RU2798934C2 - Method and device for coffee frothing - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: coffee machines.

SUBSTANCE: method and device for coffee frothing, where the device comprises a pressure control mechanism (2), a gas pressure source (11), a water container (3) and a back pressure resonant mechanism (4), where the lower part of the back pressure resonant mechanism (4) is the outlet (5) for coffee. When the button (21) is pressed, water having a water pressure of 6-8 bar in a portable coffee maker, or water having a water pressure of 9-11 bar in a household or desktop machine, enters the coffee accommodating cavity (451) for coffee dissolution and extraction. The resonant needle (42) and the rubber ring (43) form a resonant cavity (425); when the compressed coffee slurry passes through the resonant cavity (425), due to the special structure of the compressed coffee slurry and the resonant cavity (425), the coffee slurry is subjected to high frequency vibrations, then foamed sufficiently and flows out of the coffee outlet (5).

EFFECT: design of the device takes up little space and can be used in large and small coffee makers of any model; meanwhile, the coffee foam in the produced coffee can reach 70%.

10 cl, 8 dwg

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

[0001] The invention relates to the technology of manufacturing a coffee maker, in particular, to a method and device for foaming coffee.

State of the art

[0002] In the prior art, in order for brewed coffee to create a sufficient amount of foam, many innovations have been made and many patented technologies have been created, which are listed below as examples.

[0003] In China Utility Model Patent No. ZL 200620008268.0 titled "Coffee foaming device", the main part of the outlet valve refers to the traditional structure for applying pressure to discharge coffee, which creates a foaming effect, but the foaming efficiency is low.

[0004] In addition, China Utility Model Patent No. 200920193566.5 titled "Coffee foaming device of coffee maker" is based on the principle that the water outlet nozzle sprays the coffee slurry onto the filter mesh, and the coffee slurry is sufficiently mixed with air to form foam, although a foaming effect is achieved, the foaming efficiency is still low.

[0005] In addition, China Utility Model Patent No. 201120033697.4 titled "Coffee foaming device" is also based on the principle that a conventional water outlet nozzle sprays coffee slurry onto the container wall to produce foam, although this achieves a foaming effect, the foaming efficiency is still low.

[0006] In view of the fact that all of the aforementioned patented technologies relate to the creation of coffee foam by injecting high-temperature steam under pressure, no attempt has been made to use the principle that a string or reed of a musical instrument vibrates to produce a sound, and the principle, whereby any cavity has its own resonant frequency, while any needle-shaped or diaphragm-shaped element also has its own resonant frequency to test the oscillation and frothing of the coffee.

Brief description of the invention

Technical problem

Problem Solutions

Technical solutions

[0007] The invention is directed to solving the problem that, in the prior art, coffee frothing is mainly performed using the principle of high-pressure steam atomization and spraying, and the frothing effect is weak, provided that the pressurizing source is at a specific pressure. applied outside, during the tests, the applicant of the present application developed a specific resonant element and a specific configuration, so that the coffee suspension is atomized by the action of vibrations in it, and the foaming rate is doubled.

[0008] the Invention is implemented through the adoption of the following technical solutions.

[0009] A method for frothing coffee, comprising:

[0010] in the first step, providing a pressure control mechanism connected to a gas pressure source at the inlet of the pressure control mechanism and connected to a water container at the outlet of the pressure control mechanism, wherein the water container contains water for brewing, a coffee accommodating cavity disposed below the water container, with a coffee container placed in the coffee accommodating cavity, the resonant back pressure mechanism being located under the coffee accommodating cavity, and the coffee outlet located at the bottom of the resonant back pressure mechanism;

[0011] Next, in the second step, pressing the button, the pressure control mechanism lowers the pressure of the gas under high pressure of the gas pressure source to obtain a gas having a pressure for brewing, which enters the water tank, while the water having pressure for brewing, then enters the coffee accommodating cavity for mixing with coffee and extracting;

[0012] Next, in the third step, ensuring that the coffee slurry enters the resonant back pressure mechanism, while first the incoming coffee slurry flows down from the guide plate guide hole and enters the annular space, at this moment the bottom surface of the back pressure cartridge is pressed by the rubber ring, one resonant needle is provided and placed on the bottom surface of the cartridge, the resonant groove is located at the position of making the rubber ring contact the resonant needle, the resonant groove is engaged with the resonant needle to form a resonant cavity when the coffee suspension having brewing pressure passes through the resonant cavity due to brewing pressure and resonant cavity design, the coffee slurry having brewing pressure foams after high frequency vibration and flows out from the coffee outlet.

