Patent Description:
Beverages are collectively referred to as drinkable liquids such as alcohol or tea. For example, beverages may be divided into various categories such as water (a beverage) to solve thirst, juice beverages with unique flavour and taste, refreshing beverages giving refreshing sensation, favourite beverages with an arousal effect, or alcoholic beverages with an alcohol effect.

Representative examples of such a beverage is beer. The beer is an alcoholic beverage produced by making juice of malt, which is made by sprouting barley, filtering the juice, adding hop, and fermenting yeast.

Consumers may purchase ready-made products made and sold by a beer maker or take home beer (or handmade beer) produced by directly fermenting beer ingredients at home or in a bar.

House beer may be made in a variety of types rather than ready-made products and may be made to better suit the consumer's taste.

The ingredients for making beer may include water, liquid malt, hop, yeast, flavouring additive, and the like.

Leaven, which is called yeast, may be added to liquid malt to ferment the liquid malt and assist production of alcohol and carbonic acid.

The flavour additives are additives that enhance the taste of beer, such as fruit, syrup, vanilla beans, and the like.

Generally, the house beer may include three stages, namely, a wort production step, a fermentation step, and an aging step, and it may take about two to three weeks from the wort production step to the aging step.

It is important for the house beer to maintain an optimum temperature during the fermentation stage, and the more the beer is more simply made, the more user's convenience is improved.

In recent years, a beverage maker capable of easily making a beer-like beverage in a home or a bar has been gradually used, and it is preferable that such a beverage maker is configured to be convenient.

<NPL>]; and <CIT> disclose an automated brewing system having a brewing device and a vessel connected to the brewing device.

<CIT> shows a brewing material holder. A lever holds a latch until an arm attached to a lid pushes the lever to release the latch.

<CIT> discloses an automated home beer brewing machine. The machine includes a housing providing a recess into which a brew pot with a lid is received. A removable ingredients-dispensing turn table assembly is provided in a cavity.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to realize a compact beverage maker by optimizing a shape of a supplier disposed between a fermentation tank and a water tank.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage maker which is capable of easily locking and unlocking a lid module of a supplier to an ingredient accommodation body.

Said objects have been addressed by the independent claim. Advantageous embodimentments are described in the dependent claims.

It is proposed a beverage maker comprising a fermentation tank having an inner space; a water tank in which water is accommodated; and a supplier physically disposed between the fermentation tank and the water tank to accommodate a beverage ingredient, wherein the supplier comprises an ingredient accommodation body in which an ingredient accommodation part in which the beverage ingredient is accommodated is disposed; a lid opening/closing the ingredient accommodation part; and a locking module locking the lid to the ingredient accommodation body, wherein the locking module is configured for unlocking the lid by a translational operation.

For example, a user may push an element of the locking module for unlocking the lid. Alternatively, a user may slide an element of the locking module for unlocking the lid. A translational operation may be more user-friendly than a rotational operation for unlocking the lid. The translational movement may be a translational movement in one single direction. It is also conceivable that the translational movement comprises a first translational movement in a first direction and a subsequent translational movement in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction may enclose an angle, in particular an angle of about <NUM>° (ninty degree).

A beverage maker according to an embodiment includes a fermentation tank having an inner space, a water tank in which water is accommodated, and a supplier disposed between the fermentation tank and the water tank to accommodate a beverage ingredient, wherein at least one accommodation space in which at least a portion of the fermentation tank or at least a portion of the water tank is accommodated is recessed in the supplier to minimize a spaced distance between the fermentation tank and the water tank.

According to an embodiment, each of the fermentation tank and the water tank has a cylindrical shape, and a first accommodation space, in which a portion of the fermentation tank is accommodated, of the at least one accommodation space may have a curvature equal to or less than that of the fermentation tank, and a second accommodation space in which a portion of the water tank is accommodated may have a curvature equal to or less than that of the water tank.

According to an embodiment, the supplier may include a plurality of ingredient accommodation parts in which a plurality of ingredients are accommodated to be divided into each other, and the plurality of ingredient accommodation parts may be arranged in a line in a direction perpendicular to a first direction in which the water tank and the fermentation tank are spaced apart from each other to minimize the spaced distance between the fermentation tank and the water tank.

According to another aspect of the present invention for solving the problems, a supplier provided in a beverage maker includes an ingredient accommodation body in which an ingredient accommodation part is disposed, a lid opening/closing the ingredient accommodation part, and a locking module locking the lid to the ingredient accommodation body.

According to an embodiment, the supplier may further include a hinge part comprising a hinge shaft disposed on one of the lid and the ingredient accommodation body and a hinge shaft connection part disposed on the other one of the lid and the ingredient accommodation body and rotatably supported by the hinge shaft, and a torsion spring pressing upward rotation of the lid when the lid is unlocked. Thus, when the lid is unlocked, the lid may be automatically opened.

According to a further aspect the disclosure relates to a beverage maker comprising a fermentation tank having an inner space; a water tank in which water is accommodated; and a supplier disposed between the fermentation tank and the water tank to accommodate a beverage ingredient, wherein at least one accommodation space in which at least a portion of the fermentation tank or at least a portion of the water tank is accommodated is recessed in the supplier.

In an embodiment, the supplier comprises a first surface facing the fermentation tank and a second surface facing the water tank, the at least one accommodation space comprises a first accommodation space defined in the first surface to be recessed to accommodate a portion of the fermentation tank and a second accommodation space defined in the second surface to be recessed to accommodate a portion of the water tank.

In a further embodiment, the first accommodation space has a curvature equal to or less than that of the fermentation tank, and/or the second accommodation space has a curvature equal to or less than that of the water tank.

In an additional embodiment, a maximally spaced distance between the first surface and the second surface is greater than a minimally spaced distance between the water tank and the fermentation tank.

In a further embodiment, a maximally spaced distance between the first surface and the second surface is greater than a minimally spaced distance between the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space.

In an additional embodiment, the supplier comprises a plurality of ingredient accommodation parts in which the beverage ingredient is accommodated, and the plurality of ingredient accommodation parts are arranged in a line in a first direction perpendicular to a second direction in which the water tank and the fermentation tank are spaced apart from each other.

The supplier comprises an ingredient accommodation body in which an ingredient accommodation part in which the beverage ingredient is accommodated is disposed; a lid opening/closing the ingredient accommodation part; and a locking module locking the lid to the ingredient accommodation body.

In an additional embodiment, the locking module is disposed at the front of an extension line connecting a central axis of the fermentation tank to a central axis of the water tank.

According to a further embodiment, the beverage maker further comprises a dispenser dispensing a beverage stored in the fermentation tank, wherein a lever provided on the dispenser and manipulated to dispense the beverage is disposed at the front of the locking module between the fermentation tank and the water tank.

In an additional embodiment, the supplier further comprises a hinge part comprising a hinge shaft disposed on one of the lid and the ingredient accommodation body and a hinge shaft connection part disposed on the other one of the lid and the ingredient accommodation body and rotatably supported by the hinge shaft, and the lid rotates upward with respect to the hinge part to open the ingredient accommodation part.

In a further embodiment, the ingredient accommodation part is disposed between the locking module and the hinge part.

According to an additional embodiment, the hinge part is disposed on one side of the supplier, and the locking module is disposed adjacent to a side different from the one side on which the hinge part is disposed.

In a further embodiment, the beverage maker further comprises a fermentation module cover covering the fermentation tank and a fermentation module hinge part disposed between the fermentation module cover and the fermentation tank to rotate the fermentation module cover and thereby to open the fermentation tank; and/or a water tank cover covering the water tank and a water tank hinge part disposed between the water tank cover and the water tank to rotate the water tank cover and thereby open the water tank.

