JP2006334086A - Milk foamer and coffee beverage manufacturing device provided with it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sanitarily manage a milker and to form high quality milk foam. <P>SOLUTION: The milk foamer 61 of this invention is provided with a milk cold insulation storage 69 for cold-insulating milk, a steam boiler 64, and a milker 65 for sucking milk from the milk cold insulation storage 69 by steam generated by the boiler 64, sucking air, mixing the sucked milk and sucked air and generating the milk foam, and executes the milker washing operation of supplying hot water from a hot water tank 11 for espresso into the milker 65 by a pump 12 for espresso extraction and washing the inside of the milker 65. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a milk foamer for producing milk foam using steam and a coffee beverage production apparatus provided with the same.

  A conventional coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus supplies ground coffee beans crushed to a predetermined particle size to an extraction chamber having a pressure-resistant structure, and allows the ground beans to pass through a predetermined hot water pressurized by a pump. To extract the coffee liquor. Usually, elution of coffee components is promoted by using hot water at the time of extraction of ground beans, and hot water penetrates into the ground bean structure by supplying such hot water under pressure, That is, espresso coffee is obtained.

  Recently, coffee beverages such as cappuccino may be provided by adding milk foam to the coffee liquid produced by the coffee beverage production apparatus. Thus, a coffee beverage production apparatus is proposed in which a milk foamer for producing milk foam is mounted on the coffee beverage production apparatus. In a conventional coffee beverage production apparatus, powdered milk and hot water are mixed to create a cream, which is added to the coffee liquid extracted by the coffee extractor. However, with the improvement of beverage quality, milk formers that produce milk foam from raw milk have been proposed.

This milk former is for mixing milk and air when supplying milk to the coffee extractor, and supplying the milk to the coffee extractor in a foamed state (aeration). The milk used in the milk former is cooled by a cooling device so that the milk can be stored for a long time. Therefore, if milk is supplied to the coffee extractor as it is, the temperature of the coffee liquid in the coffee extractor is lowered, and the taste and touch are impaired. Therefore, when the cooled milk is supplied to the coffee extractor, the steam generated by the steam generator or the steam supplier is used to mix the milk from the milk reservoir such as a milk pack with the air, whisk, An apparatus for supplying a steam-treated milk mixture, that is, milk foam, to a coffee extractor has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-22856

  However, in the conventional milk foamer, a small amount of milk is adhered to the milker after the milk foam is generated and discharged. If the adhering milk is left for a predetermined time or more before the next generation of milk foam, airborne bacteria present in the air adhere to the milker and grow there. In this case, since the bacteria that have grown in the milk foam are mixed in the next generation of the milk foam, a small amount of the first milk foam is discarded or the milker is separated and washed. Had to manage. Therefore, there is a problem that usability is poor because management becomes complicated.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the conventional technical problems, and a milk foamer capable of hygienically managing a milker and forming a high-quality milk foam and the milk foamer are provided. Provided is a coffee beverage production apparatus.

  The milk foamer of the present invention includes a milk cool box that cools milk, a boiler that generates steam, and sucks milk from the milk cool box by the steam generated by the boiler, and sucks air. And a milker that produces milk foam by mixing air and suction air, provided with hot water supply means for washing to supply hot water into the milker, and with the hot water supply means for washing, A milker cleaning operation for supplying hot water to the interior of the milker to perform cleaning is performed.

  A milk foamer according to a second aspect of the present invention includes, in the above-described invention, a control unit that controls the boiler and the hot water supply unit for washing, and the control unit performs a milker washing operation by the hot water supply unit for washing after the milk foam is generated. It is characterized by performing.

  The milk foamer according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the control means executes a milker washing operation when a predetermined washing standby time has elapsed after the production of the milk foam.

  The milk foamer according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the control means is provided with a warning means and issues a warning by the warning means at the start of the milker washing operation.

  A milk foamer according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect of the present invention, the control means continuously executes the milker washing operation after the production of the milk foam.

  A milk foamer according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in each of the above inventions, the control means executes the milker washing operation a plurality of times.

  The milk foamer according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the control means sets the amount of hot water supplied in one milker washing operation to 30% or more and 130% or less of the internal volume of the milker.

  The milk foamer according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the milk foamer according to the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein the control means provides a predetermined drainage waiting time between each of the milker washing operations to be executed a plurality of times, Is characterized in that it is set to the minimum time required for the hot water supplied into the milker to fall in one milker cleaning operation.

  The coffee beverage production apparatus according to claim 9 supplies ground coffee beans ground to a predetermined particle size to a coffee extractor, and supplies hot water from a hot water tank for coffee extraction to the coffee extractor by a conveying means. A coffee liquid is extracted, comprising the milk foamer of any of the above inventions, comprising a hot water supply means for washing with a hot water tank and a conveying means, and a milk foam and coffee liquid produced by a milker It is possible to mix.

  In the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus according to the invention of claim 10, when the milker washing operation and the extraction of the coffee liquid overlap in the above invention, the coffee liquid extraction is preferentially executed, and after the extraction of the coffee liquid is completed. The milker cleaning operation is performed.

  According to the present invention, a milk cool box that cools milk, a boiler that generates steam, and sucks milk from the milk cool box by the steam generated by the boiler, sucks air, and sucks the sucked milk and the sucked milk. A milk foamer comprising a milker that mixes with air to produce milk foam is provided with cleaning hot water supply means for supplying hot water into the milker, and the hot water in the milker is supplied by the cleaning hot water supply means. By carrying out a milker washing operation for washing the inside of the milker, residual milk adhering to the inside of the milker can be washed away by the hot water supplied by the washing hot water supply means.

  As a result, the inside of the milker can be effectively cleaned, and the milker can be maintained in a sanitary manner. In particular, since hot water is used for cleaning, the milker itself is heated by the heat of the hot water, and drying in the milker can be promoted, thereby suppressing the inconvenience of airborne bacteria in the air. Will be able to.

  According to the invention of claim 2, in the above invention, it is provided with a control means for controlling the boiler and the washing hot water supply means, and the control means executes a milker washing operation by the washing hot water supply means after the production of the milk foam. Therefore, before the milk foam adheres to the inside of the milker and adheres as time elapses, the inside of the milker can be effectively cleaned by performing the milker cleaning.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 3, in the above invention, when the predetermined washing standby time has elapsed after the generation of the milk foam, the control means performs the milker washing operation, so that in the washing standby time, The user can discharge the milk foam into a cup or the like, and withdraw the cup. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the hot water used in the milker washing operation from being discharged into a cup or the like, and to avoid the disadvantage that the beverage to be provided is diluted with the hot water.

  According to the invention of claim 4, in the above invention, the control means includes an alarm means, and at the start of the milker washing operation, an alarm is issued by the alarm means, so that hot water for washing is discharged to the user. It becomes possible to notify that it is done. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress inconvenience that the user suffers from burns or the like due to high-temperature hot water, and safety can be ensured.

