TW202241331A - Coffee machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a coffee machine provided with a grinder that grinds coffee beans, and provides a coffee machine characterized by sensing the state of the grinder. A coffee machine (GM) is provided with a grinder (5A) that grinds coffee beans, the grinder (5A) including a grinding unit (58a) that can perform a predetermined rotating operation, and comprises a determination device (a processing unit (11a) that executes step S13 illustrated in FIG. 27) that determines whether the grinding unit (58a) is in a normal state allowing the normal rotating operation to be performed.

Description

Coffee machine

The present invention relates to a coffee machine provided with a grinder for grinding coffee beans.

The industry proposes a coffee machine that uses coffee beans for brewing (for example, Patent Document 1). The coffee machine proposed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a coffee bean grinding device (grinder) and a coffee beverage extraction device. In addition, there are those equipped with only a coffee bean grinder (grinder). [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-30433

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As far as previous coffee machines are concerned, there is still room for improvement in the status detection of the grinder.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a coffee machine characterized in the state detection of the grinder. [Technical means to solve the problem]

The coffee machine of the present invention in order to solve the above-mentioned object is characterized in that, Equipped with a grinder for grinding coffee beans, The above-mentioned grinding machine includes a grinding part that can perform a specific rotating motion, The above-mentioned coffee machine includes a judging device for judging whether or not the grinding unit is in a normal state where normal rotation is possible.

Also, the feature of the above-mentioned coffee machine can also be that, Equipped with a control device for controlling the above-mentioned grinding machine, When the judging means judges that the grinding part is not in the normal state, the control means may cause the grinding part to rotate in a direction opposite to the specified rotating motion.

Also, the feature of the above-mentioned coffee machine can also be that, Equipped with a drive unit for driving the grinding unit, The judging means judges whether the grinding part is in the normal state based on whether the current flowing through the driving part exceeds a specific value.

Also, the feature of the above-mentioned coffee machine can also be that, A notification device is provided for notifying the meaning of the abnormal state when the judging device judges that the grinding unit is not in the normal state.

Also, the feature of the above-mentioned coffee machine can also be that, A memory device is provided for memorizing the meaning of the abnormal state when the judging device judges that the grinding part is not in the normal state. [Effect of Invention]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coffee machine which is characterized in the state detection of the grinder.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

＜1. Outline of Beverage Manufacturing Equipment＞ FIG. 1 is an external view of a beverage manufacturing device 1 . The beverage production device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a device for automatically producing coffee beverages with roasted coffee beans and liquid (here, water), and a coffee beverage of one coffee cup can be produced in one production action. Roasted coffee beans as a raw material can be accommodated in the tank body 40 . A coffee cup placement part 110 is provided at the lower part of the beverage manufacturing device 1, and the manufactured coffee beverage is poured into the coffee cup from the filling part 10c.

The beverage production device 1 is provided with a casing 100 forming its outer package and enclosing an internal mechanism. The housing 100 is roughly divided into a main body 101 and a cover 102 covering a part of the front and a part of the side of the beverage making device 1 . An information display device 12 is provided on the cover portion 102 . The information display device 12 shown in FIG. 1 is a touch panel display, which can not only accept the display of various information, but also accept the input of the device manager or drink demander. The information display device 12 is installed on the cover part 102 via the moving mechanism 12a, and can move within a certain range in the vertical direction through the moving mechanism 12a.

Moreover, the coffee bean insertion port 103 and the opening and closing shutter 103a which opens and closes the coffee bean insertion port 103 are provided in the cover part 102. As shown in FIG. The opening and closing baffle 103a can be opened to inject other roasted coffee beans different from the roasted coffee beans accommodated in the tank body 40 into the coffee bean insertion port 103 . Thereby, a cup of specially-made beverage can be provided to the beverage demander.

The cover portion 102 shown in FIG. 1 is formed of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic resin or glass, and the whole constitutes a transparent cover that is regarded as a transmission portion. Therefore, the mechanism inside covered by the cover part 102 can be visually recognized from the outside. In the beverage production device 1 shown in FIG. 1 , a part of the production section for producing coffee beverages can be seen through the cover part 102 . The main body portion 101 shown in FIG. 1 is an impermeable portion as a whole, and it is difficult to recognize the inside thereof from the outside.

FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the beverage production device 1, showing a part of the production section visible to the user when viewed from the front of the beverage production device 1. The cover portion 102 and the information display device 12 are shown in dashed lines.

The housing 100 at the front part of the beverage making device 1 has a double structure of a main body part 101 and a cover part 102 on the outside (front side). A part of the mechanism of the manufacturing part is disposed between the body part 101 and the cover part 102 in the front-rear direction, and the user can visually recognize the part of the mechanism through the cover part 102 .

A part of the mechanism of the manufacturing department that the user can see through the cover part 102 is the collection conveyance part 42, the first grinder 5A, the second grinder 5B, the separation device 6, the extraction container 9, and the like. On the front part of the main body part 101, a rectangular recess 101a is formed which is recessed toward the depth measurement, and the extraction container 9 and the like are located in the depth measurement in the recess 101a.

Since these mechanisms can be visually recognized from the outside through the cover portion 102, it is easy for a manager to perform inspection or operation confirmation. Also, the beverage demander can enjoy the manufacturing process of the coffee beverage.

Moreover, the cover part 102 is supported by the main body part 101 at its right end part via the hinge 102a in a side-opening manner. At the left end of the cover part 102, an engaging part 102b for maintaining the closed state of the main body part 101 and the cover part 102 is provided. The engaging portion 102b is, for example, a combination of magnet and iron. By opening the cover part 102, the manager can perform inspection of a part of the above-mentioned manufacturing part inside the cover part 102, etc.

Moreover, the cover part 102 shown in FIG. 1 is a side opening type, but it can also be a vertical opening type (upper opening/bottom opening type), or a sliding type. Moreover, the cover part 102 may also be the structure which cannot be opened and closed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the functions of the beverage manufacturing device 1 . The beverage manufacturing device 1 includes a coffee bean processing device 2 and an extraction device 3 as a coffee beverage manufacturing unit.

The coffee bean processing device 2 produces coffee grains from roasted coffee beans. The extraction device 3 extracts coffee liquid from the coffee grains supplied by the coffee bean processing device 2 . The extraction device 3 includes a fluid supply unit 7 , a driving unit 8 described below (refer to FIG. 5 ), an extraction container 9 and a switching unit 10 . The coffee grains supplied from the coffee bean processing device 2 are injected into the extraction container 9 . The fluid supply unit 7 injects hot water into the extraction container 9 . The coffee liquid is extracted from the coffee grains in the extraction container 9 . The hot water containing the extracted coffee liquid is delivered to the coffee cup C as a coffee beverage through the switching unit 10 .

<2. Fluid supply unit and switching unit> The configuration of the fluid supply unit 7 and the switching unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . First, the fluid supply unit 7 will be described. The fluid supply unit 7 performs operations such as supplying hot water to the extraction container 9 or controlling the air pressure in the extraction container 9 . In addition, when air pressure is shown in numerical form in this specification, unless otherwise specified, it means absolute pressure, and gauge pressure means the air pressure which made atmospheric pressure into 0 atmospheric pressure. The so-called atmospheric pressure refers to the air pressure around the extraction container 9 or the air pressure of the beverage production device 1, for example, when the beverage production device 1 is installed at an altitude of 0 m, the International Civil Aviation Organization (="International Civil Aviation Organization" [[abbreviated] The reference pressure (1013.25 hPa) at 0 m above sea level of the International Standard Atmosphere (= "International Standard Atmosphere" [[abbreviated] ISA]) formulated by ICAO] in 1976.

The fluid supply unit 7 includes pipes L1 to L3. Piping L1 is a piping for air circulation, and piping L2 is a piping for water circulation. The pipe L3 is a pipe through which both air and water can flow.

The fluid supply unit 7 includes a compressor 70 as a pressurization source. The compressor 70 compresses the atmospheric air and sends it out. The compressor 70 is driven, for example, by using a motor (not shown) as a drive source. The compressed air sent from the compressor 70 is supplied to a backup tank (reservoir) 71 through a check valve 71a. The air pressure in the storage tank 71 is monitored by the pressure sensor 71b, and the compressor 70 is driven to maintain a predetermined air pressure (for example, 7 atmospheres (6 atmospheres in gauge pressure)). A drain port 71c for draining water is provided in the reserve tank 71, and water generated by air compression can be drained.

Hot water (water) constituting the coffee drink is stored in the water tank 72 . The water tank 72 is provided with a heater 72a for raising the temperature of the water in the water tank 72, and a temperature sensor 72b for measuring the temperature of the water. The heater 72a maintains the temperature of the stored hot water at a predetermined temperature (for example, 120 degrees Celsius) based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 72b. The heater 72a starts to work (ON) when the temperature of hot water is 118 degrees Celsius, for example, and stops working (OFF) when the temperature is 120 degrees Celsius.

Moreover, the water level sensor 72c is provided in the water tank 72. As shown in FIG. The water level sensor 72c detects the water level of the hot water in the water tank 72 . When the water level sensor 72c detects that the water level is lower than the predetermined water level, water is supplied to the water tank 72 . Tap water is supplied to the water tank 72 shown in FIG. 3 via a water purifier not shown. A solenoid valve 72d is provided in the middle of the piping L2 from the water purifier. When the water level sensor 72c detects that the water level has dropped, the solenoid valve 72d is opened to supply water, and when the water level reaches a predetermined level, the solenoid valve 72d is closed to block Cut off the water supply. In this way, the hot water in the water tank 72 is maintained at a fixed water level. Furthermore, water may be supplied to the water tank 72 every time the hot water used in the production of a coffee drink is discharged.

Moreover, the water tank 72 is provided with 72 g of pressure sensors. The pressure sensor 72g detects the air pressure in the water tank 72 . The air pressure in the storage tank 71 is supplied to the water tank 72 through the pressure regulating valve 72e and the solenoid valve 72f. The pressure regulating valve 72e decompresses the air pressure supplied from the reserve tank 71 to a predetermined air pressure. For example, the pressure is reduced to 3 atmospheres (2 atmospheres in gauge pressure). The electromagnetic valve 72f switches the supply and blocking of the air pressure regulated by the pressure regulating valve 72e to the water tank 72 . The solenoid valve 72f is controlled to open and close so that the air pressure in the water tank 72 is maintained at 3 atmospheric pressure except when tap water is supplied to the water tank 72 . When supplying tap water to the water tank 72, in order to utilize the water pressure of the tap water to replenish the water tank 72 smoothly, the air pressure in the water tank 72 is reduced to a pressure lower than the water pressure of the tap water (for example, less than 2.5 mm) by the solenoid valve 72h. barometric pressure). The solenoid valve 72h switches whether to release the air pressure in the water tank 72 to the atmosphere, and releases the air pressure in the water tank 72 to the atmosphere during decompression. Moreover, the electromagnetic valve 72h releases the air pressure in the water tank 72 to the atmosphere when the air pressure in the water tank 72 exceeds 3 atmospheres except when supplying tap water to the water tank 72, so that the inside of the water tank 72 is maintained at 3 atmospheres.

The hot water in the water tank 72 is supplied to the extraction vessel 9 through the check valve 72j, the solenoid valve 72i, and the pipe L3. By opening the solenoid valve 72i, hot water is supplied to the extraction container 9, and by closing the solenoid valve 72i, the supply of hot water is blocked. The amount of hot water supplied to the extraction container 9 can be managed according to the opening time of the solenoid valve 72i. However, it is also possible to measure the supply amount and control the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 72i. A temperature sensor 73e for measuring the temperature of the hot water is installed in the piping L3 to monitor the temperature of the hot water supplied to the extraction container 9 .

In addition, the air pressure of the storage tank 71 is supplied to the extraction container 9 through the pressure regulating valve 73a and the solenoid valve 73b. The pressure regulating valve 73a reduces the air pressure supplied from the backup tank 71 to a predetermined air pressure. For example, the pressure is reduced to below 5 atmospheres (4 atmospheres in gauge pressure). The electromagnetic valve 73b switches the supply and blocking of the air to the extraction container 9 after the pressure is regulated by the pressure regulating valve 73a. The air pressure in the extraction container 9 is detected by a pressure sensor 73d. When the air pressure in the extraction container 9 increases, the electromagnetic valve 73b is opened based on the detection result of the pressure sensor 73d, so that the inside of the extraction container 9 is increased to a specified air pressure (for example, a maximum of 5 air pressures (4 air pressures in gauge pressure)). The air pressure in the extraction container 9 can be reduced by the solenoid valve 73c. The electromagnetic valve 73c switches whether to release the air pressure in the extraction container 9 to the atmosphere, and releases the air pressure in the extraction container 9 to the atmosphere when the pressure is abnormal (for example, when the pressure in the extraction container 9 exceeds 5 barometric pressure).

When the production of a coffee beverage is completed, tap water is used to clean the inside of the extraction container 9 . During washing, the solenoid valve 73f is opened to supply tap water to the extraction container 9 .

Next, the switching unit 10 will be described. The switching unit 10 is a unit that switches the delivery destination of the liquid sent from the extraction container 9 to either the filling part 10c or the waste tank T. As shown in FIG. The switching unit 10 includes a switching valve 10a and a motor 10b that drives the switching valve 10a. When sending out the coffee beverage in the extraction container 9, the switching valve 10a switches the flow path to the filling part 10c. The coffee drink is poured into the coffee cup C from the filling part 10c. When discharging waste liquid (tap water) and residue (coffee grains) during washing, the flow path is switched to the waste tank T. The switching valve 10a shown in FIG. 3 is a three-port ball valve. The residue passes through the switching valve 10a during cleaning, so the switching valve 10a is preferably a ball valve, and the motor 10b switches the flow path by rotating around its rotation axis.

＜3. Coffee bean processing device＞ Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the coffee bean processing device 2 will be described. The coffee bean processing device 2 includes a storage device 4 and a crushing device 5 .

＜3-1. Storage device＞ The storage device 4 includes a plurality of tanks 40 for storing roasted coffee beans. There are three tank bodies 40 shown in FIG. 1 . The can body 40 includes a cylindrical main body 40a for storing roasted coffee beans, and a handle portion 40b provided on the main body 40a, and is configured to be detachably attached to the beverage production device 1 .

Each tank 40 can accommodate roasted coffee beans of different types, and the type of roasted coffee beans used in the manufacture of coffee beverages can be selected by operating and inputting the information display device 12 . The so-called different types of roasted coffee beans refer to, for example, roasted coffee beans of different types of coffee beans. In addition, the so-called roasted coffee beans of different types may also refer to roasted coffee beans of the same type but with different degrees of roasting. In addition, the so-called roasted coffee beans of different types may also refer to roasted coffee beans of different varieties and degrees of roasting. Moreover, at least any one of the three tank bodies 40 can accommodate roasted coffee beans obtained by mixing roasted coffee beans of a plurality of varieties. In this case, the roasted coffee beans of each variety may have the same degree of roasting.

Furthermore, in the beverage production device 1 shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of can bodies 40 are provided, but only one can body 40 may be provided. Also, when a plurality of can bodies 40 are provided, roasted coffee beans of the same type can be accommodated in all or a plurality of can bodies 40 .

Each tank body 40 is detachably attached to the conveyor 41 which is a measuring conveyance device. The conveyor 41 is, for example, an electric screw conveyor, which automatically measures a predetermined amount of roasted coffee beans contained in the tank body 40 and sends them out to the downstream side.

Each conveyor 41 discharges the roasted coffee beans to the collection conveyance part 42 on the downstream side. The collection conveyance part 42 is comprised by a hollow member, and forms the conveyance path of the roasted coffee bean from each conveyer 41 to the crushing apparatus 5 (especially 1st grinder 5A). The roasted coffee beans discharged from the respective conveyors 41 are moved inside the collection conveyance part 42 by their own weight, and fall into the crushing device 5 .

In the collection conveyance part 42, the guide part 42a is formed in the position corresponding to the coffee bean injection port 103. As shown in FIG. The guide portion 42a forms a passage for guiding the roasted coffee beans injected from the coffee bean injection port 103 to the crushing device 5 (especially the first grinder 5A). Thereby, besides the coffee beverage using the roasted coffee beans stored in the tank body 40 as a raw material, the coffee beverage using the roasted coffee beans injected from the coffee bean insertion port 103 as a raw material can also be manufactured.

＜3-2. Crushing device＞ The crushing device 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 . FIG. 4 is a partially broken perspective view of the separation device 6 . The crushing device 5 includes a first grinder 5A, a second grinder 5B, and a separator 6 . The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are mechanisms for grinding roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 . The roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are ground by the first grinder 5A, and then further ground by the second grinder 5B to become powder, and are injected into the extraction container 9 from the discharge pipe 5C.

The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B have different particle sizes of ground coffee grains. The first grinder 5A is a grinder for coarse grinding, and the second grinder 5B is a grinder for fine grinding. The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are electric grinders, respectively, and include a motor as a drive source, a rotary blade driven by the motor, and the like. By changing the number of revolutions of the rotary blade, the size (grain size) of the roasted coffee beans to be crushed can be changed.

Separator 6 is a mechanism for separating redundant substances from coffee grains. The separator 6 includes a passage portion 63a disposed between the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B. The passage portion 63a is a hollow body, and forms a separation chamber through which coffee grains freely falling from the first grinder 5A pass. The passage part 63a is connected to the passage part 63b extending in the direction (for example, the left-right direction) intersecting with the passage direction (for example, the up-down direction) of coffee grains, and the suction unit 60 is connected to the passage part 63b. The suction unit 60 sucks the air in the passage portion 63a, thereby sucking light-weight objects such as chaff and fine powder. In this way, excess substances are separated from the coffee grains.

The suction unit 60 is a centrifugal separation mechanism. The suction unit 60 includes a blower unit 60A and a recovery container 60B. The air blowing unit 60A shown in FIG. 4 is a fan motor, and exhausts the air in the recovery container 60B upward.

The recovery container 60B includes an upper portion 61 and a lower portion 62 that are detachably engaged. The lower part 62 is a bottomed cylinder with an open top, forming a space for storing excess materials. The upper part 61 constitutes a cover mounted on the opening of the lower part 62 . The upper portion 61 includes a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 61a and an exhaust tube 61b formed coaxially therewith. The blower unit 60A is fixed to the upper part 61 above the exhaust tube 61b so as to suck the air in the exhaust tube 61b. The passage portion 63b is connected to the upper portion 61 . The passage portion 63b has an opening on the side of the exhaust tube 61b.

Driven by the blower unit 60A, airflows shown by arrows d1 to d3 in FIG. 4 are generated. By this airflow, the air containing unnecessary substances is sucked from the passage part 63a through the passage part 63b into the recovery container 60B. The passage portion 63b has an opening on the side of the exhaust tube 61b, so that the air containing excess substances swirls around the exhaust tube 61b. The excess substance D in the air falls due to its weight and accumulates in a part of the recovery container 60B (deposited on the bottom surface of the lower part 62). Air is exhausted upward through the inside of the exhaust tube 61b.

A plurality of cooling fins 61d are integrally formed on the peripheral surface of the exhaust tube 61b. A plurality of cooling fins 61d are arranged in the circumferential direction of the exhaust tube 61b. Each cooling fin 61d is obliquely inclined relative to the axial direction of the exhaust cylinder 61b. By providing such a cooling fin 61d, the air containing the excess substance D is promoted to swirl around the exhaust tube 61b.

The lower part 62 shown in FIG. 4 is formed of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic resin, glass, etc., and the whole constitutes a transparent container regarded as a transparent part. Moreover, the lower part 62 is a part covered with the cover part 102 (FIG. 2). The manager or the beverage demander can see the excess substance D stored in the lower part 62 through the cover part 102 and the peripheral wall of the lower part 62 . It is easy for the manager to confirm the cleaning time of the lower part 62, and for the beverage demander, since the process of removing the excess substance D can be seen, the sense of expectation for the quality of the coffee beverage being produced is improved.

In this way, the roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are first coarsely ground by the first grinder 5A, and when the coarse coffee grains pass through the passage portion 63a, excess substances are separated by the separation device 6 . The coarse coffee grains from which excess substances have been separated are finely ground by the second grinder 5B. Representative examples of the redundant substances separated by the separating device 6 are bean hulls or fine powder. These excess substances sometimes lead to a decrease in the taste of the coffee beverage, and the quality of the coffee beverage can be improved by removing bean hulls and the like from the coffee grains.

The crushing of roasted coffee beans can use a grinder (one-stage crushing). However, by using the two-stage pulverization of the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, the particle size of the coffee grains can be easily kept uniform, and the degree of extraction of the coffee liquid can be kept constant. When crushing coffee beans, sometimes heat will be generated due to the friction between the cutting blade and the coffee beans. By adopting two-stage crushing, it is also possible to suppress heat generation due to friction during crushing, and prevent coffee grains from deteriorating (for example, flavor deterioration).

In addition, due to the stage of coarse grinding → separation of excess substances → fine grinding, when separating excess substances such as bean shells, the quality difference between excess substances and coffee grains (necessary parts) can be increased. This method can improve the separation efficiency of redundant substances, and can prevent coffee grains (essential part) from being separated as redundant substances. In addition, since the separation process of excess substances sucked by air is interposed between coarse grinding and fine grinding, it is possible to suppress the heating of coffee grains by air cooling. Thereby, deterioration of coffee grains (for example, deterioration of flavor) can also be prevented.

＜4. Drive unit and extraction container＞ ＜4-1. Overview＞ The driving unit 8 and the extraction container 9 of the extraction device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 . FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drive unit 8 and the extraction container 9 . Most of the drive unit 8 is surrounded by the body portion 101 .

The drive unit 8 is supported by the frame F. The frame F includes upper and lower beams F1, F2 and a column F3 supporting the beams F1, F2. The drive unit 8 is roughly divided into three units of an upper unit 8A, a middle unit 8B, and a lower unit 8C. The upper unit 8A is supported by the beam F1. The middle unit 8B is supported by the beam F1 and the column F3 between the beam F1 and the beam F2 . The lower unit 8C is supported by the beam F2.

The extraction container 9 is a chamber including a container body 90 and a cover unit 91 . The extraction vessel 9 is sometimes referred to as a chamber. The middle unit 8B has an arm member 820 that detachably holds the container body 90 . The arm member 820 includes a holding member 820a and a pair of shaft members 820b spaced left and right. The holding member 820a is an elastic member such as resin formed into a C-shaped clip, and holds the container body 90 by its elastic force. The holding member 820a holds the left and right sides of the container body 90 and exposes the front side of the container body 90 . Thereby, the inside of the container main body 90 can be easily recognized from the front.

Attachment and detachment of the container body 90 to the holding member 820a is performed manually, and the container body 90 is attached to the holding member 820a by pressing the container body 90 back against the holding member 820a in the front-rear direction. Moreover, the container main body 90 can be separated from the holding member 820a by pulling out the container main body 90 from the holding member 820a toward the front side in the front-rear direction.

The pair of shaft members 820b are respectively rods extending in the front-rear direction, and are members for supporting the holding member 820a. Furthermore, although the number of shaft members 820b is two, it may be one, or three or more. The holding member 820a is fixed to the front end of the pair of shaft members 820b. The pair of shaft members 820b are advanced and retreated in the front-rear direction by the mechanism described below, whereby the holding member 820a can advance and retreat in the front-rear direction, and a moving operation of moving the container body 90 in parallel in the front-rear direction is performed. In addition, as described below, the middle unit 8B can also perform the rotation action of turning the extraction container 9 up and down.

＜4-2. Extraction container＞ The extraction container 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the closed state and the open state of the extraction container 9 . As described above, the extraction vessel 9 is turned upside down by the middle unit 8B. The extraction container 9 in FIG. 6 is shown in a basic posture with the cover unit 91 on the upper side. When describing the situation of the up-and-down positional relationship in the following description, unless otherwise specified, it means the up-and-down positional relationship in the basic posture.

The container body 90 is a bottomed container having a bottle shape including a neck 90b, a shoulder 90d, a main body 90e and a bottom 90f. At the end portion of the neck portion 90b (the upper end portion of the container body 90 ), a flange portion 90c defining an opening 90a communicating with the inner space of the container body 90 is formed.

Both the neck portion 90b and the body portion 90e have a cylindrical shape. The shoulder portion 90d is a portion between the neck portion 90b and the body portion 90e, and has a tapered shape such that the cross-sectional area of the internal space gradually decreases from the body portion 90e side toward the neck portion 90b side.

The cover unit 91 is a unit that opens and closes the opening 90a. The opening and closing operation (lifting operation) of the cover unit 91 is performed by the upper unit 8A.

The container body 90 includes a body member 900 and a bottom member 901 . The body member 900 is a cylindrical member that forms a neck portion 90b, a shoulder portion 90d, and a main body portion 90e, and is open up and down. The bottom member 901 is a member that forms the bottom portion 90f, and is inserted and fixed to the lower part of the body member 900. A sealing member 902 is interposed between the main body member 900 and the bottom member 901 to improve the airtightness of the container body 90 .

The main body member 900 shown in FIG. 6 is formed of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic resin or glass, and the whole constitutes a transparent container that is regarded as a transmission portion. The manager or the beverage demander can see the extraction status of the coffee beverage in the container body 90 through the cover part 102 and the body component 900 of the container body 90 . For the manager, it is easy to confirm the extraction action, and for the beverage demander, the extraction status can be observed.

A convex portion 901c is provided at the center of the bottom member 901, and a communication hole that communicates the interior of the container body 90 with the outside, or a valve (valve 903 in FIG. 8 ) that opens and closes the communication hole is provided on the convex portion 901c. The communication hole is used to discharge waste liquid and residue when cleaning the inside of the container body 90 . The convex part 901c is provided with the sealing member 908 for maintaining airtight between the upper unit 8A or the lower unit 8C and the bottom member 901 .

The cover unit 91 includes a hat-shaped base member 911 . The base member 911 has a convex portion 911d and a flange portion 911c overlapping with the flange portion 90c when closed. The convex portion 911d has the same structure as the convex portion 901c of the container body 90, and is provided with a communication hole for communicating the inside of the container body 90 with the outside, or a valve for opening and closing the communication hole (valve 913 in FIG. 8 ). The communication hole of the convex portion 911d is mainly used for injecting hot water into the container body 90 and delivering coffee beverage. The sealing member 918a is provided in the convex part 911d. The sealing member 918a is a member for maintaining airtightness between the upper unit 8A or the lower unit 8C and the base member 911 . In addition, a sealing member 919 is provided on the cover unit 91 . The sealing member 919 improves the airtightness between the cover unit 91 and the container body 90 when the cover unit 91 is closed. A filter for filtering is held in the cover unit 91 .

＜4-3. Upper unit and lower unit＞ The upper unit 8A and the lower unit 8C will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 . FIG. 7 is a front view showing a part of the upper unit 8A and the lower unit 8C, and FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 7 .

The upper unit 8A includes an operation unit 81A. The operation unit 81A performs opening and closing operations (lifting and lowering) of the lid unit 91 relative to the container body 90, and opening and closing operations of the valves of the convex portions 901c and 911d. The operation unit 81A includes a supporting member 800 , a holding member 801 , an elevating shaft 802 , and a probe 803 .

