Coffee extraction device

A coffee extraction device is disclosed. A coffee extraction device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a pump which is connected to a water supply source and pressurizes water supplied from the water supply source; a heater for heating the water pressurized by the pump; a coffee extraction unit for extracting coffee using the water heated by the heater; and a discharge member for discharging the coffee, which has been extracted by the coffee extraction unit, to the outside, wherein a vent valve may be provided between the heater and the coffee extraction unit, the vent valve being closed during coffee extraction and being opened after coffee extraction.

PRIORITY

This application is a National Phase Entry of PCT International Application No. PCT/KR2014/011638, which was filed on Dec. 1, 2014, and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0149952, which was filed on Dec. 4, 2013, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0166753, which was filed on Nov. 26, 2014, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a coffee extracting device for extracting and supplying coffee to users, and more particularly, to a coffee extracting device capable of preventing coffee from being externally discharged after coffee extraction.

BACKGROUND ART

A coffee extracting device is a device extracting coffee and supplying the same to a user.

To this end, the coffee extracting device includes a coffee extracting unit extracting coffee by grinding coffee beans or extracting coffee using a coffee capsule.

Also, the coffee extracting device includes a pump and a heater heating water pressurized in the coffee extracting unit and supplying the same to extract coffee.

After coffee is extracted, coffee may remain in the coffee extracting unit, a discharge line connecting the coffee extracting unit and a discharge member discharging coffee, or the discharge member, and the like.

As mentioned above, since pressurized water is heated and supplied to the coffee extracting unit, predetermined pressure is formed during coffee extraction. Also, in a related art coffee extracting device, pressure formed in the coffee extracting unit is not completely released even after coffee extraction.

Thus, a problem in which remaining coffee is externally discharged even after coffee is extracted and supplied to a user arises.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present disclosure is based upon recognition of the requirements and issues arising from the above-referenced related coffee extracting device.

An aspect of the present disclosure is to prevent coffee from being externally discharged after coffee is extracted.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to prevent coffee from remaining after coffee is extracted.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coffee extracting device including: a pump connected to a water supply source and pressurizing water supplied from the water supply source; a heater heating water pressurized by the pump; a coffee extracting unit extracting coffee using water heated by the heater; and a discharge member externally discharging coffee which has been extracted by the coffee extracting unit, wherein a vent valve is provided between the heater and the coffee extracting unit, the vent valve being closed during coffee extraction and being opened after coffee extraction.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an ambient air intake pipe may be connected to the coffee extracting unit to allow ambient air to be introduced to the coffee extracting unit after coffee extraction.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coffee extracting unit may extract coffee using a coffee capsule, and the ambient air intake pipe may be connected to an upper portion of a capsule insertion part formed at the coffee extracting unit to allow the coffee capsule to be inserted therein.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, one end of the ambient air intake pipe may communicate with an interior of the coffee extracting unit and the other end of the ambient air intake pipe may communicate with ambient air.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the other end of the ambient air intake pipe may be positioned to be higher than the one end of the ambient air intake pipe.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ambient air intake pipe may have a bent shape.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coffee extracting unit and the discharge member may be connected by a discharge line, and an inner diameter of the ambient air intake pipe may be smaller than an inner diameter of the discharge line.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coffee extracting unit and the discharge member may be connected by a discharge line, and an ambient air intake pipe may be connected to the discharge line in order to allow ambient air to be introduced to the discharge line after coffee extraction.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coffee extracting unit may include a holder having an installation space allowing a coffee capsule to be installed therein and a unit body accommodating the holder, and through holes may be separately formed at mutually corresponding positions of the holder and the unit body to penetrate through an interior and an exterior of the coffee extracting unit.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an ambient air intake pipe allowing ambient air to be introduced to the interior of the holder may be connected to the through holes.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coffee extracting unit and the discharge member may be connected by a discharge line, and a pressing pump may be connected to the discharge line in order to externally discharge coffee remaining in the discharge line through the discharge member after coffee extraction.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coffee extracting unit and the discharge member may be connected by a discharge line, and an intake pump may be connected to the discharge line in order to externally discharge coffee remaining in the discharge line after coffee extraction.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coffee extracting device including: a pump connected to a water supply source and pressurizing water supplied from the water supply source; a heater heating water pressurized by the pump; a coffee extracting unit extracting coffee using water heated by the heater; and a discharge member externally discharging coffee which has been extracted by the coffee extracting unit, wherein a first vent valve is provided between the heater and the coffee extracting unit, the first vent valve being closed during coffee extraction and being opened after coffee extraction, and a second vent valve is provided between the heater and the discharge member, the second vent valve being closed during coffee extraction and being opened after coffee extraction.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heater and the coffee extracting unit may be connected by a connection line, the connection line may be connected to a first vent line, and the first vent valve may be provided in the first vent line.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coffee extracting unit and the discharge member may be connected by a discharge line, the heater and the discharge line may be connected by a second vent line, and the second vent valve may be provided in the second vent line.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, after coffee extraction, water or steam heated by the heater may be externally discharged from the discharge member through the second vent line and the discharge line.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication line allowing an interior and an exterior of the discharge member to communicate with each other may be provided in the discharge member.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the discharge member may include a discharge pipe receiving extracted coffee from the coffee extracting unit and an intake tube coupled to the discharge pipe and externally discharging coffee, and the intake tube may have a shape in which a top portion and a bottom portion thereof are open.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication line may be provided between the discharge pipe and the intake tube, and after coffee extraction, internal pressure of the intake tube and external pressure of the intake tube may be equal.

