JP2005178853A - Carbon dioxide gas discharger and carbonated drink server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a carbon dioxide gas discharger and a carbonated drink server capable of preventing a carbon dioxide gas for taking out from dissolving into a carbonated drink stored in a tank as a temperature for storing the drink in the tank gets lower than a temperature at which the drink in the tank is to be used during the open hours or the like, and also maintaining the quality of the carbonated drink. <P>SOLUTION: The carbonated drink server 1 for taking out the carbonated drink to serve for drink by supplying the pressurized carbon dioxide gas into the tank 2 in which the drink is stored is equipped, in the tank 2, with the carbon dioxide gas discharger 5 having a pressure sensor mechanism 55 for discharging the pressurized carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 until a predetermined pressure is reached while storing the drink. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a carbonated beverage server such as a beer server, and in particular, a carbonated beverage server for taking out a carbonated beverage by supplying pressurized carbon dioxide into a tank containing the carbonated beverage and supplying it to the beverage. And a carbon dioxide discharge device.

  Conventionally, a beer server has been known as a carbonated beverage server. Among these beer servers, by supplying pressurized carbon dioxide gas to a tank containing a predetermined amount of beer, the beer in the tank can be obtained. It is known that a beer spout can be poured into a mug or the like along with the beer by leading to a beer spout called a tap.

  A conventional beer server 100 shown in FIG. 4A includes a server main body 101 and a refrigerator 103 for cooling the beer together with the tank 102. The beer server 100 is a carbonic acid attached to the upper part of the tank 102. A gas supply unit 104, a gas cylinder 105 containing pressurized carbon dioxide gas, a gas hose 106 for supplying carbon dioxide gas from the gas cylinder 105 to the carbon dioxide supply unit 104, and a server main body 101 including a refrigerator 103 inside, A tap 107 attached to the server main body 101 for pouring beer from the tank 102 into a mug or the like, and a beer hose 108 for sending beer from the carbon dioxide supply means 104 attached to the tank 102 to the tap 107 are provided. . The server main body 101 further includes a cooler 109 and a fan 110 that sends cold air from the cooler 109 to the refrigerator 103.

  In the beer server 100, when the opening / closing handle 111 of the carbon dioxide supply means 104 attached to the upper part of the tank 102 is opened, the pressurized carbon dioxide gas from the gas cylinder 105 installed outside the server main body 101 is stored in the tank 102. Supplied above the surface of the beer. And the beer in the tank 102 is pressurized by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas. In that state, by operating the lever 112 of the tap 107, the beer in the tank 102 is pushed out of the tank 102 by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas, sent to the tap 107 through the beer hose 108, and the spout of the tap 107. The beer is discharged from 113. In this beer server 100, the beer in the tank 102 is maintained at 3 to 5 ° C. by the cooler 109. Further, carbon dioxide gas decompressed to about 0.1 MPa by the pressure regulator 114 of the gas cylinder 105 is supplied into the tank 102.

  By the way, in the case of this beer server 100, since the temperature of beer can always be managed by the refrigerator 103, the quality of beer can be maintained in an optimal state, but the beer is cooled together with the tank 102, The server body 101 has become larger. When the beer in the tank 102 stored in the refrigerator 103 runs out, it is necessary to cool the beer together with the tank 102 again, and it takes a long time of 8 to 15 hours for the beer to cool to a predetermined temperature. .

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, a tank 102 containing beer is arranged outside the server main body 121, and the beer from the tank 102 is rapidly cooled in the server main body 121 and discharged from the tap 107. A beer server 120 is also known. The server main body 121 in the beer server 120 includes a water tank 122 that stores cooling water for cooling beer, a compressor 123 that compresses a refrigerant for cooling the cooling water in the water tank 122, and a refrigerant compressed by the compressor 123. A first heat exchanger 124 that cools the water, a second heat exchanger 125 that is disposed in the water tank 122 and cools the cooling water using a refrigerant, and a motor that rotationally drives a fan 126 that stirs the cooling water in the water tank 122. 127, a beer coil 128 disposed in the water tank 122 for cooling the beer with the cooling water through the beer from the tank 102, the beer from the tank 102 being guided to the beer coil 128, and a beer hose 108 from the tank 102 First beer pipe line 129 to be connected, beer coil 128 and tap 10 And a second beer line 130 which connects and. Note that the tank 102, the gas cylinder 104, and the like have the same configuration as the beer server 100 in FIG.

  In the beer server 120, the cooling water in the water tank 122 is cooled by the second heat exchanger 125 by operating the compressor 123, and the beer passing through the beer coil 128 is cooled by the cooling water and discharged from the tap 107. Is. Accordingly, it is not necessary to cool the beer together with the tank 102, and the server main body 121 can be downsized. In addition, if the cooling water is cooled, the cooled beer can be discharged immediately. In this beer server 120, since the distance from the tank 102 to the tap 107 is longer than that of the beer server 100 in FIG. 4A, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied to the tank 102 is set higher. .

  The applicant of the present application is not particularly aware of a document in which the above technical information is described at the time of filing the present application.

