JP2012146086A - Beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a beverage dispenser capable of detecting replacement of a bag-in-box (BIB) packaging without newly providing a switch.SOLUTION: A beverage dispenser 1 comprises: a roller assembly 41 which clamps a tube T connected to a BIB packaging B between the roller assembly 41 and a guide 43, the BIB packaging B being composed by accommodating a bag-like packaging filled with beverage further in a box-like packaging; a motor 42 which makes the roller assembly 41 to rotate; and a stop position switch 45 which detects rotation of the roller assembly; and a tube pump 4 which pushes out and discharges the beverage in the tube T by driving the motor 42. The beverage dispenser 1 is provided with replacement determination means which determines, without driving the motor 42, that the BIB packaging has been replaced when the stop position switch 45 detects the rotation of the roller assembly 41. Therefore, the beverage dispenser 1 can detect the replacement of the BIB packaging without newly providing a switch.

Description

  The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage from a bag-in-box in which a bag-like container enclosing a beverage is further accommodated in a box-like container.

  Among beverage dispensers that dispense beverages from a bag-in-box (hereinafter referred to as “BIB”) in which a bag-like container enclosing a beverage is further contained in a box-like container, the beverage contained in the BIB There is a known device that calculates a remaining amount and warns when the calculated remaining amount is smaller than a preset remaining amount. This beverage dispenser includes a BIB set switch that outputs a BIB set signal and a pump set switch that outputs a pump set signal, and when a signal is output from at least one of the BIB set switch and the pump set switch. As the BIB has been replaced, the remaining amount of the beverage is reset to the capacity when the BIB is full (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-269443

  However, the beverage dispenser described above needs to be newly provided with a BIB set switch and a pump set switch in order to detect the replacement of the BIB, which causes a cost increase.

  This invention is made in view of the above, Comprising: It aims at providing the drink dispenser which can detect replacement | exchange of BIB, without providing switches, such as a BIB set switch and a pump switch, newly.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a tube connected to a bag-in-box in which a bag-like container enclosing a beverage is further accommodated in a box-like container. A roller assembly sandwiched between the roller assembly, a motor for rotating the roller assembly, and a detection sensor for detecting the rotation of the roller assembly. By driving the motor, the beverage in the tube is pushed out and discharged. In a beverage dispenser including a tube pump to be operated, an exchange determining unit is provided that determines that the bag-in-box has been exchanged when the detection sensor detects rotation of the roller assembly without driving the motor. It is characterized by that.

  Further, the present invention provides a roller assembly for sandwiching a tube connected to a bag-in-box containing a bag-like container enclosing a beverage in a box-like container between the guide, the guide, A beverage dispenser comprising a tube pump cover that is opened when the tube is passed between a roller assembly and then closed, and a detection sensor that detects the closed tube cover, wherein the detection sensor is the tube pump. It is characterized by comprising an exchange determining means for judging that the bag-in-box has been exchanged when it is detected that the cover has been opened.

  Further, a roller assembly for sandwiching a tube connected to a bag-in-box containing a bag-like container enclosing a beverage in a box-like container between the guide and the guide from the roller assembly A lever that is operated when separating and then returns to the original position when the tube is sandwiched between the guide and the roller assembly; and a detection sensor that detects the lever returned to the original position. The beverage dispenser is provided with a replacement determination unit that determines that the bag-in-box has been replaced when the detection sensor detects a lever that has returned to its original position.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, an exchange date and time storage unit that stores a date and time when the exchange determination unit determines that a bag-in-box has been exchanged, and an effective date determined in advance from the date and time stored in the exchange date and time storage unit And an informing means for informing when the period has elapsed.

  Since the beverage dispenser according to the present invention determines that the bag-in-box has been replaced when the detection sensor detects the rotation of the roller assembly without driving the motor, a switch such as a BIB set switch or a pump switch It is possible to detect the exchange of the bag-in-box without providing a new one.

  In addition, the beverage dispenser according to the present invention determines that the bag-in-box has been replaced when the detection sensor detects the closure after the tube pump cover is opened, so a switch such as a BIB set switch or a pump switch is newly added. It is possible to detect the replacement of the bag-in-box without providing it.

  In addition, since the beverage dispenser according to the present invention determines that the bag-in-box has been replaced when the detection sensor detects the lever returned to the original position, a switch such as a BIB set switch or a pump switch is newly provided. The replacement of the bag-in-box can be detected without providing it.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state where an operation panel of the beverage dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1 is removed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tube pump cover of the tube pump shown in FIG. 2 is opened. 4 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the tube pump shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the beverage dispenser shown in FIG.

