Coffee machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a coffee machine comprising an upper blade and a lower blade for grinding coffee beans, and reduces the time required to grind beans. A lower blade (541) comprises an impeller (70) having a plurality of vanes (70B) at a position onto which coffee beans introduced through a through hole (5310) fall. The impeller (70) guides the coffee beans that have fallen onto the lower blade (541) toward a second blade (541b) by rotating in the forward rotation direction that is the same as a predetermined rotation direction. The second blade (541b) is positioned outward of the impeller (70). Each of the plurality of vanes (70B) extends outward from an upper end portion (720) on the inner circumferential side of the impeller (70), and partitions, in the circumferential direction, a space below the upper end portion (720) into equal sections. The outer circumferential side of the second blade (541b) is higher than the inner circumferential side of the second blade (541b). An upper surface (70B3), which extends continuously from the upper end portion (720), of each of the plurality of vanes is entirely higher than an intermediate position between the inner circumferential side and the outer circumferential side of the second blade (541b).

Description

Coffee machine

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coffee machine provided with an upper blade and a lower blade for grinding coffee beans.

[0002] There has been proposed a coffee machine provided with an upper blade having a first blade formed downward around a through hole and a lower blade disposed opposite to the upper blade and having a second blade formed upward, and grinding coffee beans between the first blade and the second blade (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the coffee machine proposed in Patent Document 1, coffee beans are introduced through the through hole of the upper blade, and the introduced coffee beans fall onto the lower blade. The portion of the lower blade where the coffee beans fall is a slope inclined downward from the inside to the outside, and a plurality of guide fins are provided on this slope. Each of the plurality of guide fins extends from a position in the middle of the slope from the inside to the outside to the outer end and slightly protrudes upward. In the coffee machine proposed in Patent Document 1, the falling coffee beans are intended to be guided or pushed out to the outside by these plurality of guide fins.

[0004] International Publication No. 2024 / 079476

[0005] However, since the guide fins are low, the falling coffee beans jump over the guide fins without hitting them, making it difficult to uniformly disperse the coffee beans and taking a long time until they are guided or pushed out to the outside by the guide fins. As a result, the bean grinding time for grinding the coffee beans becomes long.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a coffee machine capable of shortening the bean grinding time.

[0007] A coffee machine that solves the above problem comprises: an upper blade with a first blade formed facing downward around a through hole; a lower blade positioned opposite the upper blade and with a second blade formed facing upward; and a drive unit that rotates the lower blade in a predetermined rotational direction; and grinds coffee beans that are fed in through the through hole and fall onto the lower blade between the first blade and the second blade by the drive unit rotating the lower blade in the predetermined rotational direction; the lower blade is equipped with an impeller having a plurality of blades at the position where the coffee beans fed in through the through hole fall; the impeller guides the coffee beans that have fallen onto the lower blade to the second blade by rotating them in the same forward rotational direction as the predetermined rotational direction; the second blade is located outside the impeller; and each of the plurality of blades extends outward from the upper end on the inner circumference side of the impeller, and evenly divides the space below the upper end in the circumferential direction. The second blade is characterized in that its outer circumference is higher than its inner circumference, and each of the plurality of blades has an upper surface that extends from the upper end and is higher than the midpoint between the inner and outer circumferences of the second blade.

[0008] The upper end may be a horizontal surface, a sloping surface that slopes downward towards the outside, a sloping surface that slopes upward towards the outside, or a curved surface. Furthermore, the upper end may be a portion that includes the radial center of the impeller, or a portion that is outside the center. Moreover, the upper end may be the highest part of the impeller.

[0009] Furthermore, the impeller may guide the coffee beans that have fallen onto the lower blade to the second blade by centrifugal force generated by rotating the lower blade in the same forward rotation direction as the predetermined rotation direction. Alternatively, the impeller may guide the coffee beans that have fallen onto the lower blade to the second blade by rotating them in the same forward rotation direction as the predetermined rotation direction of the lower blade, thereby guiding them along the sides of the multiple blades.

[0010] Furthermore, the coffee machine described above may be characterized in that each of the plurality of blades has an upper surface that extends from the upper end and is at least as high as the outer circumference of the second blade.

[0011] If the height of the inner circumference of the second blade differs in the circumferential direction, the height of the inner circumference is the height of the lowest point, and if the height of the outer circumference of the second blade differs in the circumferential direction, the height of the outer circumference is the height of the lowest point. Note that the height of the inner circumference of the second blade may be uniform in the circumferential direction, and the height of the outer circumference may also be uniform in the circumferential direction.

[0012] The aforementioned upper surface may be a horizontal surface, a sloping surface that slopes downward towards the outside, or a sloping surface that slopes upward towards the outside. Furthermore, the aforementioned upper surface may be a flat surface or a curved surface.

[0013] Furthermore, the coffee machine described above may be characterized in that each of the plurality of blades has an upper surface that is the same height on both the inside and outside.

[0014] Furthermore, the coffee machine described above may be characterized in that the impeller has a planar or curved side surface that gradually widens outward from the upper end downwards, and the plurality of blades are formed on the side surface.

[0015] Furthermore, the coffee machine described above may be characterized in that each of the plurality of blades has an outer portion of its downstream side surface, which is downstream in the forward rotation direction, formed such that the angle at which coffee beans that fall onto the lower blade enter the second blade is acute, and the downstream side surface is formed in a curved shape that is convex to the downstream side in the forward rotation direction.

[0016] Furthermore, each of the plurality of blades may have an outer portion [for example, an outer specific portion Blo] that extends upstream in the forward rotation direction.

[0017] Furthermore, the approach angle is the angle between the tangent line passing through the position of the outer end [for example, the outer end Ble] of the outer portion [for example, the tangent line shown by the dashed line in Figures 10 and 11(A)] and the outer portion [for example, the outer portion Blo].

[0018] Furthermore, the curved shape referred to here may be an involute curve, a cycloid curve, or an Archimedean spiral.

[0019] According to the coffee machine of the present invention, the time required for grinding coffee beans can be reduced.

[0020] This is an external perspective view of a coffee bean grinder, which is one embodiment of the present invention. This is a block diagram of the control device of the coffee bean grinder shown in Figure 1. (A) is a perspective view showing the first grinder unit with the casing removed, and (B) is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the second grinder unit. (A) is a view of the second grinder unit with the rotary blade unit removed, as shown in the lower left of Figure 3(B), but inverted upside down, and (B) is a perspective view of the rotary blade unit removed from the second grinder unit. This is a perspective view of the impeller of the first embodiment. (A) is a plan view of the impeller shown in Figure 5, and (B) is a side view of the impeller shown in (A). This is a plan view showing the impeller and rotary blade attached to the rotary blade unit shown in Figure 4(B). (A) is a perspective view showing a fixed blade in the second grinder unit, a rotating blade opposite to the fixed blade, a rotating shaft that rotates the rotating blade, and an impeller fixed to the rotating shaft; (B) is a perspective view of the A-A section in (A); and (C) is a front view of the A-A section. (A) is a diagram showing a modified example in which the height of the impeller is increased; (B) is a diagram showing a modified example in which the main body has a hat shape; and (C) is a diagram showing a modified example in which the number of blades is only two. This is a perspective view of the impeller of the second embodiment. (A) is a plan view of the impeller shown in Figure 10; and (B) is a side view of the impeller shown in (A). (A) is a diagram showing a modified example in which the main body of the impeller of the second embodiment has a hat shape; (B) is a diagram showing a modified example in which the number of blades of the impeller of the second embodiment is reduced to two; and (C) is a diagram showing another example. (A) is a schematic diagram showing the height relationship between the fixed blade, the rotating blade, and the impeller shown in Figure 8(C); (B) is a schematic diagram showing the height relationship between the fixed blade, the rotating blade, and the increased height of the impeller shown in Figures 9, 10, 12(A), and 12(B); (C) is a schematic diagram showing the height relationship between the fixed blade, the rotating blade, and the impeller, whose main body has a curved top surface and whose blades are inclined upwards as they move outwards; and (D) is a schematic diagram showing the height relationship between the fixed blade, the rotating blade, and the impeller, whose main body has an inclined top surface and whose blades are inclined downwards as they move outwards.(A) is an external perspective view of a coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a partial front view of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus, showing a part of the manufacturing section that is visible to the user when viewed from the front of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus.

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an example of a coffee bean grinder, which is one embodiment of the coffee machine of the present invention, will be described.

[0022] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a coffee bean grinder according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a block diagram of the control device of the coffee bean grinder shown in Figure 1.

[0023] The coffee bean grinder GM shown in Figure 1 is a coffee machine that grinds roasted coffee beans through a grinding process. A start button 150 is provided on the front of the coffee bean grinder GM, and the grinding process starts when this start button 150 is pressed.

[0024] The GM coffee bean grinder includes a storage device 4 and a grinding device 5, and a control device 11 shown in Figure 2 that controls them. The GM coffee bean grinder also has an information display device 12 connected to the control device 11. The information display device 12 is a touch panel display for inputting various control instructions and setting values ​​for the GM coffee bean grinder, and in addition to displaying various information, it can accept input from administrators and users.

[0025] The control device 11 controls the entire GM coffee bean grinder. 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, for example, a processor such as a CPU. The storage unit 11b is, for example, RAM or ROM. The storage unit 11b stores the recipe. The recipe includes information on various conditions for grinding coffee beans, bean information, recipe creator information, and comments from the recipe creator. The I / F unit 11c includes an input / output interface that performs signal input and output between an external device and the processing unit 11a. The I / F unit 11c also includes a communication interface that enables 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 information such as reservations for coffee bean grinding and feedback from the customer's mobile terminal 17. A coffee bean grinding system GS for grinding coffee beans is comprised of a coffee bean grinder GM, a server 16, and a mobile terminal 17.

