CN114206768A

CN114206768A - Cleaning device for beverage supply system and cleaning method for beverage supply system

Info

Publication number: CN114206768A
Application number: CN202080055515.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吉原庆太; 木田亘; 白木丈博
Original assignee: Suntory Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Suntory Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-07
Filing date: 2020-06-05
Publication date: 2022-03-18
Also published as: KR20220002599A; JPWO2020246606A1; WO2020246606A1

Abstract

A cleaning device for a beverage supply system (1) is provided with: an air supply path (60) for supplying air to a beverage delivery path (70) connecting the beverage storage container (20) and the beverage dispenser (30); a water supply path (90) for supplying water to the beverage delivery path; at least one of a gas on-off valve (61) for opening and closing the gas supply path and a water on-off valve (91) for opening and closing the water supply path (90); and a control device (80) for controlling at least one of the gas on-off valve (61) and the water on-off valve (91). The control device (80) executes water injection control in which control of at least one of the gas on-off valve (61) and the water on-off valve (91) such that the 1 st amount of water is supplied from the water supply path (90) to the beverage delivery path (70), and control of at least one of the gas on-off valve (61) and the water on-off valve (91) such that gas is supplied from the gas supply path (60) to the beverage delivery path are alternately repeated. The 1 st amount is 24ml to 50 ml.

Description

Cleaning device for beverage supply system and cleaning method for beverage supply system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for a beverage supply system and a cleaning method for a beverage supply system.

Background

Conventionally, there has been known a beverage supply system for supplying a beverage delivered from a beverage container by gas from a beverage dispenser to the outside (for example, japanese patent laid-open nos. 2017 and 218226 and 2017 and 43385). A user of such a beverage supply system can easily obtain a desired amount of beverage by pouring the beverage from the beverage dispenser into a container (e.g., a glass).

However, after the beverage supply by the beverage supply system is completed, the beverage remains in the beverage flow path. The remaining beverage may cause deterioration of the beverage, proliferation of microorganisms, and the like. Therefore, in order to prevent the taste of the beverage from being degraded, it is necessary to periodically clean the beverage supply system.

Disclosure of Invention

In contrast, in the beverage supply systems described in japanese patent laid-open nos. 2017 and 218226 and 2017 and 43385, the cleaning power is improved by cleaning the beverage supply system with a substance in which a carbonic acid gas is mixed with water. However, there is room for further improvement in cleaning the beverage supply system.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently clean a beverage flow path with a high cleaning force in a beverage supply system.

The gist of the present invention is as follows.

(1) A cleaning device for a beverage supply system for supplying a beverage, which is delivered from a beverage storage container by gas, to the outside from a beverage dispenser, the cleaning device comprising: an air supply path for supplying air to a beverage delivery path connecting the beverage storage container and the beverage dispenser; a water supply path for supplying water to the beverage delivery path; at least one of a gas on-off valve for opening and closing the gas supply path and a water on-off valve for opening and closing the water supply path; and a control device that controls at least one of the gas on-off valve and the Water on-off valve, wherein the control device executes a Water jet control (Water shot control) in which control of the at least one of the gas on-off valve and the Water on-off valve is alternately repeated such that a1 st amount of Water is supplied from the Water supply path to the beverage delivery path, and control of the at least one of the gas on-off valve and the Water on-off valve is alternately repeated such that air is supplied from the air supply path to the beverage delivery path, and the 1 st amount is 24ml to 50 ml.

(2) The cleaning device for a beverage supply system according to item (1) above, further comprising a flow sensor provided in the water supply path, wherein the control device calculates an estimated value of the amount of water supplied from the water supply path to the beverage transport path in the water injection control based on an output of the flow sensor, and controls at least one of the gas on-off valve and the water on-off valve such that the estimated value reaches the 1 st amount.

(3) A cleaning method of a beverage supply system for supplying a beverage, which is transported from a beverage storage container through a beverage transport path by gas, from a beverage dispenser to the outside, includes performing water injection control in which control of at least one of a water open/close valve for opening/closing the water supply path and a gas open/close valve for opening/closing a gas supply path for supplying gas to the beverage transport path so as to supply a1 st amount of water from a water supply path for supplying water to the beverage transport path and control of at least one of the gas open/close valve and the water open/close valve so as to supply gas from the gas supply path to the beverage transport path are alternately repeated, the 1 st amount being 24ml to 50 ml.

