CN113226973B

CN113226973B - Dispensing head

Info

Publication number: CN113226973B
Application number: CN201980086050.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吉原庆太
Original assignee: Suntory Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Suntory Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2018-12-27
Filing date: 2019-12-24
Publication date: 2022-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-24
Also published as: EP3904276A1; JP2020104890A; CN113226973A; KR20210105909A; EP3904276A4; JP6567157B1; WO2020138103A1

Abstract

In a dispensing head (70), a housing (75) has inlets (71, 72), a sealing unit (S5, S6), and a plunger (76) has grooves (76a, 76 b). In the 1 st connection state, the sealing units (S5, S6) are in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the plunger (76), and both inlets (71, 72) are cut off from the inside of the beverage container and the through hole (78). In the 2 nd connection state, gaps are formed between the sealing unit (S5) and the groove (76a) and between the sealing unit (S6) and the groove (76b), and both the inlets (71, 72) are in fluid communication with the through hole (78) and are cut off from the inside of the beverage container. In the 3 rd connection state, the sealing unit (S5) is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the plunger (76), a gap is formed between the sealing unit (S6) and the groove (76b), the inlet (71) is disconnected from the interior of the beverage container and the through hole (78), and the inlet (72) is in fluid communication with the through hole (78) via the interior of the beverage container.

Description

Dispensing head

Technical Field

The present application relates to a dispensing head.

Background

In general, techniques are known for providing a beverage from a beverage machine connected to a dispensing head, for example by mounting the dispensing head to a beverage container for lager or other beverages. For example, the dispensing head and the beverage machine are cleaned from time to time, periodically or as needed. Various structures for cleaning these dispensing heads and beverage machines have been known. For example, patent document 1 discloses a beverage dispenser including: a beverage container for containing a beverage; a dispensing head mounted to the beverage container; and a distributor body connected to the distribution head. The dispensing head has an inlet and an outlet. In addition, the dispensing head has: a 1 st communication path passing through the beverage container to connect the suction port and the discharge port; and a 2 nd communication path connecting the suction port and the discharge port without passing through the beverage container. The suction port is connected to the carbonic acid gas cylinder and the cleaning liquid supply means through the fluid selection means, and 1 of the carbonic acid gas and the cleaning liquid is received by switching the fluid selection means. In addition, the dispensing head has: an operation lever for switching the 1 st connection path and the 2 nd connection path; and an inclination sensor for outputting a signal to the outside according to an inclination state of the operation lever. The tilt sensor is configured to output a signal to the outside when, for example, the 2 nd connection path is selected by the operation lever. The fluid selection unit is configured to supply the cleaning fluid to the suction port only when a signal is output from the inclination sensor (that is, only when the suction port and the discharge port are connected without passing through the inside of the beverage container). With this configuration, when the suction port and the discharge port are connected to each other through the inside of the beverage container, the cleaning liquid is prevented from being erroneously supplied to the inside of the beverage container.

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese unexamined patent publication No. 2006-36221

Disclosure of Invention

In the beverage dispenser of patent document 1, a tilt sensor is attached to the dispensing head in order to prevent erroneous supply of the cleaning liquid into the beverage container. However, the use of the tilt sensor may complicate the control of the beverage dispenser and increase the manufacturing cost. In addition, the dispensing head is generally disposed in an environment where contamination or splashing of the beverage may occur, and electronic components such as the tilt sensor may be broken down due to adhesion of the beverage or moisture.

The present invention is directed to a dispenser head that can eliminate the above-described drawbacks and prevent erroneous supply of a cleaning liquid into the interior of a beverage container.

