451 narrows the area of the downstream end opening 4042o. Also, since both ends of the strip member 451 are fixed, one end portion does not turn outward. However, due to the pushing force of the roasted coffee beans B conveyed by the rotating screw blade ESC2, the interval W2 of the strip member 451 expands. The strip member 451 shown in Fig. 22(f) is thinner than the strip member 451 shown in Fig. 22(a). Also, although the interval W2 of the strip member 451 shown in Fig. 22(f) is narrower than the size of a general roasted coffee bean B, it is wider than the interval W1 of the strip member 451 shown in Fig. 22(a). For this reason, compared with the strip member 451 shown in Fig. 22(a), the interval W2 of the strip member 451 shown in Fig. 22(f) is more likely to expand due to the pushing force of the roasted coffee beans B being conveyed, and the interval after expansion is also large. Therefore, the roasted coffee beans B are also sent out by the pushing force from the outlet portion 45 shown in Fig. 22(f).

[0180] Fig. 23 is a schematic view showing still another aspect of the covering member 460.

[0181] The covering member 460 shown in Fig. 23(a) is the same as the covering member 460 shown in Fig. 22(a), except that the configuration of the outlet portion 45 is different. That is, the upper half of the downstream end opening 4042o is covered by a covering plate 461, and the outlet portion 45 is provided in the lower half. The outlet portion 45 shown in Fig. 23(a) is composed of a rotation axis 452 extending in the horizontal direction and a lid member 453 that rotates in the vertical direction with the rotation axis 452 as the rotation center. The lid member 453 covers the entire lower half of the downstream end opening 4042o and has a rectangular outer shape. The lid member 453 shown in Fig. 23(a) is in a state of covering the entire lower half of the downstream end opening 4042o, and it is difficult for the roasted coffee beans B to fall from the outlet portion 45 when the rotation of the screw blade ESC2 stops. Moreover, each outlet portion 45 shown in Fig. 23 is also facing obliquely upward. For this reason, the lid member 453 is also facing obliquely upward, making it difficult to rotate upward. However, due to the pushing force of the roasted coffee beans B conveyed by the rotating screw blade ESC2, the lid member 453 rotates upward as shown by the arrow in the figure, and the roasted coffee beans B are also sent out from the outlet portion 45 shown in Fig. 23(a).

[0182] The covering member 460 shown in Fig. 23(b) is the same as the covering member 460 shown in Fig. 23(a), except that the size and shape of the lid member 453 are different. The lid member 453 shown in Fig. 23(b) covers a part of the lower half of the downstream end opening 4042o and has a semi-circular outer shape. Therefore, a gap W3 is formed between the edge 4042e defining the downstream end opening 4042o and the lid member 453, and the gap W3 is narrower than the size of a general roasted coffee bean B. Also in the covering member 460 shown in Fig. 23(b), it is difficult for the roasted coffee beans B to fall when the rotation of the screw blade ESC2 stops. On the other hand, due to the pushing force of the conveyed roasted coffee beans B, the lid member 453 rotates upward as shown by the arrow in the figure, and the roasted coffee beans B are also sent out from the outlet portion 45 shown in Fig. 23(b). In particular, in the outlet portion 45 shown in Fig. 23(b), due to the gap W3, the allowability of the passage of the roasted coffee beans B is higher than that of the outlet portion 45 shown in Fig. 23(a).

[0183] The covering member 460 shown in Fig. 23(c) is composed only of the outlet portion 45 having two rotating shafts 452L and 452R and a pair of left and right lid members 453L and 453R, eliminating the cover plate 461. The two rotating shafts 452L and 452R are inclined from the vertical direction because the downstream end opening 4042o faces obliquely upward. The left lid member 453L covers the entire left half of the downstream end opening 4042o and has a semi-circular outer shape. The right lid member 453L covers the entire left half of the downstream end opening 4042o and has a semi-circular outer shape. Also in the outlet portion 45 shown in Fig. 23(c), the roasted coffee beans B are less likely to fall from the time the rotation of the screw blade ESC2 stops. On the other hand, due to the pushing force of the conveyed roasted coffee beans B, as indicated by the arrow in the figure, the left lid member 453L rotates to the left and the right lid member 453R rotates to the right, and the roasted coffee beans B are also sent out from the outlet portion 45 shown in Fig. 23(c).

[0184] In addition, although each outlet portion 45 shown in Fig. 23 faces obliquely upward, it may face straight sideways.

[0185] In the above description, A coffee machine that performs preparation using coffee beans, a conveying mechanism [e.g., an electric screw conveyor ESC] that conveys coffee beans toward an opening [e.g., the downstream end opening 4042o], an outlet portion [e.g., the outlet portion 45] that allows the passage of the coffee beans conveyed by the conveying mechanism while narrowing the area of the opening, characterized by having a coffee machine [e.g., the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1, the coffee bean grinder GM]. has been described.

[0186] In addition, the conveying mechanism is arranged inside a cylindrical body, and the cylindrical body may have a storage side that stores the coffee beans on the upstream side and the opening on the downstream side.

[0187] Here, a coffee machine is characterized by having a storage section for storing coffee beans, a conveying mechanism for conveying the coffee beans from the storage section toward an opening, and an outlet section that allows the passage of the coffee beans conveyed by the conveying mechanism while narrowing the area of the opening. It may also be like this.

[0188] Also, 'The outlet section is formed by arranging strip-shaped members [for example, strip-shaped member 451] having flexibility at intervals [for example, intervals W1, W2] in one direction [for example, the horizontal direction]. This is the coffee machine characterized by this.' has also been described.

[0189] Note that the one direction may be the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, or the diagonal direction. It may also be like this.

[0190] Also, the outlet section may be in a comb-tooth shape.

[0191] Also, both ends of the strip-shaped member may be fixed [for example, strip-shaped member 451 shown in FIG. 22(f)].

[0192] Also, 'One end of the strip-shaped member is a fixed end and the other end is a free end [for example, strip-shaped member 451 shown in FIGS. 22(a) to 22(e)]. This is the coffee machine characterized by this.' has also been described.

[0193] Also, 'The other end is located inside the edge defining the opening [for example, strip-shaped member 451 shown in FIGS. 22(a), 22(d), and 22(e)]. This is the coffee machine characterized by this.' has also been described.

[0194] The other end is separated from the edge [e.g., edge 4042e] defining the opening by a first length inward, and the first length may be shorter than the size of the coffee beans.

[0195] Also, 'The belt-like member is such that a part on the side that becomes the other end [e.g., the free end side] overlaps the edge [e.g., edge 4042e] defining the opening [e.g., the belt-like member 451 shown in FIGS. 22(b) and (c) of the same drawing].' A beverage manufacturing apparatus characterized by this. has also been described.

[0196] That is, the other end may be located outside the edge [e.g., the tip of the belt-like member 451 shown in FIG. 22(b)], or may be located on the edge [e.g., the tip of the belt-like member 451 shown in FIG. 22(c)].

[0197] Also, 'The intervals [e.g., intervals W1, W2] are narrower than the size of the coffee beans.' A coffee machine characterized by this. has also been described.

[0198] Also, 'A coffee machine characterized by including a covering part [e.g., a covering plate 461] that covers a part of the opening separately from the outlet part.' has also been described.

[0199] Note that the covering part may be fixedly arranged along the outer periphery of the opening. Also, the covering part may be plate-shaped.

[0200] Also, 'The outlet part is a lid member [e.g., the lid members 453 shown in FIG. 23, the left lid member 453L and the right lid member 453R] that is opened by the conveying force of the coffee beans [e.g., the pushing force of the roasted coffee beans B conveyed by the rotating screw blades ESC2] by the conveying mechanism.' A coffee machine characterized by... was also described.

[0201] Also, 'The outlet portion faces obliquely upward [for example, refer to the downstream end opening 4042o shown in Fig. 21(a)], A coffee machine characterized by... was also described.

[0202] Subsequently, the coffee bean outlet will be described.

[0203] Fig. 24(a) is a view showing the state where the lid unit GM21 for opening and closing the coffee bean outlet GM20 provided in the center casing GM10 of the coffee bean grinder GM is closed, and Fig. 24(b) is a view showing the state where the lid unit GM21 is open.

[0204] As described above, an option attachment portion GM11 is provided at the upper part of the center casing GM10 of the coffee bean grinder GM. Further, a start button GM15 for instructing the start of the grinding process by pressing is provided at the middle portion in the height direction of the center casing GM10. Furthermore, the lower part of the center casing GM10 covers the first grinder 5A. The bean outlet GM20 shown in Fig. 24(b) is downstream of the option attachment portion GM11 and upstream of the first grinder 5A. That is, the position of the bean outlet GM20 is downstream of the outlet 4043 (see Fig. 21(a)) of the weighing unit 404 when the weighing unit 404 is attached to the option attachment portion GM11, and is downstream of the supply port USP (see Fig. 21(a)) of the storage unit (401 to 403) when the storage unit (401 to 403) is attached to the option attachment portion GM11. Roasted coffee beans stored in the storage unit (401 to 403) are discharged from the bean outlet GM20. Also, when the weighing unit 404 is attached to the option attachment portion GM11, excess beans may be discharged from the bean outlet GM20 as a result of weighing. A guide path forming member GM22 is attached to the center casing GM10 so that the roasted coffee beans discharged from the bean outlet GM20 do not scatter. As shown in Fig. 24(b), the roasted coffee beans B discharged from the bean outlet GM20 are guided by this guide path forming member GM22 and slide down obliquely downward. If a collection container is placed near the tip of the guide path forming member GM22, the discharged roasted coffee beans can be easily collected in the collection container.

[0205] As shown in Fig. 24(b), the lid unit GM21 has an inner lid GM211 and an outer lid 212. The inner lid GM211 is a part of the peripheral wall of a bean conveyance path (not shown) provided inside the center casing GM10 in the closed state shown in Fig. 24(a). On the other hand, the outer lid GM212 is a member that constitutes a part of the center casing GM10 in the closed state shown in Fig. 24(a). The bean outlet GM20 provided in the center casing GM10 is blocked by this outer lid GM212.

[0206] The lid unit GM21 automatically opens from the closed state under the control of the control device 11, for example, after the weighing by the weighing unit 404 is completed and the weighed roasted coffee beans are sent to the first grinder 5A. When the lid unit GM21 is in the open state, the screw blade ESC2 resumes rotation, and the remaining roasted coffee beans are conveyed and discharged from the bean outlet GM20 before reaching the first grinder 5A. If there are roasted coffee beans remaining in the electric screw conveyor ESC, when grinding roasted coffee beans of a different type next, the roasted coffee beans of different types will be mixed. Therefore, it is necessary to take out the remaining roasted coffee beans from inside the electric screw conveyor ESC to the outside. Also, even when the weighing unit 404 is not installed and grinding the same type of roasted coffee beans, the bean outlet GM20 functions effectively. Usually, until the rotational speed of the first motor of the first grinder 5A reaches a constant speed, the roasted coffee beans are not supplied to the first grinder 5A, but the remaining beans in front of the first grinder 5A have no choice but to be ground by the first grinder 5A and discarded. However, with the bean outlet GM20, the remaining beans in front of the first grinder 5A can be recovered from the bean outlet GM20, and there is no waste of beans. The lid unit GM21 automatically opens from the closed state under the control of the control device 11 when the drive of the first grinder 5A stops. In addition, when it automatically opens, it is notified in advance that it will be in the open state. Also, not limited to the remaining roasted coffee beans, when the grinding process is aborted halfway, the lid unit GM21 opens, and the roasted coffee beans can be taken out from inside the coffee bean grinder GM to the outside. Furthermore, the lid unit GM21 may be made capable of being opened manually. For example, when the first grinder 5A is in operation, the lid unit GM21 is under autolock and cannot be opened, but when the first grinder 5A is stopped, the autolock is released and it may be in a mode where it can be opened manually at any time. Alternatively, the lid unit GM21 may be made capable of being opened by an instruction from an external terminal such as the mobile terminal 17.

[0207] In the grinding method of the coffee bean grinder GM described above, first, a storage unit (401 to 403) capable of storing coffee beans is attached to an option attachment portion GM11 provided upstream of the first grinder 5A (attachment step). Next, the coffee beans stored in the storage unit attached to the option attachment portion GM11 are supplied to the first grinder 5A (supply step). Then, the supplied coffee beans are ground by the first grinder 5A (grinding step). Finally, the coffee beans remaining between the storage unit (401 to 403) and the first grinder 5A are taken out to the outside from the bean outlet GM20 (taking-out step).

[0208] Note that the bean outlet GM20 and the outer lid 212 that opens and closes the bean outlet GM20 are also applicable to the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. The bean outlet GM20 may be provided at a position below the bean inlet 103, which is upstream of the grinding device 5 and where the attachment position of the information display device 12 is changed.

[0209] According to the above description, ‘A coffee bean grinder provided with a grinder [for example, the grinding device 5] for grinding coffee beans, comprising an option attachment portion [for example, the option attachment portion GM11] upstream of the grinder, wherein a storage unit [for example, the canister storage unit 401 shown in FIG. 18, the hopper unit 402 shown in FIG. 20(a)] capable of storing coffee beans can be attached to the option attachment portion, characterized by a coffee bean grinder [for example, the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18].’ has been described.

[0210] According to this coffee bean grinder, various option units can be attached to the option attachment portion, and it has excellent expandability. As an example of the option unit, there is a storage unit capable of storing roasted coffee beans to be supplied to the grinder.

[0211] Also, The funnel unit [e.g., the funnel unit 403 shown in Fig. 20(b)] for introducing coffee beans can be attached to the option attachment part. A coffee bean grinder characterized by this. has also been described.

[0212] Also, The weighing unit [e.g., the weighing unit 404 shown in Fig. 21] for weighing coffee beans and conveying them downstream can be attached to the option attachment part. A coffee bean grinder characterized by this. has also been described.

[0213] Also, An outlet [e.g., the bean outlet GM20] through which coffee beans can be taken out is provided upstream of the grinder and downstream of the option attachment part. A coffee bean grinder characterized by this. has also been described.

[0214] Also, A lid [e.g., the outer lid 212] for opening and closing the outlet is provided. A coffee bean grinder characterized by this. has also been described.

[0215] Furthermore, A coffee bean grinding system (e.g., Figs. 10 and 19) characterized by including an external device (e.g., the server 16, the mobile terminal 17) that can communicate with the coffee bean grinder. has also been described.

[0216] Also, A method for grinding coffee beans in a grinder for grinding coffee beans, An attachment step of attaching a storage unit capable of storing coffee beans [e.g., the canister storage unit 401 shown in FIG. 18, the hopper unit 402 shown in FIG. 20(a), the funnel unit 403 shown in FIG. 20(b)] to an optional attachment portion [e.g., the optional attachment portion GM11] provided upstream of the grinder; A grinding step of grinding the coffee beans stored in the storage unit attached to the optional attachment portion with the grinder; A method for grinding coffee beans, characterized by comprising the above steps. has also been described.

[0217] According to the above description, A coffee bean grinder [e.g., the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 or the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18] equipped with a grinder [e.g., the grinding device 5] for grinding coffee beans, characterized in that an outlet [e.g., the bean outlet GM20] through which coffee beans can be taken out to the outside is provided upstream of the grinder. The coffee bean grinder [e.g., the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 or the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18] is characterized by the above. has been described.

[0218] According to this coffee bean grinder, coffee beans that do not need to be supplied to the grinder can be taken out to the outside through the outlet. As a result, coffee beans that do not need to be ground can be recovered.

[0219] Also, A coffee bean grinder characterized by comprising a lid [e.g., the outer lid 212] for opening and closing the outlet. The coffee bean grinder is characterized by the above. has also been described.

[0220] Also, A coffee bean grinder characterized by comprising a storage portion [e.g., the storage device 4] capable of storing coffee beans upstream of the grinder, and being capable of taking out the coffee beans stored in the storage portion from the outlet. The coffee bean grinder is characterized by the above. This has also been described.

