JP2017047961A - Bubble generation mechanism and bubble generation method, pour-out device comprising bubble generation mechanism, and method of manufacturing beverage - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bubble generation mechanism and a bubble generation method, which enable generation of bubbles of a beverage without hindering a smooth flow of the beverage, a pour-out device comprising the bubble generation mechanism, and a method of manufacturing the beverage.SOLUTION: A bubble generation mechanism 1A comprises a beverage channel 7 which has a drawn part 7a opened in a space S while reducing a channel cross-sectional area and through which beer B supplied in a pressurized state flows. External gas G including nitrogen gas is supplied to interfere with the beer B getting into the space S from the drawn part 7a of the beverage channel 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a foam generation mechanism and a foam generation method for mixing a beverage and a gas to generate foam, a pouring device provided with the foam generation mechanism, and a method for producing a beverage.

  As an example of a foam generating mechanism for generating foam of a beverage, an orifice is provided in a flow path that leads to beer that is a sparkling beverage, and external gas is mixed with the beer before passing through the orifice or while passing through the orifice. It is known that a beer mixed with gas is depressurized by passing through an orifice to generate fine bubbles with fine texture (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-133160 A

  The foam generation mechanism of Patent Document 1 mixes beer and external gas before or passing through an orifice, and mixes external gas into the foam of beer that is foamed by decompression after passing through the orifice.

  However, in the foam generation mechanism as in Patent Document 1, since the smooth flow of the beverage passing through the orifice is inhibited by the introduction of external gas to the beverage such as beer before passing through the orifice or during the passage, the generation of foam is prevented. May be disturbed.

  Therefore, the present invention relates to a foam generation mechanism and a foam generation method capable of generating fine, fine-textured beverage foam without hindering the smooth flow of the beverage, a pouring device equipped with the foam generation mechanism, and a beverage It aims at providing the manufacturing method of.

  The foam generating mechanism of the present invention is a foam generating mechanism (1A, 1B, 1C) for generating a foam (Bf) of a beverage (B), and the outside (S, S1, A) while reducing the cross-sectional area of the flow path. A beverage channel (7) having an apertured portion (7a) that is open and through which the beverage supplied in a pressurized state flows, and interferes with the beverage that has exited from the apertured portion of the beverage channel And external gas supply means (6, 8, 26) for supplying external gas (G) containing nitrogen gas to the outside.

  According to this foam generation mechanism, the beverage flowing under pressure in the beverage flow path is reduced in pressure by passing through the squeezing portion, and the beverage that has come out of the squeeze interferes with the external gas to generate the beverage foam. Since the external gas is supplied to the outside where the throttle portion opens, the external gas does not affect the beverage before or through the throttle portion. For this reason, it is possible to produce a fine-grained beverage foam without hindering the smooth flow of the beverage.

  In the foam generation mechanism according to an aspect of the present invention, the external gas supply means includes a gas flow path that guides the external gas to the outside, and the beverage opening (25) in which the throttle portion opens and the gas flow A main body (2) formed with a plurality of gas openings (26) through which passages are formed may be further provided, and the plurality of gas openings may be arranged around the beverage opening. According to this aspect, the mixing of the beverage and the external gas is promoted by the external gas being entangled from a plurality of directions with respect to the beverage that has come out of the beverage opening.

  The foam production | generation mechanism which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention is the foam collection part (3, 30, 40) which collects the foam of the said drink produced by interference with the said drink which came out to the said outside from the said narrowing part, and the said external gas. May be further provided. According to this aspect, the generated bubbles are collected in a desired range by the bubble collecting unit, and unwanted scattering of the bubbles can be prevented.

  The pouring device (100) of the present invention including the foam generating mechanism described above includes a foam outlet (101) for pouring the foam of the beverage generated by the foam generating mechanism into a container. . According to this pouring device, it is possible to provide a bubble of a fine drink with fine texture in a container.

  The dispensing device according to one aspect of the present invention dispenses the liquid dispensing mechanism (102) for supplying the beverage in a liquid state and the liquid beverage flowing through the liquid dispensing mechanism to the container. And a liquid outlet (103). According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a beverage with a finely textured foam having a fine texture on the liquid surface in a container.