In the above embodiments (1) to (3), the 1 st amount may be 24ml to 100 ml. The 1 st amount may be 24ml to 90 ml. The 1 st amount may be 24ml to 80 ml. The 1 st amount may be 24ml to 70 ml. The 1 st amount may be 24ml to 60 ml. The 1 st amount may be 24ml to 40 ml. The 1 st amount may be 24ml to 30 ml. The 1 st amount may be 24 ml.

According to the present invention, the beverage supply system can efficiently clean the beverage flow path with a high cleaning force.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a beverage supply system to which a cleaning device of a beverage supply system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cleaning device of a beverage supply system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the control device of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the 1 st amount in the water spray control and the degree of contamination after washing.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a control routine of the cleaning process in the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cleaning device of a beverage supply system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a control routine of the cleaning process in the second embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

First embodiment

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 5.

Beverage supply system

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a beverage supply system to which a cleaning device of a beverage supply system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. The beverage supply system 1 includes an air supply source 10, a beverage container 20, and a beverage dispenser 30. The beverage supply system 1 supplies the beverage delivered from the beverage storage container 20 by the gas supplied from the gas supply source 10 to the outside from the beverage dispenser 30. A user of the beverage supply system 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "user") can easily obtain a desired amount of beverage by injecting the beverage from the beverage dispenser 30 into the container.

The beverage supply system 1 further includes: an air supply path 60 connecting the air supply source 10 and the beverage container 20; and a beverage transfer path 70 connecting the beverage container 20 and the beverage dispenser 30. The gas supply path 60 is configured as, for example, a gas supply hose, and is formed of various materials (for example, Polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or the like) that can withstand gas pressure. The beverage delivery path 70 is configured as, for example, a beverage delivery hose, and is formed of various materials (for example, Polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the like) that can withstand the pressure of the beverage and gas.

Hereinafter, each component of the beverage supply system 1 will be described in detail.

The gas supply source 10 supplies a gas such as a carbonic acid gas (carbon dioxide gas), a nitrogen gas, or a compressed air. The gas supply source 10 includes a gas pressure reducing valve 11, and the pressure of the gas supplied from the gas supply source 10 is adjusted by the gas pressure reducing valve 11. The air supply source 10 is configured as a gas cylinder, for example. The gas supply source 10 is connected to the gas supply path 60, and the gas supplied from the gas supply source 10 flows through the gas supply path 60 and is supplied to the beverage container 20.

The beverage container 20 contains a beverage. For example, the beverage container 20 contains a foamable beverage. The sparkling beverage includes beer, beer-taste beverage, carbonated distilled liquor, whisky beverage (whisky, high ball cocktail, etc.), carbonated fruit juice, etc. Beer-flavored beverages include sparkling liquors and beer-flavored sparkling alcoholic beverages (so-called third-class beers) and nonalcoholic beers produced from materials other than malt or obtained by mixing malt-derived alcoholic beverages with sparkling liquors. The beverage storage container 20 is configured as a beverage cartridge that stores a foamable beverage, for example.

The beverage container 20 includes a well-known spear valve (not shown) that functions as a lid of the beverage container 20. The mole valve extends from the top of the beverage receiving container 20 to near the bottom of the beverage receiving container 20.

The beverage supply system 1 further includes a dispensing head 50. The dispensing head 50 is attached to the beverage container 20, specifically, to a spear valve of the beverage container 20.

The distribution head 50 includes a fluid inlet 51 and a fluid outlet 52. The air supply passage 60 is connected to the fluid inlet 51, and is in fluid communication with the inside of the beverage container 20 via the dispensing head 50 and the spear valve. Thus, the air supply passage 60 is connected to the beverage container 20 via the dispensing head 50. The beverage transfer path 70 is connected to the fluid outlet 52, and is in fluid communication with the inside of the beverage container 20 via the dispensing head 50 and the spear valve. Accordingly, the beverage transport path 70 is connected to the beverage storage container 20 via the dispensing head 50. When gas is supplied into the beverage storage container 20, the liquid level of the beverage is pressed down by the gas, and the beverage rises through the spear valve and is pushed out from the beverage storage container 20 to the beverage conveying path 70.

The beverage dispenser 30 supplies the beverage delivered from the beverage container 20 by the gas supplied from the gas supply source 10 to the outside (outside of the beverage dispenser 30). Fig. 1 shows the beverage dispenser 30 with the cover removed. The beverage dispenser 30 includes a coiled beverage introduction pipe 31, a cock 32, a cooling water tank 33, and a cooling device 34. The tap 32 is also referred to as a faucet.

