JP2006280727A - Milk foamer and coffee beverage making device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a milk foamer capable of sanitarily managing a milker and forming high quality milk foam, and a coffee beverage making device provided with the milk foamer. <P>SOLUTION: The milk foamer 61 comprises a milk cool storage 69 for keeping milk cool, a steam boiler 64, and the milker 65 for sucking the milk from the milk cool storage 69 by steam generated by the steam boiler 64, sucking air, mixing the sucked milk and the sucked air and generates the milk foam, wherein a milk control valve 85 and a controller 20 are provided for controlling the supply of the sucked milk into a milker main body 71, the controller 20 performs the milker washing operation of stopping the supply of the sucked milk into the milker main body 71 by the milk control valve 85 and discharging only steam. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a milk foamer for producing milk foam using steam and a coffee beverage production apparatus using the same.

  A conventional coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus supplies ground coffee beans crushed to a predetermined particle size to an extraction chamber having a pressure-resistant structure, and allows the ground beans to pass through a predetermined hot water pressurized by a pump. To extract the coffee liquor. Usually, elution of coffee components is promoted by using hot water at the time of extraction of ground beans, and hot water penetrates into the ground bean structure by supplying such hot water under pressure, That is, espresso coffee is obtained.

  Recently, coffee beverages such as cappuccino may be provided by adding milk foam to the coffee liquid produced by the coffee beverage production apparatus. Thus, a coffee beverage production apparatus is proposed in which a milk foamer for producing milk foam is mounted on the coffee beverage production apparatus. In a conventional coffee beverage production apparatus, powdered milk and hot water are mixed to create a cream, which is added to the coffee liquid extracted by the coffee extractor. However, with the improvement of beverage quality, milk formers that produce milk foam from raw milk have been proposed.

This milk former is for mixing milk and air when supplying milk to the coffee extractor, and supplying the milk to the coffee extractor in a foamed state (aeration). The milk used in the milk former is cooled by a cooling device so that the milk can be stored for a long time. Therefore, when milk is supplied to the coffee extractor as it is, the temperature of the coffee liquid in the coffee extractor is lowered, and the taste and touch are impaired. Therefore, when the cooled milk is supplied to the coffee extractor, the milk generated from the milk container such as a milk pack is mixed with the air using the steam generated by the steam generator or the steam supply, and whipped. An apparatus for supplying a steam-treated milk mixture, that is, milk foam, to a coffee extractor has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-6-22856

  However, in the conventional milk foamer, a small amount of milk is adhered to the milker after the milk foam is generated and discharged. Therefore, if it is left for a predetermined time or more before the next milk foam is produced, there is a problem that airborne bacteria present in the air adhere to the milker and grow there. In this case, since the bacteria that have grown in the milk foam are mixed in the next generation of the milk foam, a small amount of the first milk foam is discarded or the milker is separated and washed. Had to manage. Therefore, there is a problem that usability is poor because management becomes complicated.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the conventional technical problems, and a milk foamer capable of hygienically managing a milker and forming a high-quality milk foam and the milk foamer are provided. Provided is a coffee beverage production apparatus.

  The milk foamer of the present invention includes a milk cooler that cools milk, a boiler that generates steam, sucks milk from the milk cooler by steam generated by the boiler, sucks air, sucks milk and sucks A milker that mixes with air to produce milk foam, and includes control means for controlling the supply of sucked milk into the milker, and the control means controls the supply of sucked milk into the milker. The milker cleaning operation is performed to stop and discharge only steam.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a milk former according to the above invention, wherein the milk supply path connecting the milk cooler and the milker is provided with a milk control valve for controlling the flow of milk, and the control means uses the milk control valve to control the milk. Is prohibited, the steam is generated by the boiler, and the milker cleaning operation is executed.

  In the milk foamer of the invention of claim 3, in the above invention, the milk control valve prohibits the circulation of milk by crushing the flexible milk supply path by applying pressure from the outside.

  The milk foamer of the invention of claim 4 comprises, in the invention of claim 1, a branch pipe having an electromagnetic valve opened to the atmosphere in the milk supply path connecting the milk cooler and the milker, and the control means comprises: The electromagnetic valve is opened, steam is generated by a boiler, and the milker cleaning operation is executed.

  In the milk foamer of the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 1, the milker is formed in the air suction path in which the small-diameter hole is formed and the air suction path, and has a diameter larger than the small-diameter hole. And an air branch pipe having a solenoid valve that can be opened, and the control means opens the solenoid valve, generates steam with a boiler, and executes a milker cleaning operation.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in each of the above inventions, the control means executes the milker washing operation after a predetermined time has elapsed after the generation of the milk foam.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in each of the above inventions, the milk former is provided with a predetermined milker washing instruction means, and the control means executes a milker washing operation based on the operation of the milker washing instruction means.

  In the milk foamer according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in each of the above inventions, the control means executes a milker washing operation immediately before the production of the milk foam is completed.

  A coffee beverage production apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes the milk foamer according to each of the above inventions, supplies ground coffee beans ground to a predetermined particle size to a coffee extractor, and supplies hot water from a hot water tank to the coffee extractor. The coffee liquid is supplied and extracted, and the milk foam produced by the milker can be added to the coffee liquid extracted by the coffee extractor.

  According to the present invention, a milk cool box for cooling milk, a boiler for generating steam, and sucking milk from the milk cool box by the steam generated by the boiler, sucking air, sucking milk and sucked air, In a milk foamer comprising a milker that produces milk foam by mixing, a control means for controlling the supply of sucked milk into the milker is provided, and the control means stops the supply of sucked milk into the milker. By performing a milker cleaning operation that discharges only the steam, only the steam is discharged without discharging the milk into the milker, so that the residual milk adhering to the inside of the milker can be cleaned by the steam. .

  In particular, since high-temperature steam is discharged into the milker, the cleaning ability inside the milker can be improved and high-temperature sterilization can be performed. Further, since the milker itself is heated by the high-temperature steam, drying in the milker can be promoted, and the milker can be maintained more sanitarily.

  Further, the invention of claim 2 is provided with a milk control valve for controlling the flow of milk in the milk supply path connecting the milk cooler and the milker, and the control means prohibits the flow of milk by the milk control valve, By generating steam with the boiler and performing the milker cleaning operation, the milk flow can be easily stopped during the milker cleaning operation by controlling the opening and closing of the milk control valve.

