JP2017086447A - Coffee machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new coffee machine which can extract authentic drip coffee, and furthermore in which maintenance such as washing of each part thereof and replacement of members thereof can be facilitated, and which can be hygienically controlled at a high level.SOLUTION: The coffee machine is provided in which coffee powder W ground to a proper grain size is charged into an extraction cylinder 11 configured in such a way that upper and lower opening portions of a cylinder body 13 can be respectively closed by an upper piston 14 and a lower piston 15, then hot water is supplied into the extraction cylinder 11 for extracting drip coffee. The upper piston 14 and the lower piston 15 are fixed in a resting state, only the cylinder body 13 is lifted up and down with respect to both pistons 14, 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a coffee machine that can extract full-fledged drip coffee, and in particular, maintenance such as cleaning and replacement of each part can be easily performed, and anyone can easily perform hygiene management of the machine at a high level. It concerns a new coffee machine.

There are many coffee machines (automated machines) in the market where you can easily brew genuine drip coffee and espresso coffee.
Of course, this type of coffee machine grinds coffee powder from coffee beans each time it is extracted. After this coffee powder is put into the extraction cylinder, an appropriate amount of hot water is supplied to the coffee liquid (drip coffee). Or espresso coffee).
Further, this type of coffee machine is configured such that the upper and lower openings of the cylindrical cylinder body are closed by the upper piston and the lower piston, respectively. Furthermore, in this type of coffee machine, a configuration is often employed in which the cylinder body is set in a fixed state and the upper piston and the lower piston are moved up and down relative to the cylinder body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This is because, for example, when the coffee powder is charged into the cylinder body, the upper piston does not hinder this charging. In addition, the above configuration is adopted in that when the coffee grounds after extraction are discharged from the filter surface (cylinder body), the piston provided with the filter is moved up and down to expose the piston from the cylinder body, and the scraper is discharged. It is for performing smoothly.

However, in the method in which the cylinder main body is fixed and the upper and lower pistons are moved up and down, both the drive units are integrated with the extraction unit, which makes it difficult to perform maintenance.
Further, since coffee residue (extraction residue) adheres in the cylinder body after extraction, this coffee residue becomes a resistance load on the piston that moves up and down in the cylinder body after extraction. Of course, the coffee residue adhering to the inside of the cylinder body is naturally not uniform (because variation occurs), and due to this variation, a force that tilts (decenters) the piston that moves up and down acts. Such force is absorbed by the elasticity of the O-ring provided on the outer peripheral portion of the piston. However, depending on the variation, the O-ring may be damaged in a very short time.

JP 2005-152188 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background. While full-fledged drip coffee can be extracted, maintenance such as washing of each part of the coffee machine and replacement of members can be easily performed. The technical issue is the development of a new coffee machine that allows easy hygiene management at a high level.

First, the coffee machine according to claim 1 is:
Coffee powder ground to an appropriate particle size is put into an extraction cylinder configured so that the upper and lower openings of the cylinder body can be closed by an upper piston and a lower piston, respectively, and hot water is supplied into the extraction cylinder. In a coffee machine that extracts drip coffee,
The upper piston and the lower piston are fixed in a stationary state, and only the cylinder body is moved up and down with respect to both the pistons.

Moreover, in addition to the requirements of Claim 1, the coffee machine according to Claim 2
The lower piston is provided with a filter that blocks the passage of coffee powder,
The cylinder body is provided with a scraper formed so as to substantially surround the upper opening of the cylinder body,
This scraper is configured to move up and down together with the cylinder body, and after extraction, it is configured to reciprocate horizontally on the filter provided on the lower piston, removing the coffee residue remaining on the filter from the filter. It is characterized by what I did.

Moreover, in addition to the requirements of the said Claim 2, the coffee machine of Claim 3 is
The scraper is formed such that the dispensing action part for removing the coffee residue from the filter has a thickness in the height direction,
Further, a protruding portion capable of coming into contact with a chute for sliding down coffee powder from the grinder into the cylinder body is formed outside the scraper or the cylinder body.

Further, the coffee machine according to claim 4 is in addition to the requirement according to claim 2 or 3,
The filter is formed by laminating a mesh filter and a perforated filter from the coffee liquid passage direction, and is configured to support this with a support member in which a passage hole is opened,
Further, at the time of extraction, air is supplied into the cylinder body through the filter, and the coffee powder and hot water being extracted are agitated.

Further, the coffee machine according to claim 5 is in addition to the requirement according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The lower piston is supported in a swingable manner in two directions perpendicular to the vertical direction.

Moreover, the coffee machine according to claim 6 is in addition to the requirement according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A lead screw is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the cylinder main body, and a ring gear that is screwed to the lead screw is provided on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder main body.
In addition, a drive gear meshing with the ring gear is provided on the outer peripheral side of the ring gear, and the cylinder gear is moved up and down by rotating the ring gear at a fixed position of the cylinder body by driving of the drive gear. Is.

Moreover, in addition to the requirements of any one of Claims 1 to 6, the coffee machine according to Claim 7,
The extraction cylinder is configured to be detachable from the coffee machine,
To remove this extraction cylinder from the coffee machine, remove the extraction cylinder by lifting it up or pulling out the extraction cylinder along the guide provided at the bottom of the machine body,
In order to attach the brewing cylinder to the coffee machine, the brewing cylinder is lowered and attached from the upper side, or is attached by pushing the brewing cylinder along the guide.

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the upper piston and the lower piston are fixedly installed in a stationary state, while the cylinder body is moved up and down, for example, a hot water supply path connected to the upper piston and the lower piston, an air path, and an extraction Since the route does not move each time extraction is performed, it is difficult to damage and the durability of the coffee machine is improved. For this reason, the number of parts replacement and maintenance can be reduced, and the running cost can be reduced.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the scraper that removes the coffee residue after extraction from the filter surface is formed so as to substantially surround the upper opening of the cylinder body, even if the scraper rises together with the extraction cylinder, The upper opening of the extraction cylinder can be closed by the upper piston, and the operation of pouring coffee powder into the cylinder body can be performed smoothly.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the scraper is formed so that the discharging portion of the coffee residue has a thickness in the height direction, so that the coffee powder ground by the grinder is placed inside the cylinder body through the chute. When being put into the scraper, the scraper also serves as a cover for preventing the scattering of coffee powder.
In addition, when hot water is supplied to the cylinder body, the cylinder body and the scraper are raised to the fixed upper piston in advance, and at this time, the projecting portion formed on the outer periphery of the scraper or the cylinder body causes the chute to retract. Can be rotated. This makes it difficult for steam generated during hot water supply to be applied to the chute (it is difficult to make contact), and it is possible to prevent the coffee powder from adhering to the chute.

According to the invention described in claim 4, since the filter is configured such that a mesh filter and a perforated filter are laminated and supported by the support member, there is no paper odor and a delicious drip coffee (high Brix value). Coffee liquor) can be extracted.
In addition, during extraction, air is supplied into the cylinder body through the filter and agitated, so the air that has passed through the perforation filter and mesh filter becomes microbubbles (nanobubbles) in the liquid. As a result, a more delicious coffee liquid can be extracted.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since the lower piston is supported so as to be swingable in two directions perpendicular to the vertical direction (front and rear, left and right), when the cylinder body descends after extraction, Even if a force that decenters the lower piston due to the coffee residue (coffee residue with variation) attached to the inner wall surface, the lower piston swings in two directions, so that the balance of force is maintained without difficulty. It is possible to prevent damage to the O-ring provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lower piston.

According to the invention described in claim 6, a simple mechanism for raising and lowering the cylinder body can be specifically provided.
Further, with the above structure, the drive transmission from the mechanism for moving the cylinder body up and down to the extraction cylinder can be easily disconnected and reliably reconnected. For this reason, for example, when the extraction cylinder is configured to be removable from the coffee machine, the convenience is greatly improved.