Advantageous Effects

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, by providing a vent valve between the heater and the coffee extracting unit, pressure of the coffee extracting unit may be released after coffee extraction.

Also, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, after coffee extraction, residual coffee may not be externally discharged.

Also, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, since ambient air is introduced to the coffee extracting unit after coffee extraction, coffee may not remain in the coffee extracting unit.

BEST MODES

To help understand the foregoing features of the present disclosure, a coffee extracting device related to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments most appropriate to help in an understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure will be described, and the technical features of the present disclosure are not limited by the described exemplary embodiments and merely illustrate the implementation of the present disclosure through the exemplary embodiments described hereinafter. Thus, the present disclosure can be variably modified within the scope of the present disclosure through the exemplary embodiments described below, and such modifications are within the scope of the present disclosure. In order to help understand the exemplary embodiments described hereinafter, the like or similar reference numerals are used for relevant components among the components having the same function in the respective exemplary embodiments in the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2are schematic views illustrating operations of a coffee extracting device according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, whereinFIG. 1illustrates a state when coffee is extracted, andFIG. 2illustrates a state after coffee is extracted.

FIGS. 3 through 5are schematic views illustrating a coffee extracting unit included in a coffee extracting device and operations thereof according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, whereinFIG. 3illustrates a state before coffee is extracted,FIG. 4illustrates a state when coffee is extracted, andFIG. 5illustrates a state after coffee is extracted.

A coffee extracting device100according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure may include a pump200, a heater300, a coffee extracting unit400, and a discharge member500.

The pump200may be connected to a water supply source (not shown). As illustrated inFIG. 1, the pump200may be connected to the water supply source by a supply line LS.

In a case in which the coffee extracting device100according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure is provided in a water treatment device (not shown) such as a water purifier, the water supply source to which the pump200is connected may be included in the water treatment device and may be a filtering unit including a water purification filter filtering water or a storage tank connected to the filtering unit and storing filtered water.

However, the water supply source to which the pump200is connected is not particularly limited, and any known water supply source may be used as long as it can supply water to the pump200.

The heater300may heat water pressurized by the pump200. To this end, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the heater300may be connected to the pump200by a connection line LC, and water pressurized by the pump200may be supplied thereto.