  Embodiments of a beverage dispenser according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state where an operation panel of the beverage dispenser shown in FIG. 1 is removed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the beverage dispenser 1 includes a dispenser body 2 and an operation panel 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the dispenser main body 2 is a box having an open front surface, and an adjustment leg 21 for adjusting the height is provided on the bottom thereof. Further, inside the dispenser main body 2, a container 22 for storing a bag-in-box (liquid container) (hereinafter referred to as “BIB container”) B is provided. The BIB container B is a container in which a bag-like container enclosing a concentrated beverage is further accommodated in a box-shaped container. For example, a plastic bag container enclosing a concentrated beverage is further accommodated in a cardboard box container. It is configured. When the concentrated beverage enclosed in the BIB container B is poured out, the bag container contracts inside the box container, thereby avoiding the situation where air enters the bag container and preventing the concentrated beverage from being oxidized. To do.

  A tube pump 4 is provided in the inside of the dispenser main body 2 and in a region that is a lower region of the storage. The tube pump 4 is for pumping out the concentrated beverage sealed in the BIB container B, and is provided for each BIB container B. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the storage 22 of the beverage dispenser 1 shown in FIG. 1 can store two BIB containers B, and two tube pumps are provided in the lower region of the storage 22. 4 is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tube pump cover of the tube pump shown in FIG. 2 is opened. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the tube pump shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tube pump 4 is for discharging the beverage enclosed in the BIB container B, and has a roller assembly 41 and a motor 42 (see FIG. 4) that rotates the roller assembly 41. ing. The roller assembly 41 includes a rotating plate 41a (see FIG. 4) and a pair of rollers 41b attached to the rotating plate 41a, and is connected to the BIB container B between the roller 41b and a guide 43 described later. The tube T is clamped so as to be crushed. The rotating plate 41a is formed in a substantially diamond shape, is attached to the drive shaft 42a of the motor 42, and rotates together with the drive shaft 42a when the motor 42 is driven. The pair of rollers 41b are rotatably provided at symmetrical positions about the drive shaft 42a, and rotate independently of the drive shaft 42a of the motor 42.

  The open end Ta of the tube T connected to the BIB container B is held by the tube guide 50 and constitutes a discharge port Ta through which the concentrated beverage is discharged. Then, when the motor 42 is driven, the roller assembly 41 rotates, and the position of the tube T sandwiched between the roller 41b and the guide 43 moves so that the concentrated beverage inside the tube is pushed out. It discharges from the discharge port Ta. On the other hand, the tube T clamped so as to be crushed returns to its original shape due to its restoring force. At that time, the inside of the tube T is evacuated, and the concentrated beverage is sucked into the tube from the BIB container B.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a light shielding disk 44 is attached to the drive shaft 42 a of the motor 42. The light-shielding disk 44 is for detecting the stop position and the rotational speed of the roller assembly 41 in cooperation with a stop position switch (detection sensor) 45, and has a pair of notches (not shown) on the outer periphery thereof. )). The position of the notch corresponds to the mounting position of the roller 41b, and stops at the position where the stop position switch 45 has shifted from the light transmitting state to the light blocking state. Further, the rotational speed of the roller assembly 41 and the amount of concentrated beverage dispensed have a proportional relationship, and the roller assembly 41 is rotated in advance by a predetermined number of signals (pulse signals). The dispensed concentrated beverage is discharged.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the guide 43 described above is provided in the left side region of the roller assembly 41. As described above, the guide 43 sandwiches the tube T connected to the BIB container B so as to crush between the roller 41b and has an inner wall surface formed in an arc shape. A tube T connected to the BIB container B is disposed along the wall surface. The guide 43 can be opened and closed with the lower end portion as an axis, and a lever 43a is disposed at the upper end portion. The lever 43a is provided so that it can be pulled, and is operated when the guide 43 is opened. When the lever 43a is pulled, the guide 43 can be opened and closed, the guide 43 is closed, and when the tube T is sandwiched between the guide 43 and the roller assembly 41, the lever 43a returns to its original position. .

  Further, a lever detection sensor 46 (see FIG. 5) is provided at the back of the lever 43a. The lever detection sensor 46 is for detecting the lever 43a that has returned to its original position. When the lever detection sensor 46 detects the lever 43a, the motor 42 can be driven. When 43a is not detected, the motor 42 cannot be driven. Thus, the motor 42 can be driven when the lever detection sensor 46 detects the lever 43a, and the motor 42 cannot be driven when the lever detection sensor 46a does not detect the lever 43a. In order to prevent the operator (clerk) from getting injured by pinching the finger between the roller assembly 41 and the guide 43, the safety of the operator is ensured.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a tube pump cover 47 is supported on the right side region of the roller assembly 41 so as to be openable and closable. The tube pump cover 47 is a cover that covers the roller assembly 41 and the tube T sandwiched between the guide 43 and the roller assembly 41 so as to be crushed between the guide 43 and the roller assembly 41. It is opened when letting go through and closed when pouring concentrated beverages.

