JP2007259928A - Milk foamer and coffee beverage production apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a milk foamer and a coffee beverage production apparatus with the milk foamer, which are capable of reducing the running cost by suppressing the consumption of a power for retaining a heater of a steam boiler to a high temperature more than necessary. <P>SOLUTION: This milk foamer 61 which sucks milk by steam generated by the steam boiler 64, at the same time sucks air, mixes the milk with the air and generates milk foam, and is provided with a control device 40 controlling the temperature of the steam boiler 64 at a prescribed high temperature value for generating the steam, and when generating no milk foam for a prescribed time, the control device 40 controls the temperature of the steam boiler 64 to a retaining temperature lower than the high temperature value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a milk foamer that sucks milk with steam generated by a boiler, sucks air, mixes the milk and air, and generates a milk foam, and a coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus including the milk foamer It is about.

  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 a coffee extractor (see Patent Document 1). 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, when 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 milk generated in the milk generator such as a milk pack is mixed with the air using the steam generated by the steam generator or the steam supply, and whipped. An apparatus for supplying a steam-treated milk mixture, that is, milk foam, to a coffee extractor has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-76244 A JP-A-6-22856

  As described above, in the conventional milk former, steam is generated by a steam boiler provided with heating means such as a block heater inside, and the steam is supplied to the milker, whereby milk and air are sucked in the milker, It was made into the foamed state by mixing, and was discharged in the state of milk foam.

  On the other hand, the milk foam is added to the coffee beverage produced by the coffee beverage production apparatus and provided to customers and the like. Therefore, at least during the time period when the coffee beverage can be provided by the coffee beverage production apparatus, the block heater of the steam boiler for forming the milk foam is also energized, and the temperature is always suitable for the production of the milk foam, for example, It is maintained at a high temperature of + 170 ° C.

  However, in stores or the like where the coffee beverage production apparatus is actually installed, there are times when customers hardly visit the store or times when milk foam is not generated at all, such as outside business hours. Since the steam boiler block heater was maintained at a high temperature such as + 170 ° C. until the time zone, there was a problem that the power consumption increased and the running cost increased.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the conventional technical problems, and suppresses the consumption of electric power by maintaining the heater of the steam boiler at a higher temperature than necessary, thereby reducing the running cost. The present invention provides a milk foamer that can be used, and a coffee beverage production apparatus including the milk foamer.

  The milk foamer of the present invention sucks milk with the steam generated by the boiler and sucks air, and mixes the milk and air to produce milk foam. The temperature of the boiler is steam generated. And a control device for controlling the boiler temperature to a holding temperature lower than the high temperature value when milk foam is not generated for a predetermined time. To do.

  The milk foamer of the invention of claim 2 sucks milk with the steam generated by the boiler, sucks air and mixes the milk and air to produce milk foam, and the temperature of the boiler Is controlled to a predetermined high temperature value for steam generation, and the control device stops the operation of the boiler during a preset time period.

  The milk foamer of the invention of claim 3 sucks milk with the steam generated by the boiler and sucks air, mixes the milk and air to produce milk foam, and the temperature of the boiler Is controlled to a predetermined high temperature value for steam generation, and the control device includes a switch for remotely controlling operation / stop of the boiler.

  A coffee beverage production apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises the milk foamer according to the first or second aspect and a coffee extractor for extracting coffee liquid, and the milk foam produced by the milk foamer is provided. It can be added to the coffee liquid extracted by the coffee extractor.

  The coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus of the invention of claim 5 has a coffee extractor for supplying hot water from a hot water tank to the coffee raw material and extracting coffee liquid, and a boiler for generating steam using the hot water from the hot water tank. A milk foamer that sucks milk with the steam generated by the boiler and sucks air and mixes the milk with the air to form a milk foam. Can be added to the coffee liquid extracted by the coffee extractor, and includes a control device that controls the temperature of the boiler to a predetermined high temperature value for steam generation. When the coffee liquid is not extracted by the coffee extractor, the boiler temperature is controlled to a holding temperature lower than the high temperature value, and the coffee liquid is not extracted by the coffee extractor. If the output is started, and wherein raising the temperature of the boiler to high temperatures values.

  According to the present invention, in the milk foamer that sucks milk with the steam generated by the boiler and sucks air and mixes the milk and air to generate milk foam, the temperature of the boiler is generated for steam generation. And a control device that controls the milk foam to a holding temperature lower than the high temperature value when the milk foam is not generated for a predetermined time. It is possible to reduce the amount of energy used to increase the temperature of the boiler while minimizing the time required for the temperature to rise until generation. As a result, the running cost can be reduced.

  According to the invention of claim 2, in the milk foamer that sucks milk by the steam generated by the boiler and sucks air and mixes the milk and air to generate milk foam, the temperature of the boiler is set to steam. A control device for controlling to a predetermined high temperature value for generation is provided, and the control device does not execute milk foam generation except for a predetermined time zone by stopping the operation of the boiler during a preset time zone. Thus, it is possible to avoid consuming more energy than necessary to increase the temperature of the boiler. As a result, the running cost can be reduced.