A configuration of the heater300is not particularly limited, and any known component may be used as long as it can heat water.

The coffee extracting unit400may extract coffee using water heated by the heater300as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 4. To this end, the coffee extracting unit400may be connected to the heater300by a connection line LC and heated water from the heater300may be supplied to the coffee extracting unit400.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, in the coffee extracting unit400, coffee may be extracted using a coffee capsule C.

To this end, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 through 5, the coffee extracting unit400may include a unit body410with an open upper portion and a cover420hermetically closing the open upper portion of the unit body410.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3 through 5, a capsule insertion part411, into which the coffee capsule C may be inserted, may be formed in the unit body410. Also, a coffee discharge part412, to which the capsule insertion part411and a discharge line LE are connected, may be formed in the unit body410.

In a case in which the coffee capsule C is inserted into the capsule insertion part411, a small gap may be formed between the coffee capsule C and the capsule insertion part411and may serve as a passage along which ambient air introduced through an ambient air intake pipe440as described hereinafter moves.

As illustrated, a piercing member430may be provided in the coffee discharge part412. A coffee flow channel431may be penetratingly formed in the piercing member430.

Thus, when the coffee capsule C is inserted into the capsule insertion part411of the unit body410, a lower surface of the coffee capsule C may be pierced by the piercing member430. Coffee extracted from the coffee capsule C may then move to the coffee discharge part412through the coffee flow channel431of the piercing member430.

A piercing part421may be formed on the cover420. Also, a water supply flow channel422connected to the connection line LC may be formed in the cover420and the piercing part421. The cover420may be connected to the unit body410in a pivoted manner.

Accordingly, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the capsule insertion part411may be hermetically closed by closing the open upper portion of the unit body410by rotating the cover420. Also, as illustrated inFIG. 4, an upper surface of the coffee capsule C may be pierced by the piercing part421of the cover420.

Through this configuration, as illustrated inFIG. 3, in a state in which the cover420is rotated to open an upper portion of the unit body410, the coffee capsule C is inserted into the capsule insertion part411of the unit body410. Thereafter, as illustrated inFIG. 4, in a state in which the coffee capsule C is inserted in the capsule insertion part411of the unit body410, the cover420is rotated to close the upper portion of the unit body410to hermetically close the capsule insertion part411.

Thereafter, as illustrated inFIG. 4, water heated by the heater300is supplied to the water supply flow channel422through the connection line LC connected to the heater300, the heated water may be supplied to the coffee capsule C, and coffee may be extracted. Also, coffee extracted from the coffee capsule C may move to the coffee discharge part412through the coffee flow channel431of the piercing member430and subsequently move to the discharge line LE connected to the coffee discharge part412.

However, a configuration of the coffee extracting unit400is not particularly limited, and any known configuration such as extracting coffee by grinding coffee beans may also be adopted.

The discharge member500may discharge coffee extracted from the coffee extracting unit400externally. To this end, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the discharge member500may be connected to the coffee extracting unit400by a discharge line LE. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG. 4, coffee extracted from the coffee extracting unit400may move along the discharge line LE and be externally discharged through the discharge member500. The coffee may then be supplied to a user.

Meanwhile, a vent valve600may be provided between the heater300and the coffee extracting unit400. As illustrated inFIG. 1, a vent line LV may be connected to the connection line LC connecting the heater300and the coffee extracting unit400, and a vent valve600may be provided in the vent line LV.

The vent valve600is closed when coffee is extracted as illustrated inFIG. 1, and opened after coffee is extracted as illustrated inFIG. 2. Accordingly, after coffee extraction, heated water or steam present in the connection line LC connecting the heater300and the coffee extracting unit400may be externally discharged through the vent valve600. Also, pressure of the coffee extracting unit400may be released.

Accordingly, after coffee is extracted, coffee remaining in the coffee extracting unit400, in the discharge line LE connecting the coffee extracting unit400and the discharge member500, or in the discharge member500may not be externally discharged.

