Patent Description:
A coffee machine that performs preparation using coffee beans has been proposed (for example, Patent Literature <NUM>). The coffee machine proposed in Patent Literature <NUM> is equipped with a coffee bean grinding device (grinder) and a coffee beverage extraction device. There are also coffee machines equipped with only a coffee bean grinding machine (grinder).

In a coffee machine in the related art, there is room for improvement in collecting wastes such as chaff and fine powder generated from coffee beans when the coffee beans are ground.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a coffee machine that is excellent in collecting wastes such as chaff and fine powder.

The coffee machine according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a coffee machine according to claim <NUM>. The coffee machine comprises.

The opening may allow the waste to pass therethrough or may allow an air flow to pass therethrough.

The inner case body may be configured such that the air flow containing the waste swirls along the circumferential wall, the waste falls by an own weight thereof in the vicinity of the opening [for example, a one-dot chain line arrow shown in (b) of Figure <NUM>], and an air flow [for example, a two-dot chain line arrow shown in (b) of Figure <NUM>] is suctioned by the suction unit and rises, and the outer case body may store the waste [for example, the one-dot chain line arrow shown in (b) of Figure <NUM>] fallen from the vicinity of the opening.

In the coffee machine described above, the outer case body may be provided with a transparent portion.

In the coffee machine described above, the inner case body may be provided with a transparent portion.

In the coffee machine, a discharge unit configured to discharge air in the reservoir unit to an outside is provided above the reservoir unit.

In the coffee machine, the grinder may include a first grinder and a second grinder, and the separation unit may be provided downstream of the first grinder and upstream of the second grinder.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coffee machine that is excellent in collecting wastes such as chaff and fine powder.

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

<FIG> is an external view of a beverage production device <NUM>. The beverage production device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a device for automatically producing a coffee beverage from roasted coffee beans and a liquid (here, water), and can produce a coffee beverage for one cup per one production operation. Roasted coffee beans as a raw material can be accommodated in canisters <NUM>. A cup placing portion <NUM> is provided in a lower portion of the beverage production device <NUM>, and a produced coffee beverage is poured into a cup from a pouring portion 10c.

The beverage production device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> that forms an exterior of the beverage production device <NUM> and encloses an internal mechanism. The housing <NUM> is roughly divided into a main body portion <NUM> and a cover portion <NUM> that covers a part of a front surface and a part of a side surface of the beverage production device <NUM>. The cover portion <NUM> is provided with an information display device <NUM>. The information display device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a touch panel type display, and is capable of receiving an input from an administrator of the device or a beverage consumer in addition to displaying various types of information. The information display device <NUM> is attached to the cover portion <NUM> via a moving mechanism 12a, and can be moved in a predetermined range in an upper-lower direction by the moving mechanism 12a.

The cover portion <NUM> is provided with a bean inlet <NUM> and an opening and closing door 103a that opens and closes the bean inlet <NUM>. Roasted coffee beans different from the roasted coffee beans accommodated in the canister <NUM> can be input to the bean inlet <NUM> by opening the opening and closing door 103a. As a result, it is possible to provide a cup of special beverage to a beverage consumer.

The cover portion <NUM> shown in <FIG> is made of a translucent material such as acrylic or glass, and constitutes a transparent cover whose entire body is a transmissive portion. Therefore, an inner mechanism covered by the cover portion <NUM> can be visually recognized from the outside. In the beverage production device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a part of a production portion for producing a coffee beverage can be visually recognized through the cover portion <NUM>. The main body portion <NUM> shown in <FIG> is entirely a non-transmissive portion, and it is difficult to visually recognize the inside of the main body portion <NUM> from the outside.

<FIG> is a partial front view of the beverage production device <NUM>, and is a diagram showing a part of the production portion that can be visually recognized by a user in a front view of the beverage production device <NUM>. The cover portion <NUM> and the information display device <NUM> are shown by imaginary lines.

The housing <NUM> in a front portion of the beverage production device <NUM> has a double structure of the main body portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> on an outer side (front side) of the main body portion <NUM>. A part of mechanisms of the production portion are disposed between the main body portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> in a front-rear direction, and can be visually recognized by a user through the cover portion <NUM>.

A part of the mechanisms of the production portion that can be visually recognized by a user through the cover portion <NUM> include a collective conveying portion <NUM>, a first grinder 5A, a second grinder 5B, a separation device <NUM>, an extraction container <NUM>, and the like. A rectangular concave portion 101a recessed in a rear side is formed in a front portion of the main body portion <NUM>, and the extraction container <NUM> and the like are positioned in a rear side of the concave portion 101a.

Since these mechanisms can be visually recognized from the outside through the cover portion <NUM>, an administrator may easily inspect or check the operation. In addition, a beverage consumer may enjoy a process of producing a coffee beverage.

A right end portion of the cover portion <NUM> is supported by the main body portion <NUM> via a hinge 102a so as to be freely opened and closed horizontally. An engaging portion 102b is provided at a left end portion of the cover portion <NUM> to maintain the main body portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> in a closed state. The engaging portion 102b is, for example, a combination of a magnet and iron. By opening the cover portion <NUM>, an administrator can inspect a part of the production portion described above on an inner side of the cover portion <NUM>.

The cover portion <NUM> shown in <FIG> is of a horizontal opening type, but may be of a vertical opening type or a slide type. In addition, the cover portion <NUM> may be configured such that the cover portion <NUM> cannot be opened or closed.

A control device <NUM> of the beverage production device <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> is a block diagram of the control device <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> controls the entire beverage production device <NUM>. The control device <NUM> includes a processing unit 11a, a storage unit 11b, and an interface (I/F) unit 11c. The processing unit 11a is, for example, a processor such as a CPU. The storage unit 11b is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The I/F unit 11c includes an input and output interface that inputs and outputs a signal between an external device and the processing unit 11a. The I/F unit 11c also includes a communication interface capable of performing data communication with a server <NUM> via a communication network <NUM> such as the Internet. The server <NUM> can communicate with a mobile terminal <NUM> such as a smartphone via the communication network <NUM>, and can receive, for example, information such as a reservation for beverage production or an impression from the mobile terminal <NUM> of a beverage consumer.

