CN110664253A

CN110664253A - Coffee machine system and connecting structure for connecting coffee pot and coffee machine

Info

Publication number: CN110664253A
Application number: CN201910928044.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张勇; 胡石华; 姚垚
Original assignee: Zhuhai Kafarier Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Zhuhai Kafarier Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-27
Filing date: 2019-09-27
Publication date: 2020-01-10

Abstract

The invention relates to a coffee machine system and a connecting structure thereof for connecting a coffee pot and a coffee machine. The connecting structure comprises a connecting piece and a dustproof piece sleeved on the connecting piece, the connecting piece comprises a connecting cylinder and a supporting head, the connecting cylinder is connected in the coffee machine, the supporting head can push into the coffee tank, the connecting piece forms a through opening between the connecting cylinder and the supporting head, coffee beans contained in the coffee tank are allowed to be discharged into the connecting cylinder, the dustproof piece can move relative to the connecting piece, the through opening is shielded in the releasing position, and the through opening is exposed in the mounting position. The coffee maker system includes a coffee maker and a coffee pot for supplying coffee beans, the coffee pot being detachably mounted to the coffee maker by the connecting structure.

Description

Coffee machine system and connecting structure for connecting coffee pot and coffee machine

Technical Field

The invention relates to a coffee machine system and a connecting structure thereof for connecting a coffee pot and a coffee machine.

Background

Coffee machine systems typically include a coffee machine for brewing coffee and a bean pod mountable on the coffee machine and containing coffee beans. Coffee maker systems typically include an integrated coffee maker system and a detachable coffee maker system. The coffee machine and the bean bin of the integrated coffee machine system are inseparable whole, the bean bin can not be detached from the coffee machine, and coffee beans are loaded into the bean bin from the top of the bean bin. The sewage generated during the cleaning of the bean storehouse can enter the coffee machine along the bean storehouse, and the service life of the coffee machine is influenced. In the detachable coffee machine system, the bean bin is connected to the coffee machine in a threaded manner, and the connection process of the bean bin and the coffee machine is complicated. After the bean bin is detached, external impurities and the like can enter the coffee machine from the bean inlet.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a connection structure for connecting a coffee pod to a coffee maker, a coffee maker comprising the connection structure, and a coffee maker system comprising the coffee maker, which may solve or at least reduce the above-mentioned problems.

To this end, the invention provides a connection structure for quickly connecting a coffee pot to a coffee machine, comprising a connection piece and a dust-proof piece sleeved on the connection piece, wherein the connection piece comprises a connection cylinder and an abutting head, the connection cylinder is connected in the coffee machine, the abutting head can be abutted into the coffee pot, the connection piece forms a through opening between the connection cylinder and the abutting head for allowing coffee beans contained in the coffee pot to be discharged into the connection cylinder, and the dust-proof piece can move relative to the connection piece to shield the through opening at a release position and expose the through opening at an installation position.

In some embodiments, an end of the connecting cylinder of the connecting piece remote from the ejection head is provided with an axially arranged connecting hook for connecting the connecting piece in a connecting mounting of the coffee machine.

In some embodiments, the connector further comprises a plurality of connecting posts connected between the connector barrel and the ejection head, the plurality of connecting posts being spaced apart to define the through opening.

In some embodiments, the dust guard is disposed between the connection mounting portion and the connection piece.

In some embodiments, a resilient member is disposed between the dust guard and the connection mounting portion.

In some embodiments, the dust-proof member includes a cylindrical shielding portion and an abutting portion extending obliquely upward from an outer side of the shielding portion, and the shielding portion shields the through opening of the connecting member at the release position.

In some embodiments, the abutting head of the connecting member is provided with a radially outwardly extending abutting edge adjacent to the through opening, and in the release position, the top end of the shielding portion of the dust-proof member abuts against the abutting edge.

In some embodiments, the dust-proof piece further comprises a dust-proof outer wall extending axially upwards from the periphery of the resisting portion, and the top end of the dust-proof outer wall is higher than the top end of the shielding portion.