  However, in the conventional beer server 120 shown in FIG. 4B, the tank 102 containing beer is disposed outside the server main body 121, that is, indoors, so that the temperature of the beer in the tank 102 depends on the room temperature or the like. fluctuate. Therefore, there is a risk that the beer in the tank 102 becomes a beer that has become sloppy due to the carbonic acid in the beer being removed from the beer as the room temperature fluctuates. Therefore, by changing the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied into the tank corresponding to the change in the room temperature, for example, between 0.15 MPa and 0.3 MPa, it is possible to prevent the carbonic acid from escaping from the beer. Specifically, the pressure of carbon dioxide gas is adjusted to about 0.3 MPa in the hot summer season and to about 0.2 MPa in the cold winter season.

  However, in winter, for example, during business hours, the room temperature becomes a predetermined temperature due to heating, but if the heating is stopped after the end of business hours, the room temperature also decreases as the nighttime temperature decreases. In addition, the temperature of the beer in the tank decreases accordingly. Then, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied to the tank is matched to the room temperature at the time of business, so when the beer temperature falls, the pressurized carbon dioxide gas outside the beer will melt into the beer and be included in the beer The applicant of the present invention has found problems that the concentration of carbonic acid is increased, the taste of beer is changed, and that foam is generated when beer is discharged from a tap.

  Therefore, when storing beer such as at the end of business hours, the carbon dioxide supply means open / close handle attached to the top of the tank is operated to stop the supply of carbon dioxide from the gas cylinder, or the tank cools. Various attempts have been made to avoid placing the tank directly on the concrete floor, placing it on a highly heat-insulating material such as corrugated paper or styrofoam, or covering the tank with a blanket. It was cumbersome and did not lead to a fundamental solution.

  Also, in summer, the room temperature is 30 ° C or higher depending on the region, so if you keep the tank containing beer indoors even after the end of business, the beer in the tank will deteriorate and the beer taste will change due to that temperature. . Therefore, after the end of business, it is preferable to store the beer in the refrigerator together with the tank, but the temperature in the refrigerator is 3 to 5 ° C. suitable for storing the beer. As in the winter season, the pressurized carbon dioxide in the tank begins to dissolve in the beer, the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the beer increases, the beer taste changes, and the beer is removed from the tap. When discharging, there is a problem that a lot of bubbles come out, and the beer is not stored in the refrigerator, and it is difficult to maintain the quality of the beer.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention has a lower temperature when storing carbonated beverages in the tank than when using carbonated beverages in the tank such as during business, and is being stored in the tank. An object of the present invention is to provide a carbon dioxide discharge device and a carbonated beverage server capable of suppressing the carbon dioxide for taking out from being dissolved in the carbonated beverage and maintaining the quality of the carbonated beverage.

  The carbon dioxide gas discharge device according to the present invention is “for carbonated beverages that contain carbonated beverages, supply pressurized carbon dioxide gas to the inside thereof, and can take out carbonated beverages to the outside by the pressure of the supplied carbon dioxide gas. In order to prevent the pressurized carbon dioxide inside the tank from being melted into the carbonated beverage when the carbonated beverage is stored, the pressurized carbon dioxide gas is discharged until a predetermined pressure is reached. Is.

  Here, the carbonated beverage is not particularly limited, but carbonated water, carbonated juice, beer, beer-flavored sparkling wine, sparkling wine, other carbonated alcoholic beverages, carbonated nutritional drinks, etc. Can do.

  Further, the method of discharging until reaching a predetermined pressure is not particularly limited, but a pressure regulator is provided at the main stopper of the gas cylinder, and carbon dioxide gas at a predetermined pressure is supplied from the gas cylinder into the tank in the pressure regulator. In such a state, a method of discharging the pressurized carbon dioxide gas in the tank and setting the carbon dioxide gas pressure in the tank to a predetermined pressure from the gas cylinder, or a pressure gauge that displays the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank A method for discharging carbon dioxide gas in the tank until the pressure gauge indicates a predetermined pressure, or a flow path for discharging carbon dioxide gas in the tank is provided with a closing valve that closes the flow path when a predetermined pressure is reached. A method of setting a predetermined pressure by discharging the carbon dioxide gas in the tank and operating the closing valve can be exemplified. The predetermined pressure is a pressure at which carbon dioxide in the tank does not dissolve into the carbonated beverage and air does not flow into the tank, and is preferably 0.08 MPa to 0.18 MPa. .1 MPa to 0.15 MPa is more preferable.

  By the way, in winter, the room temperature is usually kept around 20 ° C. by heating or the like, and the temperature of the carbonated drink stored in the tank is the same temperature as the room temperature, but when heating is stopped at night, As the outside air temperature decreases, the room temperature also decreases, and the room temperature becomes 10 ° C. or lower. Furthermore, depending on the region, the room temperature becomes 5 ° C or lower. In summer, even if air conditioning is used, the room temperature is around 30 ° C., and the temperature of the refrigerator for storing carbonated beverages in an optimal state is 3 to 5 ° C. By the way, the pressure of carbon dioxide in the tank is set so as to correspond to room temperature (about 0.2 MPa when the room temperature is 20 ° C., about 0.3 MPa when the room temperature is 30 ° C.). By storing, the temperature of the carbonated beverage is lowered, the relationship between the temperature and the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas is broken, and the lower the temperature is, the easier the carbon dioxide gas pressurized into the carbonated beverage is dissolved.

