JPH0698100B2 - Beverage extractor - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a beverage extractor such as a coffee brewer used in general households.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional beverage extractors of this type have been configured such that hot water is boiled in a water container, the temperature of the water is sensed to open a heating circuit, and a lever is operated to supply hot water. In this device, if the hot water is not supplied immediately after boiling, the water temperature will drop, and the components such as coffee cannot be extracted sufficiently, and as a result, the temperature of the resulting coffee liquid will be low. I only got a bad one.

In order to solve this problem, for example, a device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 50-37964 has been proposed. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a heater 2 is provided near the lower end of the water container 1, and a hot water supply port 3 located at the bottom of the water container 1 is provided with a valve 4. It was composed of a spring-like elastic temperature sensing plate.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In such a conventional configuration, the water contained in the water container 1 is heated by the heater 2, and when the water temperature exceeds a predetermined value, the valve 4 is reversed to open the hot water supply port 3, Hot water is automatically dropped from the hot water supply port 3 to the filter case 5 below, but since the heat sensitive member (valve 4) is inside the water container 1, it easily deteriorates,
As a result, there is a problem that the characteristics change, and since the power supply circuit of the heating heater 2 and the valve 4 are opened and closed separately, the heating heater 2 is in an air-fired state or the water temperature is low. There was a problem that the heater 9 was cut off while the valve was low and the valve 9 did not open. Furthermore, due to variations in water temperature sensing due to the mounting position of the valve 4 in the water container 1 and variations in the temperature of the valve 4 itself, the water temperature must be set low, and the hot water supply temperature also varies among the bodies. . Therefore, it is not possible to satisfy the condition of delicious coffee extraction, which is to "boil hot water once and boil it from the beginning to swell the coffee powder in a short time (3 to 4 minutes)". .

The present invention is to solve such a problem, the hot water is always hot water can be automatically hot water boiling once high temperature, moreover, there is no malfunction, the operation is reliable, and the steam generated during boiling By structuring the extract to the extraction container side, the coffee powder can be swelled and the heat-retaining effect of the container can be effectively extracted, and the taste can be effectively prevented from being deteriorated due to the temperature decrease. An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage extractor such as a coffee brewer having a simplified property.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to an extraction container for containing a raw material such as coffee, a water container having a heating element, and water generated in the water container by heating and boiling. A steam sensing element that senses the steam that is generated, a hot water supply valve that feeds the water in the water container to the extraction container in conjunction with the movement of the steam sensing element, and a steam that is generated in the water container and that is guided to the extraction container. No. 1 steam port, a second steam port for guiding the steam generated in the water container to the steam sensing element, and the opening of the first steam port for the second steam port.
It is equipped with a freely operable setting means that can be opened preferentially to the steam port of.

Effect According to the above configuration, hot water for coffee powder or the like can be supplied by boiling hot water at a high temperature from the beginning to complete extraction in a short time, and the generated steam can be supplied to the coffee powder or the like before hot water is supplied. By guiding it to the brewing container, the coffee powder before hot water is sufficiently swelled by steam and swelled, and the state of easy component extraction can be realized, so the secret of delicious coffee extraction is fully satisfied and effective ingredients A rich and aromatic coffee liquid is obtained by extraction. Further, the setting means for the automatic hot water supply structure and the automatic switching structure of the steam guide path linked to the boiling detection can improve the operability and the usability by widening the range of selection in use.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the figure, 11 is a main body, and this main body 11 is a base.
12, container part 13 above it, this container part 13 and the base
It consists of a pillar 14 that connects the 12 sides, and this main body 11
A substantially U-shaped accommodating portion 15 is formed which is surrounded by and is cut open on the right side. Reference numeral 16 denotes a water container mounted above the container portion 13. The water container 16 is provided with a heating element 17 and a hot water supply valve 18 at the bottom, and a water injection port 19 is formed at the upper part.
A lid 20 is attached to the. Reference numeral 21 denotes a substantially T-shaped steam port provided on the side wall surface above the prescribed water level of the water container 16, and one of the inside of the water container 16 communicates with the inside of the water container 16 via a switching valve 22 provided at a branch point on the way.

The hot water supply valve 18 is a valve body 24 mounted on a valve rod 23 that can be raised and lowered.
Is installed so that it is always closed by the valve spring 25, and the valve rod 23 opens when it rises against the force of the valve spring 25, and this opening causes the water in the water container 16 to flow into the hot water supply pipe 26. It is guided to the pouring port 27 at the upper part of the storage section 15 through. 28 is the pouring spout
The filter case is located below 27 and is placed on the upper surface of cup 29, and has extraction port 30 formed at the lower end surface and filter 31 is housed inward.

