MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A HOT BEVERAGE

Abstract

A machine and method for preparing a hot beverage includes a device for producing and conveying hot water; a holding device into which a filter holder can be releasably inserted; a feed for the hot water, the feed having an outlet arranged above the filter holder in order to dispense hot water onto the filter holder from above into a receiving area which is open towards the top and comprises an extraction material; and a drive device in order to move the feed for the hot water relative to the filter holder. The filter holder has a chamber for water, the chamber being fillable via an opening, and the feed can be moved relative to the filter holder between a position substantially vertically above the opening and another position substantially vertically above the receiving area comprising the extraction material.

Claims

1. A machine (1) for the preparation of a hot beverage, comprising: a device configured for the production and delivery of hot water; a holding device (4) into which a filter holder (10) can be detachably inserted; a feed (7) for the hot water having an outlet (9) arranged above the filter holder (10), the feed being configured for discharging the hot water from above the filter holder (10) into an upwardly open receptacle (13) containing an extraction material, and a drive device configured to move the feed (7) for the hot water relative to the filter holder (10), wherein the filter holder (10) comprises a chamber (21) for collecting water which is fillable via an opening (19, 19′) and the feed (7) is movable relative to the filter holder (10) between a position substantially vertically above the opening (19) and a further position substantially vertically above the receptacle (13) containing the extraction material.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the chamber (21) for collecting water in the filter holder (10) has a volume between 10 ml to 400 ml.

3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the filter holder (10) is formed in several parts comprising a first part and second part, and the first part (16) forms the receptacle for the extraction material and the first part (16) is surrounded by the second part (17) at least in regions, and the chamber (21) for collecting water is formed between the first part (16) and the second part (17).

4. The machine according to claim 3, wherein the chamber (21) is of annular design and a sealing element (20) is arranged between the first part (16) and the second part (17).

5. The machine according to claim 3, wherein the second part (17) is fixed to the first part (16) by fastening means.

6. The machine according to claim 1, wherein an impact surface (22) inclined to the horizontal is provided at the opening (19, 19′), from which the applied hot water drains into the chamber (21).

7. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the opening on the filter holder (10) comprises a first opening and a second opening and wherein the receptacle (13) is arranged between the first opening (19) and the second opening (19′) connected to the chamber (21) for collecting water.

8. The machine according to one of the claim 1, wherein a valve (14) for opening or closing an outlet opening is provided on the receptacle (13) on an underside.

9. The machine according to claim 1, wherein a sensor is provided on the feed (7) or the holding device (4), wherein the sensor is configured for detecting whether the filter holder (10) is arranged on the holding device (4).

10. The machine according to claim 1, wherein a downwardly radiating light source is provided at the feed (7).

11. A method for preparing a hot beverage, comprising the steps of: heating water and conveying the heated water to a feed (7); dispensing a first amount of water at the feed (7) into an opening (19, 19′) on a filter holder (10) from which the first amount of water is directed into a chamber (21) for collecting the water; moving the feed (7) relative to the filter holder (10) to move the feed (7) from a position above the opening (19, 19′) to a position above an upwardly open receptacle (13) containing an extraction material, and dispensing a second amount of hot water onto the extraction material in the filter holder (10) to brew the hot beverage.

12. Method The method according to claim 11, wherein the first amount of hot water is between 1 ml to 80 ml.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the filter holder (10) is arranged stationary and the feed (7) is moved via a drive device.

Description

[0014] The invention is explained in more detail below by means of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a view of a machine according to the invention for preparing a hot beverage, and

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through the filter holder of the machine of FIG. 1,

[0017] A machine 1 for preparing a hot beverage comprises a base station 2, which has a housing in which a heating device, a pump and a controller are arranged. A removable tank 3 for fresh water is provided at the base station 2, via which water can be conveyed to the pump, the heating device and to a feed 7. The feed 7 is designed as a pipeline projecting upward from the base station 2. The feed 7 is not stationary on the housing of the base station 2, but can be moved by a drive unit. A carriage 6 is provided for this purpose, which can be moved linearly by the drive device along a guide below a housing opening 25 on the base station 2. In addition, the carriage 6 can be rotated by another drive so that the feed 7 can be rotated about a vertical axis, Other drives can also be used to move the feed 7.

[0018] The feed 7 has a vertical section and a horizontal section, with the feed 7 opening out at an outlet 9, which is arranged above a filter holder 10. A holder 8 is also provided on the feed 7 above the outlet 9, on which, for example, a light source, in particular LED light source, is provided, which can be controlled via a controller in the base station 2. In addition, an optical sensor may be provided on the holder 8 to detect whether or not a filter holder 10 is inserted on a holding device 4 of the machine 1. Optionally, such a sensor may also detect whether a filter paper insert and/or an extraction material is arranged in the filter holder 10. For example, an optical sensor with corresponding color recognition can be used for this purpose.

[0019] The machine has a fixed holding device 4 on the base station 2, on which a bowl-shaped support 5 is provided for the detachable insertion of the filter holder 10, An outlet 12 for the brewed beverage, in particular for coffee or tea, is provided on the underside of the support 5.

