JP2000253826A - Apparatus for dispensing ices - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To raise the cooling efficiency in a connecting tube of an apparatus for dispensing ices such as ice cream or yogurt. SOLUTION: This apparatus comprises a vertically directed pouring out passage 35 equipped with a valve element 40 fitted in a dispensing part 31 and a connecting tube 50 communicating with the dispensing passage 35, composing a ventilating space 58 around the connecting tube 50, protruding into a cabinet and connected to a takeout port C for a pack B. The connecting tube 50 is formed into a shape in which the outside diameter on the side of the base end 52 is constricted to a smaller one than that on the side of the tip 51. Although an ice cream remains in the connecting tube 50 when dispensing operations are completed, the residual amount itself of the ice cream is reduced because the side of the base end 52 is gradually tapered. Although the side of the base end 52 is exposed to external heat and temperature is readily raised, the distance from the outer surface for coming into contact with cold air flowing through the ventilating space 58 to the center in the tube 50 is shortened due to the gradually tapered side of the base end 52. Thereby, the interior of the tube 50 is efficiently cooled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for dispensing ice confections such as ice cream and yogurt, and more particularly to an improvement in the structure of a dispensing mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ice cream dispenser as shown in FIG. 5 is known. The pouring cylinder 102 containing the ice cream pack B is attached vertically to the back side of the door 101 of the freezing room 100 to which cool air is circulated, while the cock 103 is attached to the surface of the door 101. Is provided on the back side of the discharge passage 104 in which the inner pipe 105 is fitted.
06 is attached, the inner tube 105 is connected to the outlet C of the pack B, and the piston 107 is raised to compress the pack B and open the cock 103 so that ice cream is sequentially poured out. Has become. Here, when the cock 103 is closed to stop the pouring, a part of the ice cream pushed out from the outlet C of the pack B remains in the inner tube 105. It may rise and melt. Therefore, conventionally, first, the discharge passage 104 in the inner pipe 105 is used.
By narrowing the inner diameter of the side, the remaining amount of ice cream itself is reduced, and as described above, the inside of the inner tube 105 is cooled by guiding cold air around the inner tube 105 as a double tube structure. I have.

[0003]

However, when the inner diameter of the inner pipe 105 on the side of the discharge passage 104 is narrowed as in the prior art, the peripheral wall becomes thicker, so that the inner wall 105 is exposed to external heat. Rather, the cooling efficiency deteriorates. Therefore, when more cold air in the refrigerator is introduced, the outer tube 108 side is also cooled and dew condensation easily occurs, and further improvement has been desired. The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to increase the cooling efficiency of a connecting pipe.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing frozen desserts in a cooling storage room to which cool air is circulated and supplied. On the outer wall of the cooling storage chamber, there is provided a discharging part having a discharging passage, and a connecting pipe communicating with the discharging passage and projecting into the cooling storage chamber is provided. Connected to the discharge side of the cylinder for opening and closing a communication portion between the connection pipe and the discharge passage by a valve element mounted in the discharge passage, and cooling the connection pipe. It is characterized in that the outer diameter of the connecting pipe on the side of the pouring section is smaller than that of the inside of the refrigerator.

[0005]

<Operation and effect of the invention><Invention of claim 1> Since the outer diameter of the connecting pipe at the spouting portion side is reduced, the amount of frozen dessert remaining in the connecting pipe can be reduced first. Further, since the distance from the peripheral wall of the connecting pipe to the center of the inside can be reduced by reducing the outer diameter, the inside of the connecting pipe can be efficiently cooled.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an ice cream dispenser will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. <First Embodiment> FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described below. First, the overall structure will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 denotes a freezer comprising a heat-insulating box body, the inside of which is a freezer compartment 2, which is provided with a heat-insulating door 3 which can be opened and closed on the front surface thereof, and a machine room 5 on the bottom side of the freezer 1. And are supported by legs 6 arranged at the four corners. A refrigerator 8 connected to a refrigerator 7 provided in the machine room 5 and a fan 9 in the refrigerator are provided on a ceiling portion of the freezing room 2, and a duct provided on the inner surface of the freezing room 2. The inside air sucked through the cooler 10 is subjected to heat exchange while passing through the cooler 8 to generate cool air, and the cool air is generated by the cooler fan 9.
Is circulated and supplied to the freezing compartment 2, whereby the inside of the freezing compartment 2 is maintained at a cooling temperature at which the ice cream A is cooled and stored while maintaining a state in which the ice cream A can be poured out.

