JP2002334374A - Food agitator and cup type automatic beverage vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a food agitator capable of producing whipped cream with fine foams, a cup type automatic vending machine provided with the food agitator, a whipped cream making method using the food agitator and a coffee making method. SOLUTION: This food agitator has an agitating shaft 42 rotated by a rotation driving means 41, an impeller 43 provided at the agitating shaft 42 and obtained by annularly forming wire wound in a coil shape with gaps, an advancing and retreating means 44 for advancing/retreating the impeller 43, and a control means 7 for controlling the rotation and advance/retreat of the impeller 43, then the advanced impeller 43 is put in a container C housing food and is rotated to agitate the food. Also, a cup type automatic vending machine is provided with the agitator, a whipped cream making method and a coffee making method use the food agitator.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a food stirrer, a cup-type beverage vending machine, a method for producing whipped cream using the same, and a method for producing coffee.
A food stirrer provided with an impeller in which a wire wound in a coil shape is formed in an annular shape, a cup-type beverage vending machine provided with this food stirrer, a method for producing whipped cream using the same, and a method for producing coffee About the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, beverages (cappuccino, latte, etc.) using forming milk from commercial coffee machines such as stand cafes, coffee shops, and first foods have been increasing due to diversification of user preferences. In commercial coffee machines, steam-type and air-entry nozzles are known, but cup-type vending machines are also selling coffee called cappuccino, latte, with foaming cream on top of coffee. It has become. However, the conventional method of producing cappuccino and latte in a vending machine uses a raw material in which instant coffee and effervescent creaming powder are mixed in advance, and the effervescent cream foams during dissolution,
Barely covers the coffee surface with foam,
The user could not be satisfied.

[0003] Another conventional method for producing cappuccino and latte is to stir using a stirring device using an independent whipping mixing ball or an impeller such as a screw type or a paddle type to remove the cream powder. Whisk, through a nozzle, separately put foam on the cooked coffee to produce cappuccino and latte.

However, in this conventional production method, the cream powder is produced by stirring, but the entrainment of air is insufficient, the foaming is not sufficient, the foam has a rough shape, and the condition of the finished whipped cream is poor. The better (shape, foaming), the lower the fluidity and the harder it is to pass through the nozzle. For this reason, whipped creams (forming creams) having a fine foam cannot be produced in 1/2 to 1/4 of the whole, such as cappuccinos and lattes sold in coffee specialty stores, home genuine Italy, Seattle, and the like.
It was also a problem in hygiene management and maintenance.

[0005] Therefore, there has been a demand for an in-cup stirring device capable of producing whipped cream with fine bubbles and a cup-type beverage vending machine provided with the same.

[0006]

Therefore, a food stirrer capable of producing whipped cream with fine bubbles, a cup-type beverage vending machine equipped with the same, a method of producing whipped cream using the food stirrer, and a method of producing coffee Was requested.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances. It is a production method and a coffee production method.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 of the present application is directed to a coil shaft having a stirring shaft rotated by a rotary driving means and a gap provided on the stirring shaft. The impeller has an impeller in which a wire wound around the impeller is formed in an annular shape, forward / backward means for moving the impeller forward and backward, and control means for controlling rotation and forward / backward of the impeller. The gist of the present invention is to provide a food stirrer characterized in that it is put in a container and rotated to stir the food.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention provides a stirring shaft rotated by a rotary driving means, an impeller provided with the stirring shaft and having a wire wound in a coil shape with a gap and having an annular shape. Lifting means for raising and lowering the impeller;
Control means for controlling rotation and elevation of the impeller, wherein the impeller is placed in a cup containing cream powder and rotated while the impeller is lowered to produce a whipped cream. The gist is that

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the outer diameter of the ring of the impeller is 0.3 to 0.6 with respect to the inner diameter of the container at the position where the impeller is inserted. Or a food stirrer according to item 2.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the impeller is inserted into the container, the position of the lower surface of the impeller is within a range of 2 to 10 mm from the bottom surface of the container. The gist of the invention is that the food stirring device is a food stirring device according to item 1.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the food stirrer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the stirring shaft comprises a member having rigidity and a member having elasticity. The gist is that there is.

[0013] In the invention according to claim 6 of the present application, the stirring shaft comprises a member having rigidity and a member having elasticity, and
The food stirrer according to claim 5, wherein the impeller including the mounting means is attached to the axis of the rotating motor shaft so that the weight of the impeller is unbalanced.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the food stirrer according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the impeller is eccentrically attached to an axis of a motor shaft for rotating the stirring shaft. The gist is that.