According to an additional embodiment, the hinge part, the fermentation module hinge part, and the water tank hinge part are disposed in parallel to each other.

In a further embodiment, the locking module comprises a button part protruding from a top surface of the lid and disposed to be pushed and/or a fermentation module cover locker locking the fermentation module cover to the fermentation tank is disposed on a top surface of the fermentation module cover and/or a water tank cover locker locking the water tank cover to the water tank is disposed on a top surface of the water tank cover.

According to a further aspect, it is proposed a beverage maker comprising: a fermentation tank having an inner space; a water tank in which water is accommodated; and a supplier disposed between the fermentation tank and the water tank to accommodate a beverage ingredient, wherein the supplier comprises a first surface facing the fermentation tank and a second surface facing the water tank.

In an embodiment, the supplier comprises an ingredient accommodation body in which an ingredient accommodation part in which the beverage ingredient is accommodated is disposed; a lid opening/closing the ingredient accommodation part; a hinge shaft disposed on one do the lid module and the ingredient accommodation part; and a locking module locking the lid to the ingredient accommodation body.

According to a further embodiment, the ingredient accommodation part is disposed between the hinge shaft and the locking module.

In another embodiment, the ingredient accommodation part comprises a plurality of ingredient accommodation parts, and the plurality of ingredient accommodation parts is arranged in a line in a first direction perpendicular to a second direction in which the water tank and the fermentation tank are spaced apart from each other.

According to a further embodiment, the beverage maker further comprises a dispenser dispensing a beverage stored in the fermentation tank,
wherein a lever provided on the dispenser and manipulated to dispense the beverage is disposed at the front of the locking module between the fermentation tank and the water tank.

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a capsule in which a beverage ingredient is contained and a beverage maker having the capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a view illustrating an overall configuration of the beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The configuration view and the perspective view of <FIG> are merely examples for convenience of explanation, and thus, a configuration and outer appearance of the beverage maker including the capsule according to the present invention is not limited thereto.

Also, it is assumed that the beverage made by using the beverage maker is beer in this specification, but types of beverages that are capable of being made by using the beverage maker may vary.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the beverage maker includes a fermentation module <NUM>, a supplier <NUM> connected to the fermentation module <NUM> through a main passage <NUM>, a water supply module <NUM> connected to the supplier <NUM> through a water supply passage <NUM>, and a beverage dispenser <NUM> for dispensing a beverage fermented in the fermentation module <NUM> to the outside.

The fermentation module <NUM> includes a fermentation tank assembly <NUM> having an inner space S1.

The fermentation tank assembly <NUM> may include a fermentation tank <NUM> in which an opening <NUM> is defined in an upper portion, and the space S1 is defined therein and a fermentation tank cover <NUM> covering the opening <NUM>.

The fermentation tank <NUM> may be provided as an assembly of a plurality of members.

The fermentation tank cover <NUM> may seal the inside of the fermentation tank <NUM> and be disposed on the fermentation tank <NUM> to cover the opening <NUM>. The fermentation tank cover <NUM> may include a main passage connection part <NUM> connected to the main passage <NUM>.

Also, the fermentation module <NUM> may further include a beverage making pack <NUM> inserted into and accommodated in the fermentation tank assembly <NUM>. The beverage making pack <NUM> may be a pack containing an ingredient for making a beverage.

The beverage making pack <NUM> may have a size less than that of the space S1 defined in the fermentation tank assembly <NUM>. The beverage making pack <NUM> may be inserted into and accommodated in the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> in the state in which the ingredient is contained in the beverage making pack <NUM>. The beverage making pack <NUM> may be inserted into and accommodated in the fermentation tank <NUM> in the state in which the opening of the fermentation tank <NUM> is open. The fermentation tank cover <NUM> may cover the opening <NUM> of the fermentation tank <NUM> after the beverage making pack <NUM> is inserted into the fermentation tank <NUM>. The beverage making pack <NUM> may assist fermentation of the ingredient in the state in which the beverage making pack <NUM> is accommodated in the space S1 that is sealed by the fermentation tank <NUM> and the fermentation tank cover <NUM>. The beverage making pack <NUM> may be expanded by a pressure therein during the making of the beverage.

According to an embodiment, the beverage made by the beverage maker may be made without performing a fermentation process. For example, a specific beverage may be made by putting water and an ingredient into the beverage making pack <NUM> and mixing the water and the ingredient. In this case, the fermentation tank <NUM> may function as a storage container for accommodating and storing the beverage making pack <NUM> containing the made beverage.

An example of the beverage that is capable of being made by the beverage maker is beer. The ingredient for making the beer may include water, malt, yeast, hop, flavouring additive, and the like.

The beverage maker may include both, the supplier <NUM> and the beverage making pack <NUM>. The ingredient for making the beverage may be divided to be accommodated in the supplier <NUM> and the beverage making pack <NUM>. A portion of the ingredient for making the beverage may be accommodated in the beverage making pack, and the remaining portion of the ingredient may be accommodated in the supplier <NUM>. The remaining ingredient accommodated in the supplier <NUM> may be supplied to the beverage making pack together with water supplied from the water supply module <NUM> and mixed with the portion of the ingredient accommodated in the beverage making pack <NUM>.

A main ingredient that is essential for making the beverage may be accommodated in the beverage making pack <NUM>, and an additive added to the main ingredient may be accommodated in the supplier <NUM>. In this case, the additive accommodated in the supplier <NUM> may be mixed with the water supplied from the water supply module <NUM> and supplied to the beverage making pack <NUM> and then be mixed with the main ingredient accommodated in the beverage making pack <NUM>.

The main ingredient accommodated in the beverage making pack <NUM> may have a capacity greater than that of the other ingredient. For example, when the beer is made, the main material may be the malt of the malt, the yeast, the hop, and the flavouring additive. Also, the additive accommodated in the supplier <NUM> may be the other ingredient except for the malt of the ingredients for making the beer, for example, the yeast, the hop, and the flavouring additive.

The beverage maker may include only one of the beverage making pack <NUM> and the supplier <NUM>. That is, only the supplier <NUM> may be provided without providing the beverage making pack <NUM>, and all the ingredients for making the beverage may be accommodated in the supplier <NUM>. In this case, all the ingredients accommodated in the supplier <NUM> may be supplied into the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> together with the water supplied from the water supply module <NUM>. The main ingredient and the additives may be accommodated together in the supplier <NUM>. The main ingredient and the additives may be accommodated in the supplier <NUM> may be supplied into the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> at the same time or successively supplied at a time interval.

Also, the beverage maker may not include a separate beverage making pack <NUM>. Thus, a user may directly put a portion of the ingredients for making the beverage into the fermentation tank assembly <NUM>, and remaining ingredients for making the beverage may be accommodated in the supplier <NUM>. In this case, the user may directly put the main ingredient into the fermentation tank assembly <NUM>, and the additive may be accommodated in the supplier <NUM>. The additive accommodated in the supplier <NUM> may be mixed with the water supplied from the water supply module <NUM> and supplied to the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> and then be mixed with the main ingredient put into the fermentation tank assembly <NUM>.

If the beverage maker includes both, the supplier <NUM> and the beverage making pack <NUM>, the beverage may be more easily made. Hereinafter, the case, in which the beverage maker includes all of the supplier <NUM> and the beverage making pack <NUM>, will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the case in which the beverage maker includes all of the supplier <NUM> and the beverage making pack <NUM>.

The ingredient put into the beverage making pack <NUM> may be fermented as time elapses. The beverage completely made in the beverage making pack <NUM> may flow to the main passage <NUM> through the main passage connection part <NUM> and then flow from the main passage <NUM> to the beverage dispenser <NUM> and be dispensed from the beverage dispenser <NUM>.

