JP2003308561A - Automatic beverage vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic beverage vending machine which can prevent loss of sale chances because water in a tank cannot be used when a power source of the machine is turned on again after turning off the power. <P>SOLUTION: When the power source of the machine is turned on again after turning off the power, since the water in the tank 2a of a boiler 2 is replaced with fresh water, the machine does not need to suspend selling merchandise even if a regulation prohibits to use hot water having lower temperature than a predetermined standard temperature. If the hot water temperature is higher than the predetermined standard temperature when the power is turned on again, the water in the tank 2a is not replaced and the condition of the machine is set as a sales standby mode. Therefore, when the machine's power is turned off for a short time such as a temporally power failure, if the hot water can be used after turning on the power, the water in the tank 2a is not replaced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to, for example, coffee,
The present invention relates to a drink vending machine for injecting tea or various soft drinks into a cup for sale.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, as a beverage vending machine of this type, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-249172, powdered or concentrated liquid raw material or coffee using hot water produced in a boiler is used. It is known that an arbitrary beverage is produced from a raw material obtained by crushing beans with a mill, and the beverage is poured into a cup for sale.

There is also a miniaturized beverage vending machine, in which case the tank capacity of the boiler is 400 m.
Since it becomes as small as about 1, an instant heating type small boiler using a heater with high heating capacity is used.

[0004]

By the way, the small beverage vending machine as described above is often installed in a place where the use time is limited to a certain time period, such as a rest area of an office building. , The vending machine may be turned off outside the usage hours.

In this type of beverage vending machine, when the temperature of the hot water stored in the tank of the boiler becomes lower than a predetermined reference temperature (for example, 63 ° C.),
Due to hygiene, it is often obligatory not to reuse the water in the tank. Therefore, when the power is turned off, the temperature of the hot water in the tank may already be lower than the reference temperature even if the power is turned on again. Therefore, in such a case, the sale is stopped. I am trying.

However, when the sale is stopped due to the decrease in the hot water temperature, the maintenance worker may replace the water in the tank with new water, and the sale stopped state may be canceled unless the internal switch or the like is operated. Since it is not possible to sell beverages during that time, not only the power off outside the usage time as described above, but even if the power is cut off due to a temporary power failure, etc., due to the suspension of sales for a long time, There was a problem of losing significant sales opportunities.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is that the water in the tank cannot be reused even when the power is turned on again after the power is turned off. It is to provide a beverage vending machine capable of reliably preventing the loss of sales opportunities.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides, in claim 1, a boiler which heats water stored in a tank having a predetermined capacity to generate hot water, and is supplied from the boiler. In a beverage vending machine for injecting a beverage produced by using hot water into a beverage container for sale, a water supply means for supplying water to the tank of the boiler, a drainage means for discharging water in the tank of the boiler, and a power supply When the water is put into the tank, the drainage means discharges the water in the tank and the water supply means supplies new water into the tank.

As a result, when the power is turned on, the water in the tank is replaced with new water by the drainage means and the water supply means, so that, for example, in view of hygiene, hot water that has become lower than a predetermined temperature is reused. Even if you are obliged to do nothing, you don't have to stop selling.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the beverage vending machine according to the first aspect, there is provided temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the water in the tank, and the control means controls the water in the tank when the power is turned on. When the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the drainage means discharges the water in the tank of the boiler, and the water supply means supplies new water into the tank.

Thus, in addition to the function of claim 1, when the temperature of the water in the tank when the power is turned on is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the water in the tank is replaced by the drainage means and the water supply means. There is no.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the beverage vending machine according to the first or second aspect, it is determined whether or not a predetermined process performed when the beverage vending machine is installed when the power is turned on. When the predetermined processing has already been completed, the control means controls the drainage means to discharge the water in the tank of the boiler and the water supply means to supply new water to the tank. Is supplied, and when the predetermined process is not completed, the process is performed.

With this, in addition to the operation of claim 1 or 2, when the power is turned on and the predetermined processing is not completed, the operation of replacing the water in the tank by the drainage means and the water supply means is performed. Instead, the predetermined process is performed.

