JP2005202551A - Coffee extracting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately judge the deposition of raw material slag, and to remove raw material slag with a small quantity of wash water. <P>SOLUTION: This coffee extracting device is provided with a raw material slag detecting means 59 installed at the outside of an extraction container 51, and provided with a light projecting part 59a and a light receiving part 59b. The rays of lights from the light projecting part 59a are transmitted from the outside of the extraction container 51 to the inside of the extraction container 51, and the rays of light reflected on the raw material slag accumulated inside the extracting container 51 are received by a light receiving part 59b, and the depositional quantity of the raw material slag is acquired by the light reception quantity received by the light receiving part 59b. Also, wash water to wash away the raw material slag is radially injected from a piston head installed inside the extraction container 51 to the internal wall face of the extracting container 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a coffee brewing apparatus that is applied to a cup-type vending machine or the like to produce regular coffee.

  As is well known, a cup-type vending machine that sells regular coffee is equipped with a coffee extraction device called a coffee brewer in the vending machine. The coffee extractor is used to extract a coffee liquid by adding a certain amount of coffee material (ground coffee beans: roasted coffee beans ground into a mill) and hot water into an extraction container. Discharge from the device to the subsequent mixing ball. In the mixing bowl, add sugar, milk, etc. to the coffee liquor and stir as necessary. Then, the agitated coffee drink is discharged and supplied to the cup previously carried out to the bend stage.

  Here, in the conventional coffee extraction device, a movable filter block (some of which also use a disposable paper filter) is provided on the lower surface side of the cylindrical extraction container, a valve for closing the upper surface side of the extraction container, and a cylinder This is a combination of an air nozzle that blows pressurized air into the interior. When selling coffee beverages, with a filter block liquid-tightly coupled to the lower surface of the extraction container, a fixed amount of coffee material and hot water are simultaneously poured into the extraction container, and then the valve is closed and added to the extraction container. Pressurized air is blown out, and coffee liquid is extracted through the filter block by air pressure. As described above, a conventional coffee brewing apparatus is generally a forced brewing type. The filter block moves from the coupling position with the extraction container to the retracted position for each sales operation (extraction operation), and step-feeds the roll-shaped paper filter to collect the raw material residue remaining on the paper filter. It is made to drop to a container (for example, refer patent document 1).

  By the way, in the above-mentioned coffee extraction apparatus, a small amount of raw material soot that has not accumulated on the filter after the extraction of the coffee liquid may adhere to the inner wall surface or piping of the extraction container. If this adhering raw material koji accumulates and further adheres, a part of the raw material koji elutes at the time of the subsequent sale of the coffee beverage, which becomes a factor that impairs the fresh flavor and beverage quality of the extracted coffee.

  Therefore, in order to remove the raw material slag, a rinsing function is provided for cleaning each part by supplying hot water from a hot water tank or the like to the extraction container by piping (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Moreover, the state after washing | cleaning can determine the stain | pollution | contamination state of each part by measuring the electrical conductivity of the washing water (hot water etc.) before and behind washing | cleaning. In this case, when it is determined by measurement that there is dirt, hot water washing is repeatedly performed until it can be determined to be normal (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-120434 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-8126 JP 2001-167355 A

  For example, in the coffee extraction device referred to in Patent Document 2, the washing water containing the raw material residue removed by the rinse function is collected in a waste liquid bucket connected under the bend stage. When the waste liquid bucket is full, the sale of the beverage is stopped to prevent the waste liquid bucket from overflowing. In addition, the cleaning timing is set in advance in the program for each number of sales (for example, cleaning once for every 50 sales), day of the week, time, or the like. That is, conventionally, cleaning is performed regardless of the adhesion state of the raw material soot. In this case, if the cleaning timing is set to be short, frequent cleaning is performed so that there is no adhesion of raw material so that the beverage quality can be maintained to some extent.However, since the waste bucket is full in a short time, the sale of coffee beverages must be stopped. There is a problem that must be. Conversely, if the cleaning timing is set to be long, the raw material koji cannot be removed and adheres, so that the beverage quality is deteriorated. Furthermore, since there is no means for confirming whether or not the raw material adhering to the extraction container has been removed after washing with the washing water, it has relied on the judgment of a serviceman who finally performs maintenance.