One aspect of the present invention is a dispensing head attached to a spear valve of a beverage container, comprising: a housing fixed to the spear valve and having a 1 st through-hole fluidly communicating with an inside of the spear valve; and a plunger sliding in the 1 st through hole of the housing, having a 2 nd through hole in fluid communication with the interior of the spear valve, the housing having: a 1 st fluid inlet in fluid communication with the 1 st through hole; a 1 st sealing unit disposed in the 1 st through hole downstream of the 1 st fluid inlet and in sliding contact with an outer peripheral surface of the plunger; a 2 nd fluid inlet in fluid communication with the 1 st through hole at a position closer to a downstream side than the 1 st sealing unit; and a 2 nd sealing means disposed in the 1 st through hole at a position downstream of the 2 nd fluid inlet and in sliding contact with an outer peripheral surface of the plunger, the plunger including: a 1 st groove for forming a gap between an outer circumferential surface of the plunger and the 1 st sealing unit; a 2 nd groove for forming a gap between an outer circumferential surface of the plunger and the 2 nd sealing unit; a 1 st engagement portion configured to engage with a gas valve of a spear valve; and a 2 nd engaging part configured to engage with a beverage valve of the spear valve, the dispensing head having a 1 st connected state, a 2 nd connected state, and a 3 rd connected state, the 1 st engaging part and the 2 nd engaging part of the plunger not engaging with the gas valve and the beverage valve of the spear valve, respectively, in the 1 st connected state, and both the 1 st sealing unit and the 2 nd sealing unit slidably contact with an outer peripheral surface of the plunger, whereby both the 1 st fluid inlet and the 2 nd fluid inlet are cut off from the interior of the beverage container and the 2 nd through-hole of the plunger, and in the 2 nd connected state, the 1 st engaging part and the 2 nd engaging part of the plunger do not engaging with the gas valve and the beverage valve of the spear valve, respectively, and gaps are formed between the 1 st sealing unit and the 1 st groove and between the 2 nd sealing unit and the 2 nd groove, respectively, whereby both the 1 st fluid inlet and the 2 nd fluid inlet are in fluid communication with the 2 nd through-hole of the plunger, and is disconnected in the beverage container, in the 3 rd connection state, the 1 st engagement part and the 2 nd engagement part of the plunger press the gas valve and the beverage valve of the spear valve respectively, and the 1 st sealing unit is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the plunger, and a gap is formed between the 2 nd sealing unit and the 2 nd groove, so that the 1 st fluid inlet is disconnected in the beverage container and the 2 nd through hole of the plunger, and the 2 nd fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the 2 nd through hole of the plunger through the beverage container.

In the dispensing head according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the housing has 2 fluid inlets (the 1 st fluid inlet and the 2 nd fluid inlet). In addition, the dispensing head has 3 connection states (1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd connection states). According to the structure of the dispensing head according to the aspect disclosed in the present invention, in the 1 st and 3 rd connection states out of the 3 connection states, the 1 st fluid inlet is disconnected from both the inside of the beverage container and the 2 nd through hole of the plunger. In addition, even in the 2 nd connection state, the 1 st fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the 2 nd through hole of the plunger, but is still disconnected from the inside of the beverage container. That is, the 1 st fluid inlet is disconnected from the interior of the beverage container in all of the 3 connected states. Thus, by flowing the cleaning liquid from the 1 st fluid inlet and flowing the gas from the 2 nd fluid inlet, the cleaning liquid is mechanically prevented from flowing into the interior of the beverage container. Thus, the cleaning liquid can be reliably prevented from being supplied to the inside of the beverage container by mistake.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a dispenser head capable of preventing erroneous supply of a cleaning liquid into a beverage container can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a beverage supply system including a dispensing head according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a beverage supply system showing an internal configuration of the cleaning apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the dispensing head in the 1 st connection state.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the dispensing head in the 2 nd connection state.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the dispensing head in the 3 rd connection state.

Detailed Description

The dispensing head according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant description thereof is omitted. The scale of the drawings is sometimes changed for easy understanding.

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a beverage supply system including a dispensing head according to an embodiment. Referring to fig. 1, the beverage supply system 100 includes a cleaning device 10, a beverage container 20, a beverage maker 30, a cleaning liquid supply source 40, and a gas supply source 50. The beverage container 20 has a spear valve 60, and a dispensing head 70 is mounted to the spear valve 60 (details will be described later).

The cleaning device 10 is used to clean the flow path of the beverage from the dispensing head 70 to the beverage maker 30. The cleaning device 10 may have, for example: a beverage supply mode for supplying a beverage; and a cleaning mode for cleaning the flow path of the beverage. The cleaning device 10 has a hood 1. The cover 1 is provided with a cleaning liquid inlet 11, a gas inlet 12, a cleaning liquid outlet 13, and a gas outlet 14. The cleaning liquid inlet 11 and the gas inlet 12 are connected to the cleaning liquid supply source 40 and the gas supply source 50 through pipes P1 and P2, respectively. The cleaning liquid outlet 13 and the gas outlet 14 are connected to the 1 st fluid inlet 71 and the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 of the dispenser head 70 through pipes P3 and P4, respectively. The cleaning liquid inlet 11, the gas inlet 12, the cleaning liquid outlet 13, and the gas outlet 14 may be provided with connectors for connecting to the pipes P1 to P4, respectively.

