JPH11276351A - Coffee maker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the coffee liquid of various flavors by adjusting the hardness components of water. SOLUTION: A hardness adjustment means for adjusting the hardness of the water is provided, and by attaining the hardness of the water corresponding to the instruction of a user, the coffee liquid of the different flavor is obtained even at the time of using the same coffee beans. The water in a water tank 2 is led through a flow rate adjustment means 16 and a three-way valve 17 to a heating means 3, turned to hot water and poured from an ejection port 5 to coffee powder 13 and the extracted coffee liquid is accumulated in a coffee container 10. In the case of adjusting the hardness of the coffee liquid, it is performed by passing the water through either a water softening means 6 or a water hardening means 7 by the instruction from a manual input part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coffee maker used for ordinary households and businesses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, coffee has been provided with a heating means such as a water container and a heater so that water from a water container is heated and boiled in the middle of a water injection passage and then poured into a coffee container installed below a pouring hole. Manufacturers are often used at home. Along with this, various proposals have been made to easily obtain a more delicious coffee liquid.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-315434 discloses a high-molecular black-brown component (a high-molecular component obtained by liquid chromatography) as a defective component of coffee.
There is disclosed a technique in which activated carbon having an average pore radius distributed in the vicinity of 30 to 100 A is used, and a filter section containing the adsorbent is detachably provided below the coffee extraction section to change the taste. . In addition, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-26021 discloses a technique in which different flavors are obtained by providing a water generating device capable of generating alkaline water and acidic water from tap water by electrolysis. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-180718 discloses that a container provided with a water-permeable filter at the entrance and exit contains an ion-exchange resin and an antibacterial substance, and the container is attached to a water tank for hygiene. Techniques have been shown that can provide a delicious coffee liquor.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the main purpose is to remove an unpleasant component or to make a constant water component with respect to the water to be used. Could only obtain coffee liquor of the same taste, and could not obtain a coffee liquor corresponding to various taste preferences of individuals. In particular, the desire to enjoy different tastes depending on moods due to diversification of tastes could not be met. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is to obtain a coffee liquid having various flavors by adjusting a hardness component of water.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a hardness adjusting means for adjusting the hardness of water, and the hardness of the water is adjusted in accordance with a user's instruction. A different coffee liquid was obtained.
This hardness adjustment may be water in the water tank or water in the water injection passage. This hardness adjusting means measures the hardness of the water put in the water tank by adding a metal ion to the water put in the water tank, and adjusting the hardness by adding a hardness component. Any form may be used to achieve the desired hardness.

This hardness adjusting means is provided with a water hardening means and a water softening means separately, and when these are interposed in a water injection passage, water is passed through any of the means. Become. In addition, by using a cartridge type as necessary, the replacement is easy and the user can replace it by himself.

[0007] Further, the present invention provides not only the selection of the taste of the coffee liquid by the selection of soft water or hard water but also more fine adjustment of the taste by using a flow rate adjusting device for adjusting the flow rate of the water flowing through the water injection passage. Is made possible. Further, by providing the weight sensor of the coffee container, the weight increase rate of the extracted coffee liquid can be known, so that the difference between the designated flow rate and the actual flow rate can be detected, and the detected difference is fed back to the predetermined rate. The flow rate adjusting means is adjusted so that the flow rate becomes the above. Further, by using this weight sensor, it is possible to prevent heating in a state where water does not enter. Furthermore, when coffee extract of a designated number of people is extracted, the extraction operation can be stopped. In any case, the weight of the container is stored in advance, and the power is automatically turned off in comparison with the weight of the coffee container containing the extracted coffee liquid.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part showing a configuration of a coffee maker of the present embodiment. 1 is a coffee maker main body, 2 is a water storage tank attached to the main body, 3 is a heating means, and this heating means turns water guided from the water storage tank 2 through the water injection passage 4 into hot water. It is. The hot water thereafter reaches the discharge pipe 5 via the water injection passage 4. The hot water discharged from the discharge pipe 5 is poured into the coffee powder 13 stored in the filter unit 9,
To extract the coffee liquor.

