JPH1116040A - Beverage supplying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To validly use beverage remaining in a storage tank without abandoning it in a beverage supplying device for selectively executing a hatch extraction mode and each time extraction mode. SOLUTION: This beverage supplying device is provided with an extractor 7 for extracting beverage by mixing beverage materials with hot water, storage tank 13 for storing beverage extracted by the extractor 7 for plural cups, pressure sensor 27 for measuring the amounts of beverage in the storage tank 13, and controller 51. This controller 51 selectively executes a batch extraction mode for supplying beverage stored in the storage tank 13 for each cup and an each time extraction mode for extracting beverage for one cup by the extractor 7, and supplying it without allowing it to pass through the storage tank 13, and supplies beverage remaining in the storage tank 13 little by little at each time of the supplying operation in the each time extraction mode when the batch extraction mode is switched to the each time extraction mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a beverage supply apparatus for extracting and supplying a beverage from beverage ingredients.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a vending machine,
As disclosed in JP-A-9-62929 (G07F13 / 00), a beverage such as coffee is extracted from a ground bean material such as coffee, mixed with other sugar or milk, and then poured into a cup for sale. It is configured as follows. In particular, in recent years, with the revision of the Food Sanitation Law, a batch extraction system in which a plurality of beverages are extracted and stored in advance in this type of vending machine and stored, and each beverage is poured into a cup and sold. The publication also discloses a method in which a plurality of drinks extracted by the extraction device are stored in a storage tank and sold.

According to such a method, it is possible to shorten the waiting time of the customer as compared with the extraction for each sales, and also to reduce the consumption of consumables such as a paper filter required for the extraction, thereby improving the efficiency. Beverage sales can be achieved. In addition, there is an advantage that a drink having a good taste can be produced because a sufficient time can be taken for beverage extraction in the extractor.

[0004] On the other hand, in the case of such a batch extraction method, if the beverage remains in the storage tank for a long time, the taste is deteriorated, and
Problems also arise in hygiene. The storage time in this storage tank is defined as a maximum of 22 hours under the Food Sanitation Law,
Actually, the taste is severely deteriorated, and the time is limited to one hour. Therefore, the beverage remaining in the storage tank is normally discarded after one hour in a drain bucket provided in the vending machine.

[0005]

Discarding the beverage as described above is not economically preferable because the beverage material is wasted. Therefore, it is configured so that the extraction mode every time a beverage is extracted for each sale and the batch extraction mode for extracting and selling the beverage by the batch extraction method can be selectively executed. It is necessary to use the batch extraction mode during the rest time, etc., and it is necessary to set the extraction mode every time at other times, but when the beverage in the storage tank is completely sold out at the stage of switching from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time Not necessarily.

[0006] The capacity of the drainage bucket is limited due to the handleability and the space restrictions in the vending machine (usually, the capacity of the bucket is 12).
When the drainage bucket becomes full, the vending machine stops selling. However, in addition to the residual beverage, the drainage bucket contains washing waste liquid in the storage tank (about 2.5 liters / day).
If about 1.5 liters of beverage is discarded a day, the drain bucket becomes full on the third day and sales are stopped.

[0007] In addition to the beverages, unretained drinks and creams from customers flow into the drainage bucket, so that there is a problem that rot occurs in summer or the like and a bad smell is generated in a short period of time. Such drainage buckets will be handled by Routeman, but in recent years, due to reductions in labor costs, routeman patrols have also been ranked once every five days. There was a long-awaited need for reduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problem, and in a beverage supply device for selectively executing a batch extraction mode and an extraction mode each time, a beverage remaining in a storage tank is provided. The purpose is to use beverages effectively without discarding them.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A beverage supply apparatus of the present invention extracts a beverage from beverage ingredients and supplies the beverage. The extractor extracts the beverage by mixing the beverage ingredients with hot water. A storage tank for storing a plurality of drinks extracted by the extractor, a measuring instrument for measuring the amount of beverage in the storage tank, and a control device, the control device is stored in the storage tank Extraction mode, in which a single beverage is extracted one by one, and an extraction mode in which a single beverage is extracted by an extractor and supplied without passing through a storage tank, is selectively executed, and extraction is performed each time from the batch extraction mode. When the mode is switched to the mode, the beverage remaining in the storage tank is supplied in small amounts each time the supply operation is performed in the extraction mode.