One end of the beverage introduction pipe 31 is connected to the beverage transfer passage 70, and the other end of the beverage introduction pipe 31 is connected to the cock 32. The beverage delivered from the beverage container 20 flows through the beverage introduction pipe 31 to the cock 32. At this time, when the user operates the handle 321 of the cock 32 (for example, pulls the handle 321 forward), the beverage is poured from the cock 32 into a container (a beer mug, a glass, or the like). The container is previously set by the user below the tap 32.

The user supplies water to the cooling water tank 33 in advance, and the cooling water tank 33 is filled with water. The cooling device 34 includes a refrigerator (not shown), a coiled cooling medium flow pipe 35, and a stirrer 36. The cooling device 34 forms ice around the refrigerant flow pipe 35 by the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerator to the refrigerant flow pipe 35, and cools the water in the cooling water tank 33 by the ice. The stirrer 36 stirs the water in the cooling water tank 33 so that the temperature of the water in the cooling water tank 33 becomes uniform. The beverage delivered to the beverage dispenser 30 is cooled by the cooling water in the cooling water tank 33 while passing through the beverage introduction pipe 31. Therefore, even if the beverage in the beverage storage container 20 is at the normal temperature, the beverage supply system 1 can supply the beverage cooled to a desired degree from the beverage dispenser 30 to the outside.

Cleaning device for beverage supply system

After the beverage supply by the beverage supply system 1 is completed, the beverage remains in the beverage flow path. The remaining beverage may cause deterioration of the beverage, proliferation of microorganisms, and the like. Therefore, in order to prevent the taste of the beverage from being degraded, the beverage supply system 1 needs to be periodically cleaned.

In the present embodiment, the beverage supply system 1 is cleaned by a cleaning device (hereinafter simply referred to as "cleaning device") of the beverage supply system 1. Specifically, the cleaning device cleans the beverage delivery path 70, which is the beverage flow path of the beverage supply system 1, and the beverage dispenser 30 (the beverage introduction tube 31 and the cock 32).

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cleaning apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows the inside of the control box 40 of fig. 1. A part of the components of the beverage supply system 1 also functions as a component of the cleaning device.

The cleaning device includes an air supply path 60 for supplying air to the beverage delivery path 70, a water supply path 90 for supplying water to the beverage delivery path 70, a control box 40, and a dispensing head 50. A part of the air supply passage 60 and a part of the water supply passage 90 are disposed in the control box 40 and hidden from the outside by the control box 40.

The water supply path 90 is connected to a water supply source 100 for supplying water. The water supply path 90 is provided with a water pressure reducing valve 110, and the pressure of water supplied from the water supply source 100 is adjusted by the water pressure reducing valve 110. The water supply source 100 is configured as a tap water pipe. The water supplied to the beverage conveyance path 70 functions as a cleaning liquid.

The air supply passage 60 and the water supply passage 90 are integrated into a common passage in the control box 40, and are connected to the distribution head 50 through the common passage. The air supply path 60 is connected to the control box 40 via a1 st connector 41. The 1 st joint 41 functions as a gas inlet of the control box 40. The water supply path 90 is connected to the control box 40 through the 2 nd connector 42. The 2 nd joint 42 functions as a water inlet of the control box 40. The common flow path of the air supply path 60 and the water supply path 90 is connected to the control box 40 via the 3 rd joint 43. The 3 rd joint 43 functions as a fluid outlet of the control box 40.

The dispenser head 50 is configured to switch the connection state between the fluid inlet 51 and the fluid outlet 52, the fluid inlet 51 is connected to a common channel between the air supply channel 60 and the water supply channel 90, and the fluid outlet 52 is connected to the beverage delivery channel 70. The dispensing head 50 includes an operation lever 53 (see fig. 1), and when a user operates the operation lever 53, the connection state between the fluid inlet 51 and the fluid outlet 52 is switched. For example, the operating lever 53 is movable in the up-down direction and is switched between 3 positions (an upper position, a middle position, and a lower position).

When the operating lever 53 is positioned at the lower position, the dispensing head 50 connects the fluid inlet 51 to the inside of the beverage container 20, and connects the inside of the beverage container 20 to the fluid outlet 52. That is, when the operating lever 53 is positioned at the lower position, the dispensing head 50 connects the common flow path between the air supply path 60 and the water supply path 90 to the beverage conveying path 70 through the inside of the beverage storage container 20.

