JP2001348095A - Apparatus for cooling and pouring drinks - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for cooling and pouring drinks wherein ice guard members can be easily mounted to reduce fabricating and running costs. SOLUTION: A flexible screen strip made of stainless steel is formed into a cylindrical ice guard member 30, which member is expanded and mounted to a drink pipe 15 so as to be brought into close contact with the pipe 15 by the restoring forces of the screen. Under such conditions, the screen is connected to the pipe 15 by a convex 31. Since there is no need to fix the screen to a cover 13 of a water tank by means of brackets or screws, the number of components of the member 30 can be reduced and hence fabrication costs can be largely reduced. Since the member 30 is directly attached to the pipe 15, there is no need to cut off a heat insulating material 14 on the rear side of the cover 13 to mount the member 30 to the pipe 15. As a result, running costs can be prevented from increasing due to the partial of the material 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cooling and dispensing apparatus for cooling and dispensing beverages such as beer and water.

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, as shown in FIG. 13, a beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus of this type includes a beverage pipe b wound in a coil shape in a water tank a for storing cooling water W and a refrigerating apparatus (not shown). An evaporating pipe c wound in a coil shape through which the supplied refrigerant passes is disposed concentrically, and an ice guard member d is vertically installed on a lid e of the water tank so as to surround the upper part of the beverage pipe b. A stirring motor f is fixed on the upper surface of the lid d, and a stirring screw g is attached to a rotation shaft of the motor f, and the stirring screw g is disposed at the center of the beverage pipe b. It has a structure in which the sensor h is arranged.

The schematic structure of a beverage cooling and discharging device is as described above. A liquefied refrigerant is sent from a refrigerating device to an evaporating tube c, and when passing through the evaporating tube c, heat is taken from surrounding water W to evaporate and freeze. Return to device. The water around the cooled evaporating tube c becomes ice IC and accumulates on the evaporating tube c to form an ice layer. When both sensors h are buried in the ice IC, the operation of the refrigerating device is stopped based on the output signal of the sensor h, and the refrigerant is not sent to the evaporating pipe c. The beverage is sent into the beverage pipe b from outside the water tank a, is cooled by the cooling water W in the water tank a when passing through the beverage pipe b, and is discharged from a cock (not shown). The cooling water W in the water tank a flows by the stirring screw g, rises along the ice layer IC as indicated by the arrow in the figure, flows inward from the upper part of the coil part of the beverage pipe a, and flows from the lower part of the coil part to the outer part. And thus stirred in the water tank a. When the drink is repeatedly poured, the cooling water W is heated by the drink, so that the ice IC melts. Then, when the sensor h is exposed, the operation of the refrigeration apparatus is restarted.

[0003] In this type of beverage cooling and water injection device, when the beverage is continuously discharged even during the freezing operation, a large amount of heat exchange is performed between the cooling water W and the ice layer IC, and the ice IC is cooled.
The ice layer IC gradually thins without keeping up with the growth. Then, before the ice layer IC disappears, pieces of the ice IC leave the evaporating tube c and flow into the inside of the drinking tube b together with the cooling water W,
It may get caught in the stirring screw g and cause a loud noise. In order to prevent this, the upper part of the coiled beverage tube b is surrounded by an ice guard member d to prevent the fragments of the ice IC from flowing into the coiled beverage tube b.

As shown in FIG. 14, the ice guard member d is formed by forming a stainless steel wire mesh i into a cylindrical shape, arranging a holding plate j inside, a bracket k outside, and spot welding the two. It has a structure in which a bracket k is fixed to a wire mesh i. In the conventional beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus, the ice guard member d having such a structure is fixed to the lid e of the water tank with the screw l.