According to the present invention, when the mode is switched from the batch extraction mode to the individual extraction mode, the control device supplies the beverage remaining in the storage tank in a small amount for each supply operation in the individual extraction mode. Therefore, the beverage remaining in the storage tank at the end of the batch extraction mode is supplied little by little at each subsequent supply operation in the extraction mode.

As a result, it is possible to eliminate or remarkably reduce beverages stored in the storage tank during the batch extraction mode and remaining and discarded at the end of the batch extraction mode. The inconvenience caused by the increase can be eliminated or suppressed beforehand.

In the beverage supply apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, when the mode is switched from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time, the control apparatus stores a predetermined management standard in the storage tank based on data from the measuring instrument. When there is the above beverage, the amount of the beverage to be extracted by the extractor is subtracted by the amount dispensed from the storage tank.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, when the control mode is switched from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time, the control device stores the data in the storage tank in accordance with the data from the measuring device in accordance with a predetermined management standard or higher. When there is a beverage, the amount of the beverage to be extracted by the extractor is deducted from the amount dispensed from the storage tank. Minute beverage can be supplied more accurately.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, when the control device is switched from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time, the control device stores a predetermined amount in the storage tank based on data from the measuring instrument. When there is a beverage that is less than the management standard, the beverage to be dispensed from the storage tank is added to the one cup of beverage extracted by the extractor and supplied.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, when the control device is switched from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time, the control device stores the predetermined management standard in the storage tank based on the data from the measuring instrument. When there is less than a beverage, the beverage dispensed from the storage tank is added to the one cup of beverage extracted by the extractor and supplied. In the case where the remaining beverage does not remain, the remaining beverage can be effectively processed without reducing the amount of the supplied one cup.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration inside a vending machine 1 as an embodiment of a beverage supply device of the present invention. The vending machine 1 of the embodiment is for selling coffee (beverage) prepared inside in a cup to a customer, and inside the hot water tank 6 for heating tap water to make hot water of + 90 ° C. or higher and store it. A hot water valve 8 for supplying hot water stored in the hot water tank 6 to an extractor 7 described later, a cup supply device (not shown) for supplying a cup C, and ground coffee beans (beverage ingredients)
A coffee canister 12 for storing coffee, and the above-described extractor 7 for mixing the powdered raw material and hot water to extract coffee,
Storage tank 1 for storing coffee extracted by this extractor 7
3, a cream canister 14 for storing cream,
A sugar canister 16 for storing sugar, a mixing bowl 17 for mixing sugar and cream supplied according to the sales order with the extracted coffee, and a cup C
There is provided a drainage bucket 19 and the like which are arranged below a cup receiving stand (not shown) for placing the tray.

Hot water is supplied from the hot water valve 8 to the extractor 7 through a hot water supply pipe 21. The extractor 7 includes a cylinder 22 that can be moved up and down, a beverage tray 23 disposed below the cylinder 22, and a filter paper 26 interposed between the cylinder 22 and the beverage tray 23. Have been.
Further, an extraction chamber 28 is formed inside the cylinder 22 in a state where the cylinder 22 is lowered onto the beverage receiving stand 23. The extraction chamber 28 is, for example, for three cups of coffee (one cup is approximately 130 g).
It has sufficient capacity to accommodate hot water and powdered raw materials.

Further, the filter paper 26 is wound into a roll by a predetermined amount. The filter paper 26 is drawn out of the roll and placed on the beverage receiving table 23. When the cylinder 22 is lowered, the filter paper 26 is placed between the beverage receiving table 23 and the cylinder 22. The cylinder 22 is configured to be able to move (feed) in the longitudinal direction in a state where the cylinder 22 is pulled up.