Reference numeral 32 is a case lid which covers the upper surface of the filter case 28 and has an opening hole 33 for introducing the hot water from the pouring port 27 to the coffee powder. When the cup 29 on which the filter case 28 is mounted is attached to the storage portion 15, the bottom surface of the cup 29 is set in the cup mounting portion 34 provided on the base 12, and the heat insulating heater 35 is attached from below.
Then, the thermostat 36 for controlling the heat retaining heater 35 heats and keeps the temperature.

37 is a substantially cylindrical steam sensing tube that protrudes from the upper surface of the column 14 on the steam port 21 side of the water container 16 and is juxtaposed with the water container 16, and this steam sensing tube 37 has several upper end surfaces and side surfaces. The opening hole 38 is formed, and the second steam port 39 connected to the steam port 21 via the switching valve 22 is connected to the upper end portion thereof.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a vapor sensing element disposed above the inside of the vapor sensing tube 37. The vapor sensing element 40 is easily deformed by a biasing force of a bias spring 41 disposed below at all times (at normal temperature). Ti-Ni that adheres and expands with a restoring force to the original state that was memorized at a certain temperature below 100 ° C.
The coil spring is made of a shape memory alloy such as Cu-based or Cu-based. The expansion operation of the vapor sensing element 40 is
It is transmitted to one end of a lower rotatable valve lever 43 by a sliding rod 42 which can be raised and lowered on the inner surface of the vapor sensing pipe 37.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a waterproof packing which is fixed to the lower end peripheral portion at the lower portion of the vapor sensing tube 37 and is vertically movable so as to hold the sliding rod 42 in an airtight manner inside the vapor sensing tube 37 and the main body 11. Is airtightly shut off. When the valve lever 43 rotates, the valve lever 43 opens the hot water supply valve 18 by opening the power feed switch 45, which is a normally closed contact for cutting off the heat of the heating element 17, and pushing up the valve rod 23. Biased locking lever 46
It is designed to be held in.

47 is a first steam port connected to the steam port 21 via a switching valve 22. The first steam port 47 penetrates the inside of the container part 13 and is guided to the storage part 15 side, and The opening 48 is located on the front surface of the side wall of the filter case 28. 49 is a vapor ring having an inflow port 50 facing the opening portion 48, and being integrated with the filter case 28 by elastically engaging or ultrasonically bonding so as to cover the lower portion of the filter case 28,
A communication hole 51 to the filter case 28 is provided on the outside, a communication hole 52 to the cup 29 side is provided on the inside, and the communication holes 51 and 52 are provided to both the extraction containers (filter case 28 and cup 29). Communicate with each other.

Reference numeral 53 is a start button which is provided on the upper portion of the column 14 and which is self-restoring.
The operation knob 54 is connected to an internal mainspring timer device 55 by an operation knob capable of setting the opening time with respect to the steam port 47, and the operation knob 54 can be wound up and operated to set a long time. The mainspring timer device 55 has a cam 56 that rotates by the force of the mainspring and a ratchet release piece 57 that instructs the rotation of the cam 56, and is provided on the cam 56 when the operating knob 54 is at the "0" position. The protrusion 58 is spring-biased and abuts against a piece of the transmission plate 59 that contacts the peripheral edge of the cam 56, and rotates the transmission plate 59 counterclockwise.

The start button 53 is composed of two stages, and is normally biased by a spring to be positioned at the upper side, and when pushed down, the first step portion is engaged and locked with the locking plate 60, and at the same time, it is projected. One piece closes the power switch 61. When the start button 53 is further depressed, the projecting piece maintains the closed state of the power switch 61, and the second step portion is engaged with the other piece of the transmission plate 59 and is located at the bottom. Further, in this state, the lower piece of the start button 53 pushes down the ratchet releasing piece 57 of the mainspring device 55 to release the mainspring drive, and at the same time, the upper piece pushes down and holds the transmission rod 62.

Next, the structures of the transmission rod 62 and the switching valve 22 will be described.
The switching valve 22 is constantly spring-biased to close the first steam port 47 side and to open the second steam port 39 side, and a movable diaphragm 64 keeps the airtightness in the middle. And a switching lever 65, one piece of which engages with the valve body 63. The other part of the switching lever 65 is engaged with the upper part of the transmission rod 62 via a fulcrum. When the transmission rod 62 is pushed down, the switching lever 65 rotates, and this rotation causes the valve body 63 to move to the second position. The steam port 39 side of the
Open the steam port 47 side of. 66 is a stop button, and this stop button 66
When is pressed down, the locking plate 60 and the locking lever 46 are operated to unlock the start button 53 and the valve lever 43.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. First, cup the filter case 28 containing coffee powder and filter 31
29, and the cup placing portion 34 of the storage portion 15. At this time, the inlet 50 of the steam ring 49 attached to the filter case 28
Is the opening of the first steam port 47 guided to the storage section 15.
Position it facing the 48. It should be noted that this position regulation can be performed by forming the position regulation rib of the filter case 28 or the cup 29 from the container portion 13 or the column 14.