  According to the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 2, the control means executes the milker washing operation continuously after the production of the milk foam, so that the milker washing is performed immediately after the milk foam is discharged. The cleaning effect can be improved. Moreover, since the hot water used for the cleaning is directly discharged into the cup or the like, the hot water for cleaning can be safely discharged without issuing an alarm or the like. Further, in such a case, since the hot water for washing is received in the same container as the milk foam, it is not necessary to provide a means for receiving the hot water for washing, simplifying the apparatus and Management of the receiving means can be simplified.

  According to the invention of claim 6, in each of the above-mentioned inventions, since the control means executes the milker cleaning operation a plurality of times, it is possible to execute the cleaning in the milker in a plurality of times. Thereby, it becomes possible to enhance the rinsing effect, and it is possible to effectively wash and remove the milk foam remaining in the milker.

  According to the invention of claim 7, in the above invention, the control means sets the amount of hot water supplied in one milker washing operation to 30% or more and 130% or less of the internal volume of the milker. When the supply is excessive, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the hot water flows into the path for sucking milk from the milk cool box. In addition, by limiting the amount of hot water supplied once to such an amount, it becomes possible to obtain an effective cleaning effect with a smaller amount of hot water and with a smaller number of cleanings, minimizing the time required for milker cleaning. can do.

  According to the invention of claim 8, in the invention of claim 6 or claim 7, the control means provides a predetermined drainage waiting time between each of the milker washing operations to be executed a plurality of times. The hot water supplied during the previous milker washing operation can be surely dropped. Therefore, even if the milk foam adhering to the inner wall of the milker moves to the upper part of the hot water, it is ensured that the remaining milk is surely discharged by discharging the foamed milk together with the hot water and then performing the next milker cleaning operation. Can be discharged.

  In the invention of claim 8, the drainage waiting time is set to a minimum time required for the hot water supplied in the milker to fall in one milker cleaning operation. The milker can be washed effectively while minimizing the time required for operation.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, coffee beans ground to a predetermined particle size are supplied to a coffee extractor, and hot water in a hot water tank for coffee extraction is supplied to the coffee extractor by a conveying means. A liquid extractor comprising the milk foamer according to any one of the above-mentioned inventions, comprising a hot water tank and a conveying means to constitute a washing hot water supply means, and a milk foam produced by a milker and a coffee liquid. Because it is possible to mix, without using a hot water supply means for cleaning the milk former, a hot water in a hot water tank for coffee extraction and a transport means for supplying hot water to the coffee extractor are used. Thus, hot water for cleaning can be supplied to the milker.

  According to the invention of claim 10, in the above invention, when the milker washing operation and the extraction of the coffee liquid overlap, the extraction of the coffee liquid is preferentially executed, and after the extraction of the coffee liquid, the milker washing is performed. By performing the operation, the milker washing operation can be smoothly performed using the hot water tank and the conveying means used for the extraction of the coffee liquid without affecting the extraction of the coffee liquid. Moreover, since the milker washing | cleaning operation is performed after extraction of the said coffee liquid, before the milk adhering in the milker adheres with progress of time, the inside of a milker can be wash | cleaned.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a coffee beverage production apparatus 1 of the present invention, a side view of the coffee beverage production apparatus 1 of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 3 and 4 show a configuration diagram of the coffee beverage production apparatus 1.

  The present embodiment is a coffee beverage production apparatus 1 provided with a milk former 61 of the present invention installed in a kitchen or counter of a fast food restaurant, for example, and a drip coffee extraction unit 1A on the right side and a left side on the left. The espresso coffee extraction unit 1B is integrated to form a main body 6. In the drip coffee extraction unit 1A, sprinkled hot coffee that is a coffee liquid extracted by spraying hot water on the coffee raw material powder, that is, drip coffee is manufactured, and in the espresso coffee extraction unit 1B, the coffee raw material powder A pressure extraction type coffee, that is, a coffee liquid extracted by supplying hot water under pressure, that is, espresso coffee is produced.

  In the middle of the front surface of the espresso coffee extraction unit 1B, there is provided a nozzle member 4 integrally provided with a coffee liquid nozzle 2 for discharging the coffee liquid of espresso and a milk foam nozzle 3 for discharging milk foam. Below the nozzle member 4 is provided a cup support 7 on which a cup for receiving the extracted coffee liquid is placed. The cup support 7 is configured by a receiving portion having an upper surface opened and having a predetermined capacity, and a net-like support member that closes the upper surface opening of the receiving portion. The supporting member can place a cup, and the receiving portion can receive a beverage overflowing from the cup and hot water for washing described in detail later.

  In addition, the nozzle member 4 is comprised so that height adjustment is possible up and down. In addition, a plurality of operation buttons 5 for selecting the type of beverage to be discharged are provided on the upper front of the espresso coffee extraction unit 1B, and the right side of the nozzle member 4 is used for extracting coffee liquid. There is provided a residue receiving portion 8 that receives the generated residue and is provided so as to be drawn forward. Reference numeral 9 denotes a bean storage container for storing coffee beans.

  On the other hand, a sprinkler 41 is provided at the upper front of the drip coffee extraction unit 1A, and a drip coffee powder chamber 42 is detachably attached to the lower side of the sprinkler 41. Further, a heat retaining pot 43 is provided below the powder chamber 42, and a decanter support base 44 is formed below the heat retention pot 43, and on the decanter support base 44, The heat retention decanter 46 is placed corresponding to the above.

  The heat retaining pot 43 and the heat retaining decanter 46 have, for example, a stainless steel vacuum double structure and have extremely high heat retaining performance. A manual opening / closing valve 47 is provided at the outlet 43 </ b> A of the heat retaining pot 43.

  Next, with reference to FIG.3 and FIG.4, the internal structure of the coffee drink manufacturing apparatus 1 is demonstrated. 3 and 4 show the internal structure of the main body 6 of the coffee beverage production apparatus 1, and are shown divided into two parts at * to show each part in an easily understandable manner. First, the espresso coffee extraction unit 1B includes a hot water tank 10 for water supplied from a water supply pipe 51 through two water supply valves 48 and 49, and an espresso hot water tank 11 communicated with the hot water tank 10 for water supply. And an espresso pump (gear pump) 12 attached to the bottom of the espresso hot water tank 11, an espresso extraction mechanism 13, a milk former 61, and the like.

  The hot water supply tank 10 is a tank capable of storing several liters of drinking water, and has an electric heater 52 and a water level for heating and keeping the water stored in the hot water supply tank 10 at, for example, + 68 ° C. to + 70 ° C. A switch 53 is provided, and a water supply thermistor 54 for detecting the temperature of the hot water supply tank 10 and a bimetal thermostat 55 for preventing airing are also attached. The water supply thermistor 54 is connected to a drip hot water tank 27, which will be described later, at a temperature near the end of the communication pipe 31 opened in the hot water in the hot water tank 10 or in the water supply tank 10. The whole temperature shall be detected. And the control apparatus 20 as a control means provided in the main body 6 energizes the electric heater 52 when the temperature of the stored water drops to + 68 ° C. based on the temperature detected by the thermistor 54, and when the temperature rises to + 70 ° C. Turn off the power.