  For example, in the coffee extraction apparatus referred to in Patent Document 3, when measuring the electrical conductivity of the washing water before and after washing to determine the state of contamination of each part, the washing water is not squeezed and the washing water is observed. It is difficult to accurately determine the accumulation of soot. In addition, since it is a measurement associated with cleaning, similar to the above-described timing for cleaning, the program is executed in advance by setting the number of sales (for example, cleaning once every 50 sales) or the day of the week, time, etc. Not always monitoring for dirt. Further, when it is determined that there is dirt by measurement, hot water washing is repeatedly performed until it can be determined to be normal, so that there is a problem that the amount of hot water to be collected increases and the waste liquid bucket fills up quickly.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a coffee brewing apparatus that can accurately determine the accumulation of raw material soot, monitor it constantly, and remove the raw material soot with a small amount of washing water. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, a coffee extraction apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is the coffee extraction apparatus for extracting coffee from the extraction container by introducing a coffee raw material and hot water into the extraction container. A material soot detection means for detecting the amount of material soot deposited on the inner wall surface of the container is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the coffee extraction device according to the first aspect, wherein the raw material slag detection means is provided outside the extraction container and has a light projecting part and a light receiving part. The light from the light projecting unit is transmitted from the outside to the inside of the extraction container, the light reflected by the raw material soot deposited on the inside of the extraction container is received by the light receiving unit, and the light received by the light receiving unit It is characterized by obtaining the amount of raw material soot deposited by the amount.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coffee brewing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the raw material cup is placed at a position on the outer wall surface of the brewing container facing the interface where the mixed liquid of the coffee stuff and hot water stays in the brewing container. The light transmission part which permeate | transmits the light of a detection means was recessedly provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the coffee extraction device according to any one of the first to third aspects, when the coffee is extracted, the opening of the extraction container is closed to seal the extraction container. It has a valve body provided in the inside of the extraction container, and is provided with cleaning means for injecting cleaning water for washing the raw material soot from the valve body toward the inner wall surface of the extraction container.

  The coffee extraction apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned claim 4, the valve body is provided so as to be movable up and down inside the extraction container.

  A coffee extraction device according to claim 6 of the present invention is the coffee extraction device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the raw material residue detecting means detects the amount of raw material residue deposited on the inner wall surface of the extraction container, A cleaning operation of the extraction container is performed when the amount of the raw material soot accumulated is excessive, and the amount of the raw material soot accumulated is detected again after the cleaning operation is completed.

  Since the coffee extraction apparatus according to the present invention detects the amount of raw material soot adhering to the inner wall surface of the extraction container, it is possible to accurately determine the raw material soot accumulation. Further, since the amount of raw material soot accumulated is detected, the deposition of raw material soot can be constantly monitored. And since washing | cleaning operation | movement can be performed immediately according to the result judged by detection of raw material koji, a coffee beverage with stable quality can be provided.

  The raw material soot detection means transmits the light from the light projecting unit from the outside of the extraction container to the inside of the extraction container, and receives the light reflected from the raw material soot deposited inside the extraction container by the light receiving unit. This can be realized by obtaining the amount of raw material soot accumulated from the amount of received light. Furthermore, if the light transmitting part that transmits the light of the raw material detection means is recessed at the position of the outer wall surface of the extraction container facing the interface where the mixed liquid of the coffee raw material and hot water stays in the extraction container, the raw material It is possible to observe a lot of adhered sites, and to improve the transmittance of the light emitted from the light projecting unit and the reflected light to the light receiving unit, thereby increasing the detection accuracy of the raw material soot.

  Since the washing water for washing the raw material soot is sprayed from the valve body toward the inner wall surface of the extraction container, the raw material soot deposited on the inner wall surface of the extraction container can be removed with a small amount of washing water. Furthermore, by raising and lowering the valve body inside the extraction container, the washing water to be sprayed moves in the vertical direction of the extraction container so that the raw material soot deposited and deposited on the inner wall surface of the extraction container can be assured with a small amount of washing water. Can be removed.

  The amount of raw material soot adhering to the inner wall surface of the extraction container is detected by the raw material soot detection means, and when the amount of raw material soot is excessive, the extraction container is cleaned. If detected again, a coffee beverage with a stable quality can be provided.

