JPH1173564A - Beverage supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly perform a switching of a flow passage of a beverage with a simple structure in a beverage supply device for selectively performing a batch extraction mode and a sequential extraction mode. SOLUTION: A switching device 32 is composed of a flexible T shaped tube 51 which has its entrance 51A communicated with an extractor 7, its one exit 51 communicated with an entrance to a storage tank 13 and, at the same time, the other exit 51C communicated with a tube directing toward a beverage supply part 30, a flexible T shaped tube 52 which has its entrance 52A communicated with an exit of the storage tank 13, its one exist 52B communicated with the tube directing for the beverage supply part 30 and, at the same time, the other exit 52C communicated with a tube 44 directing towards a waste water bucket 19 and a switching mechanism for selecting stopping exists of these T shaped tubes 51 and 52.

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] Therefore, such a batch extraction method is performed only during the busy season (batch extraction mode), and is usually extracted each time a cup of beverage extracted by the extractor is supplied to the cup without passing through the storage tank (each extraction mode). ) Is efficient.

[0006]

However, when the extraction mode (mode) is switched, the piping connecting the extractor, the storage tank, the cup or the drainage bucket, and the flow path switching mechanism thereof become extremely complicated. In particular, when a normal switching valve including a valve seat and a plunger is used, a large number of valves are required in the case of a two-way valve, and a two-way valve or a three-way valve also has a complicated flow path in the valve. There is a problem that the beverage remains in the valve and becomes unsanitary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problem. In a beverage supply device that selectively executes a batch extraction mode and an extraction mode each time, a beverage flow path is switched. An object is to perform the operation smoothly with a simple configuration.

[0008]

A beverage supply device according to the present invention comprises an extractor for extracting a beverage by mixing beverage ingredients and hot water, and a plurality of beverages extracted by the extractor for storing the beverage. A storage tank, a beverage supply unit that supplies the beverage to a container such as a cup, a drainage bucket that discards the beverage in the storage tank, and a switching device that switches the flow path of the beverage, including a beverage stored in the storage tank. The method selectively executes a batch extraction mode in which the beverage is extracted to the container one by one, and an extraction mode in which the beverage is extracted by the extractor and supplied to the container without passing through the storage tank. The apparatus includes a first flexible T-tube having an inlet connected to the extractor, one outlet connected to the inlet of the storage tank, and the other outlet connected to a pipe leading to the beverage supply. , The inlet is connected to the outlet of the storage tank, With mouth communicates with the pipe towards the beverage supply unit, and a second flexible T-shaped tube to the other outlet communicating with the pipe towards the drainage bucket, these T
And a switching mechanism for selectively sealing the outlet of the U-shaped tube.

According to the present invention, in a beverage supply device for selectively executing a batch extraction mode and an individual extraction mode, an inlet is connected to an extractor, and one outlet is connected to an inlet of a storage tank. A first flexible T-shaped tube, the other outlet of which is in communication with a pipe towards the beverage supply, an inlet which is in communication with the outlet of the storage tank, and one outlet which is in communication with the pipe towards the beverage supply; And a switching device including a second flexible T-shaped tube whose other outlet communicates with a pipe leading to a drainage bucket, and a switching mechanism for selectively sealing the outlets of these T-shaped tubes. In the batch extraction mode, the other outlets of both T-shaped tubes of the switching device are sealed, and one outlet is opened,
The beverage from the extractor can be supplied to the storage tank for storage, and the beverage can be supplied from the storage tank to the beverage supply unit. In the extraction mode, one outlet of both T-shaped tubes of the switching device is provided. , And the other outlet is opened, so that the beverage can be supplied from the extractor to the beverage supply unit without passing through the storage tank, and the beverage can be discarded from the storage tank into a drain bucket.

Thus, the function in each mode can be exhibited without any trouble, and the sealing and opening of the flow channel can be achieved by deformation of the flexible tube, so that the flow channel is simplified, There is little fear that the beverage will remain,
Be hygienic.