The supporting member 800 is fixedly provided so that the relative position with respect to the frame F does not change, and accommodates the holding member 801 . Moreover, the support member 800 is provided with the communication part 800a which connects the piping L3 and the inside of the support member 800. As shown in FIG. Hot water, tap water, and air pressure supplied from the pipe L3 are introduced into the support member 800 through the communication portion 800a.

The holding member 801 is a member that can detachably hold the cover unit 91 . The holding member 801 has a cylindrical space into which the convex portion 911d of the lid unit 91 or the convex portion 901c of the bottom member 901 is inserted, and has a mechanism for detachably holding them. The mechanism is, for example, a buckle mechanism, which is engaged by a fixed pressing force and released by a fixed separation force. Hot water, tap water, and air pressure supplied from the pipe L3 can be supplied into the extraction container 9 through the communication portion 800 a and the communication hole 801 a of the holding member 801 .

The holding member 801 is also a movable member provided in the supporting member 800 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. The elevating shaft 802 is installed so that its axial direction becomes the up-down direction. The lifting shaft 802 airtightly passes through the top of the supporting member 800 in the vertical direction, and is arranged to be vertically movable with respect to the supporting member 800 .

The top of the holding member 801 is fixed at the lower end of the lifting shaft 802 . The holding member 801 is slid up and down by the lifting shaft 802, and the holding member 801 can be attached to the convex portion 911d or the convex portion 901c, or can be separated from the convex portion 911d or the convex portion 901c. In addition, the lid unit 91 can be opened and closed with respect to the container body 90 .

A screw 802a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lift shaft 802 . A nut 804b is screwed onto the screw 802a. The upper unit 8A is provided with a motor 804a, and the nut 804b is rotated at its position (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 804a. The lifting shaft 802 is raised and lowered by the rotation of the nut 804b.

The elevating shaft 802 is a tubular shaft having a through-hole at the central axis, and the probe 803 is inserted into the through-hole so as to be able to slide up and down. The probe 803 airtightly penetrates the top of the holding member 801 in the vertical direction, and is vertically vertically installed with respect to the supporting member 800 and the holding member 801 .

The probe 803 is an operating part installed inside the protrusions 911d and 901c to open and close the valves 913 and 903. When the probe 803 is lowered, the valves 913 and 903 can be opened from the closed state, and the probe 803 is raised. , the valve can be changed from an open state to a closed state (using the action of a return spring not shown).

A screw 803a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the probe 803 . A nut 805b is screwed onto the screw 803a. The upper unit 8A is provided with a motor 805a, and the nut 805b is provided so as to rotate at its position (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 805a. The probe 803 is raised and lowered by rotating the nut 805b.

The lower unit 8C includes an operation unit 81C. The operating unit 81C is configured by turning the operating unit 81A upside down, and performs opening and closing operations of the valves 913, 903 provided inside the convex portions 911d, 901c. The operation unit 81C is also configured to open and close the cover unit 91 , but the operation unit 81C is not used for opening and closing the cover unit 91 .

Hereinafter, the operation unit 81C will be described, and the description is substantially the same as that of the operation unit 81A. The operation unit 81C includes a supporting member 810 , a holding member 811 , an elevating shaft 812 , and a probe 813 .

The supporting member 810 is fixedly provided so that the relative position with respect to the frame F does not change, and accommodates the holding member 811 . Moreover, the support member 810 has the communication part 810a which connects the switching valve 10a of the switching unit 10, and the inside of the support member 810. As shown in FIG. The coffee beverage, tap water, and residue of coffee grains in the container body 90 are introduced into the switching valve 10a through the communicating portion 810a.

The holding member 811 has a cylindrical space into which the convex portion 911d of the cover unit 91 or the convex portion 901c of the bottom member 901 is inserted, and has a mechanism for detachably holding them. The mechanism is, for example, a buckle mechanism, which is engaged by a fixed pressing force and released by a fixed separation force. The coffee beverage, tap water, and coffee grain residues in the container body 90 are introduced into the switching valve 10a through the communication portion 810a and the communication hole 811a of the holding member 811 .

The holding member 811 is also a movable member provided in the supporting member 810 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. The elevating shaft 812 is installed so that its axial direction becomes the up-down direction. The lift shaft 812 airtightly passes through the bottom of the supporting member 800 in the vertical direction, and is arranged to be vertically movable with respect to the supporting member 810 .

The bottom of the holding member 811 is fixed at the lower end of the lifting shaft 812 . The holding member 811 is slid up and down by the lifting shaft 812, and the holding member 811 can be attached to or separated from the convex portion 901c or the convex portion 911d.

A screw 812a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lift shaft 812 . A nut 814b is screwed onto the screw 812a. The lower unit 8C is provided with a motor 814a, and the nut 814b is rotated at its position (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 814a. The lifting shaft 812 is raised and lowered by the rotation of the nut 814b.

The elevating shaft 812 is a tubular shaft having a through hole on the central axis, and the probe 813 is inserted into the through hole so as to be able to slide up and down. The probe 813 airtightly penetrates the bottom of the holding member 811 in the vertical direction, and is vertically vertically installed with respect to the supporting member 810 and the holding member 811 .

The probe 813 is an operating part installed inside the protrusions 911d and 901c to open and close the valves 913 and 903. The valves 913 and 903 can be opened from the closed state by the probe 813 rising, and the probe 813 is lowered. , the valve can be changed from an open state to a closed state (using the action of a return spring not shown).

A screw 813a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the probe 813 . A nut 815b is screwed onto the screw 813a. The lower unit 8C is equipped with a motor 815a, and the nut 815b is provided so as to rotate at its position (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 815a. The probe 813 is raised and lowered by rotating the nut 815b.

＜4-4. Central unit＞ The middle unit 8B will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 9 . Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the middle unit 8B. The middle unit 8B includes a support unit 81B that supports the extraction vessel 9 . The support unit 81B includes a unit body 81B′ that supports a locking mechanism 821 in addition to the arm member 820 described above.

The locking mechanism 821 is a mechanism for maintaining the closed state of the lid unit 91 relative to the container body 90 . The locking mechanism 821 includes a pair of grasping members 821a, and the pair of grasping members 821a pinches the flange portion 911c of the lid unit 91 and the flange portion 90c of the container body 90 up and down. The pair of grasping members 821a have a C-shaped cross section that clamps and fits the flange portion 911c and the flange portion 90c, and is opened and closed in the left-right direction by the driving force of the motor 822 . When a pair of gripping members 821a are in the locked state, as shown by the solid line in the circled figure of FIG. The lid unit 91 is airtightly locked with respect to the container body 90 by being fitted thereto. In this locked state, even if the cover unit 91 is opened by raising the holding member 801 by the elevating shaft 802, the cover unit 91 will not move (the lock will not be released). That is, the force of locking by the lock mechanism 821 is set stronger than the force of opening the cover unit 91 by the holding member 801 . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the lid unit 91 from being opened with respect to the container body 90 in an abnormal time.

Again, when a pair of gripping members 821a were in the open state, as shown in the dotted line in the circled figure of FIG. The locking of the unit 91 and the container body 90 is released.

When the holding member 801 holds the lid unit 91 and the holding member 801 is raised from the lowered position to the raised position, the lid unit 91 is separated from the container body 90 when the pair of grasping members 821a are opened. Conversely, when the pair of grasping members 821a are in the locked state, the engagement of the holding member 801 with respect to the cover unit 91 is released, and only the holding member 801 is raised.

In addition, the middle unit 8B includes a mechanism for horizontally moving the arm member 820 in the front-rear direction using the motor 823 as a drive source. Thereby, the container body 90 supported by the arm member 820 can be moved between the extraction position on the rear side (state ST1 ) and the coffee bean delivery position on the front side (state ST2 ). The coffee bean delivery position is the position where the coffee grains are put into the container body 90, and the coffee grains ground by the second grinder 5B are thrown into the opening of the container body 90 where the cover unit 91 is separated from the discharge pipe 5C shown in FIG. 2 90a. In other words, the position of the discharge pipe 5C is above the container body 90 at the coffee bean insertion position.

The extraction position is the position where the container body 90 can be operated by the operation unit 81A and the operation unit 81C, and is the coaxial position with the probes 803, 813, and is the position where the coffee liquid is extracted. The extraction position is a more in-depth position than the coffee bean delivery position. Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 all show the situation that the container body 90 is in the extraction position. In this way, by making the position of the container body 90 different when injecting coffee grains and when extracting coffee liquid and supplying water, it is possible to prevent heat generated during extraction of coffee liquid from adhering to the discharge pipe 5C serving as a supply part of coffee grains.

Furthermore, the middle unit 8B includes a mechanism that uses a motor 824 as a driving source to rotate the support unit 81B around an axis 825 in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the posture of the container body 90 (extraction container 9) can be changed from an upright posture (state ST1) in which the neck 90b is on the upper side to an inverted posture (state ST3) in which the neck 90b is on the lower side. During the rotation of the extraction container 9 , the state of locking the lid unit 91 to the container body 90 is maintained by the locking mechanism 821 . The extraction container 9 is turned upside down in the upright posture and the inverted posture. In the inverted posture, the convex portion 911d is located at the position of the convex portion 901c in the upright posture. Also, in the inverted posture, the convex portion 901c is positioned at the position of the convex portion 911d in the upright posture. Therefore, in the inverted posture, the valve 903 can be opened and closed by the operation unit 81A, and the valve 913 can be opened and closed by the operation unit 81C.

＜5. Control device＞ The control device 11 of the beverage production device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control device 11 .

The control device 11 controls the beverage production device 1 as a whole. The control device 11 includes a processing unit 11a, a memory unit 11b, and an I/F (interface) unit 11c. The processing unit 11 a is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit, central processing unit). The storage unit 11b is, for example, a RAM (Read Only Memory) or a ROM (Random Access Memory). The I/F section 11c includes an input/output interface for inputting and outputting signals between an external device and the processing section 11a. In addition, the I/F unit 11c includes a communication interface capable of performing data communication with the server 16 via a communication network 15 such as the Internet. The server 16 can communicate with mobile terminals 17 such as smart phones through the communication network 15, for example, it can receive information such as beverage making reservations or messages from the mobile terminal 17 of the beverage demander.

The processing unit 11a executes the program stored in the storage unit 11b, and controls the actuator group 14 based on the instruction from the information display device 12, the detection result of the sensor group 13, or the instruction from the server 16. The sensor group 13 is various sensors provided in the beverage making device 1 (such as a temperature sensor for hot water, a sensor for detecting the operating position of a mechanism, a pressure sensor, etc.). The actuator group 14 is various actuators (for example, motors, solenoid valves, heaters, etc.) provided in the beverage production device 1 .

＜6. Motion control example＞ An example of the control processing of the beverage production apparatus 1 executed by the processing unit 11a will be described with reference to FIGS. 11(A) and (B). Fig. 11(A) shows an example of control related to one coffee beverage production operation. The state of the beverage production apparatus 1 before a production instruction is called a standby state. The state of each mechanism in the standby state is as follows.

The extraction device 3 is in the state of FIG. 5 . The extraction container 9 is in an upright posture and located at the extraction position. The locking mechanism 821 is in a locked state, and the lid unit 91 closes the opening 90 a of the container body 90 . The holding member 801 is at the lowered position, and is attached to the convex portion 911d. The holding member 811 is at the raised position, and is attached to the convex part 901c. Valves 903 and 913 are closed. The switching valve 10a communicates the communication portion 810a of the operating unit 81C with the waste tank T. As shown in FIG.

When there is an instruction to make a coffee drink in the standby state, the process of FIG. 11(A) is executed. Preheating is performed in S1. This treatment is a process of injecting hot water into the container body 90 and raising the temperature of the container body 90 in advance. First, the valves 903 and 913 are opened. Thereby, the piping L3, the extraction vessel 9, and the disposal tank T are in a communication state.

The solenoid valve 72i is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1500 ms) and then closed. Thereby, hot water is poured into the extraction vessel 9 from the water tank 72 . Then, the solenoid valve 73b is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) and then closed. Thereby, the pressure of the air in the extraction container 9 is increased, and the discharge of the hot water to the waste tank T is promoted. Through the above processing, the inside of the extraction container 9 and the piping L2 are preheated, which can reduce the situation that the hot water becomes cold during the subsequent production of coffee beverages.

Grinding is carried out in S2. Here, the roasted coffee beans are crushed, and the ground coffee grains are put into the container body 90 . First, the lock mechanism 821 is opened, and the holding member 801 is raised to the raised position. The cover unit 91 is held by the holding member 801 and rises together with the holding member 801 . As a result, the cap unit 91 is separated from the container body 90 . The holding member 811 is lowered to the lowered position. The container body 90 is moved to the coffee bean delivery position. Then, the storage device 4 and the crushing device 5 are operated. Thereby, one cup of roasted coffee beans are supplied from the storage device 4 to the first grinder 5A. The roasted coffee beans are ground in two stages by the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, and the excess substances are separated by the separator 6 . Coffee grains are dispensed into the container body 90 .

The container body 90 is returned to the extraction position. The holding member 801 is lowered to the lowered position, and the lid unit 91 is attached to the container body 90 . With the lock mechanism 821 in the locked state, the lid unit 91 is airtightly locked with respect to the container body 90 . The holding member 811 rises to the raised position. Among the valves 903 and 913, the valve 903 is closed, and the valve 913 is opened.

Extraction treatment is carried out in S3. Here, the coffee liquid is extracted from the coffee grains in the container body 90 . Fig. 11(B) is a flow chart of the extraction process of S3.

In S41 , inject hot water with an amount less than one cup into the extraction container 9 so as to cook the coffee grains in the extraction container 9 . Here, the solenoid valve 72i is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) and then closed. Thereby, hot water is poured into the extraction vessel 9 from the water tank 72 . Thereafter, after waiting for a predetermined time (for example, 5000 ms), the process of S41 is ended. The coffee grains can be steamed by the above treatment. By steaming coffee grains, the carbon dioxide contained in the coffee grains can be released, thereby improving the subsequent extraction effect.

In S42, the remaining amount of hot water is injected into the extraction container 9, so that the extraction container 9 can accommodate a cup of hot water. Here, the solenoid valve 72i is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 7000 ms) and then closed. Thereby, hot water is poured into the extraction vessel 9 from the water tank 72 .

Through the process of S42, the inside of the extraction container 9 can be brought into a state of a temperature exceeding 100 degrees Celsius (for example, about 110 degrees Celsius) at 1 atmosphere. Then, the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized by S43. Here, the solenoid valve 73b is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1000 ms) and then closed to pressurize the extraction vessel 9 to an air pressure that does not boil hot water (for example, about 4 atmospheres (about 3 atmospheres in gauge pressure)). Thereafter, the valve 913 is brought into a closed state.

Then, the state is maintained for a predetermined time (for example, 7000 ms) to perform immersion-type coffee liquid extraction (S44). In this way, the steeping coffee liquid extraction under high temperature and high pressure is carried out. Immersion extraction under high temperature and high pressure can predict the following effects. First, by setting high pressure, hot water can easily penetrate into the interior of the coffee grains, thereby promoting the extraction of coffee liquid. Second, by setting a high temperature, the extraction of the coffee liquid can be promoted. Third, reduce the viscosity of the oil contained in the coffee grains by setting it at a high temperature, and promote the extraction of the oil. Thereby, it is possible to manufacture a coffee drink with a strong aroma.

The temperature of hot water (high-temperature water) only needs to exceed 100 degrees Celsius, and higher temperatures are more beneficial in terms of coffee liquid extraction. On the other hand, in order to increase the temperature of the hot water, costs are usually increased. Therefore, the temperature of the hot water can be set to be 105 degrees Celsius or more, or 110 degrees Celsius or more, or 115 degrees Celsius or more, or, for example, be 130 degrees Celsius or less, or 120 degrees Celsius or less. The air pressure should just be the air pressure which does not boil hot water.

In S45, the inside of the extraction vessel 9 is decompressed. Here, the air pressure in the extraction vessel 9 is switched to an air pressure for boiling hot water. Specifically, the valve 913 is opened, and the electromagnetic valve 73c is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1000 ms), and then closed. The air pressure in the extraction container 9 is released to the atmosphere. Thereafter, the valve 913 is closed again.

The pressure in the extraction vessel 9 drops rapidly to a pressure lower than the boiling point, and the hot water in the extraction vessel 9 boils instantly. The hot water and coffee grains in the extraction container 9 splash explosively in the extraction container 9 . Thereby, hot water can be boiled uniformly. In addition, it can promote the destruction of the cell wall of coffee grains, and further promote the subsequent extraction of coffee liquid. Moreover, since the coffee grains and hot water can also be stirred by this boiling, the extraction of the coffee liquid can be promoted. In this way, the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid can be improved.

In S46, the extraction container 9 is turned over from the upright position to the inverted position. Here, the holding member 801 is moved to the raised position, and the holding member 811 is moved to the lowered position. Then, the supporting unit 81B is rotated. Thereafter, the holding member 801 is returned to the lowered position, and the holding member 811 is returned to the raised position. The neck 90b or the cover unit 91 of the extraction container 9 in the inverted posture is located on the lower side.

In S47, the through-type coffee liquid extraction is carried out, and the coffee beverage is delivered to the coffee cup C. Here, the switching valve 10a is switched so that the filling part 10c communicates with the passage part 810a of the operation unit 81C. Also, both the valves 903 and 913 are opened. Furthermore, the solenoid valve 73b is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 10000 ms) to bring the inside of the extraction container 9 to a predetermined air pressure (for example, 1.7 atmospheric pressure (0.7 atmospheric pressure as gauge pressure)). In the extraction container 9 , the coffee beverage formed by dissolving the coffee liquid in hot water is sent to the coffee cup C through the filter provided on the cover unit 91 . The filter restricts the escape of the residue of coffee grains. By the above processing, the extraction processing is completed.

In this embodiment, by using the immersion extraction in S44 and the penetrating extraction in S47 together, the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid can be improved. When the extraction container 9 is in an upright posture, coffee grains are accumulated from the main body 90e to the bottom 90f. On the other hand, when the extraction container 9 is in an inverted posture, coffee grains are piled up from the shoulder 90d to the neck 90b. The cross-sectional area of the main body portion 90e is larger than that of the neck portion 90b, and the stacked thickness of the coffee grains in the inverted posture is thicker than that in the upright posture. That is, the coffee grains accumulate relatively thinly and have a large area when the extraction container 9 is in an upright posture, and are relatively thick and small in area when it is in an inverted posture.

In the case of this embodiment, the immersion extraction in S44 is carried out with the extraction vessel 9 in an upright position. Therefore, hot water and coffee grains can be in contact with a wide range, and the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid can be improved. However, in this case, the hot water is generally in local contact with the coffee grains. On the other hand, the permeable extraction of S47 is carried out when the extraction container 9 is in an upside-down position, so hot water will pass through the accumulated coffee grains while contacting more coffee grains. The hot water will more fully contact the coffee grains, which can further improve the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid.

Returning to FIG. 11(A), the discharge process of S4 is performed after the extraction process of S3. Here, the cleaning-related processing in the extraction container 9 is carried out. The cleaning of the extraction container 9 is performed by returning the extraction container 9 from the inverted posture to the upright posture, and supplying tap water (clean water) to the extraction container 9 . Then, the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized, and the water in the extraction container 9 and the residue of coffee grains are discharged to the waste tank T together.

Through the above processing, one coffee beverage production process is completed. Afterwards, the same process is repeatedly performed according to each manufacturing instruction. The time required to produce one coffee drink is, for example, about 60 to 90 seconds.

＜7. Summary of device configuration＞ As mentioned above, the beverage manufacturing device 1 includes a coffee bean processing device 2 and an extraction device 3 as a manufacturing unit. More specifically, the coffee bean processing device 2 includes a storage device 4 and a crushing device 5, and the extraction device 3 includes a fluid supply unit 7, The driving unit 8, the extraction container 9, and the switching unit 10 (refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, etc.). The crushing device 5 receives a cup of roasted coffee beans from the storage device 4, and grinds the coffee beans in two stages by the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B. At this time, excess substances such as bean hulls are separated from the coffee grains by the separating device 6 . After the coffee grains are put into the extraction container 9, the fluid supply unit 7 is used to pour hot water into the extraction container 9, the driving unit 8 is used to reverse the posture of the extraction container 9, and the switching unit 10 is used to switch from the extraction container 9 to the coffee cup C. Steps such as dispensing liquid, provide a cup of beverage.

A part of the above-mentioned manufacturing part is covered by the cover part 102 which is integrally formed as a transparent cover of the transparent part, and users (such as the manager of the beverage manufacturing device 1, the beverage demander, etc.) can see from the outside of the beverage manufacturing device 1. A plurality of cans 40 as a part of the storage device 4 in the above-mentioned manufacturing department are exposed, and other elements are substantially accommodated in the casing 100 , and the entire manufacturing department can also be accommodated in the casing 100 . In other words, the cover unit 102 may be provided so as to cover at least a part of the manufacturing unit.

At least a part of the production part is covered by the cover part 102 in a manner that can be seen from the outside of the beverage production device 1, whereby, for example, when the user is the manager of the beverage production device 1, the manager can also The operation check of the device is carried out together with the manufacturing preparation. When the user is a purchaser of the beverage, the purchaser can wait for the beverage to be produced while increasing the sense of expectation for the beverage. For example, the extraction container 9 of the extraction device 3 can be viewed from the outside of the beverage production device 1 through the cover portion 102 , and the extraction procedures that users are relatively interested in in several processes of beverage production can be observed. The drive unit 8 functions as a posture changing unit that changes the posture of the extraction container 9. As mentioned above, the extraction container 9 is a movable part that can be turned upside down in the manufacturing department. Thus, the turning action of the extraction container 9 is relatively easy to arouse the user's interest, and the user can enjoy the joy because the user can observe the turning action.

Next, a modified example of the crushing device 5 will be described. In the following description, components having the same names as those described so far will be described by attaching the same symbols as those used so far. Although the crushing device 5 described here is different from the crushing device shown in FIG. 2 in appearance, it is functionally the same.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the pulverizing device 5, and Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pulverizing device 5 shown in Fig. 12 .

The crushing device 5 shown in FIG. 12 is also the same as the crushing device shown in FIG. 2 , and includes a first grinder 5A, a second grinder 5B, and a separation device 6 . The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are mechanisms for grinding roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 shown in FIG. 2 . The first grinder 5A is a grinder that grinds coffee beans to a certain size (for example, about 1/4) in order to easily separate excess substances attached to the coffee beans. Also, the second grinder 5B is a grinder for turning the coffee beans in a state of being ground by the first grinder 5A into ground coffee grains of a desired particle size. Therefore, the grain sizes of the coffee grains in the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are different, and the second grinder 5B has a finer grain size than the first grinder 5A. Furthermore, although the particle size of the coffee grains in the second grinder 5B may sometimes have an error (about ±5 μm), it can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the rotating blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b.

The first grinder 5A includes a motor 52a (see FIG. 12 ) and a main body 53a. The motor 52a is the driving source of the first grinder 5A. The main body 53a is a unit for accommodating the cutting blade, and has a built-in rotating shaft 54a as shown in FIG. 13 . A gear 55a is provided on the rotating shaft 54a, and the driving force of the motor 52a is transmitted to the rotating shaft 54a through the gear 55a.

As shown in FIG. 13, the rotating shaft 54a is provided with the rotating blade 58a as a cutting edge. In addition, a fixed blade 57a as a cutting blade is provided around the rotating blade 58a. The inside of the main body part 53a communicates with the insertion port 50a (see FIG. 12 ) and the discharge port 51a (refer to FIG. 13 ). The roasted coffee beans supplied by the storage device 4 shown in FIG. 2 enter the main body portion 53a from the insertion port 50a formed on the upper part of the main body portion 53a, and are sandwiched between the rotating blade 58a and the fixed blade 57a shown in FIG. 13 was crushed. Also, as shown in FIG. 13 , a restraining plate 56 a is provided on the upper side of the rotating shaft 54 a than the rotating blade 58 a, and the restraining plate 56 a restrains roasted coffee beans from escaping upward. In the first grinder 5A, the roasted coffee beans are ground to about 1/4, for example. The ground coffee grains are discharged to the separating device 6 from the discharge port 51a.

Furthermore, the roasted coffee beans supplied to the insertion port 50a may also be supplied at a height corresponding to the side of the rotary blade 58a instead of being supplied from above the rotary blade 58a. In this case, since the rotating blade 58a suppresses the roasted coffee beans from escaping upward, the suppressing plate 56a may not be provided.

The first grinder 5A can also change the size of the roasted coffee beans discharged after crushing by changing the number of revolutions of the rotating blade 58a. Moreover, the size of the roasted coffee beans discharged after crushing can also be changed by manually adjusting the distance between the rotating blade 58a and the fixed blade 57a.

The separation device 6 shown in FIG. 12 is the same structure as the separation device 6 described using FIG. A mechanism that separates excess substances such as chaff or fine powder from coffee grains. The roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are first coarsely ground by the first grinder 5A, and the excess substances are separated from the coarse coffee grains by the separation device 6 . The coarse coffee grains from which excess substances have been separated are finely ground by the second grinder 5B.

The second grinder 5B includes a motor 52b (see FIG. 12 ) and a main body 53b. The motor 52b is the driving source of the second grinder 5B. The main body portion 53b is a unit for accommodating the cutting blade, and has a built-in rotating shaft 54b as shown in FIG. 13 . A pulley 55b is provided on the rotating shaft 54b, and the driving force of the motor 52b is transmitted to the rotating shaft 54b via the belt 59b and the pulley 55b.

As shown in FIG. 13, a rotating blade 58b is also provided on the rotating shaft 54b, and a fixed blade 57b is provided above the rotating blade 58b. The inside of the main body portion 53b communicates with the insertion port 50b shown in FIG. 12 and the discharge port 51b shown in the same FIG. 12 . The coffee grains falling from the separator 6 enter the main body 53b from the injection port 50b, and are further pulverized while being sandwiched between the rotating blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b. The ground coffee grains are discharged from the discharge port 51b. Furthermore, the particle size of the coffee grains in the second grinder 5B can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the rotating blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b.

Next, the separation device 6 will be described again, although there are parts that overlap with the previous description. FIG. 14 is a partially broken perspective view of the separation device 6 . The separation device 6 includes a suction unit 6A and a forming unit 6B. The forming unit 6B is a hollow body, and forms a separation chamber SC (refer to FIG. 13 ) through which coffee grains freely falling from the first grinder 5A pass. The suction unit 6A communicates with the separation chamber SC in a direction (left-right direction in this example) intersecting the passing direction of coffee grains (in this example, an up-down direction), and sucks the air in the separation chamber SC. By sucking the air in the separation chamber SC, light objects such as bean hulls or fine powder are sucked. In this way, excess substances are separated from the coffee grains.

The suction unit 6A is a centrifugal separation mechanism. The suction unit 6A includes a blower unit 60A and a recovery container 60B. The air blowing unit 60A is a fan motor, and exhausts the air in the recovery container 60B upward.