[0013] According to one embodiment, in the third step, when the guide plate is built into the back pressure cartridge, the edge of the guide plate is mated with the upper inner circular wall of the back pressure cartridge.

[0014] According to another embodiment, in the third step, the lower circular projection is located at the bottom of the guide plate and is used to fix the central circular hole of the rubber ring and determine the position of the rubber ring, while the lower inner circular wall of the backpressure cartridge and the outer edge of the rubber the rings of said rubber ring together form an annulus.

[0015] Designed and manufactured a device for foaming coffee, as described below.

[0016] Said apparatus comprises a pressure control mechanism connected to a gas pressure source at the inlet of the pressure control mechanism and connected to a water container at the outlet of the pressure control mechanism, the coffee accommodating cavity is located under the water container, the resonant back pressure mechanism located under the coffee accommodating cavity, and the coffee outlet is located at the bottom of the resonant back pressure mechanism.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the pressure control mechanism is provided with a button, wherein when the button is pressed, the pressure control mechanism lowers the pressure of the high pressure gas to produce a gas having brewing pressure that enters the water tank, wherein the water, pressurized for brewing, then enters the coffee accommodating cavity for mixing with coffee and extracting.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the resonant back pressure mechanism comprises a guide plate with guide holes distributed circumferentially on the guide plate, with the guide holes in communication with the annulus,

[0019] wherein the resonant back pressure mechanism further comprises a back pressure cartridge, wherein a rubber ring is pressed against the bottom surface of the back pressure cartridge;

[0020] wherein one resonant needle is located on the lower surface of the cartridge, the resonant groove is located at the position of making contact of the rubber ring with the resonant needle, the resonant groove is engaged with the resonant needle, a resonant cavity is formed between the resonant groove and the resonant needle, when the coffee suspension having pressure brewing pressure passes through the resonant cavity, due to the brewing pressure and the design of the resonant cavity, the coffee slurry having the brewing pressure foams after high-frequency vibration and flows out of the coffee outlet.

[0021] According to another embodiment, when the guide plate is built into the back pressure cartridge, the edge of the guide plate is mated with the upper inner circular wall of the back pressure cartridge; and wherein the lower round protrusion is located at the bottom of the guide plate and is used to fix the central round hole of the rubber ring and determine the position of the rubber ring, and

[0022] wherein the lower inner circular wall of the backpressure cartridge and the outer edge of the rubber ring of said rubber ring together form an annulus.

[0023] According to yet another embodiment, the bottom of the water container is provided with a water container blocking lug that is configured to engage with the back pressure blocking lug on the back pressure housing of the resonant back pressure mechanism, wherein the coffee container is locked in the accommodating cavity. coffee;

[0024] wherein the coffee accommodating cavity is supported by the chute of the accommodating cavity, and the coffee slurry space below the chute of the accommodating cavity is kept from flowing down the coffee slurry from the coffee slurry through hole,

[0025] wherein the outlet filter mesh and the splash guard are located in the coffee outlet to allow the coffee slurry to flow out of the slurry outlet and flow into the coffee cup, with the pressure control mechanism cover plate located on the top of the pressure control mechanism;

[0026] The backpressure cartridge O-ring is located

between back pressure cartridge and back pressure housing; And

[0027] The guide plate filter mesh is located on the guide plate.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the gas pressure source, the pressure control mechanism, and the water container are combined and pumped by a water pump, and the pumped water enters the coffee accommodating cavity.

[0029] A pocket carbon dioxide gas cylinder has the smallest volume, is suitable for a portable coffee maker, and does not make noise compared to a water pump.