  The foam generation method of the present invention is a foam generation method for generating a foam of a beverage, and is supplied in a pressurized state inside a beverage flow path having a throttle portion that opens to the outside while reducing the cross-sectional area of the flow path. An introduction step of introducing the beverage, and a supply step of supplying an external gas containing nitrogen gas to the outside so as to interfere with the beverage that has come out of the beverage flow path from the throttle portion.

  According to this foam generation method, the beverage flowing in the beverage channel in a pressurized state is depressurized by passing through the squeezing portion, and the beverage that has come out of the squeezing portion interferes with the external gas to generate a foam of the beverage. . Since the external gas is supplied to the outside where the throttle portion opens, the external gas does not affect the beverage before or through the throttle portion. For this reason, it is possible to produce a fine-grained beverage foam without hindering the smooth flow of the beverage.

  In the foam generating method according to one aspect of the present invention, in the supplying step, the external gas may be supplied from a plurality of positions around the opening (25) of the throttle portion. According to this aspect, the mixing of the beverage and the external gas is promoted by the external gas being entangled from a plurality of directions with respect to the beverage that has come out of the beverage opening.

  The foam generation method according to an aspect of the present invention further includes a collection step of collecting foam of the beverage generated by interference between the beverage that has been exposed to the outside from the opening of the throttle portion and the external gas. Also good. According to this aspect, the generated bubbles are collected in a desired range by the bubble collecting unit, and unwanted scattering of the bubbles can be prevented.

  The manufacturing method of the drink which concerns on this invention includes the foam extraction process which pours the foam produced | generated by the foam production | generation method mentioned above to the liquid level of the said drink in a container. According to this manufacturing method, it is possible to provide a beverage with a fine texture and a good foam attached in a container.

  Moreover, in the manufacturing method of the drink which concerns on this invention, you may manufacture a drink using the extraction | pouring apparatus mentioned above. For example, in the method for producing a beverage according to one aspect of the present invention, the foam generated by the foam generation mechanism is operated on the liquid level of the beverage in the container by operating the pouring device. It includes a foam pouring step for pouring from the foam outlet.

  Moreover, the manufacturing method which concerns on the other aspect of this invention is the drink extraction process which pours out the said drink which flows through the said liquid extraction mechanism from the said liquid outlet to the said container by operating the said extraction apparatus, By operating the pouring device, the foam generated by the foam generating mechanism of the pouring device is added to the liquid outlet of the beverage that has been poured into the container in the beverage pouring step. And a foam pouring step of pouring out from the above.

  According to these production methods, it is possible to provide a beverage in which a finely textured foam having a fine texture on the liquid surface is put in a container.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parentheses, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the external gas interferes with the beverage that has come out of the squeezing part to generate foam, the external gas has an influence on the beverage before or through the squeezing part. Never give. Therefore, the foam of a drink can be produced | generated, without inhibiting the smooth flow of a drink.

Sectional drawing of the principal part of the foam production | generation mechanism which concerns on the 1st form of this invention. Sectional drawing regarding II-II of FIG. Explanatory drawing explaining the production | generation process of a bubble. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the foam production | generation mechanism which concerns on the 2nd form of this invention. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the foam production | generation mechanism which concerns on the 3rd form of this invention. The figure which showed roughly the principal part of the extraction apparatus with which the foam production | generation mechanism was integrated. The figure which shows the modification which changed the gas opening part of the gas flow path.

(First form)
The foam generating mechanism 1A shown in FIG. 1 can be used by being incorporated in a dispensing device described later. The foam generation mechanism 1A mixes beer B as an example of a beverage that may be provided with foam (for example, but not limited to a sparkling beverage) and an external gas G containing nitrogen gas. This produces beer foam Bf as foam. As the external gas G, nitrogen gas, various mixed gases containing nitrogen, or air can be used. Beer foam Bf has finer texture and better holding than normal foam.