The recovery container 60B includes an upper portion 61 and a lower portion 62 that are detachably engaged. The lower part 62 is a bottomed cylinder with an open top, forming a space for storing excess materials. The upper part 61 constitutes a cover mounted on the opening of the lower part 62 . As shown in FIG. 14 , the upper part 61 includes a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 61 a and an exhaust tube 61 b formed coaxially therewith. The blower unit 60A is fixed on the upper part 61 above the exhaust tube 61b to suck the air in the exhaust tube 61b. Moreover, the upper part 61 includes the cylindrical connection part 61c extended in the radial direction. The connecting portion 61c is connected to the forming unit 6B, and communicates the separation chamber SC and the recovery container 60B. The connecting portion 61c has an opening on the side of the exhaust tube 61b.

By driving the air blowing unit 60A, airflows shown by arrows d1 to d3 in FIG. 14 are generated. By this air flow, the air containing unnecessary substances is sucked from the separation chamber SC into the recovery container 60B through the connection portion 61c. The connection portion 61c has an opening on the side of the exhaust tube 61b, so that the air containing excess substances swirls around the exhaust tube 61b. The excess substance D in the air falls due to its weight and accumulates in a part of the recovery container 60B (deposited on the bottom surface of the lower part 62). Air is exhausted upward through the inside of the exhaust tube 61b.

A plurality of cooling fins 61d are integrally formed on the peripheral surface of the exhaust tube 61b. A plurality of cooling fins 61d are arranged in the circumferential direction of the exhaust tube 61b. Each cooling fin 61d is obliquely inclined relative to the axial direction of the exhaust cylinder 61b. By providing such a cooling fin 61, the air containing the excess substance D is promoted to swirl around the exhaust tube 61b. In addition, the separation of excess substances D is facilitated by the cooling fins 61 . As a result, the vertical length of the suction unit 6A can be suppressed, which contributes to the miniaturization of the device.

Moreover, the forming unit 6B is arranged on the falling path of the coffee grains of the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, and the suction unit 6A of centrifugal separation method is arranged on the side of the falling path. The mechanism of the centrifugal separation method tends to become longer in the vertical direction, but by disposing the suction unit 6A sideways in a manner offset from the falling path, the suction unit 6A can be horizontally aligned with the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5A. 2 grinders 5B are arranged side by side. This method helps to suppress the length of the device in the vertical direction. In particular, when the two-stage pulverization is carried out by the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, the length in the vertical direction of the device tends to be long, and therefore, the arrangement of the suction unit 6A contributes to the small size of the device. more effective.

The forming unit 6B will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17 . Fig. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of the forming unit 6B. FIG. 16 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of the forming unit 6B. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the forming unit 6B, and is an explanatory diagram for comparing cross-sectional areas.

The forming unit 6B shown in FIG. 15 is formed by combining two members divided into upper and lower halves. The forming unit 6B includes a pipe portion 63 and a separation chamber forming portion 64 and has a spoon shape in plan view. The pipe portion 63 is a cylindrical body forming a communication path 63a with the suction unit 6A, and extends in the lateral direction (the direction intersecting the center line CL described below). The separation chamber forming part 64 is a hollow body in an annular shape, is connected to the pipe part 63 to form the separation chamber SC, and has an opening at the center in the vertical direction.

In the separation device 6 shown in FIG. 14 , when separating excess substances from coffee grains, a method is adopted in which horizontal wind pressure acts on the coffee grains falling from the first grinder 5A to suck the excess substances. Compared with the centrifugal separation method, this method can shorten the length in the vertical direction, which is advantageous.

The separation chamber forming portion 64 shown in FIG. 15 includes a cylindrical portion 65 extending in the vertical direction. The cylindrical part 65 protrudes in the separation chamber SC from the center part in the up-down direction to the lower part. The cylindrical part 65 has an opening part 65a at one end on the upper side, and the opening part 65a forms an injection port of the coffee grain which communicates with the separation chamber SC. The opening part 65a is located outside the separation chamber SC, and is connected to the discharge port 51a of the 1st grinder 5A (refer FIG. 13). Thereby, the coffee grain which fell from the discharge port 51a is introduced into the separation chamber formation part 64, and does not leak out. The cylindrical part 65 has the opening part 65b at the other end of the lower side. The opening part 65b is located in the separation chamber SC. Since the opening 65b faces the separation chamber SC, the coffee grains dropped from the discharge port 51a are introduced into the separation chamber SC without leaking out.

The cylindrical part 65 has a cylindrical shape, and the opening part 65a and the opening part 65b are located on the center line CL and have a concentric circular shape. Thereby, the coffee grains which fell from the discharge port 51a pass through the cylindrical part 65 easily. The cylindrical portion 65 has a tapered shape in which the cross-sectional area of the internal space gradually decreases from the side of the opening 65a toward the side of the opening 65b. Since the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 65 is in the shape of a mortar, falling coffee grains easily collide with the inner wall. The coffee grains falling from the first grinder 5A may fall in lumps because the grains are in close contact with each other. When the coffee grains are lumpy, the separation efficiency of excess material may be reduced. In the cylindrical portion 65 shown in FIG. 15 , the block-shaped coffee grains collide with the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 65 , so the block is broken, and excess substances can be easily separated.

Furthermore, the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 65 is not limited to the shape of the mortar in terms of breaking the lumps of coffee grains. As long as there is a region in the middle of the cylindrical portion 65 that has a smaller cross-sectional area than the internal space of the opening 65a, so that the cylindrical portion 65 has an inner wall that is inclined (non-horizontal) relative to the center line CL, the collision with the block can be facilitated. , and the coffee grains can fall smoothly. In addition, the cylindrical portion 65 does not need to protrude into the separation chamber SC, but only has a portion protruding upward from the outer surface of the separation chamber forming portion 64 . However, by protruding the cylindrical portion 65 into the separation chamber SC, the wind speed around the cylindrical portion 65 can be increased. Therefore, for the region R1 that is relatively far from the pipe portion 63, the effect of separating excess substances by wind pressure can be enhanced.

The separation chamber forming portion 64 has a discharge port 66 for discharging the coffee grains from which excess substances have been separated, and communicates with the separation chamber SC. The discharge port 66 shown in FIG. 15 is located below the opening 65b, and the coffee grains passing through the cylindrical portion 65 pass through the separation chamber SC and freely fall from the discharge port 66. The discharge port 66 is a circular opening located on the center line CL, and is an opening concentric with the opening 65a and the opening 65b. Therefore, the coffee grains can easily pass through the separation chamber forming portion 64 in a freely falling manner, and it is possible to prevent the coffee grains from accumulating in the separation chamber forming portion 64 .

As shown in FIG. 17, the cross-sectional area SC2 of the discharge port 66 is larger than the cross-sectional area SC1 of the opening 65b. The opening 65b and the discharge port 66 overlap each other when viewed in the up-down direction. Therefore, when the opening 65 b is projected onto the discharge port 66 in the vertical direction, the opening 65 b converges inside the discharge port 66 . In other words, the opening 65b converges in a region extending the discharge port 66 in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the opening 65b and the discharge port 66 may not be on the same center line but overlap, or at least one of them may not be circular but overlap.

The ratio of the cross-sectional area SC1 to the cross-sectional area SC2 is, for example, 95% or less, or 85% or less, or, for example, 60% or more, or 70% or more. Since the opening part 65b and the discharge port 66 are concentric circles, they overlap each other when seen along the direction of the center line CL. Therefore, the coffee grains freely falling from the opening 65 b are easily discharged from the discharge port 66 . In addition, it is possible to prevent the falling coffee grains from colliding with the edge of the discharge port 66 and splashing to the side of the pipe portion 63, and it is also possible to prevent necessary coffee grains from being sucked by the suction unit 6A. Compared with the opening area of the discharge port (such as 66), the opening area of the opening at one end (such as 65a) is exemplified, but it can also be the opening area of the discharge port (such as 66) and the opening area of the opening at one end (such as 65a). The opening area is the same, or the opening area of one end opening (eg 65 a ) is larger than the opening area of the discharge port (eg 66 ). Compared with the opening area of the discharge port (such as 66), the opening area of the opening at the other end (such as 65b) is exemplified, but the opening area of the discharge port (such as 66) can also be compared with the opening area of the other end opening (such as 65b). ) have the same opening area, or the opening area of the other end opening (eg 65b) is larger than the opening area of the discharge port (eg 66). It is illustrated that by suctioning air from the discharge port 66 and the insertion port (such as 65a, 65a') by the suction unit (such as 6A), the amount of air sucked from the discharge port 66 can also be more than that from the discharge port (such as 65a'). , 65a') the amount of air sucked. It can be realized by making the other end opening (such as 65b) protrude toward the separation chamber, or making the cross-sectional area of the discharge port 66 larger than the size of the opening area of the one end opening (such as 65a), or by making the discharge port The size of the cross-sectional area of 66 is larger than the size of the opening area of the opening at the other end (such as 65b), and it can also be realized by making the distance between the discharge port 66 and the separation chamber smaller than the distance between the opening at one end (such as 65a) and the separation chamber. Realization can also be realized by making the distance between the discharge port 66 and the exhaust tube 61b shorter than the distance between the one-end opening (for example, 65a) and the distance between the exhaust tube 61b, or by making the distance between the discharge port 66 and the air supply unit 60A shorter. The distance between the one end opening (for example, 65a) and the blower unit 60A is realized as short as possible. It may also be configured such that the forming unit 6B, any one of the inner wall portions of the members (63-65) constituting the separation chamber SC, the cylindrical portion 65 or the other end opening (eg 65b), and the grinder (5A and 5B) At least one of them) is in direct contact or indirect contact via other components, and is transmitted to vibrate by the vibration caused by the rotation of the grinder. For example, in the case of the coffee bean grinder 1 of the embodiment, they are in direct or indirect contact. Therefore, during the operation of the grinder, the inner walls of the members (63-65) forming the unit 6B and the separation chamber SC are formed. Either one, the cylindrical part 65 or the other end opening (such as 65b) vibrates, and the turbulent air generated in the separation chamber SC due to the vibration makes it enter the separation chamber SC from the other end opening (such as 65b). The lighter excess matter slows down, and it is easy to use the suction unit (eg 6A) to suck the excess matter. In particular, like the coffee bean grinder 1 of the embodiment, the forming unit 6B is in direct contact with the first grinder 5A among the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, by directly contacting a grinder Appropriate vibration is given to the forming unit 6B, so that it is easy to suck light excess substances.

The air sucked by the suction unit 6A is mainly sucked from the discharge port 66 . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, a gap is provided between the discharge port 66 and the insertion port 50b of the second grinder 5B to facilitate the suction of air. Arrow d4 shown in FIG. 15 schematically indicates the flow direction of the airflow of the air sucked by the suction unit 6A. By sucking air from the discharge port 66, excess substances are not easily discharged from the discharge port 66, and the separation performance of coffee grains and excess substances can be improved. Furthermore, the air sucked by the suction unit 6A is also sucked from the opening 65a.

A turbulent flow promoting portion 67 is formed on a peripheral wall defining the discharge port 66 . The turbulence promotion unit 67 generates turbulence in the air sucked from the discharge port 66 into the separation chamber SC. By forming the turbulence-promoting portion 67 , turbulent flow is likely to be generated particularly in the region R2 between the opening portion 65 b and the discharge port 66 . In addition, in the forming unit 6B shown in FIG. 15, the wind speed increases around the cylindrical portion 65, so that the generation of turbulent flow in the region R2 can be synergistically promoted.

The coffee grains injected into the insertion port 65a are stirred under the influence of turbulent flow when passing through the region R2. In particular, since the cross-sectional area SC2 of the discharge port 66 is larger than the cross-sectional area SC1 of the opening 65b as described above, the coffee grains must pass through the region R2. The turbulent flow easily separates unwanted substances such as bean hulls or fines from the coffee grains. As a result, even if the separation chamber SC is a small space, the separation efficiency of excess substances can be improved, especially the length in the vertical direction of the separation chamber SC can be reduced, and it is beneficial to use the first grinding machine 5A and the second grinding machine. 5B Miniaturization of the device when performing two-stage pulverization.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the turbulence promotion unit 67 includes a plurality of turbulence promotion elements 67 a. The turbulence promoting element 67a is a protrusion protruding downward in the vertical direction. The protruding direction of the turbulence-promoting element 67a may be any direction, but it is preferably within the range of the radially inner direction from the lower direction in terms of making the turbulent flow more likely to be generated in the separation chamber SC. If the protruding direction is downward, the falling coffee grains will not be stuck, which is better.

The cross-sectional shape of the turbulence-promoting element 67a is a shape in which a trapezoidal square column is arranged such that the top and bottom of the cross-section face the direction of the centerline CL, and as shown in FIG. The shape of the turbulence-promoting element 67a is not limited to this shape, and the shape of the discharge port 66 is preferably a three-dimensionally complex shape.

As shown in FIG. 16 , the turbulence promoting elements 67 a are repeatedly formed along the peripheral direction d5 of the discharge port 66 . Thereby, air is blown into the region R2 from multiple directions, thereby promoting generation of turbulent flow. The distance between the adjacent turbulence-promoting elements 67a is equal, but may also be different. In addition, 12 turbulence promoting elements 67a are formed, but the number of turbulence promoting elements 67a is arbitrary.

The crushing device 5 described above using FIGS. 12 to 17 is incorporated in the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 , but the crushing device 5 may be used alone as a coffee bean grinder. In this case, the following devices are added: a storage device for storing roasted coffee beans and supplying the coffee beans to the insertion port 50a; a control device for controlling the crushing device 5; and an information display device.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the appearance of the coffee bean grinder, and Fig. 19 is a block diagram of the control device of the coffee bean grinder. The basic structure of the coffee bean grinder shown in FIG. 18 is substantially the same as that of the crushing device 5 described using FIGS. 12 to 17 . Hereinafter, components with the same names as those described so far will be assigned the same symbols as those used so far, and will be described focusing on the differences from the crushing device 5 described using FIGS. 12 to 17 . .

The coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18 has a storage device 4 and a crushing device 5, and a control device 11 shown in FIG. 19 for controlling them. Moreover, the coffee bean grinder GM also has the information display device 12 (refer FIG. 19) connected with the control device 11 wirelessly. The information display device 12 is a touch panel display used for inputting various control instructions or setting values of the coffee bean grinder GM. enter. Moreover, a speaker or a camera is installed in the information display device 12 .

The control device 11 controls the whole coffee bean grinder GM. The control device 11 includes a processing unit 11a, a memory unit 11b, and an I/F (interface) unit 11c. The processing unit 11 a is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit, central processing unit). The storage unit 11b is, for example, a RAM (Read Only Memory) or a ROM (Random Access Memory). The memory unit 11b stores recipes. The recipe includes information on various conditions for grinding coffee beans, coffee bean information, recipe maker information, recipe maker's comments, and the like. The I/F unit 11c includes an input/output interface for inputting and outputting signals between an external device and the processing unit 11a. In addition, the I/F unit 11c includes a communication interface capable of communicating data with external terminals such as a server 16 and a mobile terminal 17 via a communication network 15 such as the Internet. The server 16 can communicate with mobile terminals 17 such as smart phones through the communication network 15, for example, it can receive information such as an appointment or a message for making ground coffee grains from the mobile terminal 17 of the demander. A coffee bean grinding system GS for grinding coffee beans including a coffee bean grinder 1 , a server 16 and a mobile terminal 17 is constituted.

The processing unit 11a executes the program stored in the storage unit 11b, and controls the storage device 4 and the crushing device 5 according to the recipe. In more detail, the processing unit 11a controls the actuator group 14 according to the recipe, or controls the actuator based on the instruction from the information display device 12, the detection result of the sensor group 13, or the instruction from the server 16. Group 14. The sensor group 13 is various sensors installed in the storage device 4 and the crushing device 5 (such as a sensor for detecting the operating position of the mechanism, etc.). The actuator group 14 is various actuators (for example, motors, etc.) provided in the storage device 4 and the crushing device 5 .

The storage device 4 shown in FIG. 18 has a cylindrical tank storage unit 401 and a removable cover 401c. The cover 401c is screwed on the upper end of the tank storage unit 401 and covers the tank storage unit 401. surface. Inside the tank storage unit 401, a tank storage chamber (not shown) is provided. A plurality of tank storage chambers are provided along the circumferential direction, and a plurality of tanks can be stored inside the tank storage unit 401 . Here, the tank body not shown has the same structure as the tank body shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 except that the handle 40b is not provided. In the storage device 4, a plurality of stored tanks can be selectively used. Therefore, roasted coffee beans of different varieties or different degrees of roasting can be selected for grinding, or a plurality of roasted coffee beans of different varieties or degrees of roasting can be mixed for grinding.

Moreover, the tank storage unit 401 is detachably attached to the optional installation part GM11 provided in the upper part of the center case GM10 of the coffee bean grinder GM. In addition to the tank storage unit 401, a plurality of types of units can be attached to this optional attachment part GM11. The upper part of the center housing GM10 covers the lower part of the unit mounted on the optional installation part GM11. Furthermore, you may comprise so that the kind of the unit mounted in optional attachment part GM11 may be displayed on external terminals, such as the mobile terminal 17 which can communicate with coffee bean grinder GM.

Fig. 20(a) is a diagram showing a coffee bean grinder GM equipped with a hopper unit 402 instead of the tank storage unit 401 shown in Fig. 18, and Fig. 20(b) is a diagram showing coffee beans with a hopper unit 403 installed A map of the Grinder GM.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the coffee bean grinder GM viewed obliquely from the left near front side, and Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the coffee bean grinder GM observed obliquely from the front right side.

The optional installation part GM11 shown in FIG. 18 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the center housing GM10. The installation method of each unit to the optional installation part GM11 can be a screw-fit method, or it can be a method of locking the locking claws provided on each unit to the optional installation part GM11, or it can be installed in an optional installation The locking claws of the GM11 are locked to each unit.

The hopper unit 402 shown in Fig. 20(a) is a transparent container, inside which accommodates roasted coffee beans, and whose upper surface is covered by a detachable cover 402c. The hopper unit 402 is equivalent to a larger individual tank.

On the other hand, the funnel unit 403 shown in FIG. 20( b ) is in the shape of a funnel whose inner side is tapered towards the front end of the optional installation part GM11 , and the upper end is open. Roasted coffee beans are also accommodated in the hopper unit 403 . Compared with the tank body or the hopper unit 402, the hopper unit 403 is more smoothly supplied to the roasted coffee beans on the downstream side. The tank storage unit 401, the hopper unit 402, and the funnel unit 403 are all storage units capable of storing roasted coffee beans. These storage units (401-403) are provided with supply ports for supplying roasted coffee beans to the downstream side.

In addition, the metering unit can also be installed on the optional installation part GM11.

FIG. 21( a ) is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the metering unit 404 is attached to the optional attachment portion GM11 .

The coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 21(a) is installed in the metering unit 404 of the optional installation part GM11, and the tank storage unit 401 shown in FIG. 20 is further installed. In the metering unit 404, storage units (401-403) capable of storing roasted coffee beans are detachably installed. The installation method of the storage unit to the metering unit 404 is the same as the installation method of each unit to the optional installation part GM11. It can be screwed, and it can be a way to make the locking claws arranged on each unit locked on the metering unit 404. It may be a method in which locking claws provided on the metering unit 404 are locked to the storage unit. In the example shown in FIG. 21( a ), the locking claw 404k provided on the metering unit 404 is locked to the protrusion GM11t of the optional mounting portion GM11. In addition, the locking claw 401k provided on the tank storage unit 401 is locked on the protrusion 404t provided on the upper part of the inner peripheral wall of the metering unit 404 .

The weighing unit 404 has a receiving port 4040 , a guide path 4041 , a conveyance path 4042 , and a delivery port 4043 . When the storage unit (401-403) is installed on the metering unit 404, the supply port USP of the storage unit is connected to the receiving port 4040 of the metering unit 404, and the roasted coffee beans stored in the storage unit are supplied to the receiving port 4040. The upstream side of the receiving port 4040 and the conveyance path 4042 is connected by a guide path 4041 . In the conveyance path 4042 shown in FIG. 21( a ), the right side becomes the upstream side, and the left side becomes the downstream side. An electric screw conveyor ESC is disposed in the conveyance path 4042 , and the roasted coffee beans are conveyed in the conveyance path 4042 and sent out from the delivery port 4043 toward the crushing device 5 . That is, the roasted coffee beans supplied to the receiving port 4040 are guided to the conveyance passage 4042 through the guide passage 4041, and are conveyed from the right side to the left side of the conveyance passage 4042 shown in FIG. 21( a ). Although the conveyance path 4042 shown in FIG. 21( a ) is installed horizontally, the downstream end opening 4042 o of the conveyance path 4042 is formed to open obliquely upward. In addition, the conveyance path 4042 may incline so that the downstream side may be higher than the upstream side.

Fig. 21(b) is a perspective view showing the electric screw conveyor ESC.

In the electric screw conveyor ESC shown in FIG. 21( b ), the right deep side becomes the upstream side, and the left near front side becomes the downstream side. The electric screw conveyor ESC has a screw shaft ESC1 and a screw blade ESC2, and the screw blade ESC2 is helically provided on the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft ESC1. In addition, a motor ESC3 for rotationally driving the screw shaft ESC1 is incorporated in the upstream end of the electric screw conveyor ESC. The roasted coffee beans guided to the conveyance path 4042 are conveyed in the conveyance path 4042 by the rotating spiral blade ESC2. The control device 11 controls the rotation of the motor ESC3, and automatically measures the amount of roasted coffee beans according to the rotation amount of the screw shaft ESC1. The electric screw conveyor ESC automatically measures the roasted coffee beans stored in the storage units (401-403) and conveys them toward the downstream side.

As shown in FIG. 21( a ), a cover member 460 is provided at the downstream end opening 4042 o of the conveyance path 4042 . As described above, the downstream end opening 4042o is formed obliquely upward, and the cover member 460 is also arranged obliquely. The cover member 460 has a cover plate 461 and a belt-shaped member 451 .

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing several aspects of the covering member 460 arranged at the downstream end opening 4042 o of the conveyance path 4042 .

The upper half of the opening 4042o at the downstream end shown in FIG. 22( a ) is covered by a cover plate 461 . The cover plate 461 is a rigid body made of resin.

Moreover, the outlet part 45 is provided in the downstream end of the conveyance path 4042. As shown in FIG. The outlet portion 45 is formed by horizontally arranging the flexible belt-shaped members 451 at the interval W1. The belt member 451 is more flexible than the cover plate 461 . The space W1 between the strip members 451 is narrower than the size of the usual roasted coffee beans B. Moreover, the upper end of the belt-shaped member 451 is fixed to the lower edge of the cover plate 461, and the lower end of the belt-shaped member 451 is a free end. Also, the lower end of the belt-shaped member 451 is located at a position that is set back inwardly by a length shorter than the size of the roasted coffee beans B from the edge 4042e defining the opening 4042o at the downstream end. The belt-shaped member 451 makes the area of the downstream opening 4042o smaller, but allows the roasted coffee beans B conveyed by the rotating spiral blade ESC2 to pass through due to its flexibility. That is, originally, the area of the downstream opening 4042o is narrowed to about half by the cover plate 461, and the roasted coffee beans B are less likely to fall from the downstream opening 4042o from the time when the rotation of the spiral blade ESC2 stops. Moreover, the belt-shaped member 451 further narrows the area of the downstream opening 4042o, so that the roasted coffee beans B are less likely to fall from the downstream opening 4042o. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the roasted coffee beans B from accidentally entering the downstream side. On the other hand, the belt-shaped member 451 is flexible, and the lower end is a free end, so it will roll outward due to the pressing force (equivalent to the conveying force) of the roasted coffee beans B conveyed by the rotating spiral blade ESC2. . As a result, the interval W1 between the belt-shaped members 451 and the gap between the lower end of the belt-shaped member 451 and the edge 4042e defining the downstream opening 4042o are enlarged, and the roasted coffee beans B are sent out from the enlarged interval or gap.

In addition, in the cover member 460 arranged obliquely upward, the belt-shaped member 451 is also inclined, and the outlet portion 45 is also directed obliquely upward. The exit portion 45 shown in Fig. 22(a) to Fig. 22(f) faces obliquely upward. In this way, since the outlet portion 45 faces obliquely upward, the roasted coffee beans B are also less likely to fall from the outlet portion 45 . However, the outlet portion 45 shown in Fig. 22(a) to Fig. 22(f) may also face the flat side.

The upper half of the opening 4042 o at the downstream end shown in FIG. 22( a ) is covered by a cover plate 461 . The cover plate 461 is a rigid body made of resin.

Compared with the covering member 460 shown in FIG. 22( b ) and FIG. 22( c ), the covering member 460 shown in FIG. 22( a ) is the same except that the belt-shaped member 451 is longer. The belt-shaped member 451 shown in FIG. 22(b) extends downward beyond the edge 4042e defining the opening 4042o at the downstream end, and the lower end of the belt-shaped member 451 is located further outside the edge 4042e. The belt-shaped member 451 shown in FIG. 22(c) extends downward to just reach the edge 4042e defining the opening 4042o at the downstream end, and the lower end of the belt-shaped member 451 overlaps with the edge 4042e. Therefore, the cover member 460 shown in Figure 22(b) and Figure 22(c), compared with the cover member 460 shown in Figure 22(a), can make the area of the downstream opening 4042o narrower, and the roasted coffee beans The passing tolerance of B is reduced. However, both the belt-shaped member 451 shown in Figure 22(b) and the belt-shaped member 451 shown in Figure 22(c) have flexibility, and the lower end is a free end, so the The extrusion force of the roasted coffee beans B conveyed by the spiral blade ESC2 rolls outward. Thereby, the roasted coffee beans B are sent out from the outlet part 45 shown in FIG. 22(b) and the outlet part 45 shown in FIG. 22(c) by a pressing force.

Compared with the cover member 460 shown in FIG. 22( d ) and FIG. 22( e ), the cover member 460 shown in FIG. 22( a ) is the same except that the size of the cover plate 461 is different. In the cover member 460 shown in FIG. 22( d ), the upper portion equivalent to 1/3 of the size of the downstream opening 4042o is covered by the cover plate 461 . In the cover member 460 shown in FIG. 22( e ), the cover plate 461 is used to cover the portion from the top to the middle of the opening 4042o corresponding to 2/3 of the size of the downstream end. Therefore, in the cover member 460 shown in FIG. 22( d ), compared with the cover member 460 shown in FIG. 22( a ), the area of the downstream opening 4042o is not reduced, and the passage tolerance of the roasted coffee beans B is improved. However, if the belt-shaped member 451 is also combined, the area of the downstream opening 41h is reduced by more than half, and the roasted coffee beans B are less likely to fall from the outlet 45 from the time when the rotation of the spiral blade ESC2 stops. Moreover, in the cover member 460 shown in FIG. 22( e), compared with the cover member 460 shown in FIG. 22( a), the area of the downstream opening 4042o is further reduced, and the passage tolerance of the roasted coffee beans B is quite low. Therefore, it is preferable to use a belt-shaped member that is more flexible than the belt-shaped member 451 shown in FIG. 22( a ).

