COFFEE MAKER

Abstract

A coffee maker 1 includes: an extraction container (second container 42) extracting coffee liquid from coffee powder; a server container (first container 41) storing the coffee liquid; a communication part 43 formed as a flow passage for the coffee liquid to flow through. At a time of extracting the coffee liquid, hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by steam flowing into the extraction container. The steam stirring the hot water and the coffee powder passes through the communication part and flows into the extraction container after flowing into the server container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Japan application serial no. 2021-124781 filed on Jul. 29, 2021. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The invention relates to a technique of a coffee maker which automatically extracts coffee liquid by using coffee powder and hot water.

Description of Related Art

Various techniques relating to a coffee maker automatically extracting coffee liquid by using coffee powder and hot water are known. Such coffee makers include a siphon type and a drip type, for example.

In addition, it is known that such coffee maker includes an extraction container which extracts coffee liquid, and a server container which stores the coffee liquid (see Patent Document 1). In the extraction container of the coffee maker, after coffee powder is soaked in hot water, the coffee liquid is extracted by permeating the coffee liquid through a filter and filtering the coffee powder, and the extracted coffee liquid in the extraction container is moved from the extraction container to the server container.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

• [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-open No. 2017-55980

However, in the coffee maker, at the time of extracting the coffee liquid, the hot water and the coffee powder are mixed for a predetermined time in the extraction container to soak the coffee powder in the hot water. Therefore, it takes some for the coffee liquid to flow from the extraction container to the server container, and the temperature inside the server container is lower than the temperature inside the extraction container. Therefore, when the coffee liquid that has been made flows from the extraction container to the server container, the temperature of the coffee liquid drops.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the invention provides a coffee maker. The coffee maker includes: an extraction container extracting coffee liquid from coffee powder; a server container storing the coffee liquid; and a communication part communicating an inside of the extraction container and an inside of the server container. At a time of extracting the coffee liquid, hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by steam flowing into the extraction container. The steam stirring the hot water and the coffee powder passes through the communication part and flows into the extraction container after flowing into the server container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a coffee maker according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the same coffee maker.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the same coffee maker.

FIG. 4 is a back view illustrating an internal structure of the same coffee maker.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram illustrating the same coffee maker.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram illustrating the same coffee maker.

In FIG. 7, (A) is a schematic view illustrating a state in which hot water is poured into a second container, (B) is a schematic view illustrating a state in which coffee powder is soaked in hot water, and (C) is a schematic view illustrating a state in which coffee liquid permeates through a filter to extract the coffee liquid while flowing from a second container to a first container in the same coffee maker.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of an extraction unit of the same coffee maker.

In FIG. 9, (A) is a schematic view illustrating a state in which steam flows into the first container, and (B) is a schematic view illustrating a state in which steams flows into the first container and the second container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The invention provides a coffee maker capable of suppressing the temperature of the coffee liquid that has been made from dropping.

A coffee maker according to an embodiment of the invention includes: an extraction container extracting coffee liquid from coffee powder; a server container storing the coffee liquid; and a communication part communicating an inside of the extraction container and an inside of the server container. At a time of extracting the coffee liquid, hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by steam flowing into the extraction container, and The steam stirring the hot water and the coffee powder passes through the communication part and flows into the extraction container after flowing into the server container.

According to the coffee maker according to the invention, at a state in the middle of extracting the coffee liquid in the extraction container, the steam flows into the server container to prevent the temperature of the server container from dropping.

Therefore, since the server container is in the state of being warmed up by the steam, the temperature of the coffee liquid having been made and flowing from the extraction container into the server container can be prevented from dropping.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coffee maker may include a filter disposed inside the extraction container. The coffee powder is filtered out and removed by permeating the coffee liquid through the filter. The coffee powder and the hot water are stirred in the extraction container by the steam, so as to wind up the coffee powder from below the filter.

According to the configuration, the coffee powder and the hot water inside the extraction container can be reliably stirred.

According to an embodiment of the invention, in an operation of stirring the hot water and the coffee powder by the steam, a timing at which or time during which the steam flows into the extraction container or the server container is adjustable.

According to the configuration, the flavor of the extracted coffee liquid can be further fine-tuned arbitrarily.

[Overall Configuration of Coffee Maker]

In the following, a coffee maker 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 is described. The coffee maker 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 is an embodiment of the coffee maker according to the invention. For the ease of description, a front-rear direction, a left-right direction, and an upper-lower direction are defined according to the arrows shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. However, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the upper-lower direction shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 do not serve as limitations on the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the upper-lower direction of the coffee maker according to the invention. Moreover, the following expressions such as front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower in the following description indicate an orientation on the basis of a state in which the respective components forming the coffee maker 1 are assembled at predetermined positions when the coffee maker 1 is used.

With the user operating the coffee maker 1, the coffee maker 1 automatically extracts coffee liquid by using coffee powder and hot water. The coffee maker 1 is an immersion-type coffee maker 1, and extracts the coffee liquid by soaking the coffee powder in the hot water and then filtering the liquid by using a filter 44. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the coffee maker 1 includes a main body 2 and an extraction unit 40.