[0221] Also, ‘A coffee bean grinder comprising a cover body [e.g., center casing GM10] that covers at least a part of the grinder, wherein when the lid is in an open state, a part of the cover body is also in an open state and coffee beans can be taken out.’ ‘A coffee bean grinder characterized by the above.’ This has also been described.

[0222] Also, ‘A coffee bean grinder comprising a cover body [e.g., center casing GM10] that covers at least a part of the storage section, wherein when the lid is in an open state, a part of the cover body is also in an open state and coffee beans can be taken out.’ ‘A coffee bean grinder characterized by the above.’ This has also been described.

[0223] Also, ‘A coffee bean grinder comprising a guide path [e.g., a guide path formed by a guide path forming member GM22] for guiding coffee beans taken out from the take-out port.’ ‘A coffee bean grinder characterized by the above.’ This has also been described.

[0224] Furthermore, ‘A coffee bean grinding system (e.g., FIGS. 10 and 19) characterized by comprising an external device (e.g., server 16, mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the coffee bean grinder.’ This has also been described.

[0225] Also, ‘A method for grinding coffee beans in a grinder for grinding coffee beans, comprising a supply step of supplying coffee beans to the grinder, and a grinding step of grinding the coffee beans supplied in the supply step with the grinder.’ A taking-out step of taking out coffee beans to the outside from an outlet provided upstream of the grinder A method for grinding coffee beans, characterized by comprising the above steps. has also been described.

[0226] Next, the grinding device 5 of the coffee bean grinder GM will be described. The basic configuration of this grinding device 5 is the same as the basic configuration of the grinding device 5 described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17, and includes a first grinder 5A, a second grinder 5B, and a separation device 6. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the grinding device 5 described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted.

[0227] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the main configuration of the grinding device 5 incorporated in the coffee bean grinder GM in a posture in which the guide path forming member GM22 shown in FIG. 24 faces forward.

[0228] In this FIG. 25, from the upstream side, a first grinder 5A, a forming unit 6B, and a second grinder 5B are arranged. That is, the forming unit 6B is provided downstream of the first grinder 5A and upstream of the second grinder 5B. The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are mechanisms for grinding roasted coffee beans supplied from a storage unit such as a canister storage unit 401, a hopper unit 402, or a funnel unit 403. Further, when the weighing unit 404 shown in FIG. 21(a) is attached, the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are mechanisms for grinding roasted coffee beans conveyed by the electric screw conveyor ESC. The connection structure between the first grinder 5A and the forming unit 6B is the same as the connection structure described with reference to FIG. 13. That is, the forming unit 6B is provided with a cylindrical portion 65 (see FIG. 13), not shown here, and the discharge port 51a (see FIG. 13 or FIG. 26) of the first grinder 5A is connected to the opening 65a (see FIG. 13) at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 65.

[0229] The upper end of the connecting duct 661 is connected to the discharge port 66 of the forming unit 6B. In FIG. 25, the lower part of this connecting duct 661 is hidden by the manual setting dial 695. The connecting duct 68 and the manual setting dial 695 are provided only on the coffee bean grinder GM, and details will be described later.

[0230] Also, FIG. 25 shows the fixed blade 57b arranged on the upper side and the rotating blade 58b arranged on the lower side, which constitute the second grinder 5B.

[0231] The fixed blade 57b is movable up and down with respect to the rotating blade 58b, and the particle size of the ground beans can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the rotating blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b. FIG. 25 also shows a worm wheel 691 and a worm gear 692 meshing with the worm wheel 691 as part of the lifting mechanism of the fixed blade 57b. Details of the lifting mechanism of the fixed blade 57b will also be described later.

[0232] First, the first grinder 5A will be described.

[0233] FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the first grinder 5A.

[0234] The first grinder 5A shown in FIG. 26 is a grinder for crushing coffee beans to a certain size (for example, about 1 / 4) to facilitate the separation of impurities adhering to the coffee beans. In FIG. 26, a rotating shaft (not shown) extends from above, and a rotating blade 58a, which is a cutter, is provided on the rotating shaft. Also, a fixed blade 57a, which is a cutter, is provided around the rotating blade 58a. The fixed blade 57a shown in FIG. 26 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 53a. The rotating shaft is rotated by a first motor (see the motor 52a shown in FIG. 12) not shown, and the rotating blade 58a rotates.

[0235] The roasted coffee beans introduced into the bean conveying path provided inside the center casing GM10 pass through the portion blocked by the inner lid GM211 shown in FIG. 24(b) and reach the first grinder 5A.

[0236] Figure 27 is a flowchart showing the grinding process of the first grinder 5A executed by the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19.

[0237] The grinding process of the first grinder 5A shown in FIG. 27 is started in response to the pressing of the start button GM15 shown in FIG. 24. Also, when the weighing unit 404 shown in FIG. 21 is attached to the option attachment unit GM11, it may be started in response to the start of rotation of the screw blade ESC2. On the other hand, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the electric screw conveyor ESC has finished conveying the set amount of roasted coffee beans, the end condition is satisfied and the grinding process of the first grinder 5A ends. Note that a sensor for detecting the roasted coffee beans passing through the inlet of the first grinder 5A may be provided, and the grinding process of the first grinder 5A may be started or ended according to the detection result of this sensor.

[0238] First, the processing unit 11a starts the forward rotation of the first motor (step S11), and the rotary blade 58a starts to rotate forward. Next, it is determined whether to continue the forward rotation of the first motor depending on whether the above end condition is satisfied (step S12). If the end condition is satisfied, the determination result is No, and the forward rotation of the first motor is stopped (step S17), and the grinding process of the first grinder 5A ends. On the other hand, if the end condition is not satisfied, the determination result is Yes, and the process proceeds to step S13, and the forward rotation of the first motor continues.

[0239] The upper surface 58a1 of the rotary blade 58a slopes downward toward the downstream side in the normal rotation direction. At least, the highest position of the upper surface 58a1 of the rotary blade 58a is higher than the position of the fixed blade 57a. The roasted coffee beans that have reached the first grinder 5A are guided to the upper surface 58a1 of the rotating rotary blade 58a and are directed toward the fixed blade 57a by centrifugal force, or are directed toward the fixed blade 57a without being guided to the upper surface 58a1 of the rotary blade 58a, and are ground so as to be sandwiched between the fixed blade 57a and the rotating rotary blade 58a. The ground ground coffee beans are discharged from the discharge port 51a (see Fig. 26(a)) to the forming unit 6B.

[0240] Although rare, there may be foreign substances harder than the roasted coffee beans B, such as stones or nails, mixed in the roasted coffee beans B that have reached the first grinder 5A. Such foreign substances cannot be ground between the fixed blade 57a and the rotary blade 58a and remain sandwiched between them, causing the rotary blade 58a to stop rotating normally.

[0241] In Fig. 26(a), a stone St is sandwiched between the fixed blade 57a and the rotary blade 58a, and the rotary blade 58a cannot rotate normally in the normal rotation direction. That is, the rotation has stopped or the rotation speed has become significantly slower. The processing unit 11a shown in Fig. 19 monitors the current value flowing through the first motor. When the rotary blade 58a cannot rotate normally in the normal rotation direction, the current value becomes an abnormal value (a value exceeding the reference value). In step S13 shown in Fig. 27, the processing unit 11a determines whether or not the current value is an abnormal value. If the current value is a normal value, the process returns to step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined that the current value is an abnormal value, the first motor is rotated in the reverse direction (step S14), and the rotary blade 58a starts to rotate in the reverse direction.

[0242] Fig. 26(b) shows that the first motor starts to rotate in the reverse direction and the stone St that was sandwiched between the fixed blade 57a and the rotary blade 58a has fallen. Note that the processing unit 11a may monitor the rotational torque in addition to the current value and determine whether or not the value of the rotational torque is an abnormal value. Alternatively, the processing unit 11a may monitor not the first motor but the rotation speed or rotational speed of the rotary blade 58a and determine whether or not those values are abnormal values.

[0243] In step S15 following step S14 shown in FIG. 27, an instruction to output a notification regarding the detection of an abnormal value is given. The notification here is an error display (for example, a character display saying "A clogging error has occurred in the first grinder 5A") displayed on the display screen of the information display device 12, but an error notification sound may be output from a speaker provided in the information display device 12. Further, the processing unit 11a records a log indicating that an abnormal value has been detected in the storage unit 11b (step S16). Note that the abnormal notification and the abnormal log recording may be executed either one before the other or simultaneously. Alternatively, only one of them may be executed, or neither of them may be executed.

[0244] When the execution of step S16 is completed, the process returns to step S11, and the processing unit 11a outputs an instruction to start the forward rotation of the first motor.

[0245] In FIG. 26(c), the rotation of the first motor has returned to the forward rotation, and a state where the roasted coffee beans B are normally ground is shown. The reverse rotation of the first motor shown in FIG. 26(b) is momentary, and the return to the forward rotation is immediately performed. Note that the reverse rotation of the first motor may be continued for a certain period of time. For example, the reverse rotation of the first motor may be continued while the abnormal notification is being made, and when it returns to the forward rotation, an error resolution notification saying "The clogging error has been resolved" may be output.

[0246] Note that the stone St that has fallen in FIG. 26(b) reaches the second grinder 5B. Since the second grinder 5B is a grinder for fine grinding, the gap between the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b is narrow, and the possibility of entering this gap is low, so it remains on the fixed blade 57b. Due to the error notification in step S15 and the storage of the abnormal log in step S16, maintenance of the grinding device 5 is performed thereafter, and the stone St is removed at that time.

[0247] As described above, during the grinding process of the first grinder 5A executed by the processing unit 11a, although the first motor rotates in the reverse direction, an instruction to start the reverse rotation of the first motor may be output from an external terminal such as the mobile terminal 17 shown in FIG. 19. Alternatively, an instruction to stop the rotation of the first motor may be output from the external terminal. Further, an instruction to stop the operation of the entire coffee bean grinder GM may be output from the external terminal. The processing unit 11a controls the actuator group 14 in response to such an instruction from the external terminal.

[0248] Also, in the description using FIG. 26, it was an example of a case where a stone was caught between the fixed blade 57a and the rotating blade 58a. However, in some cases, a very hard and altered roasted coffee bean may be caught. Even in such a case, by performing the reverse rotation control in step S14, the grinding process of the first grinder 5A can be continued. Also, the first motor, the fixed blade 57a, and the rotating blade 58a can be prevented from being damaged.

[0249] Note that a reverse rotation switch for rotating the first motor in the reverse direction may be provided. If an abnormal value is detected, instead of performing the reverse rotation control in step S14, an instruction for abnormal notification in step S15 is given, and the reverse rotation of the first motor may be performed by the user of this coffee bean grinder GM operating the reverse rotation switch.

[0250] Also, if the weighing unit 404 shown in FIG. 21 is used, the weighing of the roasted coffee beans can be performed more accurately. However, even if this weighing unit 404 is not used, on the premise that a predetermined amount of roasted coffee beans is continuously supplied to the first grinder 5A per unit time, the first grinder 5A can perform the weighing. That is, by measuring the time after the current value of the first motor of the first grinder 5A becomes high after starting to grind the beans, the amount of beans ground by the first grinder 5A can be calculated.

[0251] The grinding process of the first grinder 5A described above with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27 is also applicable as the grinding process of the first grinder 5A in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. Further, the grinding process of the first grinder 5A described above with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27 is also applicable to the grinding process of the second grinder 5B.

[0252] According to the above description, A coffee machine including a grinder [for example, the first grinder 5A] for grinding coffee beans, wherein the grinder includes a grinding part [for example, the rotary blade 58a] capable of a predetermined rotational operation, and a determination device [for example, the processing unit 11a that executes step S13 shown in FIG. 27] for determining whether the grinding part is in a normal state where it can perform a normal rotational operation. The coffee machine [for example, the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 or the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18] is characterized by the above. has been described.

[0253] According to this coffee machine, an abnormal state such as the grinding part not being able to perform a normal rotational operation can be detected based on the determination result of the determination device.

[0254] Also, A coffee machine including a control device [for example, the processing unit 11a shown in FIGS. 10 and 19] for controlling the grinder, wherein the control device is capable of causing the grinding part to perform a rotational operation in a direction opposite to the predetermined rotational operation when the determination device determines that the grinding part is not in the normal state [for example, step S14 shown in FIG. 27]. The coffee machine is characterized by the above. has also been described.

[0255] Also, A coffee machine including a drive part [for example, the motor 52a or the first motor shown in FIG. 12] for driving the grinding part, The determination device determines whether the grinding part is in the normal state based on whether the current flowing through the driving part exceeds a predetermined value [for example, step S13 shown in FIG. 27]. A coffee machine characterized by the above. has also been described.

[0256] Also, 'When the determination device determines that the grinding part is not in the normal state, it is provided with a notification device [for example, the information display device 12] that notifies that it is in an abnormal state [for example, error display or output of an error notification sound]. A coffee machine characterized by the above. has also been described.

[0257] Also, 'When the determination device determines that the grinding part is not in the normal state, it is provided with a storage device [for example, the storage unit 11b shown in FIGS. 10 and 19] that can store the fact that it is in an abnormal state [for example, an abnormal log]. A coffee machine characterized by the above. has also been described.

[0258] Furthermore, 'A coffee machine system (for example, FIGS. 10 and 19) characterized by including an external device (for example, the server 16, the mobile terminal 17) that can communicate with the coffee machine. has also been described.

[0259] Also, 'A starting step [for example, step S11 shown in FIG. 27] for starting the rotational operation of the grinding part for grinding coffee beans, and a determination step [for example, step S13 shown in FIG. 27] for determining whether the grinding part is in a normal state where it can perform a normal rotational operation, and A method for grinding coffee beans, characterized by including the above. has also been described.

[0260] Subsequently, the suction unit 6A, which was not shown in FIG. 25, will be described.

[0261] Figure 28(a) is a view showing the separation device 6. In this Figure 28(a), a suction unit 6A and a forming unit 6B that constitute the separation device 6 are shown.

[0262] The configuration of the forming unit 6B shown in Figure 28(a) is the same as the configuration of the forming unit 6B described with reference to Figures 13 to 17, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0263] The suction unit 6A shown in Figure 28(a) communicates with the separation chamber SC (see also Figures 13 and 15) in a direction (in this example, the left - right direction) intersecting the passing direction BP of the ground beans (in this example, the up - down direction), and is a unit that sucks the air in the separation chamber SC. By sucking the air in the separation chamber SC, lightweight objects such as chaff and fine powder are sucked. Thereby, unnecessary substances can be separated from the ground beans.

[0264] The suction unit 6A is a mechanism of a centrifugal separation method. The suction unit 6A has a blower unit 60A and a collection container 60B. The blower unit 60A is a fan motor. When this fan motor is driven, the air in the separation chamber SC is sucked, and lightweight objects such as chaff and fine powder are collected in the collection container 60B. This blower unit 60A is covered with a casing 60C shown in Figure 18, and the blower unit 60A is not visible in the external perspective view of the coffee bean grinder GM shown in Figure 18. An exhaust slit (not shown) is provided on the back side of the casing 60C, and the air sucked by the blower unit 60A is exhausted from the exhaust slit to the outside of the coffee bean grinder GM. Above the blower unit 60A, an air volume dial 60D (see Figure 18) is provided. By operating this air volume dial 60D, the suction volume of the fan motor of the blower unit 60A can be changed.

[0265] The collection container 60B shown in Figure 28(a) is also composed of an upper part 61 and a lower part 62, similar to the collection container 60B described with reference to Figures 13 and 14.

[0266] FIG. 28(b) is a view showing a state in which the outer peripheral wall 61a (see FIG. (a)) of the upper part 61 of the collection container 60B is removed.