  The foam generation mechanism 1A includes a main body 2 to which beer B and an external gas G are supplied, a foam collection unit 3 attached to a distal end portion 2a of the main body 2, and a base 4 attached to a proximal end portion 2b of the main body 2. It has. The main body 2 is an assembly in which a plurality of parts are combined, and is configured to be axially symmetric with respect to the center line CL as a whole. The base 4 is provided with a beverage supply passage 5 through which beer B is supplied in a pressurized state and a gas supply passage 6 through which the external gas G is supplied at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. The main body 2 is formed with a beverage flow path 7 that leads to the beverage supply passage 5 and guides the beer B, and a gas passage 8 that leads to the gas supply passage 6 and leads the external gas G.

  The foam collecting unit 3 is configured as a hollow member, and has a function of preventing the generated beer foam Bf from scattering or collecting the beer foam Bf within a desired range. One end 3a of the foam collecting part 3 is closed by being attached to the main body 2, and the other end 3b is opened as an outlet 10 for providing the generated beer foam Bf to the outside. A space S as the outside is formed in the bubble collecting unit 3, and the space S is defined by the inner wall 15 and the tip 2 a of the main body 2. The inner wall 15 includes a cylindrical portion 15a centered on the center line CL, and a conical portion 15b whose inner diameter gradually decreases following the cylindrical portion 15a. Thereby, a part of the space S has an axisymmetric shape with respect to the center line CL. The tip of the conical portion 15b is connected to a bent portion 15c that reaches the outlet portion 10 so as to bend radially outward.

  The beverage flow path 7 formed in the main body 2 has a narrowed portion 7a that opens into the space S while narrowing the cross-sectional area of the flow path. Moreover, the gas flow path 8 formed in the main body 2 includes a cylindrical portion 8a formed in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the beverage flow path 7, and four branch portions 8b branch from the cylindrical portion 8a. ing. Each branch part 8b is open to the space S. Since the flow passage cross-sectional area of each branch portion 8b is smaller than the flow passage cross-sectional area of the cylindrical portion 8a, the gas flow passage 8 is opened to the space S with the flow passage cross-sectional area being reduced. The opening direction Da of the throttle portion 7a of the beverage flow path 7 that opens to the space S and the opening direction Db of each branch portion 8b of the gas flow path 8 that opens to the space S are the same direction, and the opening direction Da, Db is parallel to the center line CL.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front end 2a of the main body 2 is formed in a circular shape, and the center thereof coincides with the center line CL. A beverage opening 25 is formed at the center C of the tip 2a to open the squeezing portion 7a. Further, four gas openings 26 in which the respective branch portions 8b of the gas flow path 8 are opened are formed at the distal end portion 2a. The beverage opening 25 and the four gas openings 26 are arranged on a straight line L extending in the radial direction when viewed from the direction of the center line CL. Two gas openings 26 are arranged on both sides of the beverage opening 25 in the straight line L direction. In other words, the beverage opening 25 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the two gas openings 26, and the gas openings 26 are arranged one by one outside the two gas openings 26 that sandwich the beverage opening 25. Yes. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the beverage opening 25 is set to be twice or more than the inner diameter of the gas opening 26. For example, the inner diameter of the beverage opening 25 is set to 1.45 mm, and the inner diameter of each gas opening 26 is set to 0.50 mm. In this embodiment, a combination of the gas supply passage 6, the gas flow path 8, and the gas opening 26 corresponds to the external gas supply means according to the present invention.

  Here, the bubble production | generation method in this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. First, an introduction process of introducing beer B supplied in a pressurized state into the inside of the beverage flow path 7 having the throttle portion 7a that opens to the space S while reducing the cross-sectional area of the flow path is performed. And the supply process which supplies the external gas G containing nitrogen gas to the space S so that it may interfere with the beer B which came out to the space S from the throttle part 7a of the drink flow path 7 is performed. In the supply step, the external gas G is supplied from a plurality of positions around the beverage opening 25 of the throttle portion 7a. Moreover, the collection process which collects the foam | bubble of the beer B produced by interference with the beer B and the external gas G which came out to the space S from the drink opening part 25 of the aperture | diaphragm | squeeze part 7a using the foam collection part 3 is performed.