The fermentation module <NUM> may further include a temperature controller for changing a temperature of the fermentation tank assembly <NUM>. The temperature controller may heat or cool the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> to adjust a temperature of the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> at an optimal temperature for fermenting the beverage.

The controller may include a refrigerant cycle device <NUM> including a compressor <NUM>, a condenser <NUM>, an expansion mechanism <NUM>, and an evaporator <NUM>. One of the condenser and the evaporator may be disposed in the fermentation tank assembly <NUM>.

When the condenser <NUM> is disposed to come into contact with the fermentation tank <NUM>, the refrigerant cycle device <NUM> may heat the fermentation tank <NUM> to adjust a temperature of the fermentation tank <NUM>. In this case, the condenser <NUM> may be disposed to come into contact with an outer surface of the fermentation tank <NUM>. The condenser <NUM> may include a condensation tube wound around the outer surface of the fermentation tank <NUM>.

When the evaporator <NUM> is disposed to come into contact with the fermentation tank <NUM>, the refrigerant cycle device <NUM> may cool the fermentation tank <NUM> to adjust a temperature of the fermentation tank <NUM>. In this case, the evaporator <NUM> may be disposed to come into contact with the outer surface of the fermentation tank <NUM>. The evaporator <NUM> may include an evaporation tube wound around the outer surface of the fermentation tank <NUM>.

The temperature controller may further include a heater <NUM> for heating the fermentation tank assembly <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be installed to come into contact with the outer surface of the fermentation tank <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be provided as a heat generation heater that generates heat when power is applied. The heater <NUM> may include a line heater and be wound around the outer surface of the fermentation tank <NUM>.

The refrigerant cycle device <NUM> may include a heat pump. The refrigerant cycle device <NUM> may include a flow switching valve (not shown). The flow switching valve may include a four-way valve. The flow switching valve may be connected to each of a suction passage of the compressor <NUM> and a discharge passage of the compressor <NUM>. Also, the flow switching valve may be connected to the condenser <NUM> through the condensation connection passage and be connected to the evaporator <NUM> through the evaporator connection passage.

When the fermentation tank <NUM> is cooled, the flow switching valve guides a refrigerant compressed in the compressor <NUM> to the condenser <NUM> and guides a refrigerant discharged from the evaporator <NUM> to the compressor <NUM>.

When the fermentation tank <NUM> is heated, the flow switching valve guides the refrigerant compressed in the compressor <NUM> to the evaporator <NUM> and guides the refrigerant discharged from the condenser <NUM> to the compressor <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the supplier <NUM> will be described as follows.

The supplier <NUM> may be connected to a water supply heater <NUM> through the water supply passage <NUM> and be connected to the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> through the main passage <NUM>.

The ingredient that is necessary for making the beverage may be accommodated in the supplier <NUM>, and the water supplied from the water supply module <NUM> may pass through supplier <NUM>. For example, when the beverage made in the beverage maker is beer, the ingredient accommodated in the supplier <NUM> may be yeast, hop, flavouring additive, and the like.

The ingredient accommodated in the supplier <NUM> may be directly accommodated into an ingredient accommodation part provided in the supplier <NUM>. At least one ingredient accommodation part may be provided in the supplier <NUM>. The ingredient accommodation part may be provided in plurality in the supplier <NUM>. In this case, the plurality of ingredient accommodation parts may be partitioned with respect to each other.

The ingredient accommodated in the supplier <NUM> is accommodated in a capsule. At least one ingredient accommodation part in which the capsule is accommodated may be provided in the supplier <NUM>. When the ingredient is accommodated in the capsule, the supplier <NUM> may be configured so that the capsule may be seated and withdrawn. The supplier <NUM> may be provided as a capsule kit assembly in which the capsule is separably accommodated. The capsule may represent a capsule containing the ingredient for making the beverage.

The supplier <NUM> is connected to each of the main passage <NUM> and the water supply passage <NUM>. The water supplied into the water supply passage <NUM> may be mixed with the ingredient while passing through the ingredient accommodation part or the capsule, and the ingredient accommodated in the ingredient accommodation part or the capsule may flow to the main passage together with the water.

A plurality of additives different from each other may be accommodated to be divided in the supplier <NUM>. The plurality of additives accommodated in the supplier <NUM> may be the yeast, the hop, and the flavouring additive, which are accommodated to be divided from each other.

When the plurality of ingredient accommodation parts are provided in the supplier <NUM>, each of the ingredient accommodation parts may be connected to the water supply passage <NUM> through a supplier water supply passage and be connected to the main passage <NUM> through a supplier outlet passage.

The ingredient accommodation part of the supplier <NUM> and the capsule accommodation part of the supplier <NUM> may be substantially the same constituent. When the capsule is inserted into the supplier <NUM> in the state in which the ingredient is accommodated in the capsule, the capsule may be called an ingredient accommodation part. When the ingredient is directly accommodated in the supplier <NUM> in the state in which the ingredient is not contained in the capsule, the supplier <NUM> may be called an ingredient accommodation part. Since the ingredient accommodation part and the capsule accommodation part have substantially the same constituent, the case in which the ingredient accommodation part is provided in the supplier <NUM> will be described as an example for convenience of description.

The ingredient accommodation part in which the capsule containing the additives are detachably accommodated are provided in the supplier <NUM>. The supplier <NUM> is connected to the water supply passage <NUM> through the supplier water supply passage and be connected to the main passage <NUM> through the supplier outlet passage.

An opening/closing valve for opening and closing the supplier water supply passage may be installed in the supplier water supply passage.

A check valve for preventing a fluid of the main passage from reversely flowing to the ingredient accommodation part may be installed in the supplier outlet passage.

A plurality of ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be provided in the supplier <NUM>, and the plurality of ingredient accommodation parts may be provided to be divided into each other. Each of the plurality of ingredient accommodation parts may be connected to the supplier water supply passage and the supplier outlet passage.

Hereinafter, a first additive, a second additive, and a third additive may be accommodated in the supplier <NUM>. For example, when the beer is made by using the beverage maker, the first additive may be yeast, the second additive may be hop, and the third additive may be a flavouring additive.

The supplier <NUM> may include a first ingredient accommodation part <NUM> in which a first capsule C1 containing the first additive is accommodated, a second ingredient accommodation part <NUM> in which a second capsule C2 containing the second additive is accommodated, and a third ingredient accommodation part <NUM> in which a third capsule C3 containing the third additive is accommodated.

The first ingredient accommodation part <NUM> may be connected to a first supplier water supply passage <NUM> guiding water or air to the first ingredient accommodation part <NUM> and may be connected to a first supplier outlet passage <NUM> guiding the water discharged from the first ingredient accommodation part <NUM>, a mixture of the water and the first additive, and the air. A first opening/closing valve <NUM> for opening and closing the first supplier water supply passage <NUM> may be installed in the first supplier water supply passage <NUM>. A first check valve <NUM> for preventing the fluid of the main passage <NUM> from reversely flowing to the first ingredient accommodation part <NUM> while a fluid of the first ingredient accommodation part <NUM> flows to the main passage <NUM> may be installed in the first supplier outlet passage <NUM>. Here, the fluid may be the water discharged from the first ingredient accommodation part <NUM>, the mixture of the water and the first additive, and the air.

The second ingredient accommodation part <NUM> may be connected to a second supplier water supply passage <NUM> guiding the water or the air to the second ingredient accommodation part <NUM> and may be connected to a second supplier outlet passage <NUM> guiding the water discharged from the second ingredient accommodation part <NUM>, the mixture of the water and the second additive, and the air. A second opening/closing valve <NUM> for opening and closing the second supplier water supply passage <NUM> may be installed in the second supplier water supply passage <NUM>. A second check valve <NUM> for preventing the fluid of the main passage <NUM> from reversely flowing to the second ingredient accommodation part <NUM> while a fluid of the second ingredient accommodation part <NUM> flows to the main passage <NUM> may be installed in the second supplier outlet passage <NUM>. Here, the fluid may be the water discharged from the second ingredient accommodation part <NUM>, the mixture of the water and the second additive, and the air.