  According to the invention of claim 7, since the extraction cylinder is configured to be detachable from the coffee machine, it is easy to perform maintenance such as cleaning of each part of the coffee machine and replacement of parts, and the hygienic state can be maintained at an extremely high level. It can be maintained. To remove the extraction cylinder from the coffee machine, lift the extraction cylinder or remove it by pulling it forward (pull out) .To attach the extraction cylinder to the coffee machine, lower the extraction cylinder from the top down, Alternatively, since the attachment is performed by pushing in the rear side, the attaching / detaching operation can be performed very easily without using a tool or the like.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the coffee machine of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of a coffee machine same as the above in the state without a partition wall. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of a coffee machine same as the above in the state with a partition wall. It is a perspective view which shows the extraction cylinder periphery of a coffee machine same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows the lower piston periphery of a coffee machine same as the above. It is the perspective view (a) which shows the cylinder case of a coffee machine same as the above, and the top view (b) which shows the scraper which open | released the front side (payout side). It is a systematic diagram of a coffee machine same as the above. It is sectional drawing which shows the filter applied to a coffee machine same as the above, and the disassembled perspective view which shows separately the mesh filter, perforation filter, sub-support, and base support which comprise this filter. It is the projection figure which looked at the filter from the base support side. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement condition which extracts full-scale drip coffee with the coffee machine of this invention in steps.

  The mode for carrying out the present invention includes one described in the following embodiments, and further includes various methods that can be improved within the technical idea.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7 as an example, the coffee machine A of the present invention generates a brewer unit 1 that substantially extracts coffee liquid from coffee powder W as an extraction raw material, and hot water for extraction. The hot water generating part 2 and a pouring part 3 for pouring the extracted coffee liquid into the cup C are provided, and these are integrally incorporated in the machine body 4.
Here, in this embodiment, the bend stage 41 serving as the dispensing chamber is disposed on the front side of the coffee machine A (machine body 4) (defined as the front side), and both sides thereof are defined as the left-right direction. Further, the front side where the bend stage 41 is located when viewed from the machine body 4 (inside) may be referred to as the front (front side), and the opposite side may be referred to as the back (back side).

  In this embodiment, the floor surface of the bend stage 41 on which the cup C is placed at the time of extraction is formed in a lattice shape or a hook shape as shown in FIG. 2 as an example, and below (in the machine body 4). The drain box 42 is detachably accommodated. Further, immediately behind the drain box 42, a scum box 43 for temporarily storing the coffee scum W1 paid out from the filter surface after extraction is detachably provided. Incidentally, when the drain box 42 and the dregs box 43 are taken out from the machine main body 4, the opening / closing door 44 (see FIG. 1) provided on the front surface of the coffee machine A is opened to a substantially fully opened state, and then these are taken out. Is.

In addition, the “coffee liquid” described in the present specification refers to a state in which a coffee extract is drip-extracted (eluted) using hot water as a solvent from coffee powder W as a raw material (drip coffee). That is, the coffee machine A of the present invention is an apparatus that extracts drip coffee in earnest.
The coffee machine A (the brewer unit 1) includes a coffee powder supply mechanism 5 and a residue discharging mechanism 6. Furthermore, in the present invention, an upper piston and a lower piston that can close the upper and lower openings of the extraction cylinder that becomes the extraction space are installed in a stationary state, and the extraction cylinder is provided so as to be movable up and down. Therefore, the coffee machine A includes a cylinder lifting mechanism 7 that moves the extraction cylinder up and down.
Hereinafter, each structural member which comprises the coffee machine A is demonstrated. In the description, the hot water generating unit 2 will be described prior to the description of the brewer unit 1.

The hot water generation unit 2 is a part that generates hot water for extraction as described above, but the hot water generated here is also used to steam the coffee powder W prior to substantial extraction.
As shown in FIG. 7 as an example, the hot water generation unit 2 includes a water supply tank 21 and a hot water boiler 22, and the water supply tank 21 is a part that stores water before generating hot water. The hot water boiler 22 is a part that generates hot water from water.
The hot water boiler 22 is provided with a heater 221 for heating the water supplied from the water supply tank 21 and a temperature sensor 222 for measuring the temperature of the hot water (hot water).
Furthermore, a water supply path L1 for sending water from the water supply tank 21 to the hot water boiler 22 is provided with a water supply pump M1 and a check valve CV.

Next, the brewer unit 1 will be described.
As described above, the brewer unit 1 is a part that substantially extracts the coffee liquid from the coffee powder W, and includes an extraction unit 10 as a main component, which includes an extraction cylinder 11 and a cylinder case 12. . In this embodiment, the extraction unit 10 is configured to be detachable with respect to the coffee machine A (machine body 4), and details thereof will be described later.

Next, the coffee powder supply mechanism 5 will be described.
The coffee powder supply mechanism 5 is a mechanism for supplying coffee powder W, which is an extraction raw material, to the extraction cylinder 11, and generates coffee powder W by grinding, for example, one cup at a time for each extraction.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 as an example, the coffee powder supply mechanism 5 includes a hopper 51 for storing coffee beans, a grinder 52 for grinding coffee beans to an appropriate particle size, and extracts ground coffee powder W. It comprises a funnel-shaped guide 53 and a chute 54 for sliding into the cylinder 11. The chute 54 is configured such that both sides of the upper end portion are pivotably attached to a frame or the like constituting the machine body 4 so that the charging tip faces the extraction cylinder 11. Further, the chute 54 is prevented from rotating by the urging force of a spring or the like when the coffee powder W is charged.

Moreover, the hopper 51 and the grinder 52 are provided as a pair as one set, and in this embodiment, two sets are provided, for example, to accommodate different coffee beans. Here, the different coffee beans include the types of beans themselves, and the same types of beans with different roasting degrees. Incidentally, the degree of roasting of coffee beans is generally classified into 8 stages, and it is said that four types are suitable for drip coffee from the ones with shallow roasting. Of course, when drip coffee is extracted for iced coffee, relatively strong roasted coffee beans may be used (in practice). For this reason, the coffee beans used in the present invention are not necessarily limited to shallowly roasted coffee beans, and the paired hopper 51 and grinder 52 are provided separately for hot / ice coffee beans. It is also possible. Of course, only one set of the hopper 51 and the grinder 52 may be provided, or three or more sets may be provided. Even when three or more sets are provided, the funnel-shaped guide 53 and the chute 54 are used in common. It is preferable to do.
Reference numerals M6 and M7 in FIG. 7 are motors for driving each grinder 52.

Next, the extraction unit 10 will be described. The extraction unit 10 includes the extraction cylinder 11 and the cylinder case 12 as described above.
As shown by way of example in FIGS. 2 to 5, the extraction cylinder 11 is configured so that the upper and lower sides of a cylindrical cylinder body 13 can be sealed with an upper piston 14 and a lower piston 15, respectively.
In addition, a general coffee machine has a cylinder body fixedly installed in a stationary state (non-moving state), and the upper and lower pistons (one or both) are moved up and down with respect to the cylinder body, so that coffee powder In the present invention, the upper piston 14 and the lower piston 15 are fixedly installed in a stationary state (non-moving state) and the cylinder body 13 is moved up and down as described above. The coffee powder W is charged and the extraction space (cylinder body 13) is sealed, which is a major feature. For this reason, although the names of the “pistons” of the upper piston 14 and the lower piston 15 in the present invention may not be exactly correct, they are names conventionally used, and both these members are connected to the cylinder body 13. Therefore, the above names are also used in this specification.