  In the invention of claim 3, since the milk control valve prohibits the circulation of milk by applying pressure to the flexible milk supply path from the outside and crushing the milk control valve, The flow of milk in the milk supply path can be controlled without flowing in the milk, so that it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of milk remaining in the milk control valve and eliminate the need for cleaning inside the control valve. Can do. Thereby, it becomes possible to control the distribution of milk in the milk supply path with a simple configuration.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the milk supply path connecting the milk cooler and the milker is provided with a branch pipe having an electromagnetic valve opened to the atmosphere. By opening and generating steam with a boiler and performing a milker cleaning operation, the electromagnetic valve is opened so that air can flow into the milker via the branch pipe of the milk supply path during the milker cleaning operation. This can stop the inflow of milk into the milker. As a result, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of milk remaining in the milker and improve the cleaning ability.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the milker is formed in an air suction path in which a small-diameter hole is formed and an air suction path, and can be opened to the atmosphere with a diameter larger than the small-diameter hole. The air branch pipe having a solenoid valve, and the control means opens the solenoid valve, generates steam with a boiler and executes the milker cleaning operation, thereby opening the solenoid valve, during the milker cleaning operation. Atmosphere can be flowed into the milker via the air branch pipe of the air suction path, whereby the milk flow into the milker can be stopped. As a result, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of milk remaining inside the milker and to improve the cleaning ability.

  According to the invention of claim 6, in each of the above-mentioned inventions, the control means performs a milker washing operation after a predetermined time has elapsed after producing the milk foam, thereby completely cooling the sucked milk at the time of milk foam production. The milker cleaning operation can be executed after returning to the storage chamber by its own weight, and the inconvenience that milk mixes in the steam during the milker cleaning operation can be avoided.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to improve the washing | cleaning capability of a milker, and it becomes possible to maintain a milker hygienically.

  According to the invention of claim 7, in each of the above-mentioned inventions, it is provided with a predetermined milker cleaning instruction means, and the control means can arbitrarily perform by executing the milker cleaning operation based on the operation of the milker cleaning instruction means. It becomes possible to execute a milker washing operation, and usability is improved.

  According to the invention of claim 8, in each of the above inventions, the control means performs a milker washing operation immediately before the completion of the production of milk foam, thereby washing the milker every time the milk foam is produced. Can be managed more hygienically. In addition, by performing the milker washing operation immediately before the production of the milk foam is completed, it becomes possible to receive the steam discharged during the milker washing operation in a cup or the like that reliably receives the produced milk foam. It can be performed safely and without contaminating the surroundings.

  According to the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus of the invention of claim 9, the milk foamer of each of the above inventions is provided, ground coffee beans ground to a predetermined particle size are supplied to the coffee extractor, and hot water is extracted from the hot water tank. The coffee liquid is extracted into the machine and the milk foam produced by the milker can be added to the coffee liquid extracted by the coffee extractor. It becomes possible to extract milk foam that is high quality and hygienic in the liquid.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a coffee beverage production apparatus 1 of the present invention, a side view of the coffee beverage production apparatus 1 of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 3 and 4 show a configuration diagram of the coffee beverage production apparatus 1.

  The present embodiment is a coffee beverage production apparatus 1 provided with a milk former 61 of the present invention installed in a kitchen or counter of a fast food restaurant, for example, and a drip coffee extraction unit 1A on the right side and a left side on the left. The espresso coffee extraction unit 1B is integrated to form a main body 6. In the drip coffee extraction unit 1A, sprinkled hot coffee that is a coffee liquid extracted by spraying hot water on the coffee raw material powder, that is, drip coffee is manufactured, and in the espresso coffee extraction unit 1B, the coffee raw material powder A pressure extraction type coffee, that is, a coffee liquid extracted by supplying hot water under pressure, that is, espresso coffee is produced.

  In the middle of the front surface of the espresso coffee extraction unit 1B, there is provided a nozzle member 4 integrally provided with a coffee liquid nozzle 2 for discharging the coffee liquid of espresso and a milk foam nozzle 3 for discharging milk foam. Below the nozzle member 4 is provided a cup support 7 on which a cup for receiving the extracted coffee liquid is placed. In addition, the nozzle member 4 is comprised so that height adjustment is possible up and down. In addition, a plurality of operation buttons 5 for selecting the type of beverage to be discharged are provided on the upper front of the espresso coffee extraction unit 1B, and the right side of the nozzle member 4 is used for extracting coffee liquid. There is provided a residue receiving portion 8 that receives the generated residue and is provided so as to be drawn forward. Reference numeral 9 denotes a bean storage container for storing coffee beans.

  On the other hand, a sprinkler 41 is provided at the upper front of the drip coffee extraction unit 1A, and a drip coffee powder chamber 42 is detachably attached to the lower side of the sprinkler 41. Further, a heat retaining pot 43 is provided below the powder chamber 42, and a decanter support base 44 is formed below the heat retention pot 43, and on the decanter support base 44, The heat retention decanter 46 is placed corresponding to the above.

  The heat retaining pot 43 and the heat retaining decanter 46 have, for example, a stainless steel vacuum double structure and have extremely high heat retaining performance. A manual opening / closing valve 47 is provided at the outlet 43 </ b> A of the heat retaining pot 43.

  Next, with reference to FIG.3 and FIG.4, the internal structure of the coffee drink manufacturing apparatus 1 is demonstrated. 3 and 4 show the internal structure of the main body 6 of the coffee beverage production apparatus 1, and are shown divided into two parts at * to show each part in an easily understandable manner. First, the espresso coffee extraction unit 1B includes a hot water tank 10 for water supplied from a water supply pipe 51 through two water supply valves 48 and 49, and an espresso hot water tank 11 communicated with the hot water tank 10 for water supply. And an espresso pump (gear pump) 12 attached to the bottom of the espresso hot water tank 11, an espresso extraction mechanism 13, a milk former 61, and the like.

  The hot water supply tank 10 is a tank capable of storing several liters of drinking water, and has an electric heater (for water supply) that heats and keeps the water stored in the hot water supply tank 10 at, for example, + 68 ° C. to + 70 ° C. An electric heater) 52 and a water level switch 53 are provided, and a water supply thermistor 54 for detecting the temperature of the hot water tank 10 for water supply and a bimetal thermostat 55 for preventing idling are also attached. The water supply thermistor 54 is an end of a communication pipe (hot water supply path) 31 connected to a drip hot water tank (sprinkling hot water tank) 27, which will be described later, and is open into the hot water in the hot water supply water tank 10. It is assumed that the temperature in the vicinity of or the temperature inside the water supply tank 10 is detected. And the control apparatus 20 as a control means provided in the main body 6 energizes the electric heater 52 when the temperature of the stored water drops to + 68 ° C. based on the temperature detected by the thermistor 54, and when the temperature rises to + 70 ° C. Turn off the power.

  Further, the water level switch 53 is provided with a low water level at a full water level and a position where a predetermined water level is lowered from the full water level, in this embodiment, a position where the amount of water for one cup of espresso coffee, for example, 150 ml is reduced. The control device 20 performs control to open the water supply valves 48 and 49 when the water level switch 53 detects a low water level and to close when the water level switch 53 detects a full water level. In the present embodiment, the control device 20 prohibits the opening of the water supply valves 48 and 49 for a predetermined period, for example, 15 seconds after the water supply valves 48 and 49 are closed.

