JP2000111543A - Device for controlling quality of coffee - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify a user of a disposal time by detecting the amount of extracted and prepared coffee in a vessel and indicating or notifying of the quality evaluation of the coffee based on its amount and lapse of time. SOLUTION: A controller 6 controls the calorific value of a heater 10 like the heater of a heat insulator 4. A weight sensor 5 detects the weight of coffee 3 in a coffee decanter 2, and a clock 9 measures the lapse of time since the coffee 3 was extracted into the coffee decanter 2. Both of them permit the quality evaluation of the coffee 3, indicating a disposal time on a display 7, and a operating an alarm 8 at the time of disposal. The quality of the coffee 3 in the coffee decanter 2 is pre-determined by a smell sensor 14 for every amount, and the results are computed by a computer 16, so that the disposal time of the coffee 3 in every amount is decided. The amount of the coffee 3 is obtained by subtracting the weight of the coffee decanter 2 from the weight measured when the coffee decanter 2 was placed on the warmer 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coffee quality control device capable of notifying a coffee disposal time based on a coffee volume and an elapsed time when the temperature of the coffee is maintained at a suitable temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Coffee is often kept warm after extraction, but it is known that the quality deteriorates with time and the quality is impaired.

[0003] If a sensor is used to measure the quality of coffee and detect it before it deteriorates so that it cannot withstand drinking, it will not be possible to provide low-quality coffee by discarding it immediately before it deteriorates.

The present applicant has previously proposed a coffee storage container provided with a coffee quality measuring device provided with an odor sensor (Japanese Patent Application No. 9-272829).

[0005]

The coffee quality measuring device provided with the odor sensor is of a non-contact type, and has the advantages that the quality of the coffee can be measured without contaminating the coffee and that the deteriorated coffee is not provided. However, there has been a problem that the quality of coffee must be constantly measured, and when the frequency of measurement is reduced, deteriorated coffee is provided to customers, which causes a loss of trust on the sales side.

[0006] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems. The quality of coffee in a coffee container such as a coffee decanter or the like, which is obtained by keeping coffee extracted from raw materials at an appropriate temperature and storing and supplying the coffee, is determined by the volume of coffee in the container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coffee quality control device that can determine a discard time by determining the elapsed time from the extraction.

[0007]

A first aspect of the present invention is a detecting means for detecting the volume of coffee extracted and put in a container, and the capacity of the coffee detected by the detecting means and the elapsed time. Means for evaluating and displaying or notifying the quality of the coffee, so that the discard time or the like can be notified by the remaining amount of coffee in the container and the elapsed time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a warmer for keeping a coffee container such as a coffee decanter containing extracted coffee at an appropriate temperature, a detecting means for detecting the volume of coffee in the coffee container, Means for evaluating and displaying or notifying the quality of the coffee based on the volume and elapsed time of the coffee detected by the detection means is provided, and it is possible to notify the disposal time of the coffee in the coffee container maintained at an appropriate temperature. Like that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the means for evaluating and displaying or notifying the quality of coffee includes a buzzer, a speaker,
It is a device that emits sound or light, such as a lamp, LED, or liquid crystal, so that employees can be informed of the disposal time of coffee visually or by hearing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the capacity of the coffee in the coffee container is detected by the means for measuring the weight, so that the remaining amount in the coffee container can be reliably detected and the time at which the coffee is discarded can be notified. I can do it.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, since the volume of coffee in the coffee container is detected by means for measuring the liquid level in the coffee container, the remaining amount in the coffee container can be reliably detected. It is possible to inform the time of coffee disposal.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the volume of coffee in the coffee container is detected by means for measuring the weight and means for measuring the liquid level in the coffee container. The amount can be more reliably detected, and the flow can be detected, and the time at which the coffee is discarded can be notified without the remaining amount being unable to be detected due to one failure.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the measuring means for measuring the liquid level in the coffee container comprises a transmitting portion and a receiving portion for ultrasonic or laser provided on the upper portion of the container, and a transmitting portion having a constant height. The remaining amount of coffee can be detected based on the distance from the receiving unit to the liquid level.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the liquid level measuring means in the transparent coffee container is provided with a light source section and a light receiving section opposed to the side of the container, and the light from the light source section reaches The remaining amount of coffee can be detected by height.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, since the means for measuring the liquid level in the coffee container is an ultrasonic or laser transmitting unit and a receiving unit provided opposite to the side surface of the container, the transmitting unit is provided. The remaining amount of coffee can be detected by the height of the ultrasonic wave or laser beam from the section.