[0030] In addition, the use of carbon dioxide has the advantage that the taste of coffee is the result of the content of gaseous carbon dioxide formed after roasting the coffee beans.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

Beneficial Effects

[0031] The invention has the advantage that there is no water temperature requirement for coffee to be brewed, and of course, the taste of coffee brewed using high temperature water is better. In addition, the design according to the present invention has a small footprint and can be used in coffee makers of any size, and coffee made by the method and with the design according to the present invention can contain 70 percent coffee foam.

Brief description of graphic materials

[0032] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the embodiments are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the general form of one embodiment of the method and apparatus for high efficiency coffee frothing according to the present invention;

[0034] in FIG. 2 is a schematic view in one direction of a general exploded view of one embodiment of the method and apparatus for high efficiency coffee frothing according to the present invention;

[0035] in FIG. 3 is a schematic view in another direction of a general exploded view of one embodiment of the method and apparatus for high efficiency coffee frothing according to the present invention;

[0036] in FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a method and apparatus for highly efficient coffee frothing according to the present invention in coffee brewing, with foam over 70%, coffee slurry 91 at the bottom of cup 9 making up only a small part, and foam 92 floating at the top of the cup making up most;

[0037] in FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a pressure cartridge 40, a rubber ring 43, a guide plate 44, and a resonant needle 42 of the high-efficiency coffee frothing method and apparatus of the present invention;

[0038] in FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the assembled rubber ring 43, guide plate 44, resonant needle 42, back pressure housing 45, accommodating cavity tray 458, coffee accommodating cavity 451, and coffee slurry space 454 of the method and apparatus for high-efficiency frothing coffee according to the present invention. invention;

[0039] in FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the assembled rubber ring 43, guide plate 44, resonant needle 42, back pressure housing 45, accommodating cavity tray 458, coffee accommodating cavity 451, and coffee slurry space 454 of the method and apparatus for high-efficiency frothing coffee according to the present invention. of the invention showing in more detail the resonant cavity 425; And

[0040] in FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of the construction according to the second embodiment of the coffee outlet 5 of the method and the device for high-efficiency coffee frothing according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0041] The invention will be described below with reference to specific implementation options.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1 and 8, the method for highly efficient coffee frothing includes the following steps.

[0043] In the first step, first, a pressure control mechanism 2 is provided, which is connected to the gas pressure source 11 at the inlet of the pressure control mechanism 2, and connected to the water container 3 at the outlet of the pressure control mechanism 2, wherein the water container 3 contains water for brewing, the coffee accommodating cavity 451 is located under the water container 3, while the coffee container is placed in the coffee accommodating cavity 451, the resonant back pressure mechanism 4 is located under the coffee accommodating cavity 451, and the coffee outlet 5 located at the bottom of the resonant mechanism 4 back pressure.

[0044] Next, in the second step, the button 21 is pressed, the pressure control mechanism 2 depressurizes the high-pressure gas of the gas pressure source 11 to obtain a gas having a pressure for brewing, which enters the water container 3, and at the same time the brewing pressure water then enters the coffee accommodating cavity 451 for mixing with coffee and extracting.

[0045] Next, in the third step, the coffee slurry is supplied to the resonant back pressure mechanism 4, wherein first the incoming coffee slurry flows down from the guide hole 443 of the guide plate 44 and enters the annular space 444, at this point to the bottom surface 401 of the cartridge 40, the rubber ring 43 is pressed, one resonant needle 42 is provided and placed on the bottom surface 401 of the cartridge, the resonant groove 431 is located at the position of contacting the rubber ring 43 with the resonant needle 42, the resonant groove 431 is engaged with the resonant needle 42 to form a resonant cavity 425 , and when the coffee slurry having the brewing pressure passes through the resonant cavity 425, due to the brewing pressure and the special design of the resonant cavity 425, the coffee slurry having the brewing pressure is sufficiently frothed after high-frequency vibration and flows out of the coffee outlet 5.