Next, the cylinder lifting mechanism 7 will be described.
The cylinder elevating mechanism 7 is a mechanism for moving the cylinder body 13 up and down with respect to the upper piston 14 and the lower piston 15 installed in a stationary state. The cylinder body 13 is a cylinder attached to the machine body 4 in a stationary state. The case 12 is configured to move up and down.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 as an example, the cylinder elevating mechanism 7 includes a lead screw 71 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the cylinder body 13 and a ring gear 72 screwed to the lead screw 71. The ring gear 72 has a female screw that is screwed into the lead screw 71 on the inner peripheral side. The ring gear 72 is formed with a gear on the outer peripheral side, and a drive gear 73 is provided so as to mesh with the gear (the outer peripheral side of the ring gear 72). In addition, the code | symbol M5 in a figure is a drive motor for driving the drive gear 73 rotationally.

Incidentally, the ring gear 72 and the drive gear 73 are not always kept in meshing state, but are kept in meshing state only when the extraction unit 10 is set in the coffee machine A (machine body 4). In other words, in the separated state where the extraction unit 10 is removed from the coffee machine A, the ring gear 72 is also separated from the coffee machine A together with the extraction cylinder 11, so that the meshing state of both is released.
The ring gear 72 is configured to rotate at a fixed position (without moving in the vertical direction) on the outer periphery of the cylinder body 13, and specifically, is rotatably supported by the cylinder case 12. As a result, when the drive gear 73 is rotated by the drive motor M5, the ring gear 72 is rotated at a fixed position, and the cylinder body 13 is moved up and down in response to this rotation.

Further, the vertical movement of the cylinder body 13 is regulated by a vertical rail 75 formed between the extraction cylinder 11 and the cylinder case 12, thereby causing the cylinder body 13 to move up and down smoothly and stably. be able to.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6A as an example, the vertical rail 75 includes a vertical groove 76 formed in a vertically engraved shape on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder body 13 and an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder case 12. It is comprised with the convex-shaped vertical rib 77 formed so that the said vertical groove 76 might be fitted.
The longitudinal grooves 76 are formed so as to cut out the lead screw 71 at two positions on the left and right sides of the cylinder body 13. On the other hand, the longitudinal ribs 77 on the inner peripheral side of the cylinder case 12 are formed inside the pillar portions on the left and right sides of the cylinder case 12.
Thus, the cylinder body 13 moves up and down in a state where the longitudinal grooves 76 formed on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder body 13 are always fitted to the longitudinal ribs 77 of the cylinder case 12, thereby enabling a reliable lifting operation. It becomes.

Next, the residue dispensing mechanism 6 will be described.
The waste discharging mechanism 6 removes the coffee residue W1 remaining on the filter surface after extraction from the filter surface. As shown in FIG. 4, as an example, a scraper 61 that operates to scrape the filter surface is used as a main member. And The coffee residue W1 removed from the filter surface is dropped into the front-side residue box 43 as described above.
In this embodiment, the scraper 61 is provided so as to surround the upper opening of the cylinder body 13 (in other words, a ring shape). More specifically, the scraper 61 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a thickness in the height direction. It is formed.
Further, the scraper 61 is configured to move up and down together with the cylinder main body 13, and when the coffee residue W <b> 1 is not discharged, the cylindrical inner side is kept facing the top of the cylinder main body 13.

The discharge of the coffee residue W1 is performed when the upper end of the cylinder body 13 reaches the filter surface of the lower piston 15 (bottom dead center). For this reason, the scraper 61 that has reached the bottom dead center position has a scraper on the back side. A waste discharging mechanism 6 (actual drive unit) that pushes 61 toward the front waste box 43 (reciprocates horizontally) is provided.
As described above, the waste box 43 is detachably provided on the back side (back side) of the bend stage 41. For example, when the coffee waste W1 collected in the waste box 43 is to be discarded, First, the opening / closing door 44 of the machine body 4 is opened, and the drain box 42 provided below the bend stage 41 is taken out of the machine body 4 and then the dregs box 43 is taken out.

As an example of the scrap discharging mechanism 6 (actual drive unit), as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as an example, a cam link mechanism 6 (same reference numeral as the scrap discharging mechanism 6) can be adopted.
The cam link mechanism 6 is configured to rotate the cam by the waste discharging motor M3 and convert this rotation into the front-rear operation (horizontal reciprocation operation) of the scraper 61 via the link mechanism.
By this cam link mechanism 6, the coffee residue W 1 remaining on the filter surface of the lower piston 15 is scraped off by a cylindrical inner peripheral surface (dispensing action portion 610 described later) of the scraper 61 and accommodated in the residue box 43. Is done.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cam link mechanism 6 is formed with a disk-shaped connecting portion 62 that engages with the scraper 61 at the front end of the scraper 61 that pushes the scraper 61 forward (the axis of the disc is As shown in FIG. 4, a catch receiving portion 63 for receiving the connection portion 62 from below is formed on the back side of the scraper 61. As a result, when the scraper 61 moves down to the bottom dead center in cooperation with the cylinder body 13, the disc-like connecting portion 62 naturally fits in the catch receiving portion 63 of the scraper 61, and the connection (engagement) Stop). Of course, this connection state is maintained while the scraper 61 is moved horizontally by operating the cam link mechanism 6 (while the scraper 61 is discharging the coffee residue W1), and the cylinder body 13 is raised after the discharging. As a result, the connection state between the cam link mechanism 6 and the scraper 61 is also released naturally.
Thus, the cam link mechanism 6 is configured so that the connection with the scraper 61 is continued only when the scraper 61 moves back and forth (only when the scraper 61 moves horizontally at the bottom dead center position). This connection is released while the cylinder body 13 moves up and down.

Further, a sensor (reed switch) LS for detecting that the scraper 61 has been lowered to the bottom dead center is provided in the vicinity of the connection portion 62 in the cam link mechanism 6, while in the vicinity of the catch receiving portion 63 in the scraper 61, When the scraper 61 descends to the bottom dead center, a contact piece 64 that comes into contact with the sensor LS is provided.
Thus, the sensor LS automatically detects that the scraper 61 has been lowered to the bottom dead center, and based on this signal, the scrap discharge motor M3 of the cam link mechanism 6 is automatically driven, and the coffee scrap W1. It is possible to smoothly shift to the discharging operation.
The sensor LS also serves as a sensor (reed switch) that detects that the cylinder body 13 has been lowered to the bottom dead center, and the rotation (drive) of the drive motor M5 is automatically performed by a detection signal of the sensor LS. That is, the lowering operation of the cylinder body 13 is stopped. Incidentally, the origin position of the cam link mechanism 6 (the scraper 61 paid out the coffee residue W1 and returned to the original position) is detected by another sensor (not shown).
Reference numeral 65 shown in FIG. 3 and the like is a slide-like guide for guiding the coffee residue W1 scraped off from the filter surface of the lower piston 15 to the residue box 43. In this embodiment, both guides 65 are provided. A standing wall is formed on the side, and the scraper 61 is configured to move back and forth while a lower portion of the scraper 61 is fitted therein. Incidentally, the guide 65 is integrally formed on the top of the cylinder body 13 and moves up and down together with the cylinder body 13.

As described above, the scraper 61 moves up and down from the bottom dead center together with the cylinder body 13 to the top dead center (position where the upper opening of the cylinder body 13 is closed by the upper piston 14), while finishing the extraction and the bottom dead center. A structure that is configured to move (reciprocate) also in the front-rear direction after descending to the bottom will be described below.
First, as shown in FIG. 4 as an example, projections 66 projecting outward are formed on the left and right sides (cylindrical thickness portions) of the scraper 61. The protrusions 66 are formed in four places, two on each side.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6A as an example, the cylinder case 12 is formed with a vertical groove 67 and a horizontal groove 68 that are slidable while the protrusion 66 is housed in an internally fitted state. It is formed so as to reach (connect to) the lateral groove 68 at the lower end (the state where the scraper 61 has reached the bottom dead center).
As a result, the scraper 61 that has descended to the bottom dead center after extraction can be smoothly moved horizontally horizontally. That is, when the scraper 61 moves up and down, the projection 66 slides in the vertical direction while fitting into the vertical groove 67, and when the scraper 61 moves horizontally, that is, moves forward from the bottom dead center, the vertical groove 67. The protrusion 66 fitted into the slidable portion is now slid in the front-rear direction while being fitted into the lateral groove 68.