  Exemplary embodiments of a coffee brewing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a coffee brewing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a coffee extractor shown in FIG. Here, the illustrated coffee extraction apparatus is applied to a cup-type vending machine.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the coffee extraction apparatus in the present embodiment includes a raw material box 1 for storing coffee beans, a coffee mill 2 for pulverizing coffee beans, and a coffee material (ground coffee beans) obtained by pulverization. A coffee shooter 3 to be put into the vessel 50 is provided. Further, the coffee extraction device is provided with a hot water tank 4 for warming hot water to a predetermined temperature, and a hot water pipe 5 for supplying the hot water in the hot water tank 4 to the coffee extractor 50. The hot water pipe 5 is provided with a flow meter 6 and a hot water pump 7. Further, a check valve 8 a and a pressure feed air pump 8 are provided at a branch portion in the middle of the hot water pipe 5. Further, the coffee extraction device is provided with an extraction pipe 9 for feeding the coffee liquid extracted by the coffee extractor 50 and a mixing ball 10 for temporarily storing the coffee liquid fed by the extraction pipe 9. Above the mixing ball 10, a sugar storage container 11 and a powder milk storage container 12 are provided. In addition, a lead-out tube 13 is connected to the mixing ball 10, and the leading end of the lead-out tube 13 reaches the bend stage 14. The beverage cup 15 is carried out to the bend stage 14. A drain pipe 16 is connected below the bend stage 14, and the leading end of the drain pipe 16 reaches a waste liquid bucket 17.

  In a cup-type vending machine to which the coffee brewing apparatus is applied, when a user presses a product selection button (not shown) for a coffee beverage, a certain amount of coffee beans is supplied from the raw material box 1 to the coffee mill 2. The coffee raw material (coffee ground beans) crushed by the coffee mill 2 is input to the coffee extractor 50 via the coffee shooter 3. On the other hand, simultaneously with the input of the coffee raw material to the coffee extractor 50, the hot water heated in the hot water tank 4 is input to the coffee extractor 50 through the hot water pipe 5. In the hot water pipe 5, hot water is absorbed by the hot water pump 7, the amount of hot water is measured by the flow meter 6, and air is pumped by the pressure feed air pump 8. As a result, a certain amount of hot water is supplied to the coffee extractor 50 under pressure.

  The coffee liquid extracted by the coffee extractor 50 is fed from the extraction tube 9 to the mixing ball 10. At the same time, sugar and milk selected according to the user's preference are put into the mixing ball 10 from the sugar storage container 11 and the powder milk storage container 12 provided above the mixing ball 10. In the mixing bowl 10, the coffee liquid, sugar and milk are mixed with stirring. The coffee beverage obtained by stirring and mixing with the mixing ball 10 is fed to the bend stage 14 through the outlet tube 13. Then, the fed coffee beverage is discharged from the nozzle attached to the tip of the outlet tube 13 to the beverage cup 15 that has been previously transported to the bend stage 14. Beverages overflowing from the bend stage 14 due to sales troubles and the like are collected in the waste liquid bucket 17 through the drain pipe 16.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the coffee extractor 50 is mainly composed of an extraction container 51 and a filter block 52. The extraction container 51 has a constricted portion 51a narrowed above the cylindrical body. The narrowed portion 51 a forms an upper opening of the extraction container 51. On the upper side of the extraction container 51 through the constricted part 51a, a charging part 51b for charging coffee raw material and hot water is provided. That is, the coffee shooter 3 and the hot water pipe 5 described above are connected to the charging portion 51b. Further, a retention part 51c for retaining the mixed liquid K of the coffee raw material and hot water is provided below the extraction container 51 through the constriction part 51a, and an opening part 51d that forms the lower opening of the extraction container 51 at the lower end thereof. have.

  The filter block 52 is a container having an opening 52a at the upper end. The opening 52a has a sealing material (not shown) and is provided in a mode of being liquid-tightly coupled to the opening 51d of the extraction container 51. Further, the extraction pipe 9 described above is connected to the bottom portion of the container of the filter block 52. The filter block 52 is movably provided between a coupling position where the filter block actuator 53 is coupled to the extraction container 51 and a retreat position where the filter block 52 is separated from the extraction container 51.