When the lever 53 is positioned at the intermediate position, the dispensing head 50 directly connects the fluid inlet 51 and the fluid outlet 52, and cuts off the fluid inlet 51 and the fluid outlet 52 from the inside of the beverage container 20. That is, when the lever 53 is at the intermediate position, the dispenser head 50 directly connects the common flow path between the air supply path 60 and the water supply path 90 to the beverage delivery path 70.

When the operating lever 53 is positioned at the upper position, the dispensing head 50 cuts off the fluid inlet 51, the inside of the beverage container 20, and the fluid outlet 52 from each other. That is, when the operating lever 53 is located at the upper position, the dispensing head 50 does not connect the common flow path of the air supply path 60 and the water supply path 90 to the inside of the beverage storage container 20 and the beverage conveying path 70.

The cleaning apparatus further includes a control device 80. The control device 80 is disposed in the control box 40 and hidden from the outside by the control box 40.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the control device 80 in fig. 2. The control device 80 includes a memory 81, a peripheral circuit 82, and a processor 83. The memory 81 and the peripheral circuit 82 are connected to the processor 83 via signal lines. The control device 80 is configured as a microcomputer or a sequence controller, for example.

The memory 81 includes, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., RAM) and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (e.g., ROM). The memory 81 stores a program executed by the processor 83, various data used when various processes are executed by the processor 83, and the like.

The peripheral circuit 82 includes additional elements (e.g., a timer) necessary for the processor 83 to execute various processes. The processor 83 has one or more cpus (central Processing unit) and executes various processes.

As shown in fig. 2, the cleaning device further includes a gas opening/closing valve 61, a gas check valve 62, a water opening/closing valve 91, and a water check valve 92. The gas on-off valve 61 is disposed in the gas supply path 60 and opens and closes the gas supply path 60. The gas on-off valve 61 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve disposed in the gas supply passage 60. The gas on-off valve 61 may be a sleeve throttle valve disposed around the gas supply passage 60. The gas on-off valve 61 is electrically connected to the control device 80, and the control device 80 controls the gas on-off valve 61.

The gas check valve 62 is disposed in the gas supply passage 60 and prevents the gas from flowing backward (toward the gas supply source 10). In the present embodiment, the gas check valve 62 is disposed in the gas supply passage 60 on the downstream side of the gas opening/closing valve 61.

The water opening/closing valve 91 is disposed in the water supply passage 90 and opens and closes the water supply passage 90. The water opening/closing valve 91 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve disposed in the water supply passage 90. The water opening/closing valve 91 may be a sleeve throttle valve disposed around the water supply passage 90. The water opening/closing valve 91 is electrically connected to the control device 80, and the control device 80 controls the water opening/closing valve 91.

The water check valve 92 is disposed in the water supply passage 90 to prevent the reverse flow of water (to the water supply source 100). In the present embodiment, the water check valve 92 is disposed in the water supply passage 90 on the downstream side of the water open/close valve 91.

In the present embodiment, the gas opening/closing valve 61 is configured to open the gas supply passage 60 when not energized and to close the gas supply passage 60 when energized. On the other hand, the water opening/closing valve 91 is configured to close the water supply passage 90 when no current is applied and to open the water supply passage 90 when a current is applied.

When the beverage is supplied from the beverage dispenser 30, the user sets the operating lever 53 of the dispensing head 50 at the lower position. When the operating lever 53 is positioned at the lower position, the common flow path between the air supply path 60 and the water supply path 90 is connected to the beverage delivery path 70 through the inside of the beverage storage container 20. At this time, since power is not supplied to the gas on-off valve 61 and the water on-off valve 91, the gas on-off valve 61 opens the gas supply path 60, and the water on-off valve 91 closes the water supply path 90. Therefore, gas is supplied from the gas supply passage 60 to the beverage storage container 20, and the beverage is delivered to the beverage dispenser 30 through the beverage delivery passage 70.

In addition, when replacing the beverage storage container 20, the user sets the operation lever of the dispensing head 50 to an upper position. When the operation lever 53 is located at the upper position, the common flow path between the air supply path 60 and the water supply path 90 is not connected to the inside of the beverage storage container 20 and the beverage delivery path 70. Therefore, air leakage can be prevented when the beverage storage container 20 is replaced.