[Main Body]

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the main body 2 includes an extraction switch 3, a discharge switch 4, a discharge port 5, and a flavor setting part 6, and supports the extraction unit 40. Various components for an operation in which the coffee maker 1 extracts coffee liquid are built in a housing of the main body 2. The main body 2 (housing) includes a lower part 7, a rear part 8, and an upper part 9, and is configured so that the rear part 8 extends upward from the rear end of the lower part 7, the upper part 9 extends forward from the upper end of the rear part 8, and is configured in a substantially C shape (“” shape) from a side view. A support hole 10 penetrating through in the upper-lower direction is formed at the upper part 9 (the left part of the upper part 9) of the main body 2, and the main body 2 supports the extraction unit 40 in the support hole 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the extraction switch 3 is a push switch, and is disposed on the upper surface of the right part of the upper part 9. The extraction switch 3 is not limited to a push switch, and may also be configured as a touch panel, for example, and is set as appropriate in accordance with the specification or the purpose of the coffee maker 1. The discharge switch 4 is a lever switch, and is disposed on the side part of the right part of the upper part 9. The extraction switch 4 is not limited to a lever switch, and may also be configured as a touch panel, for example, and is set as appropriate in accordance with the specification or the purpose of the coffee maker 1. The discharge port 5 discharges the coffee liquid based on an instruction of the user. The discharge port 5 is provided on the lower surface of the right part of the upper part 9, and is open toward the lower side.

The flavor setting part 6 is provided on the upper surface of the right part of the upper part 9. The flavor setting part 6 is operated by the user, performs various operations in the coffee maker 1, and performs various settings, etc., of the coffee maker 1. For example, with the user operating the flavor setting part 6, a selection on the flavor of the coffee liquid (e.g., selection between “refreshing” and “thick” or between “enhanced acidity” and “enhanced bitterness”) extracted by the coffee maker 1 is performed.

The flavor setting part 6 is formed by multiple tact switches. It is noted that the flavor setting part 6 is not limited to such configuration, and may also be configured as a touch panel, for example, and is set as appropriate with regard of the configuration of a display aspect or a switch operation in accordance with the specification or the purpose of the coffee maker 1.

[Extraction Unit]

The extraction unit 40 extracts coffee liquid and stores the extracted coffee liquid. When the user operates the extraction switch 3, the coffee maker 1 automatically starts an extraction operation of the coffee liquid based on a program stored in a control part 11 in the extraction unit 40, and stores the extracted coffee liquid in the extraction unit 40. In addition, when the user operates the discharge switch 4, the coffee liquid stored in the extraction unit 40 is discharged from the discharge port 5. The extraction unit 40 is detachably supported by the main body 2. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the extraction unit 40 includes a first container 41, a second container 42, a communication part 43, the filter 44, and a support part 60.

The first container 41 stores water serving as the basis of the hot water (hot water or steam) for extracting the coffee liquid. The storage of water into the first container 41 is performed by the user. In addition, the first container 41 stores the extracted coffee liquid. That is, the first container 41 is configured as serving as a water tank which stores water as well as a server container which stores coffee liquid. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first container 41 is disposed above (immediately above) the second container 42 and the support part 60. The first container 41 is a bottomed cylindrical member, and is configured by arranging a cylindrical part and a substantially hemispherical cover part at the upper end of the cylindrical part. In a side view, the cylindrical part of the first container 41 is configured to have a slightly flared shape. In a state in which the extraction unit 40 is installed to the main body 2, the first container 41 is configured to protrude upward from the upper surface of the upper part 9 of the main body 2. The first container 41 is configured by using thermo-resistant glass. The first container 41 is configured to be transparent or semi-transparent, and is configured so that the stored water or coffee liquid is viewable from the outside. In addition, the shape of the first container 41 is not limited to such configuration, but can be in a shape as appropriate in accordance with the specification or the purpose of the coffee maker 1. In addition, the first container 41 is not limited to being formed by thermo-resistant glass, nor is it limited to being transparent or semi-transparent. The material, etc., forming the first container 41 is selected in accordance with the specification or the purpose of the coffee maker 1.

In the second container 42, the hot water and the coffee powder are mixed to soak the coffee powder in the hot water, and the coffee powder and the hot water are filtered by the filter 44 to extract the coffee water. That is, the second container 42 is configured as an extraction container extracting the coffee liquid from the coffee powder. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second container 42 is disposed below (immediately below) the first container 41 and the support part 60. The second container 42 is a bottomed cylindrical member, and is configured by arranging a cylindrical part and a substantially hemispherical bottom part at the lower end of the cylindrical part. In a side view, the cylindrical part of the second container 42 is configured to have a slightly reversed-flared shape. In a state in which the extraction unit 40 is installed to the main body 2, the second container 42 is configured to protrude downward from the lower surface of the upper part 9 of the main body 2. The second container 42 is configured by using thermo-resistant glass. The second container 42 is configured to be transparent or semi-transparent, and is configured so that the hot water or the extracted coffee liquid is viewable from the outside. In addition, the shape of the second container 42 is not limited to such configuration, but can be in a shape as appropriate in accordance with the specification or the purpose of the coffee maker 1. The second container 42 is not limited to being formed by thermo-resistant glass, nor is it limited to being transparent or semi-transparent. The material, etc., forming the second container 42 is selected in accordance with the specification or the purpose of the coffee maker 1.