  According to the carbon dioxide gas discharge device of the present invention, pressurized carbon dioxide gas is supplied into a tank containing carbonated beverages, and the carbonated beverage in the tank is taken out of the tank by the pressure and used in the tank. When storing carbonated beverages, the pressurized carbon dioxide gas in the tank can be discharged until a predetermined pressure is reached. As a result, the temperature of the place where the tank is installed, such as at night, in winter is reduced, or the beer is stored in the refrigerator together with the tank after the business is closed in the summer. As a result, the carbon dioxide gas easily dissolves in the carbonated beverage in the tank, but by discharging the pressurized carbon dioxide gas in the tank and keeping it at a predetermined pressure, the carbon dioxide gas dissolves in the carbonated beverage. Can be suppressed.

  Therefore, since carbonated beverages can be stored in the refrigerator together with the tank in the summer, the quality of carbonated beverages in the tank is prevented from deteriorating due to high summer temperatures, and the quality of carbonated beverages is maintained. be able to.

  Also, instead of exhausting all the carbon dioxide in the tank, it is exhausted to a predetermined pressure (0.1 to 0.15 MPa), thereby preventing air from flowing into the tank. It is possible to prevent the carbonated beverage in the tank from being oxidized by air and deteriorating in quality.

  For example, when carbonated beverages are used as beer, carbon dioxide can be prevented from dissolving in the beer being stored in the tank, so the taste of the beer changes or the beer is removed from the tank via a tap. In addition to solving the problem that a lot of beer bubbles come out when taking out, air can be prevented from flowing into the tank and oxidizing the beer, thus maintaining the quality of the beer can do.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the carbon dioxide gas discharge device according to the present invention is disposed on the carbon dioxide gas flow channel, and a carbon dioxide gas flow channel that connects the tank and a gas cylinder that stores pressurized carbon dioxide gas and has a main plug. A carbon dioxide gas supply means comprising: an on-off valve that opens and closes the carbon dioxide gas flow path; and a check valve that is provided on the upstream side of the carbon dioxide gas flow path relative to the open / close valve and prevents backflow from the tank to the gas cylinder. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it is provided on the carbon dioxide gas flow path on the downstream side of the check valve.

  According to the carbon dioxide discharge device of the present invention, the carbon dioxide discharge device is provided on the downstream side of the check valve in the carbon dioxide flow channel of the carbon dioxide supply means for supplying the carbon dioxide into the tank containing the carbonated beverage. In addition, after tightening the main stopper of the gas cylinder, the pressurized carbon dioxide gas in the tank can be released to a predetermined pressure through the carbon dioxide gas flow path, and the same effect as described above can be obtained. The carbon dioxide discharge device may be provided on either the upstream side or the downstream side of the on-off valve of the carbon dioxide supply means.

  In addition, since the pressurized carbon dioxide in the tank is released to a predetermined pressure through the carbon dioxide flow channel of the carbon dioxide supply means, a separate hole or the like is provided in the tank to remove the pressurized carbon dioxide from the tank. Can be used for a conventional tank, and the apparatus of the present invention can be easily applied.

  The server for carbonated beverages according to the present invention provides: “Supplying pressurized carbon dioxide gas into a tank containing carbonated beverages, and taking out carbonated beverages outside the tank by the pressure of the supplied carbon dioxide gas and providing them to beverages. In the carbonated beverage server, a carbon dioxide discharge device for discharging the pressurized carbon dioxide gas to a predetermined pressure in order to prevent the pressurized carbon dioxide inside the tank from dissolving into the carbonated beverage during storage of the carbonated beverage It is possible to adopt a configuration of “comprising”. Here, the carbonated beverage server is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a beer server for beer and a server for carbonated juice. Moreover, the thing of the type provided with the refrigerator which accommodates carbonated drinks, or the type which is not provided with a refrigerator and cools and discharges carbonated drinks in a room temperature state rapidly may be used.

  According to the carbonated beverage server of the present invention, since the carbonated gas discharge device for discharging the pressurized carbon dioxide gas in the tank containing the carbonated beverage to a predetermined pressure is provided, the carbonated beverage is stored in the tank. , The pressurized carbon dioxide in the interior can be discharged to a predetermined pressure and stored, and it is possible to prevent the carbon dioxide from dissolving into the carbonated beverage by lowering the temperature at night and storing it in the refrigerator together with the tank be able to. In addition, said effect can further be exhibited by applying to what does not have the refrigerator which accommodates a tank as a server for carbonated drinks.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the carbonated beverage server according to the present invention may have a configuration of “further comprising carbonated beverage cooling means for cooling the carbonated beverage taken out from the tank”. Here, the carbonated beverage cooling means is not particularly limited, but the carbonated beverage is circulated in a pipe made of a material having high thermal conductivity and disposed in a water tank in which cooling water (secondary medium) is stored. What cools, what cools the pipe body which distribute | circulates carbonated drinks with a refrigerant | coolant directly, etc. can be illustrated.