According to a fourth aspect, in the beverage vending machine according to the first, second or third aspect, a flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of water supplied to the tank by the water supply means, and within a predetermined time. The tank is provided with a judging means for judging whether or not water having a predetermined flow rate or more is supplied into the tank.

As a result, in addition to the action of claim 1, 2 or 3, when it is determined that the water of the predetermined flow rate or more is not supplied into the tank within the predetermined time, for example, by stopping the sale, It is possible to deal with the problem that the water in the tank cannot be replaced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the beverage vending machine according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect, a drainage container for containing water discharged from the tank by the drainage means,
The drainage container is provided with a determination unit that determines whether or not the amount of water accumulated in the drainage container has reached a predetermined amount.

Accordingly, in addition to the action of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, when it is determined that the amount of water accumulated in the drainage container has reached a predetermined amount, for example, by stopping the sale. It is possible to deal with the problem that the water in the tank cannot be replaced.

[0018]

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of a beverage vending machine, and FIG.
Is a schematic diagram showing its configuration, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit.

This beverage vending machine comprises a vending machine body 1
A boiler 2 for producing hot water, a water supply tank 3 for storing drinking water supplied to the boiler 2, and first to fourth raw material containers 4, 5, 6, 7 for storing a plurality of types of powder raw materials. , A fifth raw material container 8 for storing coffee beans as a raw material, a beverage extractor 9 for extracting a coffee beverage, a cup unloading mechanism 10 for unloading a cup, and a cup for unloading the cup unloading from the cup unloading mechanism 10. It is composed of a cup moving mechanism 11 for moving to the above, a drainage container 12 for storing unnecessary discharged liquid, and a control unit 13 for controlling the operation of the vending machine.

The vending machine body 1 has a plurality of product selection switches 1a on its front surface, a sales lamp 1b attached to a product display section 1a 'corresponding to each product selection switch 1a, sugar-containing, milk-containing, black, etc. And an auxiliary selection switch 1c for selecting the seasoning. Further, on the front surface of the vending machine body 1, a coin slot 1d, a coin return slot 1e,
A coin display 1f and a merchandise outlet 1g are provided so that coins inserted into the coin slot 1d are processed by the coin processor 1h.

The boiler 2 is a well-known instant type small boiler which produces hot water of about 90 ° C. by an internal heater (not shown), and has a tank 2a having a capacity of about 400 cc. The tank 2a is provided with a water supply port 2b and a drain port 2c, as well as a plurality of discharge ports 2d for discharging hot water for beverage production, and the drain port 2c is opened and closed by a solenoid valve 2e. Further, a temperature sensor 2f for detecting the temperature of the hot water is provided in the tank 2a.

The water supply tank 3 is connected to the water supply port 2b of the boiler 2 via a water supply pump 3a and a flow meter 3b, and the drinking water stored therein is supplied to the boiler 2 by the water supply pump 3a. This water supply tank 3 is installed in the lower part of the vending machine body 1, and for example, water is replenished directly from the outside or is replaced with a new water supply tank 3 in which water is stored in advance. It may be one.

First to fourth raw material containers 4, 5, 6, 7
Is black tea (or Japanese tea), cocoa,
It contains cream and sugar, respectively, and carries out a predetermined amount of raw material from the raw material shooters 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a. Further, below the first raw material container 4, a mixer 4b for receiving the raw material carried out from the raw material container 4 is provided. That is, the hot water is supplied to the mixer 4a from the discharge port 2d of the boiler 2, the raw material and the hot water are mixed in the mixer 4a, and the hot water is injected into the cup A of the commodity outlet 1g. Further, below the second and third raw material containers 5 and 6, there is provided a mixer 5b for receiving the raw material carried out from the raw material containers 5 and 6. That is, the hot water is supplied to the mixer 5b from the discharge port 2d of the boiler 2, the raw material and the hot water are mixed in the mixer 5b, and the hot water is poured into the cup A of the commodity outlet 1g. Further, the raw material carried out from the fourth raw material container 7 is put into the cup A of the product take-out port 1g via the transport chute 7b extending to the product take-out port 1g.