The invention according to claim 8 of the present application is a beverage producing means for producing a beverage from beverage ingredients and a drinking liquid, a stirring shaft rotated by a rotary driving means, and a coil provided on the stirring shaft and wound around a coil. A food stirring means which has an impeller in which a wire is formed in an annular shape and an advancing / retreating means for advancing and retreating the impeller, has the impeller advanced and puts the impeller in a cup in which the beverage is stored, rotates the impeller, and foams the beverage.
An automatic cup-type beverage comprising: a drinking liquid supply unit that supplies a drinking liquid to a beverage generation unit; and a control unit that controls operations of the beverage generation unit, the food stirring unit, and the drinking liquid supply unit. The gist is that it is a vending machine.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coffee producing means for producing coffee from a coffee raw material and hot water, a stirring shaft rotated by a rotary driving means, and a wire wound on the stirring shaft and wound in a coil shape. Cream-forming means for producing a whipped cream by rotating the impeller in a cup containing cream powder in a state where the impeller is lowered and having an impeller having an annular shape and elevating means for elevating and lowering the impeller A cup-type coffee vending machine comprising: hot water supply means for supplying hot water to the coffee generation means; and control means for controlling the operations of the coffee generation means, the whipped cream generation means and the hot water supply means. The gist is that.

[0017] The invention of claim 10 of the present application provides a beverage producing means for producing a beverage from beverage ingredients and a drinking liquid, a whipped cream producing means for whipping cream powder, and a drinking liquid for supplying the drinking liquid to the whipped cream producing means. The coffee producing method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, comprising: a supply unit; and a control unit that controls operations of the beverage producing unit, the whipped cream producing unit, and the drinking liquid supplying unit. The gist of the present invention is a cup-type beverage vending machine characterized by generating

The invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that cream powder and hot water are supplied to a container, the cream powder is stirred, stirring is stopped for a predetermined time, and then the cream powder is further stirred. The gist is that this is a method of generating

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an impeller in which cream powder and hot water are supplied to a container, and an impeller formed by forming a wire wound in a coil shape with a gap into an annular shape is inserted into the container. To stir the cream powder, then stop the impeller for a predetermined time to stop stirring, and further rotate the impeller to stir the cream powder, which is a method for producing whipped cream. The main point is.

According to the present invention, the cream powder and hot water are supplied to a container, the cream powder is stirred, the cream powder is stirred for a predetermined time to produce a whipped cream, and then the coffee liquid is supplied. The gist is a method for producing coffee characterized by the following.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an impeller in which cream powder and hot water are supplied to a container, and an impeller in which a coil-shaped wire having a gap is formed in an annular shape is inserted into the container. Rotate to stir the cream powder, stop the impeller for a predetermined time to stop stirring,
Further, the gist of the present invention is to provide a method for producing coffee, which comprises rotating an impeller to agitate cream powder to produce whipped cream, and then supplying a coffee liquid.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a cream powder and hot water are supplied to a container, the cream powder is stirred, the stirring is stopped for a predetermined time, a coffee liquid is supplied, and then the cream powder and the coffee liquid are supplied. The gist of the present invention is to provide a method for producing coffee characterized by agitating.

[0023] The invention according to claim 16 of the present application is to provide an impeller in which cream powder and hot water are supplied to a container, and an impeller in which a wire wound in a coil shape with a gap is formed in an annular shape is inserted into the container. Rotate to stir the cream powder, stop the impeller for a predetermined time to stop stirring,
Further, the gist of the present invention is to provide a method for producing coffee, which comprises supplying a coffee liquid and then rotating the impeller to agitate the cream powder and the coffee liquid.

[0024] The invention of claim 17 of the present application is characterized in that it is a method for producing coffee according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the cream powder and the coffee liquid are stirred while supplying the coffee liquid. .

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a food stirrer and a cup-type beverage vending machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a cup-type beverage vending machine according to the present invention, for example, a cup-type coffee vending machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, a coffee vending machine 1 according to the present invention comprises a coffee producing means 2 for producing coffee with a beverage material, for example, a coffee material and a drinking liquid, for example, hot water, and a coffee taste. Raw material supply means 3 for supplying auxiliary raw materials added to increase the amount of food, and a food stirring means for stirring the food of the auxiliary raw materials, for example, a whipped cream generator 4 for whipping cream powder into whipped cream
Hot water supply means 5 for supplying hot water to coffee generation means 2 and whipped cream generation apparatus 4; coffee generation means 2, auxiliary raw material supply means 3, whipped cream generation apparatus 4, drinking liquid supply means, for example, hot water supply means 5 and cup transport Control means 7 for controlling the operation of the means 6.

[0028] Beverages suitable for agitating beverage ingredients and selling them by a cup-type beverage vending machine include cappuccino, latte, cocoa, potage soup and the like.

The coffee producing means 2 is of a type for extracting a coffee liquid using coffee bean powder and hot water, and has a plurality of coffee bean canisters 21 for accommodating regular coffee beans by type. A fixed amount of coffee beans is sent from the canister 21 to the coffee mill 22, and the ground coffee powder is sent to the brewer 23 by the coffee mill 22, and is mixed with hot water from the hot water supply means 5 by the brewer 23, so that the coffee liquid is removed. The filtered and extracted coffee liquid is supplied to a container, for example, a cup C, placed in the cooking station 8. In the case of using coffee bean powder obtained by grinding coffee beans in advance, it is not necessary to provide a coffee mill in the coffee producing means, and also in the case of supplying so-called instant coffee using extracted coffee powder. Further, it is not necessary to provide a brewer, and the coffee generating means may be formed by the coffee powder supply means and the hot water supply means.