In the beverage supply apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the switching mechanism simultaneously seals the other outlets of the two T-shaped tubes in the batch extraction mode, and simultaneously switches the two T-shaped tubes in the extraction mode. Are simultaneously sealed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, the switching mechanism simultaneously seals the other outlets of the two T-shaped tubes in the batch extraction mode, and simultaneously switches the two T-shaped tubes in the extraction mode. One of the outlets is sealed at the same time.
In addition, the inconvenience such as unnecessary disposal of the beverage or inability to dispose of the beverage does not occur, and stable supply of the beverage can be achieved in each mode.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the beverage supply apparatus described above, one outlet of the first T-shaped tube and one outlet of the second T-shaped tube are arranged in parallel with each other, and The other outlet of the T-shaped tube and the other outlet of the second T-shaped tube are also juxtaposed to each other, and the switching mechanism comprises a driving means, and first and second driven by the driving means. The first link simultaneously crushes one outlet of both tees, while the second link simultaneously opens the other outlet of both tees and When the link simultaneously squeezes the other outlets of both T-tubes, the first link opens one outlet of both T-tubes simultaneously.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, one outlet of the first T-shaped tube and one outlet of the second T-shaped tube are juxtaposed to each other to form the first T-shaped tube. The other outlet of the T-shaped tube and the other outlet of the second T-shaped tube are also juxtaposed with each other, and the switching mechanism comprises a driving means, and first and second links driven by the driving means. Wherein the first link simultaneously squeezes one outlet of both T-tubes while the second link simultaneously opens the other outlet of both T-tubes and When the link squeezes the other outlets of both T-tubes simultaneously, the first link is configured to open one outlet of both T-tubes at the same time. Simultaneous opening and closing of both outlets of the U-shaped tube can be realized Uninaru. Further, since both T-shaped tubes can be opened and closed by one link, the structure is simplified as a whole, and the cost and the failure rate can be reduced by reducing the number of driving parts.

[0015]

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 generate 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 20 for supplying a cup C, and a coffee canister for storing ground coffee beans (beverage ingredients) 12, the above-described extractor 7 for mixing the beverage ingredients and hot water to extract coffee, and a storage tank 13 for storing the coffee extracted by the extractor 7,
A switching device 32 for switching the flow path of the coffee, a cream canister 14 for storing the cream, a sugar canister 16 for storing the sugar, and the sugar and the cream respectively supplied according to the sales order are mixed with the extracted coffee. A mixer 17 and a drainage bucket 19 arranged below the cup receiving stand 25 for placing the cup C are provided.

The beverage supply unit 30 comprises the cream canister 14, the sugar canister 16, a chute 47 and a mixer 17, which will be described later.

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.
In addition, an extraction chamber 28 is formed inside the cylinder 22 in a state where the cylinder 22 is lowered onto the beverage receiving table 23. The extraction chamber 28 has, for example, three cups of coffee (one cup is approximately 150 g).
It has enough capacity to contain hot water and beverage ingredients.

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 29A is connected to the cylinder 22 via the pipe 10. When the air pump 29A is operated, the compressed air is supplied to the cylinder 2
2 and pressurizes the inside of the extraction chamber 28.
Further, a flexible outlet tube 31 is drawn out from the lower surface of the beverage receiving tray 23 and is connected to a switching device 32.

The switching device 32 includes flexible T-shaped tubes 51 and 52 and a switching mechanism 5 as driving means.
And 3. And the outlet tube 3
1 is communicatively connected to the inlet 51A of the T-shaped tube 51,
A tube 3 is provided at one outlet 51B of the T-shaped tube 51.
3 are connected in communication, and this tube 33 is connected to the storage tank 13.
Is connected to the upper end entrance. In addition, T-shaped tube 5
The other outlet 51 </ b> C of one is connected to the mixer 17 constituting the beverage supply unit 30 via a tube 41.

A sales pipe 42 is drawn from the lower end outlet of the storage tank 13 and is connected to an inlet 52 A of a T-shaped tube 52 through a sales valve 43. The one outlet 52B of the T-shaped tube 52 is connected to the tube 4
6, the tube 46 is also communicated with the mixer 17 and the other outlet 52C of the T-shaped tube 52.
Is connected to a drain pipe 44, which communicates with the drain bucket 19.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the T-shaped tubes 51, 52 are provided with a bottom wall 54A and left and right side walls 54B, 5B.
4C, the bottom wall 54A of the frame 54 of the switching device 32
It is juxtaposed above. In this case, the entrance 51A of the T-shaped tube 51 is drawn through the side wall 54C,
The inlet 52A of the T-shaped tube 52 has an opposite side wall 54B.
Has been pulled through. Then, the outlet 51B of the T-shaped tube 51 and the outlet 52B of the T-shaped tube 52 are juxtaposed and juxtaposed, and the outlet 51C of the T-shaped tube 51 and the outlet 52C of the T-shaped tube 52 are also adjacent. It is juxtaposed.