[0020] The filter holder 10 is shown in section in FIG. 2.

[0021] The filter holder 10 comprises an upwardly open receptacle 13 on a first part 16. A filter paper insert or another filter insert with an extraction material can be inserted into the receptacle 13. On the underside of the receptacle 13, a valve 14 is provided at a bottom by means of which a lower outlet opening at the part 16 can be opened and closed. The valve 14 is thereby pretensioned into the closed position and can optionally be opened or closed by mechanical actuation means, for example a vessel below the filter holder 10, insertion into the support 5 and interaction with an actuation geometry 15 or by a controller. When the valve 14 is open, the brewed beverage can be dispensed through the outlet 12 into a vessel,

[0022] A second part 17 is arranged around the first part 16 of the filter holder 10, which is also shell-shaped and is arranged at a distance from the first part 16, As a result, an annular or sleeve-shaped chamber 21 for collecting water is formed between the first part 16 and the second part 17. The first part 16 and the second part 17 are arranged in a sealing manner against one another in a lower region via at least one sealing element 20.

[0023] The filter holder 10 is detachably inserted into the ring- or bowl-shaped support 5 of the machine 1 and can be easily removed upwardly via a protruding handle section 23.

[0024] An upwardly facing opening 19 is formed on the filter holder 10, into which a first quantity of water can be filled, Below the opening 19, an impact surface 22 is provided which is arranged integrally with the second part 17 below a horizontal edge 18 of the filter holder 10. The impact surface 22 is inclined to the horizontal, for example at an angle between 10° and 60°, in particular 30° to 55°, in order to deflect impacting water into the chamber 21 without splashing the rim 18, other components or, in the worst case, the user with hot water.

[0025] The annular chamber 21 between the first part 16 and the second part 17 preferably has a volume between 10 ml to 400 ml, in particular 20 ml to 80 ml.

[0026] For brewing coffee, a filter paper insert with an extraction material is first inserted into the filter holder 10. The filter paper insert can optionally be designed to be open at the top or closed in order to then only effect an opening via the application of hot water, as is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2018 101 333. The filter holder 10 can then be inserted into the holding device 4 of the machine 1.

[0027] Optionally, a sensor can then be used to detect whether the filter holder 10 is filled with extraction material or a portion pack. For this purpose, a light source on the holder 8 can illuminate the filter holder 10 accordingly in order to then perform a detection with an optical sensor, which is forwarded to a controller in the base station 2.

[0028] The machine 1 now draws water from the tank 3 and conveys this via a pump and a heating device into the feed 7, which is arranged in a first position with the outlet 9 above the opening 19. This introduces a first amount of water into the opening 19 and thus the chamber 21 for collecting water. The first amount of water may be, for example, between 5 ml and 30 ml and is sufficient to preheat and flush the feed 7.

[0029] After a first amount of water has been introduced into the chamber 21, the feed 7 is moved relative to the filter holder 10, wherein in this exemplary embodiment the filter holder 10 is stationary and the feed 7 is moved via one or more drives. Then, hot water from the feed 7 can now be applied either directly to the extraction material or to a closure device on a portion pack to begin the brewing process. Optionally, the hot water from the feed 7 can also be distributed over the extraction material according to predetermined patterns so that a more uniform extraction is possible. The feed 7 can thus also be moved while dispensing a second amount of hot water. The brewed beverage, in particular the coffee, is now dispensed at the outlet 12 into a vessel which is not shown. The vessel is placed on the cup plate of a drip tray 11. In this case, the cup plate is provided with openings so that, after removal of the vessel, drops of the brewed beverage can be collected in the drip tray 11, After brewing, the filter holder 10 can then be removed from the support 5 to both dispose of the brewed extraction material and to empty the collected water from the chamber 21.

[0030] A second opening 19 is arranged on the filter holder 10 opposite the first opening 19 with respect to the receptacle 13. This means that the filter holder 10 can also be used rotated by 180° in order to collect water in the chamber 21 via the second opening 19°.

[0031] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the chamber 21 is arranged in an annular shape between the first part 16 and the second part 17. Of course, it is also possible to provide the chamber 21 on only one side of the filter holder, and not to make it annular.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0032] 1 Machine

[0033] 2 Base station

[0034] 3 Tank

[0035] 4 Holding device

[0036] 5 Support

[0037] 6 Carriage

[0038] 7 Feed

[0039] 8 Holder

[0040] 9 Outlet

[0041] 10 Filter holder

[0042] 11 Drip tray

[0043] 12 Outlet

[0044] 13 Receptacle

[0045] 14 Valve

[0046] 15 Actuation geometry

[0047] 16 First part

[0048] 17 Second part

[0049] 18 Edge

[0050] 19 Opening

[0051] 19′ Opening

[0052] 20 Sealing element

[0053] 21 Chamber

[0054] 22 impact surface

[0055] 23 Handle section

[0056] 25 Housing opening