The auxiliary raw material supply means 3 includes:
For example, it has a sugar canister 31 for storing sugar, a cream canister 32 for storing cream powder, and a topping flavor canister 33 for storing cinnamon flavor and the like.
3, temporary supply devices 31a, 32a, and 33a for temporarily storing auxiliary materials necessary for one cup are provided to quickly supply the auxiliary materials. When located below the devices 31a, 32a and 33a, the auxiliary material required for one cup
To be supplied.

The whipping cream generating device 4 is an example of a food stirring device as a food stirring device, and is a specific device as a whipping cream generating device. As shown in FIGS. Agitating shaft 4 rotated by shaft drive motor 41 of the DC motor and having rigidity
2, an impeller 43 provided on the stirring shaft 42 for stirring the cream powder,
For example, it has elevating means 44 for elevating. This food stirrer can be used as a whipped cream generator 4 to stir cream powder to produce whipped cream, whisk cocoa, and even stir foods with poor raw material solubility such as potage soup and soup flour. Optimal.

The lifting / lowering means 44 includes pulleys 44p ₁ , 4p
A belt 44b which is stretched between 4p _2, the belt 44
The b, (both not shown) lifting drive motor 44m and a standby position sensor comprising a DC gear motor is raised and lowered through the pulleys 44p ₁ and the slit disc 45a photosensor 4
And an encoder sensor (pulse count sensor) 45 composed of 5b. Reference numeral 46 denotes a guide rod for raising and lowering the shaft drive motor 41 fixed to the belt 44b by raising and lowering the belt 44b.

The impeller 43 controls the rotation speed of the shaft drive motor 41 by changing the applied voltage by the control means 5.
This is a pulse count moving position control method controlled by the encoder sensor 45, and the up and down movement of the impeller 43 is controlled.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the impeller 43 has a wire 43a having an outer diameter d of 4 to 8 mm, preferably 5 mm, and a pitch p of 1.0 to 2.5 mm, more preferably 1.5 mm. It is formed by winding into a coil shape with a gap so as to be ~ 2.0 mm, and the wire 43a wound into this coil shape has an outer diameter D of 15 to 35 mm, more preferably 20 to 30 mm, It is formed in an annular shape. In general, a vending machine paper cup has substantially the same inner diameter near the bottom surface regardless of the storage capacity, and as shown in FIG. 7, the inner diameter B of the cup C where the impeller 43 is located is approximately 50 mm. The ratio (D / B) of the outer diameter D to the inner diameter B of the cup is 0.3 to 0.1.
6, and by setting the ratio (D / B) in such a range, fine bubbles can be generated, and the height of the bubbles after mixing the coffee liquid can be increased. Further, by using this ratio (D / B), the outer diameter of the impeller 43 can be easily determined even if the inner diameter of the cup is changed.

If the pitch p is smaller than 1.0 mm, bubbles cannot be generated sufficiently. If the pitch p exceeds 2.5 mm, the bubbles become large and fine bubbles cannot be obtained. On the other hand, if the ratio (D / B) is smaller than 0.3, the ratio to the inner diameter of the cup in which the cream powder is stored becomes small, so that foam cannot be generated sufficiently and the height of foam can be increased. On the other hand, if it exceeds 0.6, the ratio with the inner diameter of the cup becomes large, and the mixture is excessively stirred, so that the foam becomes large and fine foam cannot be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the impeller 43 is mounted on a rigid stirring shaft 42 via mounting means, for example, a mounting member 47, a hub 48, and ribs 49 and 49w. The weight (larger diameter) than the other ribs 49 is formed, and the rotation motor 4
The impeller 43 including the hub 48 and the ribs 49, 49w is attached so that the weight of the impeller 43 is unbalanced with respect to one axis. Thereby, small swinging (vibration) can be given to the impeller 43. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, a rib 49l is lengthened to shift the position of the hub 48 so that the weight of the impeller is imbalanced with respect to the axis of the rotation motor 41. May be performed, and as shown in FIG.
The mounting member 47f may be mounted eccentrically to the stirring shaft 42, or the impeller may be mounted eccentrically to the motor shaft by mounting the stirring shaft eccentrically to the motor shaft. Thereby, a small swing (vibration) can be similarly applied to the impeller 43.

The mounting member 47 has elasticity, and the rib 49w is formed to be heavier than the other ribs 49. Therefore, when the stirring shaft 42 rotates, the stirring shaft 42 has rigidity. , A small swing (vibration) can be given to the impeller 43. The length L of the mounting member 47 (the lower end of the stirring shaft 42 and the horizontal upper surface of the impeller 43) depends on the elastic coefficient of the mounting member 47, but is preferably 0.5 to 50 mm. If it is less than 0.5 mm, sufficient elasticity cannot be obtained in the mounting member 47, so that a small swing (vibration) cannot be given to the impeller 43.

The hot water supply means 5 has a hot water tank 51 for receiving water supplied from a water source such as tap water, boiling the water to a predetermined temperature and storing it, and is controlled by the control means 5. Is supplied to the brewer 23 and the cup C placed in the cooking station 8 as appropriate.