[0007] On the back side of the heat insulating door 3, a pouring cylinder 12 is provided.
Are mounted vertically and tiltably via a link mechanism (not shown). A piston 13 is tightly and slidably fitted in the dispensing cylinder 12, and the working fluid is brine (antifreeze) X. Dispensing cylinder 12
A pack accommodation chamber 16 is formed on the upper surface side of the piston 13, and a pressure chamber 17 for supplying and discharging the brine X is formed on the lower surface side of the piston 13. Dispensing cylinder 12
A vertical U-shaped groove 18 is cut from the upper edge of the wall surface corresponding to the heat-insulating door 3 in FIG.
Elastic pack B with ice cream A enclosed
However, the outlet C can be housed while being fitted in the U groove 18. A lid 19 is detachably attached to the top opening of the pack storage chamber 16. On the outer surface on the upper side of the heat-insulating door 3, a pouring part 31 described later is provided, and a connecting pipe 50 projecting horizontally from the back side of the pouring part 31 penetrates the heat-insulating door 3. The protruding end protrudes to the inner surface side and is connected to the outlet C of the pack B.

[0008] A brine X
A tank 25 for storing the oil is stored, and a connection between the tank 25 and the bottom surface of the pressure chamber 17 of the pouring cylinder 12 is made through a brine flow passage 26, and a reversible pump 27 is interposed in the middle thereof. It is housed in the machine room 5. Therefore, when the pump 27 is driven in the forward direction, the brine X in the tank 25 is supplied into the pressure chamber 17 as shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 1, and when the pump 27 is driven in the reverse direction. As shown by a dashed arrow in the drawing, the brine X in the pressure chamber 17 is sucked and returned to the tank 25 side.

Next, the structure of the dispensing portion 31 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Injection part 3 in heat insulation door 3
A through hole 33 is formed at the mounting position of No. 1. The pouring portion 31 is formed in a block shape from a synthetic resin material, and a pouring passage 35 is formed vertically in a central portion of the inside thereof. In the pouring passage 35, two O-rings are provided on the outer periphery. 3
7 is fitted tightly and freely up and down, and is connected to the cock 23 rotatably supported on the upper side of the outer surface of the pouring unit 31. A cap 40 forming a spout 39 is screwed to a lower end side of the spout passage 35.

A short circular boss portion 42 is formed at the lower end of the back surface of the pouring portion 31.
The ring 43 is fitted, and when the pouring section 31 is attached to the surface of the heat insulating door 3, the boss section 42 is fitted airtightly to the outer end side of the through hole 33. Boss part 42
At the center of the hole 45, a circular hole 45 is formed. At a position eccentric slightly below the inner surface of the hole 45, a reduced-diameter mounting hole 46 for mounting the connecting pipe 50 is formed. A communication port 47 further reduced in a stepped shape is formed on the surface,
It communicates with the lower end of the discharge passage 35. When the cock 23 is at the upper position, the valve body 36 is at the lowered position shown by the solid line in the figure, and the communication port 47 is closed with the upper and lower O-rings 37 positioned above and below the communication port 47. Is operated, the valve body 36 is raised to a position where the lower O-ring 37 reaches above the communication port 47 as shown by a chain line in the figure, and the communication port 47 is opened. I have.