The invention also provides a coffee machine system comprising a coffee machine and a coffee pot for supplying coffee beans, the coffee pot being detachably mounted to the coffee machine by means of the above-mentioned connecting structure.

In some embodiments, the connecting structure is fixed to a connecting mounting portion of the coffee maker, the connecting mounting portion includes a mounting bottom wall and a mounting side wall extending axially from the mounting bottom wall, and a bean inlet corresponding to the connecting cylinder of the connecting member is formed in the middle of the mounting bottom wall.

The connecting structure for connecting the coffee pot to the coffee machine provided by the invention can quickly connect and disconnect the coffee pot and the coffee machine, has a simple structure and good sealing property, and can block the bean inlet after the coffee pot is detached from the coffee machine so as to prevent external impurities from polluting the coffee machine.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective assembly view of a coffee maker system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the coffee maker system of FIG. 1, with an enlarged view of a portion of the components shown.

Fig. 3a is a perspective view of the outer lid of the coffee pod of the coffee maker system of fig. 2.

Fig. 3b is an axial cross-sectional view of the outer cap shown in fig. 3 a.

Fig. 4a is a perspective view of an inner lid of a coffee pot of the coffee maker system of fig. 2.

Figure 4b is an axial cross-sectional view of the inner cap shown in figure 4 a.

FIG. 5 is an axial cross-sectional view of a coffee pod of the coffee maker system of FIG. 2.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a connecting member of the connecting structure of the coffee maker system shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a dust guard of the connection structure of the coffee maker system shown in fig. 2.

FIG. 8a is a perspective view of the attachment mounting portion of the coffee maker system of FIG. 2;

fig. 8b is another perspective view of the connection mounting portion shown in fig. 8 a.

FIG. 9 is a perspective assembly view of the connection structure of the coffee maker system of FIG. 2 when installed in a coffee maker.

FIG. 10 is an axial cross-sectional view of the coffee maker system shown in FIG. 1.

Reference numerals: 500-a coffee machine system; 1-a coffee pot; 11-a tank body; 110-tank bottom; 111-a can body; 112-can neck; 113-a first can neck; 114-a second can neck; 115-an outer flange; 116-a tank mouth; 12-a cover body; 121-outer cover; 211-outer cover bottom; 212-outer cover outer wall; 213-a first ring groove; 214-inner wall of outer cover; 215-insertion opening; 216-a second ring groove; 122-an inner cover; 221-inner cover top; 222-a vent; 223-inner cover body; 224-the rim; 225-inner flange; 123-an exhaust valve; 231-valve bottom; 232-valve column; 124-a seal; 3-a linking structure; 31-an elastic member; 32-dust-proof; 321-a shielding part; 322-a resisting part; 323-dustproof outer wall; 33-a connector; 330-a connecting cylinder; 331-connecting column; 332-through port; 333-propping against the head; 334-a stop edge; 335-a clamping groove; 337-connecting hooks; 4-the top shell of the coffee machine; 41-connecting the mounting part; 410-a shield wall; 412-mounting the side wall; 413-mounting a bottom wall; 414-bean inlet; 415-a connection opening; 416-ribs; 417 — reinforcement.

Detailed Description

The invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, so that the technical scheme and the beneficial effects of the invention are more clear. It is to be understood that the drawings are provided for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention, but are drawn to scale.

As shown in FIG. 1, a coffee maker system 500 of an embodiment of the present invention includes a coffee maker (only a top housing 4 of the coffee maker is schematically shown in the figure) and a coffee pot 1 connected to the top housing 4 of the coffee maker by a connecting structure 3. The coffee pot 1 is used for containing coffee beans. The coffee pod 1 is sealed before being mounted in the coffee maker, which facilitates the preservation of the coffee beans contained therein. The connecting structure 3 connects the coffee pot 1 connected thereto with the coffee machine in a sealed communication, and the coffee beans stored in the coffee pot 1 are supplied to the coffee machine through the connecting structure 3 for subsequent grinding, brewing and the like.