In addition, when cleaning the beverage supply system 1, the user sets the operating lever 53 of the dispensing head 50 to the neutral position, and opens the cock 32 of the beverage dispenser 30. When the operation lever 53 is at the intermediate position, the common flow path of the air supply path 60 and the water supply path 90 is directly connected to the beverage delivery path 70. Therefore, when the beverage transport path 70 and the beverage dispenser 30 are cleaned by the water supplied from the water supply source 100, the water can be prevented from flowing into the beverage storage container 20. The water that has cleaned the beverage transport path 70 and the beverage dispenser 30 is collected by the user into a collection container 200 (such as a water tank) provided in advance.

Conventionally, in cleaning the beverage supply system 1, it is considered that the cleaning power can be improved by supplying a large amount of water in one water supply. On the other hand, as a result of intensive studies by the inventors of the present invention, it was found that the cleaning power can be improved by increasing the linear velocity of water to increase the energy of water. In order to increase the linear velocity of water, the amount of water in the primary feed needs to be reduced. However, if the amount of water is small, the water cannot flow through the beverage conveyance path 70 due to the resistance in the beverage conveyance path 70.

In the present embodiment, the control device 80 controls at least one of the water on-off valve 91 and the gas on-off valve 61 so as to supply water and gas alternately to the beverage transport path 70. Specifically, the control device 80 executes the water injection control in which the control of at least one of the gas on-off valve 61 and the water on-off valve 91 so as to supply the 1 st amount of water from the water supply path 90 to the beverage delivery path 70 and the control of at least one of the gas on-off valve 61 and the water on-off valve 91 so as to supply gas from the gas supply path 60 to the beverage delivery path 70 are alternately repeated.

In the water jet control, water and gas are intermittently supplied to the beverage delivery path 70, and so-called water jet cleaning is performed. At this time, since the gas functions as pressurized water, a small amount of water can be made to flow through the interior of the beverage conveying path 70. Therefore, by increasing the linear velocity of water, the beverage flow path of the beverage supply system 1 can be efficiently cleaned with a high cleaning force.

Table 1 shows the degree of contamination after washing when the 1 st amount was changed in the water injection control. Fig. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the 1 st amount in the water spray control and the degree of contamination after washing. In this experiment, the 1 st amount was changed by changing the time for opening the water opening-closing valve 91 and closing the gas opening-closing valve 61 (the opening time of the water opening-closing valve 91), that is, by changing the supply time of water for one time in the water jet control. The longer the water supply time, the more the 1 st amount. The 1 st amount corresponds to the primary water supply amount in the water jet control.

TABLE 1

	Example 1	Example 2	Example 3
				Opening time(s) of water opening and closing valve	2.0	3.0	5.0
Quantity 1 (ml)	24	46	84
				Opening time(s) of gas opening and closing valve	2.0	3.0	5.0
Degree of contamination (%)	8	35	48

In example 1, the opening time of the water opening/closing valve 91 was set to 2.0 seconds, and the 1 st volume was 24 ml. In example 1, the time for closing the water opening/closing valve 91 and opening the gas opening/closing valve 61 (the opening time of the gas opening/closing valve 61), that is, the supply time of the gas at one time in the water jet control is set to 2.0 seconds.

In example 2, the opening time of the water opening/closing valve 91 was set to 3.0 seconds, and the 1 st volume was 46 ml. In example 2, the opening time of the gas opening/closing valve 61 is set to 3.0 seconds.

In example 3, the opening time of the water opening/closing valve 91 was set to 5.0 seconds, and the 1 st volume was 84 ml. In example 3, the opening time of the gas opening/closing valve 61 is set to 5.0 seconds.

The higher the cleaning force by the water jet control is, the more the contaminants in the beverage flow path can be removed and the lower the contamination degree after cleaning is. As can be seen from table 1 and fig. 4, the linear velocity of water can be increased as the 1 st amount is smaller, so that the cleaning power can be increased.

However, when the 1 st volume is less than 24ml, it is difficult for the user to determine whether water is discharged from the cock 32 of the beverage dispenser 30. That is, when the 1 st volume is less than 24ml, it is difficult for the user to determine whether or not the cleaning of the beverage supply system 1 is completed. As a result, the user may mistake the timing of closing the cock 32.

When the user closes the cock 32 before the cleaning of the beverage supply system 1 is finished, the cleaning of the beverage supply system 1 is not sufficient, and water remains in the beverage flow path. On the other hand, when the cock 32 is still opened after the cleaning of the beverage supply system 1 is completed, only the gas continues to be supplied, and the gas is wasted. Therefore, setting the 1 st amount to less than 24ml reduces the usability of the cleaning apparatus.