The cup conveying means 6 includes a holding portion 62 provided with a movable claw portion 61 for holding the cup C,
The XY table 63 is configured to move the holding unit 62 in the X-axis direction and to rotate by the X-axis motor 64 of the DC motor and the X-axis motor 64, An X-axis belt (not shown) for moving the holding unit 62 in the X-axis direction is stretched. Also,
The XY table 63 moves the holding unit 62 in the Y-axis direction to move the holding unit 62 in the Y-axis direction.
, A Y-axis belt (not shown) that stretches and moves the holding unit 62 in the Y-axis direction is stretched.

Further, the cup conveying means 6 has an X-axis end limit sensor, an X-axis standby position sensor, an X-axis stirring position sensor, and an encoder sensor (pulse count sensor) (all not shown). Motor 64 and Y-axis motor 6
Reference numeral 5 denotes a pulse count moving position control method controlled by the encoder sensor, and the holding unit 62 is controlled so as to move in the X and Y directions. By the control means 5, the holding portion 62 holding the cup C by the movable claw portion 61 is moved to the cup storage portion 9 having a large number of cups C and having the cup supply mechanism 9a, the lower portion of the temporary holding devices 31a, 32a, 33a and the cooking. The cup C can be conveyed to these predetermined positions by appropriately moving to the position of the station 8. Note that the cup transporting unit may be provided with a Z-axis moving device that moves the holding unit up and down in a small range as needed in order to cope with a change in cup size.

The control means 7 comprises a commonly used control device. As shown in FIG. 1, the coffee mill 22 and the brewer 23 of the above-mentioned coffee producing means 2 and the shaft drive motor 41 of the whipped cream producing device 4 and The elevator drive motor 44m, the hot water supply valve (not shown) of the hot water supply means 5, the X-axis motor 64, the Y-axis motor 65, and the like are connected to each other. Each of these components is controlled by the control means 7.

Accordingly, the control means 7 controls the cup transport means 6 to position the cup C at a predetermined position,
The coffee mill 22 is controlled to grind the coffee beans to the optimum particle size, and the brewer 23 and the hot water supply means 5 are controlled to perform the optimum extraction from the coffee powder. Further, as described above, the rotation of the impeller 43 The shaft drive motor 42 is controlled to perform the lifting and lowering and positioning of the impeller 43 by controlling the rotation of a vertical drive motor 44m installed in advance by setting conditions so as to generate whipped cream from cream powder. I have.

Next, a method of using the cup-type coffee vending machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to a flow chart of generating cappuccino shown in FIG. 5 and a time chart of generating cappuccino shown in FIG.

When the user inserts coins and prepares for coffee sales, the user, for example, enters a cappuccino /
Select the hot button, and then select the coffee bean selection button.

Under the control of the control means 7, the cup conveying means 6
, The holding portion 62 having the movable claw portion 61 is positioned in front of the cup housing portion 9, and the Y-axis motor 65 is operated so that the cup C is held by the movable claw portion 61. (ST1).

At the same time, the cream canister 32 supplies the required amount of cream powder as a cup to the cream powder holding device 31a (ST2), and the sugar canister 31 supplies the sugar to the holding device 31b as a cup. Sugar is supplied (ST3). The supply of the sugar to the temporary holding device 31b is not performed unless the addition of the sugar is desired.

The cup supply mechanism 9a is operated to disconnect one cup C, and the cup C is held by the movable claw 61 of the cup housing 9 (ST4).

Further, the cup conveying means 6 is operated to
The cup C is transported below the temporary holding devices 31a and 32a,
It is positioned (ST5).

A cup of cream powder stored in the temporary storage device 31a and sugar required for a full cup are supplied to the temporary storage device 31b (ST).
6).

Activating the cup conveying means 6 to move the cup C
Is transported to the position of the cooking station 8 in the holding state (S
T7).

The coffee beans required for one cup are supplied from the coffee bean canister 21 to the coffee mill 22 (ST8).

The mill motor of the coffee mill 22 rotates,
Grind coffee beans into coffee powder.

The coffee powder ground by the coffee mill 22 is supplied as it is to a brewer 23 provided below the coffee mill 22 (ST9).

While supplying the coffee powder in a state where the coffee powder is stored in the brewer 23 to some extent, the hot water tank 5
1 and continue extraction of coffee (ST
10).

The extracted coffee liquid (extracted liquid) is kept in the brewer 23 without being discharged, and is washed for a predetermined time (ST11).

By this washing step, a rich coffee liquid can be extracted.

On the other hand, the necessary cream powder and sugar are supplied in ST6, and powder cooking water is supplied to the cup C located in the cooking station 8 in ST7 (ST12).

The amount of hot water is preferably as small as possible so as not to reduce the amount of coffee liquid supplied to the cup C, and is supplied in an amount of about 30 to 50 cc.

Simultaneously with this hot water supply, the impeller 43 of the whipped cream generator 4 is lowered (ST13).