[0005]

The ice guard member d of the above-mentioned conventional beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus has a large number of parts because it is composed of a wire netting, two sets of brackets k and a holding plate j, and the number of brackets k is large. Therefore, the welding cost of the holding plate j and the work of screwing the bracket k to the lid are indispensable, so that the manufacturing cost is increased. Further, the heat insulating material m is adhered to the back surface of the lid e. However, since the heat insulating material m needs to be cut off at a portion where the bracket k is screwed, the heat insulating effect is reduced and the running cost of the device is increased. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus capable of simplifying a configuration and an assembling operation of an ice guard member and reducing manufacturing costs and running costs.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 comprises a coiled beverage pipe arranged in a water tank for storing cooling water, and a pipe on the outer peripheral side of the beverage pipe. A coil-shaped evaporating tube concentrically arranged in the water tank,
A cooling water agitating screw disposed at the center of the beverage pipe; and a net-shaped ice guard member mounted on the upper part of the coiled beverage pipe. And cooling the cooling water, cooling the beverage passing through the beverage pipe by the cooling water, passing the cooling water stirring screw to the cooling water through the inside from the outside upper part of the coiled beverage pipe. In the beverage cooling and pouring device, wherein the ice guard member prevents the ice from flowing into the inside of the coil-shaped beverage pipe, the flexible web-like material is used to produce a flow toward the lower outside. The ice guard member is formed by winding into a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the coil of the tube, and the ice guard member is mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the beverage tube by expanding the diameter. . The invention according to claim 2 is a coiled beverage pipe arranged in a water tank for storing cooling water, and a coiled evaporation pipe arranged in the water tank concentrically with the pipe on the outer peripheral side of the beverage pipe. A cooling water stirring screw arranged at the center of the beverage pipe, and a net-shaped ice guard member mounted on the upper part of the coiled beverage pipe, and the refrigerant passing through the evaporation pipe is attached to the evaporation pipe by a refrigerant passing through the evaporation pipe. Ice is generated and the cooling water is cooled, and the beverage passing through the beverage pipe is cooled by the cooling water, and the cooling water agitating screw allows the cooling water to pass through the inside of the coiled beverage pipe from the upper side to the lower side. The ice guard member prevents the ice from flowing into the inside of the coiled beverage pipe by the ice guard member. Inside the coil of the beverage tube Wound into a cylindrical shape having a dimension larger outer diameter by forming the ice guard member,
The ice guard member is attached to an inner peripheral portion of the beverage pipe with a reduced diameter. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the beverage cooling and pouring device according to the first or second aspect, a connecting means for connecting the ice guard member to the beverage pipe is provided. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the beverage cooling and pouring device according to the first or second aspect, a locking piece for locking the ice guard member to the beverage pipe is formed on the ice guard member. Features. The invention according to claim 5 is a coiled beverage pipe arranged in a water tank for storing cooling water, and a coiled evaporation pipe arranged in the water tank concentrically with the pipe on the outer peripheral side of the beverage pipe. A cooling water stirring screw arranged at the center of the beverage pipe, and a net-shaped ice guard member mounted on the upper part of the coiled beverage pipe, and attached to the evaporation pipe by a refrigerant passing through the evaporation pipe. Ice is generated and the cooling water is cooled, and the beverage passing through the beverage pipe is cooled by the cooling water. The ice guard member prevents the ice from flowing into the inside of the coiled beverage pipe, and the ice net member prevents the ice from flowing into the outside of the beverage pipe. Wrap around and attach , Characterized in that connected to the beverage tube connecting member.

[0007]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, an ice guard member is formed by winding a flexible band-like net material into a cylindrical shape, so that the ice guard member can be expanded to a beverage pipe, or When attached in a reduced size, it comes into close contact with the beverage pipe due to the stability of the net material. Therefore, since it is not necessary to fix the water tank lid with a bracket or a screw, the number of parts of the ice guard member can be reduced,
In addition, the assembling work is simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Further, since the ice guard member is directly attached to the beverage pipe, there is no need to cut out the heat insulating material on the back surface of the lid of the water tank for attaching the ice guard member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the running cost from increasing due to the partial lack of the heat insulating material. According to the third aspect of the present invention, not only the ice guard member is brought into close contact with the beverage pipe by its restoring force but also is connected by the connecting means, so that the ice guard member can be securely attached to the beverage pipe. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, not only the ice guard member is brought into close contact with the beverage pipe by its restoring force but also can be locked to the beverage pipe with the locking piece, so that the ice guard member can be securely attached to the beverage pipe. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the belt-shaped net material is wound around the beverage pipe and connected to the beverage pipe by the connecting member, it is not necessary to fix the net material to the lid of the water tank with a bracket or a screw. Therefore, the number of parts of the ice guard member can be reduced, and the assembling operation can be simplified. Further, since the ice guard member is directly attached to the beverage pipe, it is possible to prevent the running cost from increasing due to the partial lack of the heat insulating material on the back surface of the lid of the water tank.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The beverage cooling and pouring device 10
Is provided with a water tank 11 for storing cooling water W. The outer periphery of the water tank 11 is covered with a heat insulating material 12, and the upper opening of the water tank 11 is closed with a lid 13. A heat insulating material 14 is adhered to the back surface of the lid 13.