The processing unit 11a executes a program stored in the storage unit 11b, and controls an actuator group <NUM> based on an instruction from the information display device <NUM>, a detection result of a sensor group <NUM>, or an instruction from the server <NUM>. The sensor group <NUM> includes various sensors (for example, a hot water temperature sensor, an operation position detection sensor of a mechanism, a pressure sensor) provided in the beverage production device <NUM>. The actuator group <NUM> includes various actuators (for example, a motor, an electromagnetic valve, a heater, and the like) provided in the beverage production device <NUM>.

Next, a modification of the pulverizing device <NUM> will be described. In the following description, components having the same names as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used above. The pulverizing device <NUM> described here has a different appearance from that of the pulverizing device shown in <FIG>, but has the same function.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the pulverizing device <NUM>, and <FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pulverizing device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Similarly to the pulverizing device shown in <FIG>, the pulverizing device <NUM> shown in <FIG> also includes the first grinder 5A, the second grinder 5B, and the separation device <NUM>. The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are mechanisms for grinding roasted coffee beans supplied from the reservoir device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The first grinder 5A is a grinder for crushing coffee beans into a predetermined size (for example, about <NUM>/<NUM>) to facilitate separation of wastes adhering to the coffee beans. The second grinder 5B is a grinder for grinding the coffee beans crushed by the first grinder 5A into ground coffee beans having a desired particle size. Therefore, the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B have different particle sizes for grinding beans, and the second grinder 5B is a grinder having a finer particle size than the first grinder 5A. The particle size of the ground beans in the second grinder 5B may have an error (about ± <NUM>), but can be adjusted by adjusting an interval between a rotary blade 58b and a fixed blade 57b.

The first grinder 5A includes a motor 52a (see <FIG>) and a main body portion 53a. The motor 52a is a drive source of the first grinder 5A. The main body portion 53a is a unit for accommodating a cutter, and includes a built-in rotation shaft 54a as shown in <FIG>. A gear 55a is provided on the rotation shaft 54a, and a driving force of the motor 52a is transmitted to the rotation shaft 54a via the gear 55a.

As shown in <FIG>, a rotary blade 58a, which is a cutter, is provided on the rotation shaft 54a. A fixed blade 57a, which is a cutter, is provided around the rotary blade 58a. The inside of the main body portion 53a communicates with an inlet 50a (see <FIG>) and a discharge port 51a (see <FIG>). Roasted coffee beans supplied from the reservoir device <NUM> shown in <FIG> enter the main body portion 53a from the inlet 50a formed in an upper portion of the main body portion 53a, and are pulverized while being sandwiched between the rotary blade 58a and the fixed blade 57a shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, a preventing plate 56a is provided on an upper side of the rotary blade 58a of the rotation shaft 54a, and the preventing plate 56a prevents the roasted coffee beans from escaping to the upper side. In the first grinder 5A, the roasted coffee beans are ground to, for example, about <NUM>/<NUM>. The pulverized ground beans are discharged from the discharge port 51a to the separation device <NUM>.

Roasted coffee beans supplied to the inlet 50a may be supplied not from above the rotary blade 58a but at a height at which the roasted coffee beans come into contact with a side surface of the rotary blade 58a. In this case, since the roasted coffee beans are prevented from escaping to the upper side by the rotary blade 58a, the preventing plate 56a may not be provided.

The first grinder 5A may change a size of roasted coffee beans to be discharged after being pulverized by changing the number of rotations of the rotary blade 58a. The distance between the rotary blade 58a and the fixed blade 57a may be manually adjusted.

The separation device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a mechanism that is disposed between the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B and separates wastes such as chaff and fine powder from ground beans by an air suction force. Roasted coffee beans supplied from the reservoir device <NUM> are first coarsely ground by the first grinder 5A, and wastes are separated from the coarsely ground beans by the separation device <NUM>. The coarsely ground beans from which the wastes are separated are finely ground by the second grinder 5B.

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

As shown in <FIG>, the rotary blade 58b is provided on the rotation shaft 54b, and the fixed blade 57b is provided on an upper side of the rotary blade 58b. The inside of the main body portion 53b communicates with the inlet 50b shown in <FIG> and the discharge port 51b shown in <FIG>. Ground beans falling from the separation device <NUM> enter the main body portion 53b from the inlet 50b, and are further pulverized while being sandwiched between the rotary blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b. The ground beans pulverized into powder are discharged from the discharge port 51b. A particle size of the ground beans in the second grinder 5B can be adjusted by adjusting the interval between the rotary blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b.

Next, the separation device <NUM> will be described again, although there are parts overlapping with the above description. <FIG> is a partially cutaway perspective view of the separation device <NUM>. The separation device <NUM> includes a suction unit 6A and a forming unit 6B. The forming unit 6B is a hollow body that forms a separation chamber SC (see <FIG>) through which ground beans falling freely from the first grinder 5A pass. The suction unit 6A is a unit that communicates with the separation chamber SC in a direction (in this example, the left-right direction) intersecting with a passing direction (in this example, the upper-lower direction) of the ground beans, and suctions the air in the separation chamber SC. By suctioning the air in the separation chamber SC, lightweight objects such as chaff and fine powder are suctioned. As a result, wastes can be separated from the ground beans.

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

The collection container 60B includes the upper portion <NUM> and the lower portion <NUM> that are engaged with each other in a separable manner. The lower portion <NUM> has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open upper side, and forms a space for accumulating wastes. The upper portion <NUM> constitutes a lid portion to be attached to an opening of the lower portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the upper portion <NUM> includes the cylindrical outer circumferential wall 61a and the exhaust pipe 61b formed coaxially with the outer circumferential wall 61a. The air blowing unit 60A is fixed to the upper portion <NUM> above the exhaust pipe 61b so as to suction the air in the exhaust pipe 61b. The upper portion <NUM> includes a tubular connecting portion 61c extending in a radial direction. The connecting portion 61c is connected to the forming unit 6B, and allows the separation chamber SC to communicate with the collection container 60B. The connecting portion 61c is open to the side of the exhaust pipe 61b.