The third ingredient accommodation part <NUM> may be connected to a third supplier water supply passage <NUM> guiding the water or the air to the third ingredient accommodation part <NUM> and may be connected to a third supplier outlet passage <NUM> guiding the water discharged from the third ingredient accommodation part <NUM>, the mixture of the water and the third additive, and the air. A second opening/closing valve <NUM> for opening and closing the third supplier water supply passage <NUM> may be installed in the third supplier water supply passage <NUM>. A third check valve <NUM> for preventing the fluid of the main passage <NUM> from reversely flowing to the third ingredient accommodation part <NUM> while a fluid of the third ingredient accommodation part <NUM> flows to the main passage <NUM> may be installed in the third supplier outlet passage <NUM>. Here, the fluid may be the water discharged from the third ingredient accommodation part <NUM>, the mixture of the water and the third additive, and the air.

The beverage maker may include a bypass passage <NUM> that allows the water supplied from the water supply passage <NUM> to bypass the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> so as to be supplied to the main passage <NUM>.

The bypass passage <NUM> may be connected to the water supply passage <NUM> and the main passage <NUM>, and the water or the air may bypass the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and thus be guided to the bypass passage <NUM> to flow the main passage <NUM>.

The bypass passage <NUM> may be connected in parallel to a passage of the first ingredient accommodation part <NUM>, a passage of the second ingredient accommodation part <NUM>, and a passage of the third ingredient accommodation part <NUM>.

A bypass valve <NUM> for opening and closing the bypass passage <NUM> may be installed in the bypass passage <NUM>.

The main passage <NUM> may be connected to the first supplier outlet passage <NUM>, the second supplier outlet passage <NUM>, the third supplier outlet passage <NUM>, and the bypass passage <NUM>. The main passage <NUM> may include a common tube connected to the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> and a combination tube connected to the first supplier outlet passage <NUM>, the second supplier outlet passage <NUM>, the third supplier outlet passage <NUM>, the bypass passage <NUM>, and the common tube.

The main passage <NUM> may be connected to the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> and be connected to the fermentation tank cover <NUM> of the fermentation tank assembly <NUM>. The main passage <NUM> may be connected to the main passage connection part <NUM> provided in the fermentation tank cover <NUM>.

The water supply passage <NUM> may be connected to the first supplier water supply passage <NUM>, the second supplier water supply passage <NUM>, the third supplier water supply passage <NUM>, and the bypass passage <NUM>.

The water supply passage <NUM> may include a common tube connected to the water supply module <NUM> and a plurality of branch tubes connected to the first supplier water supply passage <NUM>, the second supplier water supply passage <NUM>, the third supplier water supply passage <NUM>, and the bypass passage <NUM>.

The water supply module <NUM> may include a water tank <NUM> containing water, a water supply pump <NUM> pumping the water within the water tank <NUM>, and a water supply heater <NUM> heating the water pumped by the water supply pump <NUM>.

The water tank <NUM> may be connected to a water tank outlet passage <NUM>, and the water supply pump <NUM> may be connected to the water tank outlet passage <NUM>.

The water supply pump <NUM> may be connected to a water supply pump outlet passage <NUM>, and the water supply heater <NUM> may be connected to the water supply pump outlet passage <NUM>.

A flowmeter <NUM> measuring a flow rate through the water supply pump outlet passage <NUM> may be installed in the water supply pump outlet passage <NUM>.

The water supply heater may be a mold heater and include a heater case through which the water pumped by the water supply pump <NUM> passes and a heat generation heater installed in the heater case to heat the water introduced into the heater case. A thermistor <NUM> measuring a temperature of the water supply heater <NUM> may be installed in the water supply heater <NUM>. Also, a thermal fuse <NUM> for interrupting a circuit to cutoff current applied to the water supply heater <NUM> when a temperature is high may be installed in the water supply heater <NUM>.

When the water supply pump <NUM> is driven, the water within the water tank <NUM> may be guided to the water supply heater <NUM> through the water tank outlet passage <NUM>, the water supply pump <NUM>, and the water supply pump outlet passage <NUM>, and the guided water may be heated in the water supply heater <NUM> and then be guided to the water supply passage <NUM>.

The beverage dispenser <NUM> may be connected to the main passage <NUM>. The beverage dispenser <NUM> may include a beverage dispensing passage <NUM> which is connected to the main passage <NUM> and to which the beverage of the main passage <NUM> is guided. The beverage dispenser <NUM> may further include a dispenser <NUM> connected to the beverage dispensing passage <NUM>.

An anti-foaming path <NUM> may be provided in the beverage dispensing passage <NUM>, and an amount of foam of the beverage flowing from the main passage <NUM> to the beverage dispensing passage <NUM> may be minimized while passing through the anti-foaming path. A mesh filtering the foam may be provided in the anti-foaming path <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the dispenser <NUM> may include a lever <NUM> manipulated by the user and a tap valve including a micro switch for detecting the user's manipulation, but is not limited thereto.

The beverage maker may further include a main valve <NUM> for opening and closing the main passage <NUM>.

The main valve <NUM> may be installed between a connection part <NUM> between the main passage <NUM> and the beverage dispensing passage <NUM> in the main passage <NUM> and between a connection part <NUM> between the main passage <NUM> and the fermentation tank assembly <NUM>.

The main valve <NUM> may be opened to open the main passage <NUM> when hot water is injected into the beverage making pack <NUM>. The main valve <NUM> may be closed to close the main passage <NUM> when the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> is cooled. The main valve <NUM> may be opened to open the main passage <NUM> when air is injected into the beverage making pack <NUM>. The main valve <NUM> may be opened to open the main passage <NUM> when an additive is supplied into the beverage making pack <NUM>. The main valve <NUM> may be closed to seal the inside of the beverage making pack <NUM> during the fermentation of the ingredient. The main valve <NUM> may be closed to seal the inside of the beverage making pack <NUM> when the beverage is aged and stored. The main valve <NUM> may be opened to open the main passage <NUM> when the beverage is dispensed by the beverage dispenser <NUM>.

The beverage maker may further include a base <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The base <NUM> may constitute an outer appearance of a bottom surface of the beverage maker and support the fermentation tank assembly <NUM>, the compressor <NUM>, the water supply heater <NUM>, the water supply pump <NUM>, and the water tank <NUM>, which are disposed thereabove.

The beverage maker may include an insulation wall surrounding the fermentation tank <NUM> and the evaporator <NUM> together. The insulation wall may be made of foamed polystyrene that is capable of absorbing vibration with high heat insulation performance.

The beverage maker may include an insulation wall cover <NUM> surrounding a circumferential surface of the insulation wall and a top surface of the insulation wall.

The insulation wall cover <NUM> may be provided as one cover or provided as an assembly of a plurality of covers.

A lower portion of the insulation wall cover <NUM> may be mounted on the base <NUM>.

The insulation wall cover <NUM> may protect the insulation wall and define a portion of the outer appearance of the beverage maker.

The insulation wall cover <NUM> may surround the entire circumferential surface of the insulation wall or may surround only a portion of the circumferential surface of the insulation wall.

The insulation wall cover <NUM> may have a side opening in a surface facing the water tank <NUM>. An extension tube of the evaporator <NUM> may be disposed through the side opening.