  A filter 54 is provided between the opening 51 d of the extraction container 51 and the opening 52 a of the filter block 52. The filter 54 is tightly sandwiched between the openings 51d and 52a when the filter block 52 is set to the coupling position. Further, the filter 54 is pulled out from the filter roll 54a formed in a roll shape and passes between the openings 51d and 52a via the filter feed mechanism 54b. The tip of the filter 54 reaches the soot collection container 55 and is sent into the soot collection container 55 by the feed of the filter feed mechanism 54b.

  A piston 56 is provided inside the staying part 51 c in the extraction container 51. The piston 56 has a piston head 56a as a valve body. The piston head 56a is formed in a substantially conical shape, and a piston rod 56b is provided at the upper end thereof. The piston rod 56 b extends from the staying part 51 c in the extraction container 51 through the constriction part (upper opening) 51 a and the input part 51 b and above the extraction container 51. The upper end of the piston rod 56b is connected to the piston actuator 56c. The piston actuator 56c moves the piston rod 56b up and down. As a result, the piston head 56a moves up and down between a raised position where the piston head 56a abuts on the narrowed portion 51a and closes the upper opening, and a lowered position where the piston head 56a is spaced apart from the narrowed portion 51a and opens the upper opening.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first air pipe 57 is connected to the retention portion 51 c in the extraction container 51. The 1st air piping 57 is connected to the position which becomes lower than the interface B in the mixed liquid K of the coffee raw material and hot water which remain | survive in the retention part 51c. The first air pipe 57 is provided with a first air pump 57a and a first valve 57b. Then, the air generated by the first air pump 57a is supplied into the staying portion 51c when the first valve 57b is opened.

  A second air pipe 58 is connected to the staying part 51 c in the extraction container 51. The second air pipe 58 is connected to a position above the interface B in the mixed liquid K of the coffee raw material and hot water staying in the staying part 51c. The second air pipe 58 is provided with a second air pump 58a and a second valve 58b. Then, the air generated by the second air pump 58a is supplied into the staying portion 51c when the second valve 58b is opened.

  A raw material soot detecting means 59 for detecting the raw material soot adhering to the inner wall surface of the extraction container 51 is provided outside the extraction container 51 and at the position of the staying portion 51c. The raw material soot detection means 59 includes a light projecting unit 59a and a light receiving unit 59b. The light projecting unit 59 a projects emitted light having a wavelength that passes through the extraction container 51. The light receiving unit 59b receives the reflected light transmitted from the light projecting unit 59a to the outside of the extraction container 51. That is, the extraction container 51 has the light transmission part 60 in a mode that transmits the emitted light and the reflected light of the light projecting part 59a. The light transmission part 60 may be formed by molding the entire extraction container 51 with a light transmissive material or molding only a predetermined portion where the raw material soot detecting means 59 is provided with a light transmissive material. Good. The position where the raw material soot detection means 59 is provided is preferably the position of the interface B in the mixed liquid K of the coffee raw material and hot water staying in the staying part 51c. This is because the most raw material soot adheres to the position of the interface B. Furthermore, the light transmission part 60 is recessed in the outer wall surface of the extraction container 51, and the wall thickness of the extraction container 51 is formed thin. This is to improve the transmission accuracy of the outgoing light from the light projecting unit 59a and the reflected light to the light receiving unit 59b to increase the detection accuracy of the raw material soot detection means 59.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the coffee brewing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the coffee extraction device includes a vending machine control unit 80 and an extraction control unit 90 that control the operation of the cup-type vending machine described above. The vending machine control unit 80 controls the operations of the product selection button and the money processing unit, the sugar storage container 11, the powdered milk storage container 12, and the mixing ball 10, which are not shown in the drawing. Specifically, the vending machine control unit 80 determines whether the money is inserted through the money processing unit, and confirms the amount of money inserted if it is correct. The vending machine control unit 80 validates the product selection button if it is an amount necessary for product sales, and gives a product selection signal to the extraction control unit 90 when the validated product selection button is pressed. Moreover, the vending machine control part 80 performs the process which returns change, when there is more money-in-charge than sale goods.

  When the product selection signal is given from the vending machine control unit 80 and when the signal is given from the flow meter 6 or the raw material slag detection means 59, the extraction control unit 90 extracts coffee according to programs and data stored in the memory 91 in advance. This is for controlling each part of the apparatus.

  4-7 is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the coffee extraction apparatus mentioned above. Hereinafter, processing executed by the extraction control unit 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 as appropriate.