[0267] FIG. 28(b) shows the blower unit 60A that was attached to the removed outer peripheral wall 61a. Also shown is the exhaust cylinder 61b of the upper part 61. The exhaust cylinder 61b shown in FIG. 28(b) is the same as the exhaust cylinder 61b shown in FIG. 14, and a plurality of fins 61d are formed on the circumferential surface. The plurality of fins 61d are arranged in the circumferential direction of the exhaust cylinder 61b. Each fin 61d is inclined obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the exhaust cylinder 61b. By providing such fins 61d, the swirling of the air containing impurities around the exhaust cylinder 61b is promoted.

[0268] Also, in FIG. 28(b), the internal structure of the lower part 62 of the collection container 60B can be seen. The lower part 62 shown in FIG. 28(b) has a double structure of an outer case 60Bo and an inner case 60Bi, which is different from the lower part 62 shown in FIG. 14. In FIG. 28(b), a part of the inner case 60Bi arranged inside the outer case 60Bo can be seen. The inner case 60Bi has an upper end opening 6uo that opens upward, and the exhaust cylinder 61b is located above the inner side of the upper end opening 6uo.

[0269] FIG. 29(a) is a perspective view of the separation device 6 with the outer case 60Bo removed, viewed obliquely from below.

[0270] This FIG. 29(a) shows the inner case 60Bi. A plurality (four in this example) of openings 6io are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction in the lower part of the peripheral wall 6iw of the inner case 60Bi. Among the edges defining each opening 6io, the lower edge 6ioe is a part of the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner case 60Bi.

[0271] FIG. 29(b) is a view showing the positional relationship between the outer case 60Bo and the inner case 60Bi by seeing through the outer case 60Bo.

[0272] As shown in Fig. 29(b), the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner case 60Bi is positioned near the middle position in the height direction of the outer case 60Bo. Also, a certain gap is provided between the inner peripheral surface 6ois of the outer case 60Bo and the outer peripheral surface 6ios of the inner case 60Bi.

[0273] Fig. 30(a) is a diagram schematically showing phenomena such as the air flow in the separating device shown in Fig. 29. In Fig. 30(a) and Fig. (b) to be described later, the air flow containing impurities such as chaff and fine powder is indicated by solid or dotted arrows, the movement of the impurities is indicated by a dashed arrow, and the air flow from which the impurities have been separated is indicated by a double-dashed arrow.

[0274] By driving the blower unit 60A, air containing impurities such as chaff and fine powder reaches the inside of the upper part 61 of the collection container 60B through the connection part 61c from the separation chamber SC in the forming unit 6B shown in Fig. 29(a). The connection part 61c opens to the side of the exhaust pipe 61b, and the air containing impurities swirls around the exhaust pipe 61b as shown by the solid and dotted arrows in Fig. 30(a), and eventually enters the inner case 60Bi through the upper end opening 6uo of the inner case 60Bi. In the upper part inside the inner case 60Bi, impurities such as chaff and fine powder fall due to their weight (see the dashed arrow), further fall into the outer case 60Bo through a plurality of openings 6io provided near the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner case 60Bi (see the dashed arrow), and accumulate on the bottom surface 6obs of the outer case 60Bo. The air from which the impurities have fallen and been separated inside the inner case 60Bi rises as an upward air flow from inside the inner case 60Bi along the central axis of the exhaust pipe 61b, and is exhausted outside the coffee bean grinder GM through an exhaust slit (not shown) provided on the back side of the casing 60C shown in Fig. 18. As a result, the case (outer case 60Bo) where impurities such as chaff and fine powder accumulate and the case (inner case 60Bi) where an upward air flow occurs are different cases, the upward movement of the impurities is less likely to occur, and the reverse flow of the impurities is reduced.

[0275] Note that both the outer case 60Bo and the inner case 60Bi are entirely transparent, allowing the internal conditions to be viewed from the outside. Therefore, it is possible to externally observe the deposition status of unwanted substances such as chaff and fine powder, as well as the flow of the air current. Note that not all of them need to be transparent; some parts may be transparent, or they may be translucent instead of transparent.

[0276] FIG. 30(b) is a diagram schematically showing phenomena such as the air flow in the separating device of the modification example.

[0277] In this modification example, the upper end of the inner case 60Bi is not open and is blocked by a doughnut-shaped top plate 6ub. The air containing unwanted substances such as chaff and fine powder that swirls around the exhaust pipe 61b then continues to swirl along the outer peripheral surface 6ios of the inner case 60Bi and heads towards the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner case 60Bi (see the solid and dotted arrows). Eventually, it enters the inner case 60Bi through a plurality of openings 6io provided near the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner case 60Bi. At this time, unwanted substances such as chaff and fine powder fall due to their weight (see the dashed arrow) and accumulate on the bottom surface 6obs of the outer case 60Bo. The air from which the unwanted substances have fallen and been separated becomes an upward air current inside the inner case 60 as shown by the two-dot chain line arrow, rises along the central axis of the inner case 60, passes through the inside of the exhaust pipe 61b, and heads upward, and is exhausted outside the coffee bean grinder GM through an exhaust slit (not shown) provided on the back side of the casing 60C shown in FIG. 18. Also in this modification example, the case (outer case 60Bo) where unwanted substances such as chaff and fine powder accumulate and the case (inner case 60Bi) where an upward air current occurs are different cases, making it difficult for the unwanted substances to rise and reducing the backflow of the unwanted substances.

[0278] As described above, the separating device 6 described with reference to FIGS. 28 to 30 is also applicable as the separating device of the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0279] According to the above description, 'A grinder for grinding coffee beans [for example, the first grinder 5A], and A separating section [e.g., separation chamber SC] for separating impurities [e.g., chaff and fine powder] from coffee beans, A storage section [e.g., the lower part 62 of the recovery container 60B] for storing the impurities separated from the coffee beans in the separating section, A coffee machine comprising: The storage section has an outer case body [e.g., the outer case 60Bo shown in FIGS. 28 and 29(b)] and an inner case body [e.g., the inner case 60Bi shown in FIG. 29] inside the outer case body, The inner case body is provided with an opening [e.g., opening 6io] in the peripheral wall [e.g., the peripheral wall 6iw shown in FIG. 29(a)] that communicates with the inside of the outer case body. A coffee machine [e.g., the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 or the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18], characterized in that. has been described.

[0280] The opening may allow the impurities to pass through or may allow an air flow to pass through.

[0281] Also, A suction section [e.g., the blower unit 60A] is provided above the storage section, In the inner case body, an air flow containing the impurities enters inside the peripheral wall, and inside, the impurities fall by their own weight [e.g., the dashed line shown in FIG. 30(a)], while an air flow [e.g., the two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 30(a)] that is sucked by the suction section and rises is generated. The outer case body stores the impurities that have passed through the opening [e.g., the dashed line shown in FIG. 30(a)]. A coffee machine, characterized in that. has also been described.

[0282] Incidentally, in the inner case body, an air current containing the foreign matter swirls along the peripheral wall, and near the opening, the foreign matter falls by its own weight [for example, the arrow of the dashed line shown in Fig. 30(b)]. On the other hand, an air current [for example, the arrow of the two-dot chain line shown in Fig. 30(b)] is generated which is sucked by the suction portion and rises. The outer case body may store the foreign matter [for example, the arrow of the dashed line shown in Fig. 30(b)] that has fallen from near the opening.

[0283] Also, 'The outer case body is provided with a transparent portion [for example, entirely transparent]. A coffee machine characterized by this.' has also been described.

[0284] Also, 'The inner case body is provided with a transparent portion [for example, entirely transparent]. A coffee machine characterized by this.' has also been described.

[0285] Also, 'Above the storage portion, an exhaust portion [for example, an exhaust slit provided on the back side of the casing 60C] for discharging the air in the storage portion to the outside is provided. A coffee machine characterized by this.' has also been described.

[0286] Also, 'The grinder has a first grinder [for example, the first grinder 5A] and a second grinder [for example, the second grinder 5B]. The separation portion is provided downstream of the first grinder and upstream of the second grinder. A coffee machine characterized by this.' has also been described.

[0287] Furthermore, 「A coffee machine system (e.g., FIGS. 10 and 19), characterized by comprising an external device (e.g., server 16, mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the coffee machine.」 has also been described.

[0288] Also, 「A method for recovering unwanted substances generated from coffee beans when grinding the coffee beans, a separation step of separating unwanted substances from the coffee beans, a first step of directing an air flow containing the unwanted substances inside the inner case body disposed inside the outer case body and provided with an opening connecting to the inside of the outer case body, inward of the peripheral wall of the inner case body; a second step of generating an upward air flow inside the inner case body by suction from above the inner side of the peripheral wall; A method for recovering unwanted substances, characterized by having these steps.」 has also been described.

[0289] According to this method for recovering unwanted substances, in the second step, the unwanted substances may fall by their own weight onto the bottom wall of the inner case body, and further, may fall from the opening to the bottom wall of the outer case body.

[0290] Next, the connection duct 661 will be described.

[0291] FIG. 31 is a view in which the manual setting disk dial 695 shown in FIG. 25 is removed so that the entire connection duct 661 can be seen.

[0292] FIG. 31 shows a rotary blade 58b that constitutes the second grinder 5B, a fixed blade 57b that can move up and down relative to the rotary blade 58b, a worm wheel 691, and a worm gear 692 that meshes with the worm wheel 691 as part of the lifting mechanism of the fixed blade 57b. The worm wheel 691 has a gear portion 691g, a connection portion 691c, and a connection port 691j (see FIG. 32). FIG. 31 also shows a holder portion 693 provided between the fixed blade 57b and the worm wheel 691. The fixed blade 57b is screwed to the connection portion 691c of the worm wheel 691 via the holder portion 693. Therefore, when the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 rotates, the fixed blade 57b also rotates together with the holder portion 693. A screw groove 693s is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the holder portion 693.

[0293] In addition, the connection port 691j of the worm wheel 691 is connected to the lower end of the connection duct 661. As a result, a passage for roasted coffee beans is formed, such as the discharge port 66 of the forming unit 6B → the connection duct 661 → the worm wheel 691 → the holder portion 693 → the fixed blade 57b → the rotary blade 58b. As shown in FIG. 31, an air suction port 661a is provided at the lower part of the connection duct 661. This air suction port 661a has the same function as the gap between the discharge port 66 and the inlet 50b of the second grinder 5B shown in FIG. 13, and by sucking air from the air suction port 661a, the separation performance between ground beans and impurities is improved.

[0294] FIG. 32 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the second grinder 5B.

[0295] The second grinder 5B has a second motor 52b, a motor base 502, a base portion 505a, and a particle size adjustment mechanism 503.

[0296] The second motor 52b is a drive source of the second grinder 5B and is supported above the motor base 502. On the motor base 502, a pinion gear 52b' fixed to the output shaft of the second motor 52b and a gear 502a meshing with this pinion gear are arranged.

[0297] On the base portion 505a, a gear 55b' that meshes with the gear 502a is arranged. A rotary shaft 54b is fixed to the gear 55b', and the rotary shaft 54b is rotatably supported by the base portion 505a. The driving force of the second motor 52b transmitted to the gear 55b' via the gear 502a rotates the rotary shaft 54b. A rotary blade 58b is provided at the end of the rotary shaft 54b, and a fixed blade 57b is provided above the rotary blade 58b. That is, the fixed blade 57b is arranged to face the rotary blade 58b.

[0298] The particle size adjustment mechanism 503 has a motor 503a as its drive source and a worm gear 692 that is rotated by the driving force of the motor 503a. The gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 meshes with the worm gear 692.

[0299] Also, in this FIG. 32, a frame member 694 is shown. The frame member 694 is fixedly arranged on a casing (not shown), and a screw groove is provided on its inner peripheral surface. The screw groove 693s provided on the outer peripheral surface of the holder portion 693 meshes with the screw groove of this frame member 694. As described above, the fixed blade 57b is screwed to the connection portion of the worm wheel 691 via the holder portion 693. Therefore, when the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 rotates, the fixed blade 57b moves up and down in its axial direction. Note that the connection port 691j of the worm wheel 691 is connected so as to wrap around the lower end of the connection duct 661, and the connection with the lower end of the connection duct 661 is maintained even when the worm wheel 691 descends. The fixed blade 57b shown in FIG. 32 is in the initial position and is in the state of being farthest from the rotary blade 58b.

[0300] The processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19 controls the rotation amount of the motor 503a and adjusts the gap between the rotary blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b. By adjusting this gap, the particle size of the ground beans in the second grinder 5B can be adjusted.

[0301] The reciprocating fixed blade 57b has a detection position at a location that is a predetermined length (for example, 0.7 mm) away from the rotary blade 58b. The detection position is closer to the rotary blade 58b than the initial position of the fixed blade 57b. The second grinder 5B is provided with a sensor 57c that detects when the fixed blade 57b is at the detection position.

[0302] When the power is turned on to the coffee bean grinder GM, the second grinder 5B described above performs an initial operation. In the initial operation of the second grinder 5B, calibration is executed.

[0303] FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the steps of the calibration executed in the initial operation. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing the state of the calibration step by step.

[0304] When the grinding of the roasted coffee beans is completed in the second grinder 5B, the fixed blade 57b returns to the initial position.

[0305] When the initial operation starts, the fixed blade 57b is in the initial position, and the contact process (step S51) shown in FIG. 33 is executed as the first step of calibration. In the contact process, the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19 drives the motor 503a shown in FIG. 32. By driving the motor 503a, the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 rotates, and the fixed blade 57b in the initial position descends until it contacts the rotary blade 58b. FIG. 34(a) is a diagram showing the state in which the first contact process is being executed. In this FIG. 34(a), the fixed blade 57b in the initial position is represented by a two-dot chain line. In the assembly of the second grinder 5B, even if the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b are attached as designed, a slight mounting error may occur, and the mounting posture of the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b may be distorted. Also, due to long-term use or the like, the mounting posture of the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b may be distorted. Furthermore, the frame member 694 or the rotary shaft 54b may be attached obliquely. In FIG. 34, the distortion of the mounting posture of the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b is exaggeratedly shown. If it is as designed, both the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b always maintain a horizontal posture, but the rotary blade 58b shown in FIG. 34(a) is inclined upward to the right, and the fixed blade 57b is inclined downward to the right. When the contact process is executed, the fixed blade 57b descends as indicated by the arrow in the figure, and as shown by the solid line in FIG. 34(a), due to the inclination, the lowest part of the fixed blade 57b contacts the uppermost part of the rotary blade 58b due to the inclination. When a part of the fixed blade 57b contacts any part of the rotary blade 58b, the rotational torque and the current value of the motor 503a increase. When the processing unit 11a detects an increase in the rotational torque or an increase in the current value, it stops the motor 503a, and the contact process ends.

[0306] Subsequently, the moving step (step S52) is executed. In the moving step, the processing unit 11a rotates the motor 503a in the direction opposite to that in the contact step, and raises the fixed blade 57b to the detection position. FIG. 34(b) is a diagram showing the state in which the first moving step is being executed. When the moving step is executed, the fixed blade 57b rises as indicated by the arrow in the figure, and continues to rise until the fixed blade 57b is detected by the sensor 57c shown in FIG. 32. When the processing unit 11a acquires the detection signal from the sensor 57c, it stops the rotation of the motor 503a. The motor 503a is a stepping motor, and the processing unit 11a counts the number of steps from the start of the rotation of the motor 503a to the stop in the moving step, and stores it in the storage unit 11b shown in FIG. 19. In the moving step of FIG. 34(b), it was 20150 steps.

[0307] Next, the rotating step (step S53) is executed. In the rotating step, the processing unit 11a rotates the second motor 52b shown in FIG. 32 by a predetermined rotation angle. The predetermined rotation angle mentioned here may be an angle other than 360 degrees. Here, for the sake of clarity, it is set to 90 degrees. In reality, for example, it is a predetermined angle around 35 degrees. As a result, the state of the rotating blade 58b shown in FIG. 34(c) has changed to a posture tilted upward toward the back side of the paper surface. Note that the second motor 52b may be rotated for a predetermined time (for example, 0.1 second).