[0016] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the warmer for maintaining the coffee at an appropriate temperature, the heating device is controlled by the remaining amount in the coffee container. I can do it.

[0017] A gas sensor for determining the quality of coffee in the coffee container over time in a warmer for maintaining a coffee container such as a coffee decanter containing extracted coffee at an appropriate temperature. Alternatively, an odor sensor, detection means for detecting the volume of coffee in the coffee container, and the quality and quality of coffee with the gas sensor or odor sensor are displayed based on the volume and elapsed time of coffee detected by the detection means. Alternatively, a means for notifying is provided, and the quality of the extracted coffee is determined with time, so that the accuracy of the disposal time based on the remaining amount and the elapsed time can be improved.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a coffee warmer provided with the coffee quality control device of the present invention. FIG.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which attached the odor sensor to the coffee warmer. FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram of coffee detected by the odor sensor. FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing the available time by simplifying FIG. FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the available time for each remaining amount.

In FIG. 1, a coffee warmer 1 includes a coffee decanter 2 for supplying coffee extracted from raw materials as needed, and a coffee 3 in the coffee decanter.
And a weight sensor 5 for measuring the weight of coffee in the coffee decanter 2.

A control device 6 containing a microcomputer is connected to the weight sensor 5 of the coffee warmer 1. The control device includes a display device 7 for displaying an alarm or the like.
An alarm device 8 such as a buzzer or a speaker for issuing an alarm as needed and a clock 9 for measuring the elapsed time are connected.

The control device 6 turns on and off the heater 10 such as the heater of the incubator 4 and adjusts the calorific value, and also measures the capacity of the coffee 3 in the coffee decanter 2 detected by the weight sensor 5 and the clock 9. Coffee 3 in the coffee decanter 2 and the time elapsed since the coffee 3 was extracted.
Is evaluated and the discard time is displayed on the display device 7. Further, when the disposal time has come, the alarm device 8 is operated to notify the employee.

The display unit 7 has a display unit 11 for displaying time.
And a display unit 12 for displaying a state in which the coffee 3 can be drunk with proper quality and a state in which the coffee 3 has deteriorated and must be discarded. In FIG. 2, an odor sensor 14 for mainly detecting odor components of the coffee 3 is attached to the lower surface of the mounting portion 13 of the warmer 4 which faces the upper opening of the coffee decanter 2, and the output of the odor sensor is connected to a line 15
To the computer 16 via the. The odor sensor 14 measures the volume of the coffee 3 in the coffee decanter 2 at each time. FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram in which 10 and 5 cups of the coffee 3 are put in the coffee decanter 2 and measured by the odor sensor 14. The deterioration state of the coffee 3 over time is represented by a voltage value.

In the coffee quality control device configured as described above, the coffee 3 in the coffee decanter 2 is
The quality of the coffee 3 is measured by the odor sensor 14 for each volume of the coffee 3, and the measurement result is calculated by the computer 16 to determine the disposal time of the coffee 3 for each volume. For the capacity of coffee 3, measure the weight of coffee decanter 3 in advance,
The weight is measured by the weight sensor 5 when the coffee decanter 2 is placed on the incubator 4. Then, the discarding time is displayed on the display unit 11 of the display device 7 by the control device 6 using the discarding time derived from FIGS. 4 and 5 according to the capacity of the coffee 3 and the elapsed time by the clock 9 from the time of extraction. When the disposal time comes, the display unit 12 for urging disposal is turned on, and the alarm device 8 is issued to notify the employee visually and audibly.