An air pump 29 is connected to the cylinder 22 via an air valve 50 and the orifice 10. When the air pump 29 is operated and the air valve 50 is opened, compressed air is supplied into the cylinder 22 to pressurize the extraction chamber 28. The orifice 10 is opened with the extractor 7 (air valve 50) open.
It is configured such that a pressure of about 0.2 atm remains on the air pump 29 side.

Further, a flexible outlet tube 31 is drawn out from the lower surface of the beverage receiving table 23, and the switching valve 3 is provided.
2 is connected to the upper part of the storage tank 13 through one outlet.

On the other hand, the other outlet of the switching valve 32 communicates with the mixing ball 17 via a tube 41. A sales pipe 42 is drawn out from the lower end of the storage tank 13 and communicates with the mixing ball 17. A sales valve 43 is provided in the sales pipe 42.
Further, a drain pipe 44 is drawn out from the lower end of the storage tank 13 and communicates with the drain bucket 19, and a drain valve 46 is provided in the drain pipe 44.

A chute 47 for guiding the cream or sugar discharged from the cream canister 14 and the sugar canister 16 to the mixing ball 17 is provided below the cream canister 14 and the sugar canister 16. Beverage tube 4 on top of cup C
8 extend.

On the other hand, a heater 18 for keeping heat is arranged around the storage tank 13, and a measuring pipe 24 made of a thin tube is connected to a lower part of the storage tank 13.
It has been raised upward. A pressure sensor 27 as a measuring device is communicatively connected to the upper end of the measuring pipe 24, and a tube 52 provided with an air valve 49 is connected to the measuring pipe 24 in the middle thereof.
Numeral 2 is connected to the air pump 29 through the orifice 11.

The air pump 29 is operated and the air valve 4
When 9 is opened, compressed air is supplied into the measuring pipe 24. The orifice 11 is configured such that a pressure of about 0.6 atm remains on the air pump 29 side in a state where the metering pipe 24 (air valve 49) side is opened.

The pressure sensor 27 senses the pressure at which the air in the measuring pipe 24 is pressurized by the head pressure of the beverage in the storage tank 13 (indicated by H in FIG. 3). The data is input to the device 51, and the control device 51 determines that there is a storage amount proportional to the magnitude of the value of the data.

The hot water valve 8, the air pump 29, the switching valve 32, the sales valve 43, the waste valve 46, and the air valves 49, 50
It is controlled by the control device 51 constituted by a general-purpose microcomputer or the like. Although not shown by broken lines in FIG. 1, other devices, such as a cup supply device, a coffee canister 12, a cream canister 14, a sugar canister 16, a vertical movement of a cylinder 22, a filter paper 2
6 is also controlled by the control device 51. Further, the data of the pressure sensor 27 is input to the control device 51 as described above.

Next, the coffee extracting operation of the vending machine 1 according to the present invention by the control device 51 will be described. The controller 51 can set two types of extraction modes, a batch extraction mode and a case-by-case extraction mode, and can selectively execute these extraction modes. That is, in the batch extraction mode, a plurality of cups of coffee are extracted in advance by the extractor 7, stored and stored in the storage tank 13, and this storage tank 1 is sold every time.
The system sells one cup at a time, for example, during a busy period such as a factory break time (AM 10:00 to 10 minutes, PM 3:00 to 10 minutes) or lunch break time (PM 0:00 to 1 hour). Is set to switch to this batch extraction mode. On the other hand, in the extraction mode every time, the extractor 7 extracts and sells one cup of coffee for each sale, and the control device 51 sets the extraction mode each time in a time period other than the busy hours. Is done.