The structure of the switching mechanism 53 is as follows. That is, the left and right side walls 54B, 54 of the frame 54
A link 57 is attached to the upper end of one end side of C so as to be rotatable around a pin 56 at the upper end.
An upper end of a link 59 (first link) is rotatably connected to a lower end of the link 59 by a pin 58. The lower ends of the link 59 are connected to the side walls 54B, 54 below the pin 56.
C is rotatably and movably engaged with a groove 61 formed to be inclined downward at one end. One end of a link 62 is also rotatably connected to the pin 58.

The other end of the link 62 is rotatably connected to the upper end of a link 64 (second link) by a pin 63.
4B, 54C, a groove 6 formed to be inclined low toward the other end.
6 is rotatably and movably engaged. Pin 6
The lower end of the link 67 is also rotatably connected to 3.
The center of the link 67 is rotatably supported by left and right side walls 54B and 54C above the groove 66 by a product 68, and the upper end of the link 67 is rotatably connected to one end of a link 71 by a pin 69. Have been. Also, the pins 63 and 6 of the link 67
8, a coil spring 72 is connected, and the coil spring 72 constantly exerts an urging force for rotating the link 67 counterclockwise in FIG.

The other end of the link 71 is connected to a pin 73 by a plunger 74A of an electromagnetic solenoid 74 as driving means.
It is connected to. When the electromagnetic solenoid 74 is not energized, the link 67 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 2 by the coil spring 72, and the link 62 is pushed out to one end of the frame 54 to push down the links 57 and 59. The lower end of the link 59 descends along the groove 61, and simultaneously crushes and seals both the outlets 51B and 52B sides of the T-shaped tubes 51 and 52 as shown in FIGS.

On the other hand, the link 64 is pulled up along the groove 66, thereby opening the outlets 51C and 52C of the T-shaped tubes 51 and 52.

Next, when the electromagnetic solenoid 74 is energized and attracts the plunger 74A, the link 67 is rotated clockwise in FIG.
Is pushed out to the other end of the frame 54, and the lower end thereof descends along the groove 66. Then, FIG. 4 (also shown by a broken line in FIG. 2)
Outlets 51C, 52C of T-shaped tubes 51, 52 as shown in FIG.
Both sides are simultaneously crushed and sealed.

On the other hand, the link 59 rotates while the link 64 descends, and the link 64 is
After crushing the outlets 51C, 52C sides of the second T, the T-shaped tubes 51, 52 are pulled along the grooves 61.
The outlets 52B, 52B of the 52 are opened.

A chute 47 for guiding the cream or sugar discharged from the cream canister 14 and the sugar canister 16 to the mixer 17 is provided below the cream canister 14 and the sugar canister 16. The beverage tube 48 extends toward the top of the cup C.

On the other hand, a heater for keeping heat (not shown) is provided 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 so as to be pulled up. Have been. This measuring pipe 24
A pressure sensor 27 as a measuring instrument is connected to the upper end of the tube, and a tube 11 provided with an air valve 49 is connected to the measuring pipe 24 in the middle thereof, and the tube 11 is connected to an air pump 29B. It is connected.
Then, the air pump 29B is operated, and the air valve 4
When 9 is opened, compressed air is supplied into the measuring pipe 24.

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, and the data is input to a control device (not shown). The control device determines that there is a storage amount proportional to the magnitude of the data value.

The hot water valve 8, air pump 29A,
9B, electromagnetic solenoid 74 of switching device 32, sales valve 4
3. The air valve 49 is controlled by the control device including a general-purpose microcomputer and the like. Further, other devices, namely, the cup supply device 20, the coffee canister 12, the cream canister 14, the sugar canister 1
6. The vertical movement of the cylinder 22, the operation of feeding the filter paper 26, and the like are also controlled by the control device.
Further, the data of the pressure sensor 27 is input to the control device as described above.