Preferably, the coffee pot 1 is disposable and recyclable, and the supplier can recycle the used coffee pot 1 and refill the coffee beans, which is economical and environmentally friendly.

Referring also to fig. 2 to 4, the coffee pot 1 includes a pot 11 and a lid 12 sealingly connected to the pot 11. The can body 11 includes a can bottom 110 and a can body 111 extending axially from the outer periphery of the can bottom 110. The can bottom 110 and the can body 111 enclose a bean silo containing coffee beans. In this embodiment, the can bottom 110 is circular and the can body 111 is cylindrical. The end of the can body 111 remote from the can bottom 110 is provided with a can neck 112 having a radial dimension smaller than the radial dimension of the can body 111. The can neck 112 includes a first can neck 113 and a second can neck 114. The first neck 113 has a smaller diameter than the second neck 114. The second neck 114 is connected at both ends thereof to the body 111 and the first neck 113, respectively. Preferably, the first and

second necks

113 and 114 are both cylindrical. The end of the first neck 113 remote from the second neck 114 is arranged as a spout 116 of the tank 11. The supplier can fill the pod 116 with coffee beans. In the present embodiment, the can 11 is an integrally formed can.

Referring also to FIG. 5, an outer flange 115 extends radially outward from the periphery of the first neck 113. Preferably, the outer flange 115 is disposed at a position intermediate the outer periphery of the first neck 113. The lid 12 is engaged with the can 11 through the outer flange 115, thereby sealing the can 11 having the can opening 116.

The cap body 12 includes an outer cap 121, an inner cap 122 coupled to the outer cap 121, and a discharge valve 123 coupled to the inner cap 122. The outer cap 121 includes an outer cap base 211 and an outer cap outer wall 212 extending axially from the outer circumference of the outer cap base 211. The outer lid outer wall 212 is connected to the can 11. The inner side of the outer cover outer wall 212 is provided with a first ring groove 213 corresponding to the outer flange 115 of the can body 11. The first annular groove 213 and the outer flange 115 are in a male-female fit. In this embodiment, the outer lid 121 is attached to the can body 11 by a first ring groove 213 that engages the outer flange 115. The first ring groove 213 is disposed at approximately a middle position of the outer cover outer wall 212. Preferably, the outer lid 121 is hermetically connected to the can 11. Alternatively, the outer lid 121 may be further connected to the can 11 by a screw. In order to further secure the seal between the outer lid 121 and the can 11, a sealing member such as a sealing tape is preferably provided therebetween to enhance the sealability between the outer lid 121 and the can 11. In the present embodiment, the outer cover bottom 211 is obliquely connected between the outer cover outer wall 212 and the outer cover inner wall 214.

An insertion opening 215 is formed in the middle of the outer bottom 211 of the outer lid 121. The cover bottom 211 extends from the insertion opening 215 along the extending direction of the cover outer wall 212 to form a cover inner wall 214. In the present embodiment, the height of the outer cover inner wall 214 in the axial direction is smaller than the height of the outer cover outer wall 212 in that direction. Preferably, the height of the outer cover inner wall 214 is about one-third of the outer cover outer wall 212. Preferably, the outer cover outer wall 212 and the outer cover inner wall 214 of the outer cover 121 are both vertically annular.

The inner side of the outer cover inner wall 214 is provided with a second annular groove 216. The second annular groove 216 is near the inlet end of the insertion port 215. The inner lid 122 of the lid body 12 is engaged with the outer lid 121 through the second ring groove 216. The inner lid 122 includes an inner lid top 221 and an inner lid body 223 extending axially from the outer periphery of the inner lid top 221. To capture the inner lid 122 on the outer lid 121, the end of the inner lid body 223 remote from the inner lid top 221 extends radially outward as a rim 224. The rim 224 mates with the second groove 216 of the outer lid 121. The rim 224 sealingly engages in the second annular groove 216.