  According to the invention of claim 3, in the milk foamer that sucks milk with the steam generated by the boiler and sucks air and mixes the milk and air to produce milk foam, the temperature of the boiler is set to steam. A control device for controlling the temperature to a predetermined high temperature value for generation, and the control device includes a switch for remotely controlling operation / stop of the boiler, thereby operating the switch for remote control. It becomes possible to control the operation / stop of the boiler according to the timing of the customer visit or the like.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to operate a boiler according to the timing of a customer visit etc., and it becomes possible to raise a temperature of a boiler to a predetermined high temperature value earlier. Therefore, it is possible to raise the temperature of the boiler to a predetermined high temperature value before actually starting to produce milk foam, and without maintaining the boiler at a predetermined high temperature value after a predetermined standby time has elapsed. It becomes possible to provide milk foam smoothly according to the customer's visit.

  According to the coffee beverage production apparatus of the invention of claim 4, the milk produced by the milk former, comprising the milk foamer of claim 1 or claim 2 and a coffee extractor for extracting the coffee liquid. Since the foam can be added to the coffee liquid extracted by the coffee extractor, high-quality milk foam can be extracted into the coffee liquid with a single device, and the running cost of the device can be reduced. It becomes possible to plan.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the boiler has a coffee extractor for supplying hot water from the hot water tank to the coffee raw material and extracting the coffee liquid, and a boiler for generating steam using the hot water from the hot water tank. A milk foamer that sucks milk with the steam generated by the air and sucks air and mixes the milk and air to produce a milk foam, and the milk foam produced by the milk foamer is extracted with coffee. A coffee beverage production apparatus capable of being added to a coffee liquid extracted by a machine, comprising a control device for controlling a boiler temperature to a predetermined high temperature value for generating steam, the control device comprising a predetermined time When the coffee liquid is not extracted by the coffee extractor, the boiler temperature is controlled to a holding temperature lower than the high temperature value, and the coffee liquid is not extracted by the coffee extractor. When brewing is started, the boiler temperature is increased by raising the boiler temperature from the holding temperature to the high temperature value during the extraction of the coffee liquid by the coffee extractor by raising the boiler temperature to a high temperature value. It is possible to reduce the amount of energy consumed for use. As a result, the running cost can be reduced.

  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 FIG. 3 shows an internal schematic 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, and integrally includes a coffee liquid nozzle 2 for discharging coffee liquid and a milk foam nozzle 3 for discharging milk foam on the front surface. The main body 6 including the nozzle member 4 is configured. Below the nozzle member 4 is provided a cup support 7 on which a cup for receiving the extracted coffee liquid is placed. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 5 denotes a plurality of beverage selection buttons for selecting the type of beverage to be discharged, and reference numeral 8 accepts the residue used for extracting the coffee liquid and accepts the residue that can be drawn forward. 9 is a bean storage container for storing coffee beans.

  Here, the internal configuration of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. A coffee beverage production apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a hot water tank 11, a pump (gear pump) 12 attached to the bottom of the hot water tank 11, a coffee extractor 13, and a milk former described in detail later. 61 is provided. The hot water tank 11 is a tank that can store several liters of drinking water, and a heater (not shown) that heats and holds the stored drinking water at, for example, + 97 ° C. is provided therein. A pump 12 provided at the bottom of the hot water tank 11 is a pump that pressurizes and discharges hot water in the hot water tank 11, and a flow meter 14 and a hot water supply side electromagnetic valve 15 are provided at the discharge port of the pump 12. Are connected to a hot water supply side pipe 16, and the other end of the hot water supply side pipe 16 is connected to a coffee extractor 13.

  The hot water supply side pipe 16 is connected to a circulation pipe 18 provided with a circulation electromagnetic valve 17 that is located between the flow meter 14 and the hot water supply side electromagnetic valve 15 and constitutes a circulation path. The other end of the circulation pipe 18 is connected to the hot water tank 11. Further, the circulation pipe 18 is connected to a bypass pipe 19 that is located between the circulation solenoid valve 17 and the hot water tank 11 and connects the pump 12. The bypass pipe 19 is provided with a relief valve 21 for returning the hot water in the pump 12 to the hot water tank 11.

  The hot water supply side pipe 16 is connected with a hot water discharge pipe 26 located between the hot water side solenoid valve 15 and the coffee extractor 13 and having one end opened to the outside. The hot water discharge pipe 26 is provided with a residual liquid relief valve 27 for controlling discharge of residual liquid in the coffee extractor 13 and the extraction side pipe 24 described later.

  On the other hand, the bean storage container 9 is installed above the coffee extractor 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 chute 23 for storing the coffee powder crushed in the coffee mill in the coffee extractor 13 is provided. An extraction side pipe 24 constituting a coffee liquid extraction path is connected to the lower part of the coffee extractor 13, and an extraction electromagnetic valve 25 for controlling the discharge of the extracted coffee liquid is connected to the extraction side pipe 24. Is installed. The coffee liquid nozzle 2 is connected to an extraction side pipe 24 downstream of the extraction electromagnetic valve 25. As a result, the coffee liquid can be poured into a cup (not shown) arranged on the cup support 7.