The cover member 460 shown in FIG. 22( f ) has the cover plate 461 removed, and consists only of the outlet portion 45 including the belt-shaped member 451 . Both ends of the strip member 451 are fixed to the edge 4042e defining the opening 4042o at the downstream end. In the covering member 460 shown in FIG. 22( f ), the area of the opening 4042o at the downstream end is reduced by the belt-shaped member 451 . In addition, since both ends of the belt-shaped member 451 are fixed, one end portion does not roll outward. However, due to the pressing force of the roasted coffee beans B conveyed by the rotating spiral blade ESC2, the interval W2 between the belt-shaped members 451 is enlarged. The belt-shaped member 451 shown in FIG. 22(f) is thinner than the belt-shaped member 451 shown in FIG. 22(a). Also, the interval W2 between the belt-shaped members 451 shown in FIG. 22(f) is narrower than the size of the usual roasted coffee beans B, but wider than the interval W1 between the belt-shaped members 451 shown in FIG. 22(a). Therefore, the belt-shaped member 451 shown in FIG. 22(f) is compared with the belt-shaped member 451 shown in FIG. 22(a), and the interval W2 is easy to expand due to the pressing force of the roasted coffee beans B being transported, and, After expansion, the interval is also larger. Thereby, the roasted coffee beans B are also sent out from the outlet portion 45 shown in FIG. 22(f) due to the pressing force.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing still another aspect of the cover member 460 .

Compared with the cover member 460 shown in FIG. 22( a ), the cover member 460 shown in FIG. 23( a ) is the same except for the configuration of the outlet portion 45 . That is, the upper half of the downstream end opening 4042o is covered with the cover plate 461, and the outlet portion 45 is provided in the lower half. The outlet portion 45 shown in FIG. 23( a ) includes: a rotating shaft 452 extending in the horizontal direction; and a cover member 453 rotating in the vertical direction with the rotating shaft 452 as the center of rotation. The cover member 453 covers the entire lower half of the downstream opening 4042o and has a rectangular shape. The cover member 453 shown in FIG. 23(a) covers the entire lower half of the downstream opening 4042o, and the roasted coffee beans B are not easy to fall from the outlet 45 from the time when the rotation of the spiral blade ESC2 stops. Moreover, each outlet part 45 shown in FIG. 23 also faces obliquely upward. Therefore, the cover member 453 also faces obliquely upward, and is difficult to rotate upward. However, due to the pressing force of the roasted coffee beans B conveyed by the rotating spiral blade ESC2, the cover member 453 is rotated upwards as shown by the arrow in the figure, and the roasted coffee beans B are also rotated as shown in FIG. 23(a). The outlet part 45 sends out.

Compared with the cover member 460 shown in FIG. 23( a ), the cover member 460 shown in FIG. 23( b ) is the same except for the size and shape of the cover member 453 . The cover member 453 shown in FIG. 23(b) covers a part of the lower half of the opening 4042o at the downstream end, and has a semicircular shape. Therefore, a gap W3 is generated between the edge 4042e defining the opening 4042o at the downstream end and the cover member 453, and the gap W3 is narrower than the size of the usual roasted coffee beans B. With the covering member 460 shown in FIG. 23( b ), the roasted coffee beans B are less likely to fall from the time when the rotation of the spiral blade ESC2 stops. On the other hand, due to the pressing force of the roasted coffee beans B being transported, the cover member 453 rotates upwards as shown by the arrow, and the roasted coffee beans B are also sent out from the outlet 45 shown in FIG. 23( b ). In particular, since the exit portion 45 shown in FIG. 23( b ) has a gap W3 , the passage tolerance of the roasted coffee beans B is higher than that of the exit portion 45 shown in FIG. 23( a ).

The cover member 460 shown in FIG. 23(c) removes the cover plate 461, and consists only of the outlet portion 45 having two rotation shafts 452L, 452R, and a pair of left and right cover members 453L, 453R. The two rotation shafts 452L and 452R are inclined from the vertical direction because the downstream end opening 4042o faces obliquely upward. The left cover member 453L covers the entire left half of the downstream opening 4042o, and has a semicircular shape. The cover member 453L on the right side covers the entire left half of the opening 4042o at the downstream end, and has a semicircular shape. In the outlet portion 45 shown in FIG. 23( c ), the roasted coffee beans B are less likely to fall from the time point when the rotation of the spiral blade ESC2 stops. On the other hand, due to the pressing force of the roasted coffee beans B being transported, as shown by the arrow in the figure, the left cover member 453L rotates to the left, and the right cover member 453R rotates to the right, and the roasted coffee beans B are also rotated. It is sent out from the exit portion 45 shown in Fig. 23(c).

Furthermore, the outlets 45 shown in FIG. 23 also face obliquely upward, but they may also face the front side.

In the above description, the following contents are explained, namely, 『A coffee machine [for example, beverage manufacturing device 1, coffee bean grinder GM] is characterized in that coffee beans are used for preparation, and has: A transport mechanism [eg, an electric screw conveyor ESC] that transports the coffee beans towards the opening [eg, downstream end opening 4042o]; and The outlet part [for example, the outlet part 45] reduces the area of the above-mentioned opening and allows the passage of the above-mentioned coffee beans conveyed by the above-mentioned conveying mechanism. ".

Moreover, the above-mentioned conveying mechanism is disposed in a cylindrical body, and the above-mentioned cylindrical body can be one in which the upstream side is on the storage side where the coffee beans are stored, and the downstream side has the above-mentioned opening.

Here, it may also be a coffee machine characterized by having: a storage unit storing coffee beans; a conveying mechanism that transports the coffee beans from the storage unit toward the opening; and an outlet unit that makes the opening of the opening The area is reduced, and the above-mentioned coffee beans conveyed by the above-mentioned conveying mechanism are allowed to pass through.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, In the outlet portion, flexible belt-shaped members [for example, belt-shaped member 451] are arranged at intervals [for example, intervals W1, W2] along one direction [for example, lateral direction]. ".

Furthermore, the above-mentioned one direction may be a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, or an oblique direction.

Moreover, the said outlet part may be comb-shaped.

Also, the belt-shaped member may be fixed at both ends [for example, the belt-shaped member 451 shown in FIG. 22(f)].

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, One end of the belt-shaped member is a fixed end, and the other end is a free end [for example, the belt-shaped member 451 shown in FIGS. 22(a) to 22(e)]. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, The other end is located further inside than the edge defining the opening [for example, the belt-shaped member 451 shown in FIG. 22(a), FIG. 22(d) and FIG. 22(e)]. ".

Furthermore, the other end moves inwardly away from the edge defining the opening [for example, the edge 4042e ] by a first length, and the first length may be shorter than the size of coffee beans.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A beverage manufacturing device, characterized in that, A part of the above-mentioned belt-shaped member at one side of the above-mentioned other end [for example, the free end side] overlaps with an edge [for example, edge 4042e] demarcating the above-mentioned opening [for example, as shown in Figure 22 (b) and Figure 22 (c) The band member 451] that shows. ".

That is, the above-mentioned other end can be located on the outer side than the above-mentioned edge [for example, the front end of the belt-shaped member 451 shown in Figure 22 (b)], and can also be located at the above-mentioned edge [for example, as shown in Figure 22 (c) The front end of the belt-shaped member 451 is shown].

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, The above-mentioned intervals [for example, intervals W1, W2] are narrower than the size of the above-mentioned coffee beans. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, 『A coffee machine characterized by comprising a covering part [for example, a covering plate 461] which covers a part of the opening separately from the outlet part. ".

Furthermore, the above-mentioned covering part may also be fixedly arranged along the outer periphery of the above-mentioned opening. Moreover, the said covering part may be plate-shaped.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, The above-mentioned outlet part is a cover member [for example, as shown in FIG. The cover member 453 shown, the cover member 453L on the left side and the cover member 453R on the right side]. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, The above-mentioned outlet is oriented obliquely upward [for example, refer to the downstream opening 4042o shown in FIG. 21(a)]. ".

Next, the bean extraction port will be described.

Fig. 24(a) is a view showing that the cover unit GM21 of the coffee bean grinder GM is in a closed state, which is arranged on the center housing GM10 to open and close the bean outlet GM20, and Fig. 24(b) shows that the cover unit GM21 is in an open state. State diagram.

As mentioned above, the top of the central housing GM10 of the coffee grinder GM is provided with an optional installation part GM11. Moreover, the start button GM15 which instructs the start of a grinding|polishing process by pressing is provided in the center part of the height direction of this center case GM10. Furthermore, the lower part of center case GM10 covers 1st grinder 5A. The bean extraction port GM20 shown in FIG. 24( b ) is installed downstream of the optional installation part GM11 and upstream of the first grinder 5A. That is, regarding the position of the bean extraction port GM20, when the metering unit 404 is installed in the optional installation part GM11, it is a position on the downstream side of the delivery port 4043 of the metering unit 404 (refer to FIG. 21 (a)), When the storage unit (401-403) is attached to the optional installation part GM11, it is a position on the downstream side rather than the supply port USP (refer FIG. 21(a)) of a storage unit. The roasted coffee beans stored in the storage units (401-403) are discharged from the bean outlet GM20. Moreover, when the metering unit 404 is attached to the optional installation part GM11, depending on the result of metering, excess beans may be discharged from the bean extraction port GM20. In order not to splash the roasted coffee beans discharged from the bean extraction port GM20, a guide path forming member GM22 is attached to the center housing GM10. As shown in FIG. 24( b ), the roasted coffee beans B discharged from the bean extraction port GM20 are guided by the guide path forming member GM22 and slide obliquely downward. If the recovery container is close to the vicinity of the front end of the guide path forming member GM22, the discharged roasted coffee beans can be easily recovered to the recovery container.

Cover unit GM21 has inner cover GM211 and outer cover 212 as shown in FIG.24(b). Inner cover GM211 constitutes a part of the peripheral wall of an unillustrated bean conveyance path provided inside center case GM10 in the closed state shown in FIG. 24( a ). On the other hand, the outer cover GM212 is a member constituting a part of the center case GM10 in the closed state shown in FIG. 24( a ). The bean extraction port GM20 provided in the center case GM10 is covered with this outer cover GM212.

The lid unit GM21 is automatically turned from the closed state to the open state by the control of the control device 11 after the metering by the metering unit 404 is completed and the metered roasted coffee beans are sent to the first grinder 5A, for example. When the cover unit GM21 is in the open state, the spiral blade ESC2 starts to rotate again, and the excess roasted coffee beans are conveyed and discharged from the bean extraction port GM20 before reaching the first grinder 5A. When there are roasted coffee beans remaining in the electric screw conveyor ESC, when the roasted coffee beans of different types are grinded next, the roasted coffee beans of different types will be mixed. Therefore, the excess roasted coffee beans must be taken out from the electric screw conveyor ESC to the outside. In addition, even when the metering unit 404 is not installed, and when roasted coffee beans of the same type are ground, the bean outlet GM20 functions effectively. Normally, the roasted coffee beans are not supplied to the first grinder 5A until the rotational speed of the first motor of the first grinder 5A reaches a constant speed, but the remaining beans in front of the first grinder 5A are absorbed by the first grinder 5A. Grind and discard only. However, if the bean extraction port GM20 exists, the remaining beans in front of the first grinder 5A can be collected from the bean extraction port GM20, and the beans will not be wasted. When the driving of the first grinder 5A is stopped, the cover unit GM21 is controlled by the control device 11 to automatically change from the closed state to the open state. Furthermore, in the case of automatically becoming the open state, it is notified in advance that it becomes the open state. In addition, not limited to excess roasted coffee beans, when the grinding process is stopped midway, the cover unit GM21 can be opened, and the roasted coffee beans can be taken out from the inside of the coffee bean grinder GM. Furthermore, cover unit GM21 may be made into an open state manually. For example, the following aspect may also be adopted: when the first grinder 5A is driving, the cover unit GM21 is automatically locked and cannot be opened, and when the first grinder 5A is stopped, the automatic lock is released, and the Open manually at any time. Alternatively, the cover unit GM21 may be opened in accordance with an instruction from an external terminal such as the mobile terminal 17 .

In the grinding method of the coffee bean grinder GM described above, first, a storage unit (401-403) capable of storing coffee beans is installed on the optional installation part GM11 arranged upstream of the first grinder 5A (installation steps ). Then, the coffee beans stored in the storage unit installed in the optional installation part GM11 are supplied to the first grinder 5A (supplying step). Then, the supplied coffee beans are ground by the first grinder 5A (grinding step). Finally, the coffee beans remaining between the storage units (401-403) and the first grinder 5A are taken out from the bean extraction port GM20 (taking out step).

In addition, the bean extraction port GM20 and the outer cover 212 for opening and closing the bean extraction port GM20 can also be applied to the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 . The bean extraction port GM20 can also change the installation position of the information display device 12, and is arranged at a position below the coffee bean insertion port 103 which is more upstream than the crushing device 5.

Based on the above description, the following content has been explained, that is, "A coffee bean grinder [for example, the coffee bean grinder GM shown in Figure 18], characterized in that it is equipped with a grinder for grinding coffee beans [for example, the grinding device 5], There is an optional installation part [for example, an optional installation part GM11] upstream of the above-mentioned grinding machine, A storage unit capable of storing coffee beans [for example, the tank storage unit 401 shown in FIG. 18 and the hopper unit 402 shown in FIG. 20(a)] can be installed on the above-mentioned optional installation part. ".

According to this coffee bean grinder, various adding units can be mounted on the above-mentioned adding installation part, and it is excellent in developability. As an example of the adding unit, a storage unit capable of storing roasted coffee beans supplied to the above-mentioned grinder may be mentioned.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, A funnel unit for introducing coffee beans [for example, the funnel unit 403 shown in FIG. 20 (b)] can be installed on the above-mentioned optional installation part. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, A metering unit [for example, the metering unit 404 shown in FIG. 21 ] may be installed on the above-mentioned optional installation part, and the metering unit measures the coffee beans and conveys them toward the downstream side. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, On the upstream of the above-mentioned grinder and downstream of the above-mentioned optional installation part, there is provided an outlet for taking out coffee beans to the outside [for example, bean outlet GM20]. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, A cover [for example, an outer cover 212 ] for opening and closing the above-mentioned extraction port is provided. ".

Furthermore, the following content is also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinding system (for example, Fig. 10 and Fig. 19), characterized in that it has an external device (for example, server 16, mobile terminal 17) that can communicate with the above coffee bean grinder.".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A method for grinding coffee beans, characterized in that it is a method for grinding coffee beans in a grinder for grinding coffee beans, and has: The installation step is to install a storage unit that can store coffee beans [for example, the tank storage unit 401 shown in FIG. The hopper unit 402 shown in Figure 20 (a), the funnel unit 403 shown in Figure 20 (b)]; And The grinding step is to use the grinder to grind the coffee beans stored in the storage unit installed in the optional installation part. ".

Based on the above description, the following content has been explained, that is, "A coffee bean grinder [for example, the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in Figure 1 or the coffee bean grinder GM shown in Figure 18], characterized in that it is equipped with a grinder for grinding coffee beans [for example, the grinding device ],and An outlet [for example, bean outlet GM20 ] that can take out coffee beans to the outside is provided upstream of the grinder. ".

According to this coffee bean grinder, coffee beans that do not need to be supplied to the grinder can be taken out from the outlet. As a result, coffee beans that do not need to be ground can be recovered.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, A cover [for example, an outer cover 212 ] for opening and closing the above-mentioned extraction port is provided. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, There is a storage part [for example, storage device 4] that can store coffee beans upstream of the above-mentioned grinder, The coffee beans stored in the storage portion can be taken out from the outlet. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, Having a cover body covering at least a part of the above-mentioned grinding machine [for example, the center housing GM10], When the above-mentioned cover is in the open state, a part of the above-mentioned cover body is also in the open state, and the coffee beans can be taken out. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, Equipped with a cover covering at least a part of the above-mentioned storage portion [for example, the center case GM10], When the above-mentioned cover is in the open state, a part of the above-mentioned cover body is also in the open state, and the coffee beans can be taken out. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, A guide path [for example, a guide path formed by the guide path forming member GM22 ] is provided to guide the coffee beans taken out from the above-mentioned extraction port. ".

Furthermore, the following content is also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinding system (for example, Fig. 10 or Fig. 19), characterized by having an external device (for example, a server 16, a mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the above coffee bean grinder.".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A method for grinding coffee beans, characterized in that it is a method for grinding coffee beans in a grinder for grinding coffee beans, and has: A supplying step of supplying coffee beans to the aforementioned grinder; a grinding step of grinding the coffee beans supplied in the aforementioned supplying step by using the aforementioned grinder; and The extraction step is to extract the coffee beans to the outside from the outlet provided upstream of the grinder. ".

Next, the grinding device 5 of the coffee bean grinder GM will be described. The basic configuration of this crushing device 5 is the same as that of the crushing device 5 described using FIGS. 12 to 17 , and includes a first grinder 5A, a second grinder 5B, and a separator 6 . Hereinafter, the description will focus on differences from the crushing device 5 described using FIGS. 12 to 17 , and overlapping descriptions may be omitted.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the main configuration of the crushing device 5 built in the coffee bean grinder GM with the guide path forming member GM22 shown in FIG. 24 facing the front.

In this FIG. 25 , the first grinder 5A, the forming unit 6B, and the second grinder 5B are arranged from the upstream side. That is, the forming unit 6B is installed downstream of the first grinder 5A and upstream of the second grinder 5B. The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are mechanisms for grinding roasted coffee beans supplied from storage units such as the can storage unit 401 , the hopper unit 402 , or the hopper unit 403 . Also, when the metering unit 404 shown in FIG. 21(a) is installed, the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are mechanisms for grinding the roasted coffee beans conveyed by the electric screw conveyor ESC. . The connecting structure of the first grinding machine 5A and the forming unit 6B is the same as the connecting structure described using FIG. The discharge port 51a (see FIG. 13 or FIG. 26 ) of the grinder 5A is connected to the opening 65a (see FIG. 13 ) at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 65 .

The upper end of the connecting pipe 661 is connected to the discharge port 66 of the forming unit 6B. In FIG. 25 , the lower part of the connection duct 661 is covered by the dial dial 695 for manual setting. The connecting pipe 68 and the dial dial 695 for manual setting are installed only in the coffee bean grinder GM, and the details will be described later.

25 shows the fixed blade 57b arranged on the upper side and the rotating blade 58b arranged on the lower side which constitute the second grinder 5B.

Moreover, the fixed blade 57b can be raised and lowered relative to the rotating blade 58b, and the particle size of the coffee grains can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the rotating blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b. In FIG. 25, a worm wheel 691 and a worm gear 692 meshing with the worm wheel 691 are also shown as part of the lifting mechanism of the fixed blade 57b. Regarding the lifting mechanism of the fixed blade 57b, the details will be described below.

First, the first grinder 5A will be described.

Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing the first grinder 5A.

The first grinder 5A shown in FIG. 26 is a grinder for crushing coffee beans to a certain degree (for example, 1/4 degree) in order to easily separate the excess substances attached to the coffee beans. A rotating shaft not shown in FIG. 26 extends from above, and a rotating blade 58a serving as a cutting blade is provided on the rotating shaft. In addition, a fixed blade 57a serving as a cutting blade is fixed around the rotating blade 58a. The fixed blade 57a shown in FIG. 26 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 53a. The rotating shaft system is rotated by a first motor not shown (see motor 52a shown in FIG. 12 ), thereby rotating the rotating blade 58a.

The roasted coffee beans introduced into the bean conveyance path provided inside the center housing GM10 reach the first grinder 5A through the portion covered by the inner cover GM211 shown in FIG. 24( b ).

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing the grinding process of the first grinder 5A executed by the processing unit 11 a shown in FIG. 19 .

The grinding process of the first grinder 5A shown in FIG. 27 starts corresponding to pressing the start button GM15 shown in FIG. 24 . Also, when the metering unit 404 shown in FIG. 21 is attached to the optional attachment portion GM11, the above-mentioned grinding process can be started corresponding to the start of rotation of the screw blade ESC2. On the other hand, when the specified time elapses after the electric screw conveyor ESC finishes conveying the set amount of roasted coffee beans, the end condition is satisfied, and the grinding process of the first grinder 5A ends. Furthermore, a sensor may be provided to detect the roasted coffee beans passing through the inlet of the first grinder 5A, and the grinding process of the first grinder 5A may be started or terminated according to the detection result of the sensor.

First, the processing part 11a starts the normal rotation of the 1st motor (step S11), and starts the normal rotation of the rotating blade 58a. Subsequently, it is determined whether to continue the forward rotation of the first motor (step S12) according to whether the above-mentioned end condition is met, and if the end condition is met, the determination result is negative (No), and the forward rotation of the first motor is stopped (step S12). Step S17), the grinding process of the first grinder 5A ends. On the other hand, if the termination condition is not satisfied, the determination result is Yes (Yes), and the process proceeds to step S13 to continue the forward rotation of the first motor.

The upper surface 58a1 of the rotating blade 58a is inclined downward toward the downstream side in the forward rotation direction. At least the highest position of the upper surface 58a1 of the rotating blade 58a is located above the fixed blade 57a. The roasted coffee beans arriving at the first grinder 5A are guided to the upper surface 58a1 of the rotating rotary blade 58a, and are moved toward the fixed blade 57a by centrifugal force, or even if not guided to the upper surface 58a1 of the rotary blade 58a, It moves toward the fixed blade 57a, and is crushed by being sandwiched between the fixed blade 57a and the rotating rotating blade 58a. The ground coffee grains are discharged from the discharge port 51a (see FIG. 26( a )) to the forming unit 6B.

Although rare, foreign matter harder than the roasted coffee beans B such as stones or nails may be mixed in the roasted coffee beans B reaching the first grinder 5A. This kind of foreign matter cannot be ground between the fixed blade 57a and the rotating blade 58a, but is sandwiched between the two, causing the rotating blade 58a to fail to rotate normally.

In Fig. 26(a), the stone St is interposed between the fixed blade 57a and the rotating blade 58a, and the rotating blade 58a cannot normally rotate forwardly. That is, the rotation is stopped, or the rotation speed is greatly reduced. The processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19 monitors the value of the current flowing through the first motor. When the rotating blade 58a cannot normally rotate in the forward direction, the current value becomes an abnormal value (a value exceeding a reference value). In step S13 shown in FIG. 27, the processing unit 11a determines whether the current value is an abnormal value, and returns to step S12 if the current value is a normal value. On the other hand, when it is determined that the current value is an abnormal value, the first motor is rotated in the reverse direction (step S14), and the rotating blade 58a is started to rotate in the reverse direction.

In Fig. 26(b), the first motor starts to reversely rotate, and the stone St sandwiched between the fixed blade 57a and the rotating blade 58a falls. Furthermore, the processing unit 11a may monitor the torque in addition to the current value, and judge whether or not the torque value is an abnormal value. Alternatively, instead of monitoring the first motor, the processing unit 11a may monitor the number of revolutions or the rotational speed of the rotary blade 58a, and determine whether or not the value is an abnormal value.

In step S15 subsequent to step S14 shown in FIG. 27 , an instruction is given to output a notification regarding detection of an abnormal value. The notification here is the error display displayed on the display screen of the information display device 12 (for example, the text display of "a bean jam error occurred in the first grinder 5A"), but it can also be arranged on the speaker of the information display device 12, Output an error message to your bosom friend. Moreover, the processing part 11a records the log which shows that an abnormal value was detected, in the memory part 11b (step S16). Furthermore, with regard to the exception reporting and exception logging, any one of them may be executed first, or both may be executed at the same time. Alternatively, only one of them may be executed, or neither of them may be executed.

When the execution of step S16 is completed, the process returns to step S11, and the processing unit 11a outputs an instruction to start the forward rotation of the first motor.

Fig. 26(c) shows that the rotation of the first motor returns to the forward rotation, and the roasted coffee beans B are normally crushed. The reverse rotation of the first motor shown in Fig. 26(b) occurs in an instant, and immediately returns to the forward rotation. Furthermore, it is also possible to continue the reverse rotation of the first motor for a certain period of time. For example, it is also possible to continue the reverse rotation of the first motor during the abnormality notification period, and output the error cancellation notification of "blocking bean error cancellation" after returning to the forward rotation.

Furthermore, the stone St dropped in Fig. 26(b) reaches the second grinder 5B. The second grinder 5B is a grinder for fine grinding, so the gap between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b is narrow, and the stone St is unlikely to enter the gap, but is always on the fixed blade 57b. According to the error report in step S15 and the memory of the abnormality log in step S16, thereafter, the maintenance of the crushing device 5 is carried out, and the stone St is removed at this time.

As described above, in the grinding process of the first grinding machine 5A performed by the processing unit 11a, the first motor rotates in the reverse direction, but the first motor can also be output from an external terminal such as the mobile terminal 17 shown in FIG. 19 . Indicates the start of reverse rotation. Alternatively, an instruction to stop the rotation of the first motor may be output from an external terminal. Furthermore, an instruction to stop the operation of the coffee grinder GM as a whole may be output from an external terminal. The processing unit 11a controls the actuator group 14 according to such an instruction from the external terminal.

Also, in the explanation using FIG. 26, the case where a stone is sandwiched between the fixed blade 57a and the rotating blade 58a is taken as an example, but depending on the situation, sometimes very hard and deteriorated roasted coffee beans may also be sandwiched. In this case, the grinding process of the first grinder 5A can also be continued by performing the reverse rotation control in step S14. In addition, the first motor, the fixed blade 57a, or the rotating blade 58a are not damaged.

Furthermore, it is also possible to set a reverse rotation switch to reversely rotate the first motor. After an abnormal value is detected, the reverse rotation control of step S14 is not carried out, and the instruction of abnormal report of step S15 is carried out. Reverse rotation is performed by the user of the coffee grinder GM operating a reverse rotation switch.

Also, if the metering unit 404 shown in FIG. 21 is used, the roasted coffee beans can be measured more accurately. Even if the metering unit 404 is not used, as long as a specific amount of roasted coffee beans is continuously supplied to the first grinder 5A per unit time On the premise that coffee beans are used, the first grinder 5A can be used for metering. That is, the amount of coffee grains in the first grinder 5A can be calculated by measuring the time from when the current value of the first motor of the first grinder 5A starts to grind beans until it becomes high.

The grinding process of the first grinder 5A described above using FIGS. 26 and 27 can also be applied as the grinding process of the first grinder 5A in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 . Furthermore, the grinding process of the 1st grinder 5A demonstrated using FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 is also applicable to the grinding process of the 2nd grinder 5B.

Based on the above description, the following content has been explained, that is, "A coffee machine [for example, the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 or the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18], which is characterized in that it is equipped with a grinder for grinding coffee beans [for example, the first grinder 5A] ,and The above-mentioned grinding machine includes a grinding part [for example, a rotating blade 58a] that can perform a specific rotating action, The coffee machine includes a judging device [for example, the processing unit 11a that executes step S13 shown in FIG. 27 ] that judges whether or not the grinding unit is in a normal state where normal rotation is possible. ".