The impeller 43 is lowered by rotating the lifting / lowering drive motor 44m of the lifting / lowering means 44 to rotate the belt 44b, and further lowering the shaft drive motor 41 fixed to the belt 44b along the guide rod 46. Then, the stirring shaft 42 attached to the shaft drive motor 41 and the impeller 43 provided at the lower end of the stirring shaft 42 are lowered.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 10, the lowered position of the impeller 43 is determined by counting the number of rotations of the lift drive motor 44m by a disk 45a with a slit provided in the lift drive motor 44m and the encoder sensor 45. This is performed by controlling the lifting drive motor 44m. The cup C of the impeller (plane lower surface height) 43 at the time of this descent
Is preferably 2 to 10 mm, and 2 to 6 mm.
mm is more preferable. The amount of hot water is 3 as in ST12 above.
Since it is about 0 to 50 cc, if the height of the impeller 43 is 2 to 10 mm, the cream powder can be efficiently stirred without exposing the impeller 43 during stirring.
If the diameter is less than 2 mm, the bottom of the cup contacts the impeller (plane lower surface height) 43 due to deformation or the like, and sufficient stirring cannot be performed, and the raw material existing on the bottom of the cup exceeding 10 mm cannot be sufficiently stirred.

The shaft drive motor 41 is operated, the stirring shaft 42 is rotated, and the impeller 43 is rotated.
, The cream powder is primarily stirred to foam the cream powder (ST14).

The shaft drive motor 41 is stopped, and the impeller 43 is stopped for a predetermined time (ST15).

The shaft drive motor 41 is operated again, and the stirring shaft 4
2, the impeller 43 is rotated, and the impeller 43 secondarily agitates the cream powder (ST1).
6).

In the agitating process of ST14 and ST16, the impeller 43 for agitating the cream powder is formed by forming the wire 43a wound in a coil shape with a gap into an annular shape, so that the cream powder is sufficiently agitated. It can be mixed with powdered cooking water, and the large bubbles generated in the previous stirring step can be crushed in the next stirring step to produce fine whipped cream, and the height of the bubbles can be increased.

Further, since the pitch p is 1.0 to 2.5 mm, fine bubbles can be obtained, and the ratio (D / B) is 0.1 to 1.0 for the cup inner diameters B of various capacities. 3
By setting to 0.6, the ratio (D / D) between the outer diameter D of the impeller 43 and the inner diameters B of the various types of cups used.
By keeping B) at 0.3 to 0.6, fine whipping cream having high foam can be obtained. In addition, even a raw material that is difficult to stir with an existing impeller (a raw material that easily generates undissolved residue), for example, a raw material that requires a whipping feeling, such as cocoa, can be reliably dissolved in a short time. Further, by stopping the stirring in ST15 and performing the two-stage stirring of the whipped cream in ST14 and ST16, the foam of the whipped cream becomes finer, and the foam retention is improved.
The height of the foam can be increased. In order to shorten the generation time, a method in which the secondary stirring is not performed may be considered, but in this case, the foam becomes slightly larger. The two-stage stirring is preferably performed by the whipped cream generating device 4, but any two-stage stirring may be performed by any stirring means, for example, a steam type or a screw impeller type.

The belt 44b is rotated by rotating the elevation drive motor 44m of the elevation means 44 in the opposite manner to ST13.
Further, the shaft drive motor 4 fixed to the belt 44b
1 is moved up along the guide rod 46 and the stirring shaft 42 attached to the shaft drive motor 41 and the stirring shaft 42
The impeller 43 provided at the lower end of the
17).

After the impeller 43 rises, the coffee liquid (extracted liquid) extracted in ST10 and made uneven in ST12 is discharged from the brewer 23, and the coffee liquid is supplied to the cup C in which foamed whipped cream is stored in the lower part. Do (S
T18).

The whipped cream whipped light is cup C
Inside the coffee liquor, the coffee with whipped cream on the coffee liquor is made.

Since the fine bubbles can be generated in this manner, the bubbles are light and the whipped cream is surely turned on even if the coffee liquid is later supplied to the cup C containing the whipped cream. Therefore, the whip cream can be produced using the cup C without using a separate container for producing the whipped cream, so that the structure of the coffee vending machine can be simplified.

Cinnamon flavor required for one cup is supplied from the topping flavor canister 33 such as cinnamon flavor to the temporary holding device 33a (ST).
19).

On the other hand, the cup C is conveyed and positioned below the cup 32 by the cup conveying means 6 (ST20).

Cinnamon flavor is supplied to cup C from temporary storage device 33a (ST21).

Cappuccino / hot is formed in cup C.

The cup C containing cappuccino / hot is transferred to the cooking station 8 by the cup transfer means 6 (ST22).

The user opens the sales port door, takes out the cup C, and completes the sales (ST23).

The cup transporting means 6 which has completed the transport of the cup C retreats and waits at a predetermined place. During or after the cappuccino / hot generating process, the brewer, impeller, and the like are washed at an appropriate timing.

In the above-described cappuccino / hot producing step, the whipped cream is produced by stirring the cream powder in two steps, and then the extracted coffee liquid (extracted liquid) is supplied, as shown in FIG. Then, after the primary agitation of the cream powder is completed, the agitation is performed while supplying the coffee liquid to perform the secondary agitation of the cream powder, whereby a latte / hot can be generated. Since the secondary stirring of the cream powder and the stirring of the cream powder and the coffee liquid can be performed at the same time, it is possible to reduce the time required for producing the latte / hot. In addition, after the secondary stirring of the cream powder is completed, a coffee latte / hot can be generated by stirring while supplying a coffee liquid.