  Further, the water level switch 53 is provided with a low water level at a full water level and a position where a predetermined water level is lowered from the full water level, in this embodiment, a position where the amount of water for one cup of espresso coffee, for example, 150 ml is reduced. The control device 20 performs control to open the water supply valves 48 and 49 when the water level switch 53 detects a low water level and to close when the water level switch 53 detects a full water level. In the present embodiment, the control device 20 prohibits the opening of the water supply valves 48 and 49 for a predetermined period, for example, 15 seconds after the water supply valves 48 and 49 are closed.

  Further, a downcomer pipe 50 that opens on the water surface and descends to the lower part of the hot water supply tank 10 is attached below the opening of the water supply pipe 51. Reference numeral 56 denotes a steam pipe through which steam from the hot water tank 10 or overflowed hot water flows out to the residue receiving portion 8, and a bimetal thermostat 59 for boiling prevention is attached to the steam pipe 56. If the hot water in the hot water supply tank 10 has boiled due to a problem with the control, the bimetal thermostat 59 is turned off at the temperature of the steam and hot water coming out of the steam pipe 56 to supply water. The electric heater 52 is turned off.

  The hot water tank 10 for water supply and the hot water tank 11 for espresso are communicated with each other through a communication pipe 57. In this case, one end of the communication pipe 57 is opened in the hot water in the upper part of the hot water supply tank 10, and the other end is connected to the bottom surface of the espresso hot water tank 11 and opened to the inside. Reference numeral 58 denotes a drain plug provided in the middle of the communication pipe 57.

  The espresso hot water tank 11 is also a tank capable of storing several liters of drinking water, and the water stored in the espresso hot water tank 11 is heated and maintained at, for example, + 94 ° C. to + 97 ° C. (+ 85 ° C.). The controller 20 is set to an appropriate temperature, and the control device 20 turns on an appropriate temperature lamp (not shown). The electric heater 70 is provided, and a thermistor 72 for detecting the temperature of the bimetal thermostat 71 for preventing airing and the hot water tank 11 for espresso is also provided. It is attached. Based on the temperature detected by the thermistor 72, the control device 20 energizes the pressure extraction electric heater 70 when the temperature of the stored water decreases to + 94 ° C., and cuts off the energization when it rises to + 97 ° C.

  Reference numeral 73 denotes a steam pipe through which steam from the espresso hot water tank 11 or overflowed hot water flows out to the residue receiving portion 8, and this steam pipe 73 is also attached with a bimetal thermostat 74 for preventing boiling. If the hot water in the espresso hot water tank 11 is boiled by any trouble, the bimetal thermostat 74 is turned off at the temperature of the steam and hot water coming out of the steam pipe 73 and pressurized. It is set as the structure which interrupts | blocks electricity supply of the electric heater 70 for extraction.

  An espresso pump 12 provided at the bottom of the espresso hot water tank 11 is a pump that pressurizes and discharges hot water in the espresso hot water tank 11, and the suction port of the espresso pump 12 is an espresso hot water tank. 11 is opened in the hot water in the upper part of the water 11, and the hot water flow pipe 14 and the coffee extraction solenoid valve 15 are sequentially connected to the discharge port. An espresso extraction mechanism 13 is connected.

  The hot water flow meter 14 is connected to a circulation pipe 18 having a hot water circulation electromagnetic valve 17 constituting a circulation path. The other end of the circulation pipe 18 is placed in the espresso hot water tank 11. It is connected. A hot water supply pipe 19 is open at one end in the hot water in the upper part of the espresso hot water tank 11, and includes a hot water solenoid valve 21. A nozzle 19A attached to the other end of the hot water supply pipe 19 is provided on the front right side of the espresso coffee extraction unit 1B, and discharges only hot water by operating the operation switch 5.

  The hot water flow meter 14 is connected to a cleaning hot water supply pipe 90 for supplying cleaning hot water to the milker 65 of the milk former 61. The cleaning hot water supply pipe 90 is provided with a cleaning electromagnetic valve 91, which is controlled to be opened and closed by the control device 20 as will be described in detail later.

  On the other hand, the bean storage container 9 is installed above the espresso extraction mechanism 13. Below the bean storage container 9, there is provided a coffee mill 22 for pulverizing the coffee beans stored in the bean storage container 9 to a predetermined particle size by a grinding blade (not shown) that rotates at high speed. Below 22, a powder meter 23 for measuring the coffee powder crushed in the coffee mill and a chute 24 for storing the measured coffee powder in the espresso extraction mechanism 13 are provided. An extraction side pipe 25 constituting a coffee liquid extraction path is connected to the lower portion of the espresso extraction mechanism 13, and the extraction side pipe 25 is connected to a coffee extraction electromagnetic valve for controlling the discharge of the extracted coffee liquid. 26 is interposed. The coffee liquid nozzle 2 is connected to an extraction side pipe 25 downstream of the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 26. As a result, the coffee liquid can be poured into a cup (not shown) arranged on the cup support 7.

  Note that sugar and cream are injected into the cup at the request of the customer along with the injection of the coffee liquid, but the illustration and explanation of these supply systems are omitted.

  The espresso extraction mechanism 13 includes a cylinder that stores ground beans supplied to the chute 24, a piston that can be inserted into and removed from the cylinder, a piston drive motor that drives the piston, and the like. The cylinder unit is composed of a piston, piston drive motor, etc., and further includes a unit for tilting the entire cylinder unit at a predetermined angle, and a lid member for closing the top opening of the cylinder when the cylinder unit is tilted. Configured. Further, the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 15 includes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the coffee liquid that has entered the electromagnetic valve 15 so as to have a predetermined pressure or higher.

  Next, the configuration of the milk former 61 will be described. The milk former 61 of this embodiment includes a hot water supply pipe 62 for taking out hot water from the hot water tank 10 for water supply, an electromagnetic pump 63 for milk foam, a steam boiler 64, a milker 65, and the like. One end of the hot water supply pipe 62 opens into the hot water in the upper part of the hot water tank 10 for water supply, and an electromagnetic pump 63 for milk foam and a steam boiler 64 are sequentially provided. A milker 65 is connected to the other end of the hot water supply pipe 62. The hot water supply pipe 62 positioned between the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 and the steam boiler 64 is provided with a branch pipe 67, and the branch pipe 67 has a drain electromagnetic valve that opens to the outside at a predetermined pressure. 68 is provided.