According to this coffee machine, it is possible to detect an abnormal state such as that the grinding unit does not perform a normal rotation operation based on the determination result of the determination device.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, Equipped with a control device for controlling the above-mentioned grinding machine [for example, the processing part 11a shown in FIG. 10 or 19], The control device may cause the grinding unit to rotate in a direction opposite to the specified rotation when the judging unit determines that the grinding unit is not in the normal state [for example, step S14 shown in FIG. 27 ]. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, Equipped with a drive unit [for example, the motor 52a shown in FIG. 12 or the first motor] that drives the grinding unit, The judging means judges whether the grinding part is in the normal state based on whether the current flowing through the driving part exceeds a specific value [for example, step S13 shown in FIG. 27]. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, Equipped with a notification device [for example, an information display device 12], and the notification device notifies that it is in an abnormal state when the above-mentioned judging device determines that the above-mentioned grinding part is not in the above-mentioned normal state [for example, an error display or an error notification sound output] . ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, Equipped with a memory device [for example, the memory unit 11b shown in Figure 10 or Figure 19], the memory device can memorize the meaning of being in an abnormal state [for example, abnormal log]. ".

Furthermore, the following content is also described, namely, "A coffee machine system (for example, Figure 10 or Figure 19), characterized by having an external device (for example, a server 16, a mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the above coffee machine.".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A method for grinding coffee beans, characterized in that it has: A start step [for example, step S11 shown in FIG. 27], which is to start the rotation action of the grinding part for grinding coffee beans; and The judging step [for example, step S13 shown in FIG. 27 ] is to judge whether the above-mentioned grinder is in a normal state where normal rotation can be performed. ".

Next, the suction unit 6A not shown in FIG. 25 will be described.

FIG. 28( a ) is a diagram showing the separation device 6 . This FIG. 28( a ) shows a suction unit 6A and a forming unit 6B constituting the separation device 6 .

The configuration of the forming unit 6B shown in FIG. 28( a ) is the same as that of the forming unit 6B described using FIGS. 13 to 17 , and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The suction unit 6A shown in FIG. 28(a) is connected to the separation chamber SC (also referring to FIG. and Fig. 15) communicated, the unit that sucks the air in the separation chamber SC. By sucking the air in the separation chamber SC, light objects such as bean hulls or fine powder are sucked. In this way, excess substances are separated from the coffee grains.

The suction unit 6A is a centrifugal separation mechanism. The suction unit 6A has a blower unit 60A and a recovery container 60B. The air blowing unit 60A is a fan motor, and is driven by the fan motor to suck the air in the separation chamber SC and collect light objects such as bean hulls or fine powder into the recovery container 60B. The blower unit 60A is covered by the casing 60C shown in FIG. 18 , and the blower unit 60A cannot be observed in the external perspective view of the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18 . On the back side of the housing 60C, an exhaust slit (not shown) is provided, and the air sucked by the blower unit 60A is discharged to the outside of the coffee grinder GM through the exhaust slit. An air volume dial 60D is provided above the blower unit 60A (see FIG. 18 ). By operating the air volume dial 60D, the suction volume of the fan motor of the air blowing unit 60A can be changed.

The recovery container 60B shown in FIG. 28( a ) is the same as the recovery container 60B described using FIGS. 13 and 14 , and includes an upper portion 61 and a lower portion 62 .

Fig. 28(b) is a diagram showing the situation after the outer peripheral wall 61a (refer to Fig. 28(a)) of the upper part 61 of the recovery container 60B is removed.

Fig. 28(b) shows the blower unit 60A installed on the removed outer peripheral wall 61a. Moreover, the exhaust pipe 61b of the upper part 61 is also shown. The exhaust tube 61b shown in FIG. 28(b) is also the same as the exhaust tube 61b shown in FIG. 14, and a plurality of cooling fins 61d are formed on the peripheral surface. A plurality of cooling fins 61d are arranged along the circumferential direction of the exhaust tube 61b. Each cooling fin 61d is inclined obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the exhaust cylinder 61b. By providing such cooling fins 61d, the air containing excess substances is promoted to swirl around the exhaust tube 61b.

Moreover, the internal structure of the lower part 62 of the recovery container 60B can be seen in FIG. 28(b). The lower part 62 shown in FIG. 28(b) is different from the lower part 62 shown in FIG. 14 in that it has a double structure formed by an outer case 60Bo and an inner case 60Bi. In FIG. 28( b ), a part of the inner case 60Bi arranged inside the outer case 60Bo can be seen. The inner box 60Bi has an upper opening 6uo facing upward, and the exhaust tube 61b is located above the inner side of the upper opening 6uo.

Fig. 29 (a) is a perspective view of the separation device 6 obtained after the outer box 60Bo is removed from obliquely below.

The inside case 60Bi is shown in this FIG. 29( a ). In the part below the peripheral wall 6iw of the inner case 60Bi, a plurality of (four in this example) openings 6io are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. The lower edge 6ioe among the edges defining each opening 6io becomes a part of the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner box 60Bi.

FIG. 29( b ) is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the outer case 60Bo and the inner case 60Bi by seeing through the outer case 60Bo.

As shown in FIG. 29(b), the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner case 60Bi is located near the middle position in the height direction of the outer case 60Bo. Also, a certain gap is provided between the inner peripheral surface 6ois of the outer case 60Bo and the outer peripheral surface 6ios of the inner case 60Bi.

Fig. 30(a) is a diagram schematically showing phenomena such as the flow of air in the separation device shown in Fig. 29 . In Fig. 30(a) and the following Fig. 30(b), the arrows of solid or dotted lines represent the flow of air containing excess substances such as bean hulls or fine powder, and the arrows of single-dot chain lines represent the movement of excess substances. The flow of air from which excess material has been separated is indicated by the arrows with chain lines.

Driven by the air blowing unit 60A, the air containing excess substances such as bean hulls or fine powder reaches the inside of the upper part 61 of the recovery container 60B from the separation chamber SC in the forming unit 6B shown in FIG. 29( a) through the connection part 61c. The connecting portion 61c is opened at the side of the exhaust tube 61b, and the air containing excess substances, as shown by the solid and broken line arrows in Fig. The upper opening 6uo enters the inner box 60Bi. In the upper part of the inner box 60Bi, excess substances such as bean hulls or fine powder fall due to their weight (refer to the arrow of the single-dot chain line), and then fall from a plurality of openings 6io near the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner box 60Bi. To the inside of the outer box 60Bo (refer to the arrow of the single-dot chain line), and accumulate on the bottom surface 6obs of the outer box 60Bo. In the inner box 60Bi, the excess material falls and the air from which the excess material is separated, as shown by the arrow of the two-dot chain line, becomes an updraft from the inner box 60Bi and rises along the central axis of the exhaust tube 61b, as shown in FIG. 18 The exhaust slit (not shown) provided on the back side of the casing 60C is discharged to the outside of the coffee bean grinder GM. As a result, the box (outer box 60Bo) and the box (inner box 60Bi) that have accumulated excess substances such as bean husks or fine powder become different boxes, and the excess substances are difficult to raise, which can reduce the backflow of excess substances.

Furthermore, the outer case 60Bo and the inner case 60Bi are transparent as a whole, so that the internal conditions can be confirmed from the outside. Therefore, it is possible to confirm the accumulation of excess substances such as bean hulls and fine powder, or the flow of air from the outside. In addition, instead of being transparent as a whole, it may be partially transparent, and instead of being transparent, it may be translucent.

Fig. 30(b) is a diagram schematically showing phenomena such as the flow of air in the separation device of the modified example.

In this modified example, the upper end of the inner box 60Bi is not opened, but is covered by the annular top plate 6ub. The air that contains unnecessary substances such as bean shells or fine powders that revolves around the exhaust tube 61b continues to revolve along the outer peripheral surface 6ios of the inner box 60Bi, and flows to the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner box 60Bi (refer to the arrows of the solid line and the dotted line). After a while, the inner case 60Bi is entered from the plurality of openings 6io provided near the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner case 60Bi. At this time, redundant substances such as bean shells or fine powder fall due to their weight (referring to the arrow of the single-dot chain line), and are piled up on the bottom surface 6obs of the outer box 60Bo. As shown by the arrow of the two-dot chain line, the excess material falls and the air from which the excess material is separated becomes an updraft in the inner box 60, rises along the central axis of the inner box 60, and flows upward through the inner side of the exhaust tube 61b. It is discharged to the outside of the coffee bean grinder GM from an unillustrated exhaust slit provided on the back side of the casing 60C shown in FIG. 18 . In this variation example, the box (outer box 60Bo) and the box generating updraft (inner box 60Bi) that accumulate excess substances such as bean husks or fine powder are different boxes. Condition.

The separation device 6 described above using FIGS. 28 to 30 can also be applied as a separation device of the beverage production apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 .

Based on the above description, the following content has been explained, that is, "A coffee machine [for example, the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in Figure 1 or the coffee bean grinder GM shown in Figure 18] is characterized in that: a grinder [eg, 1st grinder 5A], which grinds coffee beans; a separation section [e.g. separation chamber SC] which separates unwanted matter [e.g. bean hulls or fines] from the coffee beans; and a storage part [for example, the lower part 62 of the recovery container 60B], which stores the above-mentioned excess substances separated from the coffee beans in the above-mentioned separation part; and The above-mentioned storage portion has an outer box body [for example, the outer box 60Bo shown in FIG. 28 or FIG. 29(b)], and an inner box body located inside the outer box body [for example, the inner box 60Bi shown in FIG. 29] , The inner box body is provided with an opening connected to the inside of the outer box body [for example, opening 6io] on the peripheral wall [for example, the peripheral wall 6iw shown in FIG. 29(a)]. ".

The above-mentioned openings can sometimes allow the above-mentioned redundant substances to pass through, and sometimes also allow airflow to pass through.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, A suction part [For example, 60 A of blower units] is provided above the said storage part. The above-mentioned inner box body flows into the airflow containing the above-mentioned excess material at the inner side of the above-mentioned peripheral wall, and on the inner side, the above-mentioned excess material falls due to its own weight [for example, the single-dot chain line shown in Figure 30 (a)], and the other On the one hand, the airflow [for example, the two-dot chain line shown in Figure 30 (a)] that is drawn up by the above-mentioned suction part is generated, The above-mentioned outer box body stores the above-mentioned redundant substances passing through the above-mentioned opening [for example, the single-dotted chain line shown in FIG. 30(a)]. ".

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned inner box body, the airflow containing the above-mentioned excess material swirls along the above-mentioned peripheral wall, and the above-mentioned excess material falls due to its own weight near the above-mentioned opening [for example, the single-point chain shown in Figure 30 (b) Arrow of the line], on the other hand, the airflow that rises through the suction of the above-mentioned suction part [for example, the arrow of the two-point chain line shown in Figure 30 (b)] is generated, and the above-mentioned outer box body storage falls from the vicinity of the above-mentioned opening The above-mentioned excess substances [for example, the arrow shown in Figure 30(b) with a chain line of dots].

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, The above-mentioned outer case is provided with a transparent part [for example, the whole body is transparent]. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, The above-mentioned inner box body is provided with a transparent part [for example, the whole body is transparent]. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, Further above the above-mentioned storage portion, a discharge portion [for example, an exhaust slit provided on the back side of the housing 60C] for discharging the air of the storage portion to the outside is provided. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, The grinder has a first grinder [for example, the first grinder 5A] and a second grinder [for example, the second grinder 5B], The separation unit is provided downstream of the first grinder and upstream of the second grinder. ".

Furthermore, the following content is also described, namely, "A coffee machine system (for example, Figure 10 or Figure 19), characterized by having an external device (for example, a server 16, a mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the above coffee machine.".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A method for recovering excess substances, characterized in that it is a method for recovering excess substances produced from coffee beans when the coffee beans are ground, and includes: a separation step, which is to separate the unwanted substances from the coffee beans; The first step is to make the air flow containing the above-mentioned excess substances flow to the inner side of the peripheral wall of the inner box that is arranged inside the outer box and is provided with an opening connected to the inside of the outer box; and In the second step, an updraft is generated inside the above-mentioned peripheral wall by sucking from above. ".

According to the method for recovering redundant substances, in the above-mentioned second step, the above-mentioned redundant substances sometimes fall to the bottom wall of the above-mentioned inner box due to their own weight, and then fall from the above-mentioned opening to the bottom wall of the above-mentioned outer box.

Next, the connecting duct 661 will be described.

Fig. 31 removes the manual setting disc dial 695 shown in Fig. 25, and can observe the whole figure of connecting pipeline 661.

Fig. 31 shows the rotary blade 58b constituting the second grinder 5B, the fixed blade 57b that can be raised and lowered relative to the rotary blade 58b, the worm wheel 691 as a part of the lifting mechanism of the fixed blade 57b, and the worm wheel 691 engaged with the worm wheel 691. shape gear 692. The worm wheel 691 has a gear portion 691g, a connection portion 691c, and a connection port 691j (see FIG. 32 ). Moreover, in FIG. 31, the seat part 693 provided between the fixed blade 57b and the worm wheel 691 is shown. The fixed blade 57b is screwed to the connecting portion 691c of the worm wheel 691 via the support portion 693 . Therefore, when the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 rotates, the fixed blade 57b also rotates together with the seat portion 693 . A thread groove 693s is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 693 .

Also, the connection port 691j of the worm wheel 691 is connected to the lower end of the connection pipe 661 . Thereby, a passing path of roasted coffee beans such as the discharge port 66 of the forming unit 6B → the connecting duct 661 → the worm wheel 691 → the seat portion 693 → the fixed blade 57 b → the rotating blade 58 b is formed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 31 , an air suction port 661 a is provided at the lower part of the connection duct 661 . This air suction port 661a has the same function as the gap between the discharge port 66 and the insertion port 50b of the second grinder 5B shown in FIG. Separation properties of substances.

Fig. 32 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the second grinder 5B.

The second grinder 5B has a second motor 52 b , a motor base 502 , a base portion 505 a , and a particle size adjustment mechanism 503 .

The second motor 52 b is the driving source of the second grinder 5B, and is supported above the motor base 502 . Moreover, on the motor base 502, the pinion 52b' fixed to the output shaft of the 2nd motor 52b, and the gear 502a meshing with this pinion are arrange|positioned.

On the base portion 505a, a gear 55b' meshing with the gear 502a is arranged. The rotation shaft 54b is fixed to the gear 55b', and the rotation shaft 54b is rotatably supported by the base part 505a. The driving force of the second motor 52b transmitted to the gear 55b' via the gear 502a rotates the rotation shaft 54b. A rotating blade 58b is provided at the end of the rotating shaft 54b, and a fixed blade 57b is provided above the rotating blade 58b. That is, the fixed blade 57b is arranged to face the rotating blade 58b.

The particle size adjustment mechanism 503 has a motor 503a as its driving source, and a worm gear 692 that is rotated by the driving force of the motor 503a. The gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 meshes with the worm gear 692 .

Also, the frame member 694 is shown in this FIG. 32 . The frame member 694 is fixedly disposed on a housing not shown, and has screw grooves on its inner peripheral surface. The screw groove 693s provided on the outer peripheral surface of the seat portion 693 is engaged with the screw groove of the frame member 694 . As mentioned above, the fixed blade 57 b is screwed to the connecting portion of the worm wheel 691 via the seat portion 693 . Therefore, when the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 rotates, the fixed blade 57b moves up and down in its axial direction. Furthermore, the connecting port 691j of the worm wheel 691 is connected in a manner overlapping with the lower end of the connecting pipe 661, even if the worm wheel 691 descends, the connection with the lower end of the connecting pipe 661 can be maintained. The fixed blade 57b shown in Fig. 32 is located at the initial position, and is in a state farthest from the rotating blade 58b.

The processing part 11a shown in FIG. 19 controls the amount of rotation of the motor 503a, and adjusts the gap between the rotating blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b. By adjusting this gap, the particle size of the coffee grains in the second grinder 5B can be adjusted.

The position at which the fixed blade 57b is raised and lowered by a certain length (for example, 0.7 mm) from the rotating blade 58b becomes the detection position. The detection position is a position closer to the rotating blade 58b than the initial position of the fixed blade 57b. The sensor 57c which detects that the fixed blade 57b exists in the detection position is provided in the 2nd grinder 5B.

The second grinder 5B described above performs an initial operation when the coffee bean grinder GM is powered on. Calibration is performed during the initial operation of the second grinder 5B.

Fig. 33 is a flow chart showing the calibration procedure performed in the initial operation. In addition, Fig. 34 is a diagram showing the state of calibration step by step.

In the second grinder 5B, when the grinding of the roasted coffee beans is completed, the fixed blade 57b returns to the initial position.

At the time point when the initial operation starts, the fixed blade 57b is located at the initial position, and the contact procedure (step S51) shown in FIG. 33 is executed as the initial procedure of calibration. In the contact process, the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19 drives the motor 503a shown in FIG. 32 . The gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 is rotated by the drive of the motor 503a, and the fixed blade 57b at the initial position descends until it comes into contact with the rotating blade 58b. Fig. 34(a) is a diagram showing the state of executing the contact procedure for the first time. In this Fig. 34(a), the fixed blade 57b at the initial position is indicated by a two-dot chain line. When assembling the second grinding machine 5B, even if the plan is to install the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b according to the design, there may be a slight installation error, which will cause the installation posture of the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b to be skewed. Also, the mounting postures of the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b may be distorted due to long-term use or the like. Furthermore, the frame member 694 or the rotation shaft 54b may also be attached obliquely. In FIG. 34 , it is exaggeratedly shown that the mounting postures of the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b are skewed. If according to the design, the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b all maintain a horizontal posture all the time, but the rotating blade 58b shown in Figure 34 (a) is a posture inclined towards the upper right, and the fixed blade 57b is inclined towards the lower right. When performing the contact procedure, the fixed blade 57b descends as shown by the arrow in the figure, and as shown by the solid line in Fig. And the part located at the top touches. When any part of the fixed blade 57b comes into contact with any part of the rotating blade 58b, the torque or current value of the motor 503a increases. When the processing unit 11a detects a rise in torque or a rise in the current value, it stops the motor 503a, and the contact process ends.

Then, the moving program is executed (step S52). In the movement procedure, the processing unit 11a rotates the motor 503a in the direction opposite to that of the contact procedure, and raises the fixed blade 57b to the detection position. Fig. 34(b) is a diagram showing the state of executing the first movement program. When the moving program is executed, the fixed blade 57b rises as shown by the arrow in the figure, and the fixed blade 57 continues to rise until the sensor 57c shown in FIG. 32 detects the fixed blade 57b. The processing unit 11a stops the rotation of the motor 503a when the detection signal from the sensor 57c is acquired. The motor 503a is a stepping motor, and the processing unit 11a counts the number of steps from the start of the motor 503a until it stops in the moving program, and stores it in the memory unit 11b shown in FIG. 19 . It is step 20150 in the moving program of Fig. 34 (b).

Subsequently, the rotation program is executed (step S53). In the rotation routine, the processing unit 11a rotates the second motor 52b shown in FIG. 32 at a predetermined rotation angle. The specific rotation angle mentioned here should just be an angle other than 360 degrees, and it is set as 90 degrees here for easy understanding, but it is actually a specific angle of about 35 degrees, for example. As a result, the state of the rotating blade 58b shown in FIG. 34(c) changes to a posture inclined upward toward the deep side of the paper. In addition, you may rotate the 2nd motor 52b for a predetermined time (for example, 0.1 second).

Next, step S54 is executed, and it is determined whether the rotating blade 58b has only rotated once since the calibration was started. In this example, the specific rotation angle in the rotation program of step S53 does not reach 360 degrees, so it is determined in step S54 that the rotating blade 58b has only rotated once, and step S54 is used to determine whether it is possible to obtain a plurality of steps The steps of the count value. In addition, in order to improve the accuracy, step S54 may also be a step for determining whether the count value of a specific number of steps can be obtained. The more times you specify, the more accurate the calibration will be, and the longer it will take before the calibration ends. About 10 times can be mentioned as an example of the frequency|count of a specific time.

In the case of "NO" in the determination of step S54, the data acquisition process including the three programs of contact program (step S51), movement program (step S52) and rotation program (step S53) is executed again. In Fig. 34(d), the second contact procedure is performed, and the fixed blade 57b descends as shown by the arrow in the figure. Due to the execution of the rotation program, the position in the circumferential direction of the uppermost part of the rotary blade 58b is different from that of the first contact program. Therefore, among the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b shown in FIG. 34( d ), parts different from those in the first contact procedure are in contact with each other. In Fig. 34(e), the second movement procedure is executed. The second moving procedure is 20170 steps. In Fig. 34(f), the second rotation program is executed, and the rotating blade 58b is rotated by 90 degrees. As a result, the state of the rotating blade 58b shown in FIG. 34(f) changes to an upwardly inclined posture.

At the time when the rotation program in FIG. 34(f) ends, the rotating blade 58b is in the state of rotating 180 degrees since the start of calibration, and the third data acquisition process is executed. In Fig. 34(g), the third contact procedure is performed, and the fixed blade 57b descends as shown by the arrow in the figure. Because of the execution of the second rotation program, parts of the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b shown in FIG. 34(g) are in contact with each other when they are different from the previous contact program. In Fig. 34(h), the third movement procedure is executed. The 3rd moving procedure is 20160 steps. In Fig. 34(i), the third rotation program is executed, and the rotating blade 58b is rotated by 90 degrees. As a result, the state of the rotating blade 58b shown in FIG. 34(i) changes to a posture inclined upward toward the near side of the paper.

At the time when the rotation program in FIG. 34(i) ends, the rotating blade 58b is in the state of rotating 270 degrees since the start of calibration, and the fourth data acquisition process is executed. In FIG. 34 , the case of the fourth data acquisition process is omitted from illustration, but this case is a case similar to that of FIGS. 34( d ) to 34 ( f ). The fourth mobile program is 20168 steps. Also, when the rotation program for the fourth time is executed, the rotating blade 58b becomes in a state of being rotated 360 degrees from the start of calibration, and becomes "Yes" in the determination of step S54 shown in FIG. 33 , and proceeds to step S55. .

In step S55, the processing part 11a shown in FIG. 19 executes the calibration value calculation program. The count value of the number of steps of the motor 503a obtained in the four data acquisition processes is stored in the memory unit 11b. The processing unit 11a calculates a calibration value based on these 4 count values. The calibration value can be the average value of the 4 counts, or the median value of the 4 counts (1/2 of the value obtained by adding the minimum value and the maximum value). In the example shown in FIG. 34, the average value is 20162 steps, and the median value is 20160 steps. The calculated calibration value is stored in the memory unit 11b. The calibration value is updated every time the coffee bean grinder GM is powered on and performs an initial operation. When the execution of step S55 is completed, the calibration ends.

Fig. 35 is a diagram showing the second grinder 5B during the grinding process.

Fig. 35(a) is a diagram showing an example of an ideal state in which the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b are always kept horizontal according to the design.

The figure shown on the left side of Fig. 35 (a) is a figure showing the state in which the fixed blade 57b is located at the initial position. The processing part 11a shown in Figure 19 uses the particle size adjustment mechanism 503 shown in Figure 32 to adjust the coffee in the second grinder 5B according to various manufacturing conditions (recipes) for grinding roasted coffee beans stored in the memory part 11b. The granularity of grains. The above-mentioned recipe defines the manufacturing conditions under the ideal state. In the adjustment of the grain size of the coffee grains in the second grinder 5B, the motor 503a is rotated for 20160 steps, and the fixed blade 57b is lowered from the initial position. The diagram shown on the right side of FIG. 35( a ) is a diagram schematically showing a state in which roasted coffee beans B are ground. The fixed blade 57b in the figure on the right side is located at the position defined by the recipe to make the motor 503a rotate 20160 steps from the initial position and descend.

Fig. 35(b) is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the mounting postures of the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b shown in Fig. 34 are distorted.

The figure shown on the left side of Fig. 35(b) is also a figure showing the state in which the fixed blade 57b is located at the initial position. The fixed blade 57b shown in Fig. 35(b) is a posture inclined downward to the right. On the other hand, the rotating blade 58b shown in FIG. 35(b) is in an upwardly inclined posture. The same recipe as the example shown in Fig. 35(a) is also used here. Therefore, the motor 503a should be rotated by 20160 steps, and the rotation amount of the motor 503a should be corrected using the calibration value obtained in step S55 shown in FIG. 33 . In the ideal situation shown in Figure 35 (a), the step number of the motor 503a required to make the fixed blade 57b rise to the detection position from the state where the fixed blade 57b is in contact with the rotating blade 58b is stored in advance as a reference value. In the memory part 11b shown in FIG. 19 . In correcting the amount of rotation of the motor 503a, the corrected amount of rotation is calculated from the ratio of the calibration value obtained in step S55 shown in FIG. 33 to the reference value previously stored in the memory unit 11b. In this example, the corrected rotation amount is 20140 steps. The diagram shown on the right side of Fig. 35(b) is also a diagram schematically showing the state in which roasted coffee beans B are ground. The fixed blade 57b in the figure on the right is located at the corrected position after the motor 503a is rotated 20140 steps from the initial position. Wherein, the average distance between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b shown in Fig. 35(b) is approximately the same as the distance between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b shown in Fig. 35(a). Therefore, even if the roasted coffee beans B are crushed in the state shown on the right side of FIG. 35( b ), the same situation as the roasted coffee beans B crushed in the state shown on the right side of FIG. Coffee grains of the same particle size.

In the above description, the calibration value is obtained by using the number of steps of the motor 503a when the fixed blade 57b is raised to the detection position, but it is also possible to use the method of lowering the fixed blade 57b from the detection position until the fixed blade 57b contacts the rotating blade 58b. The number of steps to find the calibration value.

Also, in the above description, only the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b are raised and lowered, but the rotating blade 58b can also be raised and lowered. In this case, the step number of the two blades is used to obtain the calibration. value. Furthermore, the movement of the blade is not limited to up and down, but may also be moved in the left and right directions, for example. In addition, the positions of the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b may be reversed, and the fixed blade 57b may be arranged below and the rotating blade 58b may be arranged above.

Also, when crushing the roasted coffee beans B, the fixed blade 57b does not rotate, but when the fixed blade 57b rotates, the calibration method shown in FIG. 33 can still be applied. Also, the calibration method shown in FIG. 33 is the method for the second grinder 5B, but the calibration method shown in FIG. 33 can be similarly executed for the first grinder 5A.

Also, the calibration value calculation program of step S55 shown in FIG. 33 is not executed in the calibration phase, but only the multiple count values are stored in the memory unit 11b, and the calibration value can be calculated at the phase determined by the recipe used, or Correct the amount of rotation directly according to the memorized count value of multiple times. Furthermore, the calculation of the calibration value or the correction of the amount of rotation may be performed by the control unit of the information display device 12 instead of the processing unit 11 a shown in FIG. 19 .