The fifth raw material container 8 has a mill 8a for grinding coffee beans, and carries out a predetermined amount of raw material (ground beans) weighed by a weighing machine 8b to a beverage extractor 9.

The beverage extractor 9 has a well-known structure for extracting a coffee beverage from a raw material (ground beans) by using hot water supplied from the discharge port 2d of the boiler 2, and the extracted beverage is a cup having a product outlet 1g. It is supposed to be injected into A.

The cup carry-out mechanism 10 has a well-known structure for accommodating the cups A for selling beverages, and the cups A are dropped and carried out one by one to the cup moving mechanism 11 side.

The cup moving mechanism 11 is composed of an arm 11a capable of receiving the cup A at one end and a motor 11b for rotating the arm 11a, and receives the cup A carried out from the cup carrying-out mechanism 10 by the arm 11a.
By rotating the arm 11a by the motor 11b, the cup A is moved to the product outlet 1g.

The drainage container 12 is installed in the lower part of the vending machine body 1, and has a drainage port 2c of the boiler 2 and a product outlet 1g.
It is designed to contain unnecessary liquid discharged from the. Further, a water level sensor 12a including a float switch or the like is provided in the upper part of the drainage container 12, and when the water level of the water accumulated in the drainage container 12 reaches a substantially full position, it is detected by the water level sensor 12a. Has become.

The control unit 13 is composed of a microcomputer, and has various product selection switches 1a and sales lamps 1.
b, coin processing device 1h, boiler 2, temperature sensor 2f, water supply pump 3a, flow meter 3b, raw material containers 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, a beverage extractor 9, a cup unloading mechanism 10, a cup moving mechanism 11 and a water level sensor 12a. A timer 13a is connected to the control unit 13.

In the beverage vending machine configured as described above, when a user inserts a coin and the product selection switch 1a selects an arbitrary product, a predetermined selling operation is started. That is, the cup A is unloaded from the cup unloading mechanism 10, the cup A is moved to the product outlet 1g by the cup moving mechanism 11, and an arbitrary beverage is poured into the cup A. For example, product selection switch 1
When black tea is selected by a, the powdered raw material for black tea is supplied from the first raw material container 4 to the mixer 4b, and hot water is supplied from the boiler 2 to the mixer 4b to produce a beverage. When coffee is selected by the product selection switch 1a and cream and sugar are selected by the auxiliary selection switch 1c, hot water of the boiler 2 is supplied to the beverage extractor 9 to extract the coffee beverage. The cream is carried out of the third raw material container 6 and the sugar is carried out of the fourth raw material container 7. In this case, the powdered raw material of the cream carried out from the third raw material container 6 is mixed with the hot water supplied from the boiler 2 by the mixer 5b, and the powdered sugar carried out from the fourth raw material container 7 is conveyed by the shooter 7b. It is thrown into cup A through.

Next, the operation of the control unit 13 when the power of the beverage vending machine is turned on will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when the power supply of the vending machine is turned on (S1), the information recorded in the memory at that time is "operation start" indicating that the predetermined installation process has already been completed.
It is determined whether or not is set to (S2). This installation process is a process performed when the power is turned on when installing the vending machine. Therefore, when it is determined in step S2 that the record information in the memory is not set to "start operation", the following operation is performed. That is, since water is not contained in the tank 2a of the boiler 2 at the time of installation, the water supply pump 3a is operated (S3) to supply the water in the water supply tank 3 into the tank 2a. At that time, the flow rate Q of the water flowing into the tank 2a is detected by the flow meter 3b, and the flow rate Q is the predetermined flow rate Q before the predetermined time t1 elapses (S4).
When it reaches 1 (for example, 400 ml) (S5), the water supply pump 3a is stopped (S6). The time t1 is
The flow rate Q is set to be slightly longer than the time normally required to reach the flow rate Q1. Then, when the installation process is normally completed as described above, the record information in the memory is set to "operation start" (S7), and the sale standby operation is performed (S8). The information in the memory is retained by the internal battery even when the main power source is off. On the other hand, before the flow rate Q reaches the flow rate Q1 (S5),
When the time t1 has elapsed (S4), it is determined that the water supply was not normally performed, and the sales lamp 1b is turned off to stop the sales (S9). For example, the water supply may not be performed normally due to the fact that there is no water in the water supply tank 3 or the valve (not shown) of the flowing water pipe is left closed.