[0026] The processing unit 11a executes a program stored in the storage unit 11b and controls the storage device 4 and the crushing device 5 according to the recipe. More specifically, the processing unit 11a controls the actuator group 14 according to the recipe, or controls the actuator group 14 based on instructions from the information display device 12, detection results from the sensor group 13, or instructions from the server 16. The sensor group 13 consists of various sensors (for example, mechanism operation position detection sensors) provided in the storage device 4 and the crushing device 5. The actuator group 14 consists of various actuators (for example, electric motors such as the first motor and second motor described later) provided in the storage device 4 and the crushing device 5.

[0027] The storage device 4 shown in Figure 1 includes a cylindrical canister storage unit 401 containing roasted coffee beans, and a removable cap 401c that screws onto the upper end of the canister storage unit 401 and covers the upper surface of the canister storage unit 401. The canister storage unit 401 is removable from the main body GMb, and when the canister storage unit 401 is attached to the main body GMb, it is connected to the first grinder unit, which will be described later. If the canister storage unit 401 is removed while the first grinder unit is rotating, the first grinder unit will be forcibly stopped. On the other hand, if the cap 401c is removed, the first grinder unit will not be forcibly stopped, and if a hand is inserted into the canister storage unit 401, there is a risk of fingers touching the rotating blades of the first grinder unit. For this reason, a contact prevention member (not shown) with multiple ribs to prevent fingers from touching the rotating blades is arranged inside the canister storage unit 401.

[0028] Furthermore, the grinding device 5 includes a first grinder unit and a second grinder unit (not shown in Figure 1), and a separation device 6 shown in Figure 1. The first and second grinder units 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 unit and then further ground into powder by the second grinder unit. In Figure 1, the chute 539 of the second grinder unit is shown on the front left side, as are the manual setting disc dial 534 and the fine adjustment knob dial 535, also of the second grinder unit. A more detailed explanation of the first and second grinder units will be given later.

[0029] The separation device 6 is a mechanism for separating unwanted materials from ground beans. The separation device 6 has a separation chamber (not shown) located between the first grinder unit and the second grinder unit. This separation chamber is a hollow body through which ground beans falling from the first grinder unit pass. A suction unit 60 is connected to the separation chamber. The suction unit 60 is a centrifugal separation mechanism. The suction unit 60 has a chaff fan motor (not shown in Figure 1) and a chaff fan driven by the chaff fan motor, as well as an airflow dial 60D and a collection container 60B shown in Figure 1. When the chaff fan rotates, air is drawn into the separation chamber, and light objects such as chaff and fine powder are drawn in. This allows unwanted materials to be separated from the ground beans passing through the separation chamber. The air containing the unwanted materials flows into the collection container 60B, and the unwanted materials in the air fall due to their mass and are collected in the collection container 60B. Meanwhile, the air is exhausted outside the separation device 6. The suction power of the chaff fan can be changed by operating the airflow dial 60D.

[0030] Next, we will describe the first grinder unit and the second grinder unit in detail.

[0031] The first grinder unit is positioned above, on the upstream side, and the second grinder unit is positioned below, on the downstream side. As described above, a separation chamber is provided between the first and second grinder units. The first and second grinder units grind beans to different particle sizes. The first grinder unit is for coarse grinding, and the second grinder unit is for fine grinding. The first and second grinder units are each electric grinder units, and include a motor as the drive source and a rotating blade driven by the motor.

[0032] Both the first and second grinder units have adjustable rotation speeds. The second grinder unit rotates at approximately 1600 to 1700 min⁻¹, while the first grinder unit rotates at a slower speed of approximately 125 to 135 min⁻¹. In the first grinder unit, the gap between the fixed blade 512 and the rotating blade 511 (described later) is loose, and the grinding performed by the first grinder unit is for chaff separation, which is why the first grinder unit rotates at a slower speed than the second grinder unit.

[0033] Figure 3(A) is a perspective view showing the first grinder unit with its casing removed.

[0034] The first grinder unit TM shown in Figure 3(A) crushes the coffee beans to a certain size (for example, about 1 / 4) to make it easier to separate any unwanted material attached to the beans, thus producing cracked beans. In Figure 3(A), a rotating shaft (not shown) extends from above, and a rotating blade 511, which is a cutter, is provided on this rotating shaft. In addition, a fixed blade 512, which is a cutter, is provided around the rotating blade 511. The fixed blade 512 shown in Figure 3(A) is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the first grinder unit body 510. The rotating shaft is rotated by a first motor (not shown), and the rotating blade 511 rotates.

[0035] The upper surface 511a of the rotating blade 511 is inclined downward toward the downstream side in the forward rotation direction, as indicated by the thick arrow in Figure 3(A). At least the highest point of the upper surface 511a of the rotating blade 511 is above the position of the fixed blade 512. Roasted coffee beans that have reached the first grinder unit TM from the storage device 4 are guided by the upper surface 511a of the rotating blade 511 and are moved toward the fixed blade 512 by centrifugal force, or they are moved toward the fixed blade 512 even without being guided by the upper surface 511a of the rotating blade 511, and are crushed by being sandwiched between the fixed blade 512 and the rotating blade 511. The size (particle size) of the crushed roasted coffee beans can be changed by changing the rotation speed of the rotating blade 511. The crushed cracked beans are sent from the outlet 513 to the separation chamber.

[0036] Figure 3(B) is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the second grinder unit.

[0037] Figure 3(B) above shows a perspective view of the second grinder unit MM. In this perspective view, the chute 539 of the second grinder unit MM is located on the left rear side. The second grinder unit MM has a connecting duct 52, a fixed blade unit 53, and a rotating blade unit 54. The upper end of the connecting duct 52 is connected to a separation chamber, and the crushed beans that have passed through the separation chamber reach the fixed blade unit 53 via the connecting duct 52. An air intake port 521 is provided at the bottom of the connecting duct 52. By drawing in air from this air intake port 521, the separation performance between crushed beans and unwanted materials is improved.

[0038] The fixed blade unit 53 and the rotary blade unit 54 are separable. The lower part of Figure 3(B) shows the state in which the rotary blade unit 54 has been separated from the second grinder unit MM. That is, the lower right of Figure 3(B) shows the rotary blade unit 54 removed from the second grinder unit MM. On the other hand, the lower left of Figure 3(B) shows the state in which the rotary blade unit 54 has been removed from the second grinder unit MM.

[0039] The fixed blade unit 53 has a fixed blade 531 (not shown in Figure 3(B) - see Figure 4(A)) inside the fixed blade case body 530.

[0040] The rotary blade unit 54 has a rotary blade 541 and a drive gear 542 inside a rotary blade case body 540. The rotary blade 541 rotates when rotational driving force from the second motor 540M, which is built into the main body GMb shown in Figure 1, is transmitted via the drive gear 542. A mounting arm 55 is also attached to the rotary blade unit 54. The main body GMb of the coffee bean grinder GM shown in Figure 1 has a frame member (not shown) into which the fixed blade case body 530 is fitted. When the second grinder unit MM is attached to the main body GMb, the second grinder unit MM is placed from below, and the fixed blade case body 530 is fitted into the frame member (not shown). The tip of the mounting arm 55 aligns with the mounting hole provided in the main body GMb, and a fixing bolt is inserted through the mounting hole and bolted in place.

[0041] The fixed blade 531 is movable up and down with respect to the rotary blade 541. The fixed blade unit 53 includes a worm wheel 532 having a gear portion 532g, a connecting dial 533, a worm gear (not shown), and an adjustment motor (not shown) for rotating the worm gear as a part of the lifting mechanism of the fixed blade 531.

[0042] The fixed blade 531 moves up and down as the worm wheel 532 rotates. The rotation of the worm wheel 532 can be switched between electric and manual. The gear portion 532g of the worm wheel 532 meshes with a worm gear (not shown), and when the worm gear is rotationally driven by the adjustment motor, the fixed blade 531 moves up and down.

[0043] A connecting gear 533g is provided on the upper surface of the connecting dial 533. The manual setting circular dial 534 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a gear (not shown) that meshes with the connecting gear 533g. When the manual setting circular dial 534 is placed on the connecting dial 533, the gear (not shown) and the connecting gear 533g mesh with each other. When the manual setting circular dial 534 is rotated, the worm gear (not shown) rotates via the connecting gear 533g, and the fixed blade 541 can be moved up and down.

[0044] Furthermore, the worm wheel 532 also rotates by rotating the fine adjustment knob dial 535 shown in FIG. 1. When the fine adjustment knob dial 535 is rotated once, the gear portion 532g of the worm wheel 532 rotates by one tooth. Therefore, when the fine adjustment knob dial 535 is rotated, an adjustment less than one tooth of the gear portion 532g of the worm wheel 532 is possible.

[0045] FIG. 4(A) is a view obtained by inverting the state in which the rotary blade unit 54 is removed from the second grinder unit MM shown at the lower left of FIG. 3(B) so that the top and bottom are reversed. This FIG. 4(A) also shows the connecting duct 52, the connecting dial 533, the worm wheel 532, the chute 539, and the fixed blade unit 53.

[0046] The fixed blade unit 53 is provided with a bean dropping path 53L at its central portion. This bean dropping path 53L is a space connecting the connecting duct 52 and the rotary blade unit 54, and serves as the dropping path for the ground and split beans ground by the first grinder unit TM.