Also, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 through 5, an ambient air intake pipe440may be connected to the coffee extracting unit400. As illustrated, the ambient air intake pipe440may be connected to an upper portion of the capsule insertion part411of the coffee extracting unit400.

One end of the ambient air intake pipe440may be connected to an interior of the coffee extracting unit400, and the other end of the ambient air intake pipe440may communicate with ambient air. The ambient air intake pipe440may be closed when coffee is extracted and opened after coffee is extracted.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, ambient air may be introduced to the capsule insertion part411of the coffee extracting unit400through the ambient air intake pipe440. In this manner, coffee remaining in the coffee extracting unit400, the discharge line LE, or the discharge member500may be externally discharged by ambient air introduced through the ambient air intake pipe440. That is, even residual coffee may also be supplied to the user.

Thus, after coffee extraction, coffee may not remain in the coffee extracting unit400, the discharge line LE, or the discharge member500, and since coffee does not remain, coffee is not externally discharged after coffee extraction.

Meanwhile, in order to prevent coffee remaining in the coffee extracting unit400from flowing backwards to be discharged through the ambient air intake pipe440after coffee extraction, the other end of the ambient air intake pipe440may be positioned to be higher than one end of the ambient air intake pipe440, and may have a bent shape. Also, an inner diameter of the ambient air intake pipe440may be smaller than an inner diameter of the discharge line LE.

FIG. 6is a schematic view illustrating a modified example of a connection position of an ambient air intake pipe provided in a coffee extracting device according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure,FIG. 7is a schematic view illustrating a modified example of a coffee extracting unit provided in a coffee extracting device according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, andFIG. 8is a schematic view illustrating an operation when coffee is extracted in the modified example of the coffee extracting unit illustrated inFIG. 7.

InFIGS. 3 through 5, the ambient air intake pipe440is connected to the coffee extracting unit400, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the ambient air intake pipe440may be connected to the discharge line LE as illustrated inFIG. 6.

In this case, after coffee is extracted, coffee remaining in the discharge line LE or discharge member500may be externally discharged by ambient air introduced through the ambient air intake pipe440.

Also, referring toFIG. 7, the coffee extracting unit400may further include a holder450.

The holder450may be inserted into the capsule insertion part411through the open upper portion of the unit body410, an installation space451may be formed in the holder450, and the coffee capsule C may be installed in the installation space451.

A guide hole452may be provided on a lower surface of the holder450, and the piercing member430may be inserted into the holder450through the guide hole452, and accordingly, the coffee capsule C inserted into the installation space451of the holder450may be pierced by the piercing member430.

Also, through holes453and413may be separately provided in mutually corresponding positions of the holder450and the unit body410, and thus the through holes453and413penetrate through an interior and an exterior of the coffee extracting unit400.

The ambient air intake pipe440allowing ambient air to be introduced to the interior of the holder450may be connected to the through holes453and413, and as illustrated inFIG. 7, after coffee is extracted, ambient air may be introduced to the installation space451of the holder450through the ambient air intake pipe440.

At least a portion of the coffee capsule C may not be tightly attached to the holder450, and accordingly, a small gap may be formed between the coffee capsule C and the holder450. Such a gap may serve as a passage along which ambient air may move after coffee extraction.

In this manner, after coffee extraction, coffee remaining in the coffee extracting unit400, the discharge line LE, or the discharge member500may be externally discharged by ambient air introduced through the ambient air intake pipe440.

FIG. 9is a schematic view illustrating an operation of a pressing pump provided in a coffee extracting device according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, andFIG. 10is a schematic view illustrating an operation of an intake pump provided in a coffee extracting device according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, the coffee extracting device100according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure may further include a pressing pump700or an intake pump700′.

Even though internal pressure of the coffee extracting unit400is released by the vent valve500after coffee extraction, coffee may remain in the coffee extracting unit400, the discharge line LE, or the discharge member500.