The scraper 61 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a thickness in the height direction as described above, and when the coffee powder W ground by the grinder 52 is put into the cylinder body 13 via the chute 54. The thickness portion (cylindrical inner portion) also serves as a cover for preventing the falling coffee powder W from scattering (see FIG. 10B).
Further, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a protruding portion 69 is formed in an inclined shape on the thickness outer periphery front side (casbox 43 side) of the scraper 61, and when the scraper 61 rises, this pressing As shown in FIG. 10C, as an example, if the take-out portion 69 is brought into contact with the charging tip portion of the chute 54 into which the coffee powder W has been charged (here, formed as a circular member when viewed from the side). Thus, prior to the hot water supply to the cylinder body 13, when the scraper 61 rises, the pushing-out portion 69 of the scraper 61 can be rotated so as to move the chute 54 away from the cylinder body 13 (ie, kicking). As a result, when hot water is supplied to the cylinder body 13, it is difficult for steam to be applied to the chute 54 (it becomes difficult to contact), and the coffee powder W can be prevented from sticking. Therefore, the reliable charging of the coffee powder W can be maintained for a long time, and the maintenance for eliminating the sticking of the coffee powder W can be drastically reduced.

In the present embodiment, the scraper 61 is formed in a closed annular shape that surrounds the upper opening of the cylinder body 13 as described above, but the scraper 61 is not necessarily limited to such a shape. That is, as an example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the scraper 61 can also be formed in an open annular shape or U-shape with an opening on the payout side (cass box 43 side), as shown in FIG. The payout action part 610 to be removed from the filter surface (for example, a total of three surfaces including the back surface and the left and right surfaces excluding the casbox 43 side) may be continuously formed. In addition, it is preferable that the said paying-out action part 610 is formed so that it may have a thickness more than the coffee waste W1, for example in the height direction.
By the way, the description “so as to substantially surround the upper opening (of the cylinder body) of this” in the scope of the claims is that the scraper 61 is not necessarily formed in a closed annular shape as described above, and the U-shape in which the payout side is opened. Or the case where it forms in an open annular shape is included.
Further, when the scraper 61 is opened on the payout side, particularly when the scraper 61 is formed in a U-shape, the protruding portion 69 can be formed on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder body 13. In this embodiment, the guide 65 can function as the protruding portion 69.

  Further, as described above, the extraction unit 10 (extraction cylinder 11) is configured to be detachable from the coffee machine A (machine main body 4) by a human hand. For this reason, the extraction unit 10 includes the cam link mechanism. (Transmission mechanism 6) and the drive transmission from the cylinder elevating mechanism 7 are configured so that they can be easily disconnected and reconnected, and such a structure will be described below.

First, the space where the extraction unit 10 is installed will be described. As described above, the extraction unit 10 includes members that move up and down such as the cylinder body 13, the upper piston 14, the lower piston 15, and the scraper 61, and the cylinder case 12 and the ring gear 72 that are fixedly installed in the machine body 4. It is roughly divided into non-moving members.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3 as an example, the space in which the extraction unit 10 is installed in the machine body 4 is partitioned by a partition wall 45 on the upper side and the back side. Behind this space (the space where the extraction unit 10 is installed) is a drive gear 73 of the cylinder lifting mechanism 7 for lifting and lowering the cylinder body 13 and a cam crank mechanism 6 (actual drive) for discharging the coffee residue W1 by the scraper 61. Part). Of course, a window for meshing the drive gear 73 and the ring gear 72 is opened in the partition wall 45 between the installation space of the extraction unit 10 and the cylinder lifting mechanism 7.
A grinder 52 is housed above the installation space of the extraction unit 10 with another partition wall 45 therebetween, and a window for passing the funnel-shaped guide 53 is also opened in the partition wall 45. The
A water supply tank 21 is accommodated next to the installation space of the extraction unit 10 (left side in FIG. 2).

Hereinafter, the detachable configuration of the extraction unit 10 will be described.
First, in the installation space of the extraction unit 10, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the four pins 46 are installed so as to protrude upward from the bottom of the machine body 4. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a hook 47 is installed on the upper part of the partition wall 45 on the back side of the extraction unit 10.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6A as an example, four pin holes 48 (notches) for accommodating the pins 46 are formed in the lower portion of the cylinder case 12 of the extraction unit 10 as an example. The Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a latching portion 49 that fits into the hook 47 is formed on the upper back side of the cylinder case 12.
Thus, the extraction unit 10 has a structure in which the machine body 4 is detachably inserted into the four pins on the lower side, and is attached to the hook 47 provided on the partition wall 45 on the machine body 4 side on the back side. A detachable latching structure is employed, whereby the extraction unit 10 is detachable from the machine body 4.

That is, when the extraction unit 10 is installed in the machine main body 4, the pin hole 48 of the cylinder case 12 is fitted into the pin 46 protruding from the machine main body 4 on the lower side and the cylinder on the rear side. The extraction unit 10 is attached to (attached to) the machine body 4 so that the latching portion 49 of the case 12 is hooked on the hook 47 of the partition wall 45.
Further, in order to remove the extraction unit 10 from the machine main body 4 from such an attached state, the extraction unit 10 (cylinder case 12) is lifted up, hooked by the hook 47 on the back side, and the lower pin 46. Remove while disconnecting. Of course, when removing the extraction unit 10, the opening / closing door 44 on the front side of the coffee machine A is almost fully opened in advance, and after removing the drain box 42 and the dregs box 43 from the machine body 4, the upper piston 14 and the like The extraction unit 10 is removed after disconnecting various paths (tubes) connected to the lower piston 15.
Incidentally, a hot water supply and air vent path (a hot water supply path L2 and a pressure adjustment path L3, which will be described later) are connected to the upper piston 14, and an extraction and agitation air path (extraction path L4, which will be described later) will be connected to the lower piston 15. And air supply path L5) are connected, and if these are connected as connectors, the disconnection operation (connection release operation) and the connection operation can be performed easily and hygienically.

Next, the structure which disconnects the drive transmission from the cylinder raising / lowering mechanism 7 in the extraction unit 10, or reconnects is demonstrated.
The cylinder elevating mechanism 7 is configured to transmit rotation between the drive gear 73 and the ring gear 72 that mesh with each other as described above. In other words, in this embodiment, the rotation is transmitted between the drive gear 73 fixedly installed on the back side of the ring gear 72 and the ring gear 72 provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder body 13. Is removed from the machine body 4 so that both gears are separated and the meshing state of both gears is naturally released (the drive can be easily disconnected). Of course, when the extraction unit 10 is mounted in the machine main body 4, both the gears naturally mesh with each other, and both gears are easily connected (a state in which rotation is transmitted can be obtained immediately).

Next, a configuration in which the drive transmission from the cam link mechanism (cass payout mechanism) 6 is disconnected or reconnected in the extraction unit 10 will be described.
In order to take out the extraction unit 10 from the machine body 4, the extraction unit 10 is lifted and removed from the machine body 4 as described above. Therefore, on the back side of the scraper 61, the catch receiving portion 63 also moves upward together with the cylinder main body 13, and the connection state with the connection portion 62 of the cam link mechanism 6 is easily released. Of course, when the extraction unit 10 is mounted in the machine body 4, the operation is such that the extraction unit 10 is lowered from above as described above, so that the catch receiving portion 63 of the scraper 61 is naturally connected to the cam link mechanism. 6 is connected to the connection portion 62, and the connection between the two is automatically and reliably performed.