  In addition, sugar and cream are injected into the cup at the request of the purchaser along with the injection of coffee liquid, but the illustration and description of these supply systems are omitted. Further, when the ground beans are supplied from the coffee mill 22 to the chute 23, weighing is performed by a measuring device, but these are also not shown.

  Next, the configuration of the coffee extractor 13 will be described with reference to FIG. The coffee extractor 13 includes a cylinder 31 that stores ground beans supplied from a coffee mill 22 via a chute 23, a piston 32 that can be inserted into and removed from the cylinder 31, and a piston drive motor that drives the piston 32. 33, a torque transmission part 34 for connecting the motor 33 and the piston 32, and the cylinder unit D is constituted by the cylinder 31, the piston 32, the piston drive motor 33, and the torque transmission part 34. The coffee extractor 13 includes a unit drive motor 35 for tilting the entire cylinder unit D at a predetermined angle, a lid member 36 for closing the upper surface opening of the cylinder 31 when the cylinder unit D is tilted, and the lid. A gear 37 for engaging the member 36 with the cylinder 31 using the unit drive motor 35 as a drive source is provided. The gear 37 is supported by a rotating shaft 37A. The lid member 36 is configured such that the hot water supply side pipe 16 can be inserted through a through hole (not shown) formed in the lid member 36, and the torque transmission portion 34 is provided at the bottom opening of the cylinder 31. The extraction side piping 24 is connected via In FIG. 4, W is a wiper provided at the lower part of the chute 23.

  Next, the configuration of the milk former 61 will be described. The milk former 61 of the present embodiment includes a hot water supply pipe 62, an electromagnetic pump 63, a steam boiler 64, and a milker 65. The hot water supply pipe 62 includes a hot water supply pipe 62A that connects the hot water tank 11 and the electromagnetic pump 63, hot water supply pipes 62B and 62C that connect the electromagnetic pump 63 and the steam boiler 64, and a steam boiler 64 that will be described in detail later. It is comprised from the hot water supply piping 62D which connects 65. FIG. The hot water supply pipes 62 </ b> B and 62 </ b> C positioned between the electromagnetic pump 63 and the steam boiler 64 are configured by, for example, silicon tubes, and the hot water supply pipes 62 </ b> B and 62 </ b> C are connected via a branch pipe 67. The branch pipe 67 is provided with a steam electromagnetic valve 68.

  The steam boiler 64 includes a block heater 64A as a heating means inside, and heats hot water supplied from the hot water tank 11 through the hot water supply pipe 62A, the electromagnetic pump 63, the hot water supply pipes 62B and 62C to, for example, about + 170 ° C. Then, steam is generated and supplied to the milker 65. The steam boiler 64 is provided with a temperature sensor 41 as shown in FIG. 6, and the temperature control is performed by the control device 40 based on the output of the temperature sensor 41 as will be described in detail later. Furthermore, it is assumed that a hot water supply pipe 62 </ b> D constituting the downstream side of the steam boiler 64 to the milker 65 is covered with a heat insulation tube (not shown) for suppressing heat leakage from the steam boiler 64.

  Next, the structure of the milker 65 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a side view of the milker 65 and each component. The milker 65 is constituted by a substantially cylindrical main body 71, and a discharge portion 72 that protrudes inside the main body 71 is integrally formed on the side surface of the main body 71 while being biased to the left or right of the center. The milk foam nozzle (discharge unit) 3 that discharges the milk foam generated in the main body 71 is integrally formed on the bottom surface of the main body 71.

  The discharge portion 72 has a substantially cylindrical shape that is open to the left and right, and an end portion of the hot water supply pipe 62 </ b> D located on the downstream side of the steam boiler 64 at the end opposite to the side connected to the main body 71. Are connected via a steam nozzle 74 as shown in FIG. The steam nozzle 74 has a steam passage communicating with the left and right inside, a small hole 74A that discharges steam to the discharge section 72 at one end, and an inner wall of the discharge section 72 and hot water supply piping on one side. An O-ring 74B is provided to closely contact the connection with 62D.

  A milk suction nozzle 75 communicating with the inside of the discharge part 72 is connected to the lower surface of the discharge part 72, and the upper surface of the discharge part 72 is also provided in the same position inside the discharge part 72 as to face the milk suction nozzle 75. A communicating air suction nozzle 76 is connected.

  One end of the milk suction nozzle 75 is connected to a milk suction tube 77 that is inserted into a milk pack 83 stored in the milk cool box 82. A weight member 78 is provided at the end (tip) of the milk suction tube 77 on the milk pack 83 side. In this embodiment, the weight member 78 has a mass of about 20 g in order to sink the milk suction tube 77 to the lower part of the milk pack 83. Further, the weight member 78 is formed with a notch 78A from the bottom surface to the side surface, so that the milk remaining on the bottom surface of the milk pack 83 can be sucked easily. Moreover, the milk cold storage 82 is comprised with the main body by which the heat insulating material was provided in the inner wall, and the cooling device which is not shown in figure is arrange | positioned in the said main body. Thereby, the milk pack 83 accommodated in the main body is cooled to a predetermined temperature.