As the air blowing unit 60A is driven, air flows indicated by arrows d1 to d3 in <FIG> are generated. Due to the air flows, the air containing wastes is suctioned into the collection container 60B from the separation chamber SC through the connecting portion 61c. Since the connecting portion 61c is open to the side of the exhaust pipe 61b, the air containing wastes swirls around the exhaust pipe 61b. The waste D in the air falls by a weight thereof and is collected in a part of the collection container 60B (accumulate on a bottom surface of the lower portion <NUM>). The air is exhausted upward through the inside of the exhaust pipe 61b.

The plurality of fins 61d are integrally formed on a circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe 61b. The plurality of fins 61d are disposed in a circumferential direction of the exhaust pipe 61b. Each of the fins 61d is inclined obliquely with respect to an axial direction of the exhaust pipe 61b. The provision of such fins <NUM> facilitates the swirling of the air containing the waste D around the exhaust pipe 61b. In addition, the fins <NUM> facilitate the separation of the waste D. As a result, a length of the suction unit 6A in the upper-lower direction can be reduced, which contributes to downsizing of the device.

The forming unit 6B is disposed on a falling path of ground beans by the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, and the centrifugal separation type suction unit 6A is disposed on the side of the falling path. Although a mechanism of a centrifugal separation type tends to be long in the upper-lower direction, the suction unit 6A can be disposed side by side in a lateral direction with respect to the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B by disposing the suction unit 6A at the side shifted from the falling path. This contributes to reducing a length of the device in the upper-lower direction. In particular, when two-stage pulverizing is performed by the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, since the length of the device in the upper-lower direction tends to be long, such disposition of the suction unit 6A is effective for downsizing of the device.

The forming unit 6B will be described with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the forming unit 6B. <FIG> is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of the forming unit 6B. <FIG> is a plan view of the forming unit 6B, and is an explanatory diagram for comparison of cross-sectional areas.

The forming unit 6B shown in <FIG> is formed by combining two members divided into upper and lower halves. The forming unit 6B includes a pipe portion <NUM> and a separation chamber forming portion <NUM>, and has a spoon shape in a plan view. The pipe portion <NUM> is a cylindrical body that forms a communication passage 63a with the suction unit 6A, and extends in the lateral direction (a direction intersecting a center line CL to be described later). The separation chamber forming portion <NUM> is an annular hollow body that is connected to the pipe portion <NUM>, forms the separation chamber SC, and has an opening at the center in the upper-lower direction.

In the separation device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, when separating wastes from ground beans, a method is adopted in which wastes are suctioned by applying a lateral wind pressure to ground beans falling from the first grinder 5A. This is advantageous in that a length in a vertical direction can be shorter than in a centrifugal separation method.

The separation chamber forming portion <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a cylindrical portion <NUM> extending in the upper-lower direction. The cylindrical portion <NUM> protrudes into the separation chamber SC from a central portion in the upper-lower direction to a lower portion thereof. The cylindrical portion <NUM> includes an opening portion 65a at one end on an upper side, and the opening portion 65a forms an inlet of ground beans communicating with the separation chamber SC. The opening portion 65a is positioned outside the separation chamber SC and is connected to the discharge port 51a (see <FIG>) of the first grinder 5A. As a result, ground beans falling from the discharge port 51a are introduced into the separation chamber forming portion <NUM> without leaking. The cylindrical portion <NUM> includes an opening portion 65b at the other end on a lower side. The opening portion 65b is positioned in the separation chamber SC. Since the opening portion 65b faces the separation chamber SC, ground beans falling from the discharge port 51a are introduced into the separation chamber SC without leaking.

The cylindrical portion <NUM> has a cylindrical shape, and the opening portion 65a and the opening portion 65b have a concentric circular shape positioned on the center line CL. As a result, the ground beans falling from the discharge port 51a easily pass through the cylindrical portion <NUM>. The cylindrical portion <NUM> has a tapered shape in which a cross-sectional area of an internal space gradually decreases from the opening portion 65a side toward the opening portion 65b side. Since an inner wall of the cylindrical portion <NUM> has a mortar shape, the falling ground beans easily collide with the inner wall. In some cases, the ground beans falling from the first grinder 5A adhere to each other and fall as a lump. When the ground beans are in the form of a lump, the separation efficiency of wastes may decrease. In the cylindrical portion <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the lump of ground beans collides with the inner wall of the cylindrical portion <NUM>, thereby breaking the lump and making it easier to separate wastes.

The inner wall of the cylindrical portion <NUM> is not limited to a mortar shape in terms of breaking the lump of ground beans. When there is a portion in which a cross-sectional area of an internal space is smaller than that of the opening portion 65a in a middle portion of the cylindrical portion <NUM> and thus the inner wall is inclined (not horizontal) with respect to the center line CL, it is possible to make the ground beans fall smoothly while facilitating collision with the lump. The cylindrical portion <NUM> does not have to protrude into the separation chamber SC, and may include only a portion protruding upward from an outer surface of the separation chamber forming portion <NUM>. However, since the cylindrical portion <NUM> protrudes into the separation chamber SC, a wind speed around the cylindrical portion <NUM> can be improved. Therefore, in a region R1 relatively far from the pipe portion <NUM>, an effect of separating wastes due to the wind pressure can be enhanced.

The separation chamber forming portion <NUM> includes a discharge port <NUM> communicating with the separation chamber SC, from which the ground beans are discharged after wastes are separated. The discharge port <NUM> shown in <FIG> is positioned below the opening portion 65b, and the ground beans having passed through the cylindrical portion <NUM> pass through the separation chamber SC and fall freely from the discharge port <NUM>. The discharge port <NUM> is a circular opening positioned on the center line CL, and is an opening concentric with the opening portion 65a and the opening portion 65b. Therefore, the ground beans easily pass through the separation chamber forming portion <NUM> by free fall, and it is possible to prevent the ground beans from accumulating in the separation chamber forming portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a cross-sectional area SC2 of the discharge port <NUM> is larger than a cross-sectional area SC1 of the opening portion 65b. The opening portion 65b and the discharge port <NUM> overlap each other when viewed in the upper-lower direction. Therefore, when the opening portion 65b is projected in the upper-lower direction with respect to the discharge port <NUM>, the opening portion 65b is accommodated inside the discharge port <NUM>. In other words, the opening portion 65b is accommodated in a region in which the discharge port <NUM> is extended in the upper-lower direction. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the opening portion 65b and the discharge port <NUM> are not on the same center line but overlap each other, or a configuration in which at least one of the opening portion 65b or the discharge port <NUM> is not circular but is overlapped.