Since the disposal time can be determined by the remaining amount of the coffee 3 in the coffee decanter 2 maintained at an appropriate temperature by the incubator 4, the apparatus itself is not complicated and the coffee 3 not suitable for sale is sold. It prevents the loss of trust in the store.

When the capacity of the coffee 3 is detected by the weight sensor 5, it is only necessary to subtract the weight of the coffee decanter 2, so that it can be easily measured regardless of the shape of the decanter 2.

When the remaining amount of the coffee 3 in the coffee decanter 2 is small, the heater 10 such as a heater of the warmer 4 for maintaining the coffee 3 in the coffee decanter 2 at an appropriate temperature is turned on / off by the control device 6 or heat capacity. Is made smaller to prevent empty burning.

In the above description, the volume of the coffee 3 is measured by the weight sensor 5, but as shown in FIG. 6, the volume of the coffee 3 in the coffee decanter 2 is provided above the decanter. The same effect is obtained even when measurement is performed by a transmitter 20 such as a sound wave or a laser and a receiver 21. As shown in FIG. 7, a light source 30 may be provided on one side of the coffee decanter 2 and a plurality of light receiving sections 31 may be provided on the other side. Further, although not shown, a similar effect can be obtained by using an ultrasonic or laser transmitting unit and a receiving unit instead of the light source and the light receiving unit in FIG.

Further, since the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the appended claims.

[0030]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the detecting means for detecting the capacity of the extracted and put coffee in the container, and the capacity and progress of the coffee detected by the detecting means are described. Since there is provided a means for evaluating and displaying or notifying the quality of the coffee from the time, the discarding time and the like can be notified by the remaining amount of the coffee in the container and the elapsed time from the extraction.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a warming device for maintaining a coffee container such as a coffee decanter containing extracted coffee at an appropriate temperature is provided with a detecting means for detecting the volume of coffee in the coffee container. Means for evaluating and displaying or notifying the quality of the coffee from the volume and elapsed time of the coffee detected by the detection means, so that the disposal time of the coffee in the coffee container maintained at an appropriate temperature can be determined. I can let you know.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the means for evaluating and displaying or notifying the quality of the coffee is a device that emits a sound or light such as a buzzer, a speaker, a lamp, an LED, a liquid crystal, or the like. Employees can be informed of the coffee disposal time.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the capacity of the coffee in the coffee container is detected by the means for measuring the weight, the remaining amount in the coffee container can be reliably detected, and the coffee disposal time is notified. be able to.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the volume of coffee in the coffee container is detected by the means for measuring the liquid level in the coffee container, the remaining amount in the coffee container can be reliably detected. Yes, you can tell the time of coffee disposal.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the volume of coffee in the coffee container is detected by the means for measuring the weight and the means for measuring the liquid level in the coffee container.
The remaining amount in the coffee container can be more reliably detected, and together with the flow, the remaining time cannot be detected due to one of the failures, and the coffee disposal time can be notified.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the measuring unit for measuring the liquid level in the coffee container is provided with the transmitting unit and the receiving unit of the ultrasonic wave or the laser on the upper portion of the container, the height is kept constant. The remaining amount of coffee can be detected based on the distance from the transmitter and receiver to the liquid surface.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the means for measuring the liquid level in the transparent coffee container has a light source section and a light receiving section opposed to the side surface of the container, the light source section is provided. The remaining amount of coffee can be detected based on the height of light reaching from the camera.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the means for measuring the liquid level in the coffee container is a transmitting unit and a receiving unit for ultrasonic waves or lasers provided opposite to the side surface of the container, The remaining amount of coffee can be detected by the height of the ultrasonic wave or the laser beam from the transmitter.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the warmer for maintaining the coffee at an appropriate temperature controls the heating device based on the remaining amount in the coffee container. Can be prevented.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the quality of the coffee in the coffee container is discriminated with time in a warmer for keeping a coffee container such as a coffee decanter containing the extracted coffee at an appropriate temperature. A gas sensor or an odor sensor, detection means for detecting the volume of coffee in the coffee container, and the quality of the coffee evaluated by the gas sensor or the odor sensor from the volume and elapsed time of the coffee detected by the detection means. Means for displaying or notifying the extracted coffee, the quality of the extracted coffee can be discriminated over time, and the accuracy of the disposal time based on the remaining amount and the elapsed time can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of a coffee warmer provided with a coffee quality control device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a state in which an odor sensor is attached to the coffee warmer of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram of coffee detected by the odor sensor of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing a sellable time by simplifying FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing a sellable time according to each remaining amount.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of a coffee warmer provided with the coffee quality control device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of a coffee warmer provided with the coffee quality control device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coffee warmer 2 Coffee decanter 3 Coffee 4 Warmer 5 Weight sensor 6 Control device 7 Display device 8 Alarm device 9 Clock 10 Heater 11, 12 Display part 14 Odor sensor