  An air suction tube 79 is connected to the air suction nozzle 76, and an air suction cap 81 is detachably attached to the other end opening of the air suction tube 79. The air suction cap 81 is a cylindrical member having a small hole 81A formed at the tip. Thereby, the air suction nozzle 76 can suck a small amount of air at a time.

  On the other hand, the end portion of the milker 65 on the side where the discharge portion 72 is connected to the inside of the main body 71 is formed such that the end portion opening of the discharge portion 72 is formed along the inner wall of the main body 71. And is formed in a substantially concentric arc shape with the inner peripheral surface of the main body 71.

  In the milk foam nozzle 3 formed at the center of the bottom surface of the main body 71, the inside of the nozzle 3 is partitioned in the direction of discharging milk foam, which is a mixture of milk and air, and substantially parallel to the discharge portion 72. A partition member (not shown) is formed.

  In addition, two fitted portions 71 </ b> A and 71 </ b> B that protrude outward are formed on the upper surface opening edge of the main body 71. While these are formed in the position which opposes, in the present Example, one to-be-fitted part 71A is formed smaller than the other to-be-fitted part 71B. And the milker cap 84 in which the protrusion part 84A which protruded inside the main body 71 is formed in the upper surface opening of the main body 71 shall be removably obstruct | occluded. An O-ring is provided on the peripheral surface of the protruding portion 84A. On the periphery of the milker cap 84, fitting portions 84 </ b> C and 84 </ b> D are formed to be fitted below the fitted portions 71 </ b> A and 71 </ b> B formed on the upper surface opening edge of the main body 71. While these fitting parts 84C and 84D are formed in the position which opposes, in the present Example, one to-be-fitted part 84C is formed smaller than the other to-be-fitted part 84D, and a fitting part 84C is fitted to the fitted portion 71A of the main body 71, and the fitted portion 84D is fitted to the fitted portion 71B of the main body 71.

  The coffee beverage production apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control device 40 as shown in FIG. 6, which includes a memory for storing programs and data, a timer for generating a clock signal, the clock signal, and the clock signal. A CPU that operates based on a program is provided. Furthermore, the beverage selection button 5, the flow meter 14, the temperature sensor 41 of the steam boiler 64, and the like are connected to the input side of the control device 40, and the pump 12 and the hot water supply side electromagnetic valve 15 are connected to the output side. The circulation solenoid valve 17, the relief valve 21, the extraction side solenoid valve 25, the residual liquid relief valve 27, the piston drive motor 33, the unit drive motor 35, and the electromagnetic pump 63 are connected and controlled based on the control device 40. Shall.

  In addition, the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is installed in, for example, a cooking area, and a counter that serves customers such as customers is provided at a position away from the cooking area. The counter is provided with a remote operation switch 42 for controlling the block heater 64A of the steam boiler 64, as will be described in detail later, and receives an output from the remote operation switch (remote control switch) 42. It is assumed that the receiving unit 43 is connected to the input side of the control device 40.

  With the above configuration, the operation of the milk former 61 will be described. When the beverage selection button 5 for a beverage requiring milk supply is operated, the electromagnetic pump 63 is operated for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds, by the output of the control device 40. Thereby, the hot water in the hot water tank 11 is discharged into the hot water supply pipes 62 </ b> A, 62 </ b> B, 62 </ b> C, and the discharged hot water enters the steam boiler 64. Here, since the temperature of the hot water stored in the hot water tank 11 is set to a temperature suitable for use in the coffee extractor 13, for example, + 97 ° C., the steam boiler 64 is close to about 100 ° C. Temperature hot water is supplied. The hot water supplied into the steam boiler 64 is further heated by the steam boiler 64, and is heated to a high temperature value 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 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.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 40, after the operation of the electromagnetic pump 63 is finished, after a predetermined time, for example, about 5 seconds has elapsed, for a certain time, for example, about 2 seconds, the steam electromagnetic valve 68 connected to the branch pipe 67. The steam solenoid valve 68 is opened. Thereby, the hot water remaining in the pipe at the inlet of the steam boiler 64 can be discharged with the pressure of the steam in the steam boiler 64.

  As described above, the steam generated by the steam boiler 64 is injected into the discharge section 72 of the milker 65 via the hot water supply pipe 62 </ b> D and the steam nozzle 74 connected to the downstream side of the steam boiler 64. Here, when steam passes in the vicinity of the milk suction nozzle 75 and the air suction nozzle 76 in the discharge part 72, negative pressure is generated in the discharge part 72, and the milk in the milk pack 83 is generated from the milk suction nozzle 75. Is sucked into the discharge part 72 via the milk suction tube 77, and external air is sucked into the discharge part 72 via the air suction cap 81 and the air suction tube 79 from the air suction nozzle 76.