[0047] The fixed blade 531 is provided with a downward blade surface 531b around the through hole 5310. In FIG. 4(A), since it is inverted so that the top and bottom are reversed, the blade surface 531b faces upward. The through hole 5310 of the fixed blade 531 constitutes a part of the bean dropping path 53L. Also, in FIG. 4(A), the head 5311 of the bolt fixing the fixed blade 531 can be seen on the blade surface 531b.

[0048] Furthermore, a female screw portion 530n for fitting is provided at the inner peripheral edge portion of the fixed blade case body 530 on the side of the rotary blade unit 54.

[0049] FIG. 4(B) is a perspective view of the rotary blade unit 54 removed from the second grinder unit MM, and is the same figure as the figure shown at the lower right of FIG. 3(B).

[0050] FIG. 4(B) shows the rotary blade case body 540 of the rotary blade unit 54 and the mounting arm 55. A male screw portion 540n for fitting is provided at the outer peripheral edge portion of the rotary blade case body 540 on the side of the fixed blade unit 53. When either one of the fixed blade case body 530 and the rotary blade case body 540 is manually rotated in a predetermined direction with the inner peripheral edge portion of the fixed blade case body 530 on the side of the rotary blade unit 54 externally fitted to the outer peripheral edge portion of the rotary blade case body 540 on the side of the fixed blade unit 53, the female screw portion �30n for fitting and the male screw portion 540n for fitting are screwed together, and the fixed blade case body 530 and the rotary blade case body 540 become integrated. On the other hand, when either one of the case bodies is manually rotated in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction in the state where the fixed blade case body 530 and the rotary blade case body 540 are integrated, the fixed blade case body 530 and the rotary blade case body 540 are separated. Without using tools, the fixed blade case body 530 and the rotary blade case body 540 can be integrated or separated, and the maintainability is good.

[0051] A rotating base 543 is attached to the rotating blade case 540, and the rotating blade 541 is fixed to the rotating base 543 by bolts, with the heads 5411 of the bolts visible on the blade surface 541b. The blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 is an upward-facing blade surface. A rotating shaft 545 (see Figure 8) passes through the center of the rotating blade 541. This rotating shaft 545 rotates around the axis as a drive gear 542, which is partially visible through the gear meshing window 540w of the rotating blade case 540, rotates. The central hole 710 (see Figure 5, etc.) of the impeller 70 also passes through this rotating shaft 545. The bottom surface of the impeller 70 is provided with a locking projection (for example, a double D-cut), and the rotating base 543 is provided with a locking groove for engaging the locking projection. By engaging the locking projection with the locking groove, the impeller 70 is mounted to the rotating base 543 in a way that prevents rotation. Alternatively, the locking groove may be provided on the bottom surface of the impeller 70 and the locking projection on the rotating base 543. Furthermore, the impeller 70 may be mounted to the rotating base 543 in a way that prevents rotation by a key and keyway. In addition, the impeller 70 is fixed to the rotating shaft 545 by bolts 544.

[0052] The blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 is located outside the impeller 70, encircling the impeller 70 once. This blade surface 541b slopes downward towards the inside. Figure 4(B) shows the inner circumferential edge 541e and outer circumferential edge 541f of the rotating blade 541, and due to the slope of the blade surface 541b, the inner circumferential edge 541e is lower than the outer circumferential edge 541f. The inner circumferential edge 541e of the rotating blade 541 has areas of varying height in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, the height of the outer circumferential edge 541f is uniform in the circumferential direction. Note that the height of the inner circumferential edge 541e may be uniform in the circumferential direction, or the outer circumferential edge 541f may have areas of varying height in the circumferential direction. The outer circumferential edge 541f of the rotating blade 541 is higher than the inner circumferential edge 541e.

[0053] Although the rotating blade 541 and the impeller 70 are separate components, they may also be integrally formed.

[0054] As the rotating shaft 545 rotates around its axis, the rotating blade 541 rotates, and the impeller 70 also rotates together with the rotating blade 541. In other words, when the rotating blade 541 rotates in a predetermined direction for grinding coffee beans (for example, counterclockwise forward), the impeller 70 also rotates in the same predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as the forward rotation direction). The impeller 70 will be described in more detail later.

[0055] The split beans ground in the first grinder unit TM are further ground in the second grinder unit MM between the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 and the blade surface 531b of the fixed blade 531, and crushed into a powder. The particle size of the ground beans in the second grinder unit MM can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the rotating blade 541 and the fixed blade 531.

[0056] Figure 4(B) shows six blades 5431. When the fixed blade case 530 and the rotating blade case 540 are integrated, these six blades 5431 rotate within the fixed blade case 530, moving the ground beans, which have been pulverized into a powder, in the circumferential direction. The ground beans, which have been pulverized into a powder, are expelled from the machine through a chute 539 via an outlet (not shown).

[0057] Furthermore, when the fixed blade case 530 and the rotary blade case 540 are separated, it is possible to touch the cutting edge and cutting surface of the fixed blade 531 attached to the fixed blade case 530, allowing for maintenance of the fixed blade 531. It is also possible to replace the fixed blade 531. Similarly, it is possible to touch the cutting edge and cutting surface of the rotary blade 541 attached to the rotary blade case 540, allowing for maintenance of the rotary blade 541, as well as replacement of the rotary blade 541.

[0058] Next, we will describe the impeller 70 in detail. Various types of impellers can be used for the impeller 70, but first, we will describe the impeller 70 shown in Figure 4(B). Hereinafter, this impeller 70 will be referred to as the impeller 70 of the first embodiment.

[0059] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the impeller of the first embodiment. In the following description, the side of the impeller 70 that is on the rotation center side will be referred to as the inside, and the side radially outward from the rotation center will simply be referred to as the outside.

[0060] The impeller 70 shown in Figure 5 is detached from the rotating shaft 545 (see Figure 8). This impeller 70 has a main body 71 with curved side surfaces 711 that gradually widen outward as they extend downward. In other words, the main body 71 is formed by the side surfaces of a frustoconical pyramid that are curved inward. A central hole 710 through which the rotating shaft 545 is inserted is provided in the central part of the top surface 720 of the main body 71. The top surface 720 is the highest point of the impeller 70 and is the upper end, and is a horizontal surface. Three blades 70B are formed on the side surface 711 of the main body 71 at 120-degree intervals in the circumferential direction. These three blades 70B are the same shape, but in the following description, these three blades 70B may be referred to as the first blade 701, the second blade 702, and the third blade 703 as needed. The outer peripheral edge 712o of the bottom surface 712 of the main body 71 becomes the outermost peripheral edge of the impeller 70.

[0061] In Figure 5, the forward rotation direction of the impeller 70 is indicated by a solid arc-shaped arrow, and the forward rotation direction is counterclockwise. As shown in Figure 5, each blade 70B extends from the inside to the outside of the impeller 70 and has an upstream side Bu which is the upstream side in the forward rotation direction and a downstream side Bd which is the downstream side in the forward rotation direction. The thickness Bt of each blade 70B (length between the upstream side Bu and the downstream side Bd) gradually thins outwards in the outer portion. Each blade 70B has a connection surface 70B1 with the side surface 711 and a rising surface 70B2 that rises from the connection surface 70B1. The downstream side Bd is composed of the connection surface 70B1 and the rising surface 70B2 on the downstream side in the forward rotation direction. The rising surface 70B2 is connected to the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B. The upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is a horizontal plane that extends from the top surface 720 of the main body 71. In other words, the height position of the top surface 720 of the main body 71 is the same as the height position of each blade 70B.

[0062] Each blade 70B evenly divides the space below the top surface 720 of the main body 71 in the circumferential direction. The lower end of this space is defined by the bottom surface 712 of the main body 71. In Figure 5, the space divided by the first blade 701 and the second blade 702 is shown as the first section 731, the space divided by the second blade 702 and the third blade 703 is shown as the second section 732, and the space divided by the third blade 703 and the first blade 701 is shown as the third section 733. The volumes of the first section 731, the second section 732, and the third section 733 are equal. The fallen crushed beans are distributed fairly evenly by being sorted into one of these sections.

[0063] The crushed beans, having fallen through the bean drop path 53L (see Figure 4(A)) located in the center of the fixed blade unit 53, reach the rotating blade unit 54, where they fall onto the bolts 544 and the impeller 70. As described above, the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 is located outside the impeller 70, encircling it once, and the impeller 70 guides the falling crushed beans toward the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541. In other words, the falling crushed beans are guided toward the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the impeller 70 in the forward direction. Figure 5 shows an example of the path along which the falling crushed beans are guided by the impeller 70 rotating in the forward direction, indicated by a dotted line. In the example shown by the dotted line, the crushed beans that fall between the second blade 702 and the third blade 703 are guided by centrifugal force and the inclined surface from the upper end to the lower end of the main body 71 towards the outer circumference of the downstream side surface Bd of the second blade 702. After reaching the downstream side surface Bd, they are guided along the downstream side surface Bd to the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541. As a result, the time that the fallen crushed beans remain inside the rotating blade unit 54 is shortened, and the grinding time is reduced.

[0064] Figure 5 also shows another example of the path that the falling crushed beans are guided by the impeller 70 rotating in the forward direction, indicated by a dashed line. In the example shown by the dashed line, the crushed beans that fall into the first section 731, which is between the first blade 701 and the second blade 702, bounce off the side 711d, hit the upper part of the downstream rising surface 70B2 of the first blade 701, and are then guided along the downstream side Bd of the first blade 701 to the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541. Even if the coffee beans that bounce off the side 711d rise to a considerable height, each blade 70B is located at the highest position of the impeller 70, so the bounced coffee beans hit the blades 70B and remain within the section at the point of impact, maintaining the appropriate dispersion state at the time of impact. As a result, the fallen crushed beans are dispersed fairly evenly and immediately guided to the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541. Therefore, even in the example shown by the dashed line, the time that the fallen crushed beans remain in the inner part of the rotating blade unit 54 is shortened, and the grinding time is reduced.