  According to this foam generation method, the beer B that has passed through the squeezing portion 7a and exited from the beverage opening portion 25 into the space S is decompressed, and thus expands in the radial direction while foaming. On the other hand, the external gas G is supplied to the space S so as to interfere with the beer B that has come out of the beverage opening 25. Thereby, the beer foam Bf in which the external gas G is taken in is generated while the external gas G is caught in the foaming beer B from both directions on the outer peripheral side. Since the external gas G interferes with the beer after passing through the throttle portion 7a, the flow of beer B flowing through the throttle portion 7a is not affected. Therefore, fine and fine beer foam Bf can be generated without hindering the smooth flow of beer B.

  Since the beverage opening 25 is formed at the central portion C of the distal end portion 2a of the main body 2, the external gas G is mixed from the outer peripheral side with respect to the beer B that has entered the space S from the beverage opening 25. Therefore, since the external gas G is easily caught in the beer B that foams, the mixing of the beer B and the external gas G is promoted. Furthermore, since the plurality of gas openings 26 are arranged around the beverage opening 25, the external gas G is involved in the beer B from a plurality of directions. Therefore, mixing of beer B and external gas G is further promoted.

(Second form)
Next, a 2nd form is demonstrated, referring FIG. The bubble generation mechanism 1B of the second form is the same as the bubble generation mechanism 1A except for the structure of the bubble collection unit 3. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are assigned to the components common to the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The foam collecting part 30 attached to the main body 2 of the foam generating mechanism 1B is configured in a cylindrical shape, one end 30a is closed at the front end 2a of the main body 2, and the other end 30b is opened as the outlet part 10. Has been. Also in the foam generation mechanism 1 </ b> B of this embodiment, beer foam is generated in the external space S <b> 1 formed in the foam collection unit 30, and the beer foam is prevented from being scattered by the foam collection unit 30.

(Third form)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The foam generation mechanism 1 </ b> C of the third form is the same as the foam generation mechanism 1 </ b> A except for the structure of the foam collection unit 3. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. The bubble collection unit 40 provided in the bubble generation mechanism 1C is configured as a plate member having an L-shaped cross section. The bubble collection part 40 does not prescribe | regulate the space S by attaching to the main body 2 like a 1st form. However, since the foam collection part 40 is arrange | positioned around the front-end | tip part 2a of the main body 2, it can provide in the predetermined | prescribed direction shown with the arrow, suppressing scattering of the beer foam Bf produced | generated by the exterior A. FIG.

(Application example)
Next, an application example of the bubble generation mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 schematically shows a main part of the dispensing device 100 in which the foam generation mechanism 1A of the first form is incorporated. The pouring device 100 is a device for pouring beer B as a sparkling beverage into the container 200. The pouring device 100 includes a foam outlet 101 for pouring the beer foam Bf generated by the foam generating mechanism 1A into the container 200, a liquid pouring mechanism 102 for supplying the beer B in a liquid state, and a liquid pouring mechanism. And a liquid outlet 103 for pouring liquid beer B flowing through 102 into the container 200.

  The liquid dispensing mechanism 102 includes a beer path 105 that guides the pressurized liquid beer B, a branch path 106 that branches from the beer path 105 and is connected to the beverage supply path 5 of the foam generation mechanism 1A, and a branch path 106 And a switching valve 107 provided at the branch position. The switching valve 107 may be a manual valve or an automatic valve. The switching valve 107 can switch between a state a in which the branch passage 106 is opened and the liquid beer B is guided to the beverage supply passage 5 and a state b in which the branch passage 106 is closed and the liquid beer B is guided to the liquid outlet 103. it can. Therefore, by operating the switching valve 107, the liquid beer B can be selectively poured into the container 200 and the beer foam Bf generated by the foam generation mechanism 1A can be selectively poured into the container 200. Therefore, by operating the switching valve 107 of the pouring device 100, the beer foam Bf generated by the foam generating mechanism 1A can be poured out from the foam outlet 101 onto the liquid level of the beer B poured out into the container 200. . Thereby, the beer B with the beer foam Bf attached to the liquid surface can be provided in the container 200, and the beverage production method of the present invention is realized. In addition, although the pouring device 100 incorporates the foam generation mechanism 1A of the first form, the pouring device of the present invention is incorporated by incorporating the foam generation mechanism 1B or the foam generation mechanism 1C instead of the foam generation mechanism 1A. Can also be realized.