The coffee liquid is stored in a coffee container 10 which is detachably provided below the filter section 9. The container 10 is installed on an installation table extending laterally from a lower portion of the main body 1. The tip of the discharge pipe 5 is located above the filter section 9. On the installation table, a heat retaining plate 11 for supporting the container 10 in a heat retaining state is provided. A heating means 3 is provided below the heat retaining plate 11 for heating the heat retaining plate 11 and for heating and boiling the water supplied from the water tank 2. The heating means 3 is formed by covering a heating pipe portion of a water injection passage 4 extending from the bottom of the water tank 2 at a lower portion of the heat retaining plate 11 with a metal member having high heat conductivity and integrating the same. Then, the heating plate 11 and the heating pipe section in the water injection passage 4 are simultaneously heated via the same metal member. In the coffee maker 1, a water softening means 6 and a water hardening means 7 are interposed in the middle of the water injection passage 4, and water is supplied to either of them by a switching valve 17. This water softening means 6
Is for removing metal ions such as calcium and magnesium contained in tap water, and is filled with, for example, a cation exchange resin. The water hardening means 7 is for increasing metal ions contained in tap water, and is filled with, for example, food additives such as calcium sulfate and magnesium sulfate. The water softening means 6 and the water hardening means 7 are of a cartridge type, and have a structure that can be removed by opening an opening / closing lid on a side surface or an upper surface of the main body. A check valve 8 is provided in the middle of the water injection passage 4 leading from the water softening means 6 and the water hardening means 7 to the heating means 3 having a heating pipe portion, so that heated hot water cannot flow back. ing. The water that has passed through the heating means 3 intermittently jets hot water from the tip of the discharge pipe 5 extending upward from the heating pipe section.

A weight sensor 14 for measuring the weight of the coffee container 10 is provided below the installation table. The weight sensor 14 records the weight of the container 10 at the time when the operation is started. At 15, the heating means 3 is controlled.

The water injection passage portion 4 is provided with a water injection passage portion 4 extending upward to guide the hot water heated and boiled by the heating means 3 in the heating pipe portion further upward. Further, the tip side is bent at a right angle and extends to the discharge pipe 5. The tip is formed in a downward pouring port 5. In the middle of the water injection passage 4, there are provided a flow control means 16 for controlling the flow velocity of the water guided from the water tank 2 and a three-way valve 17. Heating means 3, weight sensor 14, flow rate adjusting means 1
The operation of the six-way valve 17 is electrically controlled by the control means 15.

As shown in FIG. 2, the side of the main body 1 has a manual input section 18 for taste and the like. The manual input unit 18 has an acidity input key for inputting the strength of the acidity indicated by a triangle, and a quadrangular display unit for displaying an instruction state thereof. In this embodiment, the acidity is "strong".
Is displayed, but "medium" is displayed when the power is turned on. In addition, by operating this key, the "strongest", "strong", "somewhat strong", "somewhat weak", "weak",
An instruction such as "weakest" is possible. In addition, although not shown, it has a number key for designating the quantity for the number of people. In FIG. 2, “Koku” is a spare key for designating “Koku” of coffee. Depending on personal preference, the taste is not designated from the viewpoint of acidity, but is designated from the viewpoint of “Koku”. It is provided because it is specified. In this embodiment, the case where the taste is designated from the viewpoint of the acidity will be mainly described. However, when the key indicating the acidity is used, the instruction of “Koku” becomes invalid, and conversely, “Koku” is given first. If instructed, the acidity indication becomes invalid. Note that a display unit for displaying the degree of “body” is also provided. Normally, "medium" is displayed. In response to these key inputs, the control means 15 controls the flow rate adjusting means 16 and the three-way valve 17 to select which of the water hardening means 7 and the water softening means 6 to introduce water, and to adjust the extraction speed. .

In the present embodiment, when the acidity key is operated once so as to increase the acidity in the initial state after the power is turned on, the three-way valve 17 is guided so that the water in the water tank 2 is guided to the water softening means 6. When the acidity key is operated after switching, the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting means 16 is reduced, and the flow rate is reduced. Conversely, if an instruction to weaken the acidity is given in the initial state, the three-way valve 17 is switched so as to guide the water to the water hardening means 7, and the flow rate is controlled to be reduced according to the degree. When the acidity is “medium”, the three-way valve 17 is fully opened so as to guide water to both the water softening means 6 and the water hardening means 7.

Further, since the flow rate depends on the amount of water in the water tank 2, it is necessary to measure the actual flow rate. However, if the weight sensor 14 is used, the actual flow rate can be determined. By using the detection output of the sensor 14, the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting means can be adjusted.

Next, the operation of the coffee maker configured as described above will be described. First, the coffee container 10 with the lid attached is placed on the heat retaining plate 11. A filter paper 12 and a coffee bean powder 13 are accommodated in the filter unit 9, and the container 10 is set on the main body 1. A necessary amount of tap water is put into the water storage tank 2 and set in the coffee maker main body 1. The tap water supplied to the water storage tank 2 is connected to the water injection passage 4 by a projection below the water storage tank, and is guided into the passage portion. In advance, the user selects a flavor using the manual input unit 18 on the side of the main body 1.

The flow rate adjusting means 16 is linked in accordance with the user's preference.
Is controlled by For example, if the user desires a coffee with a strong acidity, the control means 15 receiving the instruction instructs the flow rate control means 16 and the three-way valve 17 to select water of very low hardness, and softens very slowly. Water will pass through the means 6. Alternatively, if mellow coffee is desired, water passes through the water hardening means 7. This is because the degree of acidity of the coffee bean component is adjusted by the degree to which it is associated with metal ions.

Tap water can be sent to the heating means 3 after passing through the water softening means 6 and the water hardening means 7. The treated water sent to the heating pipe section in the heating means 3 is boiled by the heating element to increase the vapor pressure, but cannot flow backward by the check valve 8, so that it flows unilaterally in the direction of the discharge pipe 5, and the tip of the discharge pipe 5 Is poured into the coffee powder 13 on the filter part 9. When the water in the heating pipe section is discharged, the steam pressure is lost and the difference causes the treated water to flow into the heating pipe section, and the above operation is repeated until the water in the water storage tank 2 runs out.
Therefore, hot water can be intermittently poured into the coffee powder 13.

The extracted coffee liquid is kept warm on the heat keeping plate 11 as needed. The weight of the container 10 is measured by a weight sensor 14 provided below before starting coffee extraction. As the coffee liquor is extracted, it is warmed according to its volume. In addition, the user pours the extracted coffee liquid into drinking cups, and records the weight of the cup from the beginning, and when the coffee beverage is exhausted from the container 10 (when the initial weight is reached). This is a control to turn off the heat retention. This is performed by the control unit 15 linked to the heating unit 3. In addition, since the liquid volume is measured at the time of keeping the temperature, the heating is performed with the minimum heating power. the above,
In the coffee maker, it is also possible to use a purifying means using activated carbon or hollow fiber from the water injection tank 2 to the middle of the water injection passage 4.

Next, the taste effect obtained by the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 shows the results of sensory evaluation using hard water (hardness 150; magnesium sulfate added) and soft water (hardness 0). This is an evaluation by five people who evaluate the coffee liquid extracted with soft water and hard water. Softer water gives a more acidic flavor, and increasing hardness increases the mellowness of the flavor. Since it is felt that the “koku” of coffee is increased by making the water soft, when “koku” is instructed, the coffee may be controlled to pass through the water softening means 6.

[0020]

According to the present invention, it is possible to enjoy various flavors of coffee even when the same beans are used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an overall configuration of a coffee maker.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of a coffee maker.

FIG. 3 is a table showing the results of sensory evaluation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coffee-mechanism main body 2 Water storage tank 3 Heating means 4 Water injection passage 5 Discharge pipe 6 Water softening means 7 Water hardening means 8 Check valve 9 Filter part 10 Coffee machine 11 Heat retention plate 12 Filter paper 13 Coffee Powder 14 Weight sensor 15 Control means 16 Flow control means 17 Three-way valve 18 Manual input unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoko Fukushima 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Yoshihiro Shimizu 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Inside the corporation

Claims (7)

[Claims] In a coffee maker, water in a water storage tank is supplied to a heating means through a water injection passage, and hot water after heating is supplied from a pouring port to a coffee extraction unit, according to a user's instruction. In addition, the water supplied to the heating means is provided with a hardness adjusting means for removing or softening the metal ions from the water to be supplied or adjusting the hardness by adding a hardness component to the water having a hardness corresponding to the instruction of the user. A coffee maker, characterized in that: 2. The coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein the hardness adjusting means is interposed in the water injection passage, and allows water in the water injection passage to pass therethrough. 3. The hardness adjusting means is characterized in that a water hardening means for hardening water and a water softening means for softening water are provided separately, and the water is selectively passed therethrough. The coffee maker according to claim 2. 4. A coffee maker according to claim 3, wherein said water softening means and water hardening means are of a cartridge type. 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a flow rate adjusting means for adjusting a flow rate of the water flowing through the water injection passage, wherein the flow rate can be adjusted by a user's instruction. The described coffee maker. 6. A weight sensor for measuring the weight of the coffee container, wherein the weight sensor detects the flow rate of water from the amount of coffee liquid extracted into the coffee container and controls the flow rate adjusting means to control the user. 6. A comparison is made that the flow rate is corrected to the flow rate set in accordance with the instruction, and the flow rate difference is corrected by the flow rate adjusting means.
The described coffee maker. 7. A liquid amount indicating means for indicating a predetermined coffee liquid extraction amount and a weight sensor for measuring the weight of the coffee container are provided, and the weight sensor detects that the coffee liquid has reached the predetermined amount. A coffee maker characterized in that the water flow is stopped by the flow control means by this detection.