[0308] Next, step S54 is executed to determine whether the rotating blade 58b has made one full rotation since the calibration started. In this example, since the predetermined rotation angle in the rotating step of step S53 is less than 360 degrees, step S54 determines whether the rotating blade 58b has made one full rotation. Step S54 is a step for determining whether the count value of the number of steps can be acquired a plurality of times. Also, in order to improve the accuracy, step S54 may be a step for determining whether the count value of the number of steps can be acquired a predetermined number of times. The larger the number of times of the predetermined number, the higher the calibration accuracy, but it will take more time to complete the calibration. An example of the number of times of the predetermined number is about 10 times.

[0309] If the determination in step S54 is "NO", the data acquisition process consisting of three steps, namely the contact step (step S51), the movement step (step S52), and the rotation step (step S53), is executed again. In FIG. 34(d), the second contact step is executed, and the fixed blade 57b descends as indicated by the arrow in the figure. Due to the execution of the rotation step, the circumferential position of the uppermost part of the rotary blade 58b is different from that in the first contact step. Therefore, in the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b shown in FIG. 34(d), different parts are in contact with each other compared to the first contact step. In FIG. 34(e), the second movement step is being executed. This second movement step is at step 20170. In FIG. 34(f), the second rotation step is executed, and the rotary blade 58b has rotated 90 degrees. As a result, the state of the rotary blade 58b shown in FIG. 34(f) has changed to a posture tilted towards the upper left.

[0310] When the rotation step in FIG. 34(f) is completed, the rotary blade 58b has rotated 180 degrees since the start of calibration, and the third data acquisition process is executed. In FIG. 34(g), the third contact step is executed, and the fixed blade 57b descends as indicated by the arrow in the figure. Due to the execution of the second rotation step, in the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b shown in FIG. 34(g), different parts are in contact with each other compared to the previous contact steps. In FIG. 34(h), the third movement step is being executed. This third movement step is at step 20160. In FIG. 34(i), the third rotation step is executed, and the rotary blade 58b has rotated 90 degrees. As a result, the state of the rotary blade 58b shown in FIG. 34(i) has changed to a posture tilted upward towards the front side of the paper surface.

[0311] When the rotation process in FIG. 34(i) is completed, the rotary blade 58b has rotated 270 degrees since the calibration started, and the fourth data acquisition process is executed. In FIG. 34, the state of the fourth data acquisition process is not shown, but it is similar to FIGS. 34(d) to 34(f). The fourth movement process was 20,168 steps. Also, when the fourth rotation process is executed, the rotary blade 58b has rotated 360 degrees since the calibration started, and the determination in step S54 shown in FIG. 33 becomes "Yes", and the process proceeds to step S55.

[0312] In step S55, the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19 executes a calibration value calculation process. In the storage unit 11b, the count values of the number of steps of the motor 503a respectively acquired in the four data acquisition processes are stored. The processing unit 11a calculates a calibration value from these four count values. The calibration value may be the average value of the four count values or the median value (the value obtained by adding the minimum value and the maximum value and dividing by 2) of the four count values. In the example shown in FIG. 34, the average value is 20,162 steps and the median value is 20,160 steps. The calculated calibration value is stored in the storage unit 11b. The calibration value is updated each time the power of the coffee bean grinder GM is turned on and the initial operation is performed. When the execution of step S55 is completed, the calibration ends.

[0313] FIG. 35 is a diagram showing the second grinder 5B in the grinding process.

[0314] FIG. 35(a) shows an example in an ideal state where both the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b always maintain a horizontal posture as designed.

[0315] The figure shown on the left side of Fig. 35(a) is a view showing the state where the fixed blade 57b is in the initial position. The processing unit 11a shown in Fig. 19 adjusts the particle size of the ground beans in the second grinder 5B according to various manufacturing conditions (recipes) for grinding roasted coffee beans stored in the storage unit 11b, using the particle size adjustment mechanism 503 shown in Fig. 32. The above recipes define the manufacturing conditions in an ideal state. In adjusting the particle size of the ground beans in the second grinder 5B, the motor 503a is rotated by 20,160 steps, and the fixed blade 57b is lowered from the initial position. The figure shown on the right side of Fig. 35(a) is a view schematically showing the state where the roasted coffee beans B are being ground. The fixed blade 57b in this right-side figure is at the position as defined in the recipe, having been lowered by rotating the motor 503a by 20,160 steps from the initial position.

[0316] Fig. 35(b) is a view showing an example of a state in which the mounting postures of the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b shown in Fig. 34 are distorted.

[0317] The figure shown on the left side of Fig. 35(b) is also a figure showing the state where the fixed blade 57b is in the initial position. The fixed blade 57b shown in Fig. 35(b) is in a posture inclined downward to the right. On the other hand, the rotary blade 58b shown in Fig. 35(b) is in a posture inclined upward to the right. Here too, the same recipe as the example shown in Fig. 35(a) is used. Therefore, the motor 503a should rotate by 20160 steps, but the rotation amount of the motor 503a is corrected using the calibration value obtained in step S55 shown in Fig. 33. In the ideal case shown in Fig. 35(a), the number of steps of the motor 503a required to raise the fixed blade 57b from the state where it contacts the rotary blade 58b to the detection position is pre-stored as a reference value in the storage unit 11b shown in Fig. 19. In the correction of the rotation amount of the motor 503a, the corrected rotation amount is calculated from the ratio between the calibration value obtained in step S55 shown in Fig. 33 and the reference value pre-stored in the storage unit 11b. In this example, the corrected rotation amount was 20140 steps. The figure shown on the right side of Fig. 35(b) is also a figure schematically showing the state where the roasted coffee beans B are being ground. The fixed blade 57b in this right-side figure is in the corrected position where it has been lowered by rotating the motor 503a by 20140 steps from the initial position. However, the average interval between the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b shown in Fig. 35(b) is almost the same as the interval between the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b shown in Fig. 35(a). Therefore, even when grinding the roasted coffee beans B in the state shown on the right side of Fig. 35(b), ground beans of the same particle size as when grinding the roasted coffee beans B in the state shown on the right side of Fig. (a) can be obtained.

[0318] In the above description, the calibration value is obtained using the number of steps of the motor 503a when raising the fixed blade 57b to the detection position, but the calibration value can also be obtained using the number of steps from the detection position to lower the fixed blade 57b until it contacts the rotary blade 58b.

[0319] Also, while only the fixed blade 57b of the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b moves up and down, the rotary blade 58b may also move up and down. In this case, the calibration value may be obtained using the number of steps of both blades. Further, the movement of the blade is not limited to up and down movement, and for example, it may move in the left - right direction. Also, the positions of the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b may be opposite, and the fixed blade 57b may be arranged below and the rotary blade 58b may be arranged above.

[0320] Also, when grinding the roasted coffee beans B, the fixed blade 57b does not rotate, but even if the fixed blade 57b rotates, the calibration method shown in FIG. 33 can be applied. Also, the calibration method shown in FIG. 33 is for the second grinder 5B, but the calibration method shown in FIG. 33 can be similarly performed for the first grinder 5A.

[0321] Also, the calibration value calculation step of step S55 shown in FIG. 33 may not be executed at the calibration stage, and only the count values for a plurality of times may be stored in the storage unit 11b. At the stage when the recipe to be used is determined, the calibration value may be calculated, or the rotation amount may be directly corrected from the count values for a plurality of times stored. Note that the calculation of the calibration value and the correction of the rotation amount may be performed by the control unit of the information display device 12 instead of the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19.

[0322] In the above description, 'The first grinding part [for example, the rotary blade 58b], The second grinding part [for example, the fixed blade 57b], A rotation mechanism [for example, the second motor 52b, the pinion gear 52b', the gear 502a, the gear 55b', the rotating shaft 54b] for rotating at least one of the first grinding part and the second grinding part [for example, the rotary blade 58b], A moving mechanism [for example, the particle size adjustment mechanism 503] for moving [for example, moving up and down] at least the second grinding part among the first grinding part and the second grinding part and adjusting the distance between the first grinding part and the second grinding part, A sensor [e.g., sensor 57c] for detecting the second grinding part located at a position [e.g., detection position] a predetermined length [e.g., 0.7 mm] away from the first grinding part, A control unit [e.g., processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19] for controlling the moving mechanism, Comprising, An extraction target [e.g., roasted coffee beans stored in the storage device 4, or roasted coffee beans B (ground beans) ground by the first grinder 5A] is ground between the first grinding part and the second grinding part, An operation of moving the second grinding part from a state where the second grinding part is in contact with the first grinding part [e.g., the states shown in FIGS. 34(a), (d), and (g)] until the sensor detects the second grinding part [e.g., the operations indicated by arrows in FIGS. 34(b), (e), and (h)] is performed multiple times by changing the state of the grinding part [e.g., the orientation of the rotary blade 58b] by rotation of the rotary mechanism, The control unit controls the moving mechanism based on a value related to the movement amount of the second grinding part in the multiple operations [e.g., the count value of the number of steps of the motor 503a] [e.g., obtains a calibration value and rotates the motor 503a by a rotation amount corrected using the calibration value]. An extraction target grinding device [e.g., the second grinder 5B] characterized by this. Has been described.

[0323] Note that the rotary mechanism may rotate the first grinding part, or may rotate the second grinding part, or may rotate both blades of the first grinding part and the second grinding part.

[0324] Also, the moving mechanism may move only the second grinding part among the first grinding part and the second grinding part, or may also move the first grinding part.

[0325] Alternatively, the operation may be an operation of moving only the second grinding part among the first grinding part and the second grinding part, or may be an operation of moving the blades of both the first grinding part and the second grinding part.

[0326] Also, the state change of the grinding part in the operation may be a state change of the first grinding part, may be a state change of the second grinding part, or may be a state change of both the first grinding part and the second grinding part. Further, the state change referred to here may be a change in direction or a change in posture.

[0327] Also, “the first grinding part [for example, the rotary blade 58b] and the second grinding part [for example, the fixed blade 57b], a rotation mechanism [for example, the second motor 52b, the pinion gear 52b', the gear 502a, the gear 55b', the rotary shaft 54b] for rotating at least one of the first grinding part and the second grinding part [for example, the rotary blade 58b], a moving mechanism [for example, the particle size adjustment mechanism 503] for moving at least the second grinding part among the first grinding part and the second grinding part [for example, lifting and lowering] and adjusting the distance between the first grinding part and the second grinding part, a sensor [for example, the sensor 57c] for detecting the second grinding part at a position [for example, the detection position] separated from the first grinding part by a predetermined length [for example, 0.7 mm], a control unit [for example, the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19] for controlling the moving mechanism, are provided, grind the extraction target between the first grinding part and the second grinding part, The operation of moving the second grinding part until it contacts the first grinding part from a state where the second grinding part is separated from the first grinding part by a predetermined length [for example, the states shown in FIGS. 34(b), (e), and (h)] [for example, the operations indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 34(a), (d), and (g)] is performed a plurality of times by changing the state of the grinding part [for example, the direction of the rotary blade 58b] by the rotation [for example, the rotations indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 34(c), (f), and (i)] by the rotation mechanism, The control unit controls the moving mechanism based on a value related to the amount of movement of the second grinding unit in a plurality of the operations [e.g., a count value of the number of steps of the motor 503a] [e.g., obtaining a calibration value and rotating the motor 503a by a rotation amount corrected using the calibration value]. An extraction target grinding device [e.g., the second grinder 5B] characterized by the above. has also been described.

[0328] Further, a first grinding unit, a second grinding unit attached to face the first grinding unit, a rotation mechanism for rotating the first grinding unit, a moving mechanism for moving the second grinding unit in a direction of approaching and separating from the one blade, a sensor for detecting the second grinding unit at a position a predetermined length away from the first grinding unit, and a control unit for controlling the moving mechanism are provided. The extraction target is ground between the first grinding unit and the second grinding unit, and the operation of moving the second grinding unit from a state where the second grinding unit is in contact with the first grinding unit until the sensor detects the second grinding unit is performed a plurality of times by changing the direction of the first grinding unit by rotation by the rotation mechanism. The control unit controls the moving mechanism based on a value related to the amount of movement of the second grinding unit in a plurality of the operations. An extraction target grinding device characterized by the above may be provided.

[0329] Also, The control unit controls the moving mechanism based on an average value or a median value of values related to the amount of movement of the second grinding unit in a plurality of the operations [e.g., a value that is 1 / 2 of the value obtained by adding the minimum value and the maximum value]. An extraction target grinding device characterized by the above. has also been described.

[0330] Also, The operation is performed in an initial operation when the power is turned on. An extraction target grinding device characterized by the above. has also been described.

[0331] Also, The control unit controls the movement mechanism according to the desired particle size after pulverization of the extraction target [for example, the particle size of ground beans], and adjusts the interval in the movement mechanism. An extraction target pulverization device characterized by the above. has also been described.

[0332] Also, The movement mechanism uses a drive source as a motor [for example, the second motor 52b], The value related to the movement amount of the second pulverization unit is a value related to the rotation amount of the motor [for example, the count value of the number of steps of the motor 503a]. An extraction target pulverization device characterized by the above. has also been described.

[0333] Also, The first pulverization unit is a first blade [for example, the rotary blade 58b], The second pulverization unit is a second blade [for example, the fixed blade 57b], The second pulverization unit is attached to face the first pulverization unit. An extraction target pulverization device characterized by the above. has also been described.

[0334] Also, The operation of moving the second pulverization unit from the state where the second pulverization unit contacts the first pulverization unit until the sensor detects the second pulverization unit is performed multiple times by changing the orientation of the pulverization unit by rotation by the rotation mechanism [for example, the example shown in FIG. 34]. An extraction target pulverization device characterized by the above. has also been described.

[0335] In the above description, A calibration method that is executed when power is turned on in an extraction target pulverization device [for example, the second grinder 5B], From the state where the first pulverizing part [e.g., the rotary blade 58b] and the second pulverizing part [e.g., the fixed blade 57b] are in contact, a moving step of moving the second pulverizing part until it is separated from the first pulverizing part by a predetermined length [e.g., 0.7 mm] [e.g., the moving step in step S52, FIGS. 34(b), (e), and (h)]; After performing the moving step, a state change step of changing the state of at least one of the first pulverizing part and the second pulverizing part [e.g., the rotary blade 58b] [e.g., the rotating step in step S53, FIGS. 34(c), (f), and (i)]; In a state where the state of the pulverizing part is changed by the state change step, a contact step of bringing the second pulverizing part separated from the first pulverizing part by a predetermined length into contact with the first pulverizing part [e.g., step S51, FIGS. 34(a), (d), and (g)]; By repeatedly executing the moving step, the state change step, and the contact step [e.g., the data acquisition process shown in FIG. 33], the state of the pulverizing part [e.g., the orientation of the rotary blade 58b] is changed, and a plurality of values related to the movement amount of the second pulverizing part [e.g., the count value of the number of steps of the motor 503a] are acquired. A calibration method [e.g., the calibration method shown in FIG. 33], characterized by comprising the above. has also been described.

[0336] Note that the state change step is a rotating step of rotating at least one of the first pulverizing part and the second pulverizing part after performing the moving step to change the orientation of the pulverizing part. By repeatedly executing the moving step, the rotating step, and the contact step, the orientation of the pulverizing part may be changed, and a plurality of values related to the movement amount of the second pulverizing part may be acquired.

[0337] Further, the value related to the moving amount of the second pulverizing part may be a value related to the moving amount [e.g., the rising amount] of the second pulverizing part in the moving step, or may be a value related to the moving amount [e.g., the falling amount] of the second pulverizing part in the contacting step. Alternatively, both may be used in combination.

[0338] Further, it may have a calibration value calculation process [e.g., the calibration value calculation step of step S55] for calculating a calibration value based on the moving amounts of the second pulverizing part acquired multiple times. The calibration value may be an average value of the moving amounts of the second pulverizing part acquired multiple times, or may be a median value.

[0339] In the above description, the fixed blade 57b is lifted and lowered by the drive of the second motor 52b, but the fixed blade 57b can also be lifted and lowered manually to set the particle size of the ground beans. This manual setting of the particle size of the ground beans can be performed using a manual setting disk dial and a fine adjustment knob dial.