The cleaning device 10 further includes a display unit 3 and a button 4. The display unit 3 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display unit 3 can display various information (for example, an error, a cleaning time, and/or a selected mode) received from a processor (not shown), for example. The push button 4 may be, for example, a mechanical push button. The button 4 can be used, for example, for starting the washing mode. The cleaning apparatus 10 may further include other components such as a processor, a memory, and a real-time clock, which are not shown. For example, a Processor, which may be a cpu (central Processing unit) or an mpu (micro Processor unit), may be electrically connected to the display unit 3, the button 4, the valve V and the sensor SE (see fig. 2) described below, or may perform one-way or two-way communication with these components. The actions performed by the processor may be implemented, for example, by a program stored in a memory.

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a beverage supply system showing an internal configuration of the cleaning apparatus. Referring to fig. 2, the cleaning device 10 includes a 1 st flow path 15 and a 2 nd flow path 16 inside the cover 1. The 1 st flow path 15 connects the cleaning liquid inlet 11 and the cleaning liquid outlet 13. The 2 nd flow path 16 connects the gas inlet 12 and the gas outlet 14.

The 1 st flow path 15 and the 2 nd flow path 16 can be formed of pipes made of various materials (for example, Polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)) which can resist the pressure of the gas and the cleaning fluid.

The 1 st flow path 15 is provided with a check valve CV.

The 2 nd flow path 16 is provided with a valve V and a sensor SE. The valve V may be a pilot operated solenoid valve, for example. The valve V may be in a Normally Open (NO) state, for example. For detecting the gas flow, a sensor SE can be used, which can be, for example, a differential pressure gauge or a flow sensor. For example, in the gas replacement step in the pipe after the cleaning is completed, the sensor SE may have a function of measuring the gas flow time and confirming whether or not the gas replacement in the pipe is completed.

Referring to fig. 1, the beverage container 20 may be, for example, a beer keg. The beverage container 20 can store various beverages (for example, beer, alcoholic carbonated beverages other than beer (for example, sparkling liquor, sparkling alcoholic beverages with beer flavor (so-called third-class beer) produced from materials other than malt and mixed with other alcoholic beverages, carbonated liquor, high cocktail (highball)), or nonalcoholic carbonated beverages (nonalcoholic beer or carbonated fruit juice)).

The beverage maker 30 may have, for example, a cock-type valve (hereinafter, may also be referred to as "cock valve") 31. Below the discharge port 32 of the cock valve 31, a vessel (not shown) such as a glass is disposed for supplying a beverage, and a relatively large vessel B such as a water tub is disposed for cleaning and replacing the beverage vessel 20. The beverage maker 30 includes a cooling water tank 33, and a coiled pipe 34 connected to the cock valve 31 is housed in the cooling water tank 33. The cooling water tank 33 is cooled by a cooling device 35. With this structure, the beverage flowing through the coiled tube 34 is cooled. A pipe P5 connected to the fluid outlet 73 of the dispensing head 70 is connected to the coiled pipe 34.

The cleaning liquid supply source 40 supplies a cleaning liquid for cleaning the flow path of the beverage. The cleaning liquid may be, for example, water, and in this case, the cleaning liquid supply source 40 may be, for example, a tap water pipe. When the cleaning liquid supply source 40 is a tap water pipe, a pressure reducing valve RV may be provided in the pipe P1 connected to the cleaning liquid supply source 40. The gas supply source 50 may be, for example, a gas cylinder. The gas supply source 50 can supply a gas such as a carbonic acid gas, a nitrogen gas, or a compressed air.

Next, the spear valve 60 and the dispensing head 70 will be described in detail. Fig. 3, 4 and 5 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the dispensing head in the 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd connected states, respectively.

Referring to fig. 3, the spear valve 60 is attached to an unillustrated mouth portion of the beverage container 20 (not illustrated in fig. 3 to 5). The spear valve 60 has a valve housing 61, a gas valve 62, and a beverage valve 63.

The valve housing 61 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and houses a gas valve 62 and a beverage valve 63. The valve housing 61 contains an opening 61a that secures the housing 75 of the dispensing head 70. An external thread portion, not shown, is formed on the outer peripheral surface 61b of the valve housing 61, and the external thread portion engages with an internal thread portion formed on the mouth portion of the beverage container 20, whereby the spear valve 60 is attached to the main body of the beverage container 20.

The gas valve 62 is used to open and close the gas flow path. The gas valve 62 has a substantially cylindrical shape. A gap between the outer peripheral surface 62a of the gas valve 62 and the inner peripheral surface 61c of the valve housing 61 defines a part of the gas flow path GP. The gas flow path GP continues from the inside of the dispensing head 70 to the inside of the beverage container 20 (below the spear valve 60 in fig. 3). The gas valve 62 has an outward flange 62b for engaging with a lower side edge portion of the opening 61a of the valve housing 61. A sealing unit S1 is attached to the flange 62b, and the sealing unit S1 contacts the lower edge of the opening 61 a. The flange 62b is urged toward the opening 61a by a spring SP 1. Thus, the gas valve 62 opens and closes the gas flow path GP. The gas valve 62 has an inward flange 62d on the inner side of the flange 62 b. The flange 62d has an annular shape and has a through hole. The flange 62d is mounted with a sealing unit S2.