[0065] Figure 6(A) is a plan view of the impeller shown in Figure 5. In Figure 6(A), the forward rotation direction of the impeller 70 is also indicated by a solid arc-shaped arrow, and the forward rotation direction is counterclockwise.

[0066] Each of the three blades 70B in the impeller 70 is formed with a curved shape where the entire downstream side surface Bd is convex toward the downstream side in the direction of forward rotation. In Figure 6(A), the third blade 703 is shown with a dashed-dot line representing the center line in the thickness direction of the straight, uncurved blade. As indicated by the dotted arrow perpendicular to this dashed-dot line, it can be seen that each of the three blades 70B in the impeller 70 is curved so as to be convex toward the downstream side in the direction of forward rotation. Let's also explain another way of looking at it. The same applies to each of the three blades 70B in the impeller 70, but here, for the sake of clarity in the drawing, we will use the first blade 701 instead of the third blade 703 used earlier. In Figure 6(A), the first blade 701 is shown with a dashed-dot line representing the tangent line passing through the base of the first blade 701, and the dotted arrow is perpendicular to this dashed-dot line. Using the dotted arrow as a reference, as shown by the dashed arrow on the first blade 701 in Figure 6(A), each of the three blades 70B in the impeller 70 is formed in a curved shape towards the upstream side towards its tip. The curved shape here may be an involute curve, a cycloid curve, or an Archimedean spiral. The entire downstream side surface Bd is formed in such a curved shape, so that the outer part Bdo of the downstream side surface Bd is positioned upstream in the direction of forward rotation. The falling crushed beans are smoothly guided by this curved shape, reducing damage to the crushed beans.

[0067] Figure 6(B) is a side view of the impeller shown in Figure 6(A). Figure 6(A) shows the second blade 702 at the bottom (6 o'clock position), the first blade 701 at the upper left (10 o'clock position), and the third blade 703 at the upper right (2 o'clock position). The side view in Figure 6(B) is a side view seen from the direction of the white arrow shown in Figure 6(A). That is, in the side view of Figure 6(B), the second blade 702 is located in the center front, the first blade 701 is located in the back left, and the third blade 703 is located in the back right.

[0068] The curved shape of the side surface 711 of the main body 71 is represented by the curve shown between the first blade 701 and the second blade 702 in Figure 6(B) (the curve from which the leader line of 711 is drawn). This curve slopes outward as it goes downward from the upper end to the lower end of the main body 71. The boundary 711b between the side surface 711 of the main body 71 and each blade 70B is also represented by a curve.

[0069] Furthermore, as is clear from Figure 6(B), the top surface 720 of the main body 71 and the top surface 70B3 of the blade 70B are at the same height.

[0070] Figure 6(A) shows the first section 731, the second section 732, and the third section 733, which are the result of the space defined by the curved side surface 711 and the bottom surface 712 of the main body 71, located below the top surface 720 of the main body 71 (towards the back of the paper), being evenly divided in the circumferential direction by each vane 70B. Figure 6(B) shows the first section 731 and the second section 732.

[0071] The main body portion 71 may also be a frustum of a cone. If the main body portion 71 is a frustum of a cone, the side surface 711 will be made up of a flat surface, and the above curve will become a straight line, but the fact that the main body portion 71 slopes outward from the upper end to the lower end as it goes downward remains unchanged. Also, the top surface 720 will be a horizontal surface.

[0072] Figure 7 is a plan view showing the impeller and rotating blade attached to the rotating blade unit shown in Figure 4(B). In Figure 7 as well, the forward rotation direction of the impeller 70 is indicated by a solid arc-shaped arrow, and the forward rotation direction is counterclockwise.

[0073] The blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 has a portion 541o that constitutes the outer blade with cross-hatching, a portion 541i that constitutes the inner blade with horizontal hatching, and a portion 541c that constitutes the crushing blade with vertical hatching, all positioned at 180-degree opposition to each other. Of the rotating blade 541, the white-out portion 541n where the blade surface 541b is not provided is lower, and the mounting direction of the impeller 70 is adjusted so that the tip of the blade 70B is in this portion 541n.

[0074] The outer portion Bdo of the downstream side surface Bd is formed such that the angle θ1 at which the falling crushed beans approach the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 is acute. The outer portion Bdo may be the outer portion of the rising surface 70B2 on the downstream side in the forward rotation direction, or it may be the outer portion of the connecting surface 70B1 on the downstream side in the forward rotation direction. The angle θ1 referred to here is the angle between the outer portion Bdo and the tangent line shown by the dashed line passing through the position of the outer end Bde of the outer portion Bdo, as shown in Figure 7. In Figure 7, the tangent line is the tangent line to the outer end of the outer portion of the rising surface 70B2 on the downstream side in the forward rotation direction. In the case of the tangent line to the outer end of the outer portion of the connecting surface 70B1 on the downstream side in the forward rotation direction, the angle of the angle θ1 will change, but it will remain acute. The tangent line may also be the tangent line to the circle formed by the wing line of the first wing 701, the second wing 702, and the third wing 703.

[0075] By making the entry angle θ1 acute, the path for the falling crushed beans to the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 gradually narrows. As a result, the crushed beans can be concentrated in that path, increasing the guidance to the blade surface 541b and further shortening the grinding time. In addition, the outer part Bdo is positioned upstream in the forward rotation direction, which allows the entry angle θ1 to be made acute.

[0076] Figure 8(A) is a perspective view showing a fixed blade 531 in a second grinder unit, a rotating blade 541 facing the fixed blade 531, a rotating shaft 545 that rotates the rotating blade 541, and an impeller 70 fixed to the rotating shaft 545.

[0077] As shown in Figure 8(A), a bean entry gap GB is provided between the inner edge of the fixed blade 531 and the inner edge of the rotating blade 541. The crushed beans that fall through the bean drop path 53L move towards the outer circumference of the impeller 70 as described above, and enter the space between the fixed blade 531 and the rotating blade 541 through the bean entry gap GB.

[0078] Figure 8(B) is a perspective view of the A-A section in Figure 8(A), and Figure 8(C) is a front view of the same A-A section. In both Figure 8(B) and Figure 8(C), the cross section is filled in gray.

[0079] Figure 8(B) shows a portion of the blade surface 531b of the fixed blade 531 and a portion of the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541. A bolt 544 screwed onto the rotating shaft 545 is also shown. Furthermore, the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is also shown. In addition, the inner peripheral edge 531e of the fixed blade 531 and the inner peripheral edge 541e of the rotating blade 541 are also shown.

[0080] The dashed line in Figure 8(C) indicates the highest point on the blade surface 531b of the fixed blade 531 in the bean entry gap GB described above. That is, it indicates the highest point on the inner peripheral edge 531e of the fixed blade 531. On the other hand, the dashed line indicates the lowest point on the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 in the bean entry gap GB. That is, it indicates the lowest point on the inner peripheral edge 541e of the rotating blade 541. This lowest point is lower than any of the parts that make up the outer blade 541o, the inner blade 541i, and the crushing blade 541c described using Figure 7. The dotted line indicates the height of the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B. Also, as described above, since the top surface 720 of the main body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B are at the same height, the dotted line also indicates the height of the top surface 720 of the main body 71.

[0081] From the height relationship between the dashed-dot line and the dotted line, it can be seen that the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B and the top surface 720 of the main body 71 are above all of the outer blade portion 541o, the inner blade portion 541i, and the crushing blade portion 541c of the rotating blade 541. Furthermore, since there is a dotted line between the dashed-dot line and the dashed-dot line, it can be seen that at least a part of the blade 70B is located within the bean entry gap GB, and that the entire top surface 720 of the main body 71 is located within the bean entry gap GB. Note that the lowest end 70BL of the blade 70B is located below the bean entry gap GB.

[0082] Figure 9 shows a modified example of the impeller of the first embodiment shown in Figure 5. In the following description, the differences from the impeller 70 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 5 will be the main focus, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In addition, components with the same names as those described so far will be denoted by the same reference numerals used so far.

[0083] Figure 9(A) shows a modified version in which the height of the impeller 70 is increased. In this modified version of the impeller 70, the height of the main body 71 is higher than the height of the main body 71 of the impeller 70 shown in Figure 5, and the height of the three blades 70B is also increased. By increasing the height of the main body 71, the slope of the inclined surface from the upper end to the lower end of the main body 71 becomes larger, making it easier for the falling crushed beans to move towards the outer circumference of the downstream side surface Bd.

[0084] Furthermore, the central hole 710 provided on the top surface 720 of the main body 71 is larger than the central hole 710 shown in Figure 5, and the area of ​​the top surface 720 is smaller. The top surface 720 shown in Figure 9(A) is also the highest point in the impeller 70 and is the upper end, and is a horizontal surface. The upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B shown in Figure 9(A) is also a horizontal surface that continues from the top surface 720 of the main body 71.

[0085] In addition, in the impeller 70 shown in Figure 9(A), the space below the top surface 720 is elongated in the vertical direction, and each blade 70B divides this space equally in the circumferential direction, with the first section 731, the second section 732, and the third section 733 shown in Figure 9(A). The volumes of the first section 731, the second section 732, and the third section 733 shown in Figure 9(A) are also equal.