[0046] In the third step, when the guide plate 44 is built into the back pressure cartridge 40, the edge 442 of the guide plate mates with the upper inner circular wall 403 of the back pressure cartridge 40.

[0047] In the third step, the lower circular protrusion 441 is located at the bottom of the guide plate 44 and is used to fix the central circular hole of the rubber ring 43 and determine the position of the rubber ring 43, while the lower inner circular wall 402 of the back pressure cartridge 40 and the outer edge 432 rubber ring of the specified rubber ring 43 together form the annular space 444.

[0048] In the second stage, the pressure for brewing is 6-8 bar in a portable coffee maker and 9-11 bar in a household or desktop machine.

[0049] An additional embodiment of the invention is that the gas pressure source 11, the pressure control mechanism 2 and the water container 3 are combined and pumped by a water pump, and the pressurized water enters the coffee accommodating cavity 451.

[0050] A device for high-efficiency frothing coffee has been developed and manufactured, the device comprising a pressure control mechanism 2 connected to a gas pressure source 11 at the inlet of the pressure control mechanism 2 and connected to a water container 3 at the outlet of the pressure control mechanism 2, when In this case, the coffee accommodating cavity 451 is located under the water container 3, the back pressure resonant mechanism 4 is located under the coffee accommodating cavity 451, and the coffee outlet 5 is located at the bottom of the back pressure resonant mechanism 4.

[0051] The pressure control mechanism 2 is provided with a button 21, whereby when the button 21 is pressed, the pressure control mechanism 2 lowers the pressure of the high pressure gas to produce gas having brewing pressure which enters the water tank 3, and the water , having the pressure for brewing, then enters the cavity 451 for receiving coffee for mixing with coffee and extraction, while the pressure for brewing is 6-8 bar in a portable coffee maker and 9-11 bar in a household or desktop machine.

[0052] The resonant back pressure mechanism 4 comprises a guide plate 44 with guide holes 443 distributed circumferentially on the guide plate 44, with the guide holes 443 in communication with the annulus 444.

[0053] The resonant back pressure mechanism 4 further includes a back pressure cartridge 40, wherein a rubber ring 43 is pressed against the bottom surface 401 of the back pressure cartridge 40.

[0054] One resonant needle 42 is located on the lower surface 401 of the cartridge, the resonant groove 431 is located at the position of contacting the rubber ring 43 with the resonant needle 42, and the resonant groove 431 is engaged with the resonant needle 42, while between the resonant groove 431 and the resonant needle 42 a resonant cavity 425 is formed, and when the coffee slurry having the brewing pressure passes through the resonant cavity 425, due to the brewing pressure and the special design of the resonant cavity 425, the coffee slurry having the brewing pressure sufficiently foams after high-frequency oscillation and flows out of the outlet 5 for coffee.

[0055] When the guide plate 44 is built into the back pressure cartridge 40, the edge 442 of the guide plate is aligned with the upper inner circular wall 403 of the back pressure cartridge 40; and meanwhile, the lower circular protrusion 441 is located at the bottom of the guide plate 44 and is used to fix the central circular hole of the rubber ring 43 and determine the position of the rubber ring 43.

[0056] The lower inner circular wall 402 of the backpressure cartridge 40 and the outer edge 432 of the rubber ring of said rubber ring 43 together form an annulus 444.

[0057] The bottom of the water container 3 is provided with a water container blocking stop 35 which is configured to engage with the back pressure blocking stop 453 on the back pressure housing 45 of the back pressure resonant mechanism 4, while the coffee container 8 is locked in the cavity 451 to place coffee.

[0058] The coffee accommodating cavity 451 is supported by the accommodating cavity trough 458, and the coffee liquor space 454 under the accommodating cavity trough 458 keeps the coffee liquor flowing downward from the coffee liquor through hole 452.

[0059] The outlet filter mesh 51 and the splash guard 52 are arranged in the coffee outlet 5 to ensure that the coffee slurry flows out of the slurry outlet 407 and flows into the coffee cup, and the cover plate 21 of the pressure control mechanism is disposed on the top. pressure control mechanism 2.