The operation of the above configuration will now be described. The control device 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 stored in the storage tank 13 for each sale.
From 13:00, for example, factory break time (AM 10:00 for 10 minutes, PM 3:00 to 1
The control device is set to switch to the batch extraction mode during a busy time period such as 0 minutes) or a lunch break time (1 hour from 0:00). On the other hand, each time the extraction mode is a method in which the extractor 7 extracts and sells one cup of coffee for each sale, and the control device is set to be in the extraction mode each time during a time period other than the busy time period. You.

At present, it is the above-mentioned busy time, and assuming that the control device is in the batch extraction mode, the control device energizes the electromagnetic solenoid 74 of the switching device 32 and the T-shaped tube is connected by the link 64 as described above. The outlets 51B, 51C, 52C are crushed and sealed with the outlets 51C, 52C.
Release 2B (FIG. 1).

When the storage tank 13 is empty, the control device executes an operation of storing 15 cups of coffee in the storage tank 13. That is, the control device lowers the cylinder 22 of the extractor 7 so as to sandwich the filter paper 26 between the extractor 7 and the beverage receiving tray 23. Puts three cups of hot water into the extraction chamber 28.

Further, the control device operates the air pump 29A 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, by the above-described pressurization, it is pushed downward from the inside of the extraction chamber 28 via the filter paper 26, filtered, and enters the outlet tube 31.

The beverage (coffee) entering the outlet tube 31 is supplied to the inlet 51A of the T-shaped tube 51 of the switching device 32.
From the storage tank 13 through the tube 33 through the outlet 51B.
To be kept warm.

Next, the control device raises the cylinder 22, sends out the filter paper 26, discards the coffee residue, and returns to the standby state. Next, the control device opens the air valve 49 and supplies a required amount of pressurized air to the measuring pipe 24 from the air pump 29B.

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. Here, if a beverage (coffee) enters the weighing pipe 24 for some reason, the pressure sensor 27 measures the amount of the beverage by the water head pressure, so that erroneous weighing is performed.

Therefore, the control device sends pressurized air from the air pump 29B through the air valve 49 into the measuring pipe 24 before the measuring, and returns the beverage that has entered the measuring pipe 24 to the storage tank 13. . 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 unit as described above, the control unit determines that there is a shortage of twelve cups. 4
Repeat 15 times to store 15 cups of coffee in the storage tank 13.

When the customer inputs money and presses a selection button of, for example, coffee containing sugar and cream, the control device first supplies the cup C from the cup supply device to the receiving table 25. Then, about two seconds later, the sales valve 43 is opened, and the inlet 52A of the T-shaped tube 52 of the switching device 32,
One cup of coffee (beverage) is dispensed into the mixer 17 from the storage tank 13 via the outlet 52B and the tube 46. Also,
A predetermined amount of cream and sugar are supplied from the cream canister 14 and the sugar canister 16 into the mixer 17, mixed therein, and then injected into the cup C via the beverage tube 48.

Note that the control device keeps the storage tank 1 even after the end of the sale.
The amount of coffee in 3 is measured. That is, the control device 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 period, the pressure sensor 27 measures the data, and data indicating that 14 cups of coffee remain is sent to the control device.

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 in a time zone other than the busy season will be described. In the extraction mode, the control device de-energizes the electromagnetic solenoid 74 of the switching device 32 each time and crushes and seals the outlets 51B and 52B sides of the T-shaped tubes 51 and 52 by the link 59 as described above. 52C is released (FIG. 6).

When the customer inserts money and presses, for example, a selection button of coffee containing sugar and cream, first, the cup C is supplied from the cup supply device 20 onto the receiving table. Next or at the same time, start extracting a cup of coffee. That is, the control device lowers the cylinder 22 of the extractor 7 to remove the filter paper 26 from the beverage tray 2 as described above.
3 and the coffee canister 12
Then, one cup of ground bean raw material and one cup of hot water from the hot water tank 6 are put into the extraction chamber 28.

Thereafter, the coffee is extracted while being pressurized by the air pump 29A 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 device 32 is connected to the T-shaped tube 5.
1, the outlet 51C side is open, so the outlet tube 31
Is introduced to the entrance 51 of the T-shaped tube 51.
A enters, exits from exit 51C, passes through tube 41,
It flows directly into the mixer 17. On the other hand, the control device supplies a predetermined amount of cream and sugar from the cream canister 14 and the action canister 16 into the mixer 17, where it is mixed with coffee and then injected into the cup C via the beverage tube 48. .