  Further, a projection 47 a is provided at the lower end of the tube pump cover 47 on the support side. The protrusion 47a is for a cover detection sensor 48 (see FIG. 5) built in the depth of the protrusion to detect the closing of the tube pump cover 47. When the tube pump cover 47 is closed, the cover detection sensor 48 The protrusion 47a is detected. The motor 42 can be driven when the cover detection sensor 48 detects the protrusion 47a of the tube pump cover 47, and the motor 42 when the cover detection sensor 48 does not detect the protrusion 47a of the tube pump cover 47. Cannot be driven. Thus, the motor 42 can be driven when the cover detection sensor 48 detects the protrusion 47a of the tube pump cover 47, and the motor when the cover detection sensor 48 does not detect the protrusion 47a of the tube pump cover. The reason why the driving of 42 is disabled is to prevent the operator (store clerk) from getting injured by pinching the finger between the roller assembly 41 and the guide 43, thereby ensuring the safety of the operator. Is done.

  Further, a discharge port 49 for a diluent is provided in the left side region of the open end (discharge port) Ta of the tube T. The diluent outlet 49 is an outlet 49 for discharging a diluent for diluting the concentrated beverage. The diluent discharged from the diluent outlet 49 is mixed with the concentrated beverage to dilute the concentrated beverage. . The dilution liquid is drinking water, carbonated water, etc., when the beverage to be dispensed is a non-carbonated beverage, the drinking water is ejected from the ejection port 49, and when the beverage to be dispensed is a carbonated beverage, from the ejection port 49 Discharge carbonated water. When the beverage to be poured is a slightly carbonated beverage, drinking water and carbonated water are alternately discharged from the discharge port 49.

  A beverage nozzle 5 is provided in the right side area of the tube pump 4. The beverage nozzle 5 has a stock solution nozzle that discharges a stock solution such as syrup and a dilution solution nozzle that discharges a dilution solution such as drinking water and carbonated water, and the stock solution and the dilution solution nozzle that are ejected from the stock solution nozzle. The beverage diluted with the stock solution is poured out by mixing with the diluted solution discharged from.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a drip tray 23 is provided at the lower end portion of the dispenser main body 2 which is a lower region of the tube pump 4 and the beverage nozzle 5. The drip tray 23 is for receiving a splattered beverage or a beverage overflowing from a beverage cup, and a cup rest 24 for placing a beverage cup is placed thereon. The cup rest 24 is configured by forming a wire rod such as a steel wire into a bar shape, and the splattered beverage or the beverage overflowing from the beverage cup passes through the cup rest 24 and is received by the drip tray 23.

  The operation panel 3 is for covering the front opening of the dispenser body 2, and is supported on one side edge of the dispenser body 2 (the beverage dispenser 1 shown in FIG. 1 is the left edge) so as to be opened and closed. A beverage selection button 31 is provided on the front surface of the operation panel 3.

  The beverage selection button 31 is arranged corresponding to the tube pump 4 and the beverage nozzle 5. Specifically, the beverage selection button 31 is arranged so that the placement position of the tube pump 4 and the beverage nozzle 5 correspond to each other, and the beverage selected by the beverage selection button 31 is displayed below the beverage selection button 31. Pour into a beverage cup placed in

  For example, since beverages made from concentrated beverages discharged from the tube pump 4 are normally limited to one type, one beverage selection button 31 is arranged for one tube pump 4 as shown in FIG. . On the other hand, since a plurality of types of beverages are normally poured out from the beverage nozzle 5, a plurality of beverage selection buttons 31 are arranged for one beverage nozzle 5, as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the beverage dispenser. As shown in FIG. 5, the beverage selection button 31 and the tube pump 4 described above are connected to the control unit 6 and are controlled in an integrated manner.

  When exchanging the BIB container B, after opening the operation panel 3, the tube pump cover 47 is opened, and then the lever 43a is operated to open the guide 43. Then, the tube T connected to the BIB container B is taken out between the guide 43 and the roller assembly 41, and the empty BIB container B is removed from the storage case 22.

  Thereafter, a new BIB container B is stored in the storage 22 and the tube T connected to the BIB container B is passed between the guide 43 and the roller assembly 41. At this time, since the roller assembly 41 is rotated, the stop position switch 45 detects the rotation of the roller assembly 41 without driving the motor 42. At this time, the control unit 6 determines that the BIB container B has been replaced (exchange determination unit).

  And after holding the tube T connected to the BIB container B in the tube guide 50, the front-end | tip of the tube T is cut horizontally with the scissors disinfected by alcohol spray. As described above, the cut open end Ta of the tube T constitutes the discharge port Ta that is held by the tube guide 50 and discharges the concentrated beverage.

  Thereafter, when the guide 43 is closed, the lever 43a returns to the original position, and the lever detection sensor 46 detects the lever 43a that has returned to the original position. At this time, the control unit 6 may determine that the BIB container B has been replaced.