Regarding the position relationship between the first container 41 and the second container 42, it is not limited that the first container 41 is disposed immediately above the second container 42. For example, it may also be configured that the first container 41 is arranged on a side of the second container 42, and, when viewed in a plan view or a side view, the first container 41 and the second container 42 are overlapped only in part. Alternatively, it may also be configured that, when viewed in a plan view or a side view, the first container 41 and the second container 42 are not overlapped with each other.

As shown in FIG. 5 or 7, the communication part 43 is a cylindrical component extending in the upper-lower direction.

In the communication part 43, the opening part at the upper end (an opening part) is disposed inside the first container 41, and the opening part at the lower end (another opening part) is disposed inside the second container 42, and the inside of the first container 41 is in communication with the inside of the second container 42. The communication part 43 is formed as a flow passage for the coffee liquid to flow through. The coffee liquid (filtered coffee liquid) extracted in the second container 42 flows out of the second container 42 into the first container 41 via the communication part 43. The communication part 43 is configured by using thermo-resistant glass. The communication part 43 is configured to be transparent or semi-transparent, and is configured so that the flowing coffee liquid is viewable from the outside. The communication part 43 is not limited to being formed by thermo-resistant glass, nor is it limited to being transparent or semi-transparent. The material, etc., forming the communication part 43 is selected in accordance with the specification or the purpose of the coffee maker 1. In addition, the shape of the communication part 43 is not limited to such configuration, but can be in a shape as appropriate in accordance with the specification or the purpose of the coffee maker 1. The communication part 43 is not limited to being formed by thermo-resistant glass, nor is it limited to being transparent or semi-transparent. The material, etc., forming the communication part 43 is selected in accordance with the specification or the purpose of the coffee maker 1.

As shown in FIG. 5 or 7, with the coffee liquid permeating through the filter 44, the filter 44 filters out and removes the coffee powder mixed with the coffee liquid. The filter 44 is disposed on a filter stand inside the second container 42, and divides the space inside the second container 42 into two (upper and lower) spaces. The filter 44 is disposed at a lower part inside the second container 42, and is in the vicinity above the opening part of the lower part of the communication part 43. In one (upper) of the spaces divided by the filter 44 inside the second container 42, no opening part of the communication part 43 is disposed, whereas the opening part of the communication part 43 is disposed inside the other (lower) space. The filter 44 is disposed inside the second container 42 by the user, and the coffee powder in a predetermined amount is disposed above the filter 44 by the user. At the time of extracting the coffee liquid, in one (upper) of the spaces divided by the filter 44 inside the second container 42, the coffee powder is in a state of being mixed in the coffee liquid. At the time of extracting the coffee liquid, in the other (lower) space divided by the filter 44 inside the second container 42, the coffee liquid permeates through the filter 44, and the coffee powder is filtered out and removed from the coffee liquid by the filter 44.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the support part 60 supports the first container 41 and the second container 42. The support part 60 is configured in a substantially flat disc shape. In a state in which the upper surface of the support part 60 is in contact with the lower end of the first container 41 (the opening of the first container 41), a packing is arranged to configure the support part 60 in a watertight manner. In the space configured by the upper surface of the support part 60 and the inside of the first container 41, water or coffee liquid, etc., is stored. The space configured by the upper surface of the support part 60 and the inside of the first container 41 is configured as an enclosed space. In a state in which the lower surface of the support part 60 is in contact with the upper end of the second container 42 (the opening of the second container 42), a packing is arranged to configure the support part 60 in a watertight manner. In the space configured by the lower surface of the support part 60 and the inside of the second container 42, the coffee liquid is extracted and filtered. At the substantially central part of the support part 60, a through hole penetrating in the upper-lower direction is formed. The communication part 43 is held by the support part 60 in a state of being inserted through the through hole. In a state in which the extraction unit 40 is installed to the main body 2, the support part 60 is disposed inside the upper part 9 of the main body 2, and is connected to flow pipes (a first flow pipe 101, a second flow pipe 102, a sixth flow pipe 106, a seventh flow pipe 107, and a thirteenth flow pipe 113) that are the flow passage of water, hot water, steam, or coffee liquid, etc. (see FIG. 4).

(Detailed Configuration of Main Body)

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the main body 2 includes the control part 11, a power part 12, a subtank 21, a first pump 22, a heater 23, a first valve part 24, a second pump 25, a steam space 26, a drain 27, an atmospheric opening part 28, a second valve part 29, and a safety valve shaft 30, and the first control part 11, etc., is disposed inside the housing. In addition, the main body 2 includes multiple flow pipes 101 to 116 that are the flow passage of water, hot water, vapor, or coffee liquid, etc., and the flow pipes 101 to 116 are disposed inside the housing.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control part 11 controls various operations of the coffee maker 1 (the extraction switch 3, the discharge switch 4, the discharge port 5 (valve of the discharge port 5), the flavor setting part 6, the power part 12, the first pump 22, the heater 23, the first valve part 24, the second pump 25, the second valve part 29, and the safety valve shaft 30, etc.). As shown in FIG. 4, the control part 11 is electrically connected to the extraction switch 3, the discharge switch 4, the discharge port 5 (valve of the discharge port 5), the power part 12, the first pump 22, the heater 23, the first valve part 24, the second pump 25, the second valve part 29, and the safety valve shaft 30, etc.