The attachment / detachment of the extraction unit 10 is not limited to such an upward / downward movement, and can be performed by a forward / backward movement (pulling / pushing). Of course, for this purpose, the extraction unit 10 is not attached by the pin 46, the pin hole 48, the hook 47 and the hooking portion 49, but a guide (rail) in the front-rear direction is laid on the bottom of the machine body 4 in advance. In addition (not shown), when the extraction unit 10 is removed from the coffee machine A, the extraction unit 10 is pulled out (pulled out) from the machine body 4 along the guide. Is attached to the coffee machine A by pushing the extraction unit 10 into the machine body 4 along the guide.
Of course, when the extraction unit 10 is attached and detached in the front-rear direction as described above, the extraction unit 10 (cylinder case 12) is mounted in the machine body 4 while being pushed into the machine body 4 along the guide. 4 is preferably locked with a rotatable key or a key.
When the extraction unit 10 is attached / detached in the front-rear direction, the connection between the upper piston 14 and the lower piston 15 is switched between connection / disconnection in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the extraction unit 10. Can be done. That is, when the extraction unit 10 is attached (pushed), the connector connection of each path is performed, and the extraction unit 10 is pulled out, so that this connector connection can be released naturally.

Next, the upper piston 14 will be described.
The upper piston 14 is a member that closes the upper opening of the cylinder body 13 that rises as described above, and maintains the inside of the cylinder body 13 serving as an extraction space in a sealed state during extraction. Here, reference numeral 141 shown in FIG. 4 or the like is an O-ring that is externally fitted to the upper piston 14 (to seal the extraction space), thereby preventing leakage of hot water or the like supplied to the extraction space, In addition, the space is maintained in an appropriate sealed space (pressure-resistant space).

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a hot water supply path L2 for supplying hot water (hot water) is formed between the hot water boiler 22 and the upper piston 14, and hot water supply is provided in this path. A valve V1 is provided. Here, the hot water supply valve V1 opens the valve to turn on the hot water supply path L2 when hot water is supplied from the hot water boiler 22 into the cylinder body 13, that is, to the extraction space between the upper piston 14 and the lower piston 15. , The hot water supply state (hot water supply possible state) is entered, and the valve is closed (off), the path is cut off and the hot water supply is stopped.
The hot water supply path L2 is provided with a flow meter (flow meter) 23 for measuring a hot water supply amount (flow rate).

Further, a pressure adjusting path L3 for setting the inside (extraction space) of the cylinder body 13 (extraction space) to a pressurized state or an open state to the atmosphere is connected to the upper piston 14, and in this path, an air release valve is connected. V2 and an air pump M2 are provided. Here, the air pump M2 and the air release valve V2 operate (turn on) the air pump M2 and close (turn off) the air release valve V2 when the extraction space is in a pressurized state, thereby opening the extraction space to the atmosphere. In this state, the air pump M2 is stopped (turned off) and the air release valve V2 is opened (turned on).
Further, a check valve CV is provided between the air pump M2 and the air release valve V2, and this check valve CV prevents air from flowing to the air pump M2 side when the extraction space is set to the atmospheric release state. Is responsible for.

  The upper piston 14 is provided with a shower plate 142 facing the extraction space (coffee powder W accommodated in the cylinder body 13). This shower plate 142 is mainly intended to spray hot water on the coffee powder W accommodated in the extraction space, and does not require a filtering action. Therefore, the upper piston 14 is naturally formed so that hot water supplied from the hot water supply path L2 passes through the shower plate 142 (watering hole) on the lower surface. Incidentally, since the shower plate 142 only has to pass hot water (sprayed water), a filter 152 (filter 152 provided in the lower piston 15) described later can be applied (applied).

Next, the lower piston 15 will be described.
Similarly to the above-described upper piston 14, the lower piston 15 itself is provided in a stationary state (non-moving state), and seals the lower opening in the cylinder body 13 during extraction. Here, reference numeral 151 in the figure denotes an O-ring that is externally fitted to the lower piston 15, thereby preventing leakage of hot water or coffee liquid supplied into the cylinder body 13 (extraction space), and extraction. The inside of the space is maintained in an appropriate sealed space (pressure-resistant space).

  Further, an extraction path L4 is formed between the lower piston 15 and the pouring part 3 (nozzle 31), and the coffee liquid extracted in the cylinder body 13 (extraction space) by the path is supplied to the pouring part 3. It is transferred and poured into the cup C from here. Note that an extraction valve is not provided in the path (that is, the extraction path L4 is formed in a simple tube shape), thereby eliminating the cleaning of the extraction valve performed during maintenance. The system is designed to prevent problems such as human error at the time and cleaning differences between workers (considering that the same hygiene can be easily maintained regardless of who manages the system).

The lower piston 15 is not provided with a drain path. Here, the drain path is a stage in which the coffee liquid extracted in the cylinder body 13 is gradually reduced by the transfer to the pouring unit 3 and a lot of miscellaneous components are contained in the liquid. (This is used as a residual liquid), and this residual liquid is switched from the extraction path L4 and discharged to a drain pipe or the like.
In the present embodiment, since there is no such drain path, the residual liquid generated at each extraction is included in the coffee residue W1 and stored in the residue box 43 together with the coffee residue W1.
By the way, because of this structure, this coffee machine A can be installed in places without drainage equipment such as drain pipes, and can be installed anywhere in the center of the office as long as it is powered, and coffee machine A to existing drainage equipment. The drain pipe installation work up to is also unnecessary.

  Further, an air supply path L5 for supplying air into the cylinder body 13 being extracted is connected to the lower piston 15, and an air pump M4 and a check valve CV are provided in this path. The reason why air is supplied from the air pump M4 to the extraction space is to stir the coffee powder W and hot water, and this stirring will be described later.

In this embodiment, the lower piston 15 is supported so as to be swingable in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, and this structure will be described below.
As an example, the lower piston 15 is supported from the cylinder case 12 via two link bars, and is supported so as to be swingable in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, as shown in FIGS.
Specifically, in the lower part of the cylinder case 12, a link bar extending in the left-right direction is horizontally mounted (this is referred to as a left-right direction link bar 17), and a link bar (this (Vertical link bar 18) is connected to be pivotable in the front-rear direction. The lower piston 15 is supported at the upper end of the vertical link bar 18 so as to be swingable in the left-right direction.

Next, the effect of supporting the lower piston 15 so as to be swingable in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction will be described.
In the present invention, as described above, the cylinder body 13 is moved up and down with respect to the upper piston 14 and the lower piston 15 fixedly installed in a stationary state (non-moving state). When descending to the payout position (bottom dead center), the outer peripheral contact surface of the lower piston 15 relatively scrapes off the coffee residue W1 remaining on the cylinder inner wall surface. Here, since the coffee residue W1 adhered and remaining on the inner wall surface of the cylinder is naturally not uniform and varies, a resistance force acts to decenter the lower piston 15 from the variation. Here, when the lower piston 15 is not swingably supported (when it is simply supported horizontally), the O-ring 151 on the outer peripheral portion of the lower piston 15 partially moves while the cylinder body 13 is being lowered. It may be crushed (partly with excessive force), causing damage. However, in this embodiment, the lower piston 15 is supported so as to be swingable in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction (X direction and Y direction), so that the force balance can be maintained without difficulty and is provided on the outer periphery of the lower piston 15. Further, damage to the O-ring 151 can be prevented.
Note that when the lower piston 15 is swingably supported, the lower piston 15 is not necessarily swingable in two directions, front and rear, and left and right. For example, it may be connected by a universal joint and swingable in all directions. Is possible.