The connecting pipe 50 is made of, for example, a stainless steel pipe, and has a round tubular shape having substantially the same thickness over its entire length. The distal end portion 51 of the connecting tube 50 has an outer diameter formed over a substantially half length to have the same outer diameter, and the outlet C of the pack B can be fitted inside the connecting port 53 at the distal end. However, the inner peripheral surface of the connection port 53 is slightly cut to increase the inner diameter, and the stepped portion at the back end functions as a stopper for the outlet C. On the other hand, the proximal end portion 52 of the connecting pipe 50 is formed to have a small diameter that can be fitted into the mounting hole 46, and is connected to the distal end side by a tapered portion that becomes thinner. Proximal end 52
An O-ring 54 is fitted on the outer periphery of the. Then, the connecting pipe 50 is attached with the small-diameter base end portion 52 fitted tightly in the mounting hole 46, and the distal end portion 51 slightly projects into the storage. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the connecting pipe 50 and the heat insulating door 3
A substantially annular ventilation space 58 is formed between the through hole 33 and the inner peripheral surface of the recess 45 of the pouring section 31.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. When the pack B of the ice cream A is stored in the pack storage chamber 16 and the pouring cylinder 12 is raised to the upright posture, FIG.
As shown in (2), the outlet C of the pack B is fitted into the connection port 53 of the connection pipe 50. To pour out the ice cream A, hold the container (not shown) in the hand, insert it below the spout 39, and open the cock 23 to open the communication port 47 and turn on the pour switch (not shown). As a result, the pump 27 is driven in the forward direction, and the brine X in the tank 25 is supplied into the pressure chamber 17 of the discharge cylinder 12 and pressurized. As a result, the piston 13 rises, the pack B is compressed, and the ice cream A flows out of the outlet C of the pack B, and passes through the connecting pipe 50, the communication port 47, and the lower end of the discharge passage 35, and the outlet 39 From the container. When an appropriate amount is dispensed, when the cock 23 is closed, the dispensing switch is turned off, the pump 27 is stopped, and the communication port 47 and the spout 39 are closed to stop the dispensing.
By repeating the above, ice cream A is sequentially poured out.

During this time, when the pouring operation is completed, the ice cream A remains in the connecting pipe 50. The connecting pipe 50 has an outer diameter on the base end 52 side (the pouring section 31 side). Is gradually narrowed, so that the amount of ice cream A remaining in the connecting pipe 50 is reduced as compared with the case where the diameter is equal to the distal end side over the entire length. In addition, the connecting pipe 50
Is formed around the space, a part of the cool air circulated in the refrigerator flows through the inlet 59 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 58, it flows downward at the back side and returns from the outlet 60 to the inside of the refrigerator. This cold air cools the inside of the connecting pipe 50, and the ice cream A in the connecting pipe 50 is cooled.
Is suppressed from rising in temperature. Here, the connecting pipe 50
The remaining ice cream A is exposed to external heat and tends to rise in temperature toward the pouring portion 31 side, but the base end portion 52 side is gradually tapered, and compared with the case of the same diameter, Since the distance to the center in the pipe is reduced, the inside of the pipe is cooled efficiently.