[0340] FIG. 36(a) is a diagram showing the manual setting disk dial 695 and the fine adjustment knob dial 696 together with the second motor 503a, and FIG. 36(b) is a diagram showing the removal of the manual setting disk dial 695 and the second motor 503a, and showing the connection dial 697 and the rotation axis 6961 of the fine adjustment knob dial 696. Note that FIG. 36 shows a part of the connection duct 661 and the forming unit 6B. Also, FIG. 36(b) shows the hammer member GM32, which will be described in detail later.

[0341] Figure 36 also shows the lever member 698. As shown in Fig. 36(a), the rotation axis 6921 of the worm gear 692 meshed with the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 is pivotally supported by this lever member 698. Further, the lever member 698 is pivotally supported by the rotation axis 6961 of the fine adjustment knob dial 696 shown in Fig. 36(b). The posture of the lever member 698 shown in Fig. 36 is the initial posture. In the state where the lever member 698 is in the initial posture, the worm gear 692 is meshed with the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691, and when the worm gear 692 rotates, the worm wheel 691 rotates and the fixed blade 57b moves up and down. The lever member 698 can rotate in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 36(b) with the rotation axis 6961 of the fine adjustment knob dial 696 as the rotation center. The lever member 698 is lifted by rotating in the direction of the arrow, changes to the release posture, and can maintain that release posture. When the lever member 698 is lifted and changes to the release posture, the worm gear 692 pivotally supported by the lever member 698 separates from the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691, and the meshing with the gear portion 691g is released. Although the lever member 698 can change its posture between the initial posture and the release posture, a biasing force acts in the direction of returning to the initial posture by a spring member 6981 provided on the rotation axis 6961. When the lever member 698 is in the release posture, the worm wheel 691 is in a freely rotatable state, and the fixed blade 57b is also in a freely rotatable state. When grinding is performed in this state, the fixed blade 57b also rotates as the rotary blade 58b rotates, and the distance between the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b increases. Therefore, it is necessary to return the lever member 698 to the initial posture during the grinding process.

[0342] Fig. 36(a) shows the pinion gear 503b attached to the rotation axis of the second motor 503a, and the pinion gear 503b is also shown in Fig. 36(b) from which the second motor 503a has been removed. The rotational driving force of the second motor 503a is transmitted from this pinion gear 503b to the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 from the worm gear 692 via a two-stage gear and a transmission gear 6962 described later.

[0343] The connecting dial 697 shown in FIG. 36(b) connects the manual setting disk dial 695 and the worm gear 692. FIG. 36(b) shows the connecting dial 697 connected to the worm wheel 691, and both rotate together. A connecting gear 697g is provided on the upper surface of the connecting dial 697. The manual setting disk dial 695 shown in FIG. 36(a) is provided with a gear (not shown) that meshes with the connecting gear 697g. When the manual setting disk dial 695 is placed on the connecting dial 697, the gear (not shown) meshes with the connecting gear 697g.

[0344] When the lever member 698 is in the initial position, the worm gear 692 meshes with the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691, so the manual setting disk dial 695 cannot be rotated. On the other hand, when the lever member 698 is in the released position, the worm gear 692 does not mesh with the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691, so the manual setting disk dial 695 can be rotated. When the manual setting disk dial 695 is rotated, the worm gear 692 rotates via the connecting gear portion 697g, and the fixed blade 57b can be moved up and down.

[0345] The minimum unit that can be adjusted by rotating the manual setting disk dial 695 is equal to one tooth of the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691. That is, unless the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 is rotated by one tooth, the worm gear 692 cannot mesh with the gear portion 691g, and the lever member 698 cannot return from the released position to the initial position. Therefore, adjustment less than one tooth is impossible with the manual setting disk dial 695.

[0346] On the other hand, when the second motor 503a rotates and the worm gear 692 rotates, it takes time to make a large adjustment (an adjustment of one tooth or more) due to the reduction ratio of the worm gear 692. Therefore, to make a large adjustment, quick adjustment can be achieved by operating the manual setting circular dial 695 that can directly rotate the worm wheel 691. In the adjustment using the manual setting circular dial 695, the position of the fixed blade 57b at the moment when the fixed blade 57b is lowered and hits the rotary blade 58b is set as the reference point (zero point). This moment of contact can be known from the sound of the blades hitting. Although not shown in the figure, the manual setting circular dial 695 is marked with graduations including 0 in the circumferential direction. Also, the manual setting circular dial 695 rotates below the center casing GM10 shown in FIG. 18 etc., and a reference line GM10k is marked on the lower end of the center casing GM10. Rotate the manual setting circular dial 695 to lower the fixed blade 57b, and when the fixed blade 57b hits the rotary blade 58b, stop the rotation operation at that point. Lift the manual setting circular dial 695, align the 0 graduation with the reference line GM10k marked on the center casing GM10, and then lower the lifted manual setting circular dial 695 straight down. By doing so, the reference point (zero point) can be recorded. In the adjustment of the particle size of the ground beans, the fixed blade 57b is raised and lowered based on the reference point (zero point) recorded in this way to adjust the distance between the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b.

[0347] In addition, a transmission gear 6962 is provided at the end of the rotation shaft 6961 of the fine adjustment knob dial 696. This transmission gear 6962 meshes with the second gear 503c2 of the two-stage gear (see Fig. 36(b)) and also meshes with the worm gear 692. The first gear 503c1 of this two-stage gear meshes with the pinion gear 503b. Therefore, when the second motor 503a is rotationally driven, the fine adjustment knob dial 696 also rotates, and the worm wheel 691 also rotates. Also, when the second motor 503a is stopped, the fine adjustment knob dial 696 can be rotated, and the worm wheel 691 also rotates by rotating the fine adjustment knob dial 696. When the fine adjustment knob dial 696 is rotated once, the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 rotates by one tooth. Therefore, when the fine adjustment knob dial 696 is rotated, adjustment less than one tooth of the worm gear 692 is possible, similar to the case where the second motor 503a is rotationally driven and the worm wheel 691 rotates. In the manual setting of the particle size of the ground beans, a rough particle size is set by the manual setting disk dial 695, and the set particle size is finely adjusted by the fine adjustment knob dial 696. By doing so, rapid and detailed particle size setting can be achieved.

[0348] Note that the manual setting by the manual setting disk dial 695 and the fine adjustment knob dial 696 is also applicable to the second grinder 5B of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0349] Subsequently, a device for controlling the amount of ground beans input to the second grinder 5B will be described.

[0350] As described above, the roasted coffee beans are crushed to a certain size (e.g., about 1 / 4) by the first grinder 5A. Hereinafter, the beans crushed to a certain size by the first grinder 5A are referred to as crushed beans in order to distinguish them from ground beans (especially coarsely ground beans). The second grinder 5B makes the crushed beans crushed by the first grinder 5A into ground beans of a desired particle size. Here, if a large amount of crushed beans are sent from the first grinder 5A exceeding the appropriate allowable amount of the grinding process by the second grinder 5B, the crushed beans will excessively enter between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b, and the ground beans will stay between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b. The staying ground beans receive frictional heat from the rotating rotating blade 58b and become hot. In particular, in a finely ground state, they are easily affected by heat, and the oil content on the surface of the ground beans is likely to come out more than necessary. The coffee beverage extracted from the ground beans ground in this way is likely to have a dark taste.

[0351] When the first grinder 5A is driven at the upper limit of its processing capacity, if the rotational speed of the first motor for the first grinder 5A is decreased, the amount of crushed beans sent from the first grinder 5A per unit time will decrease.

[0352] FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the control process of the processing unit 11a in the grinding process.

[0353] The control process shown in FIG. 37 is started in response to the pressing of the start button GM15 shown in FIG. 24. Also, when the weighing unit 404 shown in FIG. 21 is attached to the option attachment part GM11, it may be started in response to the start of rotation of the screw blade ESC2 shown in FIG. 21(b).

[0354] First, the processing unit 11a starts the rotation of the first motor for the first grinder 5A and the second motor 503a for the second grinder 5B (step S21). In this step S21, both the first motor and the second motor 503a start rotating at preset set rotation speeds. As a result, the rotating blade 58a starts rotating in the first grinder 5A, and the rotating blade 58b starts rotating in the second grinder 5B. Note that the rotation of the first motor and the rotation of the second motor 503a do not have to start simultaneously. After the rotation of the first motor is started, the rotation of the second motor 503a may be started. For example, when the grinding process is started in the first grinder 5A, the rotation torque and current value of the first motor increase. When the processing unit 11a detects an increase in the rotation torque or current value of the first motor, it may start the rotation of the second motor 503a. When the first motor for the first grinder 5A starts rotating, the ground beans are sent to the second grinder 5B.

[0355] In the subsequent step S22, it is determined whether to continue the rotation of the first motor. For example, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the electric screw conveyor ESC finishes conveying, or when a predetermined time has elapsed after the rotation torque of the first motor decreases, or when a predetermined time has elapsed after the current value of the first motor decreases, the determination result is No, and the rotation of the first motor is stopped (step S27). On the other hand, in the case of a Yes determination result, the process proceeds to step S23.

[0356] A sensor for detecting the passage of ground beans is provided near the inlet of the second grinder 5B. The processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19 monitors the input amount per unit time of the ground beans input into the second grinder 5B. In step S23, it is determined whether or not the input amount per unit time exceeds a reference value. The reference value is a variable that changes depending on the type of coffee beans, the particle size of the ground beans, the rotation speed set for the second motor 503a, etc. A plurality of types of reference values are stored in the storage unit 11b shown in FIG. 19. For example, the harder the coffee beans, the smaller the reference value. The recipe specifies the type of coffee beans, the particle size of the ground beans, etc. The processing unit 11a selects a reference value according to the recipe and executes the determination process in step S23, or selects a reference value according to various setting values and executes the determination process in step S23. When the input amount per unit time exceeds the reference value, the rotation speed of the first motor is decelerated (step S24), and the process returns to step S22. The rate of decelerating the rotation speed of the first motor may be a predetermined rate, or may be a rate according to the degree to which the above input amount exceeds the reference value. When the rotation speed of the first motor decreases, the amount of ground beans sent out from the first grinder 5A per unit time decreases. As a result, the above input amount can also be decreased, preventing the ground beans from staying between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b, and making the ground beans less susceptible to the influence of heat. The coffee beverage extracted from the ground beans ground in this way is likely to have a bright taste without being affected by the adverse effects of oil.

[0357] In the determination in step S23, when the input amount is less than or equal to the reference value, it is determined whether or not the rotation speed of the first motor is in a decelerated state. If it is not in a decelerated state, the process returns to step S22. If it is in a decelerated state, it returns to the set rotation speed (step S26) and then returns to step S22.

[0358] In step S28 following step S27 of stopping the rotation of the first motor, it is determined whether or not to stop the rotation of the second motor 503a this time. For example, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotational torque of the second motor 503a decreased, or if a predetermined time has elapsed since the current value of the second motor 503a decreased, the determination result is Yes, and the rotation of the second motor is stopped (step S29), and this control process ends.

[0359] In the control process described above, the input amount of the ground beans into the second grinder 5B was controlled by controlling the rotational speed of the first motor for the first grinder 5A. However, it is also possible to control the input amount of the ground beans into the second grinder 5B by controlling the rotational speed of the motor ESC3 that rotates the screw blade ESC2 of the weighing unit 404 shown in FIG. 21. Further, it is also possible to control the input amount of the ground beans into the second grinder 5B by controlling both the rotational speed of the first motor and the rotational speed of the motor ESC3.

[0360] Note that the control process shown in FIG. 37 can also be executed by the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 10, and by controlling the rotational speed of the motor 52a for the first grinder 5A shown in FIG. 12, or by controlling the conveyance speed of the conveyor 41 shown in FIG. 2, the input amount of the ground beans into the second grinder 5B shown in FIG. 2 can be controlled.

[0361] Further, depending on the hardness of the roasted coffee beans, etc., the rotational speed of the rotary blade 58a of the first grinder 5A may change. Originally, the rotational speed of the first motor of the first grinder 5A is set so as not to exceed the allowable amount of the grinding process by the second grinder 5B. However, the rotational speed of the rotary blade 58a or the number of rotations (rotational speed) per unit time of the first motor of the first grinder 5A is monitored, and if the number of rotations per unit time exceeds the reference value, the rotational speed of the first motor may be decelerated.

[0362] The control process in the grinding process described above with reference to FIG. 37 is also applicable as the control process in the grinding process of the grinding device of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. Further, an instruction to decelerate or return the rotational speed of the first motor may be output from an external terminal such as the portable terminal 17 shown in FIG. 19.

[0363] According to the above description, A coffee machine provided with a second grinder [for example, the second grinder 5B] for grinding coffee beans, controlling the input amount of coffee beans to be input to the second grinder [for example, step S24 shown in FIG. 37], a coffee machine characterized by the above [for example, the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18 or the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1]. has been described.

[0364] According to this coffee machine, the input amount is controlled in consideration of the state of grinding coffee beans in the grinder.

[0365] Note that the coffee beans referred to here may be cracked beans, ground beans, or beans that have not been cracked or ground.

[0366] The reason for controlling the input amount is to prevent the retention time of the ground beans in the second grinder from being longer than necessary. In the second grinder, if the amount of coffee beans input is more than the amount of ground beans sent out, the retention time of the ground beans in the second grinder will be longer, and the ground beans will be more likely to be adversely affected by heat. Therefore, in the above coffee machine, the input amount is controlled so that this does not happen. Thus, the control of the machine is performed in consideration of the state of grinding coffee beans in the grinder.

[0367] Also, A coffee machine characterized by controlling the input amount according to the type of coffee beans. has also been described. has also been described.

[0368] Note that the type of the coffee beans may be the variety of the coffee beans, the roasting degree of the coffee beans, or a combination of the variety and the roasting degree.

[0369] Also, 『A first grinder [for example, the first grinder 5A] for grinding coffee beans is provided upstream of the second grinder, and the input amount of the coffee beans to be input into the second grinder is controlled by controlling the speed [for example, the rotation speed of the first motor] at which the first grinder grinds the coffee beans. A coffee machine characterized by the above.』 has also been described.

[0370] Also, 『A supply device [for example, the metering unit 404 shown in FIG. 21, the conveyor 41 shown in FIG. 2] for supplying coffee beans downstream is provided upstream of the second grinder, and the input amount of the coffee beans to be input into the second grinder is controlled by controlling the supply speed of the coffee beans by the supply device. A coffee machine characterized by the above.』 has also been described.

[0371] Also, 『A first grinder [for example, the first grinder 5A] for grinding coffee beans disposed upstream of the second grinder, and a supply device [for example, the metering unit 404 shown in FIG. 21, the conveyor 41 shown in FIG. 2] for supplying coffee beans downstream disposed upstream of the first grinder, and are provided, and the input amount of the coffee beans to be input into the second grinder is reduced by controlling at least one of the first grinder and the supply device. A coffee machine characterized by the above.』 has also been described.

[0372] For example, by controlling both the first grinder and the supply device, the amount of coffee beans fed into the second grinder may be decreased.

[0373] Furthermore, “A coffee machine system (e.g., FIGS. 10 and 19) including an external device (e.g., server 16, mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the coffee machine.” was also described.

[0374] Also, “A step of starting the feeding of coffee beans into the second grinder (step S21 shown in FIG. 37) and a step of controlling the amount of coffee beans fed into the second grinder (step S24 shown in FIG. 37).” A coffee bean grinding method characterized by including the above steps was also described. was also described.

[0375] The ground coffee beans ground by the second grinder 5B are discharged from the chute GM31 shown in FIG. 18.