Further, when water is poured into the water container 16 and the lid 20 is covered, and the operating knob 54 is turned to the position of the predetermined amount of 4 cups and set, the cam 58 rotates and the protrusion 58 restricts the transmission plate 59. Since the force is lost, the transmission plate 59 has a rotational force in the clockwise direction by the amount of the protrusion and increases the urging force to the start button 53. At this point in time, the mainspring timer device 55 has its drive stopped by the ratchet mechanism and does not rotate.

Next, when the start button 53 is pushed down to the lowermost position, the first step passes through the engagement with the locking plate 60, and the transmission plate 59 with the increased urging force is engaged with the second step. It is locked and retained by. (FIG. 3 position of steaming) Further, the start button 53 has the upper piece overlying the transmission rod 62 against the spring force of the switching valve 22 to position it downward, thereby opening the water container 16 and the first steam port 47, The second steam port 39 is closed.
At the same time, one piece of the start button 53 closes the power switch 61, so that the heating element 17 and the heat retaining heater 35 are energized. At the same time, the other piece of the start button 53 presses the ratchet release piece 57 and the mainspring device operates.

The water in the water container 16 is heated by the heating element 17 and rises in temperature, and steam is generated on the water surface near 100 ° C. However, when the heating further progresses to reach the boiling point of 100 ° C., It will change to steam, and then steam will be generated continuously. When the steam pressure increases in momentum, the steam is discharged from the upper steam port 21 of the water container 16 through the switching valve 22 and the opening 48 of the first steam port 47. The discharged steam is guided into the steam ring 49 from the adjacent inflow port 50 to heat the filter case 28 itself from below, and a part of the steam enters the filter case 28 through the communication hole 51 and hits the coffee powder to remove the coffee powder. Steam. The temperature is high and the amount of heat is large, so that the coffee powder is sufficiently swelled and swelled, so that the components can be easily extracted in the subsequent hot water supply.

When the cold filter case 28 is used, heating of the filter case 28 causes the coffee powder to be cooled and the temperature not to rise immediately even when hot water is supplied. The swelling of coffee powder due to the steaming effect can be solved by eliminating the problem that the extracted high-temperature coffee liquid is cooled on the way through the inner surface of the filter case 28 and the temperature drops, resulting in poor taste and poor taste. Needless to say, it is possible to improve the extraction efficiency and eliminate the temperature drop of the extraction liquid by eliminating the troubles caused by the extraction container 28 to produce a delicious coffee liquid.

In addition, part of the steam guided to the steam ring 49 is also introduced into the cup 29 through the communication hole 52 to warm the cup 29. The steam guiding time (steaming time) to this extraction container (filter case 28, cup 29) is set by the mainspring timer device 55 that takes into account the boiling time (about 5 minutes). It is set to 6 minutes.

When the coffee ground has swollen sufficiently, the timer cam 56 returns to the “0” position, and the protrusion 58 pushes up the transmission plate 59, so that the other piece via the fulcrum rotates counterclockwise, and this By the rotation, the locking of the start button 53 by the other piece is released, and the start button 53 moves upward. (Drip position in FIG. 3) This upper position is a spring-biased locking plate.
60 is engaged and maintained on the first step of the start button 53.
The power switch 61 remains closed. Further, since the position movement of the start button 53 loses the pushing down force of the transmission rod 62 by the upper piece, the spring force in the switching valve 22 moves the valve body 63 and the transmission rod 62 moves upward.