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2G046 AA18 DB06 DB08 DC09 DC18 EB06 2G060 AA01 AB26 AE29 AE31 AF09 BC02 EA08 HB06 HC09 HC21 HD01 HD02 KA14 4B004 AA01 AA11 AA20 BA14 BA31 BA33 BA41 BA50 CA06 CA30 CA30

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A detecting means for detecting the volume of coffee extracted and put in a container, and evaluating or displaying or notifying the quality of the coffee based on the volume and elapsed time of the coffee detected by the detecting means. A coffee quality control device comprising: 2. A detecting device for detecting a volume of coffee in the coffee container, the detecting device detecting the volume of coffee in the coffee container, and a warmer for maintaining a coffee container such as a coffee decanter containing extracted coffee at an appropriate temperature. A coffee quality management device, comprising: means for evaluating and displaying or notifying the quality of the coffee from the capacity and elapsed time of the coffee. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for evaluating and displaying or notifying the quality of the coffee is a device for emitting sound or light, such as a buzzer, a speaker, a lamp, an LED, and a liquid crystal. Coffee quality control equipment. 4. The coffee quality control device according to claim 1, wherein the volume of coffee in the coffee container is detected by means for measuring weight. 5. The coffee quality control device according to claim 1, wherein the volume of coffee in the coffee container is detected by means for measuring a liquid level in the coffee container. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the capacity of the coffee in the coffee container is detected by means for measuring the weight and means for measuring the liquid level in the coffee container. Coffee quality control device. 7. The coffee quality control device according to claim 5, wherein the measuring unit for measuring the liquid level in the coffee container has a transmitting unit and a receiving unit for transmitting an ultrasonic wave or a laser on an upper portion of the container. . 8. The coffee quality control device according to claim 5, wherein the measuring unit for measuring the liquid level in the transparent coffee container has a light source unit and a light receiving unit facing the side surface of the container. . 9. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for measuring the liquid level in the coffee container is a transmitting unit and a receiving unit for ultrasonic waves or lasers provided opposite to the side surface of the container.
A coffee quality control device as described. 10. An incubator for maintaining coffee at an appropriate temperature,
The coffee quality control device according to claim 2, wherein the heating device is controlled based on a remaining amount in the coffee container. 11. A warmer for maintaining a coffee container such as a coffee decanter containing extracted coffee at an appropriate temperature, a gas sensor or an odor sensor for determining the quality of coffee in the coffee container with time, Detecting means for detecting the volume of coffee in the coffee container;
A coffee quality management device comprising means for evaluating the quality of the coffee with the gas sensor or the odor sensor based on the volume and elapsed time of the coffee detected by the detection means and displaying or notifying the quality of the coffee.