[0376] The chute GM31 shown in FIG. 18 guides downward the ground coffee beans fed in a substantially horizontal direction. The coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18 is provided with a hammer member GM32 that strikes the chute GM31. This hammer member GM32 rotates about a rotation axis GM321 extending in the vertical direction. The ground coffee beans fed in a substantially horizontal direction may hit the inner wall of the chute GM31 and adhere to the inner wall. The user rotates the hammer member GM32 to strike the chute GM31, applying an impact to the adhered ground coffee beans to cause them to fall.

[0377] Subsequently, an example of executing a grinding process according to order information from outside the coffee bean grinder GM (e.g., server 16 and mobile terminal 17 shown in FIG. 19) will be described.

[0378] FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the processing unit 11a when performing a grinding process according to order information.

[0379] In step S31, it is determined whether order information has been received. If the order information has not been received, this step S31 is repeatedly executed. And if the order information has been received, the process proceeds to step S32. Note that the specific content of the order information will be described later.

[0380] In step S32, the received order information is displayed on the information display device 12 shown in FIG. 19, and the process proceeds to step S33.

[0381] In step S33, it is determined whether a coffee bean grinding start operation has been received. Here, the grinding start operation, which will be described in detail later, is an operation of the information display device 12. If the grinding start operation has not been received, the process proceeds to step S34, and if the grinding start operation has been received, the process proceeds to step S36.

[0382] In step S34, it is determined whether an order information change operation has been received. Here, the order information change operation, which will also be described in detail later, is an operation of the information display device 12. If the order information change operation has been received, the process proceeds to step S35, and if the order information change operation has not been received, the process returns to step S33.

[0383] In step S35, the received order information is updated according to the order information change operation, and the process returns to step S33.

[0384] Before receiving the grinding start operation after receiving the order information, the order information received in step S34 and step S35 can be changed. The grinding start operation and the operation for changing the order information are not limited to the operation of the information display device 12, and the operation from the mobile terminal 17 may be received. Also, as long as the information of this operation is transmitted to the coffee grinder GM, the transmission path may be any path.

[0385] In step S36, the grinding process of the coffee beans is executed. First, the roasted coffee beans in the specified amount in the order information are supplied from the storage device 4 to the first grinder 5B. The ground and split beans in the first grinder 5B are supplied to the second grinder 5B after the unnecessary substances are separated by the separation device 6. In this second grinder 5B, the coffee beans are ground while changing the interval between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b at a predetermined interval (for example, in 50-μm increments) according to the order information, and the ground coffee beans are discharged from the chute GM31 shown in FIG. 18. When this grinding process is completed, the manufacturing process of the ground coffee beans is completed.

[0386] In the above example, the case where the grinding process is executed according to the order information from the outside of the coffee grinder GM has been described. However, it may be configured such that the order information is directly input to the coffee grinder GM using the information display device 12. In the case of this configuration, the steps S32, S34, and S35 shown in FIG. 38 may be deleted.

[0387] Also, in the above example, the order information can be changed between receiving the order information and receiving the grinding start operation. However, the grinding process may be started as it is immediately after receiving the order information without providing such an opportunity for change.

[0388] Here, the recipe will be described in detail. The recipe includes a grind recipe that contains only grind information for grinding coffee beans, and a beverage production recipe that contains information on various production conditions for manufacturing coffee beverages, such as extraction conditions for coffee beverages, in addition to the grind information. In the coffee bean grinder GM, as long as there is a grind recipe, the grinding process can be executed. However, if the beverage production recipe is displayed on the information display device 12, the grind conditions may be modified in view of the conditions of the extraction process of the coffee beverage that is executed after the grinding process, and a higher-quality coffee beverage may be obtained.

[0389] The storage unit 11b shown in FIG. 19 may continue to store the recipe, or may acquire the recipe from the server 16 before starting the grinding process, store it only while the grinding process is being executed, and erase the recipe from the storage unit 11b after the grinding process is completed. Alternatively, only a part of the information in the recipe (for example, bean information and recipe creator information) may be stored in the storage unit 11b, and the remaining information in the recipe (for example, information on various conditions for grinding coffee beans) may be acquired from the server 16 before starting the grinding process, and the remaining information may be erased from the storage unit 11b after the grinding process is completed. Note that the recipe stored in the storage unit 11b is encrypted.

[0390] Also, the recipe is database-managed in the server 16.

[0391] FIG. 39(A) to FIG. 39(C) are diagrams showing an example of data stored in the server 16. FIG. 39(A) is data 1500 stored in the beverage information database. The data 1500 includes a recipe ID 1501, inventor information 1502 indicating the inventor of the recipe, production times information 1503 indicating the number of times the beverage information has been selected and produced by users in the past, raw material information, manufacturing method, types 1512 and 1513. The raw material information includes bean information 1504 indicating the type of beans, origin information 1505 indicating the origin of the beans, and roasting degree information 1506 indicating the roasting degree of the beans. The manufacturing method includes the amount of beans used in one extraction 1507, the grinding particle size of the beans 1508, the amount of steaming water 1509, the steaming time 1510, and the extraction water amount 1511. Among these pieces of information, the information most required in the grinding process is the grinding particle size 1508 of the beans, but other information may also be required when considering the grinding particle size 1508 of the beans. Type 1 (1512) is type information indicating whether the beverage is a hot beverage or an iced beverage, and type 2 (1513) is type information indicating the flavor of the beverage. In this embodiment, the production times information 1503 will be described as the number of times a plurality of beverage manufacturing apparatuses have produced the beverage corresponding to the production times information 1503, but the production times information 1503 may be stored for each beverage manufacturing apparatus.

[0392] FIG. 39(B) is exemplary data 1520 of the user information database. The user can be a store, a store clerk, or a customer of the store. The data 1520 includes ID information 1521 indicating a user identifier, name information 1522 indicating the name of the user, age information 1523 indicating the age of the user, and gender information 1524 indicating the gender of the user. In one example, the data 1520 may further include information corresponding to the address of the user, the nickname information of the user, and the photo data of the user.

[0393] FIG. 39(C) shows exemplary data 1530 of a grind history database. The data 1530 includes user information 1531 regarding the user who instructed the grind, date and time information 1532 regarding the grind date and time, recipe ID 1533 used in the grind process, machine ID 1534 corresponding to the coffee bean grinder GM on which the grind process was performed, and store ID 1535 corresponding to the store where the coffee bean grinder GM is installed. In one example, the data 1530 may further include price information corresponding to the price of the ground coffee beans, etc. Also, a production history database of coffee beverages may be stored in a similar manner to the grind history database.

[0394] The data 1500, 1510, and 1530 described above may also be stored in the storage unit 11b of the control device 11 in the coffee bean grinder GM.

[0395] Subsequently, an example of the operation for order information will be described with reference to FIGS. 40 to 45 while referring to the flow of the control process described with reference to FIG. 38. FIGS. 40 to 42 are diagrams showing the state at the time of input of order information. FIG. 43 is a diagram showing the state at the time of change of order information. FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an example of control parameters of the second grinder 5B for an order. FIG. 45 is a diagram showing an example of display during the execution of the grind process.

[0396] In this example, assume that an application for transmitting order information about ground coffee beans is installed on a mobile terminal 17 such as a smartphone. FIG. 40 shows an example of an input screen for order information using this application. On this input screen, there are an order title input field 170, a type 1711 of desired coffee beans, an amount 1712 of coffee beans, an input table 172 for specifying the ratio for the particle size when grinding the coffee beans, a fine → coarse grinding button 173a for instructing the grinding method from the fine grinding state to the coarse grinding state and a coarse → fine grinding button 173b for instructing the grinding method from the coarse grinding state to the fine grinding state, a graph area 174 for graphically displaying the content input in the input table 172, a transmission button 175 for transmitting the order information, and a recipe registration button 176 for registering the order information as a grind recipe. The type of desired coffee beans is such that the types of selectable coffee beans are transmitted from the coffee bean grinder GM with which this mobile terminal 17 communicates, and by tapping the pull-down button at the right end, all the transmitted selectable coffee bean types are displayed. For example, all the types of beans stored in the canister currently stored in the canister storage unit 401 shown in FIG. 18 are displayed. Alternatively, it may be the case that all the types of beans prepared at the store where the coffee bean grinder GM is installed are displayed. The types of coffee beans are distinguished not only by the variety of coffee beans but also by the name of the farm where they are cultivated. Also, they are distinguished by the roasting degree (very light roast, light roast, medium light roast, medium roast, medium dark roast, dark roast, very dark roast, extremely dark roast). The amount 1712 of coffee beans can also be specified in 5 g increments using a pull-down menu. Note that direct input may also be enabled. The method of grinding coffee beans will be described in detail later.

[0397] Figure 41 shows an example of an input screen with order information entered. In this input screen, the characters "For Geisha French Press" are entered in the title input field 170. Also, for the type of coffee beans 1711, the variety name cultivated in Kopi Farm, which is Geisha coffee beans, and those roasted to an extra dark roast are selected, and 60 g of coffee beans is selected. In the input table 172, "40" indicating the ratio of a particle size of 200 μm and "60" indicating the ratio of a particle size of 800 μm are entered, and it is shown that the total ratio is "100"%. Also, it is shown that comments corresponding to each of 200 μm particle size, 800 μm particle size, and the total are entered. Also, the fine → coarse grind button 173a is selected. In the graph area 174, the content entered in the input table 172 is displayed as a graph. In this graph, two peaks are shown. Among these, the left peak indicates that the particle size of 200 μm is at a ratio of 40%, and the right peak indicates that the particle size of 800 μm is at a ratio of 60%.

[0398] In the graph area 174, by dragging a part of the graph, the content entered in the input table 172 can be indirectly changed. Figure 42 shows an example in which the right peak among the two peaks in the graph area 174 shown in Figure 41 is moved to the left. And by this operation, it is shown that "60" indicating the ratio of a particle size of 800 μm entered in the input table 172 becomes "0", and "0" indicating the ratio of a particle size of 600 μm becomes "60". Such an input method by dragging the graph is not limited to changing the particle size, but may also change the ratio. For example, by dragging a part of the graph up and down, the ratio of the corresponding particle size can be increased or decreased.

[0399] Also, in the example shown in FIG. 42, after a value is input to the input table 172, a part of the graph is dragged to change the value input to the input table 172. Not limited to this configuration, from the state before a value is input to the input table 172 (initial state), an initial state graph (a flat straight line, shown as a thick line in FIG. 39) may be displayed in the graph area 174, and by dragging this graph, the value of the input table 172 can be set.

[0400] By the input method using the graph as described above, the user can set the ratio of the particle size more intuitively.

[0401] Also, when the size of a certain peak is increased, the size of other peaks relatively decreases. For example, when the size of one peak is increased or decreased, the size of other peaks may be relatively increased or decreased. When the size of the graph area 174 is limited, the graph area 174 can be used more effectively.

[0402] After setting the title, the type and amount of coffee beans, the ratio of the particle size, and the grinding method (fine → coarse, coarse → fine), by tapping the send button 175, order information is sent to the control device 11 of the coffee bean grinder GM via the communication network 15 shown in FIG. 19. Note that it may be sent to the coffee bean grinder GM via the server 16 and the communication network 15 after being once sent to the server 16.

[0403] Here, the order information such as the title, the type and amount of coffee beans, the grain size ratio, and the grinding method (fine to coarse, coarse to fine) are set, but it is also possible to save this order information and use it as a grind recipe. In this case, by tapping the recipe registration button 176, the order information is transmitted to the server 16 via the communication network 15. The server 16 also manages the grind recipe in a database, and a grind recipe ID is assigned to the transmitted order information and stored. When transmitting to the server 16, restrictions on the recipe may be set. For example, a screen for selecting various restrictions such as prohibition of production (grinding), prohibition of display, prohibition of download, prohibition of copying, and prohibition of modification may be displayed on the mobile terminal 17. In addition, the above screen may also be configured to allow the user to set the method of lifting these restrictions (charge, lapse of a period, use more than a certain number of times due to charging, etc.). In addition, the inputted comment of the creator is also stored as part of the grind recipe, and the comment can also be displayed when the recipe is displayed.

[0404] Furthermore, the chaff removal strength (chaff removal rate) (%) may be set as order information and grind recipe.

[0405] When order information is received, the content of the received order information is displayed on the information display device 12 (Yes in step S31 of FIG. 38, step S32). FIG. 43(A) shows an example in which the control device 11 receives the order information transmitted with the content shown in FIG. 42, and the content is displayed on the information display device 12. Specifically, the title input in the title input field 170 of FIG. 42 and, among the input table 172, the content of the part excluding the rows of the particle size where the ratio is 0 and the comment column is blank (in FIG. 42, the rows of particle sizes 400 μm and 1000 μm) are displayed in the reception table 121. Further, in the grinding method instruction column 122, it is shown that the grinding method has changed from the fine grinding state to the coarse grinding state because the fine→coarse grinding button 173a was selected in FIG. 42. Also, the bean type column 1231 shows the type of beans received, and the bean amount column 123 shows the amount of beans received. Note that the amount of beans may be set separately by the store side.

[0406] When the grind start button 124 is tapped in this state, the grinding process of the coffee beans is executed (details will be described later). However, before tapping the grind start button 124, the order information can be changed (No in step S33 of FIG. 38, Yes in step S34, step S35). When the order information is changed, the grinding process of the coffee beans is executed according to this information. Depending on the temperature and humidity during grinding, the particle size of the ground coffee beans may become fine (or coarse). However, it is possible for the store side to change and adjust the order information.

[0407] For example, suppose that the order information of FIG. 43(A) is received, but the humidity is low, resulting in the ground coffee beans being coarse. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 43(B), by changing "40" indicating the proportion of 200 μm in the ground coffee beans to "45" in the reception table 121, and further changing "60" indicating the proportion of 600 μm in the ground coffee beans to "55", the ground coffee beans can be adjusted to a coarse ground coffee beans to a desired size. In the example of FIG. 43(B), the description "low humidity → proportion increase" is added to the comment field, and such a comment may convey information such as the reason for the correction. As described above, the order information (here, the ground coffee beans' particle size) can be adjusted according to the installation environment of the coffee bean grinder GM.

[0408] Moreover, a recipe registration button 125 is also prepared on the display screen of the information display device 12, and the order information can be registered as a grind recipe in the server 16 from the information display device 12 (coffee bean grinder GM). The grind recipe including the parameters modified according to the installation environment of the coffee bean grinder GM can be saved with a comment in the server 16. The grind recipe may also include environmental information (temperature, humidity, air pressure, etc.) at the time of creating the order information (recipe). A temperature and humidity sensor and an air pressure sensor may be provided in the coffee bean grinder GM, and when the recipe registration button 125 is tapped, the environmental information acquired by these sensors may be automatically added to the grind recipe. Furthermore, when transmitting from the coffee bean grinder GM to the server 16, a selection screen may be displayed on the display screen of the information display device 12, and the recipe restrictions may be set. Furthermore, the above selection screen may also be configured to allow the user to set a method for releasing these restrictions.

[0409] In addition, the order information may be encrypted and stored as a grind recipe in the memory unit 11b of the control device 11 in the coffee bean grinder GM. Also, the order information may be encrypted and stored as a grind recipe in the memory unit 11b from the mobile terminal 17.

[0410] In addition, the ground recipe registered in this way can also be used in a coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus equipped with a coffee bean grinder GM and a coffee extraction device.

[0411] Next, regarding the operations after the grind start button 124 is tapped, the case where the grind start button 124 is tapped in the state shown in FIG. 43(B) will be described as an example. When the grind start button 124 is tapped, the grinding process of the coffee beans is executed according to the order information (Yes in step S33 and step S36 in FIG. 38). If something other than the coffee beans stored in the storage device 4 is specified, the grinding process is started after setting the specified coffee beans in the storage device 4.

[0412] In addition, after performing the calibration executed in the initial operation, which was described with reference to FIG. 33, the grinding process may be started. Whether or not to execute this calibration is transmitted from the mobile terminal 17 together with the order information. That is, it is possible to specify to execute the calibration on the mobile terminal 17 before starting the grinding process based on the order information.