  The milk (sucked milk) and air (suction air) sucked into the discharge part 72 by the steam passing through the discharge part 72 are discharged into the main body 71 of the milker 65 along the inner wall of the discharge part 72. . At this time, the steam passing through the discharge section 72 is opened by energizing the steam electromagnetic valve 68 for a predetermined time after the operation of the electromagnetic pump 63 is finished by the control device 40 and after a predetermined time has elapsed. Since the pressure in the steam boiler 64 can be discharged as described above, the supply of milk to the milker 65 can be improved. The milk and air discharged into the main body 71 are swung along the inner wall 71 of the main body due to the pressure of the steam. By this turning, milk and air are mixed and foamed, discharged from the milk foam nozzle 3 formed on the bottom surface of the main body 71, and supplied to a cup or the like placed under the nozzle 3. .

  Next, operation | movement of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 of a present Example is demonstrated. First, an extraction start input is performed to the control device 40 by operating any one of the beverage selection buttons 5 provided on the main body 6. As a result, the control device 40 opens the circulation electromagnetic valve 17 and executes a pipe temperature raising step for performing the low speed operation of the pump 12 for a predetermined time, in this embodiment, for 4 seconds. As a result, the hot water in the hot water tank 11 is sent out by the pump 12 to the circulation solenoid valve 17 and the circulation pipe 18 constituting the circulation path via the hot water supply side pipe 16. The hot water accumulated in the hot water supply side pipe 16 positioned between the pump 12 and the hot water supply side electromagnetic valve 15 is pumped to the circulation pipe 18 via the circulation electromagnetic valve 17 and returned to the hot water tank 11. Thereby, the hot water supply side piping 16 positioned between the pump 12 and the hot water supply side electromagnetic valve 15 can be heated with hot water of about + 90 ° C. to + 95 ° C. supplied from the hot water tank 11. After the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the pipe temperature raising step, the control device 40 stops the operation of the pump 12, then closes the circulation electromagnetic valve 17, and ends the pipe temperature raising step.

  On the other hand, the coffee extraction machine 13 is subjected to the next extraction preparation step after the end of the previous coffee liquid supply step. That is, in the extraction preparation step, first, the control device 40 makes the cylinder 31 of the coffee extractor 13 upright as shown in FIG. 7 and pulverizes the coffee beans in the bean storage container 9 in the coffee mill 22 in advance. The ground beans P are fed into the cylinder 31 through the chute 23. Thereafter, when the supply of the ground beans P is completed, the control device 40 energizes the piston drive motor 33 to drive and operate the gear 37 as shown in FIG. The cylinder 31 is tilted at a predetermined angle by rotating downward (in the direction of the arrow). After that, the control device 40 seals the upper end opening of the cylinder 31 with the lid member 36 as shown in FIG. At this time, the control device 40 lowers the lid member 36 in synchronization with the inclination of the cylinder unit D, inserts it into the cylinder 31, and stops the driving of the piston drive motor 33. At this time, it is assumed that the gear 37 is stopped at a position rotated 180 ° from the state of FIG. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the control device 40 operates the piston drive motor 33 to push up the piston 32 via the torque transmission unit 34 and compress the ground beans P in the cylinder 31.

  And in this state, the control apparatus 40 transfers to a coffee liquid extraction process, drives the pump 12 while opening the supply-side electromagnetic valve 15. As a result, hot water heated to about + 90 ° C. to + 95 ° C. at a pressure of 0.3 MPa is supplied to the cylinder 31.

  Thereafter, the controller 40 supplies hot and pressurized hot water to the cylinder 31 sealed with the cap 36 via the hot water supply side pipe 16, and extracts the coffee liquid from the compressed ground beans P. At this time, since high-temperature and high-pressure hot water is supplied into the cylinder 31, it is possible to extract a dark coffee liquid from which coffee components are sufficiently eluted from the initial extraction stage.

  The coffee liquid extracted by the cylinder 31 of the coffee extractor 13 is discharged to the coffee liquid nozzle 2 through the extraction side pipe 24 and the extraction side electromagnetic valve 25. Here, the extraction-side solenoid valve 25 is set to a state where the flow of the coffee liquid is permitted by the control device 40 at a constant pressure, for example, 0.3 MPa or more, so that the extracted coffee liquid has a constant pressure. Then, a pressure of 0.3 MPa is applied by the pump 12, and further pressure is applied by the ground beans P swollen in the cylinder 31, 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.

  Further, immediately before supplying hot water to the cylinder 31 via the hot water supply side pipe 16, the control device 40 operates the pump 12 for a predetermined period of time, and supplies the hot water whose temperature in the pump 12 has decreased to the bypass pipe 19 and the relief valve 21. The hot water tank 11 is returned to the hot water tank 11, and new hot water is pumped to the hot water supply side pipe 16. Then, when the exchange of hot water in the pump 12 is completed, the control device 40 temporarily stops the pump 12 and closes the relief valve 21. By supplying hot water from the hot water supply side pipe 16 to the cylinder 13 with the relief valve 21 closed, higher temperature and high pressure hot water can be supplied.