The residual coffee may be externally discharged by ambient air introduced through the ambient air intake pipe440described above with reference toFIGS. 3 through 7, and here, in order to more effectively discharge residual coffee, the pressing pump700or the suction pump700′ may be connected to the discharge line LE.

The residual coffee may be externally discharged from the discharge member500through the discharge line LE by the operation of the pressing pump700. Also, residual coffee may be externally discharged from a discharge unit (not shown) through the discharge line LE by the operation of the suction pump700′.

In this manner, after coffee extraction, since coffee remaining within the coffee extracting device100is externally discharged, proliferation of germs bacteria, or microorganisms due to residual coffee may be prevented, and hygiene properties may be enhanced.

FIG. 11is a schematic view illustrating an operation of a first vent valve and a second vent valve of a coffee extracting device according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 11, a first vent valve600′ may be provided between the heater300and the coffee extracting unit400. For example, a first vent line LV1may be connected to the connection line LC connecting the heater300and the coffee extracting unit400, and the first vent valve600′ may be connected to the first vent line LV1.

The first vent valve600′ may be closed when coffee is extracted, and may be opened after coffee is extracted. Accordingly, after coffee extraction, heated water or steam present in the connection line LC connecting the heater300and the coffee extracting unit400may be externally discharged through the first vent valve600′. Also, pressure of the coffee extracting unit400may be released.

Also, a second vent valve800may be provided between the heater300and the discharge member500. For example, a second vent line LV2connecting the connection line LC connecting the heater300and the coffee extracting unit400and the discharge line LE connecting the coffee extracting unit400and the discharge member500may be provided, and the second vent valve800may be provided in the second vent line LV2.

The second vent valve800may be closed when coffee is extracted, and opened after coffee is extracted.

Thus, during coffee extraction, water or steam supplied from the heater300may not flow to the second vent line LV2, and after coffee extraction, water or steam supplied from the heater300may be externally discharged from the discharge member500through the second vent line LV2and the discharge line LE. Accordingly, after coffee extraction, coffee remaining in the discharge line LE or the discharge member500may be externally discharged.

FIG. 12is a perspective view of a discharge member provided in a coffee extracting device according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, andFIG. 13is a cross-sectional view of a discharge member provided in a coffee extracting device according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 12 and 13, the discharge member500may include a discharge pipe510receiving extracted coffee from the coffee extracting unit400and an intake tube520coupled to the discharge pipe510and externally discharging coffee.

Here, the intake tube520may have a shape in which a top portion and a bottom portion thereof are open, and the discharge pipe510may be coupled to the intake tube520through the open upper portion of the intake tube520.

A protrusion521protruding toward the discharge pipe510may be provided on an inner surface of the intake tube520, and the discharge pipe510may be tightly coupled to the protrusion521so as to be coupled to the intake tube520. Here, as a coupling scheme of the discharge pipe510and the protrusion521, various schemes such as a press-fit scheme and a screw-fastening scheme may be applied.

Meanwhile, due to a space between the protrusions521, the upper portion of the intake tube520may remain open, and accordingly, an interior and an exterior of the intake tube520may communicate with each other.

That is, a communication line LP may be provided in the discharge member500to allow an interior and an exterior of the discharge member500to communicate with each other.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a space between the protrusions521protruding from the inner surface of the intake tube520may serve as the communication line LP.

Due to the communication line LP, internal pressure of the intake tube520may be equal to external pressure of the intake tube520, and thus, after coffee extraction, coffee may not remain within the intake tube520.

As described above, when the coffee extracting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is used, pressure of the coffee extracting unit may be released after coffee extraction, residual coffee may not be externally discharged after coffee extraction, and coffee may not remain after coffee extraction.

The configurations of the coffee extracting device according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not limited in its application, but the entirety or a portion of the exemplary embodiments may be selectively combined to be configured into various modifications.