If ice is supplied at an appropriate timing such as at the time of stirring the primary cream powder and at the time of secondary stirring, cappuccino / cold and latte / cold can also be produced.

[0080]

EXAMPLE 1 Test 1: Used in a food agitation device according to the present invention, having a structure as shown in FIGS.
Using an impeller having a different outer diameter (inner diameter ratio) as shown in FIG. 2, the generation state of bubbles is examined under the conditions shown in Table 2 and the methods shown in FIGS. In addition, since the shape of the container near the bottom surface did not change significantly depending on the capacity of the cup, a test was performed using a 9 oz cup under cooking conditions as shown in Table 1.

[0081]

[Table 1]

[0082]

[Table 2] D = 50 mm, pitch P = 1.5 (mm), attachment member length L = 1 (mm), and H = 4 mm.

Result 1: The results are shown in Table 3.

[0084]

[Table 3]

In Example 1, it was found that under all the conditions, the preferred bubble height was 25 mm or more, and the average of four times was 28 mm. -In Example 2, it exceeded 35 mm in all four times, and especially reached 40 mm in the first time, and it was found that good results were obtained. -In Example 3, it was found that under all the conditions, the preferable bubble height was 25 mm or more, and the average of four times was 29 mm.・ Four times in the conventional example, a preferable foam height of 25 mm at 10 mm
m. -In both Comparative Examples 1 and 2, it was found that the average value did not reach a preferable foam height of 25 mm or more.

Test 2: Using Example 2, the height of the foam was examined by changing the height of the impeller from the bottom of the container by the method shown in FIG.

Result 2: The results are shown in Table 4.

[0088]

[Table 4]

When the impeller height is in the range of 2 to 10 mm, the preferred foam height exceeds 25 mm or more.
Especially at 4 mm, it reached 37.3 mm. -On the other hand, when it was 1 mm, the preferable bubble height of 18 mm did not reach 25 mm, and the impeller could hit the bottom of the cup, which proved to be a practical problem. -It was also found that at 15 mm, the desired height was not reached at 21.5 mm.

Test 3: Using Example 2, the impeller was eccentric by 1 mm and the height of the foam was examined as shown in FIG.

Results: shown in Table 5.

[0092]

[Table 5]

It has been found that a stable foam height can be obtained by eccentricity.

[0094]

According to the in-cup stirring device, the cup-type vending machine provided with the same, the method for producing whipped cream using the cup stirring device, and the method for producing coffee, a beverage with fine foam is produced according to the present invention. It is possible to provide a food stirrer that can be used, a cup-type beverage vending machine equipped with the same, a method for producing whipped cream using the food stirrer, and a method for producing coffee.

That is, since the food stirrer is provided with an impeller in which a wire wound in a coil shape with a gap provided on a stirring shaft and having an annular shape is used to stir the food in the container, the efficiency of the food is reduced. Stir well to produce fine bubbles.

Further, a wire rod wound in a coil shape with a gap provided on a stirring shaft is provided with an impeller formed in an annular shape. The impeller is put in a cup containing cream powder and rotated to produce a whipped cream. As a result, the cream powder is sufficiently agitated and mixed with the powdered hot water to produce a whipped cream with fine bubbles, and the height of the bubbles can be increased.

The outer diameter of the ring of the impeller is 0.3 to the inner diameter of the container at the impeller insertion position.
０．６0.6, the ratio (D / B) of the outer diameter D of the impeller to the inner diameter B of many types of cups used is 0.3.
It can be kept at ~ 0.6 to produce fine whipped cream with high foam.

When the impeller is inserted into the container, the position of the lower surface of the impeller is in the range of 2 to 10 mm from the bottom of the container. The cream powder can be efficiently agitated without any need.

Further, since the stirring shaft is composed of a member having rigidity and a member having elasticity, a small swing (vibration) can be given to the impeller, so that the cream powder can be efficiently stirred and the foam can be finely foamed. it can.

Further, since the stirring shaft is composed of a rigid member and a resilient member and is mounted so that the weight of the impeller including the mounting means is unbalanced, the impeller has small swinging (vibration). ), The cream powder can be efficiently stirred and finely whipped.

Further, since the impeller is mounted eccentrically with respect to the axis of the motor shaft for rotating the stirring shaft, a small swing (vibration) can be given to the impeller and the cream powder can be efficiently stirred. Can be finely lathered.

Also, a beverage producing means for producing a beverage from the beverage raw material and the drinking liquid, a stirring shaft rotated by the rotary driving means, and a wire wound on the stirring shaft and wound in a coil shape are formed in an annular shape. Food stirring means for rotating the impeller into a cup in which the beverage is stored and rotating the impeller in a state where the impeller is advanced, and having the impeller advanced and retracting means for moving the impeller forward and backward, and a drinking liquid for the beverage producing means. Since it is a cup-type beverage vending machine equipped with a drinking liquid supply means for supplying and a control means, a cappuccino,
It can produce beverages with fine bubbles in beverages such as caffe latte, cocoa, and can be sufficiently stirred and dissolved even in beverages with poor raw material solubility such as potage soup, soup powder, and can be sold at vending machines .