  When the coffee liquid is extracted from the cup or the like, the milk former 61 can be operated in detail as described above by energizing the electromagnetic pump 63 by the control device 40. Milk can be poured into the top of the coffee liquor.

  After that, the control device 40 stops the driving of the pump 12 after the extraction of the coffee liquid, and shifts to the extraction paddy disposal process. In the said process, the control apparatus 40 drives the piston drive motor 33, as shown in FIG. 11, raises the piston 32 further, and packs the extraction mash based on the raising operation | movement of this piston 32, thereby making coffee in the cocoon Squeeze the liquid. Thereby, the coffee liquid in the cylinder 31 is sent to the extraction side pipe 24 and the ground beans P are compressed.

  Thereafter, the control device 40 reversely rotates the piston drive motor 33 and pushes down the piston 34 as shown in FIG. 12, and a part of the hot water in the hot water supply side pipe 16 and the coffee liquid in the extraction side pipe 24 are transferred to the cylinder 31. It is sucked in. Here, since the control device 40 opens the extraction side solenoid valve 25 and the residual liquid relief valve 27, the inside of the hot water supply side pipe 16 of the extraction side pipe 24 and the coffee extractor 13 and the residual liquid relief valve 27 pipe is exposed to the atmosphere. The remaining liquid remaining in the hot water supply side pipe 16 is discharged from the hot water discharge pipe 26 to the outside. Thereby, the distribution of the residual liquid in the extraction side pipe 24 can be facilitated, and the residual liquid can be processed efficiently. Therefore, at the time of the next extraction of the coffee liquid, it is possible to avoid the disadvantage that the residual liquid from the previous extraction is mixed and the quality is deteriorated.

  Thereafter, the control device 40 operates the motor 35 and the gear 37 to separate the lid member 36 from the upper end opening of the cylinder 31 as shown in FIG. Further, the control device 40 operates the piston drive motor 33 to push up the piston 32 again. As a result, the extracted mash of ground beans P is pushed up from the bottom of the cylinder 31. Furthermore, the control device 40 operates the motor 35 and the gear 37 as shown in FIG. 14 to rotate the cylinder unit D upward (in the direction of the arrow), thereby bringing the cylinder 31 into an upright state. By this rotation, the extracted soot pushed out from the cylinder 31 is scraped off by the wiper W provided at the lower portion of the chute 23, falls into the residue receiving portion 8, and is discarded. Thereafter, after discarding the extraction basket, the control device 40 drives the piston drive motor 33 in the reverse direction to lower the piston 32 to complete one sales operation.

  With the above configuration, according to the present embodiment, espresso coffee capable of forming fine high-quality bubbles on the upper surface can be supplied to the cup. This makes it possible to improve the quality both tastefully and visually.

  Next, temperature control of the steam boiler 64 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17. 15 is a diagram showing temperature control of the steam boiler 64 as the first embodiment, FIG. 16 is a diagram showing temperature control of the steam boiler 64 as the second embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the temperature control of the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the temperature control of the steam boiler.

  First, temperature control of the steam boiler 64 as a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. During business hours, etc. periodically, that is, the time from the end of the extraction of the coffee beverage with the previous milk foam extraction to the start of the extraction of the coffee beverage with the next milk foam extraction is a predetermined waiting time, for example 30 minutes If it is less than the above, the control device 40 performs energization control to the block heater 64A, and performs temperature control to maintain the inside of the steam boiler 64 at a high temperature value suitable for the formation of milk foam, for example, + 170 ° C.

  On the other hand, if the extraction of coffee beverage with milk foam extraction is not selected by the beverage selection button 5 even after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the end of extraction of coffee beverage with previous milk foam extraction, the control device 40 Performs control of energization to the block heater 64A, and executes a power saving mode of performing temperature control for maintaining the inside of the steam boiler 64 at a holding temperature lower than the high temperature value, for example, + 80 ° C.

  When the beverage selection button 5 selects the extraction of the coffee beverage accompanied by the milk foam extraction while the power saving mode is being executed, the control device 40 performs the energization control to the block heater 64. Then, control is performed to raise the temperature of the inside of the steam boiler 64 to a predetermined high temperature value, for example, + 170 ° C., suitable for generating milk foam. In this embodiment, the temperature control in the steam boiler 64 is executed by operating the beverage selection button 5, but the temperature in the steam boiler 64 reaches a predetermined high temperature value, for example, + 170 ° C. Until then, the coffee liquid is not extracted by the coffee extractor 13. Therefore, the extraction of the coffee liquid by the coffee extractor 13 is started when the temperature in the steam boiler 64 reaches a predetermined high temperature value.

  Thereby, when the period when the extraction of the coffee beverage accompanying milk foam extraction is not performed has passed a predetermined waiting time, the temperature of the steam boiler 64 is kept at a holding temperature (+ 80 ° C.) lower than the high temperature value of + 170 ° C. C)), it is possible to reduce the power consumption used for increasing the temperature of the steam boiler 64 while minimizing the time required for increasing the temperature until the milk foam is generated.