[0060] The backpressure cartridge O-ring 491 is located between the backpressure cartridge 40 and the backpressure housing 45.

[0061] The guide plate filter mesh 492 is located on the guide plate 44.

[0062] Another embodiment of the invention is that the gas pressure source 11, the pressure control mechanism 2, and the water container 3 are combined and pumped by a water pump, and the pumped water enters the cavity 451 for receiving coffee.

[0063] The gas pressure source contains carbon dioxide and high pressure steam. By applying the water pump used for pressurizing drinking water and commonly used in the market, the gas pressure source, the pressure control mechanism and the water tank are combined, which is also suitable for the high efficiency foaming apparatus. The design at the moment is such that the gas pressure source, the pressure control mechanism and the water tank are combined and pumped by a water pump, and the pumped water enters the coffee accommodating cavity.

[0064] The pocket carbon dioxide gas cylinder has the smallest volume, is suitable for a portable coffee maker, and does not make noise compared to a water pump.

[0065] In addition, the use of carbon dioxide has the advantage that the taste of coffee is the result of the content of gaseous carbon dioxide formed after roasting the coffee beans.

[0066] As can be seen in FIG. 4, high-efficiency frothing can be achieved with the present invention, and frothed coffee with different flavors can be obtained with different outlet filter meshes.

[0067] FIG. 7, the coffee container 8 is placed above the coffee accommodating cavity 451, and the coffee slurry vibrates vigorously as it passes through the resonant cavity 425 between the resonant needle 42 and the rubber ring 43, the resonance causes the coffee slurry to atomize in bubbles, creating a large amount of foam. . According to the invention, as a result of almost one hundred tests, it is determined that, in order to be optimal, the pressure of carbon dioxide gas in the pressure control mechanism 2 after depressurization is approximately 7; and the optimal geometry of the resonant cavity 425 between the resonant needle 42 and the rubber ring 43 has been determined, where the invention achieves the unexpected technical effect that the coffee frothing rate is changed by an "amount" higher than expected by the Applicant.

[0068] FIG. 8, the second outlet filter mesh 54 provided in the coffee outlet 5 is shaped like a pocket, and the second splash guard 53 is also shaped like a pocket.

[0069] In addition to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the coffee outlet 5 may be provided with a number of different outlet filter meshes as well as the shapes of the splash guards, which are not exhaustive here.

[0070] The foregoing is simply the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and changes in the detailed description and scope of application will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings of the present invention, and the description should not be construed as limiting the invention.

Claims (25)