Further, the control device opens the sales valve 43 once an hour in the extraction mode each time. At this time, since the T-shaped tube 52 of the switching device 32 has opened the outlet 42C, the beverage that has exited from the storage tank 13 enters the T-shaped tube 52 from the inlet 52 through the sales pipe 42, and the outlet 52C.
Exits through tube 44 and is disposed of in drainage bucket 19.

As described above, according to the present invention, the inlet 51A is connected to the extractor 7, one outlet 51B is connected to the inlet of the storage tank 13, and the other outlet 51C is connected to the beverage supply unit 3.
T-shaped tube 5 communicated with tube 41 going to zero
1 and the inlet 52A are connected to the outlet of the storage tank 13, one outlet 52B is connected to the tube 46 piping toward the beverage supply unit 30, and the other outlet 52C is connected to the tube 44 toward the drainage bucket 19. Switching device 3 comprising a T-shaped tube 52 and a switching mechanism 53 for selectively sealing the outlets of the T-shaped tubes 51, 52.
2, the switching device 32 in the batch extraction mode
The other outlets 51C, 5C of both T-shaped tubes 51, 52
By closing 2C and opening one of the outlets 51B and 52B, the beverage from the extractor 7 can be supplied to and stored in the storage tank 13, and the beverage can be supplied from the storage tank 13 to the beverage supply unit 30. As well as in the extraction mode each time,
One outlet 51B, 52B of both T-shaped tubes 51, 52 of the switching device 32 is sealed, and the other outlets 51C, 52C are sealed.
Is opened, the beverage can be supplied from the extractor 7 to the beverage supply unit 30 without passing through the storage tank 13, and the beverage can be discarded from the storage tank 13 to the drain bucket 19.

Thus, the function in each mode can be exhibited without any trouble, and the sealing and opening of the flow path can be achieved by deforming the flexible tubes 51 and 52. And there is little danger of beverages remaining, making it sanitary.

The switching mechanism 53 is connected to the other outlet 51 of the T-shaped tubes 51 and 52 in the batch extraction mode.
C and 52C are simultaneously sealed, and one outlet 51 of both T-shaped tubes 51 and 52 in the extraction mode each time.
Since B and 52B are simultaneously sealed, the beverage extracted in the batch extraction mode is directly led to the beverage supply unit 30, or the beverage extracted in each extraction mode is supplied to the storage tank 13, In addition, unnecessary problems such as unnecessary disposal of the beverage from the storage tank 13 or inability to dispose of the beverage are eliminated, and stable supply of the beverage can be achieved in each mode.

In particular, one outlet 5 of the T-shaped tube 51
1B and one outlet 52B of the T-shaped tube 52 are arranged side by side with each other, the other outlet 51C of the T-shaped tube 51 and the other outlet 52C of the T-shaped tube 52 are also arranged side by side with each other, and a switching mechanism is provided. 53 comprises an electromagnetic solenoid 74 and links 59, 64 and the like driven by the electromagnetic solenoid 74, and the link 59 is composed of both T-shaped tubes 51,
One of the outlets 51B, 52B of 52 is simultaneously crushed, and in that state, the link 64 simultaneously opens the other outlets 51C, 52C of the two T-shaped tubes 51, 52, and the link 64 opens the two T-shaped tubes 51, 52. The other exit 51 of 52
In the state where C and 52C are simultaneously crushed, the link 59 is connected to one of the outlets 51B and 52 of the T-shaped tubes 51 and 52.
Since B is simultaneously opened, it is possible to realize simultaneous opening and closing of both outlets of both T-shaped tubes 51 and 52 by a single electromagnetic solenoid 74. Further, both T-shaped tubes 51, 5 are connected by links 59 or 64.
2 can be opened and closed, so that the structure is simplified as a whole, and the cost and the failure rate can be reduced by reducing the number of driving parts.

Although the embodiment has been described by taking coffee as an example, the 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.

[0054]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in a beverage supply apparatus for selectively executing a batch extraction mode and an individual extraction mode, an inlet is connected to an extractor, and one outlet is connected to a storage tank. A first flexible T-shaped tube communicating with the inlet and the other outlet communicating with a pipe leading to the beverage supply unit, an inlet communicating with the outlet of the storage tank, and one outlet communicating with the beverage supply unit; Flexible T-shaped tubes, which are connected to pipes leading to the drain and the other outlets are connected to pipes facing the drainage bucket, and a switching mechanism for selectively sealing the outlets of these T-shaped tubes In the batch extraction mode, both switching devices T
By closing the other outlet of the U-shaped tube and opening one outlet, the beverage from the extractor can be supplied to the storage tank for storage, and the beverage can be supplied from the storage tank to the beverage supply unit. In addition, in each extraction mode, one outlet of both T-shaped tubes of the switching device is sealed and the other outlet is opened, so that the beverage can be supplied from the extractor to the beverage supply unit without passing through the storage tank. The beverage can be supplied and discharged from the storage tank into a drain bucket.

As a result, the function in each mode can be exhibited without any trouble, and the sealing and opening of the flow channel can be achieved by deformation of the flexible tube, so that the flow channel is simplified, There is little fear that the beverage will remain,
Be hygienic.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, the switching mechanism simultaneously seals the other outlets of the two T-shaped tubes in the batch extraction mode, and simultaneously switches the two T-shaped tubes in the extraction mode. One of the outlets is sealed at the same time.
In addition, the inconvenience such as unnecessary disposal of the beverage or inability to dispose of the beverage does not occur, and stable supply of the beverage can be achieved in each mode.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, one outlet of the first T-shaped tube and one outlet of the second T-shaped tube are juxtaposed to each other to form the first T-shaped tube. The other outlet of the T-shaped tube and the other outlet of the second T-shaped tube are also juxtaposed with each other, and the switching mechanism comprises a driving means, and first and second links driven by the driving means. Wherein the first link simultaneously squeezes one outlet of both T-tubes while the second link simultaneously opens the other outlet of both T-tubes and When the link squeezes the other outlets of both T-tubes simultaneously, the first link is configured to open one outlet of both T-tubes at the same time. Simultaneous opening and closing of both outlets of the U-shaped tube can be realized Uninaru. Further, since both T-shaped tubes can be opened and closed by one link, the structure is simplified as a whole, and the cost and the failure rate can be reduced by reducing the number of driving parts.

[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 a partially cutaway side view of the switching device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the switching device.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the switching device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state of a switching device in a batch extraction mode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration inside a vending machine in an extraction mode each time.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the state of the switching device in the extraction mode each time.

[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 26 Filter paper 28 Extraction chamber 31 Derivation tube 32 Switching device 33,41,44,46 Tube 42 Sales pipe 51,52 T-shaped tube 53 Switching mechanism 59, 64 Link 74 Electromagnetic solenoid

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An extractor for extracting a beverage by mixing a beverage raw material and hot water, a storage tank for storing a plurality of beverages extracted by the extractor, and supplying the beverage to a container such as a cup. Extractor, a drainage bucket for discarding the beverage in the storage tank, and a switching device for switching a flow path of the beverage, a batch extraction mode for supplying the beverage stored in the storage tank to the container one by one. And a beverage supply device that selectively executes a brewing mode each time a beverage is extracted by the extractor and supplied to the container without passing through the storage tank. A first flexible T-shaped tube connected to the extractor, one outlet of which is connected to the inlet of the storage tank, and the other outlet of which is connected to a pipe toward the beverage supply unit; Connected to the outlet of the storage tank A second flexible T-shaped tube having one outlet connected to a pipe toward the beverage supply unit and the other outlet connected to a pipe toward the drainage bucket; And a switching mechanism for selectively closing the outlet. 2. The switching mechanism simultaneously seals the other outlets of both T-shaped tubes in the batch extraction mode, and simultaneously seals one outlet of the both T-shaped tubes in each extraction mode. Claim 1 characterized by the following:
Beverage supply equipment. 3. An outlet of the first T-tube and one outlet of the second T-tube are juxtaposed to each other, and the other outlet of the first T-tube is connected to the other outlet of the first T-tube. The other outlets of the two T-shaped tubes are also juxtaposed with each other, and the switching mechanism comprises driving means and first and second links driven by the driving means, and the first link Simultaneously crushes one outlet of the two T-shaped tubes, in which state the second link simultaneously opens the other outlet of the two T-shaped tubes, and the second link connects the two T-shaped tubes. The first link simultaneously opens one outlet of the two T-shaped tubes when the other outlet of the tube is crushed at the same time.
Beverage supply equipment.