In the above records, the following contents are explained, "A crushing device [for example, the 2nd grinding machine 5B] of an extraction object is characterized in that possessing: a first pulverizing part [for example, a rotating blade 58b]; the second pulverizing part [for example, the fixed blade 57b]; Rotation mechanism [for example, the second motor 52b, the pinion 52b', the gear 502a, the gear 55b', the rotating shaft 54b], which makes at least any one of the above-mentioned first crushing part and the above-mentioned second crushing part [for example, rotate Blade 58b] rotates; A moving mechanism [for example, a particle size adjustment mechanism 503], which moves (for example, lifts) at least the second pulverizing unit among the first pulverizing unit and the second pulverizing unit, and adjusts the first pulverizing unit and the second pulverizing unit. interval between divisions; a sensor [for example, sensor 57c] which detects the above-mentioned second pulverizing part located at a position [for example, detection position] separated from the above-mentioned first pulverizing part by a certain length [for example, 0.7 mm]; and A control unit [for example, the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19], which controls the above-mentioned moving mechanism; and The extraction object [for example, the roasted coffee beans stored in the storage device 4, or the roasted coffee beans B (coffee grains) ground by the first grinder 5A] is crushed between the first crushing part and the second crushing part , In the manner of changing the state of the pulverizing part [for example, the direction of the rotating blade 58b] by the rotation of the above-mentioned rotating mechanism, the state [for example, Fig. 34 ( a), the state shown in Fig. 34(d), Fig. 34(g)] to move the second crushing part until the above-mentioned sensor detects the action of the second crushing part [for example, Fig. 34(b) , Figure 34(e), the action shown by the arrow in Figure 34(h)], The above-mentioned control part controls the above-mentioned moving mechanism [for example, obtains a calibration value and makes the motor 503a is rotated by the corrected rotation amount using the calibration value]. ".

Furthermore, the above-mentioned rotating mechanism may be one that rotates the above-mentioned first pulverizing unit, may also be one that rotates the above-mentioned second pulverizing unit, or may rotate the blades of both the above-mentioned first pulverizing unit and the above-mentioned second pulverizing unit. .

In addition, the moving mechanism may move only the second crushing part among the first crushing part and the second crushing part, or may also move the first crushing part.

In addition, the above-mentioned operation may be an operation of moving only the second crushing part among the first crushing part and the second crushing part, or may move the blades of both the first crushing part and the second crushing part. action.

In addition, the state change of the crushing unit during the above operation may be the state change of the first crushing unit, the state change of the second crushing unit, or both of the first crushing unit and the second crushing unit. The status of the crushing department has changed. Also, the state change mentioned here may refer to a direction change or a posture change.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A crushing device for an extraction object [for example, the second grinder 5B], characterized in that it possesses: A first pulverizing part [for example, a rotating blade 58b] and a second pulverizing part [for example, a fixed blade 57b]; Rotation mechanism [for example, the second motor 52b, the pinion 52b', the gear 502a, the gear 55b', the rotating shaft 54b], which makes at least any one of the above-mentioned first crushing part and the above-mentioned second crushing part [for example, rotate Blade 58b] rotates; A moving mechanism [for example, a particle size adjustment mechanism 503], which moves (for example, lifts) at least the second pulverizing unit among the first pulverizing unit and the second pulverizing unit, and adjusts the first pulverizing unit and the second pulverizing unit. interval between divisions; a sensor [for example, sensor 57c] which detects the above-mentioned second pulverizing part located at a position [for example, detection position] separated from the above-mentioned first pulverizing part by a certain length [for example, 0.7 mm]; and A control unit [for example, the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19], which controls the above-mentioned moving mechanism; and pulverizing the extraction object between the above-mentioned first pulverizing part and the above-mentioned second pulverizing part, By the rotation of the above-mentioned rotating mechanism [for example, the rotation shown by the arrow in Fig. 34(c), Fig. 34(f), and Fig. 34(i)] to change the state of the crushing part [for example, the direction of the rotating blade 58b] In this way, the state [for example, the state shown in Fig. 34(b), Fig. 34(e) and Fig. 34(h)" from the state where the second pulverizing part is separated from the above-mentioned first pulverizing part by a certain length is carried out multiple times so that the The movement of the second crushing part until it comes into contact with the first crushing part [for example, the actions shown by the arrows in Fig. 34(a), Fig. 34(d), and Fig. 34(g)], The above-mentioned control part controls the above-mentioned moving mechanism [for example, obtains a calibration value and makes the motor 503a is rotated by the corrected rotation amount using the calibration value]. ".

In addition, it may also be a pulverization device for extraction objects, characterized by comprising: a first pulverization unit; a second pulverization unit installed opposite to the first pulverization unit; a rotation mechanism that rotates the first pulverization unit; a moving mechanism for moving the second pulverizing part in a direction of contacting/separating from the one blade; a sensor for detecting the second pulverizing part at a position separated from the first pulverizing part by a specific length; and a control part, which controls the above-mentioned moving mechanism; and crushes the extraction object between the above-mentioned first crushing part and the above-mentioned second crushing part, and performs multiple operations in such a way that the direction of the first crushing part is changed by the rotation of the above-mentioned rotating mechanism The second pulverizing unit moves from the state where the second pulverizing unit is in contact with the first pulverizing unit until the sensor detects the second pulverizing unit. The value related to the movement amount of the second crushing unit controls the movement mechanism.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A device for crushing an extraction object, characterized in that, The above-mentioned control part is based on the average value or the median value [for example, a value of 1/2 of the value obtained by adding the minimum value and the maximum value] of the value related to the movement amount of the above-mentioned second crushing part in the above-mentioned operations for a plurality of times. the aforementioned mobile mechanism. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A device for crushing an extraction object, characterized in that, The above operations are performed during the initial operation when the power is turned on. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A device for crushing an extraction object, characterized in that, The control unit controls the moving mechanism according to the desired particle size of the extracted object after pulverization [for example, the particle size of coffee grains] so that the moving mechanism adjusts the distance. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A device for crushing an extraction object, characterized in that, The above-mentioned moving mechanism adopts a motor [for example, the second motor 52b] as a driving source, The value related to the amount of movement of the second pulverizing unit refers to the value related to the amount of rotation of the motor [for example, the count value of the number of steps of the motor 503a]".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A device for crushing an extraction object, characterized in that, The above-mentioned first crushing part is a first blade [for example, a rotating blade 58b], The above-mentioned second crushing part is a second blade [for example, a fixed blade 57b], The second crushing unit is installed facing the first crushing unit. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A device for crushing an extraction object, characterized in that, In such a way that the direction of the crushing part is changed by the rotation of the above-mentioned rotating mechanism, the second crushing part is moved from the state where the second crushing part is in contact with the first crushing part until the sensor detects Operation up to the second pulverization section [for example, the example shown in FIG. 34]. ".

In the above records, the following contents are explained, "A calibration method [for example, the method of calibration shown in Figure 33] is characterized in that it is executed after the extraction object crushing device [for example, the second grinder 5B] is powered on, and includes: Moving program [for example, the moving program of step S52, Fig. 34 (b), Fig. 34 (e) and Fig. 34 (h)], it is from the first crushing part [for example, rotating blade 58b] and the second crushing part [ For example, the state where the fixed blade 57b] is in contact moves the second pulverizing part until it becomes a state where the second pulverizing part is separated from the first pulverizing part by a specific length [for example, 0.7 mm]; State change program [for example, the rotation program of step S53, Fig. 34 (c), Fig. 34 (f) and Fig. 34 (i)], it is after implementing above-mentioned moving program, changes above-mentioned first crushing part and above-mentioned second The state of at least one of the crushing parts [for example, the rotating blade 58b] of the crushing part; Contact program [for example, step S51, Fig. 34 (a), Fig. 34 (d) and Fig. 34 (g)], it is under the state that changes the state of above-mentioned pulverizing part by above-mentioned state change program, makes and The first pulverizing part is separated from the second pulverizing part by a specific length in contact with the first pulverizing part; and By repeatedly executing the above-mentioned movement program, the above-mentioned state change program, and the above-mentioned contact program [for example, the data acquisition process shown in FIG. A value related to the moving amount of the above-mentioned second crushing unit [for example, the count value of the number of steps of the motor 503a]. ".

Furthermore, the state changing program may be such that after the above moving program is executed, at least one of the first pulverizing unit and the second pulverizing unit is rotated to change the direction of the pulverizing unit. The rotation program of the above-mentioned method changes the direction of the pulverizing part by repeatedly executing the moving program, the rotating program and the contacting program, and acquires values related to the movement amount of the second pulverizing part multiple times.

In addition, the value related to the moving amount of the second pulverizing part may be a value related to the moving amount [for example, the lifting amount] of the second pulverizing part in the above moving program, or may be a value related to the above-mentioned moving amount in the above contact program. The value related to the moving amount [for example, the falling amount] of the second pulverizing part. Or use both.

In addition, a calibration value calculation process of calculating a calibration value based on the movement amount of the second pulverizing part acquired a plurality of times [for example, a calibration value calculation program in step S55] may also be included. The above-mentioned calibration value may be an average value of the movement amount of the above-mentioned second pulverizing part obtained multiple times, or may be a central value.

In the above description, the fixed blade 57b is raised and lowered by the drive of the second motor 52b, but the fixed blade 57b can also be manually raised and lowered to set the grain size of the coffee grains. The granularity of coffee grains can be manually set by using the dial for manual setting and the rotary dial for fine adjustment.

Fig. 36(a) is a diagram showing the manual setting dial 695 and the fine adjustment knob dial 696 together with the second motor 503a, and Fig. 36(b) is the manual setting dial 695 removed And the second motor 503a shows a diagram of the rotary shaft 6961 connecting the dial 697 and the dial 696 for fine adjustment. In addition, in FIG. 36, the connecting pipe 661 or a part of forming unit 6B is shown. In addition, Fig. 36(b) also shows hammering member GM32 described in detail below.

Rod member 698 is also shown in FIG. 36 . As shown in FIG. 36( a ), the rotation shaft 6921 of the worm gear 692 meshing with the gear portion 691 g of the worm wheel 691 is supported by the rod member 698 . In addition, the rod member 698 is pivotally supported by the rotation shaft 6961 of the fine adjustment dial 696 shown in FIG. 36(b). The posture of the lever member 698 shown in FIG. 36 is the initial posture. When the lever member 698 is in the initial position, the worm gear 692 is meshed with the gear part 691g of the worm wheel 691. By the rotation of the worm gear 692, the worm wheel 691 rotates and the fixed blade 57b moves up and down. The lever member 698 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 36( b ) with the rotation axis 6961 of the fine adjustment dial 696 as the rotation center. The lever member 698 is raised by being rotated in the direction of the arrow, changed to the release position, and can maintain the release position. When the rod member 698 is lifted and changed to the release position, the worm gear 692 supported by the rod member 698 is separated from the gear part 691g of the worm wheel 691, and the meshing with the gear part 691g is released. Furthermore, although the lever member 698 can change its posture between the initial posture and the release posture, the spring member 6981 provided on the rotation shaft 6961 acts a spring thrust in the direction of returning to the initial posture. When the lever member 698 is in the release position, the worm wheel 691 is in a rotatable state, and the fixed blade 57b is also in a rotatable state. When the grinding process is performed in this state, the fixed blade 57b is also rotated with the rotation of the rotary blade 58b, and the distance between the fixed blade 57b and the rotary blade 58b is widened. Therefore, it is necessary to return the rod member 698 to the original posture during the grinding process.

Fig. 36(a) shows a pinion 503b attached to the rotating shaft of the second motor 503a, and Fig. 36(b) in which the second motor 503a is removed also shows the pinion 503b. The rotational driving force of the second motor 503a is transmitted from the pinion gear 503b to the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 from the worm gear 692 via the second-stage gear and the transmission gear 6962 described below.

The connection dial 697 shown in FIG. 36( b ) connects the dial dial 695 for manual setting and the snail gear 692 . Fig. 36(b) shows the connection dial 697 connected to the worm wheel 691, both of which rotate. A connecting gear 697g is provided on the upper surface of the connecting dial 697 . The dial dial 695 for manual setting shown in FIG. When above, the gear which is not shown in figure meshes with 697g of connection gears.

When the lever member 698 is in the initial position, the worm gear 692 meshes with the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691, so the manual setting dial 695 cannot be rotated. On the other hand, when the lever member 698 is in the release position, the worm gear 692 does not mesh with the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691, so the manual setting dial 695 can be rotated and operated. When the dial dial 695 for manual setting is rotated, the worm gear 692 can be rotated through the connecting gear portion 697g, and the fixed blade 57b can be raised and lowered.

The smallest unit that can be adjusted by rotating the dial dial 695 for manual setting is one tooth of the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 . That is, unless the gear portion 691g of the worm wheel 691 is rotated by one tooth, the worm gear 692 cannot mesh with the gear portion 691g, and the lever member 698 cannot return from the release position to the initial position. Therefore, the dial dial 695 for manual setting cannot realize the above-mentioned adjustment of less than one tooth.

On the other hand, when the second motor 503 a rotates to rotate the worm gear 692 , it takes time to make a large adjustment (one tooth or more) depending on the reduction ratio of the worm gear 692 . Therefore, in order to perform larger adjustments, by operating the manual setting dial 695 that can directly rotate the worm wheel 691, quick adjustments can be realized. In the adjustment using the dial dial 695 for manual setting, the position of the fixed blade 57b at the moment when the fixed blade 57b is lowered and touched the rotating blade 58b is set as a reference point (zero point). The moment of the touch can be known from the sound of the blade touching. The dial dial 695 for manual setting has scales including 0 along the circumferential direction, but the illustration is omitted. Also, the dial dial 695 for manual setting is rotated below the center case GM10 shown in FIG. The fixed blade 57b is lowered by rotating the dial dial 695 for manual setting, but when the fixed blade 57b touches the rotating blade 58b, the rotating operation is stopped at that point. Lift the dial 695 for manual setting, align the scale 0 with the reference line GM10k marked on the center housing GM10, and then lower the raised dial 695 for manual setting to the right downward. By doing so, a reference point (zero point) can be recorded. When setting the particle size of the coffee grains, the fixed blade 57b is raised and lowered based on the reference point (zero point) recorded in this way, and the distance between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b is adjusted.

Also, a transmission gear 6962 is provided at the end of the rotating shaft 6961 of the rotary dial 696 for fine adjustment. The transmission gear 6962 meshes with the second gear 503c2 (see FIG. 36( b )) of the secondary gear, and also meshes with the worm gear 692 . The first gear 503c1 of the secondary gear meshes with the pinion 503b. Therefore, when the second motor 503a is rotationally driven, the fine adjustment dial 696 is also rotated, and the worm wheel 691 is also rotated. In addition, in the state where the second motor 503a is stopped, the dial 696 for fine adjustment can be rotated, and the worm wheel 691 will also rotate by rotating the dial 696 for fine adjustment. When the fine adjustment dial 696 is rotated once, the gear part 691g of the worm wheel 691 rotates only one tooth. Therefore, when the dial 696 for fine adjustment is rotated, as in the case where the second motor 503a is driven to rotate and the worm wheel 691 is rotated, adjustment of less than one tooth of the worm gear 692 can be realized. When manually setting the granularity of the coffee grains, first perform a rough granularity setting with the dial dial 695 for manual setting, and then perform fine adjustment of the set granularity with the rotary dial 696 for fine adjustment. By doing so, rapid and fine granularity setting can be performed.

Furthermore, the manual setting using the dial dial 695 for manual setting and the rotary dial 696 for fine adjustment can also be applied to the second grinder 5B of the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 .

Next, a design for controlling the amount of coffee grains injected into the second grinder 5B will be described.

As described above, the roasted coffee beans are ground to a certain degree (for example, 1/4 degree) by the first grinder 5A. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish it from coffee grains (in particular, coarsely ground coffee grains), beans ground to a certain size by the first grinder 5A are referred to as ground beans. The second grinder 5B grinds the crushed beans crushed by the first grinder 5A into coffee grains of a desired particle size. Here, when a large amount of crushed beans are transported from the first grinder 5A beyond the appropriate tolerance for the grinding process of the second grinder 5B, the crushed beans will enter between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b too much, resulting in Coffee grains remain between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b. The stagnant coffee grains will be heated by frictional heat from the rotating rotary blade 58b. In particular, it is easily affected by heat in a finely ground state, and oil tends to be excessively produced on the surface of coffee grains. Thus, coffee beverages extracted from ground coffee grains are prone to burnt bitterness.

When the first grinder 5A is driven at the upper limit of the processing capacity, if the rotation speed of the first motor for the first grinder 5A is decreased, the amount of crushed beans transported from the first grinder 5A per unit time decreases.

Fig. 37 is a flow chart showing the control processing of the processing unit 11a during the polishing processing.

The control process shown in FIG. 37 is started in response to pressing the start button GM15 shown in FIG. 24 . In addition, when the metering unit 404 shown in FIG. 21 is installed in the optional installation part GM11, the above-mentioned control process can be executed corresponding to the rotation of the spiral blade ESC2 shown in FIG. 21(b).

First, the processing unit 11a starts to rotate the first motor for the first grinder 5A and the second motor 503a for the second grinder 5B (step S21). In this step S21, the first motor and the second motor 503a respectively start to rotate at preset rotational speeds. As a result, the rotating blade 58a starts to rotate in the first grinder 5A, and the rotating blade 58b starts to rotate in the second grinder 5B. Furthermore, the rotation of the first motor and the rotation of the second motor 503a are not simultaneously started, and the second motor 503a may be started to rotate after the first motor is started to rotate. For example, when the grinding process is started by the first grinder 5A, the torque and current value of the first motor increase. The processing unit 11a can start the rotation of the second motor 503a when an increase in the torque of the first motor or an increase in the current value is detected. When the first motor for the first grinder 5A starts to rotate, the crushed beans are sent to the second grinder 5B.

In subsequent step S22, it is determined whether to continue to rotate the first motor. For example, when a specific time has elapsed after the end of the electric screw conveyor ESC, or a specific time has elapsed since the torque of the first motor has decreased, or a specific time has elapsed since the current value of the first motor has decreased, the judgment result is No. The rotation of the first motor is stopped (step S27). On the other hand, when the determination result is Yes (Yes), it proceeds to step S23.

A sensor for detecting the passage of crushed beans is installed near the feeding port of the second grinder 5B, and the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19 monitors the amount of crushed beans fed to the second grinder 5B per unit time. In step S23, it is determined whether the delivery amount per unit time exceeds a reference value. The reference value is a variable that changes according to the type of coffee beans, the size of the coffee grains, or the rotational speed set to the second motor 503a, and multiple reference values are stored in the memory unit 11b shown in FIG. 19 . For example, the harder the coffee beans, the lower the baseline value. The recipe specifies the type of coffee beans, the grain size of coffee grains, etc., and the processing unit 11a selects a reference value according to the recipe and executes the judgment process of step S23, or selects a reference value based on various set values and executes the judgment process of step S23. When the injection amount per unit time exceeds the reference value, the rotation speed of the first motor is decelerated (step S24), and the process returns to step S22. The rate for decelerating the rotational speed of the first motor may be a predetermined rate, or may be a rate corresponding to the extent to which the above-mentioned injection amount exceeds a reference value. When the rotational speed of the first motor becomes slower, the amount of ground beans delivered from the first grinder 5A per unit time decreases. As a result, the above-mentioned injection amount can also be reduced, and the coffee grains can be suppressed from stagnating between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b, so that the coffee grains are not easily affected by heat. Therefore, the coffee beverage extracted from the ground coffee grains will not be adversely affected by the oil, and it will easily emit a fresh taste.

In the judgment of step S23, when the above-mentioned dosage is below the reference value, it is judged whether it is the state of decelerating the rotational speed of the first motor. If it is not in the state of deceleration, it returns to step S22. After reaching the above-mentioned set rotation speed (step S26), return to step S22.

In step S28 subsequent to step S27 of stopping the rotation of the first motor, it is determined whether or not to stop the rotation of the second motor 503a. For example, when a specific time elapses after the torque of the second motor 503a decreases, or when a specific time elapses after the current value of the second motor 503a decreases, the determination result becomes Yes (Yes), and the rotation of the second motor is stopped (step S29) , the control process ends.

In the control process described above, by controlling the rotational speed of the first motor for the first grinder 5A, the amount of coffee grains injected into the second grinder 5B is controlled, but the metering shown in FIG. The rotational speed of the motor ESC3 that the helical blade ESC2 of the unit 404 rotates can also control the amount of coffee grains thrown into the second grinder 5B. In addition, by controlling both the rotation speed of the first motor and the rotation speed of the motor ESC3, it is also possible to control the amount of coffee grains injected into the second grinder 5B.

Furthermore, the control process shown in FIG. 37 can also be performed by the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 10, by controlling the rotational speed of the motor 52a for the first grinding machine 5A shown in FIG. The conveying speed of the conveyor 41 shown can control the throwing amount of the coffee grains shown in FIG. 2 to the second grinder 5B.

Also, the rotational speed of the rotary blade 58a of the first grinder 5A may vary depending on the hardness of the roasted coffee beans or the like. Originally, the rotation speed of the first motor of the first grinder 5A is set so as not to exceed the allowable amount of the grinding process of the second grinder 5B, but when monitoring the unit time of the rotating blade 58a of the first grinder 5A or the first motor If the number of revolutions (speed) per unit time exceeds the reference value, the speed of the first motor can also be decelerated.

The control process in the grinding process described above using FIG. 37 can also be applied as the control process in the grinding process of the pulverizing device of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 . In addition, an instruction to decelerate or restore the rotational speed of the first motor may be output from an external terminal such as the mobile terminal 17 shown in FIG. 19 .

Based on the above description, the following content has been explained, that is, "A coffee machine [for example, the coffee bean grinder GM shown in Figure 18 or the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in Figure 1], characterized in that it is equipped with a second grinder for grinding coffee beans [for example, the second grinder 5B], and Control the amount of coffee beans injected into the second grinder [for example, step S24 shown in FIG. 37]. ".

According to this coffee machine, the above-mentioned injection amount is controlled in consideration of the ground state of the coffee beans in the grinder.

Furthermore, the coffee beans mentioned here can be broken beans, or through coffee grains, or unbroken or without coffee grains.

The purpose of controlling the dosage is to prevent the coffee grains from staying in the second grinder for too long. In the above-mentioned second grinder, when the amount of coffee beans injected is more than the amount of coffee grains sent out, the time for the coffee grains to stay in the above-mentioned second grinder becomes longer, and the coffee grains are easily affected by heat. Therefore, in order to prevent such problems from occurring in the above-mentioned coffee machine, the dosage is controlled. Thus, the machine is controlled in consideration of the ground state of the coffee beans in the grinder.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, The above-mentioned dosage is controlled according to the type of coffee beans. ".

Furthermore, the above-mentioned coffee bean type may be a variety of coffee beans, a degree of roasting of coffee beans, or a combination of varieties and degrees of roasting.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, More upstream than the above-mentioned second grinder, there is a first grinder for grinding coffee beans [for example, the first grinder 5A], By controlling the speed at which the first grinder grinds coffee beans [for example, the rotation speed of the first motor], the amount of coffee beans injected into the second grinder is controlled. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that, More upstream than the above-mentioned second grinding machine, there is a supply device [for example, the metering unit 404 shown in FIG. 21, the conveyor 41 shown in FIG. 2] that supplies coffee beans to the downstream, By controlling the supply speed of the coffee beans of the above-mentioned supply device, the quantity of the coffee beans injected into the above-mentioned second grinder is controlled. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A kind of coffee machine is characterized in that possessing: a first grinder [for example, the first grinder 5A], which is arranged more upstream than the above-mentioned second grinder, and grinds the coffee beans; and A supply device [for example, the metering unit 404 shown in FIG. 21, the conveyor 41 shown in FIG. 2], which is arranged more upstream than the above-mentioned first grinder, and supplies the coffee beans to the downstream; and By controlling at least one of the first grinder and the supply device, the amount of coffee beans injected into the second grinder can be reduced. ".

For example, it is also possible to reduce the amount of coffee beans injected into the second grinder by controlling both the first grinder and the supply device.

Furthermore, the following content is also described, namely, "A coffee machine system (for example, Figure 10 or Figure 19), which is equipped with an external device (for example, a server 16, a mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the above coffee machine.".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A method for grinding coffee beans, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: Start to put coffee beans into the second grinder (step S21 shown in Figure 37); and Control the amount of coffee beans injected into the second grinder (step S24 shown in FIG. 37 ). ".

The ground coffee grains through the second grinder 5B are discharged from the chute GM31 shown in FIG. 18 .

The chute GM31 shown in FIG. 18 guides the coffee grains sent out substantially horizontally downward. The coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18 is provided with a hammering member GM32 that hits the chute GM31. The hammer member GM32 rotates around a rotation shaft GM321 extending in the vertical direction. The coffee grains sent out in the substantially horizontal direction sometimes collide with the inner wall of the chute GM31 and adhere to the inner wall. The user rotates the hammer member GM32 to hit the chute GM31, and impacts the adhered coffee grains to drop them.

Next, an example in which the grinding process is executed according to the order information from the outside of the coffee bean grinder GM (for example, the server 16 or the mobile terminal 17 shown in FIG. 19 ) will be described.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the control processing executed by the processing unit 11a when the polishing processing is performed according to the order information.

In step S31, it is determined whether the order information has been accepted. When the order information is not accepted, the step S31 is executed repeatedly. Then, when the order information has been accepted, it proceeds to step S32. Furthermore, the specific content of the order information will be described below.

In step S32, the received order information is displayed on the information display device 12 shown in FIG. 19, and the process proceeds to step S33.

In step S33, it is determined whether or not the grinding start operation of coffee beans has been accepted. The details of the grinding start operation here will be described below, and this operation is the operation of the information display device 12 . When the grinding start operation is not accepted, it proceeds to step S34, and when the grinding start operation is accepted, it proceeds to step S36.

In step S34, it is determined whether the change operation of the order information has been accepted. The details of the change operation of the order information here will also be described below, and this operation is the operation of the information display device 12 . When the change operation of the order information has been accepted, it proceeds to step S35, and when the change operation of the order information is not accepted, it returns to step S33.

In step S35, update the accepted order information according to the change operation of the order information, and return to step S33.

During the period from the acceptance of the order information to the acceptance of the grinding operation, the accepted order information can be changed through steps S34 and S35. The grinding start operation or the change operation of order information is not limited to the operation of the information display device 12, and the operation from the mobile terminal 17 can also be accepted. Moreover, as long as the information of the operation is sent to the coffee bean grinder GM, the transmission route can be for any path.

In step S36, the grinding process of coffee beans is performed. First, the amount of roasted coffee beans specified in the order information is supplied from the storage device 4 to the first grinder 5B. The crushed beans crushed in the first grinder 5B are supplied to the second grinder 5B after the excess substances are separated by the separator 6 . In this second grinder 5B, while changing the distance between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b at a specific interval (for example, in units of 50 μm) according to the order information, the coffee beans are ground, and the ground coffee grains are shown in FIG. 18 . The chute GM31 shown is discharged. After the grinding process is completed, the production process of the ground coffee grains is completed.

In the above example, the case where the grinding process is executed according to the order information from the outside of the coffee bean grinder GM has been described, but the information display device 12 may be used to directly input the order information to the coffee bean grinder GM. constitute. In the case of this structure, the structure which deleted step S32, step S34, and step S35 shown in FIG. 38 may be used.

Also, in the above example, the order information can be changed during the period from the acceptance of the order information to the start of the grinding operation, but it is also possible to start directly according to the order information after the order information is accepted without providing an opportunity for such a change. Grinding treatment.

Here, the recipe is described in detail. Recipes include: grinding recipes, which only include grinding information for grinding coffee beans; and beverage manufacturing recipes, which include information on various manufacturing conditions for making coffee beverages, such as extraction conditions of coffee beverages, in addition to grinding information . The coffee bean grinder GM can perform the grinding process as long as it has a grinding recipe, but if the beverage making recipe is displayed on the information display device 12, it may be corrected in consideration of the conditions of the coffee beverage extraction process performed after the grinding process Grinding conditions, so that better quality coffee beverages may be obtained.