Next, when the power is not turned on at the time of installation, for example, when the power is turned off outside the usage time or the power is turned on again after a power failure, the recorded information in the memory is already recorded. Since it is set to "operation start",
If this is determined in step S2, the temperature T of the water in the tank 2a of the boiler 2 is set to the predetermined reference temperature T1.
(For example, 63 ° C.) (S10). This reference temperature T1 is obliged not to reuse the water for hygiene when the temperature of hot water remaining in the vending machine becomes lower than a predetermined temperature after the power is turned off. It is the reference temperature when there is. In this case, if the temperature T of the hot water is equal to or higher than the reference temperature T1 (S10), for example, when the power is off for a short time such as a temporary power failure, the operation immediately shifts to the sales standby operation. (S8).

If the temperature T of the hot water is lower than the reference temperature T1 (S10), the water in the tank 2a is replaced with new water by the following operation. That is, the boiler 2
Open the solenoid valve 2e of the drainage port 2c of the
1), the water supply pump 3a is operated (S12). As a result, the water in the tank 2a is discharged to the drainage container 12, and at the same time, new water is supplied to the tank 2a. that time,
When the water level sensor 12a detects that the drainage container 12 is almost full as a result of the water level further rising due to the drainage, such as when a considerable amount of water has already accumulated in the drainage container 12 (S13). ), The water in the tank 2a cannot be replaced. In such a case, the solenoid valve 2
e is closed (S14) and the water supply pump 3a is stopped (S14).
15) Then, the sale is stopped (S9). Also, the water level sensor 1
2a does not detect full water (S13), and the time t
If the flow rate Q reaches a predetermined flow rate Q2 before 1 has passed (S16) (S17), the solenoid valve 2e is closed (S1).
8) The water supply pump 3a is stopped (S19). In this case, in order to reliably replace the water in the tank 2a, the flow rate Q2 is set to be slightly larger than the capacity of the tank 2a (for example, 400 ml). And time t1
When the replacement of the water inside is normally completed, the operation shifts to the sales standby operation (S8), and when the water supply of the flow rate Q2 is not completed within the time t1 (S16), the water in the tank 2a is replaced. Since it cannot be replaced, the solenoid valve 2e is closed (S
14) The water supply pump 3a is stopped (S15), and the sale is stopped (S9).

As described above, according to the beverage vending machine of this embodiment, when the power is turned on again after the power is turned off, the water in the tank 2a of the boiler 2 is replaced with new water. As a result, the prescribed reference temperature T1
Even if you are obliged not to reuse hot water that has become lower than that, it is possible to prevent loss of sales opportunities without having to stop selling.

In this case, if the temperature T of the hot water is equal to or higher than the reference temperature T1 when the power is turned on, the water in the tank 2a is not replaced, and the standby operation is started.
For example, when hot water can be reused even after the power is turned on, such as when the power is off for a short time such as a temporary power failure, the water in the tank 2a is not replaced.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful replacement of hot water, and it is possible to quickly return to the salable state.

When the installation process is not completed by determining whether or not the installation process is already completed when the power is turned on, the tank which is the operation when the power is turned on again when the installation process is not completed. Since the predetermined installation process is performed without replacing the water in 2a, a malfunction in a state where water is not contained in the tank 2a of the boiler 2 is caused, for example, when the power is first turned on at the time of installation. It can be surely prevented.