The lower piston 15 is provided with a filter 152 facing the extraction space (coffee powder W accommodated in the cylinder body 13). That is, the filter 152 is provided on the upper surface of the lower piston 15 and is a portion where the coffee powder W put into the cylinder body 13 comes into contact.
However, the filter 152 has a filtering action that allows the coffee liquid extracted from the coffee powder W to pass therethrough while preventing the coffee powder W from passing therethrough. In addition, although this filter 152 extracts authentic drip coffee in the present invention, this filter 152 itself can also be applied when extracting authentic espresso coffee.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 8, the filter 152 is formed by laminating a mesh filter MF and a perforated filter EF from the side that comes in contact with the coffee powder W (from the direction in which the coffee liquid passes), and this is supported by a support member. It consists of In this embodiment, the support member is formed by laminating two support members, which are referred to as a sub-support SS and a base support BS from the direction in which the coffee liquid passes. Note that the filter 152 formed by laminating the mesh filter MF, the perforated filter EF, the sub-support SS, and the base support BS may be referred to as a “special four-layer filter 152” in this specification. Of course, each member is formed with a passage hole h through which the coffee liquid passes, and the coffee residue W1 remains on the mesh filter MF that is in direct contact with the coffee powder W.
In addition, since the mesh filter MF, the perforation filter EF, the sub-support SS, and the base support BS are all made of SUS (made of stainless steel), the extracted coffee liquid is made of paper compared to a paper filter (so-called paper filter). Is excellent in that the filter 152 itself can be used repeatedly. Further, it has been confirmed by the present applicant that the filter 152 having the above configuration has a high Brix value measured by a saccharimeter, and this is also excellent in this respect. Specifically, when the Brix value of a general paper filter is about 1.2 to 1.8, the filter (special four-layer filter) 152 of this example is about 2.3 to 2.8, and coffee It has been confirmed that the umami component can be extracted very deeply.

Hereinafter, each member constituting the filter 152 will be described.
First, the mesh filter MF is formed of, for example, a 400 mesh stainless steel wire mesh (plain weave wire mesh). Here, the 400-mesh stainless steel wire mesh has a wire diameter of 0.03 mm and an opening size of 33 μm, for example, but the mesh filter MF may be a 350-mesh stainless steel wire mesh (wire diameter of 0.03 mm and opening size of 54 μm). It is also possible to use a 300 mesh stainless steel wire mesh (wire diameter: 0.04 mm, opening size: 44 μm).
In addition, since the fine powder of the coffee powder W is the finest and is about 20 μm, even if 400 mesh (opening size 33 μm) having the smallest opening size is applied among the mesh filters MF, only the size is compared. The fine powder of coffee powder W passes through the passage hole h of the mesh filter MF. However, since the fine powder of the coffee powder W is not a perfect sphere (bread circle), even if a mesh filter MF having an eye larger than the fine powder is used, the fine powder can be prevented from passing through. Of course, here, the coffee powder W and hot water are agitated at the time of extraction, and this also contributes to preventing fine powder from passing through, even though the mesh filter MF has a large eye. The stirring will be described later.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8 as an example, a step is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the mesh filter MF, and the mesh filter MF is formed to have a hat shape as a whole. Here, in the mesh filter MF, the inner circular flat surface portion becomes a substantial filtration surface (filter surface), so this is the filter main body portion MF1, and the outer peripheral flat surface portion with a step difference is the flange portion MF2. The filter main body MF1 inside the flange MF2 accommodates a perforated filter EF and a sub support SS described later using a step. For this reason, the depth of the accommodation space (the height of the step) in the filter body MF1 is set to approximately the total thickness of the perforated filter EF and the sub-support SS (for example, the thickness of the perforated filter EF is 0.2 mm). When the plate thickness of the sub support SS is 0.8 mm, the depth of the accommodation space in the filter main body MF1 is set to about 1 mm).
Further, the step between the filter main body MF1 and the flange MF2 is formed by a bending process. At the same time as the bending process, a plurality of circular holes MF3 are opened in the flange MF2. This circular hole MF3 is for strengthening the integration (integration by the resin PL) of the mesh filter MF, the perforation filter EF, the sub support SS, and the base support BS performed thereafter.

Next, the perforation filter EF will be described.
As an example, the perforated filter EF is formed of a SUS disk having a thickness of 0.2 mm, and a large number of thin through holes h are formed in the entire filter surface (laminated surface) (for example, about 130 μm to 180 μm in diameter).
The size (diameter dimension) of the passage holes h of the perforated filter EF may be the same, but for example, a large passage hole h is perforated at the center of the filter and a small passage hole h is perforated at the peripheral portion. It is also possible to vary the size of the passage hole h depending on each part of the filter.
In addition, the density of the passage holes h can be different between the vicinity of the center and the periphery of the perforation filter EF. For example, when extracting the coffee liquid to be extracted while collecting it near the center of the perforation filter EF. The perforation filter EF can be perforated so that the passage hole h is densely perforated in the vicinity of the center of the perforation filter EF so that the passage hole h becomes gradually closer to the periphery.
The passage hole h of the perforation filter EF can be perforated by etching.

Next, support members for the base support BS and the sub support SS will be described.
The base support BS and the sub-support SS support the mesh filter MF and the perforation filter EF. More specifically, the base support BS and the sub support SS support the mesh filter MF and the perforation filter EF so that the mesh filter MF and the perforation filter EF are not deformed or damaged by the pressure acting at the time of extraction. Is.
Note that the base support BS of this embodiment is formed of a SUS plate material having a plate thickness of 1.0 mm as an example, and the sub-support SS is formed of a SUS plate material having a plate thickness of 0.8 mm as an example. In both cases, a large circular passage hole h (for example, a diameter of about 7 mm) is opened at the center, and a large number of small regular hexagonal passage holes h (for example, an opposite side distance of about 3 mm) are opened around the periphery (so-called honeycomb). Status).

Here, the reason why a substantially regular hexagonal passage hole h is opened in addition to the center of both support members (which is formed in a honeycomb shape in a plan view) is a support member that supports the mesh filter MF and the perforated filter EF. This is to achieve an increase in strength and an improvement in aperture ratio at the same time. That is, if the passage hole h is substantially regular hexagonal, the boundary portion between the passage holes h has a constant width dimension, and exhibits excellent performance as strength to support the mesh filter MF and the perforation filter EF, and the coffee liquid A high aperture ratio can be ensured for smooth passage, and a limited filter area can be used effectively.
Of course, the shape of the passage hole h may be circular as represented by a general punching metal, but in this case, the boundary between the circular hole and the hole has a constant width dimension. Not every part is different. For this reason, if it is attempted to secure the necessary minimum strength in the narrowest part of the boundary part, there is a concern that the overall aperture ratio is reduced and the limited filter area cannot be used effectively.
In addition, opening a circular passage hole h larger than the surrounding honeycomb-shaped passage hole h in the vicinity of the center of the base support BS and the sub-support SS improves the drainage of the coffee liquid at the center of the filter (others). This is because the coffee liquid can be extracted efficiently.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the support member is divided into the base support BS and the sub support SS, which is because the plate thickness limit when etching the SUS plate is about 1 mm. . That is, here, when the regular hexagonal passage hole h is opened in the base support BS and the sub-support SS, it is opened by etching processing, and since the processing limit is about 1 mm, two support members are used. It is divided into. Further, for this reason, when the base support BS and the sub support SS are stacked, the circular passage hole h and the regular hexagonal passage hole h are made to coincide (see FIG. 9), for example, there are a plurality of them. The positioning support pins are fitted into some of the passage holes h, and are integrated in a state where the hole positions of the base support BS and the sub support SS are matched.