  Further, a downcomer pipe 50 that opens on the water surface and descends to the lower part of the hot water supply tank 10 is attached below the opening of the water supply pipe 51. Reference numeral 56 denotes a steam pipe through which steam from the hot water tank 10 or overflowed hot water flows out to the residue receiving portion 8, and a bimetal thermostat 59 for boiling prevention is attached to the steam pipe 56. If the hot water in the hot water supply tank 10 has boiled due to a problem with the control, the bimetal thermostat 59 is turned off at the temperature of the steam and hot water coming out of the steam pipe 56 to supply water. The electric heater 52 is turned off.

  The hot water tank 10 for water supply and the hot water tank 11 for espresso are communicated with each other through a communication pipe 57. In this case, one end of the communication pipe 57 is opened in the hot water in the upper part of the hot water supply tank 10, and the other end is connected to the bottom surface of the espresso hot water tank 11 and opened to the inside. Reference numeral 58 denotes a drain plug provided in the middle of the communication pipe 57.

  The espresso hot water tank 11 is also a tank capable of storing several liters of drinking water, and the water stored in the espresso hot water tank 11 is heated and maintained at, for example, + 94 ° C. to + 97 ° C. (+ 85 ° C.). The control device 20 is provided with an electric heater (pressurizing extraction electric heater) 70 that is set to an appropriate temperature and turns on an appropriate temperature lamp (not shown). In addition, a bimetal thermostat 71 for preventing airing and the hot water tank 11 for espresso are provided. A thermistor 72 for detecting the temperature is also attached. Based on the temperature detected by the thermistor 72, the control device 20 energizes the pressure extraction electric heater 70 when the temperature of the stored water decreases to + 94 ° C., and cuts off the energization when it rises to + 97 ° C.

  Reference numeral 73 denotes a steam pipe through which steam from the espresso hot water tank 11 or overflowed hot water flows out to the residue receiving portion 8, and this steam pipe 73 is also attached with a bimetal thermostat 74 for preventing boiling. If the hot water in the espresso hot water tank 11 is boiled by any trouble, the bimetal thermostat 74 is turned off at the temperature of the steam and hot water coming out of the steam pipe 73 and pressurized. It is set as the structure which interrupts | blocks electricity supply of the electric heater 70 for extraction.

  An espresso pump 12 provided at the bottom of the espresso hot water tank 11 is a pump that pressurizes and discharges hot water in the espresso hot water tank 11, and the suction port of the espresso pump 12 is an espresso hot water tank. 11 is opened in the hot water in the upper part of the water 11, and the hot water flow pipe 14 and the coffee extraction solenoid valve 15 are sequentially connected to the discharge port, and the hot water supply pipe 16 is connected to the other end of the hot water supply pipe 16. An espresso extraction mechanism 13 is connected.

  The hot water supply side pipe 16 is connected with a circulation pipe 18 provided with a hot water circulation electromagnetic valve 17 which is located between the hot water flow meter 14 and the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 15 and constitutes a circulation path. The other end of the circulation pipe 18 is connected to the espresso hot water tank 11. A hot water supply pipe 19 is open at one end in the hot water in the upper part of the espresso hot water tank 11, and includes a hot water solenoid valve 21. A nozzle 19A attached to the other end of the hot water supply pipe 19 is provided on the front right side of the espresso coffee extraction unit 1B, and discharges only hot water by operating the operation switch 5.

  On the other hand, the bean storage container 9 is installed above the espresso extraction mechanism 13. Below the bean storage container 9, there is provided a coffee mill 22 for pulverizing the coffee beans stored in the bean storage container 9 to a predetermined particle size by a grinding blade (not shown) that rotates at high speed. Below 22, a powder meter 23 for measuring the coffee powder crushed in the coffee mill and a chute 24 for storing the measured coffee powder in the espresso extraction mechanism 13 are provided. An extraction side pipe 25 constituting a coffee liquid extraction path is connected to the lower portion of the espresso extraction mechanism 13, and the extraction side pipe 25 is connected to a coffee extraction electromagnetic valve for controlling the discharge of the extracted coffee liquid. 26 is interposed. The coffee liquid nozzle 2 is connected to an extraction side pipe 25 downstream of the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 26. As a result, the coffee liquid can be poured into a cup (not shown) arranged on the cup support 7.

  Note that sugar and cream are injected into the cup at the request of the customer along with the injection of the coffee liquid, but the illustration and explanation of these supply systems are omitted.

  The espresso extraction mechanism 13 includes a cylinder that stores ground beans supplied to the chute 24, a piston that can be inserted into and removed from the cylinder, a piston drive motor that drives the piston, and the like. The cylinder unit is composed of a piston, piston drive motor, etc., and further includes a unit for tilting the entire cylinder unit at a predetermined angle, and a lid member for closing the top opening of the cylinder when the cylinder unit is tilted. Configured. Further, the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 15 includes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the coffee liquid that has entered the electromagnetic valve 15 so as to have a predetermined pressure or higher.

  Next, the configuration of the milk former 61 will be described. The milk former 61 of this embodiment includes a hot water supply pipe 62 for taking out hot water from the hot water tank 10 for water supply, an electromagnetic pump 63 for milk foam, a steam boiler 64, a milker 65, and the like. One end of the hot water supply pipe 62 opens into the hot water in the upper part of the hot water tank 10 for water supply, and an electromagnetic pump 63 for milk foam and a steam boiler 64 are sequentially provided. A milker 65 is connected to the other end of the hot water supply pipe 62. The hot water supply pipe 62 positioned between the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 and the steam boiler 64 is provided with a branch pipe 67, and the branch pipe 67 has a drain electromagnetic valve that opens to the outside at a predetermined pressure. 68 is provided.

  The steam boiler 64 has a built-in electric heater, and heats the hot water supplied from the hot water supply tank 10 through the hot water supply pipe 62 and the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 to, for example, about + 170 ° C. to generate steam, This steam is supplied to the milker 65. The steam boiler 64 is provided with a temperature sensor (not shown), and the controller 20 controls the temperature so that the steam temperature is set based on the detection of the temperature sensor.

  The milker 65 is constituted by a substantially cylindrical main body 71 as shown in FIG. 5, and the side of the main body 71 is biased to the left or right of the center and protrudes into the main body 71. The discharge part 72 is integrally formed, and the milk foam nozzle (discharge part) 3 for discharging the milk foam generated in the main body 71 is integrally formed on the bottom surface of the main body 71.

  The discharge portion 72 has a substantially cylindrical shape that is open to the left and right, and an end portion of the hot water supply pipe 62 located on the downstream side of the steam boiler 64 at the end opposite to the side connected to the main body 71. Are connected via a steam nozzle 74. The steam nozzle 74 has a steam passage communicating with the left and right inside, a small hole 74A that discharges steam to the discharge section 72 at one end, and an inner wall of the discharge section 72 and hot water supply piping on one side. An O-ring 74 </ b> B is provided to closely contact the connection with 62.