[0009] Inside the water tank 11, a drinking tube 15 wound in a coil shape through which drinking water flows and an evaporating tube 16 wound in a coil shape through which a refrigerant flows are incorporated. The evaporating tube 16 is arranged concentrically outside the beverage tube 15 so as to surround the beverage tube 15. One end of the beverage pipe 15 penetrates the lid 13 and is connected to a water source 17 outside the water tub 11, the other end penetrates the lid 13 and is connected to a discharge valve, and the discharge valve 18 is connected to a discharge port 19. I have. Both ends of the evaporating tube 16 pass through the lid 13 and are connected to a well-known refrigeration unit 20 including a compressor and a condenser, outside the water tank 11.

An evaporating pipe 16 is provided between the beverage pipe 5 and the evaporating pipe 16.
An ice sensor S composed of a conductor piece for detecting an icing IC generated at the upper and lower sides is disposed at two upper and lower positions, and is connected to a control device 21 for controlling the operation of the discharge valve 18 and the refrigerating device 20. A predetermined DC voltage is applied between the two sensors S. When both of the sensors S are underwater, a weak current flows between the two sensors S, and one of the two sensors S When covered with ice, the weak current disappears. Control device 2
1 determines the presence or absence of the ice IC based on the presence or absence of the weak current, and controls the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 20.

A stirring motor 22 is fixed to the center of the upper surface of the lid 13, and a rotating shaft 23 of the motor 22 penetrates the lid 13 and is suspended in the water tank 11. A cooling water stirring screw 24 is attached to the tip of the rotating shaft 23,
It is arranged so that it may be located in the center part of.

An ice guard member 30 is mounted on the outside of the upper part of the coiled beverage pipe 15, and the upper end of the ice guard member 30 projects above the surface of the cooling water W. As shown in FIG. 2, the ice guard member 30 is formed by winding a single stainless steel wire mesh having flexibility into a cylindrical shape so that both ends thereof overlap with each other. The dimensions are set slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the 15 coil portions.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ice guide member 30 is spread apart from both ends until the diameter thereof becomes larger than the outer diameter of the coil portion of the beverage pipe 15, covered from below the beverage pipe 15, and covered with the lid 13. It is attached to the upper part of the beverage pipe 15 by being shifted upward until it hits the heat insulating material 14 on the back surface, and further, as shown in FIG. 4, the straight part 15a of the beverage pipe 15 and the spiral bent part 15b
The parts are connected by a connecting member. For this connection, a convex 31 as shown in FIG. 5 is used.

The structure of the beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is as described above, and a power switch (not shown)
Then, when the operation is started, the stirring motor 22 is driven, and since the sensors S are both exposed in the cooling water W, the refrigerating device 20 is driven by the signal from the control device 21. As a result, the liquefied refrigerant is removed from the evaporating pipe 16.
And evaporates by removing heat from the surrounding cooling water W and returns to the refrigerating device 20. Water W around the cooled evaporator tube 16
Turns into an ice IC and lands on the evaporating tube 16. When the ice IC grows and both sensors S are buried in the ice IC, the driving of the refrigerating device 20 is stopped by a signal output from the control device 21. Control device 21
Is operated, the discharge valve 18 is opened, water flows from the water source 17, passes through the drinking pipe 15 in the water tank 11, and is discharged from the cold water discharge port 19. The water from the water source 17 is the drinking pipe 1
When passing through 5, the water is cooled by the cooling water W in the water tank 11 and is discharged as cold water. When the cooling water W in the water tank 11 is heated by the water from the water source by repeatedly discharging the cold water, the ice IC melts. When the ice IC is melted until both sensors S are exposed, the driving of the refrigerator 20 is restarted.

On the other hand, the cooling water W in the water tank 11 flows by the cooling water stirring screw 24 and rises along the ice layer IC, and as shown by an arrow in FIG. And flows out from the lower part of the coil portion to the outside, and is thus stirred in the water tank 11. And
Due to the flow of the cooling water W, the fragments of the ice IC which are to flow inward from the upper part of the coil portion of the beverage pipe 15 hit the ice guard member 30 and are prevented from flowing.