Further, when the drainage container 12 is full while the water in the tank 2a is being replaced, or when the predetermined flow rate Q1 has not been supplied within the predetermined time t1, the water in the tank 2a is replaced. Since it is decided that the product cannot be sold, the sale is stopped, so that it is possible to appropriately deal with such a defect.

In the above embodiment, a small beverage vending machine using the instant heating type boiler 2 having a small tank capacity is shown. However, the present invention is a large beverage automatic vending machine using a boiler having a large tank capacity. It can also be applied to machines.

[0040]

As described above, according to the beverage vending machine of claim 1, when the power is turned on, the water in the tank is replaced with new water. Even if it is obliged not to reuse the low hot water, it is not necessary to stop the sales, and it is possible to reliably prevent the loss of sales opportunities.

According to the beverage vending machine of claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, when the temperature of the water in the tank when the power is turned on is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the water in the tank is Since the water is not replaced, the water in the tank should be replaced when the hot water can be reused even after the power is turned on, for example, when the power is off for a short time such as a temporary power failure. Therefore, it is possible to prevent useless replacement of hot water and quickly return to a salable state.

According to the beverage vending machine of claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 1 or 2, when the predetermined process performed at the time of installation is not completed when the power is turned on, Since the above-mentioned predetermined processing is performed without replacing the water in the tank, it is possible to reliably prevent malfunctions when there is no water in the boiler tank, for example, when the power is turned on for the first time during installation. can do.

Further, according to the beverage vending machine of claim 4, in addition to the effect of claim 1, 2 or 3, when it is determined that water of a predetermined flow rate or more is not supplied into the tank within a predetermined time. For example, by stopping the sale, it is possible to appropriately deal with the fact that the water in the tank cannot be replaced, which is extremely advantageous for practical use.

According to the beverage vending machine of claim 5, in addition to the effect of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, it is determined that the amount of water accumulated in the drainage container has reached a predetermined amount. In this case, for example, by stopping the sale, it is possible to appropriately deal with the fact that the water in the tank cannot be replaced, which is extremely advantageous for practical use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a beverage vending machine showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a beverage vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Boiler, 2a ... Tank, 2e ... Electromagnetic valve, 2f ... Temperature sensor, 3 ... Water supply tank, 3a ... Water supply pump, 3b ... Flow meter, 12 ... Drainage container, 12a ... Water level sensor, 13 ... Control part.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kimihisa Ishikawa             20, Kotobukicho, Isesaki-shi, Gunma Sanden shares             In the company (72) Inventor Ryoichi Sekiguchi             20, Kotobukicho, Isesaki-shi, Gunma Sanden shares             In the company F term (reference) 3E044 AA01 CC04 CC08 DB14 DB16                       FB14

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A beverage automatic vending machine, comprising a boiler for heating water stored in a tank of a predetermined capacity to generate hot water, and pouring a beverage produced using hot water supplied from the boiler into a beverage container for sale. In the machine, water supply means for supplying water to the tank of the boiler, drainage means for discharging water in the tank of the boiler, and drainage means for discharging water in the tank when the power is turned on, and by the water supply means A beverage vending machine, comprising: a control means for supplying new water into the tank. 2. The temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of water in the tank is provided, and the control means controls the drainage means of the boiler by the draining means when the temperature of the water in the tank at power-on is lower than a predetermined temperature. The drink vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the water in the tank is discharged and new water is supplied into the tank by the water supply means. 3. When the power is turned on, a determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined process performed when the beverage vending machine is installed has already been completed, and the control means controls the predetermined process. If it has already been completed, the water in the tank of the boiler will be discharged by the drainage means, and new water will be supplied into the tank by the water supply means, and if the prescribed treatment has not been completed, the treatment will be performed. The beverage vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the beverage vending machine is configured to perform. 4. A flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of water supplied to the tank by the water supply means, and a determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined flow rate or more of water is supplied to the tank within a predetermined time. The beverage vending machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising: 5. A drainage container for accommodating water discharged from the tank by the drainage device, and a determination device for determining whether or not the amount of water accumulated in the drainage container has reached a predetermined amount. The beverage vending machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4.