As shown in FIG. 6, the power part 12 supplies power to the control part 11, and supplies power for performing various operations with respect to the respective parts (the extraction switch 3, the discharge switch 4, the discharge port 5, the flavor setting part 6, the power part 12, the first pump 22, the heater 23, the first valve part 24, the second pump 25, the second valve part 29, and the safety valve shaft 30, etc.) of the coffee maker 1 from the control part 11. The power part 12 converts the power supplied from an outlet via an outlet cable (not shown) of the coffee maker 1 into a predetermined output power in accordance with each part of the coffee maker 1. In addition, the coffee maker 1 is configured to be able to store power.

As shown in FIG. 3 or 5, the extraction unit 40 (the second container 42) and the discharge port 5 are connected via the first flow pipe 101. When the user operates the discharge switch 4 to perform a discharge-ON operation, the valve of the discharge port 5 is opened, and the coffee liquid stored in the extraction unit 40 (first container 41) flows from the extraction unit 40 and is discharged from the discharge port 5 via the first flow pipe 101. When the user operates the discharge switch 4 to perform a discharge-OFF operation, the valve of the discharge port 5 is closed, and the discharge of the coffee liquid from the discharge port 5 is stopped. It may also be configured that, when the user operates the discharge switch 4, a predetermined amount of the coffee liquid is discharged from the discharge port 5, and discharge-OFF is set automatically.

As shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the extraction unit 40 (first container 41) and the subtank 21 are connected via the second flow pipe 102, the subtank 21 and the first pump 22 are connected via the third flow pipe 103, the first pump 22 and the heater 23 are connected via the fourth flow pipe 104, the heater 23 and the first valve part 24 are connected via the fifth flow pipe 105, and the first valve part 24 and the extraction unit 40 (second container 42) are connected via the sixth flow pipe 106.

As shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the subtank 21 is disposed on a flow passage of the water when the water stored in the first container 41 flows from the first container 41 into the second container 42. Not all of the water stored in the first container 41 is used as the hot water for soaking the coffee powder. A portion of the water stored in the first container 41 is temporarily stored in the subtank 21.

The first pump 22 sucks the water inside the first container 41 and supplies the water to the second container 42. With the user operating the extraction switch 3 to start an operation of extracting the coffee liquid, the first pump 22 performs an operation of sucking the water. The heater 23 is a water-boiling heater 23 (flow-through heater). The heater 23 can warm up (heat) the water to make hot water by making the water sucked by the first pump 22 and stored in the first container 41 pass through the heater 23, or warm up (heat) the water to generate steam by making the water sucked by the first pump 22 and temporarily stored in the subtank 21 pass through the heater 23. The first valve part 24 is a three-way valve. With the user operating the extraction switch 3 to start the operation of extracting the coffee liquid, the flow passage to the side of the sixth flow pipe 106 or the flow passage to the side of the sixteenth flow pipe 116 is in an open state.

As shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the extraction unit 40 (the first container 41) and the second pump 25 are connected via the seventh flow pipe 107, the second pump 25 and the steam space 26 are connected via the eighth flow pipe 108, the steam space 26 and the drain 27 are connected via the ninth flow pipe 109, and the steam space 26 and the atmospheric opening part 28 are connected via the tenth flow pipe 110.

The second pump 25 sucks gas inside the first container 41 to depressurize the inside of the first container 41. After the coffee liquid is extracted inside the second container 42, the inside of the first container 41 is depressurized to suck the coffee liquid inside the second container 42 to be supplied to the first container 41 via the communication part 43. After a predetermined time since the user operates the extraction switch 3 to start the operation of extracting the coffee liquid (after the extraction of the coffee liquid completes), the second pump 25 automatically performs the sucking operation. The steam space 26 is arranged on the flow passage of the steam, moisture, etc., when the steam, moisture, etc., inside the first container 41 flows out of the coffee maker 1. The drain 27 is a portion where the water collected in the steam space 26 flows through the ninth flow pipe 109 to be collected as unnecessary moisture, and is disposed inside the lower part 7 of the main body 2. The drain 27 is configured to be detachable and, for example, when a certain amount of waste water is collected, the user removes the drain 27 from the main body 2 to perform a process on the collected waste water. The atmospheric opening part 28 is a portion discharging unnecessary gas, steam, etc., out of the coffee maker 1 via the steam space 26, and is open at the upper end of the main body 2 (the upper part 9 of the main body 2).

As shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the seventh flow pipe 107 (the seventh flow pipe 107 and the first container 41) and the second valve part 29 are connected via the eleventh flow pipe 111, and the second valve part 29 and the steam space 26 are connected via the twelfth flow pipe 112. The second container 42 and the steam space 26 are connected via the thirteenth flow pipe 113. The fifth flow pipe 105 and the safety valve shaft 30 are connected via the fourteenth flow pipe 114, and the safety valve shaft 30 and the steam space 26 are connected via the fifteenth flow pipe 115.

The second valve part 29 makes the inside of the first container 41 an enclosed space in a closed state. In the case where the internal pressure inside the first container 41 is to be lowered (to be atmospherically open), the second valve part 29 is set in an open state. In the case where a pressure inside the first container 41, the second container 42, and the flow pipes 101 to 116 is abnormally high, the safety valve shaft 30 is automatically set to the open state to lower the internal pressure inside the first container 41, the second container 42, and the flow pipes 101 to 116. The pressure inside the first container 41, the second container 42, and the flow pipes 101 to 116 is detected by a pressure sensor (not shown), and when detecting an abnormal value, the pressure sensor notifies the control part 11 that an abnormal value is detected.

As shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the first valve part 24 and the seventh flow pipe 107 are in communication via the sixteenth flow pipe 116. Since an end of the seventh flow pipe 107 is in communication with a steam flow part 46, it is configured that the steam from the heater 23 can flow into the first container 41 via the fifth flow pipe 105, the first valve part 24, the sixteenth flow pipe 116, the seventh flow pipe 107, and a steam flow part 46. The first valve part 24 is configured to be able to switch between flow passages of hot water, steam, etc., between the sixth flow pipe 106 and the sixteenth flow pipe 116. In the case where the hot water from the heater 23 flows into the second container 42 (pouring hot water into the second container 42), the first valve part 24 is set so that hot water flows to the sixth flow pipe 106. In the case where the steam from the heater 23 flows into the first container 41 at the time when the hot water and the coffee powder are stirred, the first valve part 24 is set so that steam flows in the sixteenth flow pipe 116.

[Regarding Operation of Extracting Coffee Liquid]

In the following, an operation of extracting the coffee liquid by using the coffee maker 1 is described. Firstly, as shown in (A) of FIG. 7, when the user operates the extraction switch 3 to start the operation of extracting the coffee liquid, the first pump 22 operates, and the water stored in the first container 41 flows from the extraction unit 40 to pass through the second flow pipe 102 and flow into the subtank 21. Then, the water flowing into the subtank 21 flows out from the subtank 21, passes through the third flow tube 103, and flows into the heater 23 via the first pump 22 and the fourth flow pipe 104. The water flowing into the heater 23 is warmed up by the heater 23 and becomes hot water. In addition, the hot water warmed up by the heater 23 flows out from the heater 23, passes through the fifth flow pipe 105, and flows into the second container 42 via the first valve part 24 and the sixth flow pipe 106. When a predetermined amount of water flows into the second container 42, the operation of the first pump 22 stops. Accordingly, the water in the first container 41 flows out and becomes hot water, and the hot water flows into the second container 42 (the hot water is poured into the second container 42). In the operation of pouring hot water into the second container 42, the second valve part 29 is set in the open state.

Then, as shown in (B) of FIG. 7, the hot water and the coffee powder are mixed to soak the coffee powder in the hot water (in an immersed state) for a predetermined time inside the second container 42 (in the space of the upper part inside the second container 42). The predetermined time during which the coffee powder is soaked in the hot water is set in advance. At this time as well, the second valve part 29 is also in the open state.

In addition, when the hot water and the coffee powder are mixed to soak the coffee powder in the hot water, steam flows into the second container 42, and the hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by the steam.

At this time, the first pump 22 operates to make the water temporarily stored in the subtank 21 flow from the subtank 21 into the heater 23, and the water is warmed up by the heater 23 to become steam. Then, the steam warmed up by the heater 23 flows from the heater 23 into the first container 41, and flows into the second container 42 via the communication part 43. By doing so, the steam flows into the second container 42, and the hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by the steam. When the hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by the steam for a predetermined time, the operation of the first pump 22 stops. The timing at which the steam flows into the second container 42 (the timing at which the first pump 22 operates), the amount of the steam, etc., are determined in advance in the program, etc. Regarding “when the hot water and the coffee powder are mixed to soak the coffee powder in the hot water, steam flows into the second container 42, and the hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by the steam”, it may also be configured to not perform the operation, or it may also be configured that the steam warmed up by the heater 23 flows into the second container 42 from the heater 23 without flowing via the first container 41 and the communication part 43.

After the coffee powder is soaked in the hot water for the predetermined time, as shown in (C) of FIG. 7, the coffee liquid permeates through the filter 44 to filter out the coffee powder from the coffee liquid by using the filter 44, whereas the extracted coffee liquid in the second container 42 flows from the second container 42 into the first container 41 via the communication part 43. At this time, a pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42 is generated, and the coffee liquid is filtered by the filter 44 while being moved from the second container 42 to the first container 41 via the communication part 43. When the extracted coffee liquid is moved from the second container 42 to the first container 41, the second valve part 29 is set in the closed state, and the inside of the first container 41 is set in the enclosed state. As described above, the operation of extracting the coffee liquid is performed by the coffee maker 1.