Further, a coffee producing means for producing coffee from the coffee raw material and hot water, a stirring shaft rotated by the rotary driving means, and a wire wound on the stirring shaft and wound in a coil shape are formed in an annular shape. An impeller and lifting means for lifting and lowering the impeller, whipped cream generating means for generating whipped cream by rotating the impeller in a cup containing cream powder in a state where the impeller is lowered and rotating the impeller, and coffee generating means Because it is a cup-type coffee vending machine equipped with hot water supply means for supplying hot water and control means, it is possible to produce and sell coffee such as cappuccino, latte, etc. with finely whipped and high whipped cream whipped cream. it can. Furthermore, the foam is light, and even if the coffee liquid is later supplied to the cup containing the whipped cream, the whipped cream will surely be on the top, and without using a separate container for whipped cream production, use the cup to whipping Since the cream can be produced, the structure of the coffee vending machine can be simplified.

Further, any one of claims 13 to 16
Since it is a cup-type beverage vending machine that produces coffee by the method for producing coffee described in the section, it is possible to sell a beverage to which fine foam is added or a beverage in which raw materials are well dissolved.

Also, a cream powder and hot water are supplied to a container, the cream powder is stirred, the stirring is stopped for a predetermined time, and then the cream powder is further stirred. In addition, the whipped cream foam becomes finer, the foam lasts better and the foam height can be increased.

Further, cream powder and hot water are supplied to the container, and an impeller in which a coiled wire having a gap is formed in an annular shape is inserted into the container, and the impeller is rotated to turn the cream powder. Stir, and then
Stop the impeller for a predetermined time to stop stirring,
Because it is a whipped cream generation method in which the impeller is rotated and the cream powder is stirred, the large bubbles generated in the previous stirring step are crushed in the next stirring step, and a fine whipped cream can be generated, and the foam Height can be high.

Also, a cream powder and hot water are supplied to a container, the cream powder is stirred, and the cream powder is stirred for a predetermined time to produce a whipped cream.
Because it is a method of producing coffee that supplies coffee liquid,
It can produce coffee such as cappuccino with finely whipped and high foam whipped cream.

Further, the cream powder and hot water are supplied to the container, and an impeller in which a coiled wire having a gap is formed in an annular shape is inserted into the container, and the impeller is rotated to rotate the cream powder. Stir, stop the impeller for a predetermined time to stop the stirring, further rotate the impeller to stir the cream powder to produce whipped cream, and then supply the coffee liquid. It can produce coffee such as cappuccino with finely whipped and high foam whipped cream.

Further, the cream powder and the hot water are supplied to the container, the cream powder is stirred, the stirring is stopped for a predetermined time, the coffee liquid is supplied, and then the coffee powder is stirred with the cream powder and the coffee liquid. Since it is a method, it is possible to produce coffee such as caffe latte in which foam is finely mixed and the cream powder and the coffee liquid are well mixed.

[0110] Cream powder and hot water are supplied to the container, and an impeller in which a wire wound in a coil shape with a gap is formed in an annular shape is inserted into the container, and the impeller is rotated to rotate the cream powder. , Stirring the impeller for a predetermined time, stopping the stirring, further supplying the coffee liquid, and rotating the impeller to stir the cream powder and the coffee liquid. And coffee liquid, such as a latte, which is well mixed.

Further, since the method for producing coffee is such that the cream powder and the coffee liquid are stirred while the coffee liquid is supplied, the secondary stirring of the cream powder and the stirring of the cream powder and the coffee liquid can be performed simultaneously, and the latte / hot Generation time can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a cup-type beverage vending machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a food stirring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of an impeller used in the food stirring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an impeller used in the food stirring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of the impeller used in the food stirring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of another embodiment of the formation of the impeller used in the food stirring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of cappuccino generation by a cup-type beverage vending machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a time chart of cappuccino generation by a cup-type beverage vending machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a time chart for generating a latte by a cup-type beverage vending machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a use state of the food stirring device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a test method of an example using the food stirring device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 coffee vending machine 2 coffee producing means 3 auxiliary raw material supplying means 4 whipped cream producing device 5 hot water supplying means 6 cup transporting means 7 control means 8 cooking station 9 cup storage section 9a cup supplying mechanism 21 coffee bean canister 22 coffee mill 23 brewer 31 sugar canister 32 cream canister 33 preparative ping flavor canister 31a, 32a, 33a escrow device 41 axis drive motor 42 stirring shaft 43 impeller 44 elevating means 44b belt 44p _1, 44p ₂ pulleys 44m elevation drive motor 45 encoder sensor 45a slotted circle Plate 45b Optical sensor 46 Guide rod 47 Mounting member 48 Boss 49 Hub 51 Hot water tank 61 Movable claw 62 Holding section 63 XY table 64 X-axis motor 65 Y-axis motor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) A23L 2/00 A47J 31/00 G A47J 31/00 43/08 43/08 G07F 13/10 Z G07F 13 / 10 A23L 2/00 X F term (reference) 3E047 AA02 GA10 4B001 AC15 BC01 CC01 4B017 LE10 LP18 LT02 4B027 FB24 FK06 FK18 FR13 4B053 AA01 BA14 BB01 BC01 BE06 BE12