[0413] FIG. 44(A) shows the particle size and its ratio specified in FIG. 43(B). In this grinding process, the particle size distribution of the ground coffee beans to be produced is widened to a certain range (in this embodiment, a range of ±100 to 150 μm) with respect to the particle size of the ground coffee beans specified in the order information. The control for grinding the coffee beans while changing the blade interval (the interval between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b) of the second grinder 5B at a predetermined interval (for example, in 50-μm increments) is executed by the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19. For example, FIG. 44(B) shows that an operation time is set for operating while changing the blade interval of the second grinder 5B in the range of 50 to 350 μm with respect to the specified particle size of 200 μm specified in FIG. 44(A). Also, FIG. 44(B) shows that an operation time is set for operating while changing the blade interval of the second grinder 5B in the range of 450 to 700 μm with respect to the specified particle size of 600 μm specified in FIG. 44(A). Further, FIG. 44(D) shows, in a graph, the length of the operation time for each blade interval of the second grinder 5B shown in FIG. 44(B). Note that the blade interval of the second grinder 5B and its operation time set here are calculated by the processing unit 11a based on the order information and correspond to the particle size distribution of the ground coffee beans to be produced. Therefore, it can also be said that the particle size distribution is set. Also, when calibration is executed in the initial operation before the start of the grinding process, the processing unit 11a corrects the rotation amount of the motor 503a using the calibration value obtained in step S55 shown in FIG. 33, and controls to change the blade interval of the second grinder 5B.

[0414] In the above example, it is assumed that it takes a total of 30 seconds to produce 60 g of ground coffee beans specified in the order information. And 45% (13.5 seconds) of this operation time is allocated to the operation for a particle size of 200 μm. In the above example, since the second grinder 5B is operated while changing the blade interval within the range of 50 to 350 μm for the specification of a particle size of 200 μm, the 13.5 - second operation time is allocated to the grinder operation within this range. Note that in FIG. 44(B), the total operation time of the grinder within the range of an interval of 50 to 350 μm is 13.5 seconds. Also, 55% (16.5 seconds) of the total operation time of 30 seconds is allocated to the operation for a particle size of 600 μm. In the above example, since the second grinder 5B is operated while changing the blade interval within the range of 450 to 700 μm for the specification of a particle size of 600 μm, the 16.5 - second operation time is allocated to the grinder operation within this range. Note that in FIG. 44(B), the total operation time of the grinder within the range of an interval of 450 to 700 μm is 16.5 seconds. As described above, the operation time shown in FIG. 44(B) is derived from the time required for the production of ground coffee beans. Note that in FIG. 44(B), an example where the ranges of the blade intervals of the second grinder 5B for the specifications of two types of particle sizes do not overlap has been described, but when these ranges overlap, the operation time of that part is added.

[0415] As described in the example of FIG. 44(B), by producing ground coffee beans while changing the blade interval of the second grinder 5B, the particle size of the ground coffee beans can be dispersed. The coffee extracted from the ground coffee beans with a dispersed particle size can include various flavors as compared with the coffee extracted from the ground coffee beans with an undispersed particle size. Note that, for those who do not like such flavors, a case where, for example, an operation time as shown in FIG. 44(C) is set may be provided. In this FIG. 44(C), the operation time of the second grinder 5B is set only for the operation at a blade interval having the same value as the particle size specified in the order information, corresponding to a particle size distribution with suppressed particle size dispersion. These configurations are examples, and it may be possible to specify the range of the particle size distribution when specifying the particle size.

[0416] Also, in the example of FIG. 44(B), the operating time is the longest at the blade interval having the same value as the grain size specified in the order information, and the operating time becomes shorter as the difference between the specified grain size and the blade interval of the second grinder 5B increases. However, for example, the operating time may be set to the same value for the operation at the blade interval of the second grinder 5B of ±50 μm with respect to the specified grain size, or a plurality of patterns of grain size distribution may be provided and selection may be possible therefrom.

[0417] Further, the information on the operating time as shown in FIG. 44(B) may be input when creating the order information, and when the order information includes the information on the operating time, the grinding process may be executed according to this information.

[0418] Furthermore, the information on the operating time (the change pattern of the blade interval of the second grinder 5B) shown in FIG. 44(B) and FIG. 44(C) may also be stored in the server 16 and the storage unit 11b as part of the grinding recipe. That is, various information may be stored in the server 16 and the storage unit 11b in association with the grain size of the ground beans. In addition, these information and the grinding recipe stored in the storage unit 11b may be output to external terminals such as the server 16 and the mobile terminal 17 via the communication network 15.

[0419] In FIG. 44(A), two types of grain size values are set, but the number of types of grain size for which values are specified may be one instead of a plurality. For example, when one type of grain size value is set, the operating time is set based on this value.

[0420] Also, the input of order information from an external terminal (mobile terminal 17) and the calculation of the control parameters of the second grinder 5B based on the order information, which were described with reference to FIGS. 40 to 45, are also applicable to the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0421] According to the above description, A coffee bean grinder that grinds coffee beans under set conditions [for example, the blade interval and operating time according to the particle size specified in the order information shown in FIGS. 44(B) and 44(C)], such as the second grinder 5B, and A reception unit [for example, the I / F unit 11c shown in FIGS. 10 and 19] that receives a user's designation [for example, order information from a mobile terminal 17 such as a smartphone], and A setting unit [for example, the processing unit 11a shown in FIGS. 10 and 19] that can set the conditions, and A coffee bean grinder comprising: The setting unit can set the conditions according to the designation received by the reception unit [for example, the processing unit 11a calculates control data shown in FIGS. 44(B) and 44(C) based on the order information and controls the second grinder 5B based on the control data], The reception unit can input a signal including the designation from the outside [for example, FIGS. 10 and 19], A coffee bean grinder characterized in that [for example, the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 or the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18]. has been described.

[0422] According to this coffee bean grinder, a user can easily make a designation.

[0423] The designation may be a designation of the particle size of the ground beans or a designation to execute calibration in the initial operation of the grinder. Further, the designation may be various designations in a grind recipe (for example, a designation of the type and amount of coffee beans to be used, a designation of the grinding method).

[0424] Also, The setting unit can obtain a calibration value [for example, the calibration value calculated in step S55 shown in FIG. 33] when setting the conditions according to the designation [for example, a designation to perform calibration regarding the interval between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b in the initial operation of the second grinder 5B] received by the reception unit, A coffee bean grinder characterized by... was also described.

[0425] Also, A coffee bean grinder comprising a storage device [e.g., storage unit 11b shown in FIGS. 10 and 19] for storing the specified information [e.g., grind recipe or beverage production recipe] received by the reception unit. A coffee bean grinder characterized by... was also described.

[0426] Also, The reception unit receives at least the specification of the particle size of the ground beans [e.g., the specification of the particle size in the input table 172 shown in FIG. 41] as the specification, and the storage device is capable of storing various information [e.g., control data shown in FIGS. 44(B) and 44(C)] in association with the particle size of the ground beans. A coffee bean grinder characterized by... was also described.

[0427] Note that the particle size may be the particle size represented by the peak in the particle size distribution. Also, the various information may be the conditions set for the grinder to grind coffee beans to the particle size.

[0428] Also, A coffee bean grinder characterized in that the information stored in the storage device can be output to the outside [e.g., server 16 or mobile terminal 17]. A coffee bean grinder characterized by... was also described.

[0429] Furthermore, "A coffee bean grinding system (e.g., FIGS. 10 and 19) comprising an external device (e.g., server 16, mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the coffee bean grinder, wherein the external device is operated by a user's specified operation. A coffee bean grinding system characterized by... (e.g., FIGS. 10 and 19). was also described.

[0430] Also, "A method for grinding coffee beans in a grinder that grinds coffee beans under set conditions, a receiving step of receiving a designation by a user [for example, order information from a mobile terminal 17 such as a smartphone] [for example, a process that is a prerequisite for step S31 shown in FIG. 38], and a condition setting step of setting the conditions according to the designation received in the receiving step [for example, a process performed between step S32 and step S33 shown in FIG. 38 or a process performed between step S34 and step S33] characterized by comprising the above." has also been described.

[0431] Also, according to the above description, "A coffee bean grinder [for example, the second grinder 5B] that grinds coffee beans under set conditions [for example, the blade interval and operating time according to the particle size specified by the order information shown in FIGS. 44(B) and 44(C)], a setting unit [for example, the processing unit 11a shown in FIGS. 10 and 19] capable of setting the conditions, an operation unit [for example, the manual setting disk dial 695 and the fine adjustment knob dial 696] operable by the user, characterized by comprising: the setting unit is capable of setting the conditions based on input information [for example, the processing unit 11a calculates the control data shown in FIGS. 44(B) and 44(C) based on the order information and controls the second grinder 5B based on the control data], the operation unit can change, according to the operation, the conditions related to the particle size of the ground beans [for example, the interval between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b], characterized by the above [for example, the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 or the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18]." has been described.

[0432] According to this coffee bean grinder, the above conditions are set based on the input information, and the conditions regarding the particle size of the ground coffee beans can also be adjusted manually.

[0433] Note that the particle size may be the particle size represented by the peak in the particle size distribution. Further, the input information may be information on the particle size of the ground coffee beans, or information instructing the execution of calibration in the initial operation of the grinder. Further, the input information may be various information in the grind recipe (for example, information on the type and amount of coffee beans to be used, information on the grinding method).

[0434] Also, 'The setting unit is capable of acquiring a calibration value [for example, the calibration value calculated in step S55 shown in FIG. 33] when setting the above conditions, A coffee bean grinder characterized by this.' has also been described.

[0435] Also, 'A coffee bean grinder characterized by including a storage device [for example, the storage unit 11b shown in FIGS. 10 and 19] that stores the above input information [for example, a grind recipe or a beverage production recipe].' has also been described. has also been described.

[0436] Also, 'The setting unit is capable of setting conditions regarding the particle size of the ground coffee beans [for example, the blade interval and the operation time according to the particle size specified by the order information shown in FIGS. 44(B) and 44(C)] based on the above input information [for example, the particle size designation in the input table 172 shown in FIG. 41], and the storage device is capable of storing various information [for example, the control data shown in FIGS. 44(B) and 44(C)] in association with the particle size of the ground coffee beans, A coffee bean grinder characterized by this.' has also been described.

[0437] Note that the various types of information may be the conditions set in the grinder for grinding coffee beans to the above-mentioned particle size with the grinder.

[0438] Also, "The information stored in the storage device can be output to the outside [for example, server 16 or mobile terminal 17], characterized by a coffee bean grinder." has also been described.

[0439] Furthermore, "Comprising an external device (for example, server 16, mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the coffee bean grinder, wherein the external device is operated by a user who specifies the conditions, characterized by a coffee bean grinding system (for example, FIGS. 10 and 19)." has also been described.

[0440] Also, "A method for grinding coffee beans in a grinder that grinds coffee beans under set conditions, an automatic setting step of automatically setting the conditions based on input information, a manual change step of changing the conditions related to the particle size of the ground beans according to an operation among the above conditions, characterized by being executable." has also been described.

[0441] Note that either the automatic setting step or the manual change step may be executed first, and in some cases, only one of them may be executed.

[0442] In addition, there are two ways of grinding in the second grinder 5B in this embodiment: a way from a fine grinding state to a coarse grinding state and a way from a coarse grinding state to a fine grinding state. Either way of grinding is specified using the fine → coarse grinding button 173a and the coarse → fine grinding button 173b described in FIG. 40. When the way of grinding from the fine grinding state to the coarse grinding state is specified, while widening the blade interval of the second grinder 5B from 50 μm to 1000 μm, the second grinder 5B is operated for the operation time set for each interval. On the other hand, when the way of grinding from the coarse grinding state to the fine grinding state is specified, while narrowing the blade interval of the second grinder 5B from 1000 μm to 50 μm, the second grinder 5B is operated for the operation time set for each interval. Depending on this way of grinding, there may be a subtle difference in the particle size distribution of the produced ground coffee beans, and there may be a difference in taste. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration in which these ways of grinding can be set is adopted.

[0443] In Fig. 43(B), since the grinding method from the fine grinding state to the coarse grinding state is specified, while widening the interval between the blades of the second grinder 5B from 50 μm to 1000 μm, the second grinder 5B is operated for the operation time set for each interval. At this time, a graph shown in Fig. 44(D) is displayed on the information display device 12, and the color of the area in the graph changes as this operation progresses. Fig. 45(A) shows the state when 12.4 seconds have elapsed since the start of grinding. At this time, the interval between the blades of the second grinder 5B is set to 250 μm, and in Fig. 45(A), it is shown by hatching that the color of the area on the left side has changed with 250 μm as the boundary. This hatching is an example indicating that the grinding process for the corresponding area has been completed. Also, Fig. 45(B) shows the state when 30 seconds have elapsed since the start of grinding and the grinding process has ended. In Fig. 45(B), the fact that all areas are hatched is an example indicating that all grinding processes have been completed. As in the examples of Fig. 45(A) and (B), by displaying the progress of the grinding process, it may be possible to prevent the customer's waiting time from being boring, or to enable efficient work such as allowing the store clerk to perform other tasks during that time.

[0444] Fig. 46(a) is a diagram showing an example of a porter filter used when manufacturing espresso beverages. The porter filter PF shown in Fig. 46(a) is of the naked type, and the bottom surface is filled with ground coffee beans in a metal basket PFb having a filter structure (see Fig. 46(c)), and the basket PFb is held by a cylindrical holding portion PFr. A handle PFh is provided on the holding portion PFh.

[0445] Figure 46(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the basket PFb held by the holding part PFr is applied to the chute GM31 of the coffee bean grinder with the handle PFh. Ground coffee beans are discharged from the chute GM31, and the basket PFb is filled with the ground coffee beans. This operation is called dosing. In order to save the labor of the operator who applies it with the handle PFh, the basket PFb may be fixed to the discharge port of the chute GM31. Next, a leveling operation is performed so that the ground coffee beans are evenly packed in the basket PFb. Finally, a tamping operation is performed to compact the evenly packed ground coffee beans.

[0446] Figure 46(c) is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the ground coffee beans ground in a way that changes from a finely ground state to a coarsely ground state are packed in the basket PFb and leveling and tamping are performed.

[0447] Figure 46(c) shows the basket PFb held by the holding part PFr. The bottom surface PFf of this basket PFb has a filter structure, and the mesh Fi of the filter is schematically shown in Figure 46(c), but in reality, it is finer. The area on the bottom surface PFf side is filled with ultra-finely ground coffee beans Bvt having a particle size distribution with a peak at 200 μm. In Figure 46(c), the state of being filled with ultra-finely ground coffee beans Bvt is shown by fine cross-hatching. Also, in the area above that area, medium-finely ground coffee beans Bmt having a particle size distribution with a peak at 600 μm are filled. In Figure 46(c), the state of being filled with medium-finely ground coffee beans Bmt is shown by coarse cross-hatching. That is, relatively fine ground coffee beans are accommodated in the area close to the filter, and relatively coarse ground coffee beans are accommodated in the area far from the filter.

[0448] When the extraction operation is performed using the porter filter PF thus prepared, in the region with large particle size, the hot water drains well, but the extraction efficiency, which is an index of how the flavor develops, decreases. On the other hand, in the region with small particle size, the drainage of hot water deteriorates, and the extraction efficiency increases. The hot water poured from above (the side opposite to the filter) first passes through the region with low extraction efficiency and finally passes through the particle size with high extraction efficiency. Here, considering the opposite situation, it is expected that the poured hot water will become a strong coffee beverage in the first region, and in the last region, it will be difficult to extract coffee components from the coarsely ground beans, and the coarsely ground beans in the last region are likely to be wasted. This prediction is based on the tendency that coffee components are easily extracted from the hot water, but are difficult to extract from the coffee beverage. By the poured hot water passing through the region with low extraction efficiency first, a sufficient amount of coffee beverage is extracted from the ground beans in that region. However, it is a weak coffee beverage. However, precisely because it is a weak coffee beverage, there is room for the concentration of the coffee beverage, and the coffee beverage is firmly extracted even when passing through the region with high extraction efficiency. Thus, in order to effectively utilize all the ground beans in the porter filter PF, it is considered preferable that the ground beans are finer in the region closer to the filter. This is particularly effective when extracting a strong coffee beverage such as espresso.