  In the application example described above, the extraction device 100 includes the bubble generation mechanism 1A (1B or 1C may be used) and the liquid extraction mechanism 102. However, in the extraction device, the liquid extraction mechanism is omitted. Only the foam generation mechanism may be provided. In that case, it is generated by the dispensing device on the liquid level of the beverage poured into the container from other cans or bottles filled with the beverage, etc. You may make it pour out the foam. Moreover, you may make it provide only a bubble by pouring the foam produced | generated with the extraction | pouring apparatus to the empty container.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms. Although each said form makes beer B application object and produces | generates beer foam Bf which is the foam, the drink which can be applied object of this invention is not restricted to beer. Even effervescent beverages containing cereal decomposition products such as happoshu and non-alcohol beer, effervescent beverages not containing cereal decomposition products, or non-foaming beverages such as milk beverages, coffee beverages and juices Any beverage that can generate foam by allowing it to interfere with the nitrogen-containing gas after passing through the restriction can be included in the beverage to which the present invention is applied.

  As a sparkling beverage containing a cereal decomposition product, any type of beverage can be used as long as it is a sparkling beverage containing a decomposition product of cereals. Mention may be made of beverages containing degradation products. The cereals are not particularly limited as long as they are cereals, but are preferably barley, wheat, soybeans, and peas, and more preferably barley. Although it does not specifically limit as a concrete aspect of the decomposition product of cereals, it is a decomposition product of malt, barley, wheat, soybean, pea, corn, for example, soybean protein, soybean peptide, pea protein, corn protein decomposition Things.

  If the specific example of a cereal decomposition product containing effervescent drink is given, Preferably it is a malt decomposition product containing effervescent drink, More preferably, a beer type drink can be mentioned. A beer-based beverage usually refers to a beverage having a taste and aroma peculiar to beer obtained when beer is produced, that is, when beer is produced based on fermentation by yeast or the like. For example, fermented malt beverages such as beer, happoshu, and liqueurs, other brewed liquors, and non-fermented malt beverages such as completely alcohol-free malt beverages (non-alcoholic malt beverages) can be mentioned.

  The throttle portion 7a of each of the above forms is a nozzle type, but the present invention can also be implemented in a form including an orifice type or a venturi type throttle portion as long as the cross-sectional area of the flow path is narrowed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the gas flow path 8 is narrowed to supply the external gas G, but narrowing the gas flow path is merely an example. For example, it is also possible to introduce external gas so as to interfere with the beverage that has come out of the throttling portion without narrowing the gas flow path. The introduction position of the external gas is not limited to the position of each of the above forms, and the external gas may be introduced at an arbitrary position. Further, the direction in which the external gas is supplied need not necessarily coincide with the direction in which the beverage flows out from the beverage opening. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the periphery of the beverage opening 25 of the throttle portion 7 a in the beverage flow path 7, the external gas from the lateral direction (direction crossing the flow) with respect to the flow direction of the beverage that has exited from the beverage opening 25. May be provided with a gas opening 26 of the gas flow path 8. FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the tip 2a of the main body 2.

  In short, the present invention includes various forms in which external gas interferes with the beverage that has exited the throttle portion. Other appropriate modifications are possible. For example, the position of the beverage opening is not limited to the center of the main body. For example, the tip of the main body is not limited to a circular cross section. Moreover, for example, the gas opening and the beverage opening are not limited to an example in which the gas opening and the beverage opening are arranged on a straight line passing through the center of the main body. Moreover, the introduction location of the external gas may be one location instead of a plurality of locations. That is, only one gas opening may be provided. In addition, not only one beverage channel but also a plurality of beverage openings may be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A-1C Foam production | generation mechanism 2 Main body 2a Tip part 3, 30, 40 Foam collection part 7 Beverage flow path 7a Throttle part 8 Gas flow path 25 Beverage opening part 26 Gas opening part B Beer (Effervescent drink)
Bf beer foam (foam)
C Center G External gