WO2022091374A1

WO2022091374A1 - Coffee beverage production device

Info

Publication number: WO2022091374A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/040925
Authority: WO
Inventors: 剛平太田; 篤岡山
Original assignee: バルミューダ株式会社
Priority date: 2020-10-30
Filing date: 2020-10-30
Publication date: 2022-05-05

Abstract

This coffee beverage production device (10) has a main flow path (22) that extends to a dripper (26) in which a coffee raw material is set, and a bypass flow path (24) that extends to a server (28) which stores a coffee beverage extracted with the dripper (26). During a set state in which the server (28) has been set in the device body, the position of a server side opening (24a) in the bypass flow path (24) is a position facing a spout (28b) that is the only opening of the server (28) during the set state. Steam is discharged from the server side opening (24a) to the spout (28b).

Description

Coffee beverage making equipment

The present invention relates to a coffee beverage producing apparatus, and more particularly to a coffee beverage producing apparatus that stores the extracted coffee beverage in a reservoir.

Conventionally, coffee beverage manufacturing equipment is known.

For example, Patent Document 1 includes a hot water supply port for supplying hot water to a dripper and a hot water supply port for directly supplying hot water to a coffee cup without going through the dripper, and the hot water is supplied to the dripper to reduce the drip amount to 30 to 70% for one cup. A drip-type electric coffee maker that stops supplying hot water to a dripper and controls the addition of the remaining 70 to 30% of hot water directly to a coffee cup is disclosed.

Further, in Patent Document 2, coffee that supplies hot water from a water container to a filter case (dripper) in which coffee powder is set by detecting water vapor generated by heating the water stored in the water container. Beverage extractors are disclosed. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses that the cup is heated by discharging the steam to the cup for storing the coffee beverage.

Japanese Patent No. 6376369 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-41620

By the way, in a coffee beverage manufacturing device in which the extracted coffee beverage is stored in a reservoir (for example, a server or a coffee cup), there is a problem that the temperature of the coffee beverage stored in the reservoir is not sufficiently high and becomes slimy. be.

Conventionally, a coffee beverage manufacturing device equipped with a heat insulating heater for heating a reservoir has also been proposed. However, since the main purpose of the heat insulating heater is to keep the temperature of the coffee beverage stored in the reservoir at a high temperature, such a heat insulating heater keeps heating the reservoir, that is, the coffee beverage for a long time. Is common. As a result, the coffee component of the coffee beverage is volatilized, which may cause a problem that the taste of the coffee beverage is deteriorated. In addition, it can be pointed out that the number of parts of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus increases by providing the heat insulating heater.

Further, as in Patent Document 2, for example, it is conceivable to heat the reservoir by discharging water vapor to the reservoir. However, if the reservoir has another opening in addition to the opening into which water vapor is injected, the water vapor injected from the opening will escape from the other opening, and the reservoir will be efficient. There is a problem that it cannot be heated. For example, in Patent Document 2, in addition to the water vapor inlet, there is another opening that communicates with the spout of the reservoir and the filter case, and the steam injected into the reservoir has such other openings. It is thought that it will come out of the opening.

An object of the present invention is to efficiently suppress a decrease in temperature of a coffee beverage stored in a storage device while suppressing deterioration of the taste of the coffee beverage in the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus.

The present invention is a coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus including an apparatus main body for extracting coffee beverages and a reservoir which is a container for storing the coffee beverages, and the reservoir is set in the apparatus main body. A first flow path in which a reservoir opening, which is the only opening in the set state, is provided, the main body of the device extends to an extraction section in which the coffee raw material is set, and hot water for extracting the coffee beverage is circulated. A second flow path that extends to the reservoir and allows steam to flow through, and a second flow path in which the steam discharge port, which is the opening end thereof, faces the reservoir opening in the set state. The coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus is provided with a steam control unit for discharging the steam from the steam discharge port toward the reservoir opening.

It is preferable that the steam discharge port opens downward in the vertical direction, and the steam is discharged downward in the vertical direction.

The steam control unit discharges the steam from the steam discharge port toward the reservoir opening, and prior to the extraction step in which the hot water is discharged to the extraction unit and the coffee beverage is extracted. Good to do.

The steam control unit may execute the steam discharge from the steam discharge port toward the reservoir opening prior to the steaming step of steaming the coffee raw material set in the extraction unit.

The apparatus main body is provided in the middle of the upstream side flow path through which water flows, a water supply unit that sends water to the upstream side flow path, a water supply control unit that controls the water supply unit, and the upstream side flow path. A heating unit that heats the water sent by the water supply unit to make the hot water or the steam, a temperature control unit that controls the heating unit, and an outflow destination of the hot water or the steam from the upstream flow path. The steam control unit includes the water supply control unit, the temperature control unit, and the flow path selection unit. Then, the flow path selection unit selects the second flow path, the water supply control unit sends the water to the upstream flow path, and the temperature control unit heats the water into the steam. By controlling the unit, the steam may be discharged from the steam discharge port toward the reservoir opening.

The main body of the apparatus further includes a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the hot water, and the temperature control unit heats the heating unit so that the hot water reaches a target temperature based on the detection temperature of the temperature detection unit. It is preferable that the target temperature in the rear side period, which is the period of the extraction step following the front side period, is lower than the target temperature in the front side period of the extraction step.

Within the anterior period, the target temperature is maintained at the first temperature for a certain period, and within the posterior period, the target temperature becomes a second temperature, which is a temperature lower than the first temperature for a certain period. It should be maintained.

The reservoir opening may be the spout of the reservoir.

It is preferable that the reservoir is formed of a double structure of an inner bottle and an outer bottle, and has a vacuum layer between the inner bottle and the outer bottle.

The apparatus main body may further include a posture regulating mechanism that regulates the posture of the reservoir with respect to the apparatus main body so that the reservoir opening faces the steam discharge port in the set state.

According to the present invention, in the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus, it is possible to efficiently suppress the decrease in temperature while suppressing the deterioration of the taste of the coffee beverage stored in the reservoir.

It is a functional block diagram of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic external view of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the posture regulation mechanism and a server before setting a server in the apparatus main body. It is a top view which shows the posture regulation mechanism and a server before setting a server in the apparatus main body. It is a figure which shows the server whose posture is regulated by the posture regulation mechanism in the set state which set the server in the apparatus main body. It is sectional drawing which shows the vicinity of the upper part of a server in a set state. It is a graph which shows the time change of a target temperature, a hot water temperature, a heater control signal, a pump control signal, and a selection flow path in each process included in a coffee manufacturing process. It is a figure which shows the example of the coffee cup as a storage part. It is a figure which shows the modification of the water supply part and the water supply control part.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The coffee beverage manufacturing device 10 is a drip-type device for extracting coffee beverages. In the coffee beverage producing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the user can operate the coffee beverage producing apparatus 10 by performing only the minimum operation for selecting the operation mode, the number of cups, and the like. As such, the actual extraction operation is automatically performed according to the coffee beverage production program stored in the device. Further, the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 may be a small one installed in a home, a workplace, or the like, or a large one installed in a coffee shop or the like.