In addition, if the 1 st amount is too large, the linear velocity of water in the water jet control approaches the flow velocity of water in the continuous water supply, and the cleaning force decreases. Therefore, the 1 st amount is set to 24ml to 100ml, for example. Alternatively, the 1 st amount is set to 24ml to 90 ml. Alternatively, the 1 st amount is set to 24ml to 80 ml. Alternatively, the 1 st amount is set to 24ml to 70 ml. Alternatively, the 1 st amount is set to 24ml to 60 ml. Alternatively, the 1 st amount is set to 24ml to 50 ml. Alternatively, the 1 st amount is set to 24ml to 40 ml. Alternatively, the 1 st amount is set to 24ml to 30 ml. Most preferably, the 1 st amount is set to 24 ml.

Cleaning treatment

The control described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a control routine of the cleaning process in the first embodiment. The control device 80 (specifically, the processor 83) repeatedly executes the control routine.

First, in step S101, the control device 80 determines whether or not the user selects the washing mode. The user selects the cleaning mode by means of the input device. The input device is electrically connected to the control device 80, and is configured as, for example, a button 44 (see fig. 1) provided on the outside of the control box 40. The control device 80 determines whether or not the cleaning mode is selected based on the output signal of the input device. When it is determined in step S101 that the cleaning mode is not selected, the control routine is terminated.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S101 that the cleaning mode is selected, the present control routine proceeds to step S102. In step S102, the controller 80 opens the water opening/closing valve 91 and closes the gas opening/closing valve 61 so that the 1 st amount of water is supplied from the water supply path 90 to the beverage delivery path 70. The 1 st amount is determined in advance and set to a value within the above range.

Specifically, the 1 st time is determined in advance by experiments or the like so that the 1 st amount of water is supplied from the water supply path 90 to the beverage delivery path 70, and the controller 80 opens the water opening/closing valve 91 and closes the gas opening/closing valve 61 only at the 1 st time. In the present embodiment, the control device 80 supplies power to the water opening/closing valve 91 and the gas opening/closing valve 61 only for the 1 st time. The 1 st time corresponding to the 1 st amount varies depending on the pressure of the supplied water, the cross-sectional area of the water supply passage 90, and the like. Therefore, the 1 st time is set in advance for each washing apparatus according to the configuration and setting of the washing apparatus.

Next, in step S103, the control device 80 closes the water opening/closing valve 91 and opens the gas opening/closing valve 61. Specifically, the controller 80 closes the water opening/closing valve 91 and opens the gas opening/closing valve 61 only at the 2 nd time. In the present embodiment, the controller 80 does not supply power to the water on-off valve 91 and the gas on-off valve 61 for the 2 nd time. The 2 nd time is predetermined and set to 1 to 10 seconds, for example. Basically, the larger the 1 st quantity, the larger the quantity of gas required for flowing water. Therefore, the 2 nd time may also be set to be less than 1 second different from the 1 st time.

Next, in step S104, the control device 80 updates the execution count N. Specifically, the control device 80 adds 1 to the current number of execution times N to calculate a new number of execution times N. The initial value of the number of execution times N when the execution of the present control routine is started is zero.

Next, in step S105, the control device 80 determines whether the execution count N is equal to or greater than a threshold count Nth. The threshold number Nth is determined in advance. When it is determined in step S105 that the execution count N is smaller than the threshold count Nth, the control routine returns to step S102. Namely, the water injection control is continuously executed.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S105 that the execution count N is equal to or greater than the threshold count Nth, the control routine is terminated. That is, the water injection control is ended.

Also, step S102 may also be performed between step S103 and step S104. That is, the air supply may be performed prior to the water supply in the water jet control.

Second embodiment

The cleaning apparatus according to the second embodiment is basically the same as the cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below mainly focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cleaning apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 shows the inside of the control box 40, as in fig. 2.

In the second embodiment, the cleaning apparatus further includes a flow sensor 45. The flow sensor 45 is disposed in the control box 40 and hidden from the outside by the control box 40. Specifically, the flow rate sensor 45 is disposed in the water supply passage 90, and detects the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply passage 90. In the present embodiment, the flow sensor 45 is disposed in the water supply passage 90 on the downstream side of the water open/close valve 91 and the water check valve 92. The flow rate sensor 45 is electrically connected to the control device 80, and an output of the flow rate sensor 45 is input to the control device 80.