  When the product selection button is not pressed, the extraction control unit 90 is in a sales standby state as shown in FIG. In this sales standby state, the filter block 52 is in a retracted position separated from the extraction container 51. Further, the piston head 56a is at a lowered position where the piston head 56a is separated from the narrowed portion 51a of the extraction container 51 and opens the upper opening. Further, in this sales standby state, there is no supply from the raw material box 1, the hot water pipe 5, the first air pipe 57 and the second air pipe 58, and it is in a stationary state.

  When money is inserted by the user from the above-mentioned sales standby state and the product selection button of the coffee drink is pushed and notified through the vending machine control unit 80, the extraction control unit 90 drives the filter block actuator 53. As a result, the filter block 52 is raised to the coupling position as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the opening 52 a of the filter block 52 is liquid-tightly coupled to the opening 51 d of the extraction container 51 through the filter 54. Thereafter, the extraction control unit 90 drives the raw material box 1 and the coffee mill 2 to pulverize the coffee beans, and causes the ground beans, which are the coffee raw materials, to be input from the coffee shooter 3 to the input unit 51b of the extraction container 51. The input coffee raw material passes through the narrowed portion 51a from the input portion 51b, reaches the staying portion 51c, and is supplied onto the filter 54 at the position of the opening 51d. On the other hand, the extraction control unit 90 drives the hot water pump 7 and the pressure-feed air pump 8 at the same time when the coffee raw material is charged into the extraction container 51, thereby retaining the hot water in the hot water tank 4 through the hot water pipe 5 in the extraction container 51. It is made to supply to the part 51c. The amount of hot water to be supplied is measured by the flow meter 6, and the extraction control unit 90 stops the supply of the hot water when a certain amount of hot water is supplied. Thereby, the mixed liquid K of the coffee raw material and hot water stays in the staying part 51c in the extraction container 51.

  When the mixed liquid K of the coffee raw material and hot water stays in the staying part 51c in the extraction container 51, the extraction control part 90 drives the first air pump 57a for a certain period of time and opens the first valve 57b. Pressurized air is supplied to the mixed solution K in the staying part 51c through one air pipe 57. Thereby, the liquid mixture K is stirred and steamed. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the extraction control unit 90 closes the first valve 57b and stops the supply of air.

  After the mixing liquid K has been stirred and steamed, the extraction controller 90 drives the second air pump 58a for a certain period of time and opens the second valve 58b as shown in FIG. Pressurized air is supplied to the upper region of the interface B of the mixed liquid K in the retention part 51c through the pipe 58. As a result, the piston head 56a is pushed upward and comes into contact with the constricted part 51a of the extraction container 51, whereby the inside of the stay part 51c becomes a sealed space, and the interface B of the mixed liquid K is pushed downward. The pushed down mixed liquid K is filtered by the filter 54 to be extracted as coffee liquid, passes through the filter block 52, and reaches the mixing ball 10 through the extraction pipe 9. When all of the coffee liquid is fed to the mixing ball 10 and the moisture of the raw material G deposited on the filter 54 is squeezed, the extraction control unit 90 closes the second valve 58b to Stop supplying. At this time, in the vicinity of the position of the interface B of the mixed liquid K before extraction (position of the interface B of the largest amount of the mixed liquid K), a small amount of raw material G ′ remaining on the inner wall surface of the extraction container 51 adheres. .

  When the extracted coffee liquid is fed to the mixing ball 10, the extraction control unit 90 drives the piston actuator 56 c as shown in FIG. 7 to separate the piston head 56 a from the constricted part 51 a of the extraction container 51. Lower to the lowered position. That is, the atmospheric pressure in the retention part 51c of the extraction container 51 returns to the atmospheric state. Thereafter, the extraction control unit 90 drives the filter block actuator 53 to lower the filter block 52 to the retracted position. Then, the extraction control unit 90 drives the filter feed mechanism 54b to collect the used filter 54 and the raw material soot G deposited thereon in the soot collection container 55.