The water tank 12 is a tank for storing water, for example, made of resin or the like. The water tank 12 stores water supplied by the user.

The pump 14 as a water feeding unit is, for example, an electric pump such as a rotary pump that pumps water by rotation of a motor or a vibration pump driven by electromagnetic force. In this embodiment, a rotary pump is used as the pump 14. The pump 14 is controlled by a pump control unit 40, which will be described later, and pumps the water stored in the water tank 12 to the upstream flow path 16.

The upstream side flow path 16 is a flow path of water, hot water, or steam extending from the pump 14 to the solenoid valve 20 described later.

The heater 18 as a heating unit is provided in the middle of the upstream flow path 16 and heats the water pumped by the pump 14 (not all the water stored in the water tank 12) into hot water or steam. Is. In the present specification, regardless of the temperature, the liquid before heating by the heater 18 is referred to as water, and the liquid heated by the heater 18 is referred to as hot water. Further, water that is heated by the heater 18 to become a gas is called steam. The heater 18 operates under the control of the temperature control unit 42, which will be described later.

The solenoid valve 20 includes, for example, a solenoid portion having a coil and a valve portion. The valve portion is driven by the current flowing through the coil, so that the flow path of the hot water or steam flowing through the upstream side flow path 16 after the solenoid valve 20 (in other words, the hot water or steam from the upstream side flow path 16). Outflow destination) can be switched. The solenoid valve 20 operates under the control of the flow path selection unit 44, which will be described later.

In the present embodiment, the solenoid valve 20 allows the inflow of hot water or steam from the upstream side flow path 16 to the main flow path 22, and the inflow of hot water or steam from the upstream side flow path 16 to the bypass flow path 24. The main flow path selection state is prohibited, the inflow of hot water or steam from the upstream side flow path 16 to the main flow path 22 is prohibited, and the inflow of hot water or steam from the upstream side flow path 16 to the bypass flow path 24 is allowed. It is possible to take either a bypass flow path selection state or a bypass flow path selection state. Needless to say, when the solenoid valve 20 is in the main flow path selection state, hot water or steam from the upstream side flow path 16 flows into the main flow path 22 and does not flow into the bypass flow path 24. When the solenoid valve 20 is in the bypass flow path selection state, hot water or steam from the upstream side flow path 16 does not flow into the main flow path 22 but flows into the bypass flow path 24.

In addition to taking the above-mentioned state, the solenoid valve 20 takes a state of selecting both flow paths that allows the inflow of hot water or steam from the upstream side flow path 16 to both the main flow path 22 and the bypass flow path 24. May be possible. In such a state of selecting both flow paths, it is desirable to be able to adjust the amount of hot water or steam flowing to the main flow path 22 and the amount of hot water or steam flowing through the bypass flow path 24. Further, the solenoid valve 20 may be capable of taking a flow path non-selection state that prohibits the inflow of hot water or steam from the upstream side flow path 16 to both the main flow path 22 and the bypass flow path 24.

The main flow path 22 as the first flow path is a flow path through which hot water or steam flows, which extends from the solenoid valve 20 to the dripper 26 as the extraction unit. In particular, hot water discharged to the dripper 26 for extracting coffee beverages circulates in the main flow path 22. The opening on the dripper 26 side of the main flow path 22 opens downward in the vertical direction and is located above the dripper 26. As a result, the hot water flowing through the upstream side flow path 16 and the main flow path 22 is discharged to the dripper 26 from the opening.

The bypass flow path 24 as the second flow path is a flow path through which hot water or steam flows, which extends from the solenoid valve 20 to the server 28. As will be described in detail later, in the present embodiment, the server-side opening 24a, which is the opening end of the bypass flow path 24 on the server 28 side, opens downward in the vertical direction, and the server-side opening 24a is mounted on the server stand 30. It is located above the installed server 28. As a result, the hot water or steam flowing through the upstream side flow path 16 and the bypass flow path 24 is discharged vertically downward toward the server 28 from the server side opening 24a. When hot water is discharged from the bypass flow path 24 to the server 28, the hot water is discharged to the server 28 without passing through the dripper 26.

The dripper 26 has a funnel-shaped shape with a large opening at the top and a small opening at the bottom. A filter such as a paper filter or a flannel filter is set in the dripper 26 by the user. The upper part of the filter is open according to the shape of the dripper 26. Further, a coffee raw material such as coffee powder is set by the user from the opening at the top of the filter. When hot water is discharged from the main flow path 22 with the filter and the coffee raw material set in the dripper 26, the hot water is poured into the coffee raw material and the coffee beverage is extracted. The extracted coffee beverage is dropped onto the server 28 from the lower opening 26a of the dripper 26.

The server 28 as a reservoir is a container for storing coffee beverages extracted by the dripper 26. The server 28 is detachably mounted on the server stand 30. With the server 28 mounted on the server stand 30, the server 28 is located directly below the lower opening 26a of the dripper 26. As a result, the coffee beverage extracted by the dripper 26 and dropped from the lower opening 26a is stored inside the server 28. Further, as will be described in detail later, in a state where the server 28 is mounted on the server base 30, the server 28 is located directly under the server-side opening 24a of the bypass flow path 24. As a result, the hot water or steam discharged from the server-side opening 24a is discharged toward the server 28.

The server 28 in this embodiment is a so-called thermos bottle. That is, at least the side surface and the bottom surface of the server 28 are formed by a double structure of an inner bottle and an outer bottle, and the server 28 has a vacuum layer between the inner bottle and the outer bottle. As a result, the server 28 can keep the coffee beverage warm for a long time. On the other hand, even if heat is applied to the server 28 from the outside, the coffee beverage stored in the server 28 cannot be effectively heated. Therefore, the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment does not have a heat insulating heater for keeping the server 28 warm.

The storage unit 32 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 32 stores a coffee beverage manufacturing program for operating the controller 38 described later. The coffee beverage production program may be made updatable via a communication line or a storage medium.

The input unit 34 includes, for example, a button, a touch panel, and the like. The input unit 34 is used to input the user's instruction to the coffee beverage manufacturing device 10. The input unit 34 may be operably provided on the surface of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10, or may be operated remotely by a remote controller or the like. In particular, the user uses the input unit 34 to instruct the operation mode of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10, the number of cups, and the start of the coffee manufacturing process.

The temperature sensor 36 as a temperature detection unit includes, for example, a thermistor. The temperature sensor 36 is provided to directly or indirectly detect the temperature of hot water or steam. In the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 36 detects the temperature of hot water or steam flowing through the upstream flow path 16. Specifically, the temperature sensor 36 detects the temperature of hot water or steam immediately after being heated by the heater 18.