According to the beverage cooling and pouring apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, since the flexible stainless steel wire mesh is wound into a cylindrical shape to form the ice guard member 30, the ice guard member 30 is expanded to the beverage pipe 15. When attached, the beverage pipe 15
Adhere to Convex 3
Since the connection is made at 1, the device can be easily attached to the beverage pipe 15. Therefore, since it is not necessary to fix to the lid 13 of the water tank with a bracket or a screw, the number of components of the ice guard member 30 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be greatly reduced. Also, since the ice guard member 30 is directly attached to the beverage pipe 15, the lid 1
There is no need to cut out the heat insulating material 14 on the back surface for mounting the ice guard member 30. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the running cost from increasing due to the partial lack of the heat insulating material 14. Further, the ice guard member 30 is moved by the restoring force of the beverage pipe 1.
5 as well as being connected by the convex 31, so that it can be securely attached to the beverage pipe 15.

Next, another embodiment of the ice guard member 30 in the beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the ice guard member 40 is formed by winding a flexible hard plastic net-like net material into a cylindrical shape so that both ends overlap. The inner diameter of the ice guard member 40 is set slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the coil portion of the beverage pipe 15. Further, a plurality of locking pieces 4 are provided at an intermediate portion of the inner peripheral surface.
1 are integrally formed so as to protrude inward. Preferably, four locking pieces 41 are provided at 90 degree intervals. As shown in FIG. 7, the ice guard member 40 has both ends separated from each other to expand its diameter, and the beverage pipe 1 is brought into contact with the heat insulating material 14 on the back surface of the lid 13.
5 over the coil part. As shown in FIG. 8, the ice guard member 40 thus covered is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral portion of the coil portion of the beverage pipe 15 by the restoring force of the hard plastic, and the locking piece 41 is engaged with the end of the coil portion of the beverage pipe 15. Stopped and attached. According to the ice guard member 40 according to the present embodiment, the ice guard member 40 can be securely attached to the beverage pipe 15 without being connected to the beverage pipe by a connecting means such as a convex or the like.
The number of parts can be saved, and the mounting work becomes easy. Further, since the locking piece 41 is provided at an intermediate position in the vertical direction, it is possible to prevent an assembly error. Further, the ice guide member 40 is connected to the beverage pipe 15.
Is mounted on the outer periphery of the coil portion of the
Since the ice guide member 40 is in close contact with the beverage pipe 15 by the elasticity of 0 and the pressure of the cooling water W flowing from the upper outside to the inside of the beverage pipe 15, the ice guide member 40 does not easily fall off the beverage pipe 15.

Another embodiment of the ice guard member will be described with reference to FIG. The ice guard member 50 is also formed by winding a flexible plastic band-shaped net material so as to overlap both ends to form a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the ice guard member 50 is set slightly larger than the inner diameter of the coil portion of the beverage pipe 15. Further, a plurality of locking pieces 51 are integrally formed to protrude outward at an intermediate portion of the outer peripheral surface. The ice guard member 50 is inserted into the inside of the coil portion of the beverage pipe 15 until it hits the lid 13 by increasing the overlapping dimension of both ends and reducing its diameter. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the ice guard member 50 is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral portion of the coil portion of the beverage pipe 15 by the restoring force of the hard plastic, and the locking piece 51 is moved to the end of the coil portion of the beverage pipe 15. It is locked and installed. According to the ice guard member 50 according to this embodiment, since the ice guard member 50 is inserted inside the coil portion of the beverage pipe 15, the ice guard member 50 can be attached to the beverage pipe 15 more reliably.

FIG. 11 shows still another embodiment of the ice guard member.
It will be described based on. As the ice guard member 60, a belt-shaped net made of a soft plastic shown in FIG. 11 is used. This net is wound around the upper part of the coil portion of the beverage pipe 15 and both ends are overlapped. Fifteen
Attach to The ice guard member 60 is formed by wrapping a soft plastic band net material around the beverage pipe 15 to form the convex 3.
It can be installed with a simple work of connecting with one. Further, by adjusting the overlapping size of both ends, one kind of band-like net material can be attached to the beverage pipe 15 having different outer diameters of the coil portion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic structure of a beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an ice guard member of the beverage cooling and pouring device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a method of attaching the ice guard member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the ice guard member is attached to a beverage pipe.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a connecting means for attaching the ice guard member to a beverage pipe.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the ice guard member.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a method of attaching the ice guard member.