  A milk suction nozzle 75 communicating with the inside of the discharge part 72 is formed on the lower surface of the discharge part 72, and the upper surface of the discharge part 72 is also formed in a location facing the milk suction nozzle 75 in the same way inside the discharge part 72. A communicating air suction nozzle 76 is formed.

  One end of the milk suction nozzle 75 is connected to a milk suction tube (milk supply path) 66 that is inserted into the milk pack 69 </ b> A housed in the milk cool box 69. In the present embodiment, the milk suction tube 66 is made of a flexible material, and is a so-called pinch valve that can prevent milk from flowing through the tube 66 by crushing by applying pressure from the outside. A configured milk control valve 85 is attached.

  A weight member 70 (illustrated in FIG. 6 and subsequent figures) is provided at the end (tip) of the milk suction tube 66 on the milk pack 83 side. In this embodiment, the weight member 70 has a mass of about 20 g in order to sink the milk suction tube 66 to the lower part of the milk pack 69A. Further, the weight member 70 is formed with a cutout 70A from the bottom surface to the side surface, so that the milk remaining on the bottom surface of the milk pack 69A can be easily sucked.

  An air suction tube 79 is connected to the air suction nozzle 76, and an air suction cap 81 is detachably attached to the other end opening of the air suction tube 79. The air suction cap 81 is a cylindrical member having a small hole (small diameter hole) 81A formed at the tip, and a peripheral wall 81B protruding in a direction facing the tube 79 is formed around the small hole 81A. A flange 81C protruding outward is formed in the vicinity of the tip. Thereby, the air suction nozzle 76 can suck a small amount of air at a time.

  In addition, two fitted portions 71 </ b> A and 71 </ b> B that protrude outward are formed on the upper surface opening edge of the main body 71. These are formed at opposing positions. And the milker cap 84 in which the protrusion part 84A which protruded inside the main body 71 is formed in the upper surface opening of the main body 71 shall be removably obstruct | occluded. On the periphery of the milker cap 84, fitting portions 84 </ b> C and 84 </ b> D are formed to be fitted below the fitted portions 71 </ b> A and 71 </ b> B formed on the upper surface opening edge of the main body 71.

  As a result, the milk former 61 is swirled by discharging steam generated by the steam boiler 64 to the milker 65 as will be described in detail later, and the milk pack 69A kept in the milk cooler 69 from the milk suction tube 66. The milk is sucked and mixed with air to be foamed, and the milk foam can be discharged from the milk foam nozzle 3.

  Next, the drip coffee extraction unit 1A will be described. The drip coffee extraction unit 1A is provided with a drip hot water tank 27 and the sprinkler 41. The drip hot water tank 27 and the water supply hot water tank 10 are communicated with each other through a communication pipe 31. In this case, one end of the communication pipe 31 opens in the hot water in the upper part of the hot water tank 10 for water supply, and the other end is connected to the upper surface in the hot water tank 27 for drip. A connecting pipe 33 is attached to the drip hot water tank 27 so as to descend downward and open at the bottom thereof, and the communicating pipe 31 communicates with the upper end of the connecting pipe 33. Further, in the middle of the communication pipe 31, a pump 32 and a flow washer 30 are provided on the downstream side of the pump 32. The pump 32 is connected to the control device 20 and the operation of the pump 32 is controlled based on the amount of hot water detected by the drip flow meter 28.

  The drip hot water tank 27 is a tank capable of storing several liters of drinking water, and the water stored in the drip hot water tank 27 is heated and maintained at, for example, + 93 ° C. to + 95 ° C. (+ 93 ° C. or higher). The control device 20 is provided with an electric heater 34 for heating and an electric heater 35 for heat insulation (which includes a bimetal thermostat 36 for preventing air-blowing). A drip thermistor 37 for detecting the temperature of the drip hot water tank 27 is also attached. This drip thermistor 37 detects the temperature in the vicinity of one end of a siphon 29 described later, that is, the temperature of the upper part of the hot water tank 27 for drip.

  Based on the temperature detected by the drip thermistor 37, the controller 20 energizes the heating electric heater 34 when the temperature of the stored water drops to + 93 ° C., and cuts off the electric heater 34 when the temperature rises to + 95 ° C. Similarly, based on the temperature detected by the drip thermistor 37, the control device 20 energizes the heat retaining electric heater 35 when the temperature of the stored water falls to + 93 ° C., and cuts off the energization of the electric heater 35 when the temperature rises to + 95 ° C.

  Reference numeral 38 denotes a steam pipe through which steam from the drip hot water tank 27 or overflowed hot water flows out. The steam pipe 38 is controlled by the control device 20 so that it is closed only during the operation of the pump 32 and is always opened. An electromagnetic on-off valve 38A is provided, and a boiling prevention bimetal thermostat 39 is attached. If the hot water in the drip hot water tank 27 is boiled by any trouble, the bimetal thermostat 39 is turned off at the temperature of the steam or hot water coming out of the steam pipe 38, and the electric heater It is set as the structure which interrupts | blocks the electricity supply of 34,35.

  In addition, one end of a siphon 29 having a drip flow meter 28 interposed is connected to the upper part of the drip hot water tank 27, and the other end is connected to the sprinkler 41. The drip flow meter 28 includes a rotor inside, detects the amount of hot water supply by rotating the rotor with flowing hot water and detecting a frequency pulse corresponding to the rotational speed of the rotor. is there. The drip flow meter 28 is connected to the control device 20, and the operation control of the pump 32 is performed based on the detection of the drip flow meter 28. Further, a water distribution pipe 40 having a drainage manual valve 40A is connected to the bottom surface of the drip hot water tank 27.

  The control device 20 includes a memory that stores programs and data, a timer that generates a clock signal, and a CPU that operates based on the clock signal and the program. Further, flow meters 14 and 28, thermistors 37, 54 and 72, a water level switch 53 and the like are connected to the input side of the control device 20, and the espresso pump 12 and the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 15 are connected to the output side. , Hot water circulation solenoid valve 17, hot water supply solenoid valve 21, coffee extraction solenoid valve 26, drainage solenoid valve 68, espresso extraction mechanism 13, pump 32, electric heaters 52, 70, 34, 35, steam boiler 64 (in fact, its interior ), A milk foam electromagnetic pump 63, a milk control valve 85, water supply valves 48, 49 and the like are connected and controlled based on the output of the control device 20.

  With the above configuration, the operation of the coffee beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. Before the operation button 5 is operated, any electromagnetic valves other than the electromagnetic on-off valve 38A and the milk control valve 85 are de-energized, and are closed or allowed to flow hot water above a certain pressure. It is assumed that

(1) Water Supply After the power is turned on, the control device 20 energizes and opens the water supply valves 48 and 49 to supply water to the hot water supply tank 10. At this time, since the espresso hot water tank 11 is connected to the hot water supply tank 10 through the communication pipe 57, the espresso hot water tank 11 is also supplied to the espresso hot water tank 11 through the communication pipe 57 by the Pascal principle. And the same water level. Further, the control device 20 operates the pump 32 for a predetermined time, and causes the water in the hot water supply tank 10 to flow into the drip hot water tank 27 from the communication pipe 31 to reach the full water level.