The controller 38 includes, for example, a microcomputer and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 38 exerts functions as a pump control unit 40, a temperature control unit 42, and a flow path selection unit 44 by a coffee beverage manufacturing program stored in the storage unit 32. The pump control unit 40, the temperature control unit 42, and the flow path selection unit 44 exert a function as a steam control unit 46 that discharges steam from the server-side opening 24a of the bypass flow path 24 toward the spout 28b of the server 28. .. Further, the controller 38 also exhibits a function as an operation mode selection unit 48 by the coffee beverage production program.

The pump control unit 40 as a water supply control unit controls the rotation speed of the motor of the pump 14 to control the pumping of water from the water tank 12 to the upstream flow path 16. Specifically, the pump control unit 40 controls the amount of water pumped from the water tank 12 to the upstream flow path 16. As the rotation speed of the motor of the pump 14 increases, a larger amount of water is pumped from the water tank 12 to the upstream flow path 16.

The temperature control unit 42 controls the heater 18 to control the temperature of hot water or steam. Specifically, the temperature control unit 42 controls the heater 18 so that the temperature of hot water or steam becomes an individual target temperature set by the coffee beverage production program based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 36. In the present embodiment, the operation of the temperature control unit 42 will be described assuming that the heater 18 can take only one of the states of ON (heating water) or OFF (not heating water). The temperature control unit 42 controls the temperature of the hot water or steam to be the individual target temperature by adjusting the time when the heater 18 is ON (the time when the heater 18 is OFF). Of course, the control method of the heater 18 of the temperature control unit 42 in the present embodiment is an example, and various temperature control methods are used depending on the type of the heater 18 and the like as long as the temperature of hot water or steam is controlled to be the target temperature. Can be adopted. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 36 detects the temperature of hot water or steam flowing through the upstream flow path 16, and the detected temperature does not strictly match the temperature inside the dripper 26. Therefore, each target temperature is set in consideration of a predetermined external environment (temperature, atmospheric pressure, etc.) so that the dripper 26 reaches the target temperature.

The flow path selection unit 44 selects the outflow destination of hot water or steam from the upstream side flow path 16 among the main flow path 22 and the bypass flow path 24. In the present embodiment, the flow path selection unit 44 switches the state of the solenoid valve 20 between the main flow path selection state and the bypass flow path selection state, so that the main flow path 22 and the bypass flow flow as a flow path through which hot water or steam flows. Select one of the roads 24. In addition to the above-mentioned two selection states, when the solenoid valve 20 can take both flow path selection states, or as will be described later, the selection of the main flow path 22 and the bypass flow path 24 is the solenoid valve. In the case where selection is possible regardless of 20, the flow path selection unit 44 can select both the main flow path 22 and the bypass flow path 24 as the flow path through which hot water or steam flows. In this case, it is desirable that the flow path selection unit 44 can adjust the amount of hot water or steam flowing to the main flow path 22 and the amount of hot water or steam flowing through the bypass flow path 24. Further, the flow path selection unit 44 can select both flow path non-selection states in which neither the main flow path 22 nor the bypass flow path 24 is selected as the flow path through which hot water or steam flows.

Steam is discharged from the server-side opening 24a of the bypass flow path 24 to the server 28 by the control by the steam control unit 46 including the pump control unit 40, the temperature control unit 42, and the flow path selection unit 44. .. Specifically, the flow path selection unit 44 sets the state of the solenoid valve 20 to the bypass flow path selection state or both flow path selection states, that is, the bypass flow path 24 is used as the outflow destination of water vapor from the upstream side flow path 16. Select, the pump control unit 40 pumps water to the upstream side flow path 16, and the temperature control unit 42 controls the heater 18 so as to turn the water into steam, so that the server 28 is opened from the server side opening 24a. Water vapor is discharged toward. Here, the amount of water pumped by the pump control unit 40 may be appropriately determined according to the amount of steam to be discharged. For example, in a coffee beverage production program, the amount of water to be pumped may be predetermined.

The operation mode selection unit 48 selects the operation mode of the coffee beverage production device 10 from a plurality of operation modes predetermined by the coffee beverage production program. The type of coffee beverage to be extracted is changed according to the operation mode. In the present embodiment, three modes are prepared in advance: a normal mode for extracting a coffee beverage having a normal concentration, an American mode for extracting a coffee beverage thinner than the normal mode, and an ice coffee mode for extracting a coffee beverage for iced coffee. The operation mode selection unit 48 selects an operation mode from these according to an instruction from the user prior to the coffee manufacturing process. Of course, the operation mode is not limited to this, and other operation modes may be prepared.

Each functional block of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 is as described above. In the present specification, among the above-mentioned parts of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10, the portion including the parts other than the server 28 (including the dripper 26) is referred to as an apparatus main body. Therefore, the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 includes the apparatus main body and the server 28.

Next, the mechanical structure of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 in a set state in which the server 28 is set in the main body of the apparatus (that is, the server 28 is arranged at a predetermined position of the server stand 30). In FIG. 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are attached to the parts described above. Further, in FIGS. 2 to 6, the depth direction of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 is the X-axis (the back side is the positive side of the X-axis), the left-right direction is the Y-axis, and the height direction is the Z-axis.

The device body of the coffee beverage manufacturing device 10 is provided with a posture regulating mechanism 60 that regulates the posture of the server 28 in the set state. The posture of the server 28 is a concept that means the position of the server 28 in the depth direction (X-axis), the position in the left-right direction (Y-axis), and the direction with respect to the apparatus main body.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the posture regulating mechanism 60 and the server 28 before the server 28 is set in the apparatus main body. Further, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the posture regulating mechanism 60 and the server 28 before the server 28 is set in the main body of the apparatus. In the following description of the server 28, each direction means each direction when the direction of the server 28 is the direction in the set state.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the server 28 has two openings, a coffee inlet 28a and a spout 28b, which are open upward. The coffee inlet 28a is provided at substantially the center of the server 28 (protruding portion 28d described later) in a plan view. The spout 28b is provided at the inner end of the upper surface 28c of the server 28. The coffee beverage extracted by the dripper 26 is stored in the server 28 through the coffee inlet 28a. Further, the coffee beverage stored in the server 28 is poured into a cup or the like through the spout 28b.

The server 28 is provided with a protruding portion 28d protruding upward from the upper surface 28c. As shown in FIG. 4, the protruding portion 28d has a shape extending in the depth direction. In particular, the protruding portion 28d has an arc shape at the back end and the front end, and has a so-called oval shape in a plan view.

The posture control mechanism 60 is configured to include a block-shaped base 62 attached to the side surface of the device housing. The base portion 62 has a recess 64 opened toward the front side in the central portion in the left-right direction. The recess 64 connects a pair of side walls 64a extending in the depth direction and the vertical direction (that is, parallel to the XZ plane) and separated in the left-right direction and the innermost ends of the pair of side walls 64a to form the innermost part of the recess 64. It is configured to include the specified back wall 64b. The width of the recess 64 (length in the left-right direction), in other words, the distance between the pair of side walls 64a is substantially the same as the width of the protrusion 28d of the server 28 (length in the left-right direction). Further, the back wall 64b of the recess 64 has a shape corresponding to the back end of the protruding portion 28d of the server 28. In the present embodiment, as described above, since the back end of the protrusion 28d has an arc shape in a plan view, the back wall 64b of the recess 64 also has an arc shape in a plan view. ..