  According to the carbonated beverage server of the present invention, the above effects can be remarkably exhibited by applying the carbonated beverage server with the carbonated beverage cooling means. That is, the carbonated beverage server provided with the carbonated beverage cooling means does not include a refrigerator for cooling the carbonated beverage together with the tank, and the tank is placed indoors, so that the carbonated beverage in the tank has an influence on the room temperature. This is because the temperature of the carbonated beverage in the tank also decreases due to a decrease in room temperature such as at night in winter or storage in a refrigerator in the summer, and the pressurized carbon dioxide gas easily dissolves in the carbonated beverage.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the temperature at which carbonated beverages are stored in the tank is lower than the temperature at which carbonated beverages in the tank are used, such as during business operations. Further, it is possible to provide a carbon dioxide discharge device and a carbonated beverage server capable of suppressing the dissolution of carbon dioxide for taking out and maintaining the quality of the carbonated beverage.

  Hereinafter, a carbon dioxide discharging apparatus and a carbonated drink server, which are the best mode for carrying out the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a carbonated beverage server according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a carbon dioxide discharge device of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a carbonated beverage server 1 according to this embodiment includes a carbon dioxide supply means 3 attached to an upper portion of a tank 2 for storing carbonated beverages such as beer, and a gas cylinder 4 storing pressurized carbon dioxide. A carbon dioxide discharge means 5 for discharging pressurized carbon dioxide inside the tank 2, a gas hose 6 for supplying carbon dioxide from the gas cylinder 4 to the carbon dioxide supply means 3, and a carbonated beverage taken out from the tank 2 And a server body 8 capable of rapidly cooling and discharging a carbonated beverage from the tap 7. In addition, the code | symbol 54 in a figure is a pressure regulator which adjusts the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas taken out from the gas cylinder 4, and can adjust the pressure of a carbon dioxide gas in the range of 0-3.5 MPa.

  As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 2, a bottomed cylindrical mounting portion 10 having a flange 9 for mounting the carbon dioxide supply means 3 is provided at the upper center of the tank 2. In the tank 2, an opening 11 is formed to communicate the outer periphery and the inner periphery. A first take-out pipe 12 extending to the vicinity of the bottom of the tank 2 is provided at the center of the attachment portion 10, and the upper end opening of the first take-out pipe 12 is substantially the same height as the upper end of the attachment portion 10. .

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the carbon dioxide supply means 3 includes a main body portion 14 having a through hole 13 that is attached to the attachment portion 10 at the top of the tank 2 and penetrates in the vertical direction, and a through hole 13 in the main body portion 14. A second take-out pipe 15 is slidably held in the vertical direction, and a handle 16 is provided to slide the second take-out pipe 15 in the vertical direction. In the through hole 13 of the main body portion 14, the upper side in the figure is a small-diameter portion 17 that fits with the second take-out pipe 15, and the lower side is a large-diameter portion 18 having an inner diameter larger than the outer shape of the second take-out pipe 15. Yes. The main body portion 14 is provided with a branch pipe 19 that communicates with the small-diameter portion 17 of the through-hole 13 and opens on the side surface of the main body portion 14 and has an external thread portion for attachment on the outer periphery of the tip. A carbon dioxide discharge device 5 is connected to the branch pipe 19 via a cap nut 20.

  The lower end of the second extraction pipe 15 of the carbon dioxide supply means 3 is an enlarged diameter portion 21 into which the upper end of the first extraction pipe 12 can be inserted. On the other hand, a connecting portion 23 for connecting a hose 22 for sending carbonated beverages to the server body 8 is provided at the upper end portion of the second take-out pipe 15. In the second take-out pipe 15, a groove 24 that is recessed in an arc shape is formed on the inner side of the second take-out pipe 15 over the entire circumference in the vicinity where the through hole 13 and the branch pipe 19 in the main body portion 14 communicate with each other. Has been. A ball 25 having a diameter larger than the inner diameter reduced by the groove 24 and smaller than the inner diameter of the second take-out pipe 15 is disposed inside the second take-out pipe 15.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, when the carbon dioxide gas supply means 3 moves the handle 16 downward so as to be horizontal, the second take-out pipe 15 is lowered by a mechanism (not shown). Then, the branch pipe 19 and the large-diameter portion 18 of the through hole 13 communicate with each other through the groove 24 provided in the second extraction pipe 15. Then, pressurized carbon dioxide gas sent from the gas cylinder 4 through the branch pipe 19 is supplied from the large diameter portion 18 into the tank 2 through the opening portion 11 of the mounting portion 10 of the tank 2. On the other hand, at the lower end portion of the second extraction tube 15, the upper end portion of the first extraction tube 12 is inserted into the enlarged diameter portion 21, and the lower end portion of the second extraction tube 15 inserts the packing 50 into the first extraction tube 15. The first take-out pipe 12 and the second take-out pipe 15 are connected to each other in a watertight manner.

  And the carbonated beverage flows in from the lower end portion of the first take-out pipe 12 due to the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied into the tank 2 and is sent to the server body 8 through the second take-out pipe 15 and the hose 22. . The ball 25 forms a check valve 26 with the inner peripheral surface of the second take-out pipe 15 by the groove 24, and the check valve 26 allows carbonated beverage to flow back into the tank 2 from the hose 22 side. Is preventing. The through-hole 13, the second take-out pipe 15, the handle 16, the branch pipe 19, and the groove 24 constitute an on-off valve of the present invention.