  In this way, when the drip hot water tank 27 becomes full and the water level switch 53 detects the full water level of the hot water supply tank 10 (espresso hot water tank 11), the control device 20 closes the water supply valves 48 and 49.

(2) Generation of hot water Next, the control device 20 generates hot water in each of the hot water tanks 10, 11 and 27. In this case, the control device 20 controls not to energize any two of the electric heaters 52, 70, 34 and the steam boiler 64 at the same time, and for extracting one of the drip coffee and espresso coffee described above. Can be energized to necessary equipment (pump 32, espresso pump 12, coffee extraction electromagnetic valves 15, 26, espresso extraction mechanism 13, etc., including electric heater 35 for heat insulation).

  In the embodiment, the control device 20 preferentially energizes the electric heater 70 of the espresso hot water tank 11 and the hot water electric heater 34 of the drip hot water tank 27, and performs an espresso operation by an input operation to the operation switch 5. It is possible to set which of the electric heater 70 in the hot water tank 11 and the hot water electric heater 34 in the hot water tank 27 for drip has the highest priority.

  Since many drip coffees are sold in the store of the embodiment, assuming that the hot water heater 34 is preferentially set, the control device 20 includes the electric heaters 52 and 70, the hot water heater 34 and the steam boiler 64. First, energization of the electric water heater 34 is started. When the temperature of the hot water in the drip hot water tank 27 rises to + 93 ° C. described above, the energization of the water heater 34 is cut off, and thereafter, the heat retaining electric heater 35 is energized and controlled as described above. The temperature of the hot water in 27 is kept at + 93 ° C. to + 95 ° C.

  Next, the control device 20 starts energization of the electric heater 70 of the espresso hot water tank 11 from the time when the energization of the hot water electric heater 34 is cut off. When the hot water temperature in the espresso hot water tank 11 rises to + 97 ° C., the electric heater 70 is deenergized. Next, the control device 20 starts energizing the electric heater 52 of the hot water supply tank 10 from the time when the energization to the electric heater 70 is cut off. And if the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank 10 for water supply rises to +70 degreeC mentioned above, electricity supply to the electric heater 52 will be cut off. Then, energization of the steam boiler 64 is started from the time when the energization of the electric heater 52 is cut off, and the temperature is raised to the above-described temperature.

  When the temperature of the hot water in the drip hot water tank 27 is lowered to + 93 ° C. due to the extraction of the drip coffee as described later, the energization to the electric water heater 34 is started again. When the other electric heaters 52 and 70 and the steam boiler 64 having a low current are energized, the energization to the electric heaters 52 and 70 and the steam boiler 64 is interrupted. Similarly, when the temperature of the hot water in the espresso hot water tank 11 is lowered to + 94 ° C. due to the extraction of espresso coffee, the electric heater 70 is energized again. When the steam boiler 64 is energized, the energization of the electric heater 52 and the steam boiler 64 is interrupted. Similarly, when the temperature of the hot water in the hot water supply tank 10 drops to + 68 ° C., the energization of the electric heater 52 is started again, but when the steam boiler 64 having a low priority is energized at that time. Interrupts energization of the steam boiler 64.

  In this manner, a predetermined amount of hot water is generated in the drip hot water tank 27, the espresso hot water tank 11, and the hot water tank 10 for supplying water, and the steam boiler 64 is heated to the standby temperature.

(3) Extraction of drip coffee Next, when extracting the drip coffee, first, a predetermined amount (for 8 cups in this embodiment) of ground beans for drip (coffee raw material powder) is put into the powder chamber 42. Set under the sprinkler 41. When drip coffee is selected with the operation button 5 provided on the main body 6, drip coffee extraction start input is performed to the control device 20. Accordingly, the control device 20 operates the pump 32 based on the output of the drip flow meter 28 to extract eight cups of hot water from the hot water supply tank 10 to the drip hot water tank 27, in this embodiment, one drip extraction. Since the amount of hot water required for 1700 ml is, for example, 1700 ml, the 1700 ml is replenished. Since the drip hot water tank 27 is always full, the replenished hot water is pushed out from the upper part of the drip hot water tank 27 to the siphon 29 and sprayed from the sprinkler 41 to the powder chamber 42 via the siphon 29. Is done. Specifically, the drip flow meter 28 detects the outflow amount in the first 1000 pulses, and performs feedback control based on the outflow amount in the 1000 pulses by the control device 20, so that a predetermined amount, that is, 1700 ml in this embodiment. No water is supplied to the sprinkler 41.

  In this case, the hot water from the hot water supply tank 10 flows from the lower end of the connecting pipe 33 into the lower part of the drip hot water tank 27, so that the siphon 29 has hot water having a high temperature of about + 96 ° C. Will be pushed out. Since the drip flow meter 28 provided in the siphon 29 measures the hot water delivered from the drip hot water tank 27, it always measures a constant temperature, that is, hot water of + 95 ° C. to + 96 ° C. in this embodiment. It will be. Thereby, since the temperature of the detection target in the flow meter 28 does not vary, the detection error due to the temperature can be minimized when the flow rate of the flow meter 28 is detected. Therefore, the detection error due to temperature can be remarkably reduced as compared with the conventional case where the flow meter is provided between the hot water tank 10 for supplying water and the hot water tank 27 for drip. A certain amount of hot water can be supplied to the sprinkler 41 without being affected by the temperature supplied to the water sprinkler.

  This makes it possible to correct the quality variation that occurs at each extraction, and to maintain a constant concentration of the extracted coffee liquid. Therefore, it is possible to provide a uniform and high quality coffee liquid every time.

  In such a case, since the drip flow meter 28 has a predetermined resistance, when the steam pipe 38 is in an open state, a part of the hot water pushed out by the hot water supply from the hot water supply tank 10 is part of the drip flow meter 28. The steam pipe 38 overflows. The high temperature hot water activates the boiling prevention bimetal thermostat 39 and stops the operation of the pump 32. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to suppress such inconvenience, the solenoid on-off valve 38A is closed during operation of the pump 32 to prevent hot water from overflowing from the steam pipe 38. Thereby, even when the drip flow meter 28 becomes a resistance, the problem that hot water flows out from the steam pipe 38 and the operation of the pump 32 is stopped by the operation of the thermostat 39 can be avoided. it can. In addition, the hot water can be smoothly discharged from the drip hot water tank 27 to the sprinkler 41.