When the server 28 moves to the back side, the protruding portion 28d of the server 28 is inserted into the recess 64. The state in which the protruding portion 28d is inserted to the innermost part of the recess 64 and the inner end of the protruding portion 28d is in contact with the back wall 64b of the recess 64 is a set state in which the server 28 is set in the apparatus main body.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the posture control mechanism 60 and the server 28 in the set state. In the set state, the back end of the protrusion 28d abuts on the back wall 64b of the recess 64, whereby the position of the server 28 in the depth direction is determined. Further, in the set state, the side wall 64a of the recess 64 and the side wall of the protrusion 28d come into contact with each other, so that the protrusion 28d is restricted from moving in the left-right direction, and the position of the server 28 in the left-right direction is determined. To. Further, as described above, the protrusion 28d has a shape extending in the depth direction, and the width of the recess 64 is substantially the same as the width of the protrusion 28d, so that the orientation of the server 28 is oriented. The protrusion 28d does not enter the recess 64 unless the spout 28b is oriented toward the back side. In the direction in which the spout 28b is on the front side (the handle of the server 28 is on the back side), the handle of the server 28 hits the side surface of the device housing, and the protruding portion 28d enters the innermost part of the recess 64. not. In this way, the server 28 cannot be set in the device main body unless the direction of the server 28 is correct (that is, the direction in which the spout 28b is on the back side). It can be said that the orientation is determined.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the upper part of the server 28 in the set state. As shown in FIG. 6, in the set state, the position of the server-side opening 24a as the steam discharge port of the bypass flow path 24 is the position facing the spout 28b as the reservoir opening of the server 28. In the present embodiment, since the server-side opening 24a opens downward in the vertical direction, the server-side opening 24a is located directly above the spout 28b. As a result, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6, the water vapor discharged from the server-side opening 24a is injected into the server 28 through the spout 28b.

As described above, the server 28 has a coffee inlet 28a as an opening in addition to the spout 28b. However, as shown in FIG. 6, in the set state, the lower part of the dripper 26 and the upper part of the server 28 are in close contact with each other, and the coffee inlet 28a is closed by the edge of the lower opening 26a of the dripper 26. Further, in the set state, the coffee inlet 28a and the lower opening 26a communicate with each other, but a filter in which coffee powder is set exists further above the lower opening 26a, and the coffee inlet 28a is provided by the filter. (And the lower opening 26a communicating with it) is blocked. Therefore, in the set state, the coffee inlet 28a is no longer the opening of the server 28, that is, the spout 28b is the only opening of the server 28.

The server 28 is warmed by discharging water vapor from the server-side opening 24a of the bypass flow path 24 toward the spout 28b. In particular, the water vapor discharged from the server-side opening 24a is injected into the server 28 from the spout 28b, which is the only opening of the server 28 in the set state. As a result, the water vapor injected into the server 28 does not escape from the other openings. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the server 28 can be efficiently heated by steam.

In the present embodiment, in consideration of user safety, the server-side opening 24a of the bypass flow path 24 opens downward in the vertical direction, and water vapor is discharged downward in the vertical direction. However, from the viewpoint of warming the server 28, as long as the server-side opening 24a of the bypass flow path 24 corresponds to the server opening (spout 28b in the present embodiment) which is the only opening of the server 28. , It does not necessarily have to open downward in the vertical direction.

The outline of the configuration of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 is as described above. Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 7, the flow of the coffee manufacturing process in the coffee beverage manufacturing device 10 and the details of the processing of each part of the coffee beverage manufacturing device 10 will be described.

FIG. 7 shows, taking the case of two cups extraction in the normal mode as an example, the target temperature, the hot water temperature which is the detection temperature of the temperature sensor 36, and the temperature control unit 42 in each process included in the coffee manufacturing process are transmitted to the heater 18. It is a graph which shows the time change of the heater control signal, the pump control signal transmitted from the pump control unit 40 to the pump 14, and the selection flow path selected by the flow path selection unit 44. The horizontal axis of each graph included in FIG. 7 represents time, and the vertical axis represents each value. The control timing and control amount of each control unit are stored in the storage unit 32 as parameters in advance so that the optimum control is performed according to the operation mode and the number of cups to be extracted, and the operation mode and the number of cups are stored by the coffee beverage manufacturing program. It is set as appropriate according to the above.

The target temperature at each timing in each process shown in FIG. 7 is preset in the coffee manufacturing processing program. The heater control signal output by the temperature control unit 42 is determined based on the detection temperature (that is, the hot water temperature) of the temperature sensor 36 and the target temperature. Therefore, even if the target temperature is the same, the graph of the heater control signal may change according to the hot water temperature that may fluctuate depending on the outside air temperature or the like. Further, the pump control signal and the selected flow path in each process shown in FIG. 7 are also preset in the coffee manufacturing processing program.

As shown in FIG. 7, the coffee production process includes a heater preheating step, a steam discharge step, a main flow path preheating step, a steaming step, an extraction step, a bypass flow path preheating step, a hot water step, and a hot water blowing step. .. In the present embodiment, each step is sequentially executed in the above order according to the operation of the coffee manufacturing processing program. The user fills the water tank 12 with water, sets the filter and coffee raw materials in the dripper 26, sets the server 28 in the main body of the apparatus, inputs the extraction conditions such as the operation mode from the input unit 34, and starts the coffee manufacturing process. Enter the instructions to do. As a result, the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 automatically (that is, does not require user operation) and sequentially executes each of the above-mentioned steps from the heater preheating step.

The heater preheating step is a step of preheating the heater 18. In the heater preheating step, the temperature control unit 42 controls the heater 18 to maintain the “ON” state for a predetermined time. As a result, the heater 18 is preheated. Since it is not necessary to pump water in the heater preheating step, the pump control unit 40 controls the rotation amount of the pump 14 to “0”. It is conceivable that the heater 18 is preheated so that the water remaining in the upstream flow path 16 becomes hot water and moves to the downstream side. In order to prevent the hot water from being discharged from the main flow path 22 to the dripper 26 and unnecessary hot water from being applied to the coffee raw material set in the dripper 26, the flow path selection unit 44 controls the solenoid valve 20. The inflow of hot water into the main flow path 22 is prohibited. In the present embodiment, the flow path selection unit 44 controls the solenoid valve 20 to take the bypass flow path selection state. As a result, the water (hot water) remaining in the upstream flow path 16 is discharged to the server 28. If it is not desired to discharge the water (hot water) remaining in the upstream flow path 16 to the server 28, the flow path selection unit 44 controls the solenoid valve 20 so as to take the flow path non-selection state. You may do it.