As shown in FIG. 8 as an example, the outer diameter dimension of the base support BS is formed to be slightly larger than the sub-support SS. This is because only the sub-support SS has the filter main body MF1 of the mesh filter MF. This is because it is accommodated in the accommodation space (step). That is, in the laminated state (integrated state), the base support BS is provided so that the outer peripheral edge thereof is overlapped with the flange portion MF2 of the mesh filter MF, and the base support BS is connected to the perforated filter EF and the sub filter EF housed in the accommodation space of the filter body portion MF1. The support SS is firmly held (pressed).
In addition, a plurality of circumferential long holes BS1 are formed in a uniform manner on the outer peripheral edge of the base support BS, which is overlapped with the flange portion MF2, and this is also formed with a mesh filter MF, perforated filter EF, sub-support SS, base This is because the support BS is firmly integrated. That is, this long hole BS1 is formed so as to communicate with the circular hole MF3 of the mesh filter MF, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 as an example, whereby the resin (food resin) PL is transferred to the mesh filter MF and In addition to sandwiching the outer peripheral edge of the base support BS (saddle part MF2), the resin PL penetrates both holes in the vertical direction at the communicating part of the circular hole MF3 and the long hole BS1, and is integrated more firmly. It is intended.

Next, the extraction unit 3 will be described.
As described above, the pouring part 3 is a part where the coffee liquid extracted in the cylinder body 13 is finally poured into the cup C, and the nozzle 31 is a main member.
In addition, in FIG. 1 etc., the bend stage 41 in which the said extraction part 3 is comprised is illustrated in the air | atmosphere open state, However, The said bend stage 41 is suitably provided with an opening / closing door etc. It is possible to form.

The coffee machine A of the present invention has the basic structure as described above. Hereinafter, a mode of extracting full-fledged drip coffee by applying the coffee machine A will be described.
(1) Initial state of extraction cylinder First, the initial state of the extraction cylinder 11 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 10A as an example, the extraction cylinder 11 stands by at an initial position where the upper opening of the cylinder body 13 is not closed by the upper piston 14. This initial position is a state in which, for example, the upper portion of the cylinder body 13 is positioned approximately in the middle between the upper piston 14 and the lower piston 15, thereby opening the upper opening of the cylinder body 13, and from here the coffee powder W Input is possible.

(2) Loading of coffee powder Next, coffee powder W is charged into the cylinder body 13 in such a state. First, an appropriate amount of coffee beans is supplied from the hopper 51 to the grinder 52. The ground coffee grounds W are put into the cylinder body 13 through a funnel-shaped guide 53 and a chute 54 (see, for example, FIG. 3). At the time of charging, as shown in FIG. 10B as an example, the charging tip of the chute 54 faces the upper opening of the cylinder body 13, and the coffee powder W slides down the chute 54 in the cylinder body 13. It will be thrown into.
Further, as described above, the cylindrical scraper 61 is provided above the cylinder body 13, and the coffee powder W that has passed through the chute 54 is put into the cylinder body 13 from above the scraper 61. The scraper 61 also serves to prevent scattering when the coffee powder W is charged.

(3) Cylinder body rise (top dead center)
Thereafter, as an example, as shown in FIG. 10C, the cylinder body 13 is raised so that the upper opening of the cylinder body 13 is closed by the upper piston 14. Here, the closing of the cylinder body 13 by the upper piston 14 is not necessarily required to tightly seal the inside of the cylinder body 13 serving as an extraction space, and the closing may be performed such that air escapes from the upper opening of the cylinder body 13. However, when closed in such a state, it is preferable to raise the cylinder main body 13 again and seal the inside of the cylinder main body 13 (to prevent air leakage) before the pouring stage described later.
Note that the scraper 61 also rises as the cylinder body 13 rises. At this time, if the protruding portion 69 is set so as to contact the throwing tip portion (a circular portion in side view) of the chute 54, the scraper The chute 54 can be moved away from the cylinder body 13 by 61 protruding portions 69 (can be rotated). As a result, when the hot water is supplied into the cylinder body 13 later, it becomes difficult for steam to be applied to the chute 54 (it becomes difficult to contact), and the coffee powder W can be prevented from sticking to the chute 54. For this reason, the reliable charging of the coffee powder W can be maintained over a long period of time, and the maintenance for eliminating the sticking of the coffee powder W can be eliminated.

(4) 1st pouring (for steaming)
Thereafter, when the hot water supply valve V1 in FIG. 7 is turned on, as shown in FIG. 10 (d) as an example, the hot water is sprayed from the shower plate 142 of the upper piston 14, and the coffee powder W in the cylinder body 13 is steamed. . During this hot water supply, the air release valve V2 in FIG. 7 is opened (turned on) to release air, so that hot water supply into the cylinder body 13 can be performed smoothly.
Moreover, the temperature of the hot water supplied into the cylinder main body 13 is 90 ± 2 ° C. as an example, and the pouring amount is about 30 to 100 cc. The pouring amount is measured by a flow meter (flow meter) 23. Thereafter, pouring is automatically stopped (that is, the hot water supply valve V1 is turned off).
In addition, after pouring is stopped, the coffee powder W is steamed for about 5 to 10 seconds.
Further, at the time of pouring, since the chute 54 has retreated from the cylinder main body 13 (extraction space) as described above, it is difficult for steam to be applied to the chute 54 and the coffee powder W can be prevented from adhering to the chute 54. It is.

(5) Second pouring (for extraction)
After the coffee powder W has been steamed in this way, the hot water supply valve V1 in FIG. 7 is opened again (on), and as an example, as shown in FIG. 10 (e), from the shower plate 142 of the upper piston 14 Hot water for extracting coffee liquid is supplied into the cylinder body 13. Of course, in this case as well, hot water can be smoothly supplied into the cylinder body 13 by opening (turning on) the air release valve V2 to release air.
Moreover, the pouring in this step is continued until reaching 160 to 180 cc, and when a prescribed amount of pouring is measured by the flow meter 23, the pouring is automatically terminated (hot water supply valve V1). Off / Air release valve V2 off).

(6) Agitation In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 (e) in the middle of pouring, air is supplied from the lower piston 15 (filter 152) into the cylinder body 13 with the air pump M4 on in FIG. And the coffee powder W and hot water are sufficiently stirred. Incidentally, the feeding of air from the air pump M4 is automatically stopped when time is up.
Note that the air fed into the cylinder body 13 by this stirring passes through the special four-layer filter 152 and is supplied to the liquid in which the coffee extract is extracted from the coffee powder W. At this time, the air passes through the fine passage holes h opened in the perforation filter EF and the mesh filter MF to form micro bubbles (nano bubbles), and this makes the extraction of the extract evenly, and as a result, unprecedented delicious ( It can extract coffee liquor (high Brix value).

(7) Effect of stirring (separated into layers)
As a result of such air agitation, the coffee powder W in the cylinder body 13 (coffee powder W present in the liquid) is, as an example, as shown in FIG. In addition, a small one (light one) is located on the top, and a layer is formed as a whole, and this acts as a filtering mechanism and can extract a coffee liquid not mixed with fine powder.

(8) Extraction of coffee liquid (air extrusion)
Thereafter, in order to send the coffee liquid extracted in the cylinder body 13 to the nozzle 31, as shown in FIG. 10 (f), pressurized air is supplied from the upper piston 14 into the cylinder body 13 (in FIG. 7). The air pump M2 is turned on and the air release valve V2 is turned off), and it is preferable to promote the feeding of the coffee liquid to the nozzle 31 (shortening the extraction time). The coffee liquid extracted in the cylinder body 13 is sent from the lower piston 15 (filter 152) to the nozzle 31 through the extraction path L4, and poured into the cup C therefrom.
In the final stage of extraction, a lot of miscellaneous components are mixed in the coffee liquor. In this embodiment, the residual liquor rich in such miscellaneous components is contained in the coffee dregs W1 and the cass box 43 together with the coffee dregs W1. Is not sent to the extraction path L4 (is not allowed to flow out of the nozzle 31).
Further, the extracted coffee residue W1 remains on the filter 152 of the lower piston 15 as shown in FIG.