In addition, in the coffee maker 1, at the time when the coffee liquid is moved from the second container 42 (extraction container) to the first container 41 (server container), the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is configured to be adjustable. In the case where the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is higher, the extracted coffee liquid has a relatively strong acidic flavor and a relatively light flavor. Also, in the case where the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is lower, the extracted coffee liquid has a relatively strong bitter flavor and a thick flavor. Therefore, according to the coffee maker 1, the flavor of the extracted coffee liquid can be adjusted arbitrarily.

Here, as the configuration “a pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42 is generated, and the coffee liquid is filtered by the filter 44 while being moved from the second container 42 to the first container 41 via the communication part 43”, for example, the steam flows into the second container 42 and pressurizes the inside of the second container 42 to move the extracted coffee liquid in the second container 42 from the second container 42 to the first container 41 via the communication part 43. At this time, the first pump 22 is operated, and the water temporarily stored in the subtank 21 flows from the subtank 21 into the heater 23 to be warmed up by the heater 23 and become steam. The steam flows from the heater 23 to flow into the second container 42. Accordingly, by pressurizing the inside of the second container 42 with the flow of the steam into the second container 42, the extraction of the coffee liquid inside the second container 42 and the movement of the coffee liquid from the second container 42 to the first container 41 can be performed.

The output (the intensity of the heat for heating the water by the heater 23) of the heater 23 is configured to be not constant but variable. By making the output of the heater 23 variable, the amount of the steam flowing into the second container 42 may be arbitrarily changed, and it is configured that, at the time when the coffee liquid flows from the second container 42 to the first container 41, the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is adjustable. In the case where the amount of the steam flowing into the second container 42 of the steam is greater, the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is higher. In the case where the amount of the steam flowing into the second container 42 of the steam is less, the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is lower. By doing so, in the case where the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is higher, the extracted coffee liquid has a relatively strong acidic flavor and a relatively light flavor. Also, in the case where the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is lower, the extracted coffee liquid has a relatively strong bitter flavor and a thick flavor. Therefore, according to the coffee maker 1, the flavor of the extracted coffee liquid can be adjusted arbitrarily.

The flavor setting part 6 is formed by three switches of “light”, “normal”, and “thick” (three flavors set in advance), for example. By selecting one of the three switches before the user operates the extraction switch 3, the coffee maker 1 performs the setting on the flavor of the extracted coffee liquid. Then, with the user operates the extraction switch 3, the coffee maker 1 performs the operation of extracting coffee based on the information relating to the flavor selected by the user. It is noted that the types of the flavor of the coffee liquid for selection in the flavor setting part 6 are not limited to three types, but may also be two types or four or more types.

In the generation of the pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42, it may also be configured that, with the user operating the flavor setting part 6, the timing at which or the time (duration) during which the steam flows into the second container 42 is adjustable. For example, in accordance with the flavor of the coffee liquid selected and set by the user, the timing at which the steam flows into the second container 42 is delayed, or the time during which the steam flows into the second container 42 is increased. With such configuration, the flavor of the extracted coffee liquid can be further fine-tuned arbitrarily.

In the generation of the pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42, it may also be configured that, with the user operating the flavor setting part 6, the amount of the steam flowing into the second container 42 or the temperature of the steam flowing into the second container 42, etc., is variable in accordance with time. For example, in accordance with the flavor of the coffee liquid selected and set by the user, the amount of the steam flowing into the second container 42 at the beginning and intermediate stages during generation of the pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42 is less, and the amount of the steam flowing into the second container 42 at the final stage during generation of the pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42 is more. With such configuration, the flavor of the extracted coffee liquid can be further fine-tuned arbitrarily.

In addition, as the configuration “a pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42 is generated, and the coffee liquid is filtered by the filter 44 while being moved from the second container 42 to the first container 41 via the communication part 43”, for example, it may also be that the inside of the first container 41 is sucked (e.g., the gas inside the first container 41 is sucked) to depressurize the inside of the first container 41, and the extracted coffee liquid in the second container 42 flows from the second container 42 into the first container 41 via the communication part 43. At this time, the second pump 25 is operated to suck the inside of the first container 41 via the seventh flow pipe 107. Accordingly, the inside of the first container 41 is depressurized through the sucking of the second pump 25, and the extraction of the coffee liquid inside the second container 42 and the movement of the coffee liquid from the second container 42 to the first container 41 can be performed. That is, the negative pressure inside the first container 41 is configured to extract and move the coffee liquid.

The output (the sucking strength by the second pump 25) of the second pump 25 (pump) is configured to be not constant but variable. By making the output of the second pump 25 variable to arbitrarily change the sucking force of the second pump 25 sucking the inside of the first container 41, it is configured that, at the time when the coffee liquid flows from the second container 42 to the first container 41, the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is adjustable. In the case where the sucking force of the second pump 25 sucking the inside of the first container 41 is stronger, the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is higher. In addition, in the case where the sucking force of the second pump 25 sucking the inside of the first container 41 is weaker, the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is lower. By doing so, in the case where the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is higher, the extracted coffee liquid has a relatively strong acidic flavor and a relatively light flavor. Also, in the case where the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is lower, the extracted coffee liquid has a relatively strong bitter flavor and a thick flavor. Therefore, according to the coffee maker 1, the flavor of the extracted coffee liquid can be adjusted arbitrarily.