  Therefore, even during business hours, during times when there are few or few customers, the control device 40 determines the situation based on the elapse of the standby time and maintains the steam boiler 64 at a predetermined holding temperature. Therefore, it is possible to significantly reduce the running cost as compared with the case where the steam boiler 64 is always maintained at a high temperature value suitable for producing milk foam, for example, + 170 ° C.

  In this case, in the power saving mode, the steam boiler 64 is maintained at a holding temperature, for example, + 80 ° C., so that the temperature of the steam boiler 64 is lowered to room temperature or the like. It is possible to shorten the time required for raising the steam boiler 64 to a high temperature value suitable for production of milk foam, for example, + 170 ° C. As a result, even if there is a customer during the execution of the power saving mode and there is an order for a coffee drink accompanied by milk foam extraction, a higher quality milk foam is extracted into the coffee liquid earlier and the coffee drink is provided to the customer. It becomes possible to provide.

  Next, temperature control of the steam boiler 64 as a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In business hours and the like, the control device 40 performs energization control to the block heater 64A in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and a high temperature value suitable for forming milk foam in the steam boiler 64, for example, + 170 ° C., or Temperature control is performed to maintain a predetermined holding temperature, for example, + 80 ° C.

  On the other hand, in the time zone when there is no customer or user such as outside business hours, the control device 40 blocks the steam boiler 64 when the preset time or business end time is set based on the built-in clock means. Control to cut off the energization to the heater 64A is executed, and the night mode is set. Similarly, the control device 40 starts energization to the block heater 64A of the steam boiler 64 when the preset time and the business start time are set, and the temperature in the steam boiler 64 is suitable for generating milk foam. The temperature is controlled to be maintained at a high temperature value such as + 170 ° C. or a predetermined holding temperature such as + 80 ° C.

  Thereby, even when the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 itself is not turned off, it is possible to control the energization to the block heater 64A of the steam boiler 64 based on the business end time and the business start time. By not generating milk foam except during a predetermined time period (business hours in the present embodiment), it is possible to avoid consuming an amount of power used for increasing the temperature of the steam boiler 64 more than necessary. As a result, the running cost can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, the time zone outside business hours is described as the night mode. However, in addition to this, as long as there are few users and milk foam generation is not possible, The night mode may be executed without being limited to outside business hours.

  Next, temperature control of the steam boiler 64 as a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, it is business hours, and it is assumed that the block heater 64A of the steam boiler 64 is not energized even when the power of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 itself is turned on. When the operation of raising the temperature of the steam boiler 64 is performed by the remote operation switch 42 provided on the counter or the like as described above, the control device 40 receives the output from the remote operation switch 42 at the receiving unit 43. Then, energization of the block heater 64A of the steam boiler 64 is started. Then, the inside of the steam boiler 64 is maintained at a predetermined high temperature value suitable for generating milk foam, for example, + 170 ° C.

  As a result, the store clerk operates the remote control switch 42 in accordance with the timing of the customer visit or the like, whereby the steam boiler 64 can be operated in accordance with the timing of the customer visit or the like. Thereby, the store clerk can start the temperature rise of the steam boiler 64 before receiving the customer's order, and can raise the temperature of the steam boiler 64 to a predetermined high temperature value earlier.

  Therefore, it is possible to raise the temperature of the steam boiler 64 to a predetermined high temperature value until the beverage selection button 5 is actually operated. It becomes possible to provide a coffee beverage with milk foam extraction.

  Further, in this case, since the remote operation switch 42 can also stop the temperature rise of the steam boiler 64, after performing an operation to start the temperature rise of the steam boiler 64 once, the milk foam When there is no need to extract milk foam, such as when there is no order for a coffee drink with the extraction of the coffee beverage, the temperature of the steam boiler 64 can be stopped at a counter or the like, and the steam boiler 64 is unnecessarily raised. The inconvenience that the temperature is performed can be avoided. Further, since the operation can be executed at a counter or the like, convenience is improved.

  And as above-mentioned, after the inside of the steam boiler 64 is heated up to a predetermined high temperature value and the extraction of the coffee beverage accompanied by the extraction of the milk foam is completed by the operation of the beverage selection button 5, the next milk foam When a predetermined waiting time, for example, 30 minutes elapses, the control device 40 cuts off the power supply to the block heater 64A when the time until the start of coffee beverage extraction with extraction has elapsed.

  Therefore, after the predetermined standby time has elapsed, the steam boiler 64 is not maintained at a predetermined high temperature value, and the energization to the block heater 64A is cut off, so that the block heater 64A is energized more than necessary. It becomes possible to reduce the amount of power consumption due to. Thereby, it becomes possible to provide milk foam smoothly according to the visit of the customer or the like while realizing a reduction in running cost.

  Next, temperature control of the steam boiler 64 as a fourth embodiment will be described. During business hours, etc., in the standby time when the beverage selection button 5 does not select the extraction of the coffee beverage accompanied by the milk foam extraction, the control device 40 performs the energization control to the block heater 64A, and the inside of the steam boiler 64 is described above. A power saving mode is executed in which the temperature is controlled to be maintained at a holding temperature lower than a high temperature suitable for the production of milk foam, such as + 80 ° C.