[0086] Figure 9(B) shows a modified example in which the main body has a hat-like shape. In this modified example, the main body 71 has a flat circular bottom surface 712 and a cylindrical portion 713 with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface 712. The hole in the center of the cylindrical portion 713 becomes the central hole 710, and the thickness surface of the edge defining the central hole 710 becomes the top surface 720. The three blades 70B extend outward from the side surface 7131 of the cylindrical portion 713. Therefore, there is no inclined surface from the upper end to the lower end of the main body 71. As a result, the falling crushed beans do not use the inclined surface to move towards the outer circumference of the downstream side surface Bd, but they are moved towards the outer circumference by centrifugal force.

[0087] Furthermore, the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B shown in Figure 9(B) is also a horizontal surface that extends from the top surface 720 of the main body 71.

[0088] In addition, in the impeller 70 shown in Figure 9(B), the space below the top surface 720 is longer in the vertical direction. This space is the space outside the cylindrical portion 713 and is defined by the side surface 7131 and the bottom surface 712. Each blade 70B divides the space equally in the circumferential direction, and Figure 9(B) also shows the first section 731, the second section 732, and the third section 733, each with the same volume.

[0089] Figure 9(C) shows a modified example in which there are only two blades 70B. In this modified example, the main body 71 is the same as the taller main body 71 shown in Figure 9(A), and two blades 70B are formed on its side surface 711 at 180-degree intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0090] The upper surfaces 70B3 of the two blades 70B shown in Figure 9(C) are also horizontal surfaces that extend from the top surface 720 of the main body 71.

[0091] Furthermore, these two blades 70B evenly divide the space below the top surface 720 into two sections in the circumferential direction, and Figure 9(C) shows the first section 731 and the second section 732, each having the same volume.

[0092] Furthermore, the number of blades 70B in the impeller 70 may be four or more.

[0093] Next, a second embodiment of the impeller will be described. In the following description, the focus will be on the differences from the impeller 70 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 5, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Also, components with the same names as those described so far will be described using the same reference numerals as those used so far.

[0094] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the impeller of the second embodiment.

[0095] In Figure 10, the forward rotation direction of the impeller 70 of the second embodiment is indicated by a solid arc-shaped arrow, and the forward rotation direction is counterclockwise. The main body 71 of the impeller 70 shown in Figure 10 is the same main body as the taller main body 71 shown in Figure 9(A). In the impeller 70 of the second embodiment, three blades 70B are formed on the side surface 711 of the main body 71 at 120-degree intervals in the circumferential direction. These three blades 70B also extend from the inside to the outside of the impeller 70 and have an upstream side surface Bu which is the upstream side in the forward rotation direction and a downstream side surface Bd which is the downstream side in the forward rotation direction, but their shape is different from the shape of the blades 70B in the impeller 70 of the first embodiment. Each of the blades 70B shown in Figure 10 has a connection surface 70B1 with the side surface 711 and an inclined surface 70B4 connected from the connection surface 70B1. Figure 10 shows the downstream side Bd of the second blade 702, which is shown in the lower left. The inclined surface 70B4 on this downstream side Bd extends diagonally upward from the connecting surface 70B1 toward the downstream side in the forward rotation direction. The tip of this inclined surface 70B4 forms part of the upper end of the blade 70B. A lip portion Br is provided at the upper end of the blade 70B. The lip portion Br is a portion that extends toward the downstream side in the forward rotation direction and is shaped like a barb. The upper surface of this lip portion Br becomes the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B and is a horizontal plane that continues from the top surface 720 of the main body 71. The top surface 720 shown in Figure 10 is also the highest point in the impeller 70 and is the upper end, and is a horizontal plane. The thickness (width) of the upper surface 70B3 shown in Figure 10 narrows toward the outside. The lip portion Br may extend diagonally upward toward the downstream side in the forward rotation direction, or horizontally toward the downstream side in the forward rotation direction, or diagonally downward toward the downstream side in the forward rotation direction.

[0096] Furthermore, in the impeller 70 shown in Figure 10, the space below the top surface 720 is evenly divided in the circumferential direction by each blade 70B, and Figure 10 also shows the first section 731, the second section 732, and the third section 733, each with the same volume.

[0097] Even if the falling crushed beans hit the side 711 and bounce up, the lip portion Br is positioned to cover them from above, making it easier for them to be caught by the lip portion Br. In addition, the lip portion Br prevents the crushed beans from escaping upwards, increasing the ability to guide them to the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 (see Figure 4(B)).

[0098] In Figure 10, the boundary 711b between the downstream side surface Bd and the side surface 711 of the main body 71 is shown on the second wing 702, which is shown in the lower left. The boundary 70Bb between the connecting surface 70B1 and the inclined surface 70B4 on the downstream side surface Bd is also shown.

[0099] Figure 11(A) is a plan view of the impeller shown in Figure 10. In Figure 11(A) as well, the forward rotation direction of the impeller 70 is indicated by a solid arc-shaped arrow, and the forward rotation direction is counterclockwise.

[0100] Figure 11(A) shows the state where the second blade 702 is at the bottom (6 o'clock position), the first blade 701 is diagonally to the upper left (10 o'clock position), and the third blade 703 is diagonally to the upper right (2 o'clock position). From Figure 11(A), it can be seen that the three blades 70B are the same shape and are evenly spaced at 120-degree intervals in the rotational direction. Also in Figure 11(A), the first section 731, the second section 732, and the third section 733 are shown as a result of the space defined by the side surface 711 and the bottom surface 712, which is below the top surface 720 of the main body 71 (towards the back of the paper), being evenly partitioned in the circumferential direction by each blade 70B. The volumes of the first section 731, the second section 732, and the third section 733 shown in Figure 11(A) are all equal.

[0101] Furthermore, in Figure 11(A), most of the downstream side surface Bd is obscured by the upstream side surface Bu, but the obscured portion of the boundary 711b between the side surface 711 of the main body 71 and the downstream side surface Bd of each blade 70B is shown with a dotted line. In addition, the boundary 70Bb between the connecting surface 70B1 and the inclined surface 70B4 of the downstream side surface Bd is also shown with a dotted line.

[0102] Each of the three blades 70B in the impeller 70 has a curved shape at the connection surface 70B1 on its downstream side Bd, which is convex toward the downstream side in the direction of forward rotation. In Figure 11(A), the third blade 703 shown in the upper right is represented by a dashed-dot line that shows the center line in the thickness direction of the straight, uncurved blade. As indicated by the dotted arrow perpendicular to the dashed-dot line, each of the three blades 70B in the impeller 70 is curved so that the connection surface 70B1 on its downstream side Bd is convex toward the downstream side in the direction of forward rotation. Let's also explain another way of looking at it. The same applies to each of the three blades 70B in the impeller 70, but here, for the sake of clarity in the drawing, we will use the second blade 702 shown below instead of the third blade 703 used earlier for the explanation. In Figure 11(A), the second blade 702 is shown with a dashed line representing the tangent line passing through its base, and the dotted arrow is perpendicular to this dashed line. Using the dotted arrow as a reference, it can be said that each of the three blades 70B in the impeller 70 is formed in a curved shape towards the upstream side towards its tip, as indicated by the dashed arrow in Figure 11(A) for the second blade 702. The curved shape referred to here may be an involute curve, a cycloid curve, or an Archimedean spiral.

[0103] The outer specific portion Blo of the connection surface 70B1 on the downstream side Bd is formed such that the angle θ2 of entry of the falling cracked beans into the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 (see Figure 4(B)) is acute. The entry angle θ2 referred to here is the angle between the outer specific portion Blo and the tangent line shown by the dashed line passing through the position of the outer end Ble of the outer specific portion Blo, as shown in Figures 10 and 11(A). The tangent line in Figures 10 and 11(A) is the tangent line of the outer end at the upper edge (corresponding to the boundary 70Bb) of the connection surface 70B1 on the downstream side Bd. Alternatively, it may be the tangent line of the outer end at the lower edge (corresponding to the boundary 711b) of the connection surface 70B1 on the downstream side Bd, in which case the angle of entry angle θ2 will change, but it will still be acute.

[0104] Furthermore, in the impeller 70 of the second embodiment, the outer specific portion Blo is located upstream in the forward rotation direction.

[0105] Figure 11(B) is a side view of the impeller shown in Figure 11(A). This side view is taken from the direction of the white arrow shown in Figure 11(A). In other words, in the side view of Figure 11(B), the second blade 702 is located towards the front on the left, the first blade 701 is located towards the back on the left, and the third blade 703 is located towards the back on the right.

[0106] The curved shape of the side surface 711 of the main body 71 is represented by the curve shown between the first blade 701 and the second blade 702 in Figure 11(B) (the curve from which the lead line of 711 is drawn). This curve slopes outward as it goes downward from the upper end to the lower end of the main body 71. The boundary 711b between the side surface 711 of the main body 71 and each blade 70B is also represented by a curve.

[0107] Furthermore, Figure 11(B) shows that the upper surface 70B3 of each blade 70B is a horizontal plane. In addition, the first section 731 and the second section 732 are also shown.

[0108] As described above, the connection surface 70B1 on the downstream side surface Bd corresponds to an example of a downstream side surface specific part, and the outer specific part Blo corresponds to an example of the outer part of the downstream side surface specific part.

[0109] Next, we will describe modifications of the impeller of the second embodiment shown in Figure 10. In the following description, we will focus on the differences from the impeller 70 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 10, and will omit redundant explanations. In addition, components with the same names as those described so far will be denoted by the same reference numerals used so far.