An opening through which the user puts the beverage making pack <NUM> into the fermentation tank <NUM> may be defined in an upper portion of the insulation wall cover <NUM> and an upper side of the fermentation tank <NUM>, and a fermentation module cover <NUM> may be disposed to cover the opening. The fermentation module cover <NUM> may be integrated with the fermentation tank cover <NUM> of <FIG> or may be provided as a separate part. When the fermentation module cover <NUM> and the fermentation tank cover <NUM> are integrated with each other, the fermentation module cover <NUM> and the fermentation tank cover <NUM> may be collectively defined as a fermentation tank cover. When the fermentation module cover <NUM> and the fermentation tank cover <NUM> are provided as separate parts, the fermentation module cover <NUM> may have a dual structure covering an upper portion of the fermentation tank cover <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a fermentation module cover locker <NUM> may be disposed on the upper portion of the fermentation module cover <NUM>. For example, the fermentation module cover locker <NUM> may be rotatably disposed on the upper portion of the fermentation module cover <NUM>. When the user rotates fermentation module cover locker <NUM> in one direction, the fermentation module cover <NUM> may be locked to the fermentation tank <NUM> or the fermentation tank cover <NUM>. When the user rotates the fermentation module cover locker <NUM> in the other direction, the fermentation tank module cover <NUM> may be unlocked.

The fermentation module cover <NUM> may be hinge-coupled to the fermentation tank <NUM> or the insulation wall cover <NUM>. When the fermentation module cover <NUM> is unlocked, the fermentation module cover <NUM> may rotate upward with respect to a hinge part (see reference numeral 105A of <FIG>) and then be opened. The hinge part 105A may have substantially the same constituent as hinge parts 38A, 38B, and 38C, which will be described below in <FIG>. That is, the hinge part 105A may include a hinge shaft, a hinge shaft connection part, and a torsion spring.

The water tank <NUM> may be disposed above the base <NUM> and spaced apart from the base <NUM>. The water tank <NUM> may be vertically spaced apart from the base <NUM>. A space in which at least one of the compressor <NUM>, the water supply heater <NUM>, and the water supply pump <NUM> is accommodated may be defined between the water tank <NUM> and the base <NUM>. Also, the water tank <NUM> may be horizontally spaced apart form the insulation wall.

The beverage maker may further include a water tank support <NUM> supporting the base <NUM> to be spaced apart from each other. The water tank support <NUM> may be disposed on the base <NUM> and support the water tank <NUM> so that the water tank <NUM> is spaced apart from the base <NUM> above the base <NUM>. A lower end of the water tank support <NUM> may be mounted on the base <NUM>, and the water tank <NUM> may be mounted on the water tank support <NUM>.

A water tank cover <NUM> for opening and closing the water tank <NUM> with respect to the outside may be disposed at an upper side of the water tank <NUM> and on an upper portion of the water tank support <NUM>. Similar to the fermentation module cover <NUM>, a water tank cover locker <NUM> may be disposed on the upper portion of the water tank cover <NUM>. For example, the water tank cover locker <NUM> may be rotatably disposed on the upper portion of the water tank cover <NUM>. When the user rotates water tank cover locker <NUM> in one direction, the water tank cover <NUM> may be locked to the water tank <NUM> or the water tank support <NUM>. When the user rotates the water tank cover locker <NUM> in the other direction, the water tank cover <NUM> may be unlocked.

The water tank cover <NUM> may be hinge-coupled to the water tank <NUM> or the water tank support <NUM>. When water tank cover <NUM> is unlocked, the water tank cover <NUM> may rotate upward with respect to a hinge part (see reference numeral 108A of <FIG>) and then be opened. The hinge part 108A may have substantially the same constituent as hinge parts 38A, 38B, and 38C, which will be described below in <FIG>. That is, the hinge part 108Amay include a hinge shaft, a hinge shaft connection part, and a torsion spring.

The supplier <NUM> may be disposed between the fermentation module <NUM> and the water tank <NUM>. In particular, the supplier <NUM> may be physically disposed between the fermentation module <NUM> and the water tank <NUM>. In this case, when compared with a case in which the beverage maker is disposed at a position except between the fermentation tank cover <NUM> and the water tank <NUM>, the beverage maker may be more compact, and the supplier <NUM> may be protected by the fermentation tank cover <NUM> and the water tank <NUM>. Also, when each of the fermentation module <NUM> and the water supply module <NUM> has a cylindrical shape, a potion of a side surface of the supplier <NUM> disposed between the fermentation module <NUM> and the water supply module <NUM> may be rounded inward along the fermentation module <NUM> and the water supply module <NUM>, thereby realizing the compact beverage maker. This will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

The supplier <NUM> may be disposed above the base <NUM> and vertically spaced apart from the base <NUM>.

The supplier <NUM> includes an ingredient accommodation body (see reference numeral <NUM> of <FIG>) in which the beverage ingredient is accommodated, or the capsule <NUM> containing the beverage ingredient is detachably accommodated and a lid module <NUM> covering the ingredient accommodation part.

The lid module <NUM> includes a lid <NUM> covering the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may be slidably disposed or rotatably disposed on the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may be hinge-coupled to the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>.

The supplier <NUM> may be installed in an approximately central upper portion of the beverage maker, and the user may rotate the lid module <NUM> of the supplier <NUM> to easily mount or separate capsules C1, C2, and C3.

The beverage maker may have an accommodation space in which a plurality of parts is accommodated. Here, the accommodation space may be a space between the insulation wall <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> in a horizontal direction and between the supplier <NUM> and the base <NUM> in a vertical direction.

It is preferable that the plurality of parts of the beverage maker are accommodated in the accommodation space. In this case, the beverage maker may be compact. The plurality of parts accommodated in the accommodation space may be protected by being surrounded by the insulation wall and the water tank <NUM>, the base <NUM> and the supplier <NUM>, and a center cover <NUM> and a rear cover <NUM>.

The opening/closing valves <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> respectively installed in the supplier water supply passages <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to open and close the supplier water supply passage <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be disposed below the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>.

The dispenser <NUM> may be mounted on the center cover <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> may be mounted to protrude forward from the center cover <NUM>.

The center cover <NUM> may be provided as a front cover that is integrated with the insulation wall cover <NUM> and the water tank support <NUM>. In this case, the front cover and the rear cover <NUM> may be coupled to each other to define front and rear outer appearances of the beverage maker.

The capsule <NUM> of <FIG> may represent the capsules C1, C2, and C3 of <FIG>.

The capsule <NUM> may include a capsule body <NUM>, an upper cover <NUM>, and a lower cover <NUM>. The capsule body <NUM>, the upper cover <NUM>, and the lower cover <NUM> may seal the inside of the capsule from the outside to prevent the beverage ingredient accommodated in the capsule from being deteriorated or preventing the beverage ingredient from leaking to the outside.

The capsule body <NUM> may define the inner space of the capsule <NUM> and also define a side surface of the capsule <NUM>. The capsule body <NUM> may be made of a plastic material such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the like to effectively protect the inside of the capsule, thereby preventing the capsule from being damaged or broken down by a predetermined impact. According to an embodiment, the capsule body <NUM> may be made of aluminum.

The capsule body <NUM> may include an upper bonding part to which the upper cover <NUM> is bonded, a body part disposed below the upper bonding part to define the side surface of the capsule <NUM>, and a lower bonding part which is disposed below the body part to provide an opening in a lower portion of the capsule <NUM> and to which the lower cover <NUM> is bonded.

The upper bonding part and the lower bonding part may have a predetermined length in a horizontal direction so that the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> are effectively bonded to each other.

For example, in order to allow the user to more easily separate the capsule from the ingredient accommodation part, the upper bonding part may have an outer diameter greater than that of an upper end of the body part.