  Then, as described above, hot water having a high temperature of about + 95 ° C. is extruded into the powder chamber 42, so that the ground beans are sufficiently steamed in the powder chamber 42 and smooth coffee liquid extraction is performed.

  The coffee liquid extracted in the powder chamber 42 flows down into the heat retaining pot 43 from the lower end and is stored. The heat retaining pot 43 has a capacity of 1 to several liters, and has a high heat retaining capacity with a vacuum double structure, so that the drip coffee extracted without a heat retaining heater is kept at a suitable temperature for a predetermined period. Can keep warm. When the drip coffee is provided, the coffee extraction manual valve 47 of the heat retaining pot 43 is opened, and the drip coffee in the heat retaining pot 43 is discharged into the heat retaining decanter 46 disposed below it. Will be poured into the cup. Since this heat retention decanter 46 is also of a vacuum double structure and has a high heat retention capability, the internal drip coffee can be kept at a suitable temperature for a predetermined period without a heat retaining heater.

(4) Extraction of espresso coffee When the espresso coffee is selected with the operation button 5 provided on the main body 6, an espresso coffee extraction start input is performed to the control device 20. Thereby, the control apparatus 20 opens the hot water circulation electromagnetic valve 17, and performs the pipe | tube temperature rising process which performs the low speed driving | operation of the espresso pump 12 for predetermined time, 4 seconds in the Example. Thereby, the hot water in the espresso hot water tank 11 is sent out by the espresso pump 12 to the hot water circulation electromagnetic valve 17 and the circulation pipe 18 constituting the circulation path.

  The hot water staying in the hot water supply side pipe 16 located between the espresso pump 12 and the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 15 is pumped to the circulation pipe 18 via the hot water circulation electromagnetic valve 17 and is supplied to the espresso hot water tank 11. Returned. Thus, the hot water supply side pipe 16 positioned between the espresso pump 12 and the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 15 is heated with hot water of about + 94 ° C. to + 97 ° C. supplied from the espresso hot water tank 11. it can.

  After the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the pipe temperature raising step, the control device 20 stops the operation of the espresso pump 12, then closes the hot water circulation electromagnetic valve 17, and ends the pipe temperature raising step. On the other hand, the espresso extraction mechanism 13 is subjected to the next extraction preparation process after the end of the previous coffee liquid supply process. That is, in the extraction preparation step, first, the control device 20 puts the cylinder of the espresso extraction mechanism 13 in an upright state, pulverizes the coffee beans in the bean storage container 9 in advance in the coffee mill 22, and grinds the beans (coffee raw material powder). In this state, a predetermined amount of coffee powder measured by the powder meter 23 is supplied into the cylinder through the chute 24.

  Thereafter, when the supply of the ground beans is completed, the control device 20 energizes and operates the piston drive motor, rotates the entire cylinder unit downward about the lower end, and tilts the cylinder at a predetermined angle. Thereafter, the control device 20 seals the upper end opening of the cylinder with a lid member. At this time, the control device 20 lowers the lid member in synchronization with the inclination of the cylinder unit, inserts it into the cylinder, and stops the drive of the piston drive motor. Furthermore, the control apparatus 20 operates a piston drive motor, pushes up a piston, and compresses the ground beans in a cylinder.

  In this state, the control device 20 proceeds to the coffee liquid extraction step, opens the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 15 and drives the espresso pump 12. As a result, the hot water in the upper portion of the espresso hot water tank 11 heated to about + 94 ° C. to + 97 ° C. at a pressure of 0.3 MPa is supplied to the cylinder of the espresso extraction mechanism 13.

  After that, the control device 20 supplies hot and pressurized hot water to the cylinder sealed with the lid member via the hot water supply side pipe 16 to extract the coffee liquid from the compressed ground beans. At this time, high-temperature and high-pressure hot water is supplied into the cylinder, so that a dark coffee liquid, that is, espresso coffee from which the coffee components are sufficiently eluted from the beginning of extraction is extracted.

  Then, the coffee liquid extracted by the cylinder of the espresso extraction mechanism 13 is discharged to the coffee liquid nozzle 2 via the extraction side pipe 25 and the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 26. Here, the coffee extraction electromagnetic valve 26 is controlled by the control device 20 so as to allow the coffee liquid to flow at a constant pressure, for example, 0.3 MPa or more, so that a constant pressure (this embodiment) Then, a pressure of 0.3 MPa is applied by the espresso pump 12 and further pressure is applied by the ground beans swollen in the cylinder, so that a pressure of 0.4 MPa or more can be actually applied) become. As a result, fine fine bubbles can be generated on the surface of the coffee liquid, and a coffee liquid with a rich and mellow taste and aroma can be obtained, so that the quality of the coffee liquid can be improved. Become.

  Here, when the water level of the espresso hot water tank 11 is lowered by the production / extraction of espresso coffee (about 150 ml for one cup), the water level of the hot water tank 10 connected through the communication pipe 57 reaches the low water level. descend. When the water level switch 53 detects the low water level, the control device 20 opens the water supply valves 48 and 49 and replenishes the hot water tank 10 for water supply with drinking water. The replenished water flows into the lower part of the hot water supply tank 10 through the downcomer 50. Then, the control device 20 closes the water supply valves 48 and 49 by detecting a predetermined full water level, but the hot water corresponding to the increased water level flows into the lower part of the espresso hot water tank 11 through the communication pipe 57. As described above, the water supply valves 48 and 49 are prohibited from being opened for a predetermined time, that is, 15 seconds after being closed by the control device 20.

(5) Generation of milk foam And, when the beverage selection button 5 of the beverage for which the supply of milk is required is operated, when the espresso coffee liquid is being extracted from the cup or the like as described above, the control device 20, the milk foam is generated by the milk former 61 described above.

  That is, the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 is operated for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds, by the output of the control device 20. Thereby, the hot water in the hot water supply tank 10 is discharged into the hot water supply pipe 62, and the discharged hot water enters the steam boiler 64. Here, the temperature of the hot water stored in the hot water supply tank 10 is set to a temperature suitable for use in the espresso extraction mechanism 13, for example, + 97 ° C. Therefore, the steam boiler 64 has about 100 ° C. Hot water with a temperature close to is supplied. The hot water supplied into the steam boiler 64 is further heated by the steam boiler 64 and is heated to a temperature suitable for the production of milk foam, for example, + 170 ° C. to be steam. The steam is discharged from the steam boiler 64 even after the operation of the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 is completed, for example, for about 7 seconds when the hot water already supplied into the steam boiler 64 is converted into steam.

  Then, the steam generated by the steam boiler 64 is injected into the discharge part 72 of the milker 65 through the hot water supply pipe 62 and the steam nozzle 74. Here, since the milk control valve 85 provided in the milk suction tube 66 is opened and milk can be circulated, the steam passes through the vicinity of the milk suction nozzle 75 and the air suction nozzle 76 in the discharge section 72. When passing, negative pressure is generated in the discharge part 72, and the milk in the milk pack 69 </ b> A is sucked into the discharge part 72 via the milk suction tube 66 from the milk suction nozzle 75, and from the air suction nozzle 76. External air is sucked into the discharge part 72 through the air suction cap 81 and the air suction tube 79.