  The steam boiler 64 has a built-in electric heater, and heats the hot water supplied from the hot water supply tank 10 through the hot water supply pipe 62 and the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 to, for example, about + 170 ° C. to generate steam, This steam is supplied to the milker 65. The steam boiler 64 is provided with a temperature sensor (not shown), and the controller 20 controls the temperature so that the steam temperature is set based on the detection of the temperature sensor.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the milker 65 is constituted by a substantially cylindrical main body 76, and the side surface of the main body 76 is biased to either the left or right of the center and the inside of the main body 76. A discharge portion 77 protruding into the main body 76 and a hot water supply nozzle 92 for cleaning to flow in hot water for cleaning the inside of the main body 76 are integrally formed, and the milk foam generated in the main body 76 is formed on the bottom surface of the main body 76. The milk foam nozzle (discharge section) 3 for discharging is integrally formed.

  The discharge portion 77 has a substantially cylindrical shape that is open to the left and right, and an end portion of the hot water supply pipe 62 located on the downstream side of the steam boiler 64 at the end opposite to the side connected to the main body 76. Are connected via a steam nozzle 78. The steam nozzle 78 is formed with a steam passage communicating left and right inside, a small hole 78A for discharging steam to the discharge part 77 is formed at one end, and an inner wall of the discharge part 77 and a hot water supply pipe on the side surface. An O-ring 78 </ b> B is provided to closely contact the connection with 62.

  A milk suction nozzle 79 communicating with the inside of the discharge unit 77 is formed on the lower surface of the discharge unit 77, and the upper surface of the discharge unit 77 is also located inside the discharge unit 77 at a location facing the milk suction nozzle 79. A communicating air suction nozzle 80 is formed.

  One end of the milk suction nozzle 79 is connected to a milk suction tube (milk supply path) 66 that is inserted into the milk pack 69 </ b> A housed in the milk cool box 69. A weight member (not shown) is provided at the end (tip) of the milk suction tube 66 on the milk pack 69A side. In this embodiment, the weight member has a mass of about 20 g in order to sink the milk suction tube 66 to the lower part of the milk pack 69A. Further, the weight member is formed with a notch from the bottom surface to the side surface, and is configured such that milk remaining on the bottom surface of the milk pack 69A can be sucked easily.

  An air suction tube 81 is connected to the air suction nozzle 80, and an air suction cap 82 is detachably attached to the other end opening of the air suction tube 81. The air suction cap 82 is a cylindrical member having a small hole (small diameter hole) 82A formed at the tip, and a peripheral wall 82B protruding in a direction facing the tube 81 is formed around the small hole 82A. A flange 82C protruding outward is formed in the vicinity of the tip. Thereby, the air suction nozzle 80 can suck a small amount of air at a time.

  On the other hand, as shown in the plan view of the milker of FIG. 6, the washing hot water supply nozzle 92 is formed so as to be biased to the left or right of the main body 76 with respect to the main body 76 as in the case of the discharge portion 77. The washing hot water supply nozzle 92 is connected to a washing hot water supply pipe 90 having the washing electromagnetic valve 91 interposed therebetween. Thereby, hot water can be supplied from the espresso hot water tank 11 to the milker 65 via the flow meter 14 by the espresso pump 12.

  Further, two fitted portions 76 </ b> A and 76 </ b> B projecting outward are formed on the upper surface opening edge of the main body 76. These are formed at opposing positions. And the milker cap 84 in which the protrusion part 84A which protruded inside the main body 76 is formed in the upper surface opening of the main body 76 shall be removably obstruct | occluded. On the periphery of the milker cap 84, fitting portions 84 </ b> B and 84 </ b> C are formed which are fitted below the fitted portions 76 </ b> A and 76 </ b> B formed on the upper surface opening edge of the main body 76.

  As a result, the milk former 61 is swirled by discharging steam generated by the steam boiler 64 to the milker 65 as will be described in detail later, and the milk pack 69A kept in the milk cooler 69 from the milk suction tube 66. The milk is sucked and mixed with air to be foamed, and the milk foam can be discharged from the milk foam nozzle 3.

  Next, the drip coffee extraction unit 1A will be described. The drip coffee extraction unit 1A is provided with a drip hot water tank 27 and the sprinkler 41. The drip hot water tank 27 and the water supply hot water tank 10 are communicated with each other through a communication pipe 31. In this case, one end of the communication pipe 31 opens in the hot water in the upper part of the hot water tank 10 for water supply, and the other end is connected to the upper surface in the hot water tank 27 for drip. A connecting pipe 33 is attached to the drip hot water tank 27 so as to descend downward and open at the bottom thereof, and the communicating pipe 31 communicates with the upper end of the connecting pipe 33. Further, in the middle of the communication pipe 31, a pump 32 and a flow washer 30 are provided on the downstream side of the pump 32. The pump 32 is connected to the control device 20 and the operation of the pump 32 is controlled based on the amount of hot water detected by the drip flow meter 28.

  The drip hot water tank 27 is a tank capable of storing several liters of drinking water, and the water stored in the drip hot water tank 27 is heated and maintained at, for example, + 93 ° C. to + 95 ° C. (+ 93 ° C. or higher). The control device 20 is provided with an electric heater 34 for heating and an electric heater 35 for heat insulation (which includes a bimetal thermostat 36 for preventing air-blowing). A drip thermistor 37 for detecting the temperature of the drip hot water tank 27 is also attached. This drip thermistor 37 detects the temperature in the vicinity of one end of a siphon 29 described later, that is, the temperature of the upper part of the hot water tank 27 for drip.

  Based on the temperature detected by the drip thermistor 37, the controller 20 energizes the heating electric heater 34 when the temperature of the stored water drops to + 93 ° C., and cuts off the electric heater 34 when the temperature rises to + 95 ° C. Similarly, based on the temperature detected by the drip thermistor 37, the control device 20 energizes the heat retaining electric heater 35 when the temperature of the stored water falls to + 93 ° C., and cuts off the energization of the electric heater 35 when the temperature rises to + 95 ° C.

  Reference numeral 38 denotes a steam pipe through which steam from the drip hot water tank 27 or overflowed hot water flows out. The steam pipe 38 is controlled by the control device 20 so that it is closed only during the operation of the pump 32 and is always opened. An electromagnetic on-off valve 38A is provided, and a boiling prevention bimetal thermostat 39 is attached. If the hot water in the drip hot water tank 27 is boiled by any trouble, the bimetal thermostat 39 is turned off at the temperature of the steam or hot water coming out of the steam pipe 38, and the electric heater It is set as the structure which interrupts | blocks the electricity supply of 34,35.

  In addition, one end of a siphon 29 having a drip flow meter 28 interposed is connected to the upper part of the drip hot water tank 27, and the other end is connected to the sprinkler 41. The drip flow meter 28 includes a rotor inside, detects the amount of hot water supply by rotating the rotor with flowing hot water and detecting a frequency pulse corresponding to the rotational speed of the rotor. is there. The drip flow meter 28 is connected to the control device 20, and the operation control of the pump 32 is performed based on the detection of the drip flow meter 28. Further, a water distribution pipe 40 having a drainage manual valve 40A is connected to the bottom surface of the drip hot water tank 27.