  And when extraction of the coffee drink accompanying milk foam extraction is operated by the drink selection button 5, without waiting for the temperature in the steam boiler 64 to be heated up to a predetermined high temperature value, the control device At 40, the extraction of the coffee liquid is started as described in detail above. At this time, the control device 40 controls the energization of the block heater 64A simultaneously with the start of the extraction of the coffee liquid, and the temperature control for raising the temperature in the steam boiler 64 to a high temperature value suitable for milk foam formation, for example, + 170 ° C. I do.

  Here, since the extraction of the coffee liquid as described above usually takes about 40 seconds, it is suitable for the production of milk foam by the block heater 64A in the steam boiler 64 during the extraction of the coffee liquid. It is possible to raise the temperature to a high temperature value.

  Thereby, the control apparatus 40 performs extraction of milk foam using the steam boiler 64 heated up to predetermined temperature after the coffee liquid extraction by the coffee extractor 13. Therefore, during the extraction of the coffee liquid by the coffee extractor 13, it is possible to reduce the power consumption used for increasing the temperature of the steam boiler 64 by increasing the temperature of the steam boiler 64 from the holding temperature to the high temperature value. It becomes. As a result, it is possible to reduce the running cost while shortening the time required to provide the coffee beverage accompanied by the extraction of high-quality milk foam as much as possible.

  In each of the embodiments as described above, the block heater 64A is used as a means for raising the temperature of the steam boiler 64. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the steam boiler 64 has a high temperature value suitable for producing milk foam. Any other means may be used as long as the heating means can raise the temperature to the above.

It is a front view of the coffee drink manufacturing apparatus of this invention. It is a side view of a coffee drink manufacturing apparatus. It is an internal schematic block diagram of a coffee drink manufacturing apparatus. It is an internal block diagram of a coffee extractor. It is a side view of a milker and each component. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus of a coffee drink manufacturing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a coffee extractor. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a coffee extractor. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a coffee extractor. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a coffee extractor. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a coffee extractor. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a coffee extractor. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a coffee extractor. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a coffee extractor. It is a figure which shows the temperature control of the steam boiler as a 1st Example. It is a figure which shows the temperature control of the steam boiler as a 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the temperature control of the steam boiler as a 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coffee beverage production apparatus 2 Coffee liquid nozzle 3 Milk foam nozzle 4 Nozzle member 5 Beverage selection button 11 Hot water tank 13 Coffee extractor 15 Hot water supply side solenoid valve 16 Hot water supply side piping 24 Extraction side piping 25 Extraction solenoid valve 40 Control device 41 Temperature sensor 42 Remote control switch (Remote control switch)
43 receiver 61 milk former 62 hot water supply pipe 63 electromagnetic pump 64 steam boiler 64A block heater 65 milker 72 discharge part 74 steam nozzle 75 milk suction nozzle 76 air suction nozzle 77 milk suction tube

Claims (5)

In a milk foamer that sucks milk with steam generated by a boiler and sucks air and mixes the milk and air to produce a milk foam.
A control device that controls the temperature of the boiler to a predetermined high temperature value for steam generation is provided, and the control device lowers the temperature of the boiler below the high temperature value when milk foam is not generated for a predetermined time. A milk former characterized by controlling the holding temperature. In a milk foamer that sucks milk with steam generated by a boiler and sucks air and mixes the milk and air to produce a milk foam.
A milk foamer comprising a control device for controlling the temperature of the boiler to a predetermined high temperature value for generating steam, and the control device stops the operation of the boiler during a preset time period. In a milk foamer that sucks milk with steam generated by a boiler and sucks air and mixes the milk and air to produce a milk foam.
A milk foamer comprising a control device for controlling the temperature of the boiler to a predetermined high temperature value for steam generation, the control device comprising a switch for remotely controlling operation / stop of the boiler .   A coffee liquid comprising the milk foamer according to claim 1 or 2 and a coffee extractor for extracting coffee liquid, wherein the milk foam produced by the milk foamer is extracted by the coffee extractor. A coffee beverage production apparatus characterized in that it can be added to the coffee beverage. A coffee extractor that supplies hot water from a hot water tank to the coffee raw material to extract coffee liquid, and a boiler that generates steam using the hot water from the hot water tank, and the milk generated by the steam generated by the boiler A milk foamer that sucks and sucks air and mixes the milk and air to produce a milk foam, and the milk foam produced by the milk foamer is extracted by the coffee extractor In the coffee beverage production apparatus that can be added to the coffee liquid,
A control device for controlling the temperature of the boiler to a predetermined high temperature value for generating steam; the control device controls the temperature of the boiler when the coffee liquid is not extracted by the coffee extractor for a predetermined time. A coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus that controls a holding temperature lower than a high temperature value and raises the temperature of the boiler to the high temperature value when extraction of coffee liquid by the coffee extractor is started.

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