At present, it is the above-mentioned busy time zone, and the control unit 5
Assuming that 1 is in the batch extraction mode, when the storage tank 13 is empty, the controller 51
An operation of storing a cup of coffee is performed. That is, in a state where the control device 51 lowers the cylinder 22 of the extractor 7 and holds the filter paper 26 between the extractor 7 and the beverage receiving tray 23,
First, three cups of ground bean raw material from the coffee canister 12 and three cups of hot water from the hot water tank 6 are put into the extraction chamber 28. At this time, the sales valve 43 and the waste valve 46 are closed, and the switching valve 32 communicates the flow path in the direction of the storage tank 13.

Further, the control device 51 operates the air pump 29 to open the air valve 50 to pressurize the inside of the extraction chamber 28 of the extractor 7. In the extraction chamber 28, the ground bean raw material is suspended in the hot water, and the coffee component elutes into the hot water from the ground bean raw material. Then, it is pushed downward from the inside of the extraction chamber 28 via the filter paper 26 by the above-mentioned pressurization, filtered, sent to the storage tank 13 through the outlet tube 31, and kept warm.

The controller 51 then raises the cylinder 22, sends out the filter paper 26, discards the coffee residue, and returns to the standby state. Next, the control device 51 opens the air valve 49 and supplies a required amount of pressurized air to the measuring pipe 24. The air pump 29 is operated when the extraction in the extractor 7 or the measurement in the storage tank 13 is required, and is stopped when neither is necessary.

Thereafter, after a short delay, the pressure sensor 27 measures the data, and data indicating that three cups of coffee are stored is sent to the control device 51. Here, if it is assumed that the beverage (coffee) has entered the measuring pipe 24 to the position H1 in FIG.
7 measures the amount of the beverage with the head pressure H, so that if the beverage has penetrated to H1, only the amount corresponding to the head pressure of the difference H2 (FIG. 3) can be sensed. Will be done.

Therefore, the control device 51 sends pressurized air from the air pump 29 through the air valve 49 into the measuring pipe 24 prior to the measurement, and stores the beverage that has entered the measuring pipe 24 into the storage tank 13. return. Thereby, the pressure sensor 2
Numeral 7 enables accurate measurement.

At this point, three cups of coffee are stored in the storage tank 13 and are ready for sale. Further, since data indicating that three cups of coffee have been stored in the storage tank 13 is sent from the pressure sensor 27 to the control device 51 as described above, the control device 51 determines that there is a shortage of 12 cups, and thereafter, The above operation is repeated four times to store 15 cups of coffee in the storage tank 13. The air pump 29 is operated after the last measurement (1
5 cups are measured).

When the customer inputs money and presses, for example, a selection button of coffee containing sugar and cream, the control device 51
First, the cup C is supplied from the cup supply device onto the receiving table. Then, about two seconds later, the sales valve 43 was opened,
One cup of coffee is mixed from storage tank 13 with mixing ball 1
Dispense within 7. In addition, a predetermined amount of cream and sugar are supplied from the cream canister 14 and the sugar canister 16 into the mixing ball 17, mixed there, and then injected into the cup C via the beverage tube 48.

Note that the control device 51 measures the amount of coffee in the storage tank 13 even after the end of the sale. That is, the control device 51 opens the air valve 49 and supplies a required amount of pressurized air to the measuring pipe 24 as described above. Thereafter, after a short delay, the pressure sensor 27 measures the data, and data indicating that 14 cups of coffee remain is sent to the control device 51.

In the batch extraction mode, the storage tank 13
Since the coffee is stored inside, it is possible to sell at twice the selling speed as compared with the case of the after-mentioned extraction mode (4 cups / min in the batch extraction mode in the embodiment, and in the every-time extraction mode in the embodiment). 2 cups / min). Therefore, it is possible to significantly reduce the waiting time of the customer during the busy season.