  The control device 20 includes a memory that stores programs and data, a timer that generates a clock signal, and a CPU that operates based on the clock signal and the program. Further, flow meters 14 and 28, thermistors 37, 54 and 72, a water level switch 53 and the like are connected to the input side of the control device 20, and the espresso pump 12 and the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 15 are connected to the output side. , Hot water circulation solenoid valve 17, washing solenoid valve 91, hot water supply solenoid valve 21, coffee extraction solenoid valve 26, drainage solenoid valve 68, espresso extraction mechanism 13, pump 32, electric heaters 52, 70, 34, 35, steam boiler 64 (Actually, an electric heater inside thereof), a milk foam electromagnetic pump 63, water supply valves 48 and 49, etc. are connected and controlled based on the output of the control device 20.

  With the above configuration, the operation of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. Before the operation button 5 is operated, any solenoid valve other than the solenoid on-off valve 38A is de-energized, and is closed or allowed to flow hot water at a certain pressure or higher. To do.

(1) Water Supply After the power is turned on, the control device 20 energizes and opens the water supply valves 48 and 49 to supply water to the hot water supply tank 10. At this time, since the espresso hot water tank 11 is connected to the hot water supply tank 10 through the communication pipe 57, the espresso hot water tank 11 is supplied to the espresso hot water tank 11 through the communication pipe 57 by the Pascal principle. And the same water level. Further, the control device 20 operates the pump 32 for a predetermined time, and causes the water in the hot water supply tank 10 to flow into the drip hot water tank 27 from the communication pipe 31 to reach the full water level.

  In this way, when the drip hot water tank 27 becomes full and the water level switch 53 detects the full water level of the hot water supply tank 10 (espresso hot water tank 11), the control device 20 closes the water supply valves 48 and 49.

(2) Generation of hot water Next, the control device 20 generates hot water in each of the hot water tanks 10, 11 and 27. In this case, the control device 20 controls not to energize any two of the electric heaters 52, 70, 34 and the steam boiler 64 at the same time, and for extracting one of the drip coffee and espresso coffee described above. Can be energized to necessary equipment (pump 32, espresso pump 12, coffee extraction electromagnetic valves 15, 26, espresso extraction mechanism 13, etc., including electric heater 35 for heat insulation).

  Further, in the embodiment, the control device 20 preferentially energizes the electric heater 70 of the espresso hot water tank 11 and the electric heater 34 of the drip hot water tank 27, and by an input operation to the operation switch 5, the espresso hot water tank 11. It is possible to set which of the electric heater 70 and the electric heater 34 of the drip hot water tank 27 is given the highest priority.

  If the electric heater 34 is preferentially set because a large amount of drip coffee is sold in the store of the embodiment, the control device 20 moves to the electric heater 34 of the electric heaters 52 and 70, the electric heater 34, and the steam boiler 64. The energization of is started first. When the temperature of the hot water in the drip hot water tank 27 rises to the above-mentioned + 93 ° C., the electric heater 34 is deenergized, and thereafter, the heat retaining electric heater 35 is energized as described above to control the electric current in the drip hot water tank 27. The hot water temperature is maintained at + 93 ° C. to + 95 ° C.

  Next, the control device 20 starts energization to the electric heater 70 of the espresso hot water tank 11 from the time when the energization to the electric heater 34 is cut off. When the hot water temperature in the espresso hot water tank 11 rises to + 97 ° C., the electric heater 70 is deenergized. Next, the control device 20 starts energizing the electric heater 52 of the hot water supply tank 10 from the time when the energization to the electric heater 70 is cut off. And if the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank 10 for water supply rises to +70 degreeC mentioned above, electricity supply to the electric heater 52 will be cut off. Then, energization of the steam boiler 64 is started from the time when the energization of the electric heater 52 is cut off, and the temperature is raised to the above-described temperature.

  When the temperature of the hot water in the drip hot water tank 27 is lowered to + 93 ° C. due to the extraction of the drip coffee as described later, the energization to the electric water heater 34 is started again. When the other electric heaters 52 and 70 and the steam boiler 64 having a low current are energized, the energization to the electric heaters 52 and 70 and the steam boiler 64 is interrupted. Similarly, when the temperature of the hot water in the espresso hot water tank 11 is lowered to + 94 ° C. due to the extraction of espresso coffee, the electric heater 70 is energized again. When the steam boiler 64 is energized, the energization of the electric heater 52 and the steam boiler 64 is interrupted. Similarly, when the temperature of the hot water in the hot water supply tank 10 drops to + 68 ° C., the energization of the electric heater 52 is started again, but when the steam boiler 64 having a low priority is energized at that time. Interrupts energization of the steam boiler 64.

  In this manner, a predetermined amount of hot water is generated in the drip hot water tank 27, the espresso hot water tank 11, and the hot water tank 10 for supplying water, and the steam boiler 64 is heated to the standby temperature.

(3) Extraction of drip coffee Next, when extracting the drip coffee, first, a predetermined amount (for 8 cups in this embodiment) of ground beans for drip (coffee raw material powder) is put into the powder chamber 42. Set under the sprinkler 41. When drip coffee is selected with the operation button 5 provided on the main body 6, drip coffee extraction start input is performed to the control device 20. Accordingly, the control device 20 operates the pump 32 based on the output of the drip flow meter 28 to extract eight cups of hot water from the hot water supply tank 10 to the drip hot water tank 27, in this embodiment, one drip extraction. Since the amount of hot water required for 1700 ml is, for example, 1700 ml, the 1700 ml is replenished. Since the drip hot water tank 27 is always full, the replenished hot water is pushed out from the upper part of the drip hot water tank 27 to the siphon 29 and sprayed from the sprinkler 41 to the powder chamber 42 via the siphon 29. Is done. Specifically, the drip flow meter 28 detects the outflow amount in the first 1000 pulses, and performs feedback control based on the outflow amount in the 1000 pulses by the control device 20, so that a predetermined amount, that is, 1700 ml in this embodiment. Water is supplied to the sprinkler 41.

  In this case, the hot water from the hot water supply tank 10 flows from the lower end of the connecting pipe 33 into the lower part of the drip hot water tank 27, so the hot water having a high temperature of about + 96 ° C. in the upper part of the drip hot water tank 27 is added to the siphon 29. Will be pushed out. Since the drip flow meter 28 provided in the siphon 29 measures the hot water delivered from the drip hot water tank 27, it always measures a constant temperature, that is, hot water of + 95 ° C. to + 96 ° C. in this embodiment. It will be. Thereby, since the temperature of the detection target in the flow meter 28 does not vary, the detection error due to the temperature can be minimized when the flow rate of the flow meter 28 is detected. Therefore, the detection error due to temperature can be remarkably reduced as compared with the conventional case where the flow meter is provided between the hot water tank 10 for supplying water and the hot water tank 27 for drip. A certain amount of hot water can be supplied to the sprinkler 41 without being affected by the temperature supplied to the water sprinkler.

  This makes it possible to correct the quality variation that occurs at each extraction, and to maintain a constant concentration of the extracted coffee liquid. Therefore, it is possible to provide a uniform and high quality coffee liquid every time.