  The carbon dioxide discharge device 5 is attached to the branch pipe 19 of the carbon dioxide supply means 3 via a cap nut 20 and extends in the axial direction of the branch pipe 19 as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. A pressure detection mechanism 55 attached to the attachment pipe 27, and a discharge mechanism 28 attached to the attachment pipe 27 via the pressure adjustment mechanism 55. The discharge mechanism 28 is attached to the pressure detection mechanism 55 and has a tubular main body 29 having a through hole 36 communicating with the inside of the attachment pipe 27, an operation unit 30 provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from the tip of the main body 29, A rod 31 extending from the rear end of the operation portion 30 to the proximal end side of the main body portion 29, a valve body 32 attached to the proximal end side of the rod 31, and a spring that biases the operation portion 30 toward the distal end side of the main body portion 29. 33. The through hole 36 of the main body portion 29 is provided with a valve seat portion 34 that protrudes inward, and penetrates in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the main body portion 29 on the distal end side (upper side in the drawing) of the valve seat portion 34. A plurality of holes 35 are provided in the circumferential direction of the main body 29.

  In the main body 29, the discharge mechanism 28 has a valve body 32 disposed on the proximal end side of the valve seat portion 34, and an operation portion 30 disposed on the distal end side. The valve body 32 is urged toward the distal end side, and the valve seat 32 is urged against the valve seat portion 34, and the proximal end side and the distal end side of the through hole 36 communicate with each other normally by the valve body 32 due to the urging force of the spring 33. It is not in a state. When the operation unit 30 is pushed into the main body 29 against the urging force of the spring 33, the valve body 32 is separated from the valve seat 34, and the proximal end side and the distal end side of the through hole 36, that is, the pressure detection mechanism 55. Thus, the inside and the outside of the attachment tube 27 communicate with each other.

  The pressure detection mechanism 55 is provided between the attachment pipe 27 and the discharge mechanism 28, and cuts off the communication between the attachment pipe 27 and the discharge mechanism 28 when the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 decreases to a predetermined pressure. Thus, the discharge of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 from the discharge mechanism 28 is stopped. In the pressure detection mechanism 55, a male screw and a female screw are formed on a part of the outer periphery and the inner periphery, and the outer peripheral male screw is screwed into the mounting tube 27, and the main body 29 of the discharge mechanism 28 is connected to the inner peripheral female screw. A cylinder member 57 formed with a valve seat 56 that is screwed and projecting inwardly therein; a pressure valve body 58 that is seated on the valve seat 56 from the downstream side (upper side in the figure) of the carbon dioxide gas discharge passage; The urging means 59 urges the pressure valve body 58 toward the valve seat 56, and a holding member 61 that holds the other end side of the urging means 59 via the spacer 60. The holding member 61 is fixed by being sandwiched between the other end portion of the spacer 60 whose one end is in contact with the valve seat 56 and the base end portion of the main body portion 29 of the discharge mechanism 28.

  In this pressure detection mechanism 55, the pressure valve body 58 is urged by a predetermined urging force to the valve seat 56 by an urging means 59 made of a spring or the like, and the pressure inside the mounting tube 27 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. In this case, the pressure valve body 58 is separated from the valve seat 56, and the upstream side and the downstream side of the valve seat 56 are communicated with each other. By adjusting the urging force of the urging means 56, the pressure valve body 58 can be adjusted to open when the pressure becomes higher than a predetermined pressure. The urging force can also be changed by changing the length of the spacer 60, and the urging force of the urging means 56 is appropriately set according to a predetermined pressure. Incidentally, in this example, the pressure valve body 58 is set to open when the pressure becomes 0.1 MPa or more, and the predetermined pressure differs depending on the type of carbonated beverage stored in the tank 2. The predetermined pressure may be changed as appropriate.

  An accommodation pipe 38 for accommodating a check valve 37 is attached to the side of the attachment pipe 27 opposite to the branch pipe 19 in the carbon dioxide discharge device 5, and a gas hose 6 is attached to the tip of the accommodation pipe 38. A connecting portion 39 to be connected is attached via a cap nut 40 of the connecting portion 39. The check valve 37 in the housing pipe 38 is for preventing carbon dioxide gas, carbonated beverages, etc. from flowing into the gas cylinder 4 side from the main body 14 side of the carbon dioxide supply means 3, and is made of an elastic material such as rubber. It consists of a body. The check valve 37 and the housing pipe 38 are included in the carbon dioxide supply means 3 of the present invention. Moreover, the through-hole 13, the branch pipe 19, and the accommodation pipe 38 of the carbon dioxide supply means 3 correspond to the carbon dioxide flow path of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the server body 8 has a tap 7 for discharging carbonated beverage from the tank 2, a water tank 41 for storing cooling water for cooling the carbonated beverage, and a cooling water in the water tank 41. A compressor 42 that compresses the refrigerant, a first heat exchanger 43 that cools the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 42, a second heat exchanger 44 that is disposed in the water tank 41 and cools the cooling water using the refrigerant, A motor 46 that rotationally drives a fan 45 that stirs the cooling water in the water tank 41, a cooling coil 47 that is disposed in the water tank 41 and cools the carbonated drink with the cooling water through the carbonated drink from the tank 2, and the tank 2 The carbonated beverage is led to the cooling coil 47, and the first conduit 48 to which the hose 22 from the tank 2 is connected, and the second conduit 49 to connect the cooling coil 47 and the tap 7 are provided. ing.