By making the output of the heater 23 to be variable to arbitrarily change the amount of the steam flowing into the second container 42 and by making the output of the second pump 25 variable to arbitrarily change the sucking force of the second pump 25 (pump) sucking the inside of the first container 41, it can be configured that, at the time when the coffee liquid flows from the second container 42 to the first container 41, the speed at which the coffee liquid permeates the filter 44 is adjustable. At this time, in “generating a pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42, and filtering the coffee liquid by the filter 44 while moving from the second container 42 to the first container 41 via the communication part 43”, it may be configured that the heater 23 and the second pump 25 are driven together, or it may also be configured that only one of the heater 23 and the second pump 25 is driven. Moreover, it is also possible to set to change the driving states of the heater 23 and the second pump 25 in accordance with the degree of flavor of the coffee liquid. For example, it can be configured that in the case where the flavor of the coffee liquid is preferred to be the lightest, both the heater 23 and the second pump 25 are driven, and in the case where the flavor of the coffee liquid is preferred to be thick, only the heater 23 is driven. Also, at this time, with the user operating the flavor setting part 6, the setting that both the heater 23 and the second pump 25 are driven and the setting that one of the heater 23 and the second pump 25 is driven can be set. Therefore, according to the coffee maker 1, the flavor of the extracted coffee liquid can be adjusted arbitrarily.

In the generation of the pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42, it may also be configured that, with the user operating the flavor setting part 6, the timing at which or the time (duration) during which the inside of the first container 41 is sucked by the second pump 25 is adjustable. For example, in accordance with the flavor of the coffee liquid selected and set by the user, the timing at which the inside of the first container 41 is sucked by the second pump 25 is delayed, or the time during which the inside of the first container 41 is sucked by the second pump 25 is increased. With such configuration, the flavor of the extracted coffee liquid can be further fine-tuned arbitrarily.

In the generation of the pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42, it may also be configured that, with the user operating the flavor setting part 6, the sucking force of the second pump 25 sucking the inside of the first container 41 is variable in accordance with time. For example, in accordance with the flavor of the coffee liquid selected and set by the user, the sucking force of the second pump 25 sucking the inside of the first container 41 at the beginning and intermediate stages during generation of the pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42 is stronger, and the sucking force of the second pump 25 sucking the inside of the first container 41 at the final stage during generation of the pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42 is weaker. With such configuration, the flavor of the extracted coffee liquid can be further fine-tuned arbitrarily.

Then, the specific configuration about “steam flows into the first container 41 to flow into the second container 42 via the communication part 43” is described.

[Extraction Unit]

As shown in FIG. 8 and (A) and (B) of FIG. 9, the extraction unit 40 includes an outer cylindrical part 45 and the steam flow part 46.

As shown in FIG. 8 and (A) and (B) of FIG. 9, the outer cylindrical part 45 is a cylindrical component extending in the upper-lower direction, and is disposed inside the first container 41. The opening part at the upper end of the outer cylindrical part 45 is located in the vicinity below the opening part at the upper end of the communication part 43. The opening part of the lower end of the outer cylindrical part 45 is fixed to the support part 60 to be supported by the support part 60. The outer cylindrical part 45 is disposed on the outer side of the communication part 43, and the outer cylindrical part 45 and the communication part 43 form a double cylinder shape. The outer cylindrical part 45 is configured by using thermo-resistant glass. The outer cylindrical part 45 is configured to be transparent or semi-transparent, and is configured so as to be viewable from the outside. The steam flow part 46 is configured by a space formed by the outer surface of the communication part 43 and the inner surface of the outer cylindrical part 45, and is configured as a passage through which the steam from the heater 23 passes at the time of stirring the hot water and the coffee powder. The steam flow part 46 (the upstream side end in the flow direction of the steam) is in communication with an end of the seventh flow pipe 107 in the support part 60. The shape of the outer cylindrical part 45 is not limited to such configuration, but can be in a shape as appropriate in accordance with the specification or the purpose of the coffee maker 1. In addition, the outer cylindrical part 45 is not limited to being formed by thermo-resistant glass, nor is it limited to being transparent or semi-transparent. The material, etc., forming the outer cylindrical part 45 is selected in accordance with the specification or the purpose of the coffee maker 1.

[Regarding Operation of Stirring Hot Water and Coffee Powder]

When the hot water and the coffee powder are mixed to soak the coffee powder in the hot water, steam flows into the second container 42, and the hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by the steam. At this time, the first pump 22 operates to make the water temporarily stored in the subtank 21 flow from the subtank 21 into the heater 23, and the water is warmed up by the heater 23 to become steam. In addition, as shown in (A) of FIG. 9, the steam warmed up by the heater 23 flows from the heater 23 into the first container 41 via the fifth flow pipe 105, the seventh flow pipe 107, and the steam communication part 46, and fills the inside of the first container 41. At this time, the second valve part 29 is in the open state, and a portion of the steam flowing into the first container 41 from the steam flow part 46 is discharged out of the coffee maker 1 via the steam flow part 46, the seventh flow pipe 107, the eleventh flow pipe 111, the second valve part 29, the twelfth flow pipe 112, the steam space 26, the tenth flow pipe 110, and the atmospheric opening part 28.