  In such a case, since the drip flow meter 28 has a predetermined resistance, when the steam pipe 38 is in an open state, a part of the hot water pushed out by the hot water supply from the hot water supply tank 10 is part of the drip flow meter 28. The steam pipe 38 overflows. The high temperature hot water activates the boiling prevention bimetal thermostat 39 and stops the operation of the pump 32. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to suppress such inconvenience, the solenoid on-off valve 38A is closed during operation of the pump 32 to prevent hot water from overflowing from the steam pipe 38. Thereby, even when the drip flow meter 28 becomes a resistance, the problem that hot water flows out from the steam pipe 38 and the operation of the pump 32 is stopped by the operation of the thermostat 39 can be avoided. it can. In addition, the hot water can be smoothly discharged from the drip hot water tank 27 to the sprinkler 41.

  Then, as described above, hot water having a high temperature of about + 95 ° C. is extruded into the powder chamber 42, so that the ground beans are sufficiently steamed in the powder chamber 42 and smooth coffee liquid extraction is performed.

  The coffee liquid extracted in the powder chamber 42 flows down into the heat retaining pot 43 from the lower end and is stored. The heat retaining pot 43 has a capacity of 1 to several liters, and has a high heat retaining capacity with a vacuum double structure, so that the drip coffee extracted without a heat retaining heater is kept at a suitable temperature for a predetermined period. Can keep warm. When the drip coffee is provided, the coffee extraction manual valve 47 of the heat retaining pot 43 is opened, and the drip coffee in the heat retaining pot 43 is discharged into the heat retaining decanter 46 disposed below it. Will be poured into the cup. Since this heat retention decanter 46 is also of a vacuum double structure and has a high heat retention capability, the internal drip coffee can be kept at a suitable temperature for a predetermined period without a heat retaining heater.

(4) Extraction of espresso coffee When the espresso coffee is selected with the operation button 5 provided on the main body 6, an espresso coffee extraction start input is performed to the control device 20. Thereby, the control apparatus 20 opens the hot water circulation electromagnetic valve 17, and performs the pipe | tube temperature rising process which performs the low speed driving | operation of the espresso pump 12 for predetermined time, 4 seconds in the Example. Thereby, the hot water in the espresso hot water tank 11 is sent out by the espresso pump 12 to the hot water solenoid valve 17 and the circulation pipe 18 constituting the circulation path.

  The hot water staying in the hot water supply side pipe 16 located between the espresso pump 12 and the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 15 is pumped to the circulation pipe 18 via the hot water circulation electromagnetic valve 17 and is supplied to the espresso hot water tank 11. Returned. Thus, the hot water supply side pipe 16 positioned between the espresso pump 12 and the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 15 is heated with hot water of about + 94 ° C. to + 97 ° C. supplied from the espresso hot water tank 11. it can.

  After the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the pipe temperature raising step, the control device 20 stops the operation of the espresso pump 12, then closes the hot water circulation electromagnetic valve 17, and ends the pipe temperature raising step. On the other hand, the espresso extraction mechanism 13 is subjected to the next extraction preparation process after the end of the previous coffee liquid supply process. That is, in the extraction preparation step, first, the control device 20 puts the cylinder of the espresso extraction mechanism 13 in an upright state, pulverizes the coffee beans in the bean storage container 9 in advance in the coffee mill 22, and grinds the beans (coffee raw material powder). In this state, a predetermined amount of coffee powder measured by the powder meter 23 is supplied into the cylinder through the chute 24.

  Thereafter, when the supply of the ground beans is completed, the control device 20 energizes and operates the piston drive motor, rotates the entire cylinder unit downward about the lower end, and tilts the cylinder at a predetermined angle. Thereafter, the control device 20 seals the upper end opening of the cylinder with a lid member. At this time, the control device 20 lowers the lid member in synchronization with the inclination of the cylinder unit, inserts it into the cylinder, and stops the drive of the piston drive motor. Furthermore, the control apparatus 20 operates a piston drive motor, pushes up a piston, and compresses the ground beans in a cylinder.

  In this state, the control device 20 proceeds to the coffee liquid extraction step, opens the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 15 and drives the espresso pump 12. As a result, the hot water in the upper portion of the espresso hot water tank 11 heated to about + 94 ° C. to + 97 ° C. at a pressure of 0.3 MPa is supplied to the cylinder of the espresso extraction mechanism 13.

  After that, the control device 20 supplies hot and pressurized hot water to the cylinder sealed with the lid member via the hot water supply side pipe 16 to extract the coffee liquid from the compressed ground beans. At this time, high-temperature and high-pressure hot water is supplied into the cylinder, so that a dark coffee liquid, that is, espresso coffee from which the coffee components are sufficiently eluted from the beginning of extraction is extracted.

  Then, the coffee liquid extracted by the cylinder of the espresso extraction mechanism 13 is discharged to the coffee liquid nozzle 2 via the extraction side pipe 25 and the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 26. Here, the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 26 is controlled by the control device 20 so as to allow the coffee liquid to flow at a constant pressure, for example, 0.3 MPa or more, so that a constant pressure (this embodiment) Then, a pressure of 0.3 MPa is applied by the espresso pump 12 and further pressure is applied by the ground beans swollen in the cylinder, so that a pressure of 0.4 MPa or more can be actually applied) become. As a result, fine fine bubbles can be generated on the surface of the coffee liquid, and a coffee liquid with a rich and mellow taste and aroma can be obtained, so that the quality of the coffee liquid can be improved. Become.

  Here, when the water level of the espresso hot water tank 11 is lowered by the production / extraction of espresso coffee (about 150 ml for one cup), the water level of the hot water tank 10 connected through the communication pipe 57 reaches the low water level. descend. When the water level switch 53 detects the low water level, the control device 20 opens the water supply valves 48 and 49 and replenishes the hot water tank 10 for water supply with drinking water. The replenished water flows into the lower part of the hot water supply tank 10 through the downcomer 50. Then, the control device 20 closes the water supply valves 48 and 49 by detecting a predetermined full water level, but the hot water corresponding to the increased water level flows into the lower part of the espresso hot water tank 11 through the communication pipe 57. As described above, the water supply valves 48 and 49 are prohibited from being opened for a predetermined time, that is, 15 seconds after being closed by the control device 20.

(5) Production of milk foam And when the beverage selection button 5 of the beverage for which the supply of milk is required is operated, when the espresso coffee liquid is extracted from the cup or the like as described above, the controller 20 Milk foam is generated by the milk former 61 described above.

  That is, the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 is operated for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds, by the output of the control device 20. Thereby, the hot water in the hot water supply tank 10 is discharged into the hot water supply pipe 62, and the discharged hot water flows into the steam boiler 64. Here, the temperature of the hot water stored in the hot water supply tank 10 is set to a temperature suitable for use in the espresso extraction mechanism 13, for example, + 97 ° C. Therefore, the steam boiler 64 has about 100 ° C. Hot water with a temperature close to is supplied. The hot water supplied into the steam boiler 64 is further heated by the steam boiler 64 and is heated to a temperature suitable for the production of milk foam, for example, + 170 ° C. to be steam. The steam is discharged from the steam boiler 64 even after the operation of the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 is completed, for example, for about 7 seconds when the hot water already supplied into the steam boiler 64 is converted into steam.