  The milk (sucked milk) and air (suction air) sucked into the discharge part 72 by the steam passing through the discharge part 72 are discharged into the main body 71 of the milker 65 along the inner wall of the discharge part 72. . And the milk and air discharged in the main body 71 are swung along the inner wall of the main body 71 by the pressure of the steam. By this turning, milk and air are mixed and foamed, discharged from the milk foam nozzle 3 formed on the bottom surface of the main body 71, and supplied to a cup or the like placed under the nozzle 3. . Thereby, the foamed milk is poured on the upper surface of the coffee liquid extracted as described above.

(6) Milker cleaning operation After the production of milk foam as described above, the control device 20 executes a milker cleaning operation. That is, the control device 20 closes the milk control valve 85 after a predetermined set time, for example, 10 seconds elapses from the end of the operation of the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 operated for generating the milk foam, and again for the milk foam. The electromagnetic pump 63 is operated for 5 seconds, for example.

  Normally, when milk foam is produced, the milk control valve 85 is opened, so that milk is sucked from the milk pack 69A only while steam is being discharged from the steam boiler 64 into the milker 65. It is discharged into the milker 65 together with steam through the tube 66. Thereafter, after the discharge of the steam from the steam boiler 64 is completed, the negative pressure generated in the discharge section 72 is eliminated, so that the milk in the milk suction tube 66 returns to the milk pack 69A by its own weight. In this embodiment, since the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 is stopped, it takes about 10 seconds for the milk in the milk suction tube 66 to return to the milk pack 69A. The predetermined set time from the end of the operation of the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 is set to at least 10 seconds.

  With the milk returning to the milk pack 69A, the control device 20 closes the milk control valve 85 and operates the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 again for 5 seconds, for example, so that the hot water in the hot water supply tank 10 is supplied with hot water. The hot water discharged into the pipe 62 enters the steam boiler 64. Here, the hot water supplied to the steam boiler 64 is heated to, for example, + 170 ° C. and made steam as described above. The steam thus generated by the steam boiler 64 is injected into the discharge part 72 of the milker 65 through the hot water supply pipe 62 and the steam nozzle 74.

  Here, since the milk control valve 85 provided in the milk suction tube 66 is closed and the circulation of milk is prohibited, the steam passes through the vicinity of the milk suction nozzle 75 and the air suction nozzle 76 in the discharge section 72. Even if it passes and a negative pressure is generated in the discharge part 72, the milk is not sucked into the discharge part 72 from the milk suction nozzle 75. On the other hand, external air is sucked into the discharge portion 72 from the air suction nozzle 76 via the air suction cap 81 and the air suction tube 79.

  The steam discharged into the discharge part 72 is discharged into the main body 71 of the milker 65 along the inner wall of the discharge part 72 together with the suction air. Thereby, the inside of the milker 65 can be cleaned with the high-temperature steam. Therefore, even if the milk foam generated last time remains or adheres in the main body 71, the inside of the main body 71 of the milker 65 can be cleaned with steam, and easily perishable milk adheres. Even if it is a case, hygiene can be maintained.

  In particular, since the steam discharged into the discharge section 72 is at a high temperature, the cleaning ability can be improved and high-temperature sterilization can be performed. Moreover, since the main body 71 of the milker 65 is heated by the high-temperature steam, the drying in the main body 71 can be promoted, and the sanitary condition can be further maintained.

  In the present embodiment, the milk control valve 85 that controls the milk flow in the milk suction tube 66 is constituted by the pinch valve as described above, and therefore, by crushing the milk suction tube 66 by applying pressure from the outside. It becomes possible to prohibit the distribution of milk. Therefore, since it is possible to control the flow of milk without flowing milk inside the valve having a complicated internal structure, it is possible to avoid inconvenience that the milk remains in the milk control valve 85 and to wash the milk. Maintenance such as the above becomes easy. It is possible to control the milk flow in the milk suction tube 66 with a simple configuration.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the milk control valve 85 constituted by a pinch valve is used. However, as shown in FIG. 6, an electromagnetic on-off valve 86 is directly connected to the milk suction tube 66 as shown in FIG. It is assumed that the distribution control of the milk in the milk suction tube 66 may be performed. However, in this case, the electromagnetic open / close valve 86 is a normally closed valve and opens and closes when energized based on the control device 20.

  Therefore, when milk foam is generated, in order to allow the milk to flow, the controller 20 opens the electromagnetic on-off valve 86 by de-energizing it, and when the milker washing operation is executed as described above, As in the above embodiment, after a predetermined set time, for example, 10 seconds has elapsed from the end of the operation of the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 that was operated to generate milk foam, the electromagnetic on / off valve 86 is energized by the control device 20 to open and close electromagnetically. The valve 86 is closed, and the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 is operated again for 5 seconds, for example.

  Also by this, the milk control valve 86 provided in the milk suction tube 66 is closed during the milker washing operation, and the circulation of the milk is prohibited, so that only the steam supplied from the steam boiler 64 is passed through the inner wall of the discharge unit 72. It becomes possible to discharge into the main body 71 of the milker 65 along. This makes it possible to clean the inside of the milker 65 with the high-temperature steam, and even if the previously generated milk foam remains or adheres to the main body 71, the inside of the main body 71 of the milker 65 is maintained. It becomes possible to wash with steam and maintain hygiene even when perishable milk adheres.

  In addition to the above, during the milker washing operation, the milk is not discharged into the main body 71 of the milker 65 via the milk suction tube 66, and only the steam from the steam boiler 64 is discharged. There is a configuration shown in

  That is, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7, a branch pipe 87 is provided in the milk suction tube 66, and an electromagnetic opening / closing valve 88 opened to the atmosphere is provided at the end of the branch pipe 87. In this case, when the milk foam is generated, the electromagnetic on-off valve 88 is closed, and during the milker cleaning operation, the operation of the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 operated for generating the milk foam is performed in the same manner as in the above embodiment. After a predetermined set time, for example, 10 seconds has elapsed from the end, the electromagnetic on-off valve 88 is opened, and the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 is again operated, for example, for 5 seconds.

  As a result, during the milker cleaning operation, the discharged steam can cause air to flow into the main body 71 of the milker 65 via the branch pipe 87 of the milk suction tube 66, and the milk flows into the milker main body 71. Can be stopped. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that milk is mixed in the steam during the cleaning operation and the milk remains in the main body 71, and the cleaning ability can be improved.

  Therefore, also in this case, only the steam supplied from the steam boiler 64 is discharged into the main body 71 of the milker 65 along the inner wall of the discharge part 72, whereby the inside of the milker 65 is cleaned with the high-temperature steam. Even if the previously generated milk foam remains or adheres to the main body 71, the main body 71 of the milker 65 can be cleaned with steam, and the perishable milk can be removed. Even if it adheres, a hygienic state can be maintained.