The switching valve 22 closes the first steam port 47 and opens the second steam port 39. As a result, the steam discharge to the extraction container (28, 29) side is stopped, and the steam in the water container 16 is discharged to the steam sensing pipe 37 side. This vapor impinges vigorously on the vapor sensing element 40 provided through the opening hole 38. The vapor quickly heats up the temperature of the vapor sensing element 40, and
The temperature rises rapidly to 100 ° C, and the compressed coil spring shape memory alloy expands. This movement pushes down the sliding rod 42 against the spring force of the bias spring 41 and rotates the valve lever 43 counterclockwise. When the valve lever 43 rotates, the valve rod 23 is pushed up to open the hot water supply valve 18, and the boiling water in the water container 16 is passed through the hot water supply pipe 26 within a short time (set to 3 to 4 minutes). Is guided to the pouring port 27, and water is sprinkled and dropped. This dripping water is the opening hole of the case lid 32.
From 33, it is poured into the coffee powder that has been puffed by steam. The time until hot water supply, that is, the switching of the switching valve 22, the sensing and operation of the steam sensing element 40, the rotation of the valve lever 43, and the opening of the hot water supply valve 18 are the coffee after the steam discharge to the coffee powder is stopped. Effectively works as a swelling action time of powder. Therefore, the hot water is poured at a timing when it swells sufficiently due to the steaming effect of coffee powder by steam, and the active ingredient of coffee is effectively deposited from the coffee powder at the same time as the hot water starts, and a truly rich aroma is obtained. Extract rich coffee liquor. Further, the extracted coffee liquid is stored in the cup 29 without being affected by the temperature drop due to the extraction containers (28, 29), and is kept at a temperature ready for drinking by the heat retaining heater 35 and the thermostat 36. In other words, the boiling water that is poured into the coffee powder is the boiling water that has been once boiled at a high temperature from the beginning, and after adding the swelling effect of the coffee powder by steam, the boiling water is supplied in a short time to complete the extraction. Thus, a delicious coffee liquid can be obtained that satisfies the conditions for delicious coffee extraction.

Also, heating the extraction container (28, 29) with steam means that the extraction container (28, 29) takes away the heat of coffee powder and hot water temperature,
It is possible to solve the problems that the extraction temperature of coffee is lowered and the coffee component is not sufficiently extracted, and the disadvantages that the temperature of the extracted coffee liquid is lowered to make the taste bad.

On the other hand, the rotation of the valve lever 43 simultaneously opens the hot water supply valve 18 to open the power supply switch 45 to cut off the power supply to the heating element 17 and stop the heating of the water in the water container 16. To stop the heating after boiling, the hot water supply valve 18 is opened to prevent the heating in the water container 16 by the heating element 17 after the hot water supply is completed. The opening of the hot water supply valve 18 and the power feeding switch 45 is held by the locking lever 46 locking the valve lever 43 after the rotation.

In addition, the steam guide to the extraction container (28, 29) side by the mainspring timer device 55 and the switching valve 22 directly guides the steam to the steam sensing element 40 to open the power supply switch 45 and disconnect the heating element 17 from electricity. In addition, the boiling time of the water in the water container 16 can be set longer, and this boiling action is a musty odor.
By promoting the volatilization of chlorine, carbon dioxide or the carcinogenic substance trihalomethane, which is the cause of "challenge odor", it becomes possible to produce "delicious water". As a result, coffee and other beverage components are Only beverage components can be effectively extracted without being affected, and the promotion of heating after boiling has the effect of eradicating various bacteria in the water, and it can be used for supplying hot water to people with weak physical strength such as the elderly and babies, milk, etc. It is possible to use other than the coffee liquid.

On the other hand, the expanded shape memory alloy forming the vapor sensing element 40 is air-cooled because the discharge of steam due to the disconnection of the heating element 17 disappears, and the shape-memory alloy whose temperature has dropped due to this air cooling is stored in the expanded state. Since the restoring force to the vanishes, the bias spring 41 pushes it back to the initial compressed contact state. After the shape memory alloy is stretched, the time until it is pushed back by the bias spring 41 again is usually
It is set in a short time until the hot water supply in the water container 16 is completed. After use, when the stop button 66 is pushed down, the start button 53 and the valve lever 43 are unlocked and the power supply switch 45 is closed, but the power switch 61 is opened. The heater 35 is cut off. At the same time, the hot water supply valve 18 is closed.

When the steam guide to the extraction container (28, 29) side is not required, the user does not set the operation knob 54, and sets it at the position of the drip (Fig. 3) where the start button 53 is pushed down one step. For example, the steam generated in the water container 16 is guided to the steam sensing pipe 37 from the initial stage without being discharged to the extraction container (28, 29) side, and the hot water supply valve 18 is opened by the movement of the steam sensing element 40. Then, hot water is supplied to the extraction containers (28, 29) to extract the coffee liquid, and the selection is free.