A ratio of the cross-sectional area SC1 to the cross-sectional area SC2 is, for example, <NUM>% or less, or <NUM>% or less, and is, for example, <NUM>% or more or <NUM>% or more. Since the opening portion 65b and the discharge port <NUM> are concentric, the opening portion 65b and the discharge port <NUM> overlap each other when viewed in the direction of the center line CL. Therefore, ground beans falling freely from the opening portion 65b are easily discharged from the discharge port <NUM>. In addition, it is possible to prevent the falling ground beans from colliding with an edge of the discharge port <NUM> and jumping to the pipe portion <NUM> side, and it is also possible to prevent the required ground beans from being suctioned to the suction unit 6A. Although it has been exemplified that an opening area of the opening portion on one end (for example, 65a) is smaller than an opening area of the discharge port (for example, <NUM>), the opening area of the discharge port (for example, <NUM>) and the opening area of the opening portion on one end (for example, 65a) may be the same, or the opening area of the opening portion on one end (for example, 65a) may be larger than the opening area of the discharge port (for example, <NUM>). Although it has been exemplified that an opening area of the opening portion on the other end (for example, 65b) is smaller than the opening area of the discharge port (for example, <NUM>), the opening area of the discharge port (for example, <NUM>) and the opening area of the opening portion on the other end (for example, 65b) may be the same, or the opening area of the opening portion on the other end (for example, 65b) may be larger than the opening area of the discharge port (for example, <NUM>). Although it has been exemplified that the air is suctioned from the discharge port <NUM> and the inlets (for example, 65a and 65a') by the suction unit (for example, 6A), an amount of air suctioned from the discharge port <NUM> may be larger than an amount of air suctioned from the inlets (for example, 65a and 65a'). This may be implemented by the opening portion on the other end (for example, 65b) protruding into the separation chamber, a size of the cross-sectional area of the discharge port <NUM> being larger than a size of the opening area of the opening portion on one end (for example, 65a), the size of the cross-sectional area of the discharge port <NUM> being larger than a size of the opening area of the opening portion on the other end (for example, 65b), a distance from the discharge port <NUM> to the separation chamber being shorter than a distance from the opening portion on one end (for example, 65a) to the separation chamber, a distance from the discharge port <NUM> to the exhaust pipe 61b being shorter than a distance from the opening portion on one end (for example, 65a) to the exhaust pipe 61b, or a distance from the discharge port <NUM> to the air blowing unit 60A being shorter than a distance from the opening portion on one end (for example, 65a) to the air blowing unit 60A. Any one of inner wall portions of members (<NUM> to <NUM>) constituting the forming unit 6B and the separation chamber SC, the cylindrical portion <NUM>, or the opening portion on the other end (for example, 65b) may vibrate by being in contact with the grinder (at least one of 5A or 5B) directly or indirectly via another member to receive the vibration due to rotation of the grinder. For example, in the case of the coffee bean grinding machine <NUM> in the embodiment, since they are in direct or indirect contact, during the operation of the grinder, any one of the inner wall portions of the members (<NUM> to <NUM>) constituting the forming unit 6B and the separation chamber SC, the cylindrical portion <NUM>, or the opening portion on the other end (for example, 65b) vibrates, and by the turbulent air generated in the separation chamber SC due to the vibration, a brake is applied to light wastes entering the separation chamber SC from the opening portion on the other end (for example, 65b) to facilitate the suction of the wastes by the suction unit (for example, 6A). In particular, the forming unit 6B, like the coffee bean grinding machine <NUM> in the embodiment, is in direct contact with the first grinder 5A out of the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, and by bringing the forming unit 6B into direct contact with one grinder in this way, appropriate vibration may be applied to the forming unit 6B to facilitate the suction of light wastes.

The air suctioned by the suction unit 6A is mainly suctioned through the discharge port <NUM>. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, a gap is provided between the discharge port <NUM> and the inlet 50b of the second grinder 5B, and air suction is facilitated. An arrow d4 shown in <FIG> schematically indicates a direction of an air flow of the air suctioned by the suction unit 6A. Suction of air from the discharge port <NUM> makes it difficult for wastes to be discharged from the discharge port <NUM>, and separation performance between ground beans and wastes can be improved. The air suctioned by the suction unit 6A is also suctioned through the opening portion 65a.

A turbulent flow generating portion <NUM> is formed in a surrounding wall defining the discharge port <NUM>. The turbulent flow generating portion <NUM> generates a turbulent flow in the air suctioned from the discharge port <NUM> into the separation chamber SC. By forming the turbulent flow generating portion <NUM>, a turbulent flow is particularly likely to occur in a region R2 between the opening portion 65b and the discharge port <NUM>. In the forming unit 6B shown in <FIG>, since the wind speed is improved around the cylindrical portion <NUM>, the generation of the turbulent flow in the region R2 can be synergistically facilitated.

Ground beans put into the inlet 65a are stirred by being affected by the turbulent flow when passing through the region R2. In particular, as described above, since the cross-sectional area SC2 of the discharge port <NUM> is larger than the cross-sectional area SC1 of the opening portion 65b, the ground beans always pass through the region R2. Due to the turbulent flow, wastes such as chaff and fine powder are easily separated from the ground beans. Therefore, even if the separation chamber SC is a small space, it is possible to improve the separation efficiency of the wastes, and in particular, it contributes to reducing a length of the separation chamber SC in the upper-lower direction, which is advantageous in reducing the size of the device when two-stage pulverizing is performed by the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the turbulent flow generating portion <NUM> includes a plurality of turbulent flow generating elements 67a. The turbulent flow generating element 67a is a protrusion protruding downward in the upper-lower direction. A direction in which the turbulent flow generating element 67a protrudes may be any direction, but a direction within a range from a lower direction to a radially inward direction is preferable in terms of facilitating the generation of a turbulent flow in the separation chamber SC. When the protruding direction is the lower direction, the falling ground beans are not caught, which is more preferable.