  The server body 8 is also called a dispenser, and the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 42 to cool the cooling water in the second heat exchanger 44, and the tank 2 is placed in the cooling coil 47 disposed in the cooling water. By passing the carbonated drink from the tap water, the heat of the carbonated drink is taken away by the cooling water, the carbonated drink is rapidly cooled, and by operating the lever 51 of the tap 7, the carbonated drink cooled from the spout 52 of the tap 7 is removed. To be discharged. Reference numeral 53 in the figure denotes ice that has iced around the second heat exchanger 44. Further, the water tank 41, the compressor 42, the first and second heat exchangers 43 and 44, and the cooling coil 47 of this example constitute the carbonated beverage cooling means of the present invention.

  Next, operation | movement of the server 1 for carbonated drinks of this embodiment is demonstrated based on drawing. As shown in FIG. 1, after a predetermined amount of water is put into the water tank 41 of the server body 8, the compressor 42 is operated to cool the water in the water tank 41 to be cooling water. On the other hand, the carbon dioxide supply means 3 to which the carbon dioxide discharge device 5 is attached is connected to the first pipe 48 of the server body 8 via the hose 22 connected to the connection portion 23, and the carbon dioxide discharge device 5 The gas hose 6 connected to the connection portion 39 provided on the upstream side is connected to the pressure regulator 54 of the gas cylinder 4. Initially, the handle 16 of the carbon dioxide supply means 3 is set to the position of the two-dot chain line shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the carbon dioxide supply means 3 is attached to the attachment portion 10 of the tank 2 containing the carbonated beverage. Thereafter, the main stopper of the gas cylinder 4 is opened, and the adjustment dial of the pressure regulator 54 is turned to set the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas discharged from the gas cylinder 4 to a desired pressure. For example, the pressure is adjusted to about 0.25 MPa in summer and about 0.2 MPa in winter. Then, the handle 16 of the carbon dioxide supply means 3 is lowered to supply the compressed carbon dioxide from the gas cylinder 4 into the tank 2.

  In this state, by operating the lever 51 of the tap 7 in the server main body 8, the carbonated beverage in the tank 2 is pushed by the pressurized carbon dioxide gas, and the first take-out pipe 12, the second take-out pipe 15, and The server body 8 is taken out through the hose 22. The carbonated beverage is rapidly cooled by passing through the cooling coil 47 and is discharged from the spout 52 of the tap 7 together with foam.

  Thereafter, for example, when the business is ended, the use of the carbonated beverage server 1 is stopped, and the carbonated beverage is stored with the carbon dioxide supply means 3 attached to the tank 2, first, the main plug of the gas cylinder 4 is closed. . In this state, the pressurized carbon dioxide in the tank 2 does not escape by the check valve 37 provided on the upstream side of the carbon dioxide discharge device 5 in the carbon dioxide supply means 3. Then, when the operation part 30 of the carbon dioxide gas discharge device 5 is pushed, when the valve body 32 is separated from the valve seat part 34, the pressure valve body 58 of the pressure detection mechanism 55 causes the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 to reach a predetermined pressure ( Here, in the case of 0.1 MPa or more, the pressure separates from the valve seat 56, and the outside of the discharge mechanism 28 and the inside of the attachment pipe 27 communicate with each other. That is, the downstream side of the check valve 37 in the carbon dioxide supply means 3 is in a state of communicating with the outside. As a result, the pressurized carbon dioxide in the tank 2 is discharged from the hole 35 of the carbon dioxide discharge device 5 and released to the atmosphere.

  As the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 is discharged, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 decreases. When the pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, the pressure valve body 58 is applied by the urging force of the urging means 59. Is seated on the valve seat 56, and the discharge of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 is stopped.

  Next, the operation part 30 is released to seat the valve body 32 on the valve seat part 34, and the handle 16 of the carbon dioxide supply means 3 is raised to cut off the communication between the tank 2 and the carbon dioxide supply means 3. The carbonated beverage in the tank 2 can be stored. By storing carbonated beverages in the tank 2 in this state, even if the temperature such as the room temperature around the tank 2 at night falls, or even if the temperature decreases by storing the entire tank 2 in the refrigerator, carbon dioxide is added to the carbonated beverages. It becomes possible to suppress melting.

  As described above, according to the carbonated beverage server 1 of the present embodiment, since the carbon dioxide gas discharge device 5 that can release the pressurized carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 to the predetermined pressure is released to the atmosphere, When the beverage is stored, the carbonated beverage can be stored in a state where the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 is released to a predetermined pressure. As a result, the temperature drops at night, such as in winter, or the temperature drops when stored in a refrigerator in the summer, so that carbon dioxide dissolves in the carbonated beverage, the taste of the carbonated beverage changes, or the carbonated beverage is removed from the tank 2. When taking out and discharging from the tap 7, it is possible to avoid the problem that a lot of bubbles come out.