The steam discharge step is a step of discharging steam from the server-side opening 24a of the bypass flow path 24 toward the spout 28b of the server 28 under the control of the steam control unit 46. In the graph of FIG. 7, the hot water temperature in the steam discharge process is "100 ° C.", but some of the hot water is steam.

In the steam discharge process, the temperature control unit 42 controls the heater 18 so that the water pumped by the pump 14 becomes steam. In the present embodiment, the heater 18 can be sufficiently heated to turn water into steam by the preheating by the heater preheating step. Therefore, the heater 18 is once controlled in the main steam discharge step. Is "OFF". If the heating amount of the heater 18 for converting water into steam is insufficient after the heater preheating step, the temperature control unit 42 maintains the "ON" state of the heater 18 even in the steam discharge step. To.

In the steam discharge process, the flow path selection unit 44 selects the bypass flow path 24 in order to allow water vapor to flow into the bypass flow path 24. In the present embodiment, the flow path selection unit 44 controls the solenoid valve 20 to take the bypass flow path selection state. As a result, the water vapor from the upstream side flow path 16 flows into the bypass flow path 24 and does not flow into the main flow path 22. As another embodiment, the flow path selection unit 44 may be controlled to select both the main flow path 22 and the bypass flow path 24 at this time. By doing so, in the steam discharge process, steam can be discharged to the server 28 and the main flow path 22 can be preheated in the same manner as in the main flow path preheating step described later. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in the main flow path preheating step, in order to allow water vapor to flow into the bypass flow path 24, the pump 14 is controlled to rotate at a low rotation speed, and an appropriate amount of water vapor for warming the server 28 is supplied. The water to be obtained is pumped to the upstream flow path 16.

The server 28 is warmed by the steam discharge process. In this embodiment, the steam discharge step is performed prior to the steaming step and the extraction step.

The main flow path preheating step is a step of preheating the main flow path 22 prior to the subsequent steaming step or extraction step. In the present embodiment, in the main flow path preheating step, a very small amount of water pumped by the pump 14 is converted into steam by the heater 18, and the steam is circulated through the main flow path 22 to preheat the main flow path 22. It is possible to preheat the main flow path 22 by flowing hot water into the main flow path 22, but if this is done, the hot water is discharged to the dripper 26 and unnecessary hot water is discharged to the dripper 26 in the main flow path preheating step. obtain. In the present embodiment, by preheating the main flow path 22 with steam, it is possible to prevent unnecessary hot water from being discharged to the dripper 26.

In the main flow path preheating step, the temperature control unit 42 controls the heater 18 so that the water pumped by the pump 14 becomes steam. In the graph showing the hot water temperature in FIG. 7, the hot water temperature in the main flow path preheating step is "100 ° C.", but some of the hot water is steam. In the present embodiment, following the steam discharge step, the heater 18 can apply enough heat to turn water into steam by preheating by the heater preheating step. Therefore, in the main flow path preheating step. The control of the heater 18 is continuously set to "OFF". If the heating amount of the heater 18 for converting water into steam is insufficient after the steam discharge step, the temperature control unit 42 sets the control of the heater 18 to "ON" in the main flow path preheating step. You may do so.

In the main flow path preheating step, the flow path selection unit 44 selects the main flow path 22 in order to allow water vapor to flow into the main flow path 22. In the present embodiment, the flow path selection unit 44 controls the solenoid valve 20 to take the main flow path selection state. As a result, the water vapor from the upstream side flow path 16 flows into the main flow path 22 and does not flow into the bypass flow path 24. As another embodiment, the flow path selection unit 44 may be controlled to select both the main flow path 22 and the bypass flow path 24 at this time. By doing so, steam can be continuously discharged toward the server 28 even in the main flow path preheating step. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in the main flow path preheating step, in order to allow water vapor to flow into the main flow path 22, the pump 14 is controlled to rotate at a low rotation speed, and an amount sufficient to preheat the main flow path 22. Water for obtaining steam is pumped to the upstream flow path 16.

The steaming step is a step of steaming the coffee raw material set in the dripper 26 by pouring a predetermined amount of hot water into the coffee raw material set in the dripper 26 and taking a certain waiting time before moving to the extraction step.

In the steaming step, the temperature control unit 42 controls the heater 18 so that the temperature of the hot water becomes a temperature suitable for steaming. In the present embodiment, the target temperature of the temperature control unit 42 in the steaming step is slightly lower than the target temperature (target temperature TTa in FIG. 7) in the pre-extraction period, which is the pre-period of the subsequent extraction step. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the target temperature in the steaming step is set to the temperature in the first half of 90 ° C.

In the steaming step, the pump control unit 40 selects the main flow path 22 by the flow path selection unit 44, and then discharges a predetermined amount of hot water required for steaming from the main flow path 22 to the dripper 26 in a predetermined time. The rotation speed of the pump 14 is controlled. After that, the pump control unit 40 sets the rotation amount of the pump 14 to "0" and stops the discharge of hot water from the pump 14. In this state, wait for several tens of seconds (for example, 20 to 60 seconds) to steam the coffee raw material. During that time, the temperature of the hot water in the upstream flow path 16 is maintained by the residual heat. In order to improve the taste of the coffee beverage, it is desirable that the steaming time is not too short and not too long.

The extraction step is a step of extracting a coffee beverage by discharging hot water to the coffee raw material for a predetermined time. In the present embodiment, hot water is intermittently discharged to the coffee raw material in the extraction step. In the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10, the extraction step is divided into a plurality of periods. In the present embodiment, the extraction step is divided into three periods: an early extraction period, which is an anterior period, and an intermediate extraction period and a late extraction period, which are posterior periods following the anterior period. The extraction step may be composed of two periods, or may be composed of four or more periods.

In the present embodiment, in the extraction step, the target temperature of the temperature control unit 42 becomes lower as time passes from the start of extraction. That is, the temperature control unit 42 controls the heater 18 so that the temperature of the hot water becomes lower as time passes from the start of extraction. Therefore, ON / OFF of the heater 18 is controlled even in the process of lowering the temperature. As shown in FIG. 7, the target temperature TTb as the second temperature in the middle stage of extraction and the target temperature TTc in the latter stage of extraction are lower than the target temperature TTa as the first temperature in the first stage of extraction. .. Further, the target temperature TTc in the latter stage of extraction is lower than the target temperature TTb in the middle stage of extraction. In particular, in the early stage of extraction, the target temperature is maintained at the target temperature TTa for a certain period, in the middle stage of extraction, the target temperature is maintained at the target temperature TTb, and in the latter stage of extraction, the target temperature is targeted for a certain period. The temperature is maintained at TTc. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the target temperature TTa in the first half of extraction is about 95 ° C, the target temperature TTb in the middle of extraction is about 90 ° C, and the target temperature TTc in the second half of extraction is about 80 ° C. It has become.