1. Method for frothing coffee, characterized in that it includes: at the first stage, providing a pressure control mechanism (2) connected to a gas pressure source (11) in the inlet hole of the pressure control mechanism (2) and connected to a water tank (3) in the outlet hole of the pressure control mechanism (2), while in the water container (3) contains water for brewing, the cavity (451) for accommodating coffee is located under the container (3) for water, while in the cavity (451) for accommodating coffee there is a container with coffee, while the resonant mechanism (4) reverse pressure is located under the cavity (451) for receiving coffee, and the outlet (5) for coffee is located at the bottom of the resonant mechanism (4) back pressure; then, in the second step, pressing the button (21), while the pressure control mechanism (2) reduces the pressure of the gas under high pressure of the gas pressure source (11) to obtain a gas having pressure for brewing, which enters the tank (3) for water, while the water having pressure for brewing then enters the cavity (451) to accommodate coffee for mixing with coffee and extraction; And then, in the third step, ensuring that the coffee slurry enters the resonant back pressure mechanism (4), while first the incoming coffee slurry flows down from the guide hole (443) of the guide plate (44) and enters the annulus (444), at this moment the bottom surface (401) of the back pressure cartridge (40) is pressed by the rubber ring (43), one resonant needle (42) is provided and placed on the bottom surface (401) of the cartridge, the resonant groove (431) is located in the contact position of the rubber ring (43) with resonant needle (42), the resonant groove (431) is engaged with the resonant needle (42) to form a resonant cavity (425) when the coffee suspension having brewing pressure passes through the resonant cavity (425) due to the brewing pressure and design resonance cavity (425), the coffee slurry having the brewing pressure foams after high frequency vibrations and flows out of the coffee outlet (5). 2. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that in the third step, when the guide plate (44) is built into the back pressure cartridge (40), the edge (442) of the guide plate is mated with the upper inner circular wall (403) of the back pressure cartridge (40). 3. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that in the third step, the lower round protrusion (441) is located at the bottom of the guide plate (44) and is used to fix the central round hole of the rubber ring (43) and determine the position of the rubber ring (43), while the lower inner round wall (402) of the cartridge (40) back pressure and the outer edge (432) of the rubber ring of the specified rubber ring (43) together form an annular space (444). 4. Device for foaming coffee, characterized in that the device comprises a pressure control mechanism (2) connected to a gas pressure source (11) in the inlet hole of the pressure control mechanism (2) and connected to a water tank (3) in the outlet hole of the pressure control mechanism (2), while the cavity (451 ) for coffee accommodation is located under the water tank (3), the back pressure resonance mechanism (4) is located under the coffee accommodation cavity (451), and the coffee outlet (5) is located at the bottom of the back pressure resonance mechanism (4). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the pressure control mechanism (2) is provided with a button (21), wherein when the button (21) is pressed, the pressure control mechanism (2) lowers the pressure of the high pressure gas to obtain a gas having pressure for brewing, which enters the container (3) for water, the water having pressure for brewing then enters the cavity (451) to accommodate coffee for mixing with coffee and extraction. 6. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the resonant back pressure mechanism (4) comprises a guide plate (44) with guide holes (443) distributed around the circumference on the guide plate (44), while the guide holes (443) are in communication with the annular space (444), wherein the resonant back pressure mechanism (4) further comprises a back pressure cartridge (40), wherein a rubber ring (43) is pressed against the bottom surface (401) of the back pressure cartridge (40); one resonant needle (42) is located on the lower surface (401) of the cartridge, the resonant groove (431) is located in the position of ensuring contact of the rubber ring (43) with the resonant needle (42), the resonant groove (431) is engaged with the resonant needle (42 ), between the resonant groove (431) and the resonant needle (42), a resonant cavity (425) is formed when the coffee slurry having the brewing pressure passes through the resonant cavity (425), due to the brewing pressure and the structure of the resonant cavity (425), the coffee the slurry having the brewing pressure foams after high frequency vibrations and flows out of the coffee outlet (5). 7. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that when the guide plate (44) is built into the back pressure cartridge (40), the edge (442) of the guide plate is mated with the upper inner circular wall (403) of the back pressure cartridge (40); and at the same time, the lower round protrusion (441) is located at the bottom of the guide plate (44) and is used to fix the central round hole of the rubber ring (43) and determine the position of the rubber ring (43), while the lower inner round wall (402) of the cartridge (40) back pressure and the outer edge (432) of the rubber ring of the specified rubber ring (43) together form an annular space (444). 8. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the lower part of the water tank (3) is provided with a blocking stop (35) of the water tank, which is configured to engage with the back pressure blocking stop (453) on the back pressure housing (45) of the back pressure resonant mechanism (4), while the container ( 8) with coffee blocked in the cavity (451) to accommodate the coffee; wherein the coffee accommodating cavity (451) is supported by the accommodating cavity tray (458), and in the coffee slurry space (454) under the accommodating cavity tray (458), the coffee slurry flows down from the coffee slurry through hole (452), wherein the mesh (51) of the outlet filter and the splash-proof channel (52) are located in the coffee outlet (5) to ensure that the coffee slurry flows out of the slurry outlet (407) and then flows into the coffee cup, while the closing plate (21 ) the pressure control mechanism is located on the top of the pressure control mechanism (2); the sealing ring (491) of the back pressure cartridge is located between the back pressure cartridge (40) and the back pressure housing (45); And the guide plate filter mesh (492) is located on the guide plate (44). 9. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the gas pressure source (11), the pressure control mechanism (2) and the water tank (3) are combined and pumped by the water pump, and the pumped water enters the cavity (451) to accommodate the coffee.

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