According to an embodiment, in order to minimize a loaded space of the capsule <NUM>, and reduce an amount of lower cover <NUM> to be used when being manufactured, the lower bonding part may have the same outer diameter as that of a lower end of the body part, and the lower bonding part may have an inner diameter (or a diameter of the opening) less than an inner diameter or a minimal inner diameter of the lower end of the body part.

The body part may have a width that gradually decreases downward. For example, the body part may have a cylindrical shape having a width of each of the outer and inner diameters, which gradually decreases downward, but is not limited thereto.

Since the capsule <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with the lower cover <NUM> so that the lower portion of the capsule <NUM> is more easily punched (cut), the beverage ingredient within the capsule may be more easily discharged.

The upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> may be made of a material that is easily punched by an upper punching member and a lower punching member, respectively. For example, each of the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> may be made of a soft material such as aluminum foil or a polyethylene (PE) film. Each of the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> may have strength less than that of the capsule body <NUM>. In this case, when each of the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> is punched by the punching member, a portion coming into contact with the punching member as well as a portion adjacent thereto may be cut. Also, when water is introduced through the cut upper cover <NUM>, the cut area of each of the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> may be expanded by a pressure of the introduced water. As a result, water or air may be more easily introduced into the capsule <NUM> through the upper portion of the capsule <NUM>, and thus, the beverage ingredient may be more easily discharged through the lower portion of the capsule <NUM>.

The beverage ingredient may be accommodated in the capsule <NUM>. The beverage ingredient accommodated in the capsule <NUM> may be in a liquid or powder phase. When the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> are cut, the beverage ingredient may be discharged to supplier extraction passages <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> through the lower portion of the capsule <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view of the beverage maker of <FIG>, <FIG> is a plan view of the supplier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a plan view illustrating the ingredient accommodation body of the supplier when the lid module of the supplier is unlocked according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the fermentation tank <NUM>, the insulation wall cover <NUM> surrounding and the fermentation tank <NUM>, and the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> including the fermentation module cover <NUM> covering the fermentation tank <NUM> may be disposed on one side (for example, a left side with respect to a front surface of the beverage maker) of the beverage maker. Also, the water tank <NUM>, the water tank support <NUM> surrounding the water tank <NUM>, and the water tank assembly including the water tank cover <NUM> covering the water tank <NUM> may be disposed on one side, i.e. the other side (for example, a right side with respect to the front surface of the beverage maker) of the beverage maker.

In this case, it is preferable that the supplier <NUM> in which the beverage ingredient or the capsule <NUM> containing the beverage ingredient is accommodated is disposed between the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> and the water tank assembly in consideration of the overall balance and the beauty of the beverage maker.

Each of the fermentation tank <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> may have an inner space. In this specification, although it is assumed that each of the fermentation tank <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> has the cylindrical shape to provide the inner space, the present invention is not limited to the cylindrical shape of each of the fermentation tank <NUM> and the water tank <NUM>.

When each of the fermentation tank <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> has the cylindrical shape, each of the insulation wall cover <NUM> surrounding the fermentation tank and the water tank support <NUM> surrounding the water tank <NUM> may also have a cylindrical shape. That is, the overall shape of each of the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> and the water tank assembly may have the cylindrical shape.

When the supplier <NUM> is disposed between the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> and the water tank assembly, the fermentation tank <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other. The more a spaced distance between the fermentation tank <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> increases, the more the whole size of the beverage maker may increase.

When the supplier <NUM> is disposed at a rear side of the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> and the water tank assembly, the spaced distance between the fermentation tank <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> may be reduced. However, in this case, the convenience when the user inserts the beverage ingredient or the capsule <NUM> containing the beverage ingredient into the supplier <NUM> may be deteriorated. Also, a length between the front and rare surfaces of the beverage maker may increase to increase the whole size of the beverage maker.

To solve the above-described problems, the supplier <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention may be disposed between the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> and the water tank assembly and have a shape that is capable of reducing the spaced distance between the fermentation tank <NUM> and the water tank <NUM>.

When the supplier <NUM> is disposed between the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> and the water tank assembly, the supplier <NUM> may include first surfaces 371A and 372A facing the fermentation tank <NUM> as well as second surfaces 371B and 372B facing the water tank <NUM>.

The first surfaces 371A and 372A may include a first accommodation space 372A in which at least a portion of the fermentation tank <NUM> or the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> is accommodated, and the second surfaces 371B and 372B may include a second accommodation space 372B in which at least a portion of the water tank assembly is accommodated. The first accommodation space 372A and the second accommodation space 372B may be recessed inward.

Referring to <FIG>, a curvature of the fermentation tank <NUM> or the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> having the cylindrical shape may be a first curvature R1, and a curvature of the water tank <NUM> or the water tank assembly may be a second curvature R2. In this case, each of the first accommodation space 372A and the second accommodation space 372B may be recessed inward at a predetermined curvature. When the curvature of the first accommodation space 372A is defined as a third curvature R3, and the curvature of the second accommodation space 372B is defined as a fourth curvature, the third curvature R3 may be equal to or less than the first curvature R1, and the fourth curvature R4 may be equal to or less than the second curvature R2. When considering the overall appearance of the beverage maker or a foreign substance trapping phenomenon, it is preferable that the third curvature R3 is equal to the first curvature R1, and the fourth curvature R4 is equal to the second curvature R2.

In this case, a maximally spaced distance L1 between the first surfaces 371A and 372A and the second surfaces 371B and 372B may be greater than a minimally spaced distance L2 between the first accommodation space 372A and the second accommodation space 372B. Also, the maximally spaced distance L1 may be greater than a minimally spaced distance L3 between the fermentation tank <NUM> or the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> or the water tank assembly.

That is, the supplier <NUM> disposed between the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> and the water tank assembly may have a space for reducing the spaced distance between the fermentation tank assembly <NUM> and the water tank assembly to realize the more compact beverage maker.

Also, the lever <NUM> provided in the dispenser <NUM> for dispensing the beverage may be disposed at a front side between the fermentation tank <NUM> and the water tank <NUM>. Thus, the user may conveniently manipulate the lever <NUM> and also maintain the entire balance of the outer appearance of the beverage maker.

Referring to <FIG>, the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> of the supplier <NUM> may include at least one or more ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> for distinguishing at least one or more ingredients from each other to accommodate the ingredients. The ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may have accommodation spaces for accommodating the beverage ingredient or the capsule containing the beverage ingredient and include punching pars 31A, 32A, and 33A and lower guides 312A, 322A, and 332A for guiding the beverage ingredient to the main passage <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be disposed in a line in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the fermentation tank <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> are spaced apart from each other. Thus, the spaced distance between the first surfaces 371A and 372A and the second surfaces 371B and 372B may be minimized to realize the compact beverage maker.

<FIG> are perspective views of the lid module of the supplier when the lid module is locked and unlocked according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Before describing locking and unlocking of the lid module, the supplier <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> will be described first.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the supplier <NUM> may includes an ingredient accommodation body <NUM> in which the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in which the beverage ingredient or the capsule containing the beverage ingredient is accommodated are provided and a lid module <NUM> covering the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The lid module <NUM> may include a lid <NUM> covering the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may be slidably disposed or rotatably disposed on the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may be hinge-coupled to the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>.

The lid <NUM> may be provided as an assembly of a plurality of members For example, the lid <NUM> may include a lower lid <NUM> and an upper lid <NUM>. At least one of the lower lid <NUM> and the upper lid <NUM> may be connected to the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>.