In addition, where the target temperature can fluctuate within each period of the extraction process, the target temperature in the middle stage of extraction is lower than the target temperature in the first stage of extraction. Does not have to be low. That is, the target temperature may be set so that the temperature of the hot water in the middle stage of extraction is substantially lower than the temperature of the hot water in the middle stage of extraction. For example, when the target temperature in the first half of extraction is TTa, even if the target temperature is higher than TTa in a short period of time during the middle extraction period, the target temperature is lower than TTa in other periods in the middle period of extraction, which is substantially the same. If the temperature of the hot water in the middle stage of extraction is lower than the temperature of the hot water in the first stage of extraction, it can be said that the target temperature TTb in the middle stage of extraction is lower than the target temperature TTa in the first stage of extraction. This also applies to the relationship between other periods (or the hot water step described later).

Further, the target temperature of each period (or the hot water step) may be defined as the target temperature within the period or the hot water process, or the time average value of the hot water temperature reflecting this. In that case, for example, the time average value of the target temperature or the hot water temperature in the middle stage of extraction is compared with the time average value of the target temperature or the hot water temperature in the early stage of extraction. Another definition can be seen from the viewpoint of the amount of extraction in the early stage of extraction and the amount of extraction in the middle stage of extraction. The time average value of each target temperature or hot water temperature in the extraction amount in the first half of extraction is compared with the time average value of individual target temperature or hot water temperature in the extraction amount in the middle stage of extraction.

In the extraction step, the flow path selection unit 44 selects the main flow path 22, and then the pump control unit 40 rotates the pump 14, so that hot water is discharged to the dripper 26. In the present embodiment, in order to finely control the temperature and the amount of hot water, the pump control unit 40 intermittently rotates the pump 14 (that is, the pump 14 is repeatedly rotated and stopped), and the dripper 26 is intermittently hot water. Is ejected. In the example of FIG. 7, the flow path selection unit 44 selects the main flow path 22 while the pump 14 is rotating, and the bypass flow path while the pump 14 is not rotating. Although 24 is selected, it is also possible to adopt a simple control method in which the flow path selection unit 44 controls to select the main flow path 22 throughout the extraction process.

As described above, in the extraction step, hot water is intermittently discharged to the dripper 26 in a plurality of times.

Since the basic operation in extraction is the same as in FIG. 7, detailed explanation is omitted, but the control timing and control amount of each control unit are stored in advance so that the optimum control is performed according to the operation mode and the number of cups. It is stored in 32 and is appropriately set according to the operation mode and the number of cups by the coffee beverage production program. As a result, for example, when the hot water is intermittently discharged to the dripper 26 in a plurality of times, it is possible to control the discharge amount of the hot water in each time to be different between the normal mode and the American mode.

As described above, immediately after the extraction of the coffee beverage is started, more components containing sweetness and acidity are extracted, and as time passes from the start of extraction, more components including astringency and harshness are extracted. .. Also, the higher the temperature of the hot water, the higher the concentration of the extracted coffee beverage (that is, more components are extracted from the coffee raw material), and the lower the temperature of the hot water, the lower the concentration of the extracted coffee beverage (that is, the more the components are extracted from the coffee raw material). That is, less ingredients are extracted from the coffee ingredients).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, by raising the target temperature in the pre-extraction period (early extraction period) and raising the temperature of the hot water discharged to the dripper 26, more components containing sweetness and acidity can be extracted, and moreover, the components containing sweetness and acidity can be extracted. By lowering the target temperature in the posterior period (middle and late extraction) following the anterior period and lowering the temperature of the hot water discharged to the dripper 26, it is astringent and astringent compared to constant temperature control. Extract less clear coffee beverages.

Further, in the present embodiment, the extraction first period, which is the front period, is the beginning period of the extraction process, but the front period is not necessarily the beginning period of the extraction process. In the extraction step, the anterior period may be before the posterior period (in time). However, since more components containing sweetness and acidity are extracted in the period before the extraction step, it is desirable that the pre-existing period is located on the front side in the extraction step.

The bypass flow path preheating step is a step of preheating the bypass flow path 24 prior to the subsequent hot water addition step. In the present embodiment, as in the main flow path preheating step, in the bypass flow path preheating step, the target temperature lowered for extraction is raised to a temperature suitable for preheating, and then the flow path is moved from the main flow path 22 to the bypass flow path 24. The flow path selection unit 44 controls to switch to.

In the bypass flow path preheating step, the temperature control unit 42 controls the heater 18 so that the water that is pumped by the pump 14 and remains in the upstream side flow path 16 becomes steam. The temperature control unit 42 turns the heater 18 into an “ON” state and heats the water remaining in the upstream flow path 16 until it becomes steam.

In the bypass flow path preheating step, the flow path selection unit 44 selects the bypass flow path 24 in order to allow water vapor to flow into the bypass flow path 24. In the present embodiment, the flow path selection unit 44 controls the solenoid valve 20 to take the bypass flow path selection state. As a result, the water vapor from the upstream side flow path 16 flows into the bypass flow path 24 and does not flow into the main flow path 22. By circulating the steam in the bypass flow path 24, the bypass flow path 24 is preheated. Further, in the bypass flow path preheating step, the pump control unit 40 rotates the pump 14 at a low rotation speed, and pumps water to the upstream flow path 16 to obtain a sufficient amount of steam to preheat the bypass flow path 24. do.

The hot water addition process is a process of discharging hot water from the bypass flow path 24 to the server 28.

In the present embodiment, the target temperature TTd of the temperature control unit 42 in the hot water step is higher than the target temperature in the subsequent period of the extraction step. Specifically, the target temperature TTd in the hot water step is at least higher than the target temperature TTc in the late extraction period, which is the last period of the extraction process. Preferably, the target temperature TTd in the hot water step is higher than the target temperature TTb in the middle of extraction, which is the first period in the subsequent period of the extraction step. More preferably, the target temperature TTd in the hot water step is often higher than the target temperature TTa in the first period of extraction, which is the first period of the extraction step, which is the case in the present embodiment. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the target temperature TTd in the hot water step is 100 ° C.

In the hot water addition process, after the flow path selection unit 44 selects the bypass flow path 24, the pump control unit 40 controls the pump 14 so that hot water is discharged from the bypass flow path 24 to the server 28. If the temperature of the discharged hot water drops when a large amount of hot water is discharged to the server 28 at one time in the hot water step, the pump control unit 40 pumps the water to the pump 14 with a short break. Is desirable.

As described above, in the extraction step, in order to extract a clearer coffee beverage with less astringency and harshness, the temperature control unit 42 lowers the temperature of the hot water discharged to the dripper 26 in the middle and late stages of extraction. ing. On the other hand, by taking such control, the temperature of the coffee beverage stored in the server 28 may be lower than the optimum temperature. In the present embodiment, the server table 30 is not provided with a heating means to maintain the temperature at an appropriate temperature, but the target temperature in the hot water step is set higher than at least in the latter stage of extraction, that is, in comparison with at least the latter stage of extraction. By raising the temperature of the hot water in the hot water step, the temperature of the coffee beverage stored in the server 28 is raised so as to approach an appropriate temperature.