Next, the operation in the above-described extraction mode performed during a time period other than the busy season will be described. Control device 5
In the extraction mode 1, each time the customer inserts money and presses a selection button of, for example, a coffee containing sugar and cream, first, the cup C is supplied from the cup supply device onto the receiving table. Next or at the same time, start extracting a cup of coffee. That is, the control device 51 lowers the cylinder 22 of the extractor 7 as described above, and
6 is held between the coffee canister 12 and the hot water tank 6,
Then, one cup of hot water is poured into the extraction chamber 28.

Thereafter, the coffee is extracted while being pressurized by the air pump 29 in the same manner as described above, and the coffee is filtered out to the lower discharge tube 31 via the filter paper 26. At this time, the switching valve 32 is switched so as to communicate with the tube 41 side, whereby the outlet tube 31 is connected.
Is directly introduced into the mixing ball 17 through the tube 41. On the other hand, the control device 51 supplies a predetermined amount of cream and sugar from the cream canister 14 and the action canister 16 into the mixing bowl 17, mixes it with coffee, and injects it into the cup C via the beverage tube 48. is there.

Next, the operation of the control unit 51 when the mode is switched from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time will be described. Now, at the time when the above-mentioned rest period of the factory is over and the mode is switched from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time (FIG. 2), for example, 1.8 cups of coffee remain in the storage tank 13 by the above-described measurement. Of the control device 51
Shall be sent to

Here, in the device of the embodiment, the pressure sensor 27
In this case, one cup of coffee can be guaranteed with 1.5 or more cups of coffee based on the above data, and 0.5 cup is a margin for guaranteeing one cup. That is, the control device 51 sets the management reference value of 0.5 cup to an unmanageable amount.

Therefore, when data indicating that 1.8 cups of coffee have remained in the storage tank 13 is input as described above, the control device 51 subtracts 0.5 from 1.8.
The following operation is performed assuming that three cups can be quantitatively guaranteed.

That is, in this case, the control device 51 first divides the above-mentioned 1.3 cups into 0.5, 0.5 and 0.3 cups. Then, in the first extraction operation in the extraction mode each time thereafter, the extractor 7 extracts 0.5 cups of coffee obtained by subtracting 0.5 cups from one cup, and mixes them through the outlet tube 31 and the tube 41. It is sent to the ball 17. Further, the sales valve 43 is opened, and the first 0.5
A cup of coffee is dispensed to the mixing ball 17.

Thus, a cup of coffee is sold to the cup C in total. At the time of the next extraction, the control device 51 similarly extracts 0.5 cups and dispenses 0.5 cups from the storage tank 13. Then, the control device 51 extracts 0.7 cups of coffee, which is obtained by subtracting 0.3 cups from one cup, at the third cup, and 0.3 cups of coffee from the storage tank 13.
Dispense a cup of coffee.

At this point, 0.5 cups of coffee should remain in the storage tank 13, but this is an unmanageable amount, and is actually less than 0.5 cups (control standard). It is likely. In this case, the control device 51 assumes that 0.5 cups remain, and divides this into about 0.16 cups. Then, in the subsequent sales of the fourth to sixth cups in the extraction mode each time, one cup of coffee is extracted by the extractor 7, and the sales valve 43 is opened to add 0.16 cups at a time. I do. That is, when there are 0.5 cups, the fourth to sixth cups are increased by 0.16 cups of coffee.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the mode is switched from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time, the controller 51
Is configured to supply the coffee remaining in the storage tank 13 in small quantities for each sales operation in the extraction mode, so that the storage tank 1 is terminated at the end of the batch extraction mode.
The coffee remaining in 3 will be sold little by little at a subsequent selling operation in the extraction mode each time.

As a result, the coffee stored in the storage tank 13 during the batch extraction mode and remaining at the end thereof and discarded can be eliminated or significantly reduced, and the cost can be reduced. . Further, the coffee remaining in the storage tank 13 is discarded in the drainage bucket 19 by opening the waste valve 46 in a minimum of one hour. In the present invention, the amount of waste can be reduced to zero or significantly reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of inconvenience such as sales stoppage due to the fullness of the drain bucket 19 or to prolong the time until it becomes full, thereby suppressing such inconvenience.