The memory section 11b shown in FIG. 19 can continuously memorize the recipe, and can also obtain the recipe from the server 16 before the grinding process starts, and only memorize the recipe during the grinding process, and erase the recipe from the memory section 11b after the grinding process is completed. Alternatively, the memory part 11b may only memorize part of the information in the recipe (for example, coffee bean information or recipe maker information), and obtain the remaining information of the recipe from the server 16 before the grinding process starts (for example, for grinding information on various conditions of coffee beans), after the grinding process is completed, the rest of the information is erased from the memory portion 11b. Furthermore, the recipe memorized in the memory part 11b is encrypted.

Also, the recipes are managed in the server 16 through database.

39(A) to 39(C) are diagrams showing an example of data stored in the server 16. FIG. Fig. 39(A) is the data 1500 stored in the beverage information database. Data 1500 includes recipe ID (Identifier, identifier) 1501, designer information 1502 indicating the designer of the recipe, production count information 1503 indicating the number of times the user has selected and produced beverage information in the past, raw material information, manufacturing method, and type 1512 , 1513. The raw material information includes coffee bean information 1504 indicating the type of coffee beans, origin information 1505 indicating the origin of coffee beans, and roasting degree information 1506 indicating the roasting degree of coffee beans. In addition, the manufacturing method includes the amount of coffee beans used for one extraction 1507 , the grind size of coffee beans 1508 , the amount of hot water for cooking 1509 , the cooking time 1510 , and the amount of hot water for extraction 1511 . Among these information, the most needed information in the grinding process is the coffee bean grind size 1508, and other information may also be needed when studying the coffee bean grind size 1508. Type 1 (1512) is the type information indicating whether the drink is hot or iced, and Type 2 (1513) is the type information indicating the flavor of the drink. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is described that the number of production information 1503 is the number of times that beverages corresponding to the production number information 1503 are produced by a plurality of beverage production devices, but the production frequency information 1503 may be stored for each beverage production device.

FIG. 39(B) is an exemplary data 1520 of the user information database. The user is a store, or a clerk or customer of the store. Data 1520 includes ID information 1521 representing a user identification code, name information 1522 representing a user's name, age information 1523 representing a user's age, and gender information 1524 representing a user's gender. In one example, the data 1520 may further include information corresponding to the user's address, the user's nickname information, or the user's photo data.

FIG. 39(C) is an exemplary data 1530 of the grinding history database. Data 1530 includes: user information 1531 related to the user who instructed grinding, date information 1532 related to the grinding date, recipe ID 1533 used in the grinding process, and machine ID 1534 corresponding to the coffee bean grinder GM performing the grinding process . Store ID 1535 corresponding to the store where the coffee bean grinder GM is installed. In one example, data 1530 may further include price information corresponding to the price of ground coffee grains, etc. Also, the manufacturing history database of coffee beverages may be memorized similarly to the grinding history database.

The data 1500, 1510, and 1530 described above can also be stored in the memory unit 11b of the control device 11 of the coffee bean grinder GM.

Next, referring to the flow of the control process described using FIG. 38 , an example of operations for order information will be described using FIGS. 40 to 45 . 40 to 42 are diagrams showing the state when order information is input. Fig. 43 is a diagram showing the situation when order information is changed. Fig. 44 is a diagram showing an example of the control parameters of the second grinder 5B for the order. Fig. 45 is a diagram showing an example of a display during execution of polishing processing.

In this example, an application for transmitting order information related to ground coffee grains is installed on a mobile terminal 17 such as a smartphone. An example of an input screen of order information using this application is shown in FIG. 40 . In this input screen, there are displayed: an order title input column 170, desired coffee bean type 1711, coffee bean amount 1712, an input form 172 for specifying a ratio to the grain size of ground coffee beans, and an instruction to grind from fine to fine. Grinding method fine→coarse grinding button 173a indicating the grinding method from the coarse grinding state to the fine grinding state Coarse→fine grinding button 173b used in the form of a graph A graph area 174 displaying the contents input to the input form 172, a send button 175 for sending order information, and a recipe registration button 176 for registering the order information as a grinding recipe. The desired coffee bean type is sent by the coffee bean grinder GM that communicates with the mobile terminal 17, and the selectable coffee bean type is sent, and all the sent selectable coffee bean types are displayed by pressing the pull-down button at the right end . For example, all types of coffee beans currently stored in the cans of the can storage unit 401 shown in FIG. 18 are displayed. Alternatively, it may be possible to display all the types of coffee beans prepared in the store where the coffee bean grinder GM is installed. The types of coffee beans can be distinguished not only by the variety of coffee beans, but also by the name of the farm where they are planted. In addition, it can also be distinguished according to the degree of roasting (very light roast, light roast, medium light roast, medium roast, medium dark roast, dark roast, French roast, Italian roast). The amount of coffee beans 1712 can also be specified in units of 5 g according to the drop-down menu. Furthermore, direct input may be possible. Details about the grinding method of coffee beans will be described below.

FIG. 41 shows an example of an input screen in a state where order information has been input. In this input screen, the text "Geisha Suit French Press" is input in the title input column 170 . In addition, the coffee bean type 1711 is a variety of coffee beans named Geisha grown on the Copey farm, and it has been roasted to the degree of French roasting, and the amount of coffee beans is 60 g. In the input form 172, "40" representing the ratio of the particle size of 200 μm and "60" representing the ratio of the particle size of 800 μm are input, and the total ratio is "100"%. Also, it is displayed that comments corresponding to each of the particle size of 200 μm, the particle size of 800 μm, and the total are input. Also, select the fine→coarse grind button 173a. In the graph area 174, the input content in the input form 172 is displayed in the form of a graph. Two peaks are shown in this graph, and the peak on the left indicates that the ratio of the particle size of 200 μm is 40%, and the peak on the right indicates that the ratio of the particle size of 800 μm is 60%.

In the graph area 174, by dragging a part of the graph, the input content in the input form 172 can be changed indirectly. FIG. 42 shows an example of shifting the right peak among the two peaks in the graph area 174 shown in FIG. 41 to the left. Then, it is shown that "60" representing the ratio of the particle size of 800 μm entered in the input form 172 is changed to "0", and "0" representing the ratio of the particle size of 600 μm is changed to "60" by this operation. The input method of this dragging graph is not limited to changing the granularity, and the ratio can also be changed. For example, by dragging a part of the graph up and down, the ratio of the corresponding granularity can be increased or decreased.

Moreover, in the example shown in FIG. 42, after inputting a value in the input form 172, the value input in the input form 172 is changed by dragging a part of a graph. It is not limited to this configuration, and may be a graph (flat line, shown by a thick solid line in FIG. By dragging the graph, the values entered into the form 172 can be set.

By using the input method of the above-mentioned graph, the user can set the ratio of the granularity more intuitively.

Also, by increasing or decreasing the size of one peak, the size of another peak can be increased or decreased relatively, for example, when the size of a certain peak is increased, the size of another peak is relatively decreased, and so on. In situations where the size of the graph area 174 is limited, the graph area 174 can be utilized more efficiently.

After setting the title, the type and amount of coffee beans, the ratio of the grain size and the grinding method (fine→coarse, coarse→fine), touch the send button 175, and the coffee beans will be sent via the communication network 15 shown in Figure 19 The control device 11 of the grinder GM sends order information. Furthermore, after sending to the server 16 temporarily, it may send to the coffee bean grinder GM via the server 16 and the communication network 15.

Also, here, the title, the type and amount of coffee beans, the ratio of grain size and the grinding method (fine→coarse, coarse→fine) and other order information settings are set, but such order information can also be saved and used for grinding recipe. In this case, by pressing the recipe registration button 176, order information is sent to the server 16 via the communication network 15. In the server 16, the grinding recipe is also managed by database, and the grinding recipe ID is assigned to the order information sent here, and is memorized. It is also possible to set restrictions on recipes when sending them to the server 16 . For example, it is also possible to display on the mobile terminal 17 a screen for selecting prohibition of manufacturing (grinding), prohibition of display, prohibition of downloading, prohibition of copying, prohibition of modification, and the like. In addition, it is also possible to set the removal method of the restrictions on the above-mentioned screen (charging, expiry, charging for a certain number of times, etc.). In addition, the comment of the maker entered is also memorized as part of the grinding recipe, and the comment can also be displayed when displaying the recipe.

Furthermore, as the order information and the grinding recipe, it is also possible to set the bean hull removal intensity (bean hull removal rate) (%).

When the order information is received, the information display device 12 will display the content of the received order information (Yes in step S31 of FIG. 38 , step S32). FIG. 43(A) shows an example in which the control device 11 receives the order information transmitted with the content shown in FIG. 42 and displays the content on the information display device 12 . Specifically, the receiving form 121 displays the column except for the title input in the title input column 170 of FIG. 1000 μm) other than the content of the part. Furthermore, the grinding method indication column 122 indicates the grinding method from the fine grinding state to the coarse grinding state by selecting the fine→coarse grinding button 173a in FIG. 42 . Also, the coffee bean type column 1231 indicates the type of coffee beans received, and the coffee bean amount column 123 indicates the amount of coffee beans received. Furthermore, the amount of coffee beans can also be set separately by the store.

In this state, after pressing the grinding start button 124, the grinding process of the coffee beans is executed (details will be described below), and in the state before the grinding start button 124 is touched, the order information can be changed (in step S33 of FIG. No, yes in step S34, step S35). When the order information is changed, the coffee beans are ground according to the information. Depending on the temperature or humidity at the time of grinding, the size of the ground coffee grains is sometimes fine (or coarse), but the store can change and adjust the order information.

For example, although the order information of FIG. 43(A) is received, the particle size of the ground coffee grains may become fine due to low humidity. At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 43(B), in the reception form 121, "40" indicating the ratio of the particle size of 200 μm is changed to "45", and "60" indicating the ratio of the particle size of 600 μm is changed to " 55", whereby it can be adjusted in such a way that the particle size of the ground coffee grains becomes coarse and becomes the desired particle size. Furthermore, in the example of this FIG. 43(B), a description of "low humidity→ratio increase" is added to the comment column, and since such a comment exists, information such as the reason for correction may be conveyed. As explained above, the order information (here, the size of the coffee grains) can be adjusted according to the setting environment of the coffee bean grinder GM.

Also, a recipe registration button 125 is prepared on the display screen of the information display device 12, and order information can be registered in the server 16 from the information display device 12 (coffee bean grinder GM) as a grinding recipe. A grinding recipe including parameters corrected according to the setting environment of the coffee bean grinder GM can be stored in the server 16 with notes. In addition, the grinding recipe may also include environmental information (temperature, humidity, air pressure, etc.) when the order information (recipe) is formulated. The coffee bean grinder GM can also be equipped with a temperature and humidity sensor or an air pressure sensor. After pressing the recipe registration button 125, the environmental information obtained by these sensors is automatically added to the grinding recipe. . Furthermore, when sending from the coffee bean grinder GM to the server 16, the selection screen may be displayed on the display screen of the information display device 12, and the restriction|limiting of a recipe may be set. In addition, it is also possible to set the release method of these restrictions on the above-mentioned selection screen.

In addition, the order information may be stored in the memory unit 11b of the control device 11 of the coffee bean grinder GM after being encrypted as a grinding recipe. In addition, the mobile terminal 17 may be encrypted as a grinding recipe and stored in the storage unit 11b.

In addition, the grinding recipe registered in this way can also be used in the coffee bean grinder GM and the coffee beverage manufacturing device equipped with the coffee extracting device.

Next, the operation after the grinding start button 124 is touched will be described by taking the case where the grinding start button 124 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 43(B) as an example. After the grinding start button 124 is pressed, the coffee beans are ground according to the order information (YES in step S33 of FIG. 38 , step S36). Furthermore, when coffee beans other than the coffee beans stored in the storage device 4 are designated, the designated coffee beans are loaded into the storage device 4 and then the grinding process is started.

In addition, the grinding process may be started after performing the calibration performed in the initial operation described using FIG. 33 . Whether the calibration is performed or not is sent from the mobile terminal 17 together with the order information. That is, the mobile terminal 17 can be used to specify that calibration be performed before starting the grinding process based on the order information.

Figure 44(A) shows the particle sizes and their ratios specified in Figure 43(B). In this grinding process, in order to expand the particle size distribution of the ground coffee grains to be produced to a certain extent (in the range of ±100 to 150 μm in this embodiment) relative to the grain size of the ground coffee grains specified in the order information, While changing the distance between the blades of the second grinder 5B (the distance between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b) at a specific interval (for example, in units of 50 μm), the coffee beans are ground by the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 19 control. For example, Fig. 44(B) shows that for the specified grain size of 200 μm specified in Fig. 44(A), while changing the distance between the blades of the second grinding machine 5B within the range of 50 to 350 μm, the distance between the blades of the second grinder 5B is set to perform the operation. action time. In addition, Fig. 44(B) shows that for the designation of the grain size 600 μm designated in Fig. 44(A), while changing the distance between the blades of the second grinder 5B within the range of 450 to 700 μm, it is set to perform the operation. action time. Furthermore, in FIG. 44(D), the length of the operation time of each interval of the blade of the second grinder 5B shown in FIG. 44(B) is shown in a graph. Furthermore, it can also be said that the distance between the blades of the second grinder 5B and its action time set here are calculated by the processing unit 11a based on the order information, and correspond to the particle size distribution of the ground coffee grains to be manufactured. Sets the particle size distribution. Also, when the calibration is performed in the initial operation before the start of the grinding process, the processing unit 11a corrects the rotation amount of the motor 503a using the calibration value obtained in step S55 shown in FIG. Control of the spacing between the blades of Machine 5B.

In the above example, it is assumed that it takes a total of 30 seconds to manufacture 60 g of ground coffee grains specified in the order information. Also, 45% (13.5 seconds) of this action time was allocated to the action for a particle size of 200 μm. In the above example, for the designation of the particle size of 200 μm, while changing the distance between the blades of the second grinder 5B within the range of 50 to 350 μm, the operation is performed, so 13.5 seconds are allocated to the operation of the grinder within this range. action time. In addition, in FIG. 44(B), the total operating time of the grinders within the range of the pitch of 50 to 350 μm is 13.5 seconds. Also, 55% (16.5 seconds) of the total operating time of 30 seconds was allocated to the operation for a particle size of 600 μm. In the above example, for the designation of the particle size of 600 μm, while changing the distance between the blades of the second grinder 5B within the range of 450 to 700 μm, the operation is performed, so 16.5 seconds are allocated to the operation of the grinder within this range action time. Furthermore, in FIG. 44(B), the total operation time of the grinders in the range of 450 to 700 μm in pitch is 16.5 seconds. As explained above, the operation time shown in FIG. 44(B) is derived based on the time required for the manufacture of ground coffee grains. Furthermore, Fig. 44(B) illustrates an example in which the interval ranges between the blades of the second grinder 5B specified for the two particle sizes do not overlap, but when these ranges overlap, the operating time of the part add up.

As described in the example of FIG. 44(B), by changing the distance between the blades of the second grinder 5B while producing ground coffee grains, the particle size of the ground coffee grains can be dispersed. Coffee extracted from ground coffee granules of disperse size can contain a variety of mouthfeels compared to coffee extracted from ground coffee granules not disperse in size. Furthermore, it is also possible to set, for example, the situation of setting the action time shown in FIG. 44(C) for people who do not like this kind of texture. In this FIG. 44(C), the operating time of the second grinder 5B is set only for the operation at the same blade-to-blade interval as the particle size specified in the order information, corresponding to the particle size distribution that suppresses particle size dispersion. These configurations are examples, and when specifying the particle size, the range of the particle size distribution can be specified.

Also, in the example of FIG. 44(B), the action time is the longest for the interval between the blades with the same grain size specified in the order information. Larger, the action time becomes shorter. For example, for the action at the interval between the blades of the second grinder 5B with a specified particle size of ±50 μm, the action time can be set to the same value, etc., and multiple particle sizes can also be set. The way in which they are distributed so that they can be chosen from.

In addition, it is also possible to input the information of operation time as shown in FIG. 44(B) when order information is prepared, and when the information of operation time is included in the order information, the grinding process can be performed according to this information.

Furthermore, the information of the action time shown in Fig. 44(B) or Fig. 44(c) (the way of changing the distance between the blades of the second grinding machine 5B) can also be stored in the server 16 or as a part of the grinding recipe. In the memory part 11b. That is, it is also possible to store various information in the server 16 or the memory unit 11b in association with the grain size of the coffee grains. In addition, the information or grinding recipes stored in the memory unit 11 b can also be output to external terminals such as the server 16 or the mobile terminal 17 via the communication network 15 .

Furthermore, in FIG. 44(A) two types of granularity values are set, and the number of types of granularity for which values are specified may be one type instead of plural types. For example, when setting a value of one granularity, the action time is set based on this value.

Also, the input of order information from the external terminal (mobile terminal 17) and the calculation of the control parameters of the second grinder 5B based on the order information described using FIGS. 40 to 45 can also be applied to the one shown in FIG. Beverage making device 1 .

Based on the above description, the following content has been explained, that is, "A coffee bean grinder [for example, the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 or the coffee bean grinder GM shown in Fig. 18] is characterized in that: Grinding machine [for example, the second grinding machine 5B], it is based on the set conditions [for example, as shown in Figure 44 (B) or Figure 44 (C) and the interval between the blades and the action time corresponding to the grain size specified in the order information] to grind coffee beans; Acceptance section [for example, the I/F section 11c shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 19], which accepts the designation of the user [for example, order information from mobile terminals 17 such as smart phones]; and A setting unit [for example, the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 19], which can set the above conditions; and The above-mentioned setting section can set the above-mentioned condition according to the above-mentioned designation accepted by the above-mentioned accepting section [for example, the processing section 11a calculates the control data shown in Figure 44 (B) or Figure 44 (C) based on the order information, and based on the control data. control the second grinder 5B], The above-mentioned receiving unit may input a signal including the above-mentioned designation from the outside [for example, FIG. 10 or FIG. 19]. ".

According to this coffee bean grinder, user's designation can be easily performed.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned designation is the designation of the grain size of the coffee grains, or the designation of performing calibration during the initial operation of the above-mentioned grinder. In addition, the above designation may also be various designations in the grinding recipe (for example, the designation of the type or amount of coffee beans to be used, the designation of the grinding method).

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, The above-mentioned setting part can obtain the time when setting the above-mentioned conditions according to the above-mentioned designation accepted by the above-mentioned accepting part [for example, the designation of the calibration of the distance between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b in the initial operation of the second grinder 5B]. Calibration value [for example, the calibration value calculated in step S55 shown in FIG. 33]. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, A memory device [for example, the memory unit 11b shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 19] is provided, and the memory device memorizes the designation [for example, grinding recipe or drink making recipe] accepted by the above-mentioned accepting unit. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, The acceptance unit accepts at least the designation of the grain size of the coffee grains [for example, the designation of the grain size in the input form 172 shown in FIG. 41 ] as the designation, The above-mentioned memory device can store various information [for example, the control data shown in FIG. 44(B) or FIG. 44(C)] in association with the particle size of the above-mentioned coffee grains. ".

In addition, the above-mentioned particle size may also refer to the particle size indicated by the peak in the particle size distribution. In addition, the above-mentioned various information may refer to conditions set on the grinder in order to grind the coffee beans to the above-mentioned particle size by the grinder.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, The information memorized in the above-mentioned memory device can be output to the outside [for example, the server 16 or the mobile terminal 17]. ".

Furthermore, the following content is also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinding system (for example, Fig. 10 or Fig. 19), characterized in that, Equipped with an external device (for example, a server 16, a mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the above-mentioned coffee bean grinder, and The above-mentioned external device performs the specified operation of the user. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A method of grinding coffee beans, characterized in that it is a method of grinding coffee beans in a grinder that grinds coffee beans under set conditions, and includes: The accepting step [for example, as the processing before the step S31 shown in FIG. 38 ] is to accept the designation of the user [for example, order information from mobile terminals 17 such as smart phones]; and Condition setting step [for example, the processing carried out between step S32 and step S33 shown in FIG. Set the above conditions. ".

Also, based on the above description, the following content has been explained, that is, "A coffee bean grinder [for example, the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 or the coffee bean grinder GM shown in Fig. 18] is characterized in that: Grinding machine [for example, the second grinding machine 5B], it is based on the set conditions [for example, as shown in Figure 44 (B) or Figure 44 (C) and the interval between the blades and the action time corresponding to the grain size specified in the order information] to grind coffee beans; A setting unit [for example, the processing unit 11a shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 19], which can set the above conditions; and An operation part [for example, a dial dial 695 for manual setting, a rotary dial 696 for fine adjustment], which can be operated by the user; and The above-mentioned setting section can set the above-mentioned condition based on the input information [for example, the processing section 11a calculates the control data shown in Figure 44 (B) or Figure 44 (C) based on the order information, and controls the second grinding machine based on the control data 5B], The operation unit can change the conditions related to the particle size of the coffee grains [for example, the distance between the fixed blade 57b and the rotating blade 58b ] among the above conditions according to the operation. ".

According to the coffee bean grinder, the above-mentioned conditions can be set based on input information, and the conditions related to the grain size of coffee grains can also be manually adjusted.

In addition, the above-mentioned particle size may also refer to the particle size indicated by the peak in the particle size distribution. In addition, the above-mentioned input information is the information of the particle size of the coffee grains, or the information instructing to perform calibration during the initial operation of the above-mentioned grinder. In addition, the above-mentioned input information can also be various information in the grinding recipe (for example, information on the type or amount of coffee beans used, information on the grinding method).

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, The above-mentioned setting unit can acquire the calibration value [for example, the calibration value calculated in step S55 shown in FIG. 33 ] when the above-mentioned condition is set. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, It is equipped with a memory device [for example, the memory unit 11b shown in FIG. 10 or 19] that memorizes the above-mentioned input information [for example, grinding recipe or drink making recipe]. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, The above-mentioned setting section can set conditions related to the particle size of the coffee grains based on the above-mentioned input information [for example, the designation of the particle size in the input form 172 shown in FIG. 41 ] [for example, as shown in FIG. Show the interval and action time of the blade corresponding to the granularity specified in the order information], The above-mentioned memory device can store various information [for example, the control data shown in FIG. 44(B) or FIG. 44(C)] in association with the particle size of the above-mentioned coffee grains. ".

Furthermore, the above-mentioned various information may also refer to the conditions set on the grinder in order to grind the coffee beans to the above-mentioned particle size by the grinder.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, The information memorized in the above-mentioned memory device can be output to the outside [for example, the server 16 or the mobile terminal 17]. ".

Furthermore, the following content is also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinding system (for example, Fig. 10 or Fig. 19), characterized in that, An external device (for example, server 16, mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the above-mentioned coffee bean grinder is provided. The above-mentioned external device is operated by the user specifying the above-mentioned conditions. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A method of grinding coffee beans, characterized in that it is a method of grinding coffee beans in a grinder that grinds coffee beans under set conditions, and can perform: an automatic setting step of automatically setting the above-mentioned conditions based on the input information; and The manual change step is to change the conditions related to the particle size of the coffee grains in the above conditions according to the operation. ".

Furthermore, either one of the above-mentioned automatic setting step and the above-mentioned manual changing step may be executed first, and sometimes only one of them may be executed.

In addition, the grinding method of the second grinder 5B in this embodiment has two types: a grinding method from a finely ground state to a coarsely ground state, and a grinding method from a coarsely ground state to a finely ground state. , using the fine→coarse grind button 173a and coarse→fine grind button 173b illustrated in FIG. 40 to designate any grinding method. When specifying the grinding method from the fine grinding state to the coarse grinding state, the interval between the blades of the second grinder 5B is increased from 50 μm to 1000 μm, and the second grinder 5B is set at the operating time set for each interval. Grinder 5B operates. On the other hand, when specifying the grinding method from the coarse grinding state to the fine grinding state, the distance between the blades of the second grinder 5B is reduced from 1000 μm to 50 μm, and the operation is set for each distance Time to operate the second grinder 5B. Depending on the grinding method, the particle size distribution of the produced ground coffee grains may be slightly different, and the taste may be different. Therefore, this embodiment adopts a configuration that can set the grinding method.

In Fig. 43(B), the grinding method from the finely ground state to the coarsely ground state is specified, so the distance between the blades of the second grinder 5B is increased from 50 μm to 1000 μm, and the distance set for each distance is The operating time is to operate the second grinder 5B. At this time, the information display device 12 displays the graph shown in FIG. 44(D), and the color of the area in the graph changes according to the progress of the action. Fig. 45(A) shows the situation when 12.4 seconds have elapsed from the start of grinding. At this time, the distance between the blades of the second grinder 5B is set to 250 μm, and in FIG. 45(A), hatching indicates that the color of the area on the left with the 250 μm as a boundary changes. The hatching indicates the end of the grinding process for the corresponding area. 45(B) shows the situation at the end of the polishing process after 30 seconds from the start of polishing. In this FIG. 45(B), the case where hatching is attached to all regions is an example showing that all polishing processes have been completed. As shown in Figure 45 (A) (B), by displaying the progress of the grinding process, it may be possible to achieve efficient operations, such as customers not feeling bored during the waiting time, or clerks performing other operations during this period, etc. .

Fig. 46(a) is a diagram showing an example of a filter handle used in the manufacture of espresso beverages. The filter handle PF shown in Fig. 46(a) is a bottomless (Naked) type. The metal powder bowl PFb (refer to Fig. 46(c)) with a filter mesh structure on the bottom surface is filled with coffee grains, and the cylindrical holding part is used. PFr holds the powder bowl PFb. A handle PFh is provided on the holding portion PFh.

Fig. 46(b) is a diagram showing the situation where the powder bowl PFb held by the holding part PFr is close to the chute GM31 of the coffee bean grinder by holding the handle PFh. The coffee grains are discharged from the chute GM31, and the coffee grains are loaded into the powder bowl PFb. This operation is called Dosing. Furthermore, in order to save the operator from holding the handle PFh close together, the powder bowl PFb can also be fixed at the outlet of the chute GM31. Subsequently, in the mode of evenly filling coffee grains in the powder bowl PFb, carry out leveling operation (powder distribution). Finally, an operation called tamping is performed to compact the evenly loaded coffee grains.

Fig. 46(c) is a diagram schematically showing a situation in which coffee grains ground by a grinding method from a finely ground state to a coarsely ground state are charged into the powder bowl PFb, and powder distribution and filling are carried out.

Fig. 46(c) shows the powder bowl PFb held by the holding portion PFr. The bottom surface PFf of the powder bowl PFb is a filter mesh structure, and the mesh Fi of the filter mesh is schematically shown in Fig. 46(c), but it is actually a finer mesh. The region on the bottom surface PFf side is filled with ultra-fine coffee grains Bvt having a particle size distribution of 200 μm as a peak. In Fig. 46(c), the cross-hatching of the fine grid indicates the filling of the ultra-fine coffee grains Bvt. Also, in the region above this region, fine coffee grains Bmt having a particle size distribution of 600 μm as a peak are filled. Fig. 46(c) shows the case of being filled with medium and fine coffee grains Bmt by the cross-hatching of the thick grid. That is, relatively finer coffee grains are accommodated in the area close to the filter screen, and relatively coarser coffee grains are accommodated in the area away from the filter screen.