In the first embodiment, the 1 st time is determined in advance by an experiment or the like so that the 1 st amount of water is supplied from the water supply path 90 to the beverage delivery path 70, and the controller 80 opens the water on-off valve 91 and closes the gas on-off valve 61 only at the 1 st time. However, when the pressure of the supplied water is changed from the initial setting, the 1 st amount corresponding to the 1 st time is changed. Therefore, there is a possibility that a desired amount of water may not be supplied to the beverage delivery path 70 in the water injection control.

In the second embodiment, the controller 80 calculates an estimated value of the amount of water supplied from the water supply path 90 to the beverage delivery path 70 during the water jet control based on the output of the flow sensor 45, and controls at least one of the gas on-off valve 61 and the water on-off valve 91 so that the estimated value reaches the 1 st amount. That is, when the estimated value of the amount of water supplied from the water supply path 90 to the beverage delivery path 70 during the water injection control reaches the 1 st amount, the control device 80 closes the water opening/closing valve 91 and opens the gas opening/closing valve 61. This can suppress variation in the amount of water supplied to the beverage delivery path 70 during the water jet control, and can suppress a decrease in the cleaning force during the water jet control.

Cleaning treatment

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a control routine of the cleaning process in the second embodiment. The control device 80 (specifically, the processor 83) repeatedly executes the control routine.

First, in step S201, the control device 80 determines whether or not the user selects the washing mode, as in step S101 of fig. 5. When it is determined that the cleaning mode is not selected, the present control routine is ended.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S201 that the cleaning mode is selected, the present control routine proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the controller 80 opens the water opening/closing valve 91 and closes the gas opening/closing valve 61. In the present embodiment, the control device 80 supplies power to the water on-off valve 91 and the gas on-off valve 61.

Next, in step S203, the control device 80 acquires the output of the flow sensor 45.

Next, in step S204, the controller 80 calculates an estimated value EA of the amount of water supplied from the water supply path 90 to the beverage conveyance path 70 during the water jet control, based on the output of the flow sensor 45. Specifically, the controller 80 integrates the flow rate of water detected by the flow rate sensor 45 to calculate an estimated value EA of the water amount.

Next, in step S205, the controller 80 determines whether or not the estimated value EA of the amount of water is equal to or greater than the 1 st amount a 1. The 1 st amount is determined in advance and set to a value within the above range.

When it is determined in step S205 that the estimated value EA of the amount of water is smaller than the 1 st amount a1, the present control example routine returns to step S203. Namely, the water supply is continued.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S205 that the estimated value EA of the amount of water is equal to or greater than the 1 st amount a1, the present control routine proceeds to step S206.

In step S206, the controller 80 closes the water opening/closing valve 91 and opens the gas opening/closing valve 61. Specifically, the controller 80 closes the water opening/closing valve 91 and opens the gas opening/closing valve 61 only at the 2 nd time. In the present embodiment, the controller 80 does not supply power to the water on-off valve 91 and the gas on-off valve 61 for the 2 nd time. The 2 nd time is predetermined and set to 1 to 7 seconds, for example.

Next, in step S207, the control device 80 updates the execution count N. Specifically, the control device 80 adds 1 to the current number of execution times N to calculate a new number of execution times N. The initial value of the number of execution times N when the execution of the present control routine is started is zero.

Next, in step S208, the control device 80 determines whether the execution count N is equal to or greater than a threshold count Nth. The threshold number Nth is determined in advance. When it is determined in step S208 that the execution count N is smaller than the threshold count Nth, the control routine returns to step S202. Namely, the water injection control is continuously executed.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S208 that the execution count N is equal to or greater than the threshold count Nth, the control routine is terminated. That is, the water injection control is ended.

Also, steps S202 to S205 may also be executed between step S206 and step S207. That is, the air supply may be performed prior to the water supply in the water jet control.

Other embodiments

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, when the pressure of the water supplied from the water supply channel 90 to the beverage delivery channel 70 is higher than the pressure of the gas supplied from the gas supply channel 60 to the beverage delivery channel 70, the water is supplied to the beverage delivery channel 70 when both the gas on-off valve 61 and the water on-off valve 91 are opened. Therefore, in this case, the gas on-off valve 61 may be opened all the time during the water injection control, and only the opening and closing of the water on-off valve 91 may be controlled by the control device 80. Specifically, the controller 80 alternately repeats, during the water injection control, opening of the water opening/closing valve 91 so as to supply the 1 st amount of water from the water supply path 90 to the beverage delivery path 70 and closing of the water opening/closing valve 91 so as to supply air from the air supply path 60 to the beverage delivery path 70. In this case, the gas opening/closing valve 61 may be omitted.