Then, as shown in (B) of FIG. 9, after a predetermined time since the steam flows from the steam flow part 46 into the first container 41, the second valve part 29 is closed, and the steam flowing into the first container 41 flows in the communication part 43 from the opening at the upper end of the communication part 43 to flow into the second container 42 (into the space at the lower part inside the second container 42) from the opening at the lower end of the communication part 43. That is, after flowing into the first container 41, the steam flowing from the steam flow part 46 into the first container 41 passes through the communication part 43 and flows into the second container 42. Accordingly, the steam stirring the hot water and the coffee powder passes through the communication part 43 and flows into the second container 42 (extraction container) after flowing into the first container 41 (server container), and, at a stage in the middle of extracting the coffee liquid in the second container 42 (extraction container), the steam flows into the first container 41 (server container) to prevent the temperature inside the first container 41 (server container) from dropping. Therefore, since the first container 41 is in the state of being warmed up by the steam, the temperature of the coffee liquid having been made and flowing from the second container 42 into the first container 41 can be prevented from dropping. Also, the timing at which the second valve part 29 is opened and closed during the operation of stirring the hot water and the coffee powder is not limited to the above. For example, even if the steam flows into the first container 41, the second valve part 29 may still be closed, and even if the steam flows into the second container 42, the second valve part 29 may still be open. The opening/closing of the second valve part 29 may be set as appropriate in accordance with the specification or the purpose of the coffee maker 1.

As shown in FIG. 8 or (A) and (B) of FIG. 9, the opening at the lower end of the communication part 43 is disposed in another (lower) space inside the second container 42 to be disposed below the filter 44. Therefore, at the time when the hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by the steam, the coffee powder is wound up from below the filter 44 and the coffee powder and the hot water inside the second container 42 are stirred by the steam flowing from the opening part at the lower part of the communication part 43. Therefore, the coffee powder and the hot water inside the second container 42 can be reliably stirred.

When the hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by the steam for a predetermined time, the operation of the first pump 22 stops. As the above, when the hot water and the coffee powder are mixed to soak the coffee powder in the hot water, steam flows into the first container 41, and the hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by the steam. The timing at which the steam flows into the first container 41 (the timing at which the first pump 22 operates), the amount of the steam, etc., are determined in advance in the program, etc.

Regarding the operation that the steam flows into the first container 41 and the hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by the steam, with the user operating the flavor setting part 6, the timing at which or the time (duration) during which the steam flows into the first container 41 or the second container 42 may also be configured to be adjustable. For example, in accordance with the flavor of the coffee liquid selected and set by the user, the timing at which the steam flows into the first container 41 or the second container 42 is late, or the time during which the steam flows into the first container 41 or the second container 42 is long. With such configuration, the flavor of the extracted coffee liquid can be further fine-tuned arbitrarily.

Regarding the operation that the steam flows into the first container 41 and the hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by the steam, it may also be configured that, with the user operating the flavor setting part 6, the amount of the steam flowing into the first container 41 or the second container 42 or the temperature of the steam flowing into the first container 41 or the second container 42 may be variable in accordance with time. For example, in accordance with the flavor of the coffee liquid selected and set by the user, at the beginning and intermediate stages during generation of the pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42, the amount of the steam flowing into the first container 41 or the second container 42 is less. Also, for example, in accordance with the flavor of the coffee liquid selected and set by the user, at the final stage during generation of the pressure difference between the inside of the first container 41 and the inside of the second container 42, the temperature of the steam flowing into the first container 41 or the second container 42 is high. With such configuration, the flavor of the extracted coffee liquid can be further fine-tuned arbitrarily.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the disclosure covers modifications and variations provided that they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A coffee maker, comprising: an extraction container extracting coffee liquid from coffee powder;a server container storing the coffee liquid; anda communication part communicating an inside of the extraction container and an inside of the server container,wherein at a time of extracting the coffee liquid, hot water and the coffee powder are stirred by steam flowing into the extraction container, andthe steam stirring the hot water and the coffee powder passes through the communication part and flows into the extraction container after flowing into the server container.

2. The coffee maker as claimed in claim 1, comprising: a filter, disposed inside the extraction container, wherein the coffee powder is filtered out and removed by permeating the coffee liquid through the filter, and the coffee powder and the hot water are stirred in the extraction container by the steam, so as to wind up the coffee powder from below the filter.

3. The coffee maker as claimed in claim 1, wherein in an operation of stirring the hot water and the coffee powder by the steam, a timing at which or time during which the steam flows into the extraction container or the server container is adjustable.

4. The coffee maker as claimed in claim 2, wherein in an operation of stirring the hot water and the coffee powder by the steam, a timing at which or time during which the steam flows into the extraction container or the server container is adjustable.