  That is, in the configuration shown in FIG. 8, a branch pipe 89 is provided in the air suction tube 79, and an electromagnetic opening / closing valve 90 opened to the atmosphere is provided at the end of the branch pipe 89. In this case, the opening when the electromagnetic on-off valve 90 is opened has a diameter larger than the diameter of the small hole 81 </ b> A formed in the air suction cap 81.

  In such a case, when the milk foam is generated, the electromagnetic on-off valve 90 is closed, and during the milker cleaning operation, the operation of the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 operated for generating the milk foam is performed as in the above-described embodiment. After a predetermined set time, for example, 10 seconds has elapsed from the end, the electromagnetic on-off valve 90 is opened, and the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 is again operated, for example, for 5 seconds.

  Thus, during the milker cleaning operation, the discharged steam can cause the atmosphere to flow into the main body 71 of the milker 65 through the electromagnetic on-off valve 90 of the branch pipe 89 formed in the air suction tube 79. The inflow of milk into the main body 71 can be stopped. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that milk is mixed in the steam during the cleaning operation and the milk remains in the main body 71, and the cleaning ability can be improved.

  Therefore, even in this case, only the steam supplied from the steam boiler 64 is discharged into the main body 71 of the milker 65 along the inner wall of the discharge part 72, whereby the inside of the milker 65 is cleaned with the high-temperature steam. Even if the previously generated milk foam remains or adheres to the main body 71, the main body 71 of the milker 65 can be cleaned with steam, so Even if it adheres, a hygienic state can be maintained.

  In this embodiment, in any of the above-described configurations, milk is prohibited from flowing after a predetermined set time, for example, 10 seconds has elapsed since the end of the operation of the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 operated to generate milk foam. In addition, the milker washing operation is executed by operating the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 again for 5 seconds, for example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the set time is, for example, 1 from the end of the previous operation of the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63. It may be set to time.

  Thus, the milker cleaning operation can be performed only when the milk foam is not generated for a long time. Thereby, it becomes possible to shorten the time required until the next milk foam extraction, and it is possible to smoothly provide a coffee beverage that requires continuous milk foam extraction.

  In addition, a milker washing switch (milker washing instruction means) (not shown) for arbitrarily instructing the milker washing operation on the main body 6 of the coffee beverage production apparatus 1 is provided, and the milker can be arbitrarily selected based on the operation of the switch. The cleaning operation may be performed. Thereby, in addition to the said Example, usability is improved.

  In addition, the milker cleaning operation may be executed by the control device 20 immediately before the production of milk foam is completed. In such a case, each valve control is performed for 1 second immediately before the end of the operation of the milk foam electromagnetic pump 63 operated for generating milk foam, for example, for 10 seconds. For example, the opening / closing control of the valve is performed again after 5 seconds so that milk can be distributed.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to wash | clean the milker 65 whenever it produces | generates milk foam, and it becomes possible to manage still more hygienically. In this case, it becomes possible to receive the steam discharged during the milker washing operation in a cup or the like that receives the milk foam that is reliably generated, and it is possible to execute it safely and without contaminating the surroundings. .

  Each on-off valve is controlled by the control device 20, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the milker cleaning operation may be executed by arbitrarily opening and closing the on-off valve.

  In the embodiment, drip coffee and espresso coffee have been described as examples. However, the hot water type coffee and the pressure extraction type coffee are not limited to these, and include any name of coffee of each extraction method. .

It is a front view of the coffee drink manufacturing apparatus of a present Example. It is a side view of the coffee drink manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is an internal block diagram of the coffee drink manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is an internal block diagram of the coffee drink manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1 similarly. It is a side view of a milker and each component. It is a side view of the milker and each component of another Example. It is a side view of the milker and each component of another Example. It is a side view of the milker and each component of another Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coffee drink production apparatus 2 Coffee liquid nozzle 3 Milk foam nozzle 5 Beverage selection button 6 Main body 10 Hot water tank 20 Water supply control device 48, 49 Water supply valve 61 Milk foamer 62 Hot water supply piping 63 Milk foam electromagnetic pump 64 Steam boiler 65 Milker 71 Main Body 72 Discharge Part 75 Milk Suction Nozzle 76 Air Suction Nozzle 66 Milk Suction Tube 81 Air Suction Cap 81A Small Hole 69 Milk Cold Storage 69A Milk Pack 85 Milk Control Valve (Pinch Valve)
86, 88, 90 Electromagnetic on-off valve 87, 89 Branch piping

Claims (9)

A milk cooler that cools milk, a boiler that generates steam, and sucks milk from the milk cooler by the steam generated by the boiler, sucks air, and mixes the sucked milk and sucked air. In a milk former equipped with a milker that produces milk foam,
Control means for controlling the supply of the sucked milk into the milker,
The milk former characterized in that the control means executes a milker cleaning operation in which the supply of the sucked milk into the milker is stopped and only the steam is discharged. The milk supply path connecting the milk cold storage and the milker is provided with a milk control valve for controlling the milk flow,
The milk former according to claim 1, wherein the control means prohibits the milk flow by the milk control valve, generates steam by the boiler, and executes the milker washing operation.   3. The milk foamer according to claim 2, wherein the milk control valve inhibits the circulation of milk by crushing the flexible milk supply path by applying pressure from the outside. The milk supply path connecting the milk cold storage and the milker is provided with a branch pipe having a solenoid valve opened to the atmosphere,
The milk former according to claim 1, wherein the control means opens the electromagnetic valve, generates steam by the boiler, and executes the milker cleaning operation. The milker includes an air suction path in which a small-diameter hole is formed, and an air branch pipe that is formed in the air suction path and has an electromagnetic valve that can be opened to the atmosphere with a diameter larger than the small-diameter hole,
The milk former according to claim 1, wherein the control means opens the electromagnetic valve, generates steam by the boiler, and executes the milker cleaning operation.   The milk fork according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the control means executes the milker washing operation after a predetermined time has elapsed after the generation of the milk foam. Ma. Provided with predetermined milker washing instruction means,
The said control means performs the said milker washing | cleaning driving | operation based on operation of the said milker washing | cleaning instruction | indication means, The claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Milk former.   The said control means performs the said milker washing | cleaning driving | operation immediately before the production | generation of milk foam is complete | finished, The claim 2, The claim 3, The claim 4, The claim 6, The claim 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Or the milk former of Claim 7.   The milk former is provided, ground coffee beans ground to a predetermined particle size are supplied to a coffee extractor, hot water is supplied from the hot water tank to the coffee extractor to extract coffee liquid, and the milker A coffee beverage production apparatus characterized in that the milk foam produced in this way can be added to the coffee liquid extracted by the coffee extractor.

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