  The steam generated by the steam boiler 64 is injected into the discharge part 77 of the milker 65 through the hot water supply pipe 62 and the steam nozzle 78. When steam passes in the vicinity of the milk suction nozzle 79 and the air suction nozzle 80 in the discharge part 77, negative pressure is generated in the discharge part 77, and the milk in the milk pack 69A is sucked from the milk suction nozzle 79. The air is sucked into the discharge portion 77 through the tube 66, and external air is sucked into the discharge portion 77 from the air suction nozzle 80 through the air suction cap 82 and the air suction tube 81.

  Then, milk (suction milk) and air (suction air) sucked into the discharge part 77 by the steam passing through the discharge part 77 are discharged into the main body 76 of the milker 65 along the inner wall of the discharge part 77. . The milk and air discharged into the main body 76 are swung along the inner wall of the main body 76 due to the pressure of the steam. By this swirling, milk and air are mixed and foamed, discharged from the milk foam nozzle 3 formed on the bottom surface of the main body 76, and supplied to a cup or the like placed below the nozzle 3. . Thereby, the foamed milk is poured on the upper surface of the coffee liquid extracted as described above.

(6) Milker cleaning step After the production of the milk foam as described above, the control device 20 executes a milker cleaning step. That is, the control device 20 performs a predetermined milker cleaning operation a plurality of times after a predetermined cleaning standby time, for example, 2 to 3 minutes have elapsed since the end of the operation of the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 operated for generating the milk foam. In this embodiment, it is executed three times. In the washing standby time, it is assumed that the cup or the like is retracted from the cup support 7 by the user after the milk foam has been discharged.

  In the first milker cleaning operation, the control device 20 opens the cleaning electromagnetic valve 91 and operates the espresso pump 12 for 0.3 seconds, for example. Thus, hot water is discharged into the milker 65 while the espresso pump 12 is operated from the espresso hot water tank 11 through the flow meter 14, the cleaning supply pipe 90, and the cleaning hot water supply nozzle 92.

  Therefore, the hot water discharged into the milker 65 swirls along the inner wall of the main body 76 of the milker 65, and the milk foam nozzle formed on the bottom surface of the main body 76 while washing away the milk foam adhering to the inner wall of the main body 76. 3 is discharged from the nozzle 3 and received by the receiving portion of the cup support 7 provided below the nozzle 3.

  Thereafter, the control device 20 stops the operation of the espresso pump 12 and closes the cleaning electromagnetic valve 91 for a predetermined drainage waiting time, for example, 2 seconds after the end of the first milker cleaning operation. The drainage waiting time is set to the minimum time necessary for the hot water supplied into the milker 65 to fall. That is, in this embodiment, since the espresso pump 12 is operated for 0.3 seconds, the amount of hot water supplied to the milker 65 is about 4 g. Therefore, the 4 g of hot water swirls along the inner wall of the milker 65. However, the minimum time required for dropping from the milk foam nozzle 3 is about 2 seconds.

  Thereby, the hot water discharged into the main body 76 in the first milker cleaning operation can be sufficiently discharged from the milk foam nozzle 3 formed on the bottom surface of the main body 76 together with the milk foam remaining in the main body 76. it can.

  And the control apparatus 20 performs the second milker washing | cleaning driving | operation after progress of the said draining standby time. That is, the cleaning electromagnetic valve 91 is opened again, and the espresso pump 12 is operated for 0.3 seconds, for example. As a result, the hot water discharged into the main body 76 in the second milker cleaning operation swirls along the inner wall in the main body 76 again, thereby removing a very small amount of milk foam remaining after the first milker cleaning operation. Wash away.

  Further, the control device 20 stops the operation of the espresso pump 12 for a predetermined drainage waiting time, for example, 2 seconds, from the end of the second milker cleaning operation, and sets the cleaning electromagnetic valve 91 to Close. Accordingly, the hot water discharged into the main body 76 in the second milker cleaning operation is sufficiently discharged from the milk foam nozzle 3 formed on the bottom surface of the main body 76 together with a very small amount of milk foam remaining in the main body 76. be able to.

  Then, the control apparatus 20 performs the 3rd milker washing | cleaning driving | operation after progress of the said draining standby time. That is, the cleaning electromagnetic valve 91 is opened again, and the espresso pump 12 is operated for 0.3 seconds, for example. Thereby, the hot water discharged into the main body 76 in the third milker cleaning operation is rinsed and cleaned by swirling the main body 76 along the inner wall again.

  Thereby, the inside of the milker 65 can be effectively washed with hot water, and the milker 65 can be maintained in a sanitary manner. In particular, since hot water is used for cleaning, the milker 65 itself is heated by the heat of the hot water, and drying inside the milker 65 can be promoted. Can be suppressed.

  Further, after the milk foam is generated, the control device 20 executes the milker washing process as described above after a predetermined washing standby time, in this embodiment, after 2 to 3 minutes, so that the milk foam adheres to the inside of the milker 65. The cleaning effect can be enhanced by performing the milker cleaning before the fixing due to the passage of time.

  When espresso coffee is newly selected with the operation button 5 during the washing standby time, the control device 20 cancels the accumulation of the washing standby time and preferentially executes the extraction of the espresso coffee. Shall. Then, after the extraction of the espresso coffee is completed, the milker washing step as described above is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Thereby, when the milker washing operation and the extraction of the espresso coffee liquid overlap, the smooth extraction of the coffee liquid can be executed by using the espresso pump 12 preferentially for the extraction of the coffee liquid. It becomes possible. In addition, by performing a milker cleaning step after the extraction of the coffee liquid, the milker cleaning can be performed without fixing the milk remaining in the milker 65, and the milker 65 can be maintained hygienically. It becomes.

  The washing standby time can be arbitrarily set by the user, and the set time is set to a predetermined short time during which the cup can be withdrawn from discharging the milk foam into a cup or the like. can do. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the hot water used in the milker washing operation from being discharged into a cup or the like, and to avoid the disadvantage that the beverage to be provided is diluted with the hot water.

  In this embodiment, the control device 20 is provided with an alarm buzzer (not shown) as an alarm means, and at the start of execution of the milker washing process as described above, an alarm sound is emitted by the buzzer to the user. It shall be notified that hot water is discharged. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress inconvenience that the user suffers from burns or the like due to high-temperature hot water, and safety can be ensured.

  In the milker cleaning step of the present invention, the milker cleaning operation is executed a plurality of times, and in this embodiment, three times. In this case, the amount of hot water discharged to the milker body 76 in one milker cleaning operation is set to 30% or more and 130% or less with respect to the internal volume of the milker body 76. The internal capacity of the milker body 76 in this embodiment is about 7 cc. On the other hand, the amount of hot water discharged in one milker cleaning operation in this embodiment is about 4 g.