Also, since you only need to add hot water, you can maintain the clear taste of the coffee beverage extracted in the extraction process.

The hot water removing step is a step of turning the hot water remaining in the upstream side flow path 16 and the bypass flow path 24 into steam and discharging the hot water from the server side opening 24a of the bypass flow path 24 after the hot water addition step. In the hot water removing step, the heater control signal is continuously maintained at “ON” from the hot water boiling step, and the flow path selection unit 44 selects the bypass flow path 24. In the hot water blowing process, the pump control unit 40 stops the pump 14. As a result, the hot water remaining in the upstream side flow path 16 and the bypass side flow path 24 becomes steam and is discharged from the server side opening 24a.

The coffee manufacturing process in the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 is completed by a series of steps from the heater preheating step to the hot water blowing step described above.

According to the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, in the process of coffee manufacturing processing, from the server-side opening 24a of the bypass flow path 24 to the spout 28b which is the only opening of the server 28 in the set state. Steam is discharged. As a result, the water vapor injected from the spout 28b does not escape from the other openings of the server 28, and the server 28 is efficiently heated. As a result, a decrease in the temperature of the coffee beverage stored in the server 28 is suppressed.

Further, unlike the case where the coffee beverage is kept warm by the heat retaining heater, the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 does not heat the coffee beverage stored in the server 28 for a long time. As a result, the volatilization of the coffee component from the coffee beverage is suppressed, and the deterioration of the taste of the coffee beverage stored in the server 28 is suppressed.

In particular, in the extraction step executed by the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10, the temperature of the hot water discharged to the dripper 26 in the middle stage and the late stage of extraction is lowered as compared with the first stage of extraction. As a result, a clearer coffee beverage with less astringency and harshness can be extracted, but the temperature of the coffee beverage stored in the server 28 may be lower than the optimum temperature. In a coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus having such an extraction step, it is more required to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the coffee beverage stored in the server 28, so that it is more useful to heat the server 28 with steam.

In the present embodiment, the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment executes the steam discharge step prior to the steaming step. Focusing on the target temperature or the temperature of the hot water, as shown in FIG. 7, the temperature of the steam discharge process is the highest, the temperature of the steaming process (the temperature of the hot water is about 90 ° C) is the lowest, and the extraction process ( The temperature (hot water temperature is about 95 ° C) in the first half of extraction is in the middle. Assuming that the steam discharge step is performed after the steaming step, hot water of about 90 ° C. is discharged to the dripper 26 in the steaming step, the heater 18 is heated and waits until the hot water becomes steam, and then the steam is transferred to the server 28. After that, it is necessary to wait for the heater 18 to cool down so that hot water of about 95 ° C. can be discharged to the dripper 26 in the extraction step. As mentioned above, in order to improve the taste of coffee beverages, it is desirable that the steaming time is not too short and not too long. Since there may be a waiting time, the steaming time may become longer. Therefore, the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 executes the steam discharge step prior to the steaming step in order to set the steaming time to an appropriate time.

Further, the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment executes the steam discharge step prior to the extraction step. By executing the steam discharge step prior to the extraction step, the server 28 can be preheated before the coffee beverage is injected into the server 28. The steam discharge step may be executed before and after the extraction step. For example, after executing the steam discharge step prior to the steaming step, the steam discharge step may be executed continuously (immediately before or immediately after the hot water step) in the hot water step.

Further, in this embodiment, in addition to the steam discharge process, a hot water addition process is also provided. By adding the hot water step, it is possible to further suppress the decrease in the temperature of the coffee beverage stored in the server 28 as compared with the case where the server 28 is heated only by the steam discharge step.

In the present embodiment, the hot water step is executed after the extraction step, but the hot water step may be executed before the extraction step. For example, the hot water step may be performed continuously with the steam discharge step (immediately before or immediately after the steam discharge step). Needless to say, even in that case, since the bypass flow path preheating step is executed before the hot water step, the bypass flow path preheating step is executed before the extraction step. Further, the hot water step may be executed before and after the extraction step.

Further, it is conceivable to execute the extraction step and the steam discharge step or the hot water step at the same time, and such an embodiment can be actually adopted in the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10. However, as described above, since the target temperature (hot water temperature) is different between the extraction step and the steam discharge step or the hot water step, the extraction step and the steam discharge step or the hot water step are executed at the same time. If so, at least two heaters 18 (and a temperature sensor 36) would be required. For example, it is necessary to provide heaters 18 in the main flow path 22 and the bypass flow path 24, respectively. This complicates the structure of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10, and increases the cost or size of the coffee beverage producing apparatus 10. Therefore, it is lower in the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 to execute the steam discharge step or the hot water step before or after the extraction step than to execute the extraction step and the steam discharge step or the hot water step at the same time. It is advantageous in terms of cost reduction or miniaturization.

Further, the steam discharge step may be omitted depending on the operation mode of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10. For example, when the operation mode of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 is the ice coffee mode, the steam discharge step is omitted. Similarly, the hot water step may be omitted depending on the operation mode of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10. For example, when the operation mode of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 is the ice coffee mode, the hot water step is omitted. If the hot water step is omitted, the bypass flow path preheating step is also omitted. The hot water step may be omitted regardless of the operation mode of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10.

Furthermore, in addition to the hot water heating step and the bypass flow path preheating step, the main flow path preheating step and the steaming step can be omitted, and it is possible to further provide an operation mode in which the time required for the coffee manufacturing process is shortened. Whether or not the main flow path preheating step and the steaming step are executed may also be determined according to the operation mode of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10.

Further, in the present embodiment, the switching of the hot water flow path is executed by the solenoid valve 20, but the hot water flow path may be switched by other means. For example, both the main flow path 22 and the bypass flow path 24 may be directly connected to the water tank 12. In this case, a set of a pump 14, a heater 18, and a temperature sensor 36 is provided for the main flow path 22 and the bypass flow path 24, respectively. In this case, when the flow path selection unit 44 selects the main flow path 22, the pump control unit 40 operates the pump 14 of the main flow path 22 to pump water from the water tank 12 to the main flow path 22, and the flow path selection unit 44 When the bypass flow path 24 is selected, the pump control unit 40 operates the pump 14 of the bypass flow path 24 to pump the water in the water tank 12 to the bypass flow path 24. The temperature control unit 42 controls the heater 18 of the main flow path 22 based on the temperature sensor 36 of the main flow path 22 and the target temperature, executes the main flow path preheating step, the steaming step, and the extraction step, and executes the main flow path preheating step, the steaming step, and the extraction step of the bypass flow path 24. The heater 18 of the bypass flow path 24 is controlled based on the temperature sensor 36 and the target temperature, and the steam discharge step, the bypass flow path preheating step, and the hot water addition step are executed.