If the filter handle PF prepared in this way is used for extraction, the hot water will be easily discharged in the area with larger particle size, and the extraction efficiency, which is an extraction index of taste, will decrease. On the other hand, the discharge of hot water becomes worse in the area with smaller particle size, and the extraction efficiency increases. Hot water injected from above (opposite side of the filter) initially passes through the area of lower extraction efficiency and finally passes through the particle size of higher extraction efficiency. Here, considering the opposite situation, it is predicted that the injected hot water will become a strong coffee drink in the initial area, and it will be difficult to extract coffee ingredients from the larger coffee grains in the final area, and the coffee grains in the final area will be easily wasted. This prediction is based on the fact that hot water tends to extract caffeine easily, but coffee beverages tend to be difficult to extract caffeine. By passing the infused hot water initially through the region of less efficient extraction, the coffee beverage can be fully extracted from the coffee grains in that region. But it is a dull coffee drink. However, because it is a light coffee drink, the concentration of the coffee drink is still leeway, and the coffee drink can be fully extracted even through the region with a higher extraction efficiency. In order to use all the coffee grains in the filter handle PF so effectively, it is considered preferable that the closer the area of the filter screen, the finer the coffee grains. In particular, it is more effective in extracting strong coffee beverages such as espresso.

Again, the 2nd grinder 5B in the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 also can perform the grinding method that becomes the coarse grinding state from the fine grinding state, and the grinding method that becomes the fine grinding state from the coarse grinding state. Grinding method. In the beverage production device 1 shown in FIG. 1 , coffee grains are accommodated in an extraction container 9 . The extraction container 9 can be turned over. At the storage time point of the coffee grains (before the extraction container 9 is overturned), the coffee grains with a relatively coarse grain size are accommodated in the lower area, and the coffee grains with a relatively fine grain size are accommodated in the upper area. By The extraction container 9 is turned over so that the relatively finer coffee grains are located in the lower area, and the relatively coarser coffee grains are located in the upper area. However, if the filter set on the cover unit 91 shown in FIG. 6 etc. is used as a reference, then, like the powder bowl PFb, relatively finer coffee grains are stored in a region close to the filter and stored in a region away from the filter. Relatively coarse coffee grains.

Furthermore, it is also possible to perform multiple groups of grinding processes by grinding the coffee grains used for multiple extractions in one grinding start operation. In this way, it is only necessary to prepare a plurality of powder bowls PFb, and put a new powder bowl PFb close to the chute GM31 during each group of grinding process.

Also, in the example of FIG. 45(A)(B), when the grinding method from the finely ground state to the coarsely ground state is specified, the hatching becomes wider from the left side to the right side of the graph. In the display example, when specifying the grinding method from the coarsely ground state to the finely ground state, unlike the example in Fig. 45 (A) (B), the hatching changes from the right side to the left side of the graph. wide display.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned example, the configuration in which the progress of the grinding process is displayed on the information display device 12 has been described, but it may also be a configuration in which the progress of the grinding process is displayed on the mobile terminal 17 that transmits order information.

Based on the above description, the following content has been explained, that is, "A coffee bean grinder [for example, the coffee bean grinder GM shown in Figure 18 or the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in Figure 1] is characterized in that: a grinder [eg, 2nd grinder 5B], which grinds coffee beans; and A container [for example, powder bowl PFb or extraction container 9], which contains the coffee grains pulverized by the above-mentioned grinder; and According to the starting operation performed by the user [for example, touching the grinding start button 124 or pressing the starting button GM15, or the production instruction of coffee beverage], a group of grinding actions can be performed, The above-mentioned group of grinding actions refers to the first particle size [for example, relatively finer particle size or coarser particle size] in the first area of the above-mentioned container [for example, the area relatively close to the filter screen or the area below] coffee grains, the manner in which coffee grains of a second grain size [eg, relatively coarser grain size or finer grain size] are accommodated in a second area of the container [eg, an area relatively far from or above the filter screen], The action of grinding coffee beans into different particle sizes. ".

The finer the particle size of the coffee grains, the harder it is for hot water to be discharged, and the extraction efficiency tends to increase. According to this coffee machine, regions for storing coffee grains with different particle sizes are provided by using this trend, and the extraction efficiency is different according to different regions, thereby improving the taste of coffee beverages.

Furthermore, the amount of ground coffee grains after the above-mentioned 1 set of grinding actions can be the amount required for extracting 1 cup of coffee beverage, or the amount required for 1 extraction. In addition, the above-mentioned first particle size may be coarser than the above-mentioned second particle size.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, The above-mentioned first particle size is finer than the above-mentioned second particle size. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, The above-mentioned container has a filter [for example, the mesh Fi of the filter set on the bottom surface PFf shown in FIG. 46(c), or the filter set on the cover unit 91 shown in FIG. 6, etc.], The above-mentioned first area is the area in the above-mentioned container that is closer to the above-mentioned filter net than the above-mentioned second area. ".

Furthermore, the above-mentioned first area may also be an area lower than the above-mentioned second area in the above-mentioned container.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, Equipped with a memory device [for example, memory unit 11b shown in FIG. 10 or 19] that can memorize the above-mentioned group of grinding operations as a recipe. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, According to the activation operation performed by the user, the above-mentioned set of grinding actions can be performed multiple times [for example, the coffee grains for multiple extractions can be ground]. ".

Furthermore, the following content is also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder system (for example, Figure 10 or Figure 19), characterized by having an external device (for example, a server 16, a mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the above coffee bean grinder.".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A method for grinding coffee beans, characterized in that it comprises: The first step is to accommodate the first particle size [for example, relatively fine particle size or coarser particle size] of coffee grains; and The second step is to store coffee grains of the second particle size [for example, relatively coarser particle size or finer particle size] in the second area of the above container [for example, the area relatively far from the filter screen or the area above] . ".

Next, the combination of the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B will be described.

As shown in FIG. 25 and the like, the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are arranged upstream and downstream in a serial relationship when viewed in the conveying direction of coffee beans. Compared with the second grinder 5B, the first grinder 5A can grind coarser coffee beans with high precision, and the second grinder 5B can grind finer coffee beans with high precision compared with the first grinder 5A. beans ground. More specifically, the first grinder 5A can grind roasted coffee beans to a certain size (for example, about 1/4) to make ground beans. The second grinder 5B turns the ground beans ground by the first grinder 5A into coffee grains of a desired particle size. For example, the second grinder 5B can perform coarse grinding, medium grinding, medium fine grinding, fine grinding, and very fine grinding, but the first grinder 5A cannot grind finely like coarse grinding. However, in order to easily separate excess substances adhering to the coffee beans, it is preferable to pulverize them to a certain size using the first grinder 5A.

However, if the ease of separation of excess substances such as bean shells and fine powders of the separating device 6 is ignored, the first grinder 5A may not be driven, and only the second grinder 5B may be used to grind the coffee beans.

Fig. 47(a) is a perspective view showing the rotary blade 58a constituting the first grinder 5A alone.

The rotary blade 58a is provided with a guide path 58ag extending obliquely downward around the rotation shaft 58as from the four blades 58a1 to 58a4, respectively. As shown in Fig. 47(a), when the rotary blade 58a is not rotating, the roasted coffee beans B sent from the storage device 4 pass through the guide path 58ag, and are sent into the second grinder while maintaining its shape and size. 5B. Then, it is ground into a desired particle size by the second grinder 5B. In this case, it is not two-stage pulverization using the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, but one-stage pulverization using the second grinder 5B.

Furthermore, instead of the first grinder 5A, the same grinder as the second grinder 5B can be installed, so that the grinder on the upstream side can also be used for coarse grinding, medium grinding, medium fine grinding, and fine grinding. Crushed, very finely ground. In this case, for example, coarse grinding can be performed by using the grinder on the upstream side, and after the excess material is separated by the separation device 6, the second grinding machine 5B can be used to implement the fine grinding method below the intermediate grinding. Or, it is also possible to utilize the grinder on the upstream side to carry out medium-fine grinding, and after utilizing the separation device 6 to separate the excess material, the grinding process is not carried out in the second grinder 5B, and the medium-finely ground material is discharged from the chute GM31. coffee grains.

Fig. 47(b) is a diagram showing a modified example of the crushing device 5 shown in Fig. 25 and the like.

The pulverizing device 5 shown in FIG. 25 etc. is obtained by arranging two grinders in series. In the pulverizing device 5' of this modified example, two grinders on the downstream side among the three grinders are arranged in parallel. On the downstream side of the storage device 4 shown in FIG. 47(b), a first grinder 5A is disposed. In the crushing device 5 shown in FIG. 25 etc., the forming unit 6B is provided downstream of the first grinder 5A, but in this modification, the forming unit 6B is omitted and a cylindrical guide passage 6C is provided. On the downstream side of the guide path 6C, two second grinders 5B connected to the connecting ducts 661 are disposed. The guide passage 6C is a passage for distributing the ground beans ground by the first grinder 5A to any one of the two second grinders 5B. In addition, the number of the 2nd grinder 5B is not limited to 2, and may be 3 or more. Path switching of the guide path 6C is executed by the processing unit 11 a shown in FIG. 19 . In addition, the path switching of the guide path 6C can also be performed manually. Alternatively, path switching may be performed based on an instruction from an external terminal such as the mobile terminal 17 . In this variation example, a selection step is performed, which is to select from the coffee bean grinder GM having a total of three grinders including one first grinder 5A and two second grinders 5B. Among the grinders, a grinder that grinds coffee beans is selected; a supplying step is to supply coffee beans to the selected grinder; and a grinding step is to use the grinder to grind the coffee beans supplied in the supplying step. In the supply step, when any one of the two second grinders 5B is selected, coffee beans are supplied to the selected second grinder 5B through the guide path 6C. Furthermore, in the selection step, one first grinder 5A may be arbitrarily selected, and any one of the second grinders 5B must be selected in the selection of two second grinders 5B. Alternatively, when neither of the two second grinders 5B is selected, the coffee beans may be directly discharged from the guide passage 6C.

According to this modification example, by installing a plurality of second grinders 5B, the grinding process of the second grinder 5B can be performed in parallel. For example, in the control of the injection amount of coffee grains to the second grinder 5B explained using FIG. Switching, as long as start feeding to the second second grinding machine 5B, then there is no need to reduce the feeding amount, and the efficiency of the grinding process can be avoided from falling.

Furthermore, in the variation shown in FIG. 47( b ), the forming unit 6B is omitted, but the forming unit 6B may also be provided at the upstream end of the guide passage 6C to separate excess substances after the passage switching is completed. In addition, it is also possible to replace the switchable guide passage 6C with a fixed passage, and switch the grinders by moving a plurality of prepared second grinders 5B to the downstream end of the fixed passage. . Furthermore, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of grinders with different functions in parallel instead of arranging a plurality of grinders with the same function in parallel. For example, a grinder dedicated to coarse grinding, a grinder dedicated to medium grinding, a grinder dedicated to medium fine grinding, a grinder dedicated to fine grinding, and a grinder dedicated to very fine grinding can also be arranged side by side. And choose. In addition, the first grinder 5A on the upstream side may be omitted. Alternatively, a further grinder may be installed further downstream than the second grinder 5B. The grinder installed downstream of the second grinder 5B may be one or plural. In the case of multiple units, they can be arranged in series or in parallel.

The aspect of the pulverizing device 5 described above using FIG. 47 can also be applied as the pulverizing device of the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 .

Based on the above description, the following content has been explained, that is, "A coffee bean grinder [for example, the coffee bean grinder GM shown in FIG. 18 or the beverage manufacturing device 1 shown in FIG. grinding machine 5A and the second grinding machine 5B, or a plurality of second grinding machines 5B in a parallel relationship], and The grinder that grinds coffee beans can be selected from the plurality of grinders mentioned above [for example, select both the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B in a serial relationship, select only the second grinder 5B, or choose a parallel There are a plurality of the second grinding machines 5B in relation to one each]. ".

According to this coffee bean grinder, a grinder for grinding coffee beans can be selected from a plurality of grinders, so it is easy to respond to requests for more grinding processes than the conventional coffee bean grinder.

Furthermore, the selected grinder may be one or multiple.

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, The above-mentioned plurality of grinders include a first grinder [for example, the first grinder 5A] and a second grinder [for example, the second grinder 5B], It is optional whether to grind by one of the above-mentioned first grinder and the above-mentioned second grinder [for example, only the second grinder 5B] or both [for example, the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B] ground coffee beans. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, Compared with the above-mentioned second grinder, the above-mentioned first grinder can roughly grind coffee beans with high precision [for example, grind roasted coffee beans to a certain degree (for example, 1/4 degree) size], Compared with the above-mentioned first grinder, the above-mentioned second grinder can grind the coffee beans with high precision [for example, it can perform coarse grinding, medium grinding, medium-fine grinding, fine grinding, and very fine grinding]. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, When coffee beans are to be ground by the above-mentioned first grinder [for example, the first grinder 5A] and the above-mentioned second grinder [for example, the second grinder 5B], the coffee beans can be ground by the The second grinder [for example, the second grinder 5B on the downstream side] further finely grinds the coffee grains ground by the first grinder [for example, the first grinder 5A on the upstream side]. ".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder is characterized in that, By the above-mentioned first grinding machine [for example, the second grinding machine 5B on the left side shown in Figure 47(b)] and the above-mentioned second grinding machine [for example, the second grinding machine on the right side shown in Figure 47(b) 5B] when one of the grinders grinds the coffee beans, the coffee beans are guided to the grinder [for example, guided by the guide passage 6C]. ".

That is, any one of the above-mentioned first grinder and the above-mentioned second grinder may be provided with a guide path for guiding coffee beans [for example, the guide path 6C shown in FIG. 47(b)] . The coffee beans may be guided to the one grinder by moving the guide passage relative to the one grinder, or the one grinder may be moved relative to the guide passage, As for guiding the coffee beans to the one grinder, the coffee beans are guided to the one grinder by moving the above-mentioned one grinder at the same time as the above-mentioned guide path is moved.

Furthermore, the following content is also described, namely, "A coffee bean grinder system (for example, Figure 10 or Figure 19), characterized by having an external device (for example, a server 16, a mobile terminal 17) capable of communicating with the above coffee bean grinder.".

In addition, the following contents are also described, namely, "A method for grinding coffee beans, characterized in that it comprises: A selection step, which is to select a grinder for grinding coffee beans from the plurality of grinders in the coffee bean grinder equipped with a plurality of grinders; a feeding step of feeding coffee beans to the selected grinder; and The grinding step is to use the grinder to grind the coffee beans supplied in the supplying step. ".

Furthermore, the selected grinder may be one or multiple.

The present invention is not limited to the several aspects and examples shown above, and these contents can be combined with each other without departing from the gist of the present invention, and can also be partially changed according to the purpose and the like. In addition, each term described in this specification is only used to describe the present invention, needless to repeat, the present invention is not limited to the strict meaning of the above terms, and may also include their equivalents. For example, expressions such as "device" and "part" can sometimes be renamed as "unit", "module" and so on.

1: Beverage making device 2: Bean processing device 3: Extraction device 4: storage device 5: Crushing device 5A: The first grinder 5B: The second grinder 5C: discharge pipe 5': Crushing device 6: Separation device 6A: Suction unit 6B: Formation unit 6C: Guided Pathway 6ibs: Bottom 6io: opening 6ioe: lower edge 6ios: peripheral surface 6iw: Peripheral wall 6obs: bottom surface 6ois: inner surface 6ub: top plate 6uo: open at the upper end 7: Fluid supply unit 8A: Upper unit 8B: Middle unit 8C: Lower unit 9: Extraction container 10: Switch unit 10a: switching valve 10b: Motor 10c: filling part 11: Control device 11a: Processing Department 11b: memory department 11c: I/F department 12: Information display device 12a: Mobile Mechanism 13: Sensor group 14: Actuator group 15: Communication network 16:Server 17:Mobile terminal 40: Tank 40a: Ontology 40b: handheld part 41: Conveyor 42: Gathering and conveying department 42a: Guide Department 45: Export Department 50a: delivery port 50b: delivery port 51a: discharge port 51b: discharge port 52a: motor 52b: motor 52b': Pinion 53a: Body part 53b: body part 54a: axis of rotation 54b: axis of rotation 55a: gear 55b: pulley 55b': gear 56a: Suppression plate 57a: Fixed blade 57b: Fixed blade 57c: sensor 58a: rotating blade 58ag: guide path 58as: axis of rotation 58a1～58a4: blade 58b: rotating blade 59b: belt 60: Suction unit 60A: air supply unit 60B: Recycling container 60Bo: outer box 60Bi: inner box 60C: Shell 60D: Air volume dial 61: upper part 61a: peripheral wall 61b: Exhaust cylinder 61c: connecting part 61d: heat sink 62: lower part 63: Tube 63a: Passage Department 63b: Access Department 64: Separation chamber forming part 65: cylindrical part 65a: opening 65b: opening 66: Outlet 67:Turbulence promotion department 67a: Turbulence Facilitating Elements 67b: chamfering 70: Compressor 71: reserve storage box (reservoir) 71a: Check valve 71b: Pressure sensor 72: Sink 72a: Heater 72b: temperature sensor 72c: water level sensor 72d: Solenoid valve 72e: pressure regulating valve 72f: Solenoid valve 72g: Pressure sensor 72h:Solenoid valve 72i: Solenoid valve 72j: check valve 73a: pressure regulating valve 73b:Solenoid valve 73c: Solenoid valve 73d: Pressure sensor 81A: Operating unit 81B: Support unit 81B': unit body 81C: Operating unit 90: container body 90a: opening 90b: Neck 90c: Flange 90d: shoulder 90e: main body 90f: bottom 91: cover unit 100 shells 101: Body Department 101a: Recess 102: cover part 102a: hinge 102b: engagement part 103: coffee bean input port 103a: opening and closing baffle 110:Coffee Cup Placement 121: Receiving Form 122: Grinding method indication column 123: coffee bean amount column 124: Grinding start button 125:Recipe login button 170: Title input column 172: Input form 173a: fine→coarse grating button 173b: Coarse → fine grind button 174: Curve area 175:Send button 176:Recipe login button 401: tank storage unit 401c: cover 401k: locking claw 402: Hopper unit 402c: cover 403: Funnel unit 404: Measuring unit 404k: locking claw 404t: protrusion 451: Ribbon member 452:Rotary shaft 452L, 452R: rotary shaft 453: cover member 453L, 453R: cover member 460: cover components 461: cover plate 502: Motor base 502a: gear 503: Granularity adjustment mechanism 503a: Motor 503b: Pinion 503c1: 1st gear 503c2: 2nd gear 505a: base part 661: Link pipe 661a: Air suction port 691: worm gear 691c: connection part 691g: gear part 691j: link port 692: Worm gear 693: Support part 693s: thread groove 694: Framing members 695: Rotary dial for manual setting 696: Knob dial for fine adjustment 697: link dial 697g: link gear 698: rod member 800: Support components 800a: Connecting part 801: Keep components 801a: Connecting hole 802: Lifting shaft 802a: screw 803:Probe 803a: screw 804a: Motor 804b: Nut 805a: Motor 805b: Nut 810: Support components 810a: Connecting part 811: keep the components 811a: Connecting hole 812: Lifting shaft 812a: screw 813:Probe 813a: screw 814a: Motor 814b: Nut 815a: Motor 815b: Nut 820: arm member 820a: holding member 820b: shaft member 821: locking mechanism 821a: Gripping member 822:motor 823:motor 824:motor 825: axis 900: body component 901: Bottom member 901c: convex part 902: sealing member 903,913: Valve 908: sealing member 911: Base member 911c: Flange 911d: convex part 918a: sealing member 919: sealing member 1231: coffee bean type column 1232: coffee bean amount bar 1500: data 1501: Recipe ID 1502: Designer Information 1503: Manufacturing times information 1504: Coffee Bean Information 1505: origin information 1506: Roast information 1507: the amount of coffee beans 1508: Grinding size of coffee beans 1509: boiling water volume 1510: cooking time 1511: extraction of hot water 1512, 1513: type 1520: data 1521: ID information 1522: name information 1523: age information 1524: gender information 1530: data 1531: user information 1532: date information 1533: Recipe ID 1534: Machine ID 1535: Store ID 1711: Coffee Bean Types 1712: coffee bean quantity 4040: receiving port 4041: Guidance path 4042: Transport path 4042e: Fate 4042o: downstream end opening 4043: send out 6921: Rotation axis 6961: Rotation axis 6962: transmission gear 6981: spring member B: roasted coffee beans Bmt: medium fine coffee grains Bvt: very fine coffee grains C: coffee cup D: extra substance ESC: Electric Screw Conveyor ESC1: Spiral shaft ESC2: spiral blade ESC3: motor F: frame F1, F2: beam part F3: Column Fi: the mesh of the filter GM: coffee bean grinder GM10: Center Housing GM10k: baseline GM11: Optional installation part GM11t: Projection GM15: start button GM20: bean outlet GM21: cover unit GM211: inner cover GM212: Cover GM22: Guidance Path Formation Components GM31: Chute GM32: Hammered components GM321: rotary shaft GS: Coffee Bean Grinding System L1~L3: Piping PF: filter handle PFb: powder bowl PFf: bottom surface PFh: handle PFr: holding part R1: Region SC: separation chamber St: stone T: waste tank USP: supply port

FIG. 1 is an external view of a beverage manufacturing device 1 . FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the beverage making device 1 . FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the functions of the beverage manufacturing device 1 . FIG. 4 is a partially broken perspective view of the separation device 6 . FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drive unit 8 and the extraction container 9 . FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the closed state and the open state of the extraction container 9 . FIG. 7 is a front view showing a partial structure of the upper unit 8A and the lower unit 8C. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 7 . Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the middle unit 8B. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control device 11 . Fig. 11(A) is a flow chart of control processing related to a coffee beverage production operation, and Fig. 11(B) is a flow chart of extraction processing in S3. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the crushing device 5 . Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pulverizing device 5 shown in Fig. 12 . FIG. 14 is a partially broken perspective view of the separation device 6 . Fig. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of the forming unit 6B. FIG. 16 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of the forming unit 6B. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the forming unit 6B, and is an explanatory diagram for comparing cross-sectional areas. Fig. 18 is a three-dimensional view of the appearance of the coffee bean grinder. Fig. 19 is a block diagram of the control device of the coffee bean grinder. Fig. 20(a) is a diagram showing a coffee bean grinder GM equipped with a hopper unit 402 instead of the tank storage unit 401 shown in Fig. 18, and Fig. 20(b) is a diagram showing coffee beans with a hopper unit 403 installed A map of the Grinder GM. Fig. 21(a) is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the metering unit 404 is attached to the optional mounting part GM11, and Fig. 21(b) is a perspective view showing the electric screw conveyor ESC. FIGS. 22( a ) to ( f ) are diagrams showing some aspects of the covering member 460 disposed at the downstream end opening 4042 o of the conveyance path 4042 . 23( a ) to ( c ) are schematic diagrams showing still another aspect of the cover member 460 . Fig. 24(a) is a view showing that the cover unit GM21 of the coffee bean grinder GM is opened and closed by opening and closing the bean outlet GM20 of the center housing GM10, and Fig. 24(b) shows that the cover unit GM21 is in an open state. map. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the main configuration of the grinding device 5 incorporating the guide path forming member GM22 in the coffee grinder GM facing the front. 26(a) to (c) are perspective views showing the first grinder 5A. FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing the grinding process of the first grinder 5A executed by the processing unit 11 a shown in FIG. 19 . Fig. 28(a) is a diagram showing the separation device 6, and Fig. 28(b) is a diagram showing the situation after the outer peripheral wall 61a of the upper part 61 of the recovery container 60B is removed. Fig. 29(a) is a perspective view of the separation device 6 after the outer box 60Bo is removed from obliquely below, and Fig. 29(b) shows the positional relationship between the outer box 60Bo and the inner box 60Bi by seeing through the outer box 60Bo picture. Fig. 30(a) is a diagram schematically showing phenomena such as the flow of air in the separation device shown in Fig. 29, and Fig. 30(b) is a diagram schematically showing phenomena such as the flow of air in the separation device of a modified example picture. Fig. 31 is to dismantle the manual setting disc dial 695 shown in Fig. 25, and can see the figure of whole connecting pipeline 661. FIG. 32 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the second grinder 5B. Fig. 33 is a flowchart showing the calibration routine performed in the initial operation. 34( a ) to ( i ) are diagrams showing the state of calibration step by step. Fig. 35(a), (b) are diagrams showing the second grinder 5B during the grinding process. Fig. 36(a) shows the dial dial 695 for manual setting and the knob dial 696 for fine adjustment together with the second motor 503a, and Fig. 36(b) shows the removal of the dial for manual setting The dial 695 and the second motor 503a are diagrams showing the rotating shaft 6961 connecting the dial 697 and the dial 696 for fine adjustment. Fig. 37 is a flow chart showing the control processing of the processing unit 11a during the polishing processing. FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing control processing executed by the processing unit 11a when polishing processing is performed according to order information. 39(A) to (C) are diagrams showing an example of data stored in the server 16. Fig. 40 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen of order information. Fig. 41 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen in a state where order information has been input. Fig. 42 is a diagram showing the state when order information is input. 43(A) and (B) are diagrams showing the situation when the order information is changed. 44(A) to (D) are diagrams showing an example of control parameters of the second grinder 5B for orders. 45(A) and (B) are diagrams showing an example of display during execution of polishing process. Fig. 46(a) is a diagram showing an example of a filter handle (Portafilter) used when making espresso beverages, and Fig. 46(b) is a diagram showing that the powder bowl PFb held by the holding part PFr is held close to the coffee beans by holding the handle PFh to grind the coffee beans The figure of the situation of the chute GM31 of the machine, Fig. 46 (c) is a schematic representation that the coffee grains that will be ground into the powder bowl PFb by utilizing the grinding method that changes the state from the finely ground state to the coarsely ground state, implement cloth A diagram of the situation of leveling and tamping. Fig. 47(a) is a perspective view showing the rotary blade 58a constituting the first grinder 5A alone, and Fig. 47(b) is a diagram showing a modified example of the crushing device 5 shown in Fig. 25 and the like.

Claims (5)

A coffee machine characterized by having a grinder for grinding coffee beans, and The above-mentioned grinding machine includes a grinding part that can perform a specific rotating motion, The above-mentioned coffee machine includes a judging device for judging whether or not the grinding unit is in a normal state where normal rotation is possible. The coffee machine according to claim 1, which is equipped with a control device for controlling the above-mentioned grinder, When the judging means judges that the grinding part is not in the normal state, the control means may cause the grinding part to rotate in a direction opposite to the specified rotating motion. The coffee machine according to claim 1 or 2, which is equipped with a drive unit for driving the grinding unit, The judging means judges whether the grinding part is in the normal state based on whether the current flowing through the driving part exceeds a specific value. The coffee machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is provided with a notification device, and when the judgment device judges that the grinding unit is not in the normal state, the notification device notifies the meaning of the abnormal state. The coffee machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, which is provided with a memory device capable of memorizing the meaning of the abnormal state when the judging device judges that the grinding part is not in the normal state.

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