For example, the lid <NUM> may be hinge-coupled (38A and 38B) to the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>. A hinge shaft 38A may be disposed on one of the lid <NUM> and the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>. The hinge shaft 38A may be horizontally disposed with respect to one of the lid <NUM> and the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>. A hinge shaft connection part 38B rotatably supported by the hinge shaft 38A may be disposed on the other one of the lid <NUM> and the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may vertically rotate with respect to the horizontally oriented hinge shaft 38A. The lid <NUM> may have an area greater than the sum of areas of the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and rotate about the hinge shaft 38A to open or close all of the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the hinge shaft 38A may further include a torsion spring 38C that surrounds the outside of the hinge shaft 38A to induce the upward rotation of the lid <NUM>.

When the user pushes a button <NUM>, the lid <NUM> may be unlocked. Thus, unlocking the lid <NUM> may be performed by a translational operation. As the lid <NUM> is unlocked, the lid <NUM> hinge-coupled to the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> may rotate to the upper side of the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>. When the lid rotates upward, the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> provided in the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> may be opened to the outside. The ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may provide the ingredient accommodation space in which the beverage ingredient is accommodated or the capsule accommodation space in which the capsule containing the beverage ingredient is accommodated.

Referring to <FIG>, the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be disposed between the locking module <NUM> including the hook <NUM> and the hinge parts 38A and 38B. The locking module <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to a side (a spaced side) different from a side, on which the hinge parts 38A and 38B are disposed, on the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>. Thus, the locking of the locking module <NUM> may be more stable, and magnitude of the force required for locking may be reduced.

Also, referring to <FIG>, the locking module <NUM> may be disposed on the supplier <NUM> so that the locking module <NUM> is disposed at the front of an extension line LE connecting a central axis A1 of the fermentation tank <NUM> and a central axis A2 of the water tank <NUM>. Thus, the user may more conveniently manipulate the button <NUM> of the locking module <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the hinge part 105A provided in the fermentation module <NUM>, the hinge part 108A provided in the water supply module <NUM>, and the hinge parts 38A and 38B provided in the supplier <NUM> may be disposed in parallel to each other. That is, the hinge shaft of the hinge part 105A of the fermentation module <NUM>, the hinge shaft of the hinge part 108A of the water supply module <NUM>, and the hinge shaft 38A of the hinge parts 38A and 38B of the supplier <NUM> may be disposed in parallel to each other.

Also, the fermentation module cover <NUM>, the water tank cover <NUM>, and the lid module <NUM> may rotate upward with respect to each of the hinge parts and thus be opened. That is, the fermentation module cover <NUM>, the water tank cover <NUM>, and the lid module <NUM> may rotate in the same direction and thus be opened.

To supply water or air into the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the lid module <NUM> includes at least a portion of the supplier water supply passages <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of <FIG>. For example, at least a portion of the supplier water supply passages <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be disposed in a space between the lower lid <NUM> and the upper lid <NUM>. Also, the lid module <NUM> may include a water supply body connected to the supplier water supply passages <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to inject the water or the air supplied from the supplier water supply passages <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> into the ingredient accommodation part.

The water supply body may be provided for each of the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> so that one water supply body corresponds to one ingredient accommodation part.

A lower portion of the water supply body may have a circular plate shape. A plurality of upper punching parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> for punching the upper cover <NUM> of the capsule <NUM> and a plurality of water supply holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for guiding the fluid (the water or the air) to the ingredient accommodation part <NUM> is provided in the bottom surface of the water supply body.

Each of the plurality of water supply holes may be provided as a hole having a predetermined size in the bottom surface of the water supply body. The fluid introduced into the water supply body may be supplied to the upper surface of the capsule through the plurality of water supply holes, and the fluid supplied to the upper surface of the capsule may be guide to the inside of the capsule through the hole defined by the plurality of upper punching parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The lid module <NUM> may include at least one sealing member disposed between the top surface of the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> and the bottom surface of the lid module <NUM>. Sealing members 47A, 47B, and 47C disposed between the bottom surface of the water supply body and the top surface of the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> may be disposed between the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> and the lid module <NUM>. The sealing members 47A, 47B, and 47C may prevent the water or the beverage ingredient from reversely leaking to the outside when the fluid is introduced.

The plurality of upper punching parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the sealing members 47A, 47B, and 47C may use at least one of the capsules C1, C2, and C3 and the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> as a pressing part when the lid module <NUM> is closed. Meanwhile, if the number of the punching parts is insufficient, the water cannot be sufficiently introduced into the capsule, and the water accumulates inside the lid module <NUM> or on the capsule. The punching parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of punching parts arranged in a circle so that the water can be sufficiently introduced into the capsule.

Hereinafter, constituents related to the locking and unlocking of the lid and an operation thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view of a locking module provided in the supplier according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the locking module when the lid module of the supplier is locked according to an embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of unlocking the lid module of the supplier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The views of <FIG> correspond to a front view and a cross-sectional view of the locking module when viewed from a point P of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the locking module <NUM> may lock and unlock the lid <NUM> to the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>. The locking module <NUM> may include an upper locking module <NUM> mounted on the lid <NUM> and a lower locking module <NUM> mounted on the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>.

The upper locking module <NUM> may include a button part <NUM> for unlocking the lid <NUM> on the basis of the user's manipulation and a button spring <NUM> for elastically supporting the button part <NUM>.

The button part <NUM> may include a push button <NUM> that is pressed to the lid <NUM>, a push pin <NUM> that presses a contact part <NUM> of the lower locking module <NUM> to be described later when the button <NUM> is pressed, and a spring support plate <NUM> supported by the button spring <NUM>. Each of the constituents of the button part <NUM> may be integrally formed or may be formed in the form of being connected or assembled with each other.

The button spring <NUM> may restore the button <NUM> to its original position (or height) when external force acting on the button <NUM> is removed after the button <NUM> is pressed. For this, the button spring <NUM> may be realized by a compression spring.

According to an embodiment, the upper locking module <NUM> may further include a spring sheet <NUM> which is mounted on the lid <NUM> and on which the button spring <NUM> is seated. Since the button spring <NUM> is seated on the spring sheet <NUM>, the button part <NUM> supported by the button spring <NUM> may also be indirectly seated on the spring sheet <NUM>. The spring sheet <NUM> may further include at least one coupling part <NUM> to be mounted or coupled to the lid <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the spring sheet <NUM> is disposed on a lower portion of the button part <NUM>, the spring sheet <NUM> may include a push pin through-hole 811A through which the push pin <NUM> passes.

A hook part <NUM> locked to and unlocked from a hook <NUM> of the lower locking module <NUM>, which will be described later, may be disposed on at least one of the lid <NUM> and the upper locking module <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the hook part <NUM> may have the form of a protrusion.

The lower locking module <NUM> may include a locking body <NUM>. The locking body <NUM> may include a hook <NUM> locked to and unlocked from the hook part <NUM> and a contact part <NUM> coming into contact with the push pin <NUM> when the push pin <NUM> descends.

The locking body <NUM> may be hinge-connected to the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> to rotate.

Also, the lower locking module <NUM> may include a locking spring <NUM> for rotating the locking body <NUM> in a direction in which the hook <NUM> is locked to the hook part <NUM>.

The locking spring <NUM> may have one end connected to or hooked to the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> and the other end connected to the locking body <NUM>. For this, the locking body <NUM> may further include a locking spring hook part <NUM> connected to the other end of the locking spring <NUM> or having the other end that is hooked to the locking body <NUM>. The locking spring <NUM> may be realized by a tension spring.

According to an embodiment, the lower locking module <NUM> may include a lower body <NUM> mounted thereon. The lower body may be coupled to the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> through a lower body coupling part <NUM> and thus be fixed to the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>. In this case, the locking body <NUM> may be hinge-coupled to the lower body <NUM>, and the locking spring <NUM> may have one end connected to the lower body <NUM> or hooked to the lower body <NUM>.