When the mode is switched from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time, the controller 51
When there is coffee in the storage tank 13 that is equal to or more than the management standard (0.5 cup) based on the data from
Since the amount of coffee to be extracted is subtracted from the amount provided from the storage tank 13, the coffee remaining in the storage tank 13, which exceeds the management standard, is efficiently distributed, and one cup of coffee is provided. It will be possible to supply more accurately.

Further, the management criteria (0.5
If less than one cup of coffee remains, the coffee dispensed from the storage tank 13 is added to the one cup of coffee extracted by the extractor 7 and supplied. In the case where the amount of coffee remaining below the management standard is less than that in the management table 13, the remaining coffee can be effectively treated without reducing the amount of the supplied cup.

Although the embodiment has been described by taking coffee as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also effective when applied to black tea or green tea, and is not limited to vending machines. The present invention is effective for various beverage supply devices that mix and extract beverages. Further, each numerical value shown in the embodiment is not limited thereto, and is appropriately set according to the capability of the apparatus.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the mode is switched from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time,
The control device is configured to supply the beverage remaining in the storage tank in a small amount for each supply operation in the extraction mode each time, so that the beverage remaining in the storage tank at the end of the batch extraction mode is used for subsequent beverages. Each time a supply operation is performed in the extraction mode, a small amount is supplied.

This makes it possible to eliminate or significantly reduce beverages stored in the storage tank during the batch extraction mode and remaining and discarded at the end of the mode. The inconvenience caused by the increase can be eliminated or suppressed beforehand.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, when the mode is switched from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time, the control device stores a predetermined management standard in the storage tank based on data from the measuring instrument. When there is the above beverage, the amount of the beverage to be extracted by the extractor was deducted from the amount provided from the storage tank, so that the beverage remaining in the storage tank over the control standard was efficiently dispensed. , Which makes it possible to more accurately supply one drink.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, according to claim 1,
In addition to the above, when the control device is switched from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time, based on the data from the measuring device, when there is a beverage less than the predetermined management standard in the storage tank, the full amount extracted by the extractor In addition, beverages dispensed from the storage tank are added to the beverages of the storage tank, so if the amount of beverage remaining in the storage tank is less than the control standard, the amount of one cup to be supplied Thus, it is possible to effectively treat the residual beverage without reducing the residual beverage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration inside a vending machine as an embodiment of a beverage supply device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a storage tank at the time of switching from a batch extraction mode to an extraction mode each time.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a storage tank in a batch extraction mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine 6 Hot water tank 7 Extractor 8 Hot water valve 12 Coffee canister 13 Storage tank 24 Metering pipe 26 Filter paper 27 Pressure sensor 28 Extraction chamber 29 Air pump 32 Switching valve 51 Control device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A beverage supply device for extracting and supplying a beverage from a beverage material, comprising: an extractor for extracting the beverage by mixing the beverage material and hot water; and a plurality of drinks extracted by the extractor. A storage tank for storing, a measuring device for measuring the amount of beverage in the storage tank, and a control device, the control device is a batch extraction mode for supplying the drinks stored in the storage tank one by one, Extracting one cup of beverage with the extractor, and selectively executing the extraction mode each time supplied without passing through the storage tank, and when switching from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time, A beverage supply apparatus, wherein a small amount of beverage remaining in a storage tank is supplied for each supply operation in the extraction mode. 2. The control device, when the mode is switched from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time, when there is a beverage having a predetermined management standard or more in the storage tank based on data from the measuring device, the control device extracts the beverage. The beverage supply device according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the beverage is subtracted from the amount dispensed from the storage tank. 3. The control device, when switching from the batch extraction mode to the extraction mode each time, based on data from the measuring device, when there is a beverage less than a predetermined management standard in the storage tank, the beverage is extracted by the extractor. 2. The beverage supply device according to claim 1, wherein the beverage supplied from the storage tank is added to one full beverage and supplied.