  Therefore, since the milker can be washed with a small amount of hot water, even if the milker washing operation is executed three times in one milker washing process, the milker is discharged to the receiving portion of the cup support 7. The amount of hot water is 12 g. The amount is such that even when the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 is open for one day, the hot water used for the cleaning can be sufficiently received in the receiving portion of the cup support 7. Therefore, the maintenance work for discarding the hot water for cleaning can be simplified.

  Moreover, since the amount of discharged hot water per time is small, the time required for the milker cleaning operation can be shortened. Therefore, the washing process of the milker can be executed with almost no influence on the extraction of the normal coffee beverage or the milk foam, and the milker 65 can be always kept hygienic.

  In the present invention, the upper limit of the amount of hot water discharged to the milker body 76 in one milker cleaning operation is 130% of the content of the milker body 76 as described above. This is because when the amount of hot water discharged to the milker main body 76 is excessive in one milker washing operation, the hot water flows back into the milk suction tube 66 through the milk suction nozzle 79 formed integrally with the main body 76. This is because.

  In addition, the lower limit of the amount of hot water discharged to the milker main body 76 in one milker cleaning operation is 30% with respect to the inner volume of the milker main body 76 as described above. This is because when the amount of hot water discharged to the milker main body 76 is extremely small in one milker cleaning operation, the amount of hot water swirling in the main body 76 is small. If this is not performed, a sufficient cleaning effect cannot be obtained. For this reason, the time required for one milker washing step is prolonged, which affects the extraction of other coffee beverages and the extraction of milk foam.

  Therefore, the amount of hot water discharged in one milker washing operation as in the present invention is 30% or more and 130% or less with respect to the internal volume of the milker main body 76, thereby causing inconvenience of backflow into the milk suction tube 66. Can be avoided, and an increase in the time required for the milker cleaning process can be avoided.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the milker washing step is performed after the milk foam is formed and after a predetermined washing standby time has elapsed. However, the milker washing process is continuously performed after the milk foam is produced. A cleaning process may be performed.

  For example, when extracting espresso coffee, the control device 20 generates milk foam first, discharges it into a cup, and then extracts coffee liquid. While the milker washing process as described above is being performed, the espresso coffee extraction unit 1B grinds the coffee beans with the coffee mill 22 and measures the coffee beans with the powder meter 23. Therefore, since the espresso pump 12 is not used for extracting the coffee liquid for a predetermined period after the milk foam is generated, the espresso pump 12 can be used smoothly in the milker washing process. It becomes.

  In such a case, since the cup is placed on the cup support 7, the hot water for cleaning discharged in the milker cleaning process is received in the cup. Therefore, more than a predetermined amount of hot water is discharged into the cup, but when the coffee liquid is extracted in advance, the resulting coffee liquid is diluted by subtracting the amount of hot water before extraction. Can be avoided.

  Moreover, since the hot water discharged | emitted in the milker washing | cleaning process is discharged | emitted by a cup, it is not necessary to alert | report an alarm and can discharge hot water safely. In addition, it is not necessary to provide a means for receiving the hot water for cleaning, and the apparatus can be simplified and the management of the receiving part can be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the hot water used in the milker washing operation uses the espresso hot water tank 11 and the espresso pump 12 used for the extraction of the coffee liquid, so that the milk former is specially washed. There is no need to provide hot water supply means. Therefore, simplification of the apparatus can be achieved.

  In the embodiment, drip coffee and espresso coffee have been described as examples. However, the hot water type coffee and the pressure extraction type coffee are not limited to these, and include any name of coffee of each extraction method. .

It is a front view of the coffee drink manufacturing apparatus of a present Example. It is a side view of the coffee drink manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is an internal block diagram of the coffee drink manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is an internal block diagram of the coffee drink manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1 similarly. It is a side view of a milker and each component. It is a top view of the milker of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coffee drink manufacturing apparatus 1A Drip coffee extraction part 1B Espresso coffee extraction part 2 Coffee liquid nozzle 3 Milk foam nozzle 5 Beverage selection button 6 Main body 10 Hot water tank 11 Hot water tank for espresso (hot water tank for coffee extraction)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Espresso pump 14 Hot water flow meter 15 Coffee extraction solenoid valve 16 Hot water supply side piping 20 Control device 48, 49 Water supply valve 61 Milk former 62 Hot water supply piping 63 Milk foam electromagnetic pump 64 Steam boiler 65 Milker 66 Milk suction tube 69 Milk Cold Storage 69A Milk Pack 76 Main Body 77 Discharge Port 78 Steam Nozzle 79 Milk Suction Nozzle 80 Air Suction Nozzle 82 Air Suction Cap 90 Washing Hot Water Supply Pipe 91 Washing Solenoid Valve 92 Washing Hot Water Supply Nozzle

Claims (10)

A milk cooler that cools milk, a boiler that generates steam, sucks milk from the milk cooler by the steam generated by the boiler, sucks air, and mixes the sucked milk and sucked air. In a milk former equipped with a milker that produces milk foam,
A cleaning hot water supply means for supplying hot water into the milker is provided,
A milk foamer that performs a milker cleaning operation in which hot water is supplied into the milker by the cleaning hot water supply means to clean the inside of the milker. Comprising control means for controlling the boiler and the hot water supply means for cleaning,
2. The milk foamer according to claim 1, wherein the control means executes the milker washing operation by the hot water supply means for washing after the milk foam is generated.   3. The milk foamer according to claim 2, wherein the control unit executes the milker cleaning operation when a predetermined cleaning waiting time has elapsed after the milk foam is generated.   4. The milk foamer according to claim 3, wherein the control means includes a warning means, and issues a warning by the warning means at the start of the milker washing operation.   The milk foamer according to claim 2, wherein the control means continuously executes the milker washing operation after the milk foam is generated.   The milk former according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means executes the milker washing operation a plurality of times.   The milk former according to claim 6, wherein the control means sets the amount of hot water supplied in one milker washing operation to 30% to 130% of the internal volume of the milker.   The control means provides a predetermined drainage waiting time between each of the milker cleaning operations to be executed a plurality of times, and the hot water supplied into the milker falls during the one time of the milker cleaning operation. The milk foamer according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the time is set to a minimum necessary time. In a coffee beverage production apparatus for supplying ground coffee beans ground to a predetermined particle size to a coffee extractor, supplying hot water from a hot water tank for coffee extraction to the coffee extractor by a conveying means, and extracting coffee liquid,
The hot water supply means for washing is constituted by the hot water tank and the conveying means, and the milk foam generated by the milker and the coffee liquid can be mixed. Item 9. A coffee beverage production apparatus comprising the milk former according to item 8.   When the milker washing operation and the coffee liquid extraction overlap, the coffee liquid extraction is performed with priority, and the milker washing operation is performed after the extraction of the coffee liquid. Item 10. A coffee beverage production apparatus according to Item 9.

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