[0110] Figure 12(A) shows a modified example of the impeller body of the second embodiment, in which the body is hat-shaped. The body 71 in this modified example has the same configuration as the body 71 in the modified example in Figure 9(B), and has a flat circular bottom surface 712 and a cylindrical portion 713 with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface 712. This body 71 does not have an inclined surface from the upper end to the lower end. The hole in the center of the cylindrical portion 713 becomes the central hole 710, and the thickness surface of the edge defining the central hole 710 becomes the top surface 720. The three blades 70B, each with a lip portion Br at its upper end, extend outward from the side surface 7131 of the cylindrical portion 713.

[0111] Furthermore, the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B shown in Figure 12(A) is also a horizontal surface that extends from the top surface 720 of the main body 71.

[0112] Furthermore, in the impeller 70 shown in Figure 12(A), the space below the top surface 720 is the space outside the cylindrical portion 713, and is defined by the side surface 7131 and the bottom surface 712. Each blade 70B divides its space equally in the circumferential direction, and Figure 12(A) shows the first section 731, the second section 732, and the third section 733, each with the same volume.

[0113] Figure 12(B) shows a modified version of the second embodiment in which the number of impeller blades is reduced to two. In this modified version, two blades 70B are formed on the side surface 711 of the main body 71 at 180-degree intervals in the circumferential direction. A lip portion Br is provided at the upper end of each of the two blades 70B.

[0114] The upper surfaces 70B3 of the two blades 70B shown in Figure 12(B) are also horizontal surfaces that extend from the top surface 720 of the main body 71.

[0115] Furthermore, these two blades 70B evenly divide the space below the top surface 720 into two sections in the circumferential direction, and Figure 12(B) shows the first section 731 and the second section 732, each with the same volume.

[0116] Figure 12(C) shows another example.

[0117] Figure 12(C) shows a rotating body 80 fixed together with the rotating blade 541 to a rotating shaft that passes through the center of the rotating blade 541, instead of the impeller 70. This rotating body 80 is provided with a main body 81 having the same configuration as the main body 71 in the impeller 70 of the first embodiment. That is, the main body 81 has a curved side surface 811 that gradually widens outward as it goes downward. In the alternative example shown in Figure 12(C), the main body 81 does not have blades formed on its side surface 811. The crushed beans that fall onto this rotating body 80 are guided to the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541 (see Figure 4(B)) by centrifugal force and the inclined surface from the upper end to the lower end of the main body 81. The main body 81 may be a frustoconical shape with a flat side surface 811.

[0118] In the impeller 70 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 5, the modified impeller 70 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 9, the impeller 70 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 10, and the modified impeller 70 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 12, the shapes of the multiple blades 70B were the same, but blades of different shapes may be combined while considering rotational balance. For example, blades with a lip portion Br may be combined with blades without a lip portion Br, or blades of different heights may be combined. To consider rotational balance, holes may be drilled or weights added to equalize the mass of each blade. Alternatively, rotational balance can be achieved by evenly distributing blades of different shapes in the direction of rotation. For example, blades with a lip portion Br may be provided at the 0 and 180-degree positions, and blades without a lip portion Br may be provided at the 90 and 270-degree positions.

[0119] Furthermore, the number of blades 70B is not limited to 3 or 2, but may be 4 or more.

[0120] Furthermore, as explained using Figure 8(C), the lowest end 70BL of each blade 70B was located below the bean entry gap GB. However, the lowest end 70BL of some or all of the blades 70B may be located at a height equal to or greater than the inner peripheral edge 541e of the rotating blade 541 (see Figure 8(B)). In other words, the lowest end 70BL of some or all of the blades 70B may be located within the bean entry gap GB. For example, the lowest end 70BL of some or all of the blades 70B may be aligned with the height of the inner peripheral edge 541e of the rotating blade 541 over its entire circumference, or it may be aligned at some points.

[0121] Furthermore, the height of the impeller and the shape of the top surface may be changed. In the following explanation, components with the same names as those described above will be denoted by the same symbols used previously.

[0122] Figure 13 shows several examples with varying impeller heights and top surface shapes. Figure 13 shows the top surface 720 of the main body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B. The side with the central hole 710 is the inside, and the side with the fixed blade 531 and rotating blade 541 is the outside.

[0123] Figure 13(A) is a schematic diagram showing the height relationship between the fixed blade 531, the rotating blade 541, and the impeller 70 as shown in Figure 8(C).

[0124] The dashed line in Figure 13(A), like the dashed line in Figure 8(C), indicates the height position of the lowest point on the inner peripheral edge 541e of the rotating blade 541. On the other hand, the single dashed line in Figure 13(A), unlike the single dashed line in Figure 8(C), indicates the height position of the outer peripheral edge 541f of the rotating blade 541 (the same applies to Figures 13(B) to (D)). Note that the height of the outer peripheral edge 54 of the rotating blade 541 is uniform in the circumferential direction. The outer peripheral edge 541f of the rotating blade 541 is higher than the inner peripheral edge 541e. Furthermore, in Figure 13(A), the height position midway between the height position of the lowest point on the inner peripheral edge 541e of the rotating blade 541 and the height position of the outer peripheral edge 541f of the rotating blade 541 is represented by a dotted line.

[0125] The upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(A) is a horizontal plane that extends from the flat top surface 720 of the main body 71. Therefore, both the top surface 720 of the main body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B are at the same height on the inside and outside. Also, both the top surface 720 of the main body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B are at the same height as the outer peripheral edge 541f of the rotating blade 541. Therefore, the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(A) is higher than the intermediate height position represented by the dotted line. Note that the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B may be lower than the height position of the outer peripheral edge 541f of the rotating blade 541 and higher than the intermediate height position represented by the dotted line.

[0126] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 5, even if the falling coffee beans bounce off the side 711d and rise to a considerable height, the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(A) is higher than the intermediate height position represented by the dotted line. Therefore, the bounced coffee beans hit the blade 70B, remain within the area where they landed, and are immediately guided to the blade surface 541b of the rotating blade 541.

[0127] Figure 13(B) schematically shows the height relationship between the fixed blade 531, the rotating blade 541, and the raised impeller 70 shown in Figures 9, 10, 12(A), and 12(B).

[0128] The upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(B) is also a horizontal plane that continues from the flat top surface 720 of the main body 71, and both the top surface 720 of the main body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B are at the same height on the inside and outside. Furthermore, both the top surface 720 of the main body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B are higher than the height position of the outer peripheral edge 541f of the rotating blade 541, as shown by the dashed line. Note that the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is lower than the height position of the lowest point of the inner peripheral edge 531e of the fixed blade 531.

[0129] Even if the falling coffee beans bounce off the side 711d and rise to a considerable height, the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(B) is higher than the outer edge 541f of the rotating blade 541, so the bounced coffee beans are more likely to be hit by the blade 70B.

[0130] Figure 13(C) schematically shows the height relationship between the fixed blade 531, the rotating blade 541, and the impeller 70, in which the top surface 720 of the main body 71 is curved and the upper surface 70B3 of the blades 70B is inclined upward as it moves outward.

[0131] The top surface 720 of the main body 71 shown in Figure 13(C) is not flat, but a curved surface composed of a part of a sphere, and becomes lower towards the outside (towards the blade 70B). Alternatively, the top surface 720 of the main body 71 may be a sloping surface with a pointed center instead of a curved surface. The upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is a flat surface that connects to this curved top surface 720 and slopes upward towards the outside. Therefore, both the top surface 720 of the main body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B have different heights on the inside and outside. Even at its innermost point (where it connects to the top surface 720), the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is higher than the height of the outer edge 541f of the rotating blade 541, as indicated by the dashed line.

[0132] Even if the falling coffee beans bounce off the side 711d and rise to a considerable height, the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(C) is also higher than the height of the outer edge 541f of the rotating blade 541, so the bounced coffee beans are more likely to be hit by the blade 70B.

[0133] As described above, whether it is the blade 70B in Figure 13(A), the blade 70B in Figure 13(B), or the blade 70B in Figure 13(C), the height of the upper surface 70B3 is greater than or equal to the height of the outer edge 541f of the rotating blade 541 at all points. As a result, the height of the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B becomes uniform, making it less likely for falling coffee beans to bounce off the side 711d and go over the blade 70B.

[0134] However, in the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(C), the upper surface 70B3 may be lower at the innermost part and higher at the outermost part than the height position of the outer peripheral edge 541f of the rotating blade 541.

[0135] However, the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B in Figure 13(C) may be a surface that is lower at its innermost point and higher at its outermost point than the height position of the outer peripheral edge 541f of the rotating blade 541.

[0136] Figure 13(D) schematically shows the height relationship between the fixed blade 531, the rotating blade 541, and the impeller 70, in which the top surface 720 of the main body 71 is an inclined surface and the upper surface 70B3 of the blades 70B is inclined downward as it moves outward.

[0137] The top surface 720 of the main body 71 shown in Figure 13(D) is not a horizontal surface, but a flat surface that becomes higher towards the outside (towards the blade 70B). The upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is connected to this top surface 720 and is a flat surface that slopes downward towards the outside. Therefore, both the top surface 720 of the main body 71 and the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B have different heights on the inside and outside. Even at its outermost edge, the upper surface 70B3 of the blade 70B is higher than the height of the outer peripheral edge 541f of the rotating blade 541, as indicated by the dashed line. Therefore, in Figure 13(D), the blade 70B is also higher than the height of the outer peripheral edge 541f of the rotating blade 541 at all points on its upper surface 70B3.

[0138] Even if the falling coffee beans bounce off the side 711d and rise to a considerable height, the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(D) is also higher than the height of the outer edge 541f of the rotating blade 541, so the bounced coffee beans are more likely to be hit by the blade 70B.