(9) Lowering of cylinder body (bottom dead center)
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10 (h), the cylinder main body 13 is lowered to the residue discharging position (bottom dead center). At this time, the situation is such that the surface of the lower piston 15 scrapes off the coffee residue W1 adhering to the inner wall surface of the cylinder. For this reason, the lower piston 15 is acted on by a resistance force to be decentered due to variations in residue adhesion, but in this embodiment, the lower piston 15 is moved back and forth, left and right by the left and right direction link bar 17 and the up and down direction link bar 18. Therefore, the lower piston 15 can maintain the balance of force without difficulty, and can prevent damage to the O-ring 151 fitted on the outer peripheral portion of the piston.

(10) Waste Discharge It is detected by the sensor LS that the cylinder body 13 and the scraper 61 are lowered to the bottom dead center (see FIG. 4).
When the scrap discharging motor M3 of the cam link mechanism 6 is actuated by detecting the bottom dead center, the scraper 61 (dispensing action portion 610) moves forward as shown in FIG. Horizontal reciprocation is performed), and the coffee residue W1 on the lower piston 15 (filter 152) is dropped and charged into the residue box 43.
In the present embodiment, as described above, the remaining liquid with a large amount of miscellaneous components generated at the end of the extraction is put into the cas box 43 together with the coffee scum W1 while being included in the coffee scum W1.
Incidentally, the drain box 43 receives this when the coffee liquid is not poured into the cup C by mistake. When the extraction path L4 is cleaned, a container that receives the cleaning liquid (cleaned cleaning liquid) is usually placed below the nozzle 31, but the cleaning liquid is put in the drain box 43 in case this is not erroneously placed. It can be accommodated.
Moreover, the scraper 61 after paying out the coffee residue W1 naturally returns to the upper part of the cylinder body 13 by the cam link mechanism 6, as shown in FIG. 10 (j).

(11) Cylinder body lift (return to initial position)
After the coffee residue W1 is dispensed in this way, the cylinder body 13 and the scraper 61 rise (return) to the initial position as shown in FIG. 10A, and wait for the next extraction (standby state). Become).

As described above, in this embodiment, a full-fledged drip coffee that prevents mixing of fine powder can be automatically extracted. By the way, a paper filter may be used if it only prevents the mixing of fine powder, but in that case, the smell or taste of foreign matter such as paper, for example, lignin, etc., is generated in the coffee liquid. Some people shy away from paper filters. Of course, although the metal filter itself has existed conventionally, since the conventional metal filter opens a passage hole by punching, the opening is comparatively large and mixing of fine powder is inevitable.
In addition, paper filters cannot be used repeatedly like metal filters, and each filter needs to be replaced and discarded every time it is extracted. Of course, if it is a metal filter, as described above, it is possible to sufficiently drip the oil of coffee beans, which is an umami component (compared to conventional drip extraction using a paper or cloth filter). .
As described above, in this embodiment, although a metal filter is used, mixing of fine powder can be prevented and full-fledged drip coffee can be extracted.

A Coffee machine 1 Brewer part 2 Hot water generation part 3 Pouring part 4 Machine body 5 Coffee powder supply mechanism 6 Waste discharging mechanism (cam link mechanism)
7 Cylinder lifting mechanism

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Brewer part 10 Extraction unit 11 Extraction cylinder 12 Cylinder case 13 Cylinder main body 14 Upper piston 141 O-ring 142 Shower plate 15 Lower piston 151 O-ring 152 Filter 17 Left-right direction link bar 18 Vertical-direction link bar

152 Filter MF Mesh filter EF Perforated filter SS Sub-support BS Base support PL resin (food resin)
h Passing hole

MF mesh filter MF1 filter body MF2 collar MF3 circular hole

BS base support BS1 long hole

2 Hot water generation unit 21 Water supply tank 22 Hot water boiler 221 Heater 222 Temperature sensor 23 Flow meter (flow meter)

3 Outlet 31 nozzle

4 Machine body 41 Bend stage (pouring room)
42 Drain box 43 Cass box 44 Open / close door 45 Partition wall 46 Pin 47 Hook 48 Pin hole 49 Hook

5 Coffee powder supply mechanism 51 Hopper 52 Grinder 53 Guide 54 Chute

6 Waste discharging mechanism (cam link mechanism)
61 Scraper 610 Dispensing action part 62 Connection part 63 Catch receiving part 64 Contact piece 65 Guide 66 Projection 67 Vertical groove 68 Horizontal groove 69 Projection part

7 Cylinder lifting mechanism 71 Lead screw 72 Ring gear 73 Drive gear 75 Vertical rail 76 Vertical groove 77 Vertical rib

W Coffee powder W1 Coffee residue C Cup

L1 Water supply path L2 Hot water supply path L3 Pressure adjustment path L4 Extraction path L5 Air supply path

LS sensor (reed switch)

CV Check valve V1 Hot water supply valve V2 Air release valve

M1 Water supply pump M2 Air pump M3 Waste discharge motor M4 Air pump M5 Drive motor (for cylinder lifting)
M6 motor (for grinder)
M7 motor (for grinder)

Claims (7)

Coffee powder ground to an appropriate particle size is put into an extraction cylinder configured so that the upper and lower openings of the cylinder body can be closed by an upper piston and a lower piston, respectively, and hot water is supplied into the extraction cylinder. In a coffee machine that extracts drip coffee,
The coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein the upper piston and the lower piston are fixed in a stationary state, and only the cylinder body is moved up and down relative to both the pistons.
The lower piston is provided with a filter that blocks the passage of coffee powder,
The cylinder body is provided with a scraper formed so as to substantially surround the upper opening of the cylinder body,
This scraper is configured to move up and down together with the cylinder body, and after extraction, it is configured to reciprocate horizontally on the filter provided on the lower piston, removing the coffee residue remaining on the filter from the filter. The coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein:
The scraper is formed such that the dispensing action part for removing the coffee residue from the filter has a thickness in the height direction,
3. The coffee machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a protruding portion that can come into contact with a chute for sliding the coffee powder from the grinder into the cylinder body on the outside of the scraper or the cylinder body.
The filter is formed by laminating a mesh filter and a perforated filter from the coffee liquid passage direction, and is configured to support this with a support member in which a passage hole is opened,
4. The coffee machine according to claim 2, wherein air is supplied into the cylinder body through the filter during extraction to stir the coffee powder and hot water being extracted.
The coffee machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lower piston is supported so as to be swingable in two directions perpendicular to the vertical direction.
A lead screw is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the cylinder main body, and a ring gear that is screwed to the lead screw is provided on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder main body.
In addition, a drive gear that meshes with the ring gear is provided on the outer peripheral side of the ring gear, and the ring main body is moved up and down by rotating the ring gear at a fixed position of the cylinder main body by driving the drive gear. The coffee machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The extraction cylinder is configured to be detachable from the coffee machine,
To remove this extraction cylinder from the coffee machine, remove the extraction cylinder by lifting it up or pulling out the extraction cylinder along the guide provided at the bottom of the machine body,
Further, in order to attach the extraction cylinder to the coffee machine, the extraction cylinder is attached by being lowered from the upper side, or is attached by pushing the extraction cylinder along the guide. The coffee machine according to item.

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