The beverage valve 63 is used to open and close a beverage flow path. The beverage valve 63 has a substantially cylindrical shape. A gap between the outer peripheral surface 63a of the beverage valve 63 and the inner peripheral surface 62c of the gas valve 62 defines a part of the beverage flow path DP. The flow path DP of the beverage is continuous from the inside of the beverage container 20 to the inside of the dispensing head 70. The beverage valve 63 has an outward flange 63b for engaging with the above-mentioned inward flange 62d of the gas valve 62. The seal unit S2 attached to the flange 62d contacts the flange 63b of the beverage valve 63. Flange 63b is urged toward flange 62d by spring SP 2. Thus, the beverage valve 63 opens and closes the beverage flow path DP. The sealing units S1 and S2 may be annular gaskets or seals made of resin such as O-rings or metal, for example.

The dispensing head 70 has a housing 75, a plunger 76. Referring also to fig. 1, the dispensing head 70 has an operating lever 74.

Referring to fig. 3, the housing 75 is fixed to the spear valve 60. Specifically, the shell 75 has a substantially cylindrical shape with an outward flange 75a at its lower end. The flange 75a engages with a groove provided in the opening 61a of the valve housing 61. A sealing unit S3 for sealing between the housing 75 and the valve housing 61 is mounted on the flange 75 a. The sealing unit S3 may be, for example, a ring-shaped gasket or seal made of resin such as an O-ring or metal.

The inner peripheral surface of the case 75 defines a 1 st through hole 77. The 1 st through hole 77 is in fluid communication with the interior of the spear valve 60. A flow path of the fluid is formed in the gap between the housing 75 and the plunger 76.

Housing 75 has a 1 st fluid inlet 71 and a 2 nd fluid inlet 72. The 1 st fluid inlet 71 and the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 are in fluid communication with the 1 st through hole 77. The 2 nd fluid inlet 72 is provided at a position closer to the spear valve 60 than the 1 st fluid inlet 71. The cleaning liquid is supplied to the 1 st fluid inlet 71 through a pipe P3 (not shown in fig. 3), and the gas is supplied to the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 through a pipe P4 (not shown in fig. 3).

The case 75 has sealing units S4 to S6 in the 1 st through hole 77. The seal units S4 to S6 are configured to be in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the plunger 76. The housing 75 has a flow of fluid (cleaning liquid and/or gas) in the 1 st through hole 77 (in the gap between the housing 75 and the plunger 76) in the order of the sealing unit S4, the 1 st fluid inlet 71, the sealing unit S5, the 2 nd fluid inlet 72, and the sealing unit S6.

Specifically, the sealing unit S4 is disposed at a position closer to the end (upper end) of the housing 75 on the opposite side of the spear valve 60 with respect to the 1 st fluid inlet 71. The sealing unit S4 is disposed in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the plunger 76 at all times. The fluid is prevented from leaking out from the gap between the housing 75 and the plunger 76 at the end of the spear valve 60 on the opposite side by the sealing unit S4, whereby the fluid in the 1 st through-hole 77 flows toward the spear valve.

The seal unit (1 st seal unit) S5 is disposed between the 1 st fluid inlet 71 and the 2 nd fluid inlet 72. The sealing unit (2 nd sealing unit) S6 is disposed at a position closer to the spear valve 60 with respect to the 2 nd fluid inlet 72. The seal units S4 to S6 may be, for example, resin or metal annular gaskets or seals such as O-rings.

The plunger 76 has a substantially cylindrical shape smaller than the housing 75, and is inserted into the housing 75. The plunger 76 is configured to slide in the 1 st through hole 77 of the housing 75. Referring to fig. 2, by switching the operating lever 74 between 3 positions (for example, an "upper" position, a "middle" position, and a "lower" position), the plunger 76 can slide in the 1 st through hole 77 between the corresponding 3 positions (1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd positions), and thereby the dispensing head 70 has 3 connection states (1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd connection states) (details will be described later). Referring to fig. 3, the inner circumferential surface of the plunger 76 defines a 2 nd through hole 78. The 2 nd through hole 78 is in fluid communication with the interior of the spear valve 60. A reverse flow prevention mechanism 78a for preventing the fluid from flowing from the fluid outlet 73 to the spear valve 60 is provided in the 2 nd through-hole 78. The backflow prevention mechanism 78a may include, for example: a ball; a step portion formed in the 2 nd penetration hole 78 and configured such that the ball contacts from the fluid outlet 73 side; and a protrusion to prevent the ball from falling off the fluid outlet 73.