[0139] However, in the blade 70B shown in Figure 13(D), the upper surface 70B3 may be higher at the innermost part and lower at the outermost part than the height position of the outer peripheral edge 541f of the rotating blade 541.

[0140] In addition, although the upper surfaces 70B3 of each blade 70B of the impeller 70 shown in Figures 13(A) to 13(D) were all flat, they may also be curved.

[0141] Furthermore, there are various ways to fix the impeller 70 shown in Figures 13(A) to 13(D). For example, it may be fixed by male and female screws that are threaded in the opposite direction to the forward rotation direction, which is the same as the predetermined rotation direction in which the rotating blade 541 grinds coffee beans. More specifically, the bottom surface of the impeller 70 may be threaded with male screws and the rotating base 543 shown in Figure 4 may be threaded with female screws, or conversely, the bottom surface of the impeller 70 may be threaded with female screws and the rotating base 543 may be threaded with male screws. Alternatively, it may be fixed by D-cutting, or fixed using hex socket set screws.

[0142] Next, an example of a coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus, which is another embodiment of the coffee machine of the present invention, will be described.

[0143] Figure 14(A) is an external perspective view of a coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus, which is one embodiment of the present invention.

[0144] The coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus CM shown in Figure 14(A) is a device that automatically manufactures coffee beverages from roasted coffee beans and liquid (water in this case), and can produce one cup of coffee beverage per manufacturing operation. The roasted coffee beans, which are the raw materials, can be stored in a canister C40. A cup holder C92 is provided at the bottom of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus CM, and the manufactured coffee beverage is poured into the cup from a pouring section C91.

[0145] The coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus CM includes a housing C10 that forms its exterior and encloses its internal mechanism. The housing C10 is broadly divided into a main body C11 and a cover C12 that covers part of the front and part of the sides of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus CM. An information display device C13 is provided in the cover C12. The information display device C13 shown in Figure 14(A) is a touch panel display that can display various types of information and accept input from the device administrator and beverage consumers. The information display device C13 is also equipped with a speaker and a camera.

[0146] A control device C14 is mounted on the back of the information display device C13. The control device C14 controls the entire coffee beverage manufacturing device CM. The control device C14 has the same configuration as the control device 11 of the coffee bean grinder GM. That is, the control device C14 includes a processing unit which is a processor such as a CPU, a storage unit which stores recipes such as RAM or ROM, and an I / F unit which can communicate data with external terminals such as a server or mobile terminal 17. The processing unit executes a program stored in the storage unit and controls various actuators of the coffee beverage manufacturing device CM (e.g., motors, solenoid valves, heaters, etc.) based on instructions from the information display device C13, detection results from various sensors provided in the coffee beverage manufacturing device CM (e.g., hot water temperature sensor, mechanism operation position detection sensor, pressure sensor, etc.), or instructions from the server.

[0147] The cover portion C12 shown in Figure 14(A) is made of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic or glass, and its entirety constitutes a transparent cover that is a translucent portion. The cover portion C12 can be opened and closed relative to the main body portion C11. Part of the manufacturing mechanism is located between the main body portion C11 and the cover portion C12, and the user can see this mechanism through the cover portion 102.

[0148] Figure 14(B) is a partial front view of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus CM, showing a portion of the manufacturing area visible to the user in a front view of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus CM. The cover portion C12 and the information display device C13 are shown with dashed lines.

[0149] Some of the mechanisms of the manufacturing section that the user can see through the cover section C12 include the collective conveying section C42, the first grinder unit C51, the second grinder unit C52, the separation device C60, the drive unit C80, and the extraction container C90. The front of the main body section C11 has a rectangular recess C11a that is recessed towards the back, and the extraction container C90 and the like are located towards the back of this recess C11a.

[0150] The roasted coffee beans contained in the canister C40 are sent to the collection and conveying section C42. The collection and conveying section C42 is made up of hollow members and forms a conveying passage for the roasted coffee beans to the first grinder unit C51. The roasted coffee beans move inside the collection and conveying section C42 by their own weight and flow down to the first grinder unit C51.

[0151] The first grinder unit C51 has the same configuration as the first grinder unit TM shown in Figure 3(A), and crushes roasted coffee beans to a certain size (for example, about 1 / 4) to produce cracked beans. The separation device C60 has the same configuration as the separation device 6 of the coffee bean grinder GM. The second grinder unit C52 has the same configuration as the second grinder unit MM shown in Figure 4, and has a fixed blade unit C521 and a rotating blade unit C522. The fixed blade unit C521 is equipped with a fixed blade having a through hole, and a bean dropping path is provided, which is partly formed by the through hole. The rotating blade unit C522 is equipped with a rotating blade, and the same impeller as the impeller 70 described using Figure 5 is inserted through the rotating shaft that rotates the rotating blade and is fixed to the rotating shaft together with the rotating blade with a bolt. Therefore, the crushed beans that have passed through the bean drop path provided in the fixed blade unit C521 fall onto the bolts and impeller, are guided to the blade surface of the rotating blade by the impeller rotating in the forward direction, and are crushed into a powder by being sandwiched between the blade surface of the rotating blade and the blade surface of the fixed blade. The crushed beans are then fed from the chute C523 into the extraction container C90. Hot water is supplied to the extraction container C90 from a fluid supply unit (not shown), and coffee liquid is extracted from the ground beans in the extraction container C90. Immersion extraction and percolation extraction are performed during the coffee liquid extraction process. Between immersion extraction and percolation extraction, the extraction container C90 is inverted from an upright position to an inverted position by the drive unit C80. Percolation extraction is performed in the inverted extraction container C90, and the hot water containing the extracted coffee liquid is sent to the cup from the pouring section C91 as a coffee beverage.

[0152] According to the above description, a coffee machine [for example, the coffee bean grinder GM shown in Figure 1, the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus CM shown in Figure 14] comprises: an upper blade [for example, a fixed blade 531] with a first blade [for example, a blade surface 531b] formed facing downward around a through hole [for example, a through hole 5310]; a lower blade [for example, a rotating blade 541] positioned opposite the upper blade and having a second blade [for example, a blade surface 541b] formed facing upward; and a drive unit [for example, a second motor 540M] that rotates the lower blade in a predetermined rotational direction [for example, a counterclockwise forward direction], wherein coffee beans fed through the through hole and falling onto the lower blade are ground between the first blade and the second blade by the drive unit rotating the lower blade in the predetermined rotational direction. The following was also described: The lower blade is equipped with an impeller [e.g., impeller 70] having a plurality of blades [e.g., blade 70B] at the position where the coffee beans fed in from the through hole fall; the impeller guides the coffee beans that have fallen onto the lower blade to the second blade by rotating in the same positive rotation direction as the predetermined rotation direction [e.g., counterclockwise direction]; the second blade is located outside the impeller; each of the plurality of blades extends outward from the upper end of the inner circumference side of the impeller [e.g., top surface 720], and the space below the upper end is evenly divided in the circumferential direction [e.g., divided into a first section 731, a second section 732, and a third section 733]; and this is a coffee machine characterized by these features.

[0153] In this coffee machine, each of the multiple blades extends outward from the upper end of the inner circumference of the impeller, and the space below the upper end is evenly divided in the circumferential direction. As a result, the coffee beans that fall onto the lower blade are distributed appropriately and uniformly into one of the sections created by the blades [for example, the first section 731, the second section 732, or the third section 733]. Moreover, even if the coffee beans that fall onto the lower blade bounce back at the point of impact, they are more likely to hit the higher blades and remain within the section where they fell, maintaining the appropriate dispersion state at the time of impact, and are immediately guided to the second blade. As a result, the coffee beans can be efficiently guided to the second blade while being appropriately and uniformly dispersed, and the grinding time can be shortened.

[0154] Furthermore, the following was also explained: "A coffee machine characterized in that the second blade has an outer circumference higher than its inner circumference, and each of the plurality of blades has an upper surface [for example, upper surface 70B3] connected from the upper end [for example, top surface 720] that is higher than the intermediate position between the inner and outer circumference of the second blade [for example, the height position shown by the dotted line in Figure 13(A)] [for example, the blades 70B shown in Figures 13(A) to 13(D)]."

[0155] According to this coffee machine, the blades are positioned higher than the intermediate position, and even if the coffee beans, which are distributed fairly evenly within each section, bounce off at the point of impact, they are more likely to be hit by the blades, thus more reliably maintaining a fair dispersion state at the point of impact.

[0156] Furthermore, the following was also explained: "A coffee machine characterized in that the second blade has a higher outer circumference than its inner circumference, and each of the plurality of blades has an upper surface [for example, an upper surface 70B3] connected from the upper end [for example, the top surface 720] that is at least the height of the outer circumference of the second blade [for example, the height shown by the dashed line in Figures 13(A) to 13(D)] [for example, the blades 70B shown in Figures 13(A) to 13(D)]."

[0157] According to this coffee machine, the blades are taller than the outer circumference of the second blades, and even if the coffee beans, which are distributed fairly evenly within each section, bounce back at the point of impact, they are more likely to be hit by the blades, thus more reliably maintaining a fair dispersion state at the point of impact.

[0158] Furthermore, the description also included: "A coffee machine characterized in that each of the plurality of blades has an upper surface [for example, upper surface 70B3] that is the same height on the inside and outside [for example, the blades 70B shown in Figures 13(A) and 13(B)]."

[0159] With this coffee machine, the height of the upper surface of the blades becomes uniform, making it less likely for coffee beans that have fallen onto the lower blades to bounce off the blades at the point of impact. As a result, the coffee beans can be kept within the area defined by the blades, and the appropriate dispersion state at the point of impact is more easily maintained.