  Thereafter, when the tube pump cover 47 is closed, the cover detection sensor 48 detects the protrusion 47 a of the tube pump cover 47. At this time, the control unit 6 may determine that the BIB container B has been replaced.

  Thereafter, when the operation panel 3 is closed, the motor 22 is driven and the roller assembly 41 rotates and stops at the stop position in preparation for beverage dispensing. In this case, the stop position switch 45 detects the rotation of the roller assembly 41. However, since the beverage is not dispensed when the beverage selection button 31 is pressed, the controller 6 assumes that the BIB container B has been replaced at this time. You may judge.

  When the replacement work of the BIB container B is completed, the date and time when it is determined that the BIB container B has been replaced is stored, and when a predetermined period has elapsed from that date and time, the fact is notified (replacement date storage means and Notification means). This is because the quality of the concentrated beverage deteriorates after a predetermined period has elapsed after opening the BIB container B. The notification signal output from the notification unit is input to a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or a warning unit such as a buzzer. The content of the notification signal input to the display means is displayed on the display means. The notification signal input to the warning unit is output as a voice from the warning unit.

  When calculating and displaying the remaining amount of the concentrated beverage, the remaining amount can be reset to the capacity of the BIB container B when it is determined that the BIB container B has been replaced.

  The beverage dispenser 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above determines that the BIB container B has been replaced when the stop position switch 45 detects the rotation of the roller assembly 41 without driving the motor 42. The replacement of the BIB container B can be detected without providing a new switch.

  If it is determined that the BIB container B has been replaced when the lever detection sensor 46 detects the lever 43a returned to the original position, the replacement of the BIB container B can be detected without providing a new switch.

  If it is determined that the BIB container B has been replaced when the cover detection sensor 48 detects the protrusion of the tube pump cover 47, the replacement of the BIB container B can be detected without providing a new switch.

  In addition, the date and time when it is determined that the BIB container B has been replaced is stored, and when a predetermined period has elapsed from that date and time, the fact is notified, so that it is possible to prevent the dispensing of beverages with deteriorated quality of the concentrated beverage. . Specifically, a display means such as a liquid crystal display displays that a predetermined period has elapsed, and a sound is output from a warning means such as a buzzer. Thereby, the operator (store clerk) who operates the beverage dispenser 1 is notified, and the dispensing of the beverage with the deteriorated quality of the concentrated beverage is prevented.

  In addition, when calculating and displaying the remaining amount of the concentrated beverage, if the remaining amount is reset to the capacity of the BIB container B when it is determined that the BIB container B has been replaced, the remaining amount of the concentrated beverage can be accurately displayed. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Beverage dispenser 2 Dispenser main body 22 Storage 3 Operation panel 31 Beverage selection button 4 Tube pump 41 Roller assembly 41a Rotating plate 41b Roller 42 Motor 42a Drive shaft 43 Guide 43a Lever 44 Light-shielding disk 45 Stop position switch 46 Lever detection sensor 47 Tube pump cover 47a Protrusion 48 Cover detection sensor 49 Discharge port 50 Tube guide 5 Beverage nozzle 6 Control unit B Bag-in-box T Tube Ta Discharge port (open end)

Claims (4)

A roller assembly for sandwiching a tube connected to a bag-in-box containing a bag-like container enclosing a beverage in a box-like container with a guide; a motor for rotating the roller assembly; A beverage dispenser comprising a tube pump for detecting the rotation of the roller assembly and driving the motor to push out and discharge the beverage in the tube;
A beverage dispenser comprising: a replacement determination unit that determines that the bag-in-box has been replaced when the detection sensor detects rotation of the roller assembly without driving the motor. A roller assembly for holding a tube connected to a bag-in-box containing a bag-like container enclosing a beverage in a box-like container between the guide and the guide and the roller assembly A beverage dispenser comprising a tube pump cover that is opened when the tube is passed through and then closed, and a detection sensor that detects the closed tube cover.
A beverage dispenser, comprising: an exchange determining means for determining that the bag-in-box has been exchanged when the detection sensor detects a closure after the tube pump cover is opened. A roller assembly that sandwiches a tube connected to a bag-in-box containing a bag-like container enclosing a beverage in a box-like container with the guide, and the guide is separated from the roller assembly And a lever that returns to the original position when the tube is sandwiched between the guide and the roller assembly, and a detection sensor that detects the lever that has returned to the original position. In beverage dispensers,
A beverage dispenser comprising an exchange determining means for judging that the bag-in-box has been exchanged when the detection sensor detects a lever that has returned to its original position. Exchange date and time storage means for storing the date and time when the exchange determining means determines that the bag-in-box has been exchanged;
The beverage according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying when a predetermined effective period has elapsed from the date and time stored in the replacement date and time storage unit. Dispenser.

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