In addition, the inner cap 122 includes an inner flange 225 extending radially inward from the inside of the inner cap body 223. Said inner flange 225 is adapted to be connected to the connection structure 3. When the coffee pot 1 is pressed onto the coffee maker, the inner lid 122 is disengaged from the outer lid 121 by the connecting structure 3 and is pushed into the coffee pot 1. This inner flange 225 allows the inner lid 122 to be snapped onto the connecting structure 3, thereby preventing any movement of the inner lid 122 within the coffee caddy 1.

An air vent 222 is formed in the middle of the inner lid top 221 of the inner lid 122. The exhaust valve 123 of the cover 12 is installed at the vent 222. It is known that freshly roasted coffee beans emit a large amount of carbon dioxide in about one week (bean-keeping period), and therefore, after filling the coffee pot 1 with freshly roasted coffee beans, it is necessary to exhaust a large amount of gas emitted during the bean-keeping period while ensuring that the packaged coffee beans are not affected by moisture or contamination. For this purpose, the discharge valve 123 is preferably a one-way discharge valve which allows only gas in the coffee pot 1 to be discharged to the outside, and prevents external gas or foreign substances from being introduced into the coffee pot 1. The discharge valve 123 includes a valve bottom 231 and a stem 232 extending perpendicularly to the valve bottom 231. A plurality of exhaust holes (not shown) are provided on the valve bottom 231. Preferably, the exhaust valve 123 is made of a silicone material. The discharge valve 123 is installed at the discharge opening 222 of the inner lid top 221 of the inner lid 122 through its stem 232. Preferably, the discharge valve 123 is caught on the inner lid 122.

A sealing member 124 is disposed between the discharge valve 123 and the inner cap top 221 of the inner cap 122 to further enhance airtightness between the discharge valve 123 and the inner cap 122. The sealing member 124 is fitted over the stem 232 of the exhaust valve 123. Both sides of the sealing member 124 abut against the valve bottom 231 and the inner cap top 221 of the discharge valve 123, respectively. Preferably, the sealing member 124 is annular, and more preferably, the sealing member 124 is made of a silicone material.

Fig. 5 shows an axial section of the assembled coffee caddy 1, wherein a partially enlarged view of the coffee caddy 1 is also shown. As shown in FIG. 5, the outer lid 121 of the coffee pot 1 is engaged with the outer flange 115 of the first neck 113 of the pot 11 through the second annular groove 216 to sealingly cover the first neck 113. The inner lid 122 is sealingly engaged with the outer lid 121 by engaging the rim 224 of the inner lid with the second annular groove 216 of the inner lid wall 214 of the outer lid 121. The one-way vent valve 123 is snapped onto the inner lid top 221 of the inner lid 122 with the seal 124 disposed therebetween. The arrangement enables the inner cavity of the coffee pot 1 to be isolated from the outside air and the gas discharged from the coffee beans to be discharged in time.

Referring to fig. 1, 2 and 6 together, a coffee pod 1 for enclosing coffee beans is connectively mounted to a coffee maker by a connecting structure 3. The top shell 4 of the coffee maker is provided at a suitable position thereof with a connection mounting portion 41 to which the connection structure 3 can be mounted. Preferably, the connecting structure 3 is housed in the connecting mounting portion 41. The connecting structure 3 comprises a connecting piece 33 and a dust-proof piece 32 sleeved on the connecting piece 33. The dust-proof member 32 is movable relative to the connection member 33. Preferably, the dust guard 32 is axially movable relative to the connection 33.

The connecting member 33 includes a connecting cylinder 330 and an abutting head 333 in a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of connecting columns 331 connected between the connecting cylinder 330 and the abutting head 333. A plurality of connecting columns 331 are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the connecting cylinder 330, and a through opening 332 for allowing coffee beans to be discharged is formed between the adjacent connecting columns 331. Preferably, the plurality of connection posts 331 are arranged at equal intervals. Preferably, the dimensions of the spout 332 in all directions are defined to be suitable for smooth discharge of the coffee spout. The dust-proof member 32 is capable of shielding the through opening 332 of the connecting member 33 in a release position, i.e. before the coffee pod 1 is mounted, and of exposing the through opening 332 of the connecting member 33 in a mounting position, i.e. when the coffee pod 1 is mounted to the coffee maker.