As described above, the beverage extractor of the present embodiment is provided with an extraction container (filter case 28, cup 2
9), a steam sensing element 40 for sensing steam generated by heating and boiling of water in the water container 16, and the water in the water container 16 in association with the movement of the steam sensing element 40 into the extraction container (28, 29) a hot water supply valve 18, a first steam port 47 for guiding the steam generated in the water container 16 to the extraction container (28, 29), and the steam sensing element for the steam generated in the water container 16. Second leading to 40
Of the second steam port 39 and the opening of the first steam port 47 of the second steam port 39 can be freely set.
Since it is configured with, it is possible to supply hot water to coffee powder etc. that has boiled from the beginning without fail, and the steam generated before hot water is supplied to the extraction container (28,2
By guiding to the 9) side, the raw material can be steamed with steam, and the powder can be swollen and fully swelled. As a result, it is possible to bring the components into an easy state, and thus the extraction efficiency of the components. Is greatly enhanced, and the secret condition for extracting delicious components is satisfied, and a delicious extract liquid with a rich rich fragrance is obtained. Also, since the extraction container (28,29) can be heated by steam, the extraction container (28,2)
9) Preventing the extraction temperature from dropping and maintaining stable conditions at all times, and reducing the temperature drop of the extracted coffee liquid to keep the delicious coffee liquid warm for a longer time. It is possible to reduce the power consumption of 35 and abolish it, and simplify the configuration and manufacture at low cost.

In addition, simply by setting the operation knob 54, the extraction container (28,2
9) The adoption of a configuration in which the steam guide time to the side is set automatically at the same time as the steam guide time is set, and the automatic hot water supply operation by the steam sensing element 40 can improve the convenience of operation. . Further, the setting by the above-mentioned operation means can be freely selected according to the intention of the user, and the range of usability is increased.

And after guiding the steam to the extraction container (28,29) side again,
The structure for opening the hot water supply valve 18 and supplying hot water with the steam sensing element 40 is
Since the boiling time is set longer than when the vapor is immediately guided to the vapor sensing element 40 side, the vaporization of carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide, trihalomethane, etc. is promoted and removed, and as a result,
Hot water to extract is "delicious water" with less harmful components
As a result, the extracted beverage liquid can be free from mixing of these defective components.

Also, the extension of boiling heating promotes the eradication of various bacteria in the hot water in the water container 16, and since it can be used for supplying hot water to the weak and for producing milk for babies, its practical effect is great. is there. Further, in this embodiment, since the shape memory alloy is used as the vapor sensing element 40, no wiring component is required, and the sensing and the operation can be performed at the same time, and the sensing deviation is eliminated by one component. It is possible and the configuration is simplified.

In the above embodiment, the heating element 17 is directly attached to the water container 16 in consideration of heating efficiency.However, the heating element 17 and the water container 16 are separated, and a circulating water channel is formed to circulate heating. The water container 16 is made of a synthetic resin or a detachable system is adopted, and the first and second steam ports are always opened at a constant ratio, and the first steam port is always connected to the first steam port. A priority is given to steam, and after the steam is guided to the extraction container side, it is configured to start hot water supply, or the steam port of the present embodiment is provided and arranged in the water container 16, etc. Needless to say, it may be appropriately changed and adopted.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION As described above, according to the present invention, boiling water is always used as the hot water to be supplied, and the hot water can be supplied at a temperature higher than the initial temperature, and has a steaming action by steam. Since the swelling effect of the substance to be extracted can be enhanced and the swelling effect can be increased, the swelling of the powder becomes sufficient, and as a result, the active ingredient can be efficiently extracted and a fragrant beverage liquid can be obtained. Further, the hot water supply operation can be automatically performed, and there is no erroneous operation, and the operability is simple. Furthermore, the use of boiling water has the effect of volatilizing and removing harmful components such as chlorine and carbon dioxide or trihalomethane contained in water and eradicating miscellaneous bacteria to generate delicious water. It has various excellent effects such as being able to drink the component liquid of a rich extract.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a beverage extractor showing an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part, FIG. 3 is a front view showing the operation display part, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional beverage extractor, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part. 16 …… water container, 17 …… heating element, 18 …… hot water supply valve, 21 …… steam port, 22 …… switching valve, 28 …… filter case, 29 ……
Cup, 39 ... Second steam port, 40 ... Steam sensing element, 47
...... First steam port, 54 ...... Operation knob (operation means).

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An extraction container for containing a raw material such as coffee,
A water container having a heating element, a steam sensing element that senses steam generated by heating and boiling of water in the water container, and water in the water container is supplied to the extraction container in conjunction with the movement of the steam sensing element. Hot water supply valve, a first steam port for guiding the steam generated in the water container to the extraction container, a second steam port for guiding the steam generated in the water container to the steam sensing element, and the first steam port. A beverage extractor comprising: a controllable operating means capable of opening a steam port in preference to the second steam port. 2. The beverage extractor according to claim 1, wherein the operating means comprises a timer device for opening the second steam port after opening the first steam port for a certain period of time.