Although the embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment was an apparatus for extracting coffee beverages by a drip type, but the present invention is another method as long as the extracted coffee beverages are stored in the server 28. It can also be suitably applied to a coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus for extracting coffee beverages.

Further, in the present embodiment, the coffee beverage extracted by the dripper 26 is stored in the server 28, but as a reservoir for storing the coffee beverage, the user can directly drink the coffee beverage from there. It may be something, such as a coffee cup.

An example of such a coffee cup is shown in FIG. The coffee cup 70 includes a cup portion 72 for storing coffee beverages and a lid portion 74 attached to the cup portion 72 so as to close the upper opening of the cup portion 72. The cup portion 72 (or the lid portion 74) may be a thermos bottle. The lid portion 74 is attached to the cup portion 72 with a certain holding force. The lid portion 74 has a coffee inlet 74a and a drinking port 74b that are open upward. The coffee beverage from the dripper 26 is stored in the cup portion 72 through the coffee inlet 74a. In addition, the user can drink the coffee beverage stored in the cup portion 72 from the drinking spout 74b.

The lid portion 74 has a protruding portion 74c protruding upward. A coffee inlet 74a is formed on the upper surface of the protrusion 74c. In the set state in which the coffee cup 70 is set in the main body of the apparatus, the posture of the coffee cup 70 is regulated by the protrusion 74c coming into contact with the posture regulating mechanism 60.

In the set state, the coffee inlet 74a is closed by the edge of the lower opening 26a of the dripper 26. Further, in the set state, the position of the opening on the coffee cup side of the bypass flow path 24 is a position facing the drinking port 74b as the reservoir opening which is the only opening of the coffee cup 70 in the set state. As a result, water vapor is discharged from the bypass flow path 24 toward the drinking spout 74b.

Further, in the present embodiment, the pump 14 is used as the water supply unit that sends water to the upstream flow path 16, and the pump control unit 40 is used as the water supply control unit, but the water supply unit and the water supply control unit are limited to these. It is not something that can be done.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of modification of the water supply unit and the water supply control unit. In the modified example, the upstream side flow path 16 is provided so as to extend downward from the water tank 12, and the heater 18 is provided in the middle of the upstream side flow path 16. Further, in the modified example, a valve mechanism 80 as a water feeding unit is provided between the water tank 12 and the heater 18. The valve mechanism 80 has an allowable state (a state in which the valve is open) that allows water to flow from the water tank 12 to the upstream flow path 16 by opening and closing the valve, and a valve mechanism 80 from the water tank 12 to the upstream flow path 16. It is possible to take a prohibited state (a state in which the valve is closed) that prohibits the flow of water. Further, in the allowable state, the degree of valve opening may be adjustable, whereby the amount of flowing water per unit time may be adjustable. Since the upstream side flow path 16 extends downward from the water tank 12, the water stored in the water tank 12 flows into the upstream side flow path 16 by the action of gravity under the allowable state. On top of that, the water that has flowed into the upstream flow path 16 is heated by the heater 18, and hot water or steam flows into the main flow path 22 or the bypass flow path 24.

The control of the valve mechanism 80 is executed by the valve control unit 82 as the water supply control unit, which is a function of the controller 38. Specifically, the valve mechanism 80 switches between the allowable state and the prohibited state based on the signal from the valve control unit 82.

10 coffee beverage manufacturing equipment, 12 water tank, 14 pump, 16 upstream side flow path, 18 heater, 20 electromagnetic valve, 22 main flow path, 24 bypass flow path, 24a server side opening, 26 dripper, 26a lower opening, 28 server, 28a, 74a coffee inlet, 28b spout, 28c top surface, 28d, 74c protrusion, 30 server stand, 32 storage unit, 34 input unit, 36 temperature sensor, 38 controller, 40 pump control unit, 42 temperature control unit, 44 Flow path selection unit, 46 water vapor control unit, 48 operation mode selection unit, 60 posture regulation mechanism, 62 base, 64 recesses, 64b side walls, 64c back wall, 70 coffee cups, 72 cups, 74 lids, 74b drinking spouts, 80 valve mechanism, 82 valve control unit.

Claims

A coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus including a main body of an apparatus for extracting coffee beverages and a reservoir which is a container for storing the coffee beverages.
The reservoir is
A reservoir opening, which is the only opening in the set state in which the server is set in the apparatus main body,
Equipped with
The main body of the device is
A first flow path extending to the extraction unit where the coffee raw material is set and flowing hot water for extracting the coffee beverage, and a first flow path.
A second flow path extending to the reservoir and flowing water vapor, and a second flow path in which the water vapor discharge port, which is the opening end thereof in the set state, faces the reservoir opening.
A steam control unit that discharges the steam from the steam discharge port toward the reservoir opening, and a steam control unit.
To prepare
A coffee beverage manufacturing device characterized by that.
The steam discharge port opens downward in the vertical direction.
The water vapor is discharged downward in the vertical direction.
The coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.
The steam control unit discharges the steam from the steam discharge port toward the reservoir opening, and prior to the extraction step in which the hot water is discharged to the extraction unit and the coffee beverage is extracted. Run,
The coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.
The steam control unit executes the discharge of the steam from the steam discharge port toward the reservoir opening prior to the steaming step of steaming the coffee raw material set in the extraction unit.
The coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3.
The main body of the device is
The upstream channel through which water flows and
A water supply unit that sends water to the upstream flow path,
A water supply control unit that controls the water supply unit,
A heating unit provided in the middle of the upstream flow path and heating the water sent by the water supply unit to make the hot water or the steam.
A temperature control unit that controls the heating unit and
A flow path selection unit that selects the outflow destination of the hot water or the steam from the upstream side flow path from the first flow path and the second flow path.
Equipped with
The steam control unit includes the water supply control unit, the temperature control unit, and the flow path selection unit. The flow path selection unit selects the second flow path, and the water supply control unit selects the water. And by controlling the heating unit so that the temperature control unit turns the water into the steam, the steam is discharged from the steam discharge port toward the reservoir opening. Be done,
The coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The main body of the device is
A temperature detector that detects the temperature of the hot water,
Further prepare
The temperature control unit controls the heating unit so that the hot water reaches the target temperature based on the detection temperature of the temperature detection unit.
The target temperature in the posterior period, which is the period of the extraction step following the anterior period, is lower than the target temperature in the anterior period of the extraction step.
The coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5.
Within the front period, the target temperature is maintained at the first temperature for a certain period of time.
Within the posterior period, the target temperature is maintained at a second temperature, which is a temperature lower than the first temperature, for a certain period of time.
The coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6.
The reservoir opening is a spout of the reservoir.
The coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.
The reservoir is formed of a double structure of an inner bottle and an outer bottle, and has a vacuum layer between the inner bottle and the outer bottle.
The coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.
The main body of the device is
A posture regulating mechanism that regulates the posture of the reservoir with respect to the main body of the device so that the opening of the reservoir faces the steam discharge port in the set state.
Further prepare,
The coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.