  In the summer, carbonated beverages can be stored in the refrigerator together with the tank 2, so that the quality of carbonated beverages in the tank 2 is prevented from deteriorating due to high summer temperatures, and the quality of carbonated beverages is reduced. Can be maintained.

  Further, not all the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 is discharged, but is discharged up to a predetermined pressure (0.1 MPa), so that air does not flow into the tank 2, It is possible to prevent the carbonated beverage from being oxidized by air and deteriorating in quality.

  In addition, since the pressurized carbon dioxide in the tank 2 is extracted to a predetermined pressure via the carbon dioxide flow channel of the carbon dioxide supply means 3, the tank 2 is used to extract the pressurized carbon dioxide from the tank 2. There is no need to provide a hole or the like in the tank, and it can be used for a conventional tank.

  Further, the carbonated beverage server 1 includes carbonated beverage cooling means such as a compressor 42 and first and second heat exchangers 43 and 44 for rapidly cooling the carbonated beverage from the tank 2. There is no need to cool the beverage together with the tank 2, and the entire carbonated beverage server 1 can be downsized.

  The present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as described below. And design changes are possible.

  That is, in the carbonated beverage server 1, the pressure detection mechanism 55 of the carbon dioxide discharge device 5 uses the biasing force of the biasing means 59 or the spacer 60 in order to set the carbon dioxide in the tank 2 to a predetermined pressure. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressure at which the pressure valve body opens by changing the urging force of the urging means by rotating the dial is shown. The predetermined pressure can be easily changed, so that the predetermined pressure can be easily changed.

  In the carbonated beverage server 1, as the pressure detection mechanism 55 of the carbon dioxide discharge device 5, when the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 reaches a predetermined pressure, the pressure valve body 58 is seated on the valve seat 56, Although what stops carbon dioxide discharge has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a carbon dioxide discharge device 70 having a pressure detection mechanism 71 as shown in FIG. In the figure, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The carbon dioxide gas discharge device 70 has a pressure detection mechanism 71 attached to the attachment pipe 27 adjacent to the discharge mechanism 28 attached to the attachment pipe 27 via a cylindrical member 72. The pressure detection mechanism 71 includes A transparent cylindrical main body portion 73, a cylindrical fixing member 74 for attaching the main body portion 73 to the attachment tube 27, and the inside of the main body portion 73 are screwed into from the front end side opposite to the fixing member 74. Adjustment screw 75, slide member 76 slidably disposed in the main body 73, and the slide member 76 disposed between the adjustment screw 75 and the slide member 76 to urge the base end side of the main body 73. Spring 77, a cap 78 covering the distal end side of the main body 73, a differential plate 79 made of an elastic member sandwiched between the fixing member 74 and the main body 73, and the inside of the fixing member 74 are slidable. Arranged and upper surface through differential plate 79 And a slide member 76 abuts the push element 80. Te. Reference numeral 81 in the figure is a hole that communicates the outside and the inside of the cap 78.

  A first scale 82 is provided on the outer periphery of the main body 73, and a second scale 83 is provided on the outer periphery of the slide member 76. The main body 73 is made of a transparent member, and The second scale 83 is visible from the outside. When pressure acts on the pressing member 80 side, the pressure detecting mechanism 71 moves the slide member 76 upward in the figure against the urging force of the spring 77 by the pressure, and the urging force of the spring 77 and the pressing member 80 side. The slide member 76 stops at the position where the pressure from the hung is suspended. In this example, the second scale 83 that moves together with the slide member 76 is set to coincide with the first scale 82 when a pressure of 0.1 MPa is applied from the push member 80 side.

  According to the carbon dioxide discharge device 70, the pressurized carbon dioxide in the tank 2 is discharged from the hole 35 when the operation unit 30 of the discharge mechanism 28 is pressed in a state where the main stopper of the gas cylinder 4 is tightened. As the carbon dioxide gas is discharged, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 decreases, so that the pressure applied from the pressing member 80 side of the pressure detection mechanism 71 also decreases, and the slide member 76 moves. And if the 2nd scale 83 of the slide member 76 corresponds with the 1st scale 82 of the main-body part 73, the operation part 30 of the discharge mechanism 28 will be released and the discharge of a carbon dioxide gas will be stopped. Thereby, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 can be set to a predetermined pressure, and the carbonated beverage can be stored together with the tank 2, and the same effect as described above can be obtained. In addition, since the predetermined pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 at the time of storage changes with kinds of carbonated drinks, you may make it understand the predetermined pressure according to the kind of carbonated drinks by providing two or more first scales 82.