An end of the connecting cylinder 330 of the connecting piece 33 remote from the abutment head 333 is provided with an axially arranged connecting hook 337. Referring to fig. 8a, 8b and 9 together, the connection member 33 is coupled to the connection mounting portion 41 of the top case 44 of the coffee maker by the connection hook 337. The connection mounting portion 41 is concavely provided at a corresponding position of the top case 4 of the coffee maker. The attachment mounting portion 41 includes a mounting bottom wall 413 and a mounting side wall 412 extending axially from the mounting bottom wall 413. The middle of the bottom wall 413 is opened with a bean inlet 414 and a connection opening 415 surrounding the bean inlet 414 and corresponding to the connection hook 337 of the connection member 33. The connection hook 332 can enter and snap into the connection opening 415 and be retained in the connection opening 415. Preferably, the hook head of the connection hook 332 passes through the connection opening 415 and is caught on the mounting bottom wall 413. Preferably, the connection mounting portion 41 is integrally formed on the coffee maker.

The dust-proof member 32 is disposed between the connection mounting portion 41 and the connection member 33. The dust-proof member 32 includes a columnar shielding portion 321 and a stopper portion 322 extending obliquely outward from the outside of the shielding portion 321. In the release position, the blocking portion 321 of the dust-proof member 32 blocks the through opening 332 of the connection member 33. The connecting member 33 is provided with a radially outwardly extending abutment edge 334 at the abutment head 333 adjacent the connecting post 331. An elastic member 31 is disposed between the dust-proof member 32 and the connection mounting portion 41. In the release position, the top end of the shielding portion 321 of the dust-proof member 32 abuts against the abutting edge 334 of the connecting member 33 under the action of the elastic member 31, thereby limiting the axial displacement of the dust-proof member 32. The elastic member 31 has one end abutting against the abutting portion 322 of the dust-proof member 32 and the other end abutting against the mounting bottom wall 413 of the connecting mounting portion 41. Preferably, the elastic member 31 may be a spring or an elastic hollow cylinder, etc.

The abutting portion 322 of the dust-proof member 32 extends obliquely upward until its end portion is higher in the axial direction than the end portion of the shielding portion 321 in the same direction. In an alternative embodiment, the dust proof 32 further includes a dust proof outer wall 323 extending axially upward from the outer periphery of the abutting portion 322 thereof, in which case the tip of the dust proof outer wall 323 is higher than the tip of the shielding portion 321 in the same direction. Referring also to fig. 10, during pressing of the coffee pot 1 on the coffee maker, the outer lid bottom 211 of the outer lid 121 of the coffee pot 1 abuts against the dust-proof outer wall 323, so that the dust-proof member 32 moves downward to expose the through opening 332 of the connecting member 33.

The connecting member 33 further includes a circumferentially arranged snap groove 335 provided at the periphery of the abutting head 333. The snap-in groove 335 of the connector 33 engages the inner flange 225 of the inner lid 122 of the coffee caddy 1 when the coffee caddy 1 is in the installed position. When the coffee pot 1 is pressed onto the coffee maker, the inner lid 122 is disengaged from the outer lid 121 by the abutment head 333 of the connecting structure 3 and is pressed into the coffee pot 1. Furthermore, the inner flange 225 engages in the snap groove 335, thereby preventing any movement of the inner lid 122 within the coffee caddy 1. Preferably, the snap groove 335 is an annular groove.

The dust-proof member 32 is pressed down by the coffee pot 1 to expose the through hole 332 of the connecting member 33, and the inner lid 122 of the coffee pot 1 is separated from the outer lid 121 by the abutting head 333 of the connecting member 33 and is sleeved and fixed on the abutting head 333, so that the coffee pot 1 is communicated with the connecting member 33, and the coffee beans packaged in the coffee pot 1 are allowed to enter the coffee machine through the through hole 332 of the connecting member 33 for further grinding under the control of a control device (not shown).