That is, according to the present embodiment, the connecting pipe 50
Has a simple structure such that the outer diameter of the ice cream A is gradually narrowed toward the pouring portion 31 side, the amount of ice cream A remaining in the connecting pipe 50 can be reduced, and the inside of the connecting pipe 50 is efficiently cooled and remains over the entire length. The temperature rise of the ice cream A can be effectively prevented. In addition, the amount of cool air introduced into the ventilation space 58 can be reduced, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the pouring section 31 from being unnecessarily cooled and from causing dew condensation on its surface.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the shape of the connecting pipe 70 is changed. In the following, description will be made focusing on portions different from the first embodiment, and portions having the same functions as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as appropriate, and redundant description will be omitted. The connecting pipe 70 of the second embodiment has a small-diameter base end portion 72 that is about half of the entire length, and conversely a large-diameter distal end portion 71, as compared with the connecting tube of the first embodiment.
Is short. In the second embodiment, the remaining portion of the ice cream A can be further reduced and the cooling efficiency can be further improved by taking a large number of small diameter portions.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the following, description will be made focusing on portions different from the first embodiment, and portions having the same functions as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as appropriate, and redundant description will be omitted. At a position eccentric slightly below the boss portion 42 of the spouting portion 31, a mounting hole 46A that becomes gradually thinner is formed,
A communication port 47 whose diameter is reduced in a stepped manner is communicated with the lower end side of the pouring passage 35 on the inner surface thereof. One connecting pipe 80 is
A little over half of the distal end portion 81 has a large diameter, and the proximal end portion 82 has a shape whose outer diameter is gradually reduced so as to follow the inner surface shape of the mounting hole 46A. Are formed. The connecting pipe 80 is attached by being pushed in until the flange 83 comes into contact with the surface of the boss portion 42, and a ventilation space 85 is formed only around the distal end portion 81 of the connecting pipe 80.

Also in this embodiment, the proximal end 8 of the connecting pipe 80
Since the outer diameter on the two sides is reduced, the amount of ice cream A remaining in the outer diameter decreases. Further, cold air in the refrigerator is introduced into the ventilation space 85 around the connecting pipe 80, and the inside of the pipe is cooled. In this embodiment, the base end 82 side of the connecting pipe 80 is buried in the pouring section 31, and cool air does not flow directly to the outer surface on the base end 82 side. The side is cooled by the cool air introduced into the ventilation space 85, and the cold heat is transmitted to the peripheral wall on the base end portion 82 side, whereby the inside is cooled. Since the distance to the inner center is reduced, cooling can be performed efficiently. Also, as the outer diameter of the connecting pipe 80 on the base end portion 82 side is reduced, the wall 87 of the spouting portion 31 around it can be made thicker, and the heat insulating property from external heat is excellent. As a result, the entire inside of the connecting pipe 80 can be efficiently cooled over the entire length.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. (1) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the ventilation space for guiding the cool air in the refrigerator is provided around the connecting pipe is exemplified. However, without providing such a ventilation space around the connecting pipe, heat conduction from the refrigerator is performed. The present invention is similarly effective for a structure in which the connecting pipe is cooled by the method. In this case, a closed space may be formed as a heat insulating space around the connecting pipe, or the surrounding of the connecting pipe may be directly covered with a heat insulating material. (2) The present invention can also be applied to a fluid using a liquid other than brine as the working fluid of the discharging cylinder, or a fluid using air. (3) The ice cream referred to in the above embodiment includes both soft ice cream and hard ice cream, and the present invention generally relates to a pouring cylinder used for pouring other frozen desserts such as yogurt and sherbet. It can be widely applied to

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an entire structure of an ice cream dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of an ejection mechanism portion.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a pouring mechanism according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a pouring mechanism according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: ice cream B: pack C: outlet 2 ... freezer compartment 3 ... heat insulation door 12 ... pouring cylinder 31 ... pouring section 35 ... pouring passage 36 ... valve body 46 ... mounting hole 47 ... communication port 50 ... connecting pipe 51 ... distal end 52 ... proximal end 58 ... ventilation space 70 ... connecting pipe 71 ... distal end 72 ... base end 80 ... connecting pipe 81 ... distal end 82 ... base end 85 ... ventilation space

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cooling storage chamber to which cold air is circulated and supplied is provided with a cylinder for discharging frozen dessert, and an outer wall of the cooling storage chamber is provided with a discharging section having a discharging passage, A connection pipe communicating with the discharge passage and projecting into the cooling storage chamber is connected to the discharge side of the discharge cylinder, and the connection pipe and the discharge passage are connected to each other by a valve body mounted in the discharge passage. The communication part is opened and closed, and the connecting pipe is cooled, and the outside diameter of the connecting pipe on the side of the pouring section is smaller than that of the inside of the refrigerator. Pouring equipment.