[0449] Also, in the second grinder 5B in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to perform the grinding method that changes from the finely ground state to the coarsely ground state and the grinding method that changes from the coarsely ground state to the finely ground state in the same manner. In the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the ground beans are accommodated in the extraction container 9. This extraction container 9 is rotatable. At the time of accommodating the ground beans (before the extraction container 9 is inverted), relatively coarsely ground beans are accommodated in the lower region, and relatively finely ground beans are accommodated in the upper region. By inverting the extraction container 9, relatively finely ground beans are positioned in the lower region, and relatively coarsely ground beans are positioned in the upper region. However, when viewed with reference to the filter provided in the lid unit 91 shown in FIG. 6 and the like, similar to the basket PFb, relatively finely ground beans are accommodated in the region closer to the filter, and relatively coarsely ground beans are accommodated in the region farther from the filter.

[0450] Note that, in order to be able to grind the ground beans for multiple extractions with a single grinding start operation, multiple sets of grinding processes may be performed. By doing so, multiple baskets PFb may be prepared, and a new basket PFb may be assigned to the chute GM31 for each set.

[0451] Also, in the example of FIGS. 45(A) and (B), when a grinding method from a finely ground state to a coarsely ground state is specified, an example of a display in which hatching spreads from the left side to the right side of the graph has been described. However, when a grinding method from a coarsely ground state to a finely ground state is specified, unlike the example of FIGS. 45(A) and (B), the display is such that hatching spreads from the right side to the left side of the graph.

[0452] Furthermore, in the above example, a configuration in which the progress of the grinding process is displayed on the information display device 12 has been described. However, the progress of the grinding process may be displayed on the mobile terminal 17 that has transmitted the order information.

[0453] According to the above description, 'A coffee bean grinder [for example, the second grinder 5B], and A container [for example, the basket PFb or the extraction container 9] for storing the ground beans ground by the grinder, and A coffee bean grinder comprising: Capable of performing a set of grinding operations in response to a start operation by the user [for example, tapping the grind start button 124, pressing the start button GM15, or an instruction to manufacture a coffee beverage], The set of grinding operations means an operation of grinding coffee beans into different particle sizes such that ground beans of a first particle size [for example, a relatively fine particle size or a coarse particle size] are stored in a first region [for example, a region relatively close to the filter or a lower region] of the container, and ground beans of a second particle size [for example, a relatively coarse particle size or a fine particle size] are stored in a second region [for example, a region relatively far from the filter or an upper region] of the container. A coffee bean grinder characterized by [for example, the coffee bean grinder GM shown in Fig. 18 or the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1]. has been described.

[0454] The finer the ground coffee beans, the worse the water drainage and the higher the extraction efficiency tend to be. According to this coffee machine, by utilizing this tendency, regions containing ground coffee beans of different particle sizes are provided, and the extraction efficiency can be varied by region to improve the taste of the coffee beverage.

[0455] Note that the amount of coffee beans ground in one set of grinding operations may be the amount required to extract one cup of coffee beverage or the amount required for one extraction. Also, the first particle size may be coarser than the second particle size.

[0456] Also, 'The first particle size is finer than the second particle size, A coffee bean grinder characterized by this. has also been described.

[0457] Also, 'The container has a filter [for example, the filter mesh Fi provided on the bottom surface PFf shown in Fig. 46(c) or the filter provided on the lid unit 91 shown in Fig. 6 etc.], The first region is the region in the container closer to the filter than the second region, A coffee bean grinder characterized by this. has also been described.

[0458] Note that the first region may be the region below the second region in the container.

[0459] Also, 'Equipped with a storage device [for example, the storage unit 11b shown in Fig. 10 or Fig. 19] capable of storing the one set of grinding operations as a recipe, A coffee bean grinder characterized by... was also described.

[0460] Also, 'Capable of executing the above-mentioned grinding operation a plurality of times in response to a start operation by the user [for example, capable of grinding ground beans for extraction multiple times].' A coffee bean grinder characterized by... was also described.

[0461] Furthermore, 'A coffee bean grinder system (for example, FIGS. 10 and 19) characterized by including an external device (for example, server 16, mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the coffee bean grinder.' was also described.

[0462] Also, 'A first step of storing ground beans of a first particle size [for example, a relatively fine or coarse particle size] in a first region of a container [for example, basket PFb or extraction container 9] [for example, a region relatively close to or below the filter]; A second step of storing ground beans of a second particle size [for example, a relatively coarse or fine particle size] in a second region of the container [for example, a region relatively far from or above the filter]; A coffee bean grinding method characterized by having the above steps.' was also described.

[0463] Next, the combination of the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B will be described.

[0464] As shown in FIG. 25 and the like, the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are in a series relationship provided upstream and downstream when viewed from the conveying direction of the coffee beans. The first grinder 5A is capable of grinding coffee beans with a coarser particle size with higher precision than the second grinder 5B, and the second grinder 5B is capable of grinding coffee beans with a finer particle size with higher precision than the first grinder 5A. More specifically, the first grinder 5A crushes the roasted coffee beans into a certain size (for example, about 1 / 4) to make cracked beans. The second grinder 5B makes the cracked beans crushed by the first grinder 5A into ground beans with a desired particle size. For example, the second grinder 5B can perform coarse grinding, medium grinding, medium-fine grinding, fine grinding, and extra-fine grinding, and the first grinder 5A cannot grind as finely as coarse grinding. However, in order to facilitate the separation of unnecessary substances adhering to the coffee beans, it is preferable to crush the coffee beans to a certain size with the first grinder 5A.

[0465] However, if the ease of separation of unnecessary substances such as chaff and fine powder by the separation device 6 is ignored, it is also possible to perform the grinding process of coffee beans only with the second grinder 5B without driving the first grinder 5A.

[0466] FIG. 47(a) is a perspective view showing the rotating blade 58a constituting the first grinder 5A alone.

[0467] The rotating blade 58a is provided with a guide path 58ag that extends obliquely downward around the rotation axis 58as from each of the four blades 58a1 to 58a4. As shown in FIG. 47(a), when the rotating blade 58a does not rotate, the roasted coffee beans B sent from the storage device 4 pass through this guide path 58ag and are sent into the second grinder 5B while maintaining their shape and size. Then, they are ground to a desired particle size by the second grinder 5B. In this case, it is not a two-stage grinding by the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, but a one-stage grinding only by the second grinder 5B.

[0468] Note that instead of the first grinder 5A, a grinder identical to the second grinder 5B may be provided so that rough grinding, medium grinding, medium-fine grinding, fine grinding, and ultra-fine grinding can also be performed by the upstream grinder. In this case, for example, rough grinding may be performed by the upstream grinder, and after separating unnecessary substances by the separating device 6, finer grinding methods such as medium grinding or less may be performed by the second grinder 5B. Alternatively, medium-fine grinding may be performed by the upstream grinder, and after separating unnecessary substances by the separating device 6, instead of performing grinding treatment by the second grinder 5B, the ground beans that have been medium-finely ground from the chute GM31 may be discharged.

[0469] FIG. 47(b) is a diagram showing a modified example of the grinding device 5 shown in FIG. 25 and the like.

[0470] The grinding device 5 shown in Fig. 25 etc. had two grinders arranged in series. However, in the grinding device 5' of this modification, among the three grinders, the two downstream grinders are arranged in parallel. A first grinder 5A is arranged on the downstream side of the storage device 4 shown in Fig. 47(b). In the grinding device 5 shown in Fig. 25 etc., a forming unit 6B is provided downstream of the first grinder 5A. However, in this modification, the forming unit 6B is omitted and a cylindrical guide passage 6C is provided. Two second grinders 5B each connected to a connecting duct 661 are arranged on the downstream side of the guide passage 6C. The guide passage 6C is a passage for distributing the ground and cracked coffee beans ground by the first grinder 5A to either one of these two second grinders 5B. Note that the number of the second grinders 5B is not limited to two and may be three or more. The passage switching of the guide passage 6C is executed by the processing unit 11a shown in Fig. 19. Also, the passage switching of the guide passage 6C may be manually performed. Alternatively, the passage switching may be performed according to an instruction from an external terminal such as the mobile terminal 17. In this modification, in a coffee bean grinder GM equipped with a total of three grinders, namely one first grinder 5A and two second grinders 5B, a selection step of selecting a grinder for grinding coffee beans from among these three grinders, a supply step of supplying coffee beans to the selected grinder, and a grind step of grinding the coffee beans supplied in the supply step by the grinder are executed. In the supply step, when one of the two second grinders 5B is selected, the coffee beans are supplied to the selected second grinder 5B through the guide passage 6C. Note that in the selection step, the selection of the one first grinder 5A is optional, but in the selection of the two second grinders 5B, one of the second grinders 5B may be necessarily selected. Alternatively, when the two second grinders 5B are not selected, the coffee beans may be directly discharged from the guide passage 6C.

[0471] According to this modification example, since a plurality of second grinders 5B are installed, the grinding process by the second grinders 5B can be performed in parallel. For example, in the control of the input amount of ground coffee beans to the second grinder 5B described with reference to FIG. 37, when it becomes necessary to reduce the input amount to the first second grinder 5B, if the passage switching of the guide passage 6C is performed and the input to the second second grinder 5B is started, there is no need to reduce the input amount, and a decrease in the efficiency of the grinding process can be avoided.

[0472] In addition, in the modification example shown in FIG. 47(b), the forming unit 6B is omitted, but the forming unit 6B may be provided at the upstream end of the guide passage 6C, and the separation of unnecessary substances may be performed after the passage switching is completed. Further, instead of the switchable guide passage 6C, a fixed passage may be provided, and a plurality of prepared second grinders 5B may be moved to the downstream end of the fixed passage to perform grinder switching. Furthermore, instead of providing a plurality of grinders with the same function in parallel, a plurality of grinders with different functions may be provided in parallel. For example, a grinder dedicated to coarse grinding, a grinder dedicated to medium grinding, a grinder dedicated to medium-fine grinding, a grinder dedicated to fine grinding, and a grinder dedicated to ultra-fine grinding may be provided in parallel so that they can be selected. Also, the upstream first grinder 5A may be omitted. Alternatively, a grinder may be further provided downstream of the second grinder 5B. The grinder provided downstream of the second grinder 5B may be one or a plurality. When there are a plurality, they may be arranged in series or in parallel.

[0473] As described above, the embodiment of the grinding device 5 described with reference to FIG. 47 is also applicable as the grinding device of the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0474] According to the above description, A coffee bean grinder comprising a plurality of grinders [for example, a first grinder 5A and a second grinder 5B in a series relationship or a plurality of second grinders 5B in a parallel relationship], A grinder for grinding coffee beans can be selected from the plurality of grinders [for example, both the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B in series relationship can be selected, only the second grinder 5B can be selected, or a plurality of second grinders 5B in parallel relationship can be selected one by one]. A coffee bean grinder characterized by this [for example, the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18 or the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1]. has been described.

[0475] According to this coffee bean grinder, since the grinder for grinding coffee beans can be selected from a plurality of grinders, it is easier to meet the demands for more grinding processes than conventional coffee bean grinders.

[0476] Note that the number of grinders to be selected may be one or more.

[0477] Also, The plurality of grinders include a first grinder [for example, the first grinder 5A] and a second grinder [for example, the second grinder 5B], It is possible to select whether to grind coffee beans by one [for example, only the second grinder 5B] or both [for example, the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B] of the first grinder and the second grinder. A coffee bean grinder characterized by this. has also been described.

[0478] Also, The first grinder can grind coffee beans coarser with higher precision than the second grinder [for example, crush roasted coffee beans to a certain size (for example, about 1 / 4 size)], The second grinder can grind coffee beans finer with higher precision than the first grinder [for example, can perform coarse grinding, medium grinding, medium-fine grinding, fine grinding, and extra-fine grinding]. A coffee bean grinder characterized by this. has also been described.

[0479] Also, ‘When grinding coffee beans with both the first grinder [e.g., the first grinder 5A] and the second grinder [e.g., the second grinder 5B], the coffee beans ground by the first grinder [e.g., the upstream first grinder 5A] are further finely ground by the second grinder [e.g., the downstream second grinder 5B]. A coffee bean grinder characterized by this.’ has also been described.

[0480] Also, ‘When grinding coffee beans with one of the first grinder [e.g., the left second grinder 5B shown in Fig. 47(b)] and the second grinder [e.g., the right second grinder 5B shown in Fig. 47(b)], the coffee beans are guided to the one grinder [e.g., guided by the guide passage 6C]. A coffee bean grinder characterized by this.’ has also been described.

[0481] That is, an aspect in which one of the first grinder and the second grinder is provided with a guide passage [e.g., the guide passage 6C shown in Fig. 47(b)] for guiding coffee beans may be adopted. By moving the guide passage with respect to the one grinder, the coffee beans may be guided to the one grinder, or by moving the one grinder with respect to the guide passage, the coffee beans may be guided to the one grinder, or by moving both the guide passage and the one grinder, the coffee beans may be guided to the one grinder.

[0482] Furthermore, ‘A coffee bean grinder system (e.g., Fig. 10 or Fig. 19) characterized by including an external device (e.g., the server 16, the mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the coffee bean grinder.’ has also been described.

[0483] Also, "In a coffee bean grinder having a plurality of grinders, a selection step of selecting a grinder for grinding coffee beans from the plurality of grinders, a supply step of supplying coffee beans to the selected grinder, a grind step of grinding the coffee beans supplied in the supply step with the grinder, characterized by having." A method for grinding coffee beans." has also been described."

[0484] Note that the grinder to be selected may be one or a plurality."

[0485] The present invention is not limited to the several aspects and examples shown above, and these contents can be combined with each other without departing from the gist of the present invention, and may be partially modified according to the purpose and the like. Also, each individual term described in this specification is only used for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the strict meaning of the term, and may include its equivalents. For example, expressions such as "device" and "part" may be interchangeable with "unit", "module", etc."

Explanation of Signs

[0486] 1 Beverage manufacturing apparatus 2 Bean processing apparatus 3 Extraction apparatus 4 Storage apparatus 401 Canister storage unit 402 Hopper unit 403 Funnel unit 404 Metering unit 5 Pulverizing apparatus 5A First grinder 57a Fixed blade 58a Rotating blade 5B Second grinder 57b Fixed blade 58b Rotating blade 6 Separation device 6A Suction unit 6B Forming unit 6C Guide passage 60 Suction unit 60B Recovery container 60Bo Outer case 60Bi Inner case 6io Opening 695 Manual setting dial 696 Fine adjustment knob dial 698 Lever member 7 Fluid supply unit 9 Extraction container 11 Control device 11a Processing unit 12 Information display device 17 Mobile terminal GM Coffee bean grinder GM10 Center casing GM11 Option mounting part GM20 Bean outlet GM21 Lid unit GM22 Guide path forming member PF Porter filter PFb Basket

Claims

1. A coffee bean grinder for grinding coffee beans, a start operation unit operable by a user, and a coffee bean grinding machine comprising: responsive to a start operation by the user on the start operation unit, capable of performing one set of grinding operations; the one set of grinding operations refers to an operation of grinding coffee beans into different particle sizes such that after the container for storing the ground beans ground by the grinder contains ground beans of a first particle size, ground beans of a second particle size are stored on top of the ground beans of the first particle size; responsive to the start operation by the user, capable of performing the one set of grinding operations a plurality of times, a coffee bean grinding machine characterized by the above.

2. The coffee bean grinding machine according to Claim 1, wherein the first particle size is finer than the second particle size. a coffee bean grinding machine characterized by the above.

3. The coffee bean grinding machine according to Claim 1 or 2, comprising a storage device capable of storing the one set of grinding operations as a recipe. a coffee bean grinding machine characterized by the above.

Images