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An agitating shaft rotated by a rotation driving means, an impeller formed on the agitating shaft with a wire wound in a coil shape having a gap and having a gap, and an advancing and retreating advancing and retracting the impeller. And a control means for controlling the rotation and advance / retreat of the impeller, wherein the food is agitated by rotating the impeller in a state in which the food is stored in a container containing the food and rotating the impeller. 2. A stirring shaft rotated by a rotation driving means, an impeller provided on the stirring shaft and formed in a ring shape with a wire wound in a coil shape having a gap, and a lifting and lowering device for raising and lowering the impeller Means, and control means for controlling rotation and elevation of the impeller, wherein the impeller is placed in a cup containing cream powder and rotated while the impeller is lowered to produce whipped cream. Food stirrer. 3. The outer diameter of the ring of the impeller is 0.3 to the inner diameter of the container at the impeller insertion position.
The food stirrer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the value is from 0.6 to 0.6. 4. The food according to claim 1, wherein a position of a lower surface of the impeller is in a range of 2 to 10 mm from a bottom surface of the container when the impeller is inserted into the container. Stirrer. 5. The food stirrer according to claim 1, wherein said stirring shaft comprises a member having rigidity and a member having elasticity. 6. The stirring shaft comprises a rigid member and a resilient member, and is mounted such that the weight of the impeller including the mounting means is unbalanced with respect to the axis of the rotating motor shaft. The food stirrer according to claim 5, wherein 7. The food stirrer according to claim 5, wherein the impeller is eccentrically attached to an axis of a motor shaft that rotates the stirring shaft. 8. A beverage producing means for producing a beverage from beverage ingredients and a drinking liquid, a stirring shaft rotated by a rotation driving means, and a wire wound on the stirring shaft and wound in a coil shape are formed in an annular shape. A food stirring means for rotating the impeller into a cup containing a beverage and rotating the impeller in a state where the impeller is advanced and having a reciprocating means for advancing and retreating the impeller, and bubbling the beverage; Drinking liquid supply means for supplying, the beverage producing means,
A cup-type beverage vending machine comprising: a food stirring means and a control means for controlling operations of the drinking liquid supply means. 9. A coffee producing means for producing coffee from coffee raw material and hot water, a stirring shaft rotated by a rotation driving means, and a wire wound on the stirring shaft and wound in a coil shape are formed in an annular shape. Whipping cream generating means having an impeller and elevating means for elevating and lowering the impeller, placing the impeller in a cup containing cream powder and rotating the impeller in a lowered state to generate whipped cream, and coffee generating means A cup-type coffee vending machine comprising: hot water supply means for supplying hot water; and control means for controlling operations of the coffee generation means, the whipped cream generation means, and the hot water supply means. 10. A beverage producing means for producing a beverage from beverage ingredients and a drinking liquid, a whipped cream producing means for whipping cream powder, a drinking liquid supply means for supplying a drinking liquid to the whipped cream producing means, and the beverage 17. A method for producing coffee according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising control means for controlling the operation of the production means, the whipped cream production means and the drinking liquid supply means. Cup-type beverage vending machine. 11. A method for producing whipped cream, comprising supplying cream powder and hot water to a container, stirring the cream powder, stopping stirring for a predetermined time, and then further stirring the cream powder. 12. A cream powder and hot water are supplied to a container, and an impeller in which a wire wound in a coil shape with a gap is formed in an annular shape is inserted into the container, and the impeller is rotated to rotate the cream powder. Stir and then
Stop the impeller for a predetermined time to stop stirring,
A method for producing whipped cream, comprising rotating an impeller and agitating the cream powder. 13. A cream powder and hot water are supplied to a container, the cream powder is stirred, and the cream powder is stirred for a predetermined time to produce a whipped cream.
A method for producing coffee, comprising supplying a coffee liquid. 14. A cream powder and hot water are supplied to a container, and an impeller in which a wire wound in a coil shape with a gap is formed in an annular shape is inserted into the container, and the impeller is rotated to rotate the cream powder. Stirring, stopping the impeller for a predetermined time to stop the stirring, further rotating the impeller to stir the cream powder to produce whipped cream, and then supply the coffee liquid, Generation method. 15. A method of supplying cream powder and hot water to a container, stirring the cream powder, stopping stirring for a predetermined time, further supplying a coffee liquid, and thereafter stirring the cream powder and the coffee liquid. Coffee production method. 16. A cream powder and hot water are supplied to a container, an impeller in which a coiled wire having a gap is formed in an annular shape is inserted into the container, and the impeller is rotated so that the cream powder is rotated. Stirring the cream, stopping the impeller for a predetermined time, stopping the stirring, further supplying the coffee liquid, and then rotating the impeller to stir the cream powder and the coffee liquid. 17. The method for producing coffee according to claim 15, wherein the cream powder and the coffee liquid are stirred while supplying the coffee liquid.