When the lid <NUM> cover the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, a bottom surface of the hook part <NUM> and a top surface of the hook <NUM> may come into contact with each other. An inclined surface along which the hook <NUM> passes over the hook part <NUM> may be disposed on at least one of the bottom surface of the hook part <NUM> and the top surface of the hook <NUM>. That is, when the bottom surface of the hook part <NUM> and the top surface of the hook <NUM> come into contact with each other, the locking body <NUM> may rotate to allow the hook <NUM> to pass over the hook part <NUM>. When the hook <NUM> passes over the hook part <NUM>, the locking spring <NUM> may rotate the locking body <NUM> in the direction in which the hook <NUM> is locked to the hook part <NUM>. As a result, the hook <NUM> may be locked to the hook part <NUM> to allow the lid <NUM> to be locked to the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>.

That is, although the user presses the lid <NUM> to perform only the operation of covering the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the lid <NUM> may be locked to the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> to improve the user's convenience.

The unlocking of the lid <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, when the user presses the button part <NUM> or the button <NUM> downward, the button spring <NUM> may be compressed to allow the button part <NUM> to move downward. While the push pin <NUM> of the button part <NUM> moves downward, the contact part <NUM> of the lower locking module <NUM> may be pressed. As the contact part <NUM> is pressed, the locking body <NUM> may rotate in a direction in which the hook <NUM> is unlocked from the hook part <NUM>, and the locking spring <NUM> connected to the locking body <NUM> may be extended.

As the locking body <NUM> rotates in the unlocking direction, the lid <NUM> may be unlocked from the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>.

As the lid <NUM> is unlocked from the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>, the torsion spring 38C surrounding the outside of the hinge shaft 38A of <FIG> may press the upward rotation of the lid <NUM>. When the lid rotates upward by the torsion spring 38C, the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> may be opened.

That is, since the lid <NUM> automatically rotate upward to be opened when the lid <NUM> is unlocked, the user's convenience may be improved without performing a separate operation for opening the lid <NUM>.

When the lid <NUM> rotates upward, the push pin <NUM> and the contact part <NUM> may not come into contact with each other any more. In this case, the locking spring <NUM> may press the locking body <NUM> in the direction in which the locking spring <NUM> is compressed, and the locking body <NUM> may rotate by the pressing of the locking spring <NUM> to return to its original position.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a supplier including a locker according to another embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a partial exploded perspective view of the supplier of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a lid module of a supplier 3A may include an ingredient accommodation body <NUM> rotatably disposed on a lid 38A and at least one or more lockers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> that are locked to or unlocked from the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>.

Although one lid 38A is illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the lid 38A according to an embodiment may include an upper lid and a lower lid as described above with reference to <FIG>.

At least one or more water supply bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be disposed on the lid 38A, and the at least one or more lockers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be rotatably disposed. The lid 38A may be provided as an assembly of a plurality of members.

A through-hole through which a lower portion of each of the lockers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> passes and a support wall surrounding at least a portion of an outer surface of each of the lockers <NUM>, <NUM>,and <NUM> may be disposed in/on the lid 38A.

The water supply bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be connected to a water supply passage <NUM> through supplier inlet passages <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The water supply bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a body 41A in which an inner water supply passage is provided and a connection part 41B guiding water to the inner water supply passage.

The body 41A may have a circular plate shape and be disposed in the locker. The connection part 41B may be disposed on the body 41A to protrude. The connection part 41B may protrude from a circumferential surface of the body 41A. The connection part 41B may be connected to the supplier inlet passages <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

At least one or more sealing members 47A, 47B, and 47C closely attached to the top surface of the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> and the bottom surface of the water supply bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be disposed between the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> and the water supply bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The lid module may include at least one or more lockers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The lockers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be disposed to rotate about a center of a vertical central axis. When the user rotate the lockers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in the locking direction, the lockers <NUM>, <NUM>, ad <NUM> may press the water supply bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in a direction that is close to the ingredient accommodation parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the water supply bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be pressed to a capsule accommodated in each of the ingredient accommodation part <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The lockers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a hollow box 90A that provides a space in which the water supply body is accommodated and surrounds an outer circumferential surface of the water supply body and an upper plate part 90B disposed on an upper portion of the hollow box 90A. The lockers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may further include a handle part 90C protruding from the upper plate part 90B.

The hollow box 90A may be inserted into a hook part disposed on the ingredient accommodation body <NUM> and thus be locked to or unlocked from the hook part. When the hollow box 90A is restricted on the hook part, the lid module may be locked. When the restriction of the hollow box 90A is released, the lid module may be unlocked.

An avoid hole 90E for avoiding the connection part 41B disposed on the water supply body may be lengthily defined in the hollow box 90A. The avoid hole 90E may be defined in a portion of the hollow box 90A or be lengthily defined in a circumferential direction along the hollow box 90A.

A tops surface of the upper plate part 90B and the handle part 90C may be exposed to the outside of the lid 38A. The user rotates the handle part 90C in a clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction to allow the lockers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to be locked to or unlocked from the ingredient accommodation body <NUM>.

The lid module may further include a spring 90I disposed between the water supply body and the upper plate part 90B of each of the lockers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. When external force is not applied to the spring 90I, the upper plate part 90B of each of the lockers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the water supply body may be pushed in directions opposite to each other. The spring 90I may be provided as a plate sparing having a ring shape on the whole.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the supplier may be disposed between the fermentation tank and the water tank to minimize the spaced distance between the fermentation tank and the water tank, thereby realizing the beverage maker having the more compact size and providing the positive effects in terms of the overall balance and the beauty of the beverage maker.

Also, the plurality of ingredient accommodation parts provided in the supplier may be disposed to be minimized in spaced distance between the fermentation tank and the water tank, thereby realizing the beverage maker having the compact size.

In addition, the beverage maker may provide the locking structure in which the lid is capable of automatically locked on the ingredient accommodation body when the lid provided in the supplier covers the ingredient accommodation part, and thus, the separate additional operation for locking the lid by the user may be removed to improve the convenience in use.

Also, the hinge structure in which the lid automatically opened when the lid is unlocked may be provided to remove the separate additional operation for opening the lid by the user, thereby improving the convenience in use.

The passages such as the main passage <NUM>, the water supply passage <NUM>, the beverage dispensing passage <NUM>, the gas dispensing passage, the air injection passage <NUM>, and the like may be realized by a hose or tube through which a fluid passes or may be realized by a plurality of hoses or tubes that are continuous in a longitudinal direction. In addition, the passage may be realized by two hoses or tubes disposed with other constituents such as the control valve therebetween.

Claim 1:
A beverage maker comprising:
a fermentation tank (<NUM>) having an inner space (S <NUM>);
a water tank (<NUM>) for accommodating water; and
a supplier (<NUM>) physically disposed between the fermentation tank (<NUM>) and the water tank (<NUM>) to accommodate a beverage ingredient,
wherein the supplier (<NUM>) comprises:
an ingredient accommodation body (<NUM>) including an ingredient accommodation part (<NUM>) in which a capsule (<NUM>) containing the beverage ingredient is detachably accommodated;
a lid module (<NUM>) including a lid (<NUM>) for opening/closing the ingredient accommodation part (<NUM>) and including a water supply body connected to a supplier water supply passage (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to inject the water supplied from the supplier water supply passage (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) into the ingredient accommodation part (<NUM>); and
a locking module (<NUM>) for locking the lid (<NUM>) to the ingredient accommodation body (<NUM>), wherein the locking module (<NUM>) is configured for unlocking the lid (<NUM>) by a translational operation;
wherein a plurality of upper punching parts (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for punching an upper cover (<NUM>) of the capsule (<NUM>) and a plurality of water supply holes (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for guiding the water to the ingredient accommodation part (<NUM>) are provided in a bottom surface of the water supply body.