[0160] Furthermore, the following was also explained: "The impeller has a planar or curved side surface [for example, side surface 711] that gradually widens outward from the upper end downwards, and the plurality of blades [for example, blades 70B] are formed on the side surface."

[0161] This coffee machine is preferable because the coffee is more easily guided by the second blade by the side surface within the compartment at the point of impact.

[0162] Furthermore, the following was also explained: "A coffee machine characterized in that each of the plurality of blades [for example, blade 70B] has an outer portion [for example, outer portion Bdo] of the downstream side surface [for example, downstream side surface Bd] that is on the downstream side in the forward rotation direction, such that the angle at which the coffee beans that fall onto the lower blade enter the second blade [for example, the entry angle θ1 shown in Figure 7] is acute, and the downstream side surface [for example, downstream side surface Bd] is formed in a curved shape that is convex toward the downstream side in the forward rotation direction."

[0163] According to this coffee machine, the movement of the coffee beans is suppressed by gradually narrowing the path leading to the second blade, making it easier to guide the beans to the second blade and further shortening the grinding time.

[0164] Furthermore, according to the above description, a coffee machine [for example, the coffee bean grinder GM shown in Figure 1, the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus CM shown in Figure 14] comprises: an upper blade [for example, a fixed blade 531] with a first blade [for example, a blade surface 531b] formed facing downward around a through hole [for example, a through hole 5310]; a lower blade [for example, a rotating blade 541] positioned opposite the upper blade and having a second blade [for example, a blade surface 541b] formed facing upward; and a drive unit [for example, a second motor 540M] that rotates the lower blade in a predetermined rotational direction [for example, a counterclockwise forward direction], wherein the coffee beans that are fed in through the through hole and fall onto the lower blade are ground between the first blade and the second blade by the drive unit rotating the lower blade in the predetermined rotational direction. The following was described: A coffee machine characterized in that the lower blade is equipped with an impeller [for example, impeller 70] having a plurality of blades [for example, blade 70B] at the position where the coffee beans fed in from the through hole fall, and the impeller guides the coffee beans that have fallen onto the lower blade to the second blade by rotating in the same forward rotation direction [for example, counterclockwise] as the predetermined rotation direction of the lower blade.

[0165] With this coffee machine, the coffee beans that fall onto the lower blade are guided to the second blade by the rotation of the impeller in the forward direction. This reduces the time the fallen coffee beans remain in place, thus shortening the grinding time.

[0166] The impeller may guide the coffee beans that have fallen onto the lower blade to the second blade by centrifugal force generated by rotating the lower blade in the same forward rotation direction as the predetermined rotation direction. Alternatively, the impeller may guide the coffee beans that have fallen onto the lower blade to the second blade by rotating them in the same forward rotation direction as the predetermined rotation direction of the lower blade, thereby guiding them along the sides of the multiple blades.

[0167] Furthermore, the following was also explained: "A coffee machine characterized in that the impeller [for example, impeller 70] has multiple blades, each of which extends from the inside to the outside of the impeller; the second blade [for example, blade surface 541b] is located outside the impeller; and each of the multiple blades has an outer portion [for example, outer portion Bdo] of the downstream side surface [for example, downstream side surface Bd] that is downstream in the forward rotation direction, such that the angle at which coffee beans that fall onto the lower blade enter the second blade [for example, the entry angle θ1 shown in Figure 7] is acute."

[0168] As the entry angle becomes acute, the path of the coffee beans to the second blade gradually narrows, suppressing the movement of the coffee beans and increasing their guidance to the second blade, thereby further shortening the grinding time.

[0169] Furthermore, each of the aforementioned multiple blades may have its outer portion positioned upstream in the forward rotation direction.

[0170] Furthermore, the approach angle is the angle between the tangent line passing through the outer end [for example, outer end Bde] of the outer portion [for example, outer portion Bdo] (for example, the tangent line shown by the dashed line in Figure 7) and the outer portion [for example, outer portion Bdo].

[0171] Furthermore, the description also included: "A coffee machine characterized in that each of the plurality of blades has a curved shape on its downstream side surface [for example, the entire downstream side surface Bd] that is convex toward the downstream side in the forward rotation direction."

[0172] The shape of the downstream side surface allows the coffee beans to be smoothly guided to the second blade, reducing damage to the coffee beans.

[0173] The curved shape referred to here may be an involute curve, a cycloid curve, or an Archimedean spiral.

[0174] Furthermore, the following was also explained: "The impeller is characterized in that each of the plurality of blades extends from the inside to the outside of the impeller, the second blade is located outside the impeller, each of the plurality of blades has a lip portion [for example, lip portion Br] extending downstream in the forward rotation direction at its upper end, and the outer portion [for example, outer specific portion Blo] of the downstream side surface [for example, downstream side surface Bd] that is below the upper end of the downstream side surface [for example, downstream side surface Bd] is formed such that the entry angle of coffee beans that have fallen onto the lower blade to the second blade [for example, the entry angle θ2 shown in Figures 10 and 11(A)] is acute."

[0175] Even if coffee beans falling onto the lower blade bounce upward due to the force of their fall while the lower blade is rotating in the forward direction, they are more easily caught by the lip portion. Furthermore, the lip portion prevents the coffee beans from escaping upward, increasing their guideability, which is preferable. In addition, even with this coffee machine, the acute angle of entry gradually narrows the path of the coffee beans to the second blade, suppressing the movement of the coffee beans and increasing their guideability to the second blade, thereby further shortening the grinding time.

[0176] Furthermore, the downstream side specification portion does not need to be located below the upper end, but is not limited to the lower part.

[0177] Furthermore, each of the plurality of blades may have an outer portion [for example, an outer specific portion Blo] that extends upstream in the forward rotation direction.

[0178] Furthermore, the approach angle is the angle between the tangent line passing through the position of the outer end [for example, the outer end Ble] of the outer portion [for example, the tangent line shown by the dashed line in Figures 10 and 11(A)] and the outer portion [for example, the outer portion Blo].

[0179] Furthermore, the description also included: "A coffee machine characterized in that each of the plurality of blades has a curved shape in which the downstream side specific portion [for example, the connecting surface 70B1] is convex toward the downstream side in the forward rotation direction."

[0180] The shape of the downstream side section allows the coffee beans to be smoothly guided to the second blade, reducing damage to the coffee beans.

[0181] The curved shape referred to here may be an involute curve, a cycloid curve, or an Archimedean spiral.

[0182] Furthermore, the following was also explained: "The impeller is provided with a main body [for example, main body 71] having a planar or curved side surface [for example, side surface 711] that gradually widens outward as it extends downward, and the plurality of blades [for example, blades 70B] are formed on the side surface."

[0183] The plurality of blades can guide the coffee beans outward before they are guided to the second blade, which is preferable.

[0184] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and examples shown above, and these can be combined with each other without departing from the spirit of the invention, and may be partially modified depending on the purpose, etc. Furthermore, the individual terms used herein are merely 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 those terms, and may also include their equivalents. For example, expressions such as "apparatus" and "part" may be replaced with "unit" and "module," etc.

[0185] MM Second grinder unit 53 Fixed blade unit 5310 Through hole 531 Fixed blade 531b Blade surface 54 Rotating blade unit 541 Rotating blade 541b Blade surface 540M Second motor 70 Impeller 71 Main body 720 Top surface 711 Side surface 70B Blade 70B3 Top surface 701 First blade 702 Second blade 703 Third blade 731 First section 732 Second section 733 Third section Bd Downstream side surface 70B1 Connection surface 70B1 Bdo, Blo Outer part Br Lip section θ1, θ2 Entry angle GM Coffee bean grinder CM Coffee beverage manufacturing equipment

Claims

1. A coffee machine comprising: an upper blade with a first blade formed facing downward around a through hole; a lower blade positioned opposite the upper blade and having a second blade formed facing upward; and a drive unit that rotates the lower blade in a predetermined rotational direction, wherein coffee beans fed through the through hole and falling onto the lower blade are ground between the first blade and the second blade by the drive unit rotating the lower blade in the predetermined rotational direction, wherein the lower blade is equipped with an impeller having a plurality of blades at the position where the coffee beans fed through the through hole fall, the impeller guides the coffee beans that have fallen onto the lower blade to the second blade by rotating them in the same forward rotational direction as the predetermined rotational direction, the second blade is located outside the impeller, and each of the plurality of blades extends outward from the upper end on the inner circumference side of the impeller, and divides the space below the upper end evenly in the circumferential direction. A coffee machine characterized in that the second blade has a higher outer circumference than its inner circumference, and each of the plurality of blades has an upper surface that extends from the upper end and is higher than the midpoint between the inner and outer circumferences of the second blade.

2. A coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the plurality of blades has an upper surface that extends from the upper end and is at least as high as the outer circumference of the second blade.

3. A coffee machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the plurality of blades has an upper surface that is the same height on the inside and outside.

4. A coffee machine according to claim 3, wherein the impeller has a planar or curved side surface that gradually widens outward from the upper end downward, and the plurality of blades are formed on the side surface.

5. A coffee machine according to claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of blades is formed such that the outer portion of the downstream side surface that is downstream in the forward rotation direction is formed such that the angle of entry of coffee beans that have fallen onto the lower blade into the second blade is acute, and the downstream side surface is formed in a curved shape that is convex downstream in the forward rotation direction.

6. A coffee machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of blades is formed such that the outer portion of the downstream side surface that is downstream in the forward rotation direction is formed such that the angle of entry of coffee beans that have fallen onto the lower blade into the second blade is acute, and the downstream side surface is formed in a curved shape that is convex to the downstream side in the forward rotation direction.

Images