When the pressure of the gas supplied from the gas supply passage 60 to the beverage delivery passage 70 is higher than the pressure of the water supplied from the water supply passage 90 to the beverage delivery passage 70, the gas is supplied to the beverage delivery passage 70 when both the gas on-off valve 61 and the water on-off valve 91 are opened. Therefore, in this case, the water opening/closing valve 91 may be always opened during the water injection control, and only the opening/closing of the gas opening/closing valve 61 may be controlled by the control device 80. Specifically, the controller 80 alternately repeats, during the water injection control, the closing of the gas on-off valve 61 so as to supply the 1 st amount of water from the water supply path 90 to the beverage delivery path 70 and the opening of the gas on-off valve 61 so as to supply gas from the gas supply path 60 to the beverage delivery path 70. In this case, the water opening/closing valve 91 may be omitted.

The water supply path 90 may be directly connected to the beverage delivery path 70 (for example, the beverage delivery path 70 near the dispensing head 50). The water supply path 90 may be connected to the beverage delivery path 70 only at the time of cleaning the beverage supply system 1, or may be connected to the air supply path 60 in a centralized manner.

The air supply path 60 may be connected to the dispensing head 50 when the beverage is supplied, and may be directly connected to the beverage transfer path 70 when the beverage supply system 1 is cleaned. Further, a gas supply path other than the gas supply path 60 for supplying gas to the beverage storage container 20 for beverage delivery may be directly connected to the beverage delivery path 70 during cleaning of the beverage supply system 1.

At least one of the gas check valve 62, the water check valve 92, and the water pressure reducing valve 110 may be omitted. The beverage dispenser 30 may be configured not to cool the beverage delivered from the beverage storage container 20. In this case, the beverage dispenser 30 may also be constituted by the tap 32 only.

The gas opening/closing valve 61 may be configured to close the gas supply passage 60 when not energized and to open the gas supply passage 60 when energized. Similarly, the water opening/closing valve 91 may be configured to open the water supply passage 90 when not energized and to close the water supply passage 90 when energized.

Description of the symbols

1-a beverage supply system;

20-a beverage receiving container;

30-a beverage dispenser;

60-gas supply path;

61-gas open/close valve;

70-beverage delivery path;

80-a control device;

90-a water supply path;

91-water on-off valve.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for a beverage supply system for supplying a beverage, which is delivered from a beverage container by gas, from a beverage dispenser to the outside,

the disclosed device is provided with: an air supply path for supplying air to a beverage delivery path connecting the beverage storage container and the beverage dispenser;

a water supply path for supplying water to the beverage delivery path;

at least one of a gas on-off valve for opening and closing the gas supply path and a water on-off valve for opening and closing the water supply path;

and a control device for controlling at least one of the gas on-off valve and the water on-off valve,

the control device executes water injection control in which control of at least one of the gas on-off valve and the water on-off valve so that a1 st amount of water is supplied from the water supply path to the beverage delivery path and control of at least one of the gas on-off valve and the water on-off valve so that gas is supplied from the gas supply path to the beverage delivery path are alternately repeated,

the 1 st amount is 24ml to 50 ml.

2. The cleaning device of a beverage supplying system according to claim 1,

further comprises a flow sensor provided in the water supply path,

the control device calculates an estimated value of the amount of water supplied from the water supply path to the beverage delivery path in the water jet control based on an output of the flow sensor, and controls at least one of the gas on-off valve and the water on-off valve such that the estimated value reaches the 1 st amount.

3. A method of cleaning a beverage supply system for supplying a beverage, which is transported from a beverage container through a beverage transport path by gas, to the outside from a beverage dispenser,

comprising executing water injection control in which control of at least one of a water open/close valve for opening/closing a water supply path and a gas open/close valve for opening/closing a gas supply path for supplying gas to a beverage delivery path is alternately repeated so that a1 st amount of water is supplied from a water supply path for supplying water to the beverage delivery path and control of at least one of the gas open/close valve and the water open/close valve is alternately repeated so that gas is supplied from the gas supply path to the beverage delivery path,

the 1 st amount is 24ml to 50 ml.