FIG. 8 is a partially broken side view showing a state where the ice guard member is attached to a beverage pipe.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the ice guard member.

FIG. 10 is a partially broken side view showing a state where the ice guard member is attached to a beverage pipe.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the ice guard member.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state where the ice guard member is attached to a beverage pipe.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a schematic structure of a conventional beverage cooling and pouring device.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an ice guard member of the beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: beverage cooling and dispensing device, 11: water tank, 12: heat insulating material,
13 ... lid, 14 ... heat insulating material, 15 ... beverage pipe, 16 ... evaporation pipe, 24 ... cooling water stirring screw, 30, 40, 50,
60 ... Ice guard member

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A coil-shaped beverage pipe arranged in a water tank for storing cooling water, a coil-shaped evaporating pipe arranged in the water tank concentrically with the pipe on the outer peripheral side of the beverage pipe, and the beverage pipe A cooling water agitating screw disposed at the center of the pipe, and a net-shaped ice guard member mounted on the upper part of the coiled beverage pipe, and the refrigerant passing through the evaporation pipe generates ice on the evaporation pipe. Together with the cooling water, cooling the beverage passing through the beverage pipe with the cooling water, the cooling water agitating screw to the cooling water from the outer upper part of the coiled beverage pipe through the inner to the lower outer. In the beverage cooling and pouring device, which generates a heading flow and prevents the ice from flowing into the inside of the coiled beverage tube by the ice guard member, a flexible band-shaped net material is provided in the coil of the beverage tube. Smaller than outer diameter A beverage cooling and dispensing device, wherein the ice guard member is formed by winding the ice guard member into a cylindrical shape having a small inner diameter, and the ice guard member is mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the beverage pipe with its diameter increased. 2. A coil-shaped beverage pipe arranged in a water tank for storing cooling water, a coil-shaped evaporating pipe arranged in the water tank concentrically with the pipe on an outer peripheral side of the beverage pipe, and the beverage pipe. A cooling water agitating screw disposed at the center of the pipe, and a net-shaped ice guard member mounted on the upper part of the coiled beverage pipe, and the refrigerant passing through the evaporation pipe generates ice on the evaporation pipe. Together with the cooling water, cooling the beverage passing through the beverage pipe with the cooling water, the cooling water agitating screw to the cooling water from the outer upper part of the coiled beverage pipe through the inner to the lower outer. In the beverage cooling and pouring device, which generates a heading flow and prevents the ice from flowing into the inside of the coiled beverage tube by the ice guard member, a flexible band-shaped net material is provided in the coil of the beverage tube. Larger than inner diameter A beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus, wherein the ice guard member is formed by winding the ice guard member into a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter dimension, and the ice guard member is attached to an inner peripheral portion of the beverage pipe with a reduced diameter. 3. The beverage cooling and pouring device according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting means for connecting the ice guard member to the beverage pipe. 4. The beverage cooling and pouring device according to claim 1, wherein a locking piece for locking the ice guard member to the beverage pipe is formed on the ice guard member. 5. A coil-shaped beverage pipe arranged in a water tank for storing cooling water, a coil-shaped evaporation pipe arranged in the water tank concentrically with the pipe on an outer peripheral side of the beverage pipe, and the beverage pipe. A cooling water agitating screw disposed at the center of the pipe, and a net-shaped ice guard member mounted on the upper part of the coiled beverage pipe, and the refrigerant passing through the evaporation pipe generates ice on the evaporation pipe. Together with the cooling water, cooling the beverage passing through the beverage pipe with the cooling water, the cooling water agitating screw to the cooling water from the outer upper part of the coiled beverage pipe through the inner to the lower outer. In the beverage cooling and pouring device, which generates a heading flow and prevents the ice from flowing into the inside of the coiled beverage pipe by the ice guard member, the belt-shaped net material is wound around the outer periphery of the beverage pipe and attached. And connecting members A beverage cooling and dispensing device, characterized in that the device is connected to the beverage pipe.