A cross-sectional shape of the turbulent flow generating element 67a is such that an upper base of a cross section of a quadrangular prism having a trapezoidal shape is oriented in the direction of the center line CL, and, as shown in <FIG>, an inner side of a tip end portion is provided with a chamfer 67b. The shape of the turbulent flow generating element 67a is not limited thereto, but a shape that makes a shape of the discharge port <NUM> three-dimensionally complicated is preferable.

As shown in <FIG>, the turbulent flow generating element 67a is repeatedly formed in a circumferential direction d5 of the discharge port <NUM>. As a result, air is blown into the region R2 from multiple directions, which facilitates the generation of a turbulent flow. Adjacent turbulent flow generating elements 67a have the same pitch, but may have different pitches. Although twelve turbulent flow generating elements 67a are formed, the number of the turbulent flow generating elements 67a is any number.

Although the pulverizing device <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> is to be incorporated in the beverage production device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the pulverizing device <NUM> alone can also be used as a coffee bean grinding machine. In this case, a reservoir device that accommodates roasted coffee beans and supplies the coffee beans to the inlet 50a, a control device that controls the pulverizing device <NUM>, and an information display device are added.

<FIG> is an external perspective view of a coffee bean grinding machine, and <FIG> is a block diagram of a control device of the coffee bean grinding machine. A basic configuration of the coffee bean grinding machine shown in <FIG> is substantially the same as a basic configuration of the pulverizing device <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. Hereinafter, components having the same names as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used above, and differences from the pulverizing device <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> will be mainly described.

A coffee bean grinding machine GM shown in <FIG> includes the reservoir device <NUM>, the pulverizing device <NUM>, and the control device <NUM> shown in <FIG> that controls the reservoir device <NUM> and the pulverizing device <NUM>. The coffee bean grinding machine GM also includes the information display device <NUM> (see <FIG>) wirelessly connected to the control device <NUM>. The information display device <NUM> is a touch panel type display for inputting various control instructions, set values, and the like of the coffee bean grinding machine GM, and can receive inputs from an administrator or a user in addition to displaying various types of information. The information display device <NUM> is provided with a speaker and a camera.

The control device <NUM> controls the entire coffee bean grinding machine GM. The control device <NUM> includes the processing unit 11a, the storage unit 11b, and the interface (I/F) unit 11c. The processing unit 11a is, for example, a processor such as a CPU. The storage unit 11b is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. A recipe is stored in the storage unit 11b. The recipe includes information on various conditions for grinding coffee beans, beans information, recipe creator information, comments of a recipe creator, and the like. The I/F unit 11c includes an input and output interface that inputs and outputs a signal between an external device and the processing unit 11a. The I/F unit 11c also includes a communication interface capable of performing data communication with an external terminal such as the server <NUM> or the mobile terminal <NUM> via the communication network <NUM> such as the Internet. The server <NUM> can communicate with the mobile terminal <NUM> such as a smartphone via the communication network <NUM>, and can receive, for example, information such as a reservation for production of ground beans of coffee and an impression from the mobile terminal <NUM> of a consumer. A coffee bean grinding system GS for grinding coffee beans includes the coffee bean grinding machine <NUM>, the server <NUM>, and the mobile terminal <NUM>.

The processing unit 11a executes a program stored in the storage unit 11b, and controls the reservoir device <NUM> and the pulverizing device <NUM> according to the recipe. More specifically, the processing unit 11a controls the actuator group <NUM> according to the recipe, and controls the actuator group <NUM> based on an instruction from the information display device <NUM>, a detection result of the sensor group <NUM>, or an instruction from the server <NUM>. The sensor group <NUM> includes various sensors (for example, an operation position detection sensor of a mechanism) provided in the reservoir device <NUM> and the pulverizing device <NUM>. The actuator group <NUM> includes various actuators (for example, a motor) provided in the reservoir device <NUM> and the pulverizing device <NUM>.

The reservoir device <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a cylindrical canister accommodation unit <NUM> and a detachable cap 401c that is screwed to an upper end portion of the canister accommodation unit <NUM> and covers an upper surface of the canister accommodation unit <NUM>. A plurality of canister accommodation chambers (not shown) are provided inside the canister accommodation unit <NUM>. The plurality of canister accommodation chambers are provided in a circumferential direction, and a plurality of canisters can be accommodated inside the canister accommodation unit <NUM>. Here, the canister (not shown) has the same structure as the canister shown in <FIG> and <FIG> except that the handle 40b is not provided. The plurality of canisters accommodated in the reservoir device <NUM> can be selectively used. Therefore, it is possible to perform a grinding process by selecting roasted coffee beans of different varieties or roasted coffee beans having different degrees of roasting, and it is also possible to perform a grinding process by mixing a plurality of types of roasted coffee beans of different varieties or degrees of roasting.

The canister accommodation unit <NUM> is detachably attached to an option attachment portion GM11 provided in an upper portion of a center casing GM10 of the coffee bean grinding machine GM. In addition to the canister accommodation unit <NUM>, a plurality of types of units can be attached to the option attachment portion GM11. The upper portion of the center casing GM10 covers a lower portion of a unit attached to the option attachment portion GM11. A type of the unit attached to the option attachment portion GM11 may be displayed on an external terminal such as the mobile terminal <NUM> capable of communicating with the coffee bean grinding machine GM.

Next, the pulverizing device <NUM> of the coffee bean grinding machine GM will be described. The pulverizing device <NUM> has a basic configuration same as the basic configuration of the pulverizing device <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, and includes the first grinder 5A, the second grinder 5B, and the separation device <NUM>. Hereinafter, differences from the pulverizing device <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> will be mainly described, and redundant description may be omitted.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a main configuration of the pulverizing device <NUM> built in the coffee bean grinding machine GM.