  Here, the extraction control unit 90 detects the state of the raw material soot G ′ adhering to the inner wall surface of the extraction container 51 by the raw material soot detecting means 59. FIG. 8 shows the detection operation of the raw material soot detection means.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, in the case where the raw material soot G ′ is not attached to the inner wall surface of the extraction container 51, the light emitted from the light projecting unit 59a is transmitted through the light transmitting unit 60 and from the inside of the extraction container 51. Therefore, the amount of reflected light received by the light receiving portion 59b is small. From this state, it can be determined that the raw material G 'adheres little. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the case where the raw material soot G ′ is attached to the inner wall surface of the extraction container 51, the light emitted from the light projecting part 59a passes through the light transmission part 60 and passes through the light transmission part 60. Since the light is reflected by the raw material rod G ′ deposited inside, the amount of reflected light received by the light receiving portion 59b is large. From this state, it can be determined that the raw material soot G ′ is largely attached. More specifically, the raw material 滓 G ′ has less adhesion per coffee extraction, and the particle size of the coffee raw material is as small as a micron. For this reason, if there is little adhesion of raw material candy G ', the amount of reflected light is small, most of the emitted light is transmitted, and the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 59b is small. However, when the raw material candy G ′ is deposited, the amount of reflected light increases due to the raw material 滓 G ′, and the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 59b increases. That is, the deposition amount of the raw material G ′ can be determined by the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 59b. The extraction control unit 90 compares the received light amount received by the light receiving unit 59b of the raw material soot detection means 59 with a threshold value stored in the memory 91 in advance, and when the received light amount does not exceed the threshold value, the raw material soot G It is determined that the amount of accumulation of ′ is small, and when the amount of received light exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that the amount of accumulation of the raw material G ′ is larger than the predetermined amount.

  Usually, the detection of the raw material soot G ′ is performed after discharging the raw material soot G accumulated on the filter 54. When it is determined that there is little accumulation of raw material G ′, the extraction control unit 90 puts the coffee extraction device into the above-described sales standby state in preparation for hourly sales. Further, when it is determined that the amount of raw material G ′ is excessively accumulated, the extraction control unit 90 causes the coffee extraction device to perform a cleaning operation. This washing operation is the same as the operation for extracting hot water from the hot water pipe 5 and the coffee liquid used at the time of ordinary coffee sales. In the coffee extraction operation shown in FIGS. It is carried out in a form in which the coffee raw material is not charged. Further, after the cleaning operation, the extraction control unit 90 detects the deposition of the raw material soot G ′ again by the raw material soot detecting means 59. Then, the cleaning operation is repeatedly performed until the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 59b of the raw material soot detecting unit 59 falls below a threshold value (until it is determined to be normal). Further, the state of dirt such as piping related to the coffee extractor 50 can be sufficiently dealt with by monitoring the inner wall surface of the extraction container 51 by the raw material koji detection means 59.

  In this way, in the coffee extraction device described above, the amount of the raw material G ′ adhering to the inner wall surface of the extraction container 51 is directly detected by the raw material detection unit 59, so that the accumulation of the raw material G ′ is accurately detected. It becomes possible to judge. In addition, since the deposition of the raw material G ′ is directly detected, the deposition of the raw material G ′ can be constantly monitored. And since washing | cleaning operation | movement is immediately performed by the result judged by the detection by the said raw material koji detection means 59, it becomes possible to provide a coffee drink with stable quality.

  FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the washing means of the coffee extractor. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part equivalent to the coffee extractor mentioned above, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the cleaning means is associated with a piston 66 provided inside the retention portion 51 c in the extraction container 51. The piston 66 has a piston head 66a as a valve body. The piston head 66a is formed in a substantially conical shape, and a piston rod 66b is provided at the upper end thereof. The piston rod 66b extends from the staying part 51c in the extraction container 51 through the narrowed part (upper opening) 51a and the input part 51b and above the extraction container 51. The upper end of the piston rod 66b is connected to the piston actuator 66c. The piston actuator 66c moves the piston rod 66b up and down. As a result, the piston head 66a moves up and down between an ascending position where the piston head 66a abuts the constriction 51a and closes the upper opening, and a descending position which is separated from the constriction 51a and opens the upper opening.