In addition, the connection mounting portion 41 further includes a shielding wall 410 extending vertically upward. The shield wall 410 encloses the second neck 114 of the coffee pot 1. Preferably, the shielding wall 410 is fitted to the second neck 114 to reinforce the fixation of the coffee pot 1 at the installation position and to prevent foreign substances from entering. The attachment mounting portion 41 further includes a reinforcement portion 417 extending upward from the bean inlet 414 of the mounting bottom wall 413 to reinforce the attachment of the attachment hook 332 of the attachment member 33 to the mounting bottom wall 413, thereby preventing the attachment hook 332 from being cleaved. The connection mounting portion 41 further includes a rib 416 provided outside the mounting bottom wall 413 and the mounting side wall 412 to reinforce the connection mounting portion 41.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-listed embodiments, and any simple changes or equivalent substitutions of technical solutions that can be obviously obtained by those skilled in the art within the technical scope of the present invention are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connection structure for the quick connection of a coffee tank to a coffee machine, comprising a connection element (33) and a dust-proof element (32) fitted on said connection element (33), said connection element (33) comprising a connection cylinder (330) and a head (333) which is in contact with said connection cylinder (330) in said coffee machine (4), characterized in that said head is capable of being pushed (333) into said coffee tank (1), said connection element (33) forming a through opening (332) between said connection cylinder (330) and said head (333) for allowing the coffee beans contained in said coffee tank (1) to be expelled into said connection cylinder (330), said dust-proof element being movable with respect to said connection element (33) so as to shield said through opening (332) in a release position and to expose said through opening (332) in a mounting position.

2. The connection according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting cylinder (330) of the connecting piece (33) is provided at an end remote from the abutment head (333) with an axially arranged connecting hook (337) for connecting the connecting piece (33) in a connecting mounting (41) of the coffee machine (4).

3. The connection structure according to claim 2, wherein the connection member (33) further comprises a plurality of connection posts (331) connected between the connection barrel (330) and the abutting head (333), the plurality of connection posts (331) being spaced apart to define the through opening (332).

4. The connection structure according to claim 2, wherein the dust-proof member (32) is arranged between the connection mounting portion (41) and the connection member (33).

5. The connection structure according to claim 4, wherein an elastic member (31) is disposed between the dust-proof member (32) and the connection mounting portion (41).

6. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the dust-proof member (32) includes a columnar shielding portion (321) and an abutting portion (322) extending obliquely upward and outward from an outer side of the shielding portion (321), and in the release position, the shielding portion (321) shields the through-hole (332) of the connection member (33).

7. The connection according to claim 6, characterized in that the abutment head (333) of the connecting piece (33) is provided, adjacent to the through opening (332), with an abutment edge (334) extending radially outwards, against which abutment edge (334) the top end of the shielding portion (321) of the dust shield (32) abuts in the release position.

8. The connecting structure according to claim 6, wherein the dust-proof member (32) further includes a dust-proof outer wall (323) extending axially upward from an outer periphery of the abutting portion (322), a top end of the dust-proof outer wall (323) being higher than a top end of the shielding portion (321).

9. A coffee-making machine system comprising a coffee-making machine and a coffee pot (1) for supplying coffee beans, said coffee pot (1) being detachably mounted to the coffee-making machine by means of a connecting structure, characterized in that the connecting structure is according to any one of claims 1-8.

10. Coffee machine system according to claim 9, characterised in that said connection structure is fixed to a connection mounting (41) of said coffee machine, said connection mounting (41) comprising a mounting bottom wall (413) and a mounting side wall (412) axially extending from said mounting bottom wall (413), said mounting bottom wall (413) being centrally provided with a bean inlet (414) corresponding to said connecting cylinder (330) of said connection element (33).