In <FIG>, the first grinder 5A, the forming unit 6B, and the second grinder 5B are disposed from an upstream side. That is, the forming unit 6B is provided downstream of the first grinder 5A and upstream of the second grinder 5B. The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are mechanisms that grind roasted coffee beans supplied from a reservoir unit such as the canister accommodation unit <NUM>, the hopper unit <NUM>, or the funnel unit <NUM>. A connecting structure of the first grinder 5A and the forming unit 6B is the same as the connecting structure described with reference to <FIG>, that is, the forming unit 6B is provided with the cylindrical portion <NUM> (see <FIG>), which is not shown in this example, and the discharge port 51a (see <FIG> or <FIG>) of the first grinder 5A is connected to the opening portion 65a (see <FIG>) at an upper end of the cylindrical portion <NUM>.

An upper end of a coupling duct <NUM> is connected to the discharge port <NUM> of the forming unit 6B. In <FIG>, a lower side portion of the coupling duct <NUM> is obscured by the manual setting disc dial <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the fixed blade 57b disposed on an upper side and the rotary blade 58b disposed on a lower side, which constitute the second grinder 5B.

The fixed blade 57b can be moved up and down with respect to the rotary blade 58b, and a particle size of ground beans can be adjusted by adjusting an interval between the rotary blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b. <FIG> also shows a worm wheel <NUM> and a worm gear <NUM> that meshes with the worm wheel <NUM> as a part of a lifting mechanism of the fixed blade 57b.

First, the first grinder 5A will be described.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the first grinder 5A.

The first grinder 5A shown in <FIG> is a grinder for crushing coffee beans into a predetermined size (for example, about <NUM>/<NUM>) to facilitate separation of wastes adhering to the coffee beans. A rotation shaft (not shown in <FIG>) extends from above, and the rotary blade 58a serving as a cutter is provided on the rotation shaft. The fixed blade 57a, which is a cutter, is provided around the rotary blade 58a. The fixed blade 57a shown in <FIG> is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the main body portion 53a. The rotation shaft is rotated by a first motor (not shown) (see the motor 52a shown in <FIG>), and the rotary blade 58a is rotated.

Roasted coffee beans introduced into a bean conveying passage provided inside the center casing GM10 and arrive the first grinder 5A.

Next, the suction unit 6A, which is not shown in <FIG>, will be described.

(a) of <FIG> is a diagram showing the separation device <NUM>. (a) of <FIG> shows the suction unit 6A and the forming unit 6B constituting the separation device <NUM>.

A configuration of the forming unit 6B shown in (a) of <FIG> is the same as the configuration of the forming unit 6B described with reference to <FIG>, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The suction unit 6A shown in (a) of <FIG> is a unit that communicates with the separation chamber SC (see <FIG> and <FIG> as well) in a direction (in this example, the left-right direction) intersecting with a passing direction BP (in this example, the upper-lower direction) of ground beans and suctions the air in the separation chamber SC. By suctioning the air in the separation chamber SC, lightweight objects such as chaff and fine powder are suctioned. As a result, wastes can be separated from the ground beans.

The suction unit 6A is a mechanism of a centrifugal separation type. The suction unit 6A includes the air blowing unit 60A and the collection container 60B. The air blowing unit 60A is a fan motor, and when the fan motor is driven, the air in the separation chamber SC is suctioned, and lightweight objects such as chaff and fine powder are collected in the collection container 60B. The air blowing unit 60A is covered with a casing 60C shown in <FIG>, and the air blowing unit 60A is not visible in the external perspective view of the coffee bean grinding machine GM shown in <FIG>. An exhaust slit (not shown) is provided on a back surface side of the casing 60C, and the air suctioned by the air blowing unit 60A is exhausted from the exhaust slit to the outside of the coffee bean grinding machine GM. An air volume dial 60D (see <FIG>) is provided above the air blowing unit 60A. By operating the air volume dial 60D, a suction volume of the fan motor of the air blowing unit 60A can be changed.

Similarly to the collection container 60B described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the collection container 60B shown in (a) of <FIG> includes the upper portion <NUM> and the lower portion <NUM>.

(b) of <FIG> is a diagram showing a state in which the outer circumferential wall 61a (see (a) of <FIG>) of the upper portion <NUM> of the collection container 60B is removed.

(b) of <FIG> shows the air blowing unit 60A attached to the removed outer circumferential wall 61a. Further, the exhaust pipe 61b of the upper portion <NUM> is also shown. Similarly to the exhaust pipe 61b shown in <FIG>, the exhaust pipe 61b shown in (b) of <FIG> also has a plurality of fins 61d formed on a circumferential surface thereof. The plurality of fins 61d are disposed in a circumferential direction of the exhaust pipe 61b. Each of the fins 61d is inclined obliquely with respect to an axial direction of the exhaust pipe 61b. The provision of such fins 61d facilitates the swirling of the air containing wastes around the exhaust pipe 61b.

(b) of <FIG> shows an internal structure of the lower portion <NUM> of the collection container 60B. Unlike the lower portion <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the lower portion <NUM> shown in (b) of <FIG> has a double structure including an outer case 60Bo and an inner case 60Bi. In (b) of <FIG>, a part of the inner case 60Bi disposed inside the outer case 60Bo is visible. The inner case 60Bi includes an upper end opening 6uo opened upward, and the exhaust pipe 61b is positioned above and inside the upper end opening 6uo.

(a) of <FIG> is a perspective view of the separation device <NUM> from which the outer case 60Bo is removed, as viewed obliquely from below.

(b) of <FIG> is a perspective view of the outer case 60Bo showing a positional relation between the outer case 60Bo and the inner case 60Bi.

As shown in (b) of <FIG>, the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner case 60Bi is positioned near a middle position in a height direction of the outer case 60Bo. A predetermined gap is provided between an inner circumferential surface 6ois of the outer case 60Bo and an outer circumferential surface 6ios of the inner case 60Bi.

(a) of <FIG> is a diagram schematically showing a phenomenon such as an air flow in the separation device shown in <FIG>. In (a) of <FIG> of <FIG> to be described later, an air flow containing wastes such as chaff and fine powder is indicated by solid and dotted arrows, the movement of the wastes is indicated by a one-dot chain line arrow, and an air flow from which the wastes is separated is indicated by a two-dot chain line arrow.