  Moreover, although the thing provided with the pressure detection mechanisms 55 and 71 was shown as the carbon dioxide discharge apparatus 5 and 70 of said carbonated drink server 1, it is not limited to this, For example, FIG.3 (B) As shown, a carbon dioxide discharge device 90 that does not include a pressure detection mechanism may be used. The carbon dioxide discharge device 90 is obtained by eliminating the pressure detection mechanism 55 from the carbon dioxide discharge device 5 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When this carbon dioxide discharge device 90 is used, first, the gas cylinder 4 is adjusted. The dial of the pressure machine 54 is operated to set the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas from the gas cylinder to a predetermined pressure. In this state, since the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 is higher, the check valve 37 is closed and the carbon dioxide gas from the gas cylinder 4 is not supplied. In this state, when the operation unit 30 of the carbon dioxide gas discharge device 90 is pushed to discharge the pressurized carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 decreases, and when the pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, a check is performed. The valve 37 is opened, and carbon dioxide gas is supplied from the gas cylinder 4. At this time, by releasing the operation unit 30 and stopping the discharge of the carbon dioxide gas, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank 2 becomes a predetermined pressure, and the carbonated beverage can be stored together with the tank 2, and the same effect as described above Can be played. Note that the amount of compressed carbon dioxide in the tank 2 varies depending on the capacity of the tank 2 and the amount of carbonated beverage in the tank 2, so that the operation unit 30 of the carbon dioxide discharge device 90 is changed according to those conditions. It is desirable to set the pressing time appropriately.

  Moreover, although the thing which discharges the pressurized carbon dioxide in the tank 2 to predetermined pressure by operating the valve body 32 was shown as the carbon dioxide discharge device 5 of the server 1 for carbonated drinks, it is limited to this. For example, a joint capable of separating the flow path of carbon dioxide gas is provided on the downstream side of the check valve 37 of the carbon dioxide supply means 3, and the flow path of carbon dioxide gas is separated by the joint. Thus, the pressurized carbon dioxide in the tank may be discharged. For example, by using a one-touch joint as the joint, the carbon dioxide discharge device can be easily configured.

  Further, as the carbon dioxide discharge device 5, the one that manually operates the operation unit 30 to discharge the pressurized carbon dioxide in the tank 2 is shown, but the invention is not limited to this, and for example, an electromagnetic valve or the like is used. If the valve body is driven electrically and discharged, or the end of business is judged from turning on and off the power of the server body, etc., the solenoid valve is operated and the pressurized carbon dioxide in the tank is automatically discharged In addition, a temperature sensor is provided, and when the temperature becomes a predetermined temperature, for example, 10 ° C. or 5 ° C. or less, a solenoid valve is operated to automatically discharge pressurized carbon dioxide in the tank. You may do it. By these, the same effects as described above can be obtained, and by discharging automatically, the labor involved in discharging pressurized carbon dioxide in the tank can be simplified.

It is a block diagram which shows roughly the whole structure of the server for carbonated drinks which is embodiment of this invention. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the carbon dioxide discharge apparatus of this invention with a carbon dioxide supply means, (B) is sectional drawing which expands and shows a carbon dioxide discharge apparatus. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the carbon dioxide discharge apparatus of embodiment different from FIG. 2, (B) is sectional drawing which shows the carbon dioxide discharge apparatus of another embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the conventional server for carbonated drinks.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carbonated drink server 2 Tank 3 Carbon dioxide supply means 4 Gas cylinder 5, 70, 90 Carbon dioxide discharge device 6 Gas hose 8 Server body 13 Through hole (carbon dioxide gas flow path) (open / close valve)
14 Body 15 Second extraction pipe (open / close valve)
16 Handle (open / close valve)
19 Branch pipe (carbon dioxide gas flow path) (open / close valve)
24 groove (open / close valve)
28 Discharge mechanism 37 Check valve 38 Housing pipe (carbon dioxide gas flow path)
41 Water tank (cooling means for carbonated drinks)
42 Compressor (carbonated beverage cooling means)
43 1st heat exchanger (carbonated beverage cooling means)
44 Second heat exchanger (carbonated beverage cooling means)
47 Cooling coil (carbonated beverage cooling means)
55, 71 Pressure detection mechanism

Claims (4)

While containing carbonated beverages, supplying pressurized carbon dioxide gas to the inside, and by the pressure of the supplied carbon dioxide gas, it is used for a tank for carbonated beverages that can take out carbonated beverages outside,
A carbon dioxide discharge device that discharges pressurized carbon dioxide gas to a predetermined pressure in order to prevent the pressurized carbon dioxide inside the tank from dissolving into the carbonated beverage during storage of the carbonated beverage.   A carbon dioxide channel for connecting the tank and a gas cylinder having a main plug and storing pressurized carbon dioxide; an on-off valve disposed on the carbon dioxide channel for opening and closing the carbon dioxide channel; Provided on the carbon dioxide gas flow path on the downstream side of the check valve in the carbon dioxide gas supply means provided with the check valve provided on the upstream side of the flow path to prevent the tank from flowing back to the gas cylinder. The carbon dioxide discharge device according to claim 1. In the carbonated beverage server for supplying pressurized carbon dioxide into the tank containing the carbonated beverage and taking out the carbonated beverage outside the tank and supplying it to the beverage by the pressure of the supplied carbon dioxide gas,
In order to prevent the pressurized carbon dioxide gas inside the tank from being dissolved in the carbonated beverage during storage of the carbonated beverage, a carbon dioxide gas discharging device that discharges the pressurized carbon dioxide gas to a predetermined pressure is provided. A server for carbonated drinks.   The carbonated beverage server according to claim 3, further comprising carbonated beverage cooling means for cooling the carbonated beverage taken out from the tank.

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