  A manifold 67a made of an empty wall is provided in the center of the piston head 66a. Also, the piston head 66a is provided with a plurality of injection nozzles 67b that communicate from the manifold 67a to the outside of the piston head 66a in a radial direction toward the side of the piston head 66a. The piston rod 66b is formed in a hollow tubular shape, and is fastened in a watertight state to the piston head 66a in such a manner that an internal pipe line 67c communicates with a manifold 67a inside the piston head 66a. An introduction port 67d that can be connected from the outside of the piston rod 66b to the pipe line 67c is provided in the vicinity of the upper end of the piston rod 66b that extends to the upper outside of the extraction container 51. The introduction port 67d is connected to a pumping means (not shown) having an air pump and a pump for introducing cleaning water such as hot water in the hot water tank 4 to the pipe line 67c.

  In the coffee extraction apparatus having the cleaning means configured as described above, in the cleaning operation, the extraction control unit 90 drives the pumping means (not shown) to supply the cleaning water from the introduction port 67d into the pipeline 67c. This washing water is injected from the injection nozzle 67b through the manifold 67a of the piston head 66a. Further, the extraction control unit 90 drives the piston actuator 66 c to raise and lower the position of the piston head 66 a inside the staying portion 51 c of the extraction container 51. That is, since the washing water for washing the raw material candy G ′ is sprayed radially (circumferentially) toward the inner wall surface of the extraction container 51, the washing water is sprayed all over the inner wall surface of the extraction container 51. Further, the cleaning water sprayed radially is moved in the vertical direction of the extraction container 51 by raising and lowering the position of the piston head 66 a inside the retention portion 51 c of the extraction container 51. As a result, the raw material soot G ′ adhering and depositing on the inner wall surface of the extraction container 51 can be reliably removed with a small amount of washing water.

  As described above, the coffee extraction device according to the present invention is useful when manufacturing regular coffee by applying it to a cup-type vending machine or the like. It is suitable for monitoring and removing raw material soot with a small amount of washing water.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the coffee extraction apparatus which is an Example of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the coffee extractor shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the coffee extraction apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the coffee extraction apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the coffee extraction apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the coffee extraction apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the coffee extraction apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the detection operation | movement of a raw material soot detection means. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a washing | cleaning means.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Coffee extractor 51 Extraction container 51a Narrowing part 51b Input part 51c Retention part 51d Opening part 52 Filter block 52a Opening part 53 Filter block actuator 54 Filter 54a Filter roll 54b Filter feed mechanism 55 Grain collection container 56 Piston 56a Piston head 56b Piston rod 56c Piston actuator 57 First air pipe 57a First air pump 57b First valve 58 Second air pipe 58a Second air pump 58b Second valve 59 Raw material soot detection means 59a Light projecting part 59b Light receiving part 60 Light transmission Portion 66 Piston 66a Piston head 66b Piston rod 66c Piston actuator 67a Manifold 67b Injection nozzle 67c Pipe line 67d Introduction port 80 Vending machine control unit 90 Extraction Control unit 91 Memory B Interface G, G 'Raw material K K Liquid mixture

Claims (6)

In a coffee extraction device for extracting coffee from the extraction container by charging the coffee material and hot water into the extraction container,
A coffee brewing apparatus comprising a raw material slag detection means for detecting the amount of raw material scum deposited on the inner wall surface of the extraction container.   The raw material soot detection means is provided outside the extraction container and has a light projecting part and a light receiving part, and transmits light from the light projecting part from the outside of the extraction container to the inside of the extraction container. The light reflected by the raw material soot accumulated inside the extraction container is received by the light receiving unit, and the amount of raw material soot deposited is obtained from the amount of light received by the light receiving unit. Coffee extraction equipment.   A light transmission part that transmits light of the raw material slag detection means is recessed at the position of the outer wall surface of the extraction container facing the interface where the mixed liquid of coffee raw material and hot water stays in the extraction container. The coffee extraction device according to claim 2.   When extracting coffee, it has a valve body provided inside the extraction container in such a manner that the opening of the extraction container is closed and the extraction container is hermetically sealed, and washing water for washing away the raw material cake from the valve body The coffee extraction device according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning unit that sprays toward an inner wall surface of the extraction container.   The coffee extraction device according to claim 4, wherein the valve body is provided so as to be movable up and down inside the extraction container.   The amount of raw material soot adhering to the inner wall surface of the extraction container is detected by the raw material soot detecting means, and when the amount of raw material soot accumulated is excessive, the extraction container is cleaned, and after the cleaning operation is completed, The coffee extraction device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the accumulation amount of the raw material koji is detected again.

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