When the air blowing unit 60A is driven, air containing wastes such as chaff and fine powder arrives the inside of the upper portion <NUM> of the collection container 60B through the connecting portion 61c from the separation chamber SC in the forming unit 6B shown in (a) of <FIG>. The connecting portion 61c is open to the side of the exhaust pipe 61b, the air containing wastes swirls around the exhaust pipe 61b as indicated by the solid and dotted arrows in (a) of <FIG>, and eventually enters the inner case 60Bi from the upper end opening 6uo of the inner case 60Bi. In an upper part of the inner case 60Bi, wastes such as chaff and fine powder fall due to their weights (see the one-dot chain line arrow), further fall into the outer case 60Bo from the plurality of openings 6io provided in the vicinity of the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner case 60Bi (see the one-dot chain line arrow), and accumulate on a bottom surface 6obs of the outer case 60Bo. The air from which the wastes fall and are separated in the inner case 60Bi becomes an upward air flow in the inner case 60Bi as indicated by the two-dot chain line arrow, rises along a central axis of the exhaust pipe 61b, and is exhausted to the outside of the coffee bean grinding machine GM from the exhaust slit (not shown) provided on the back surface side of the casing 60C shown in <FIG>. As a result, the case (outer case 60Bo) in which the wastes such as chaff and fine powder are accumulated is different from the case (inner case 60Bi) in which the upward air flow is generated, so that the wastes hardly rise up, and the backflow of the wastes is reduced.

Both the outer case 60Bo and the inner case 60Bi have an entire transparent body, and the state of the inside can be checked from the outside. Therefore, it is possible to check an accumulation state of the wastes such as chaff and fine powder and an air flow from the outside. The entire body may not be transparent, or a part of the entire body may be transparent, and the entire body may be translucent instead of being transparent.

(b) of <FIG> is a diagram schematically showing a phenomenon such as an air flow in a separation device according to a modification.

In this modification, an upper end of the inner case 60Bi is not open and is closed by a doughnut-shaped top plate 6ub. The air that swirls around the exhaust pipe 61b and contains wastes such as chaff and fine powder continues to swirl along the outer circumferential surface 6ios of the inner case 60Bi and heads toward the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner case 60Bi (see the solid and dotted arrows). Eventually, the air enters the inner case 60Bi through the plurality of openings 6io provided in the vicinity of the bottom surface 6ibs of the inner case 60Bi. At this time, the wastes such as chaff and fine powder fall due to their weights (see the one-dot chain line arrow) and accumulates on the bottom surface 6obs of the outer case 60Bo. The air from which the wastes fall and are separated becomes an upward air flow in the inner case <NUM> as indicated by the two-dot chain line arrow, rises along a central axis of the inner case <NUM>, heads upward through the inside of the exhaust pipe 61b, and is exhausted to the outside of the coffee bean grinding machine GM from the exhaust slit (not shown) provided on the back surface side of the casing 60C shown in <FIG>. In this modification as well, the case (outer case 60Bo) in which the wastes such as chaff and fine powder are accumulated is different from the case (inner case 60Bi) in which the upward air flow is generated, so that the wastes hardly rise up, and the backflow of the wastes is reduced.

The separation device <NUM> described above with reference to Figures <NUM> to <NUM> is also applicable to the separation device of the beverage production device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

According to the above description, "a coffee machine [for example, the beverage production device <NUM> shown in <FIG> or the coffee bean grinding machine GM shown in <FIG>] including: a grinder [for example, the first grinder 5A] configured to grind coffee beans; a separation unit [for example, the separation chamber SC] configured to separate a waste [for example, chaff and fine powder] from coffee beans; and a reservoir unit [for example, the lower portion <NUM> of the collection container 60B] configured to store the waste separated from the coffee beans in the separation unit, in which the reservoir unit includes an outer case body [for example, the outer case 60Bo shown in <FIG> of <FIG>] and an inner case body [for example, the inner case 60Bi shown in <FIG>] inside the outer case body, and the inner case body has, in a circumferential wall [for example, the circumferential wall 6iw shown in (a) of <FIG>] thereof, an opening [for example, the opening 6io] connected to the inside of the outer case body" has been described.

The opening may allow the wastes to pass therethrough or may allow an air flow to pass therethrough.

"The coffee machine further including a suction unit [for example, the air blowing unit 60A] above the reservoir unit, in which the inner case body is configured such that an air flow containing the waste enters inside the circumferential wall, the waste falls by an own weight thereof inside the circumferential wall [for example, the one-dot chain line shown in (a) of <FIG>], and an air flow [for example, the two-dot chain line shown in (a) of <FIG>] is suctioned by the suction unit and rises, and the outer case body stores the waste [for example, the one-dot chain line shown in (a) of <FIG>] passed through the opening" has also been described.

The inner case body may be configured such that an air flow containing wastes swirls along the circumferential wall, the wastes fall by an own weight thereof in the vicinity of the opening [for example, the one-dot chain line arrow shown in (b) of <FIG>], and an air flow [for example, the two-dot chain line arrow shown in (b) of <FIG>] is suctioned by the suction unit and rises, and the outer case body may store the wastes [for example, the one-dot chain line arrow shown in (b) of <FIG>] fallen from the vicinity of the opening.

"The coffee machine in which the outer case body is provided with a transparent portion [for example, an entire transparent body]" has also been described.

"The coffee machine in which the inner case body is provided with a transparent portion [for example, an entire transparent body]" has also been described.

"The coffee machine in which a discharge unit [for example, the exhaust slit provided on the back surface side of the casing 60C] configured to discharge air in the reservoir unit to an outside is provided above the reservoir unit" has also been described.

"The coffee machine in which the grinder includes a first grinder [for example, the first grinder 5A] and a second grinder [for example, the second grinder 5B], and the separation unit is provided downstream of the first grinder and upstream of the second grinder" has also been described.

Further "a coffee machine system (for example, <FIG> or <FIG>) including an external device (for example, the server <NUM> or the mobile terminal <NUM>) capable of communicating with the coffee machine" has also been described.