The plunger 76 has a 1 st groove 76a and a 2 nd groove 76b on its outer peripheral surface. The 1 st and 2

nd grooves

76a, 76b may have, for example, an annular shape centered on the axis of the plunger 76 and have a predetermined length along the axis of the plunger 76.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 4, the position and the size of the 1 st groove 76a are determined so that a gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the plunger 76 and the seal unit S5 in the 2 nd connection state.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the position and size of the 2 nd groove 76b are determined so that a gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the plunger 76 and the seal unit S6 in the 2 nd connection state and the 3 rd connection state. The 2 nd groove 76b is longer than the 1 st groove 76a in the axial direction of the plunger 76, whereby a gap can be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the plunger 76 and the seal unit S6 in the 2 nd connected state and also in the 3 rd connected state.

Referring to fig. 5, the plunger 76 has a 1 st engagement portion 76c and a 2 nd engagement portion 76 d. The 1 st fitting portion 76c includes a seal member S7 attached to an annular step portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the plunger 76. The seal member S7 is configured to contact the inward flange 62d of the gas valve 62. The sealing member S7 may be, for example, an annular gasket or a seal made of resin or metal.

The 2 nd fitting portion 76d contains the end of the plunger 76 on the side of the spear valve 60. The 2 nd fitting portion 76d is configured to contact the end surface of the beverage valve 63 through the inside of the through hole of the flange 62d of the gas valve 62. A notch 76e is provided at the end of the plunger 76 on the side of the spear valve 60 for allowing the beverage to pass therethrough when the 2 nd engaging portion 76d is engaged with the beverage valve 63. The end of the plunger 76 opposite the spear valve 60 contains the fluid outlet 73 of the dispensing head 70.

Referring to fig. 1, the operating lever 74 is rotatably attached to the housing 75 about a 1 st pin, for example, and is rotatably attached to the plunger 76 about a 2 nd pin. By rotating the operating lever 74 about the 1 st pin, the plunger 76 can be slid with respect to the case 75.

Next, the 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd connection states will be described in detail.

When the operating lever 74 is at the "up" position, as shown in fig. 3, the plunger 76 is disposed at the 1 st position farthest from the spear valve 60, and the dispensing head 70 is in the 1 st connected state. In the 1 st connection state, the 1 st engagement portion 76c and the 2 nd engagement portion 76d of the plunger 76 do not engage with the gas valve 62 and the beverage valve 63, respectively. Accordingly, the gas flow path GP is cut by the sealing unit S1, and the beverage flow path DP is cut by the sealing unit S2.

In the 1 st connected state, both the seal unit S5 and the seal unit S6 are in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the plunger 76. Accordingly, the flow from the 1 st fluid inlet 71 is interrupted by the seal unit S5 and cannot proceed to the downstream side of the seal unit S5, and the flow from the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 is interrupted by the seal unit S6 and cannot proceed to the downstream side of the seal unit S6. Therefore, in the 1 st connection state, both the 1 st fluid inlet 71 and the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 are disconnected from the inside of the beverage container 20 and the 2 nd through hole 78 (i.e., the fluid outlet 73) of the plunger 76. For example, the "up" position may be used when replacing the beverage container 20 with a new beverage container.

When the lever 74 is in the "neutral" position, as shown in FIG. 4, the plunger 76 is disposed in the 2 nd position and the dispensing head 70 is in the 2 nd connected state. In the 2 nd position, the plunger 76 is disposed between the 1 st position (fig. 3) farthest from the mole valve 60 and the 3 rd position (fig. 5) closest to the mole valve 60. In the 2 nd connection state, although the 2 nd engaging portion 76d of the plunger 76 enters the inside of the through hole of the inward flange 62d of the gas valve 62, the 1 st engaging portion 76c and the 2 nd engaging portion 76d do not engage with the gas valve 62 and the beverage valve 63 in the 1 st connection state. Accordingly, the gas flow path GP is cut by the sealing unit S1, and the beverage flow path DP is cut by the sealing unit S2.

In the 2 nd connection state, the 1 st groove 76a is arranged at the same position as the seal unit S5 in the axial direction of the plunger 76, and thus a gap is formed between the seal unit S5 and the 1 st groove 76 a. Thus, the flow from the 1 st fluid inlet 71 can advance to the downstream side of the sealing unit S5 through the gap. Further, the 2 nd groove 76b is disposed at a position including the seal unit S6 in the axial direction of the plunger 76, so that a gap is formed between the seal unit S6 and the 2 nd groove 76 b. Accordingly, the flow from the 1 st fluid inlet 71 and the flow from the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 can advance to the downstream side of the sealing unit S6 through the gap. In this state, since the gas flow path GP and the beverage flow path DP are disconnected as described above, the flow from the 1 st through hole 77 (the gap between the housing 75 and the plunger 76) flows into the 2 nd through hole 78 of the plunger 76 through the gap between the 2 nd fitting portion 76d of the plunger 76 and the inward flange 62d of the gas valve 62, and flows out of the fluid outlet 73 to the outside of the dispensing head 70. Accordingly, in the 2 nd connection state, both the 1 st fluid inlet 71 and the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 are in fluid communication with the 2 nd through hole 78 of the plunger 76 and are disconnected from the inside of the beverage container 20. The "mid" position may be used when implementing the cleaning mode.

When the operating lever 74 is in the "down" position, as shown in fig. 5, the plunger 76 is disposed in the 3 rd position closest to the spear valve 60 and the dispensing head 70 is in the 3 rd connected state. In the 3 rd connection state, the 1 st engagement portion 76c and the 2 nd engagement portion 76d of the plunger 76 contact the gas valve 62 and the drink valve 63, respectively, and the gas valve 62 and the drink valve 63 are pushed against the spring SP1 and the spring SP2, respectively. Thereby, the gas flow path GP and the beverage flow path DP are opened. In addition, since the seal member S7 of the 1 st fitting portion 76c contacts the inward flange 62d of the gas valve 62, direct communication between the 1 st through hole 77 and the 2 nd through hole 78 is prevented.

In addition, in the 3 rd connection state, the seal unit S5 comes into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the plunger. Accordingly, the flow from the 1 st fluid inlet 71 is interrupted by the seal unit S5 and cannot proceed to the downstream side of the seal unit S5. On the other hand, the 2 nd groove 76b is disposed at a position including the seal unit S6 in the axial direction of the plunger 76, so that a gap is formed between the seal unit S6 and the 2 nd groove 76 b. Thus, the flow from the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 can advance to the downstream side of the sealing unit S6 through the gap. In this state, the gas flow path GP and the beverage flow path DP are opened as described above, and direct communication between the 1 st through hole 77 and the 2 nd through hole 78 is prevented, so that the flow (gas flow) from the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 flows into the beverage container 20 through the gas flow path GP. The beverage in the beverage container 20 flows from the notch 76e into the 2 nd through hole 78 through the beverage flow path DP by the gas pressure, and flows out to the outside of the dispensing head 70 from the fluid outlet 73. Accordingly, in the 3 rd connection state, the 1 st fluid inlet 71 is disconnected from the interior of the beverage container 20 and the 2 nd through hole 78 of the plunger 76, and the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 is fluidly connected to the 2 nd through hole 78 of the plunger 76 via the interior of the beverage container 20. The "down" position may be used when implementing the beverage supply mode.

Next, the operation of the beverage supply system 100 will be described.

Referring to fig. 2, in the beverage supply mode, the operating lever 74 of the dispensing head 70 is set to the "down" position. Thus, as shown in fig. 5, only the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 of the dispensing head 70 is connected to the fluid outlet 73 through the interior of the beverage container 20. Thus, for example, even if the operator continues to keep the master switch of the cleaning liquid supply source 40 on, the cleaning liquid is not supplied to the inside of the beverage container 20. In the beverage supply mode, a container such as a glass is disposed below the spout 32 of the beverage maker 30.

For example, the cleaning device 10 may maintain the beverage supply mode until the button 4 is pressed. Referring to fig. 2, in the present embodiment, since the valve V is in the normally open state, the valve V is in the open state in the beverage supply mode. Thus, in the beverage supply mode, gas is supplied from the gas outlet 14. Gas is supplied from the gas outlet 14 to the interior of the beverage container 20 through the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 of the dispensing head 70, and the beverage in the interior of the beverage container 20 is pushed out to the fluid outlet 73 of the dispensing head 70. Beverage is supplied to the beverage maker 30 from the fluid outlet 73. When the operator opens the plug valve 31, the beverage is supplied from the discharge port 32.

When the washing mode is implemented, a container B such as a water tub is disposed below the spouting port 32 of the beverage maker 30 before the washing mode is started.

For example, when the button 4 is pressed, the washing apparatus 10 may start the washing mode. When the cleaning mode is started, the cleaning apparatus 10 closes the valve V. When the operator sets the operating lever 74 of the dispensing head 70 to the "neutral" position, as shown in fig. 4, both the 1 st fluid inlet 71 and the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 of the dispensing head 70 are connected to the fluid outlet 73 without passing through the interior of the beverage container 20. However, since the valve V is in the closed state, no gas is supplied from the 2 nd fluid inlet 72. Referring to fig. 2, when the operator turns on the main switch of the cleaning solution supply source 40 or the operator continues to keep on the main switch of the cleaning solution supply source 40, the cleaning solution flows from the 1 st fluid inlet 71 to the fluid outlet 73 without flowing through the inside of the beverage container 20, and flows to the beverage maker 30. When the operator opens the cock valve 31, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the discharge port 32.

For example, the period of supplying the cleaning liquid may be adjusted according to the type of the beverage, the length and/or diameter of the flow path, and the like, and may be, for example, about 1 to 3 minutes. It should be noted that this value is merely exemplary. The cleaning liquid may be continuously supplied (hereinafter, may be referred to as "continuous cleaning") or may be intermittently supplied (hereinafter, may be referred to as "intermittent cleaning"). To perform intermittent cleaning, the cleaning apparatus 10 may alternately repeat the 1 st state in which the valve V is closed and the 2 nd state in which the valve V is open. In the intermittent cleaning, the cleaning liquid flows through the flow path at a higher pressure than in the continuous cleaning, and the cleaning force can be improved. For example, when the cleaning liquid is supplied for a predetermined time, the cleaning device 10 may display the supply of the cleaning liquid on the display unit 3 or may present the supply of the cleaning liquid by a sound from a speaker not shown.

After supplying the cleaning liquid, the operator may also, for example, close the main switch of the cleaning liquid supply source 40 and open the valve V, thereby supplying the gas from the 2 nd fluid inlet 72. The cleaning liquid retained in the flow path from the dispensing head 70 to the beverage maker 30 can be pressed out by the gas. For example, the valve V may be opened by pressing the button 4 again or by pressing an additional button not shown. When the cleaning liquid retained in the flow path is completely pushed out from the discharge port 32, the gas is supplied from the discharge port 32.

The period of time during which the gas is supplied may be equal to or longer than, for example, the time required for the gas to completely press out the cleaning liquid retained in the flow path from the dispenser head 70 to the beverage maker 30, and may vary depending on the length, diameter, and the like of the flow path. After the period elapses, the washing apparatus 10 notifies that the washing mode is ended. The notification may be displayed on the display unit 3, or presented by a sound from a speaker not shown, for example. After the washing mode is finished, the stop cock 31 is closed, and the operating lever of the dispensing head 70 is set to the "down" position. Thereby, the beverage supply system 100 is ready to provide a beverage again.

When an empty beverage container 20 is replaced with a new beverage container 20, the operator disposes a container B such as a bucket below the discharge port 32. When the operator opens the cock valve 31, the beverage and the gas therebehind remaining in the flow path from the dispenser head 70 to the beverage maker 30 are received by the container B. After all of the beverage has been discharged from the spout 32, the operator closes the stopcock valve 31 and sets the lever 74 of the dispensing head 70 to the "up" position. Thus, as shown in fig. 3, both the 1 st fluid inlet 71 and the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 are disconnected from the interior of the beverage container 20 and the fluid outlet 73. Thereafter, the operator removes the dispensing head 70 from the empty beverage container 20 and attaches the dispensing head 70 to a new beverage container 20. Thereby, the replacement of the beverage container 20 is finished. When the lever 74 is set to the "down" position, the beverage supply system 100 is ready to supply a beverage.

As described above, according to the distribution head 70 of the embodiment, the housing 75 has 2 fluid inlets (the 1 st fluid inlet 71 and the 2 nd fluid inlet 72). The dispensing head 70 has 3 connection states (1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd connection states). In the dispensing head 70, the 1 st fluid inlet 71 is cut off from both the inside of the beverage container 20 and the 2 nd through hole 78 (i.e., the fluid outlet 73) of the plunger 76 in the 1 st connection state and the 3 rd connection state out of the 3 connection states. In the 2 nd connection state, the 1 st fluid inlet 71 is fluidly connected to the 2 nd through hole 78 of the plunger 76, but is disconnected from the inside of the beverage container 20. That is, the 1 st fluid inlet 71 is disconnected from the interior of the beverage container 20 in all of the 3 connected states. Thus, by flowing the cleaning liquid from the 1 st fluid inlet 71 and flowing the gas from the 2 nd fluid inlet 72, the cleaning liquid is mechanically prevented from flowing into the interior of the beverage container 20. Accordingly, the cleaning liquid can be reliably prevented from being supplied to the inside of the beverage container 20 by mistake.

Further, as described above, since the 1 st fluid inlet 71 is disconnected from both the inside of the beverage container 20 and the fluid outlet 73 in the 1 st connection state and the 3 rd connection state, the cleaning liquid can be prevented from flowing even when the main switch of the cleaning liquid supply source 40 is opened when the cleaning is not performed.

In addition, the 2 nd groove 76b is longer than the 1 st groove 76a in the axial direction of the plunger 76. Accordingly, with a simple configuration, a gap can be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the plunger 76 and the seal means S6 in both the 2 nd connection state and the 3 rd connection state.

Although the embodiments of the dispensing head have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that the features included in 1 embodiment can be combined with or replaced with the features included in the other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs.

For example, in the above embodiment, the distribution head 70 is connected to the cleaning liquid supply source 40 and the gas supply source 50 via the cleaning device 10. However, in other embodiments, the cleaning liquid supply source 40 may be directly connected to the 1 st fluid inlet 71 of the dispenser head 70 through the pipe P1 instead of through the cleaning device 10, and the gas supply source 50 may be directly connected to the 2 nd fluid inlet 72 of the dispenser head 70 through the pipe P2 instead of through the cleaning device 10. In this case, for example, the operator can switch between the beverage supply and the channel cleaning by manually operating a main switch, not shown, provided in each of the cleaning liquid supply source 40 and the gas supply source 50.

Description of the symbols

20-a beverage container;

60-spear valve;

62-gas valve;

63-a valve for beverages;

70-a dispensing head;

71-fluid inlet 1;

72-2 nd fluid inlet;

75-shell;

76-a plunger;

76 a-1 st slot;

76 b-groove 2;

76 c-1 st mating portion;

76 d-mating part 2;

77-1 st through hole;

78-2 nd through hole;

s5-sealing unit (1 st sealing unit);

s6-sealing unit (2 nd sealing unit).

Claims

1. A dispensing head for mounting to a spear valve of a beverage container,

the disclosed device is provided with: a housing fixed to the spear valve and having a 1 st through-hole fluidly communicating with the interior of the spear valve;

and a plunger sliding in the 1 st penetration hole of the housing, having a 2 nd penetration hole fluidly communicating with the interior of the spear valve,

the housing has: a 1 st fluid inlet in fluid communication with the 1 st through-hole;

a 1 st sealing means disposed in the 1 st through hole downstream of the 1 st fluid inlet and in sliding contact with an outer peripheral surface of the plunger;

a 2 nd fluid inlet in fluid communication with the 1 st through hole at a position on a downstream side of the 1 st sealing unit;

and a 2 nd sealing means disposed in the 1 st through hole at a position downstream of the 2 nd fluid inlet and in sliding contact with an outer peripheral surface of the plunger,

the plunger has: a 1 st groove for forming a gap between an outer circumferential surface of the plunger and the 1 st sealing unit;

a 2 nd groove for forming a gap between an outer circumferential surface of the plunger and the 2 nd sealing unit;

a 1 st engagement portion configured to engage with a gas valve of the spear valve;

and a 2 nd engaging portion configured to engage with a beverage valve of the spear valve,

the dispensing head has a 1 st connection state, a 2 nd connection state, a 3 rd connection state,

in the 1 st connection state of the first connection,

the 1 st and 2 nd engaging parts of the plunger do not engage with the gas valve and the beverage valve of the spear valve, respectively,

and both the 1 st seal means and the 2 nd seal means are in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the plunger,

whereby both of the 1 st fluid inlet and the 2 nd fluid inlet are cut off from the interior of the beverage container and the 2 nd through hole of the plunger,

in the 2 nd state of connection,

and gaps are respectively formed between the 1 st sealing unit and the 1 st groove and between the 2 nd sealing unit and the 2 nd groove,

whereby both of the 1 st fluid inlet and the 2 nd fluid inlet are in fluid communication with the 2 nd through hole of the plunger and are disconnected from the interior of the beverage container,

in the 3 rd connection state of the mobile communication terminal,

the 1 st engaging part and the 2 nd engaging part of the plunger press open the gas valve and the beverage valve of the spear valve respectively,

and the 1 st sealing unit is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the plunger, and a gap is formed between the 2 nd sealing unit and the 2 nd groove,

thereby, the 1 st fluid inlet is disconnected from the interior of the beverage container and the 2 nd through hole of the plunger, while the 2 nd fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the 2 nd through hole of the plunger via the interior of the beverage container.

2. Dispensing head according to claim 1,

the housing further has a 3 rd sealing unit disposed at a position closer to an end of the housing on an opposite side of the spear valve with respect to the 1 st fluid inlet,

the 3 rd sealing unit is always in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the plunger.