"A method for collecting a waste generated from coffee beans when the coffee beans are ground, the method including: a separation step of separating a waste from coffee beans; a first step of directing an air flow containing the wastes inside a circumferential wall of an inner case body which is disposed inside an outer case body and in which the circumferential wall is provided with an opening connected to the inside of the outer case body; and a second step of generating an upward air flow inside the circumferential wall by suctioning the inside of the circumferential wall from above" has also been described.

According to this method for collecting a waste, in the second step, the waste may fall on a bottom wall of the inner case body by an own weight thereof, and may further fall from the opening to a bottom wall of the outer case body.

Next, the coupling duct <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a diagram in which the manual setting disc dial <NUM> shown in <FIG> is removed so that the entire coupling duct <NUM> can be seen.

<FIG> shows the rotary blade 58b that constitutes the second grinder 5B, the fixed blade 57b that can move up and down with respect to the rotary blade 58b, and shows the worm wheel <NUM> and the worm gear <NUM> that meshes with the worm wheel <NUM> as a part of a lifting mechanism of the fixed blade 57b. The worm wheel <NUM> includes a gear portion <NUM>, a connecting portion 691c, and a coupling port 691j (see <FIG>). <FIG> shows a holder portion <NUM> provided between the fixed blade 57b and the worm wheel <NUM>. The fixed blade 57b is screwed to the connecting portion 691c of the worm wheel <NUM> via the holder portion <NUM>. Therefore, when the gear portion <NUM> of the worm wheel <NUM> rotates, the fixed blade 57b also rotates together with the holder portion <NUM>. A screw groove <NUM> is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the holder portion <NUM>.

The coupling port 691j of the worm wheel <NUM> is connected to a lower end of the coupling duct <NUM>. As a result, a path through which roasted coffee beans pass is formed in the order of the discharge port <NUM> of the forming unit 6B, the coupling duct <NUM>, the worm wheel <NUM>, the holder portion <NUM>, the fixed blade 57b, and the rotary blade 58b. As shown in <FIG>, air suction ports 661a are provided in a lower portion of the coupling duct <NUM>. The air suction port 661a has the same function as that of a gap between the discharge port <NUM> and the inlet 50b of the second grinder 5B shown in <FIG>, and suction of air from the air suction port 661a improves the performance of separating ground beans and wastes.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of the second grinder 5B.

The second grinder 5B includes the second motor 52b, a motor base <NUM>, a base portion 505a, and a particle size adjusting mechanism <NUM>.

The second motor 52b is a drive source of the second grinder 5B, and is supported above the motor base <NUM>. A pinion gear 52b' fixed to an output shaft of the second motor 52b and a gear 502a that meshes with the pinion gear are disposed above the motor base <NUM>.

A gear 55b' that meshes with the gear 502a is disposed above the base portion 505a. The rotation shaft 54b is fixed to the gear 55b', and the rotation shaft 54b is rotatably supported by the base portion 505a. The rotation shaft 54b is rotated by a driving force of the second motor 52b transmitted to the gear 55b' via the gear 502a. The rotary blade 58b is provided at an end portion of the rotation shaft 54b, and the fixed blade 57b is provided above the rotary blade 58b. That is, the fixed blade 57b is disposed to face the rotary blade 58b.

The particle size adjusting mechanism <NUM> includes a motor 503a as a drive source thereof and the worm gear <NUM> rotated by a driving force of the motor 503a. The gear portion <NUM> of the worm wheel <NUM> meshes with the worm gear <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a frame member <NUM>. The frame member <NUM> is fixedly disposed in a casing (not shown), and a screw groove is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the frame member <NUM>. The screw groove <NUM> provided on the outer circumferential surface of the holder portion <NUM> meshes with the screw groove of the frame member <NUM>. As described above, the fixed blade 57b is screwed to the connecting portion of the worm wheel <NUM> via the holder portion <NUM>. Therefore, when the gear portion <NUM> of the worm wheel <NUM> rotates, the fixed blade 57b moves up and down in an axial direction of the gear portion <NUM>. The coupling port 691j of the worm wheel <NUM> is connected so as to overlap the lower end of the coupling duct <NUM>, and the connection with the lower end of the coupling duct <NUM> is maintained even when the worm wheel <NUM> moves downward. The fixed blade 57b shown in <FIG> is positioned at an initial position and is in a state of being most distant from the rotary blade 58b.

The processing unit 11a shown in <FIG> controls a rotation amount of the motor 503a to adjust a gap between the rotary blade 58b and the fixed blade 57b. By adjusting this gap, a particle size of ground beans in the second grinder 5B can be adjusted.

Claim 1:
A coffee machine (<NUM>) comprising:
a grinder (5a, 5b) configured to grind coffee beans;
a separation unit (6B) configured to separate a waste from coffee beans;
a reservoir unit (60B) consisting an upper portion (<NUM>) with an exhaust pipe (61b) inside and a lower portion (<NUM>), and configured to store the waste separated from the coffee beans in the separation unit (6B),
a suction unit (60A) including a fan motor disposed above the reservoir unit(60B), wherein;
the suction unit (60A) is configured to send an air flow containing the waste from the separation unit (6B) to the inside of the upper portion (<NUM>) of the reservoir unit (60B) by suction caused by rotation of the fan motor,
the exhaust pipe (61b) is configured to have the air flow containing the waste sent from the separation unit (6B) and
swirl downwards around the exhaust pipe (61b),
characterized in that
the lower portion (<NUM>) of the reservoir unit (60B) includes an outer case body (60Bo) and an inner case body (60Bi) which is inside of the outer case body,
the inner case body (60Bi) has a bottom surface (6ibs) and
a circumferential side wall (6iw), and an opening (6io) connected to the inside of the outer case body in the circumferential side wall,
the inner case body (60Bi) is configured such that an air flow containing the waste swirled downwards around the exhaust pipe (61b) enters inside the circumferential side wall (6iw), and afterwards the waste falls due to its weight inside the circumferential side wall, and an air flow is suctioned by the suction unit (60A) and rises from inside the exhaust pipe (61b), the waste passes through the opening (6io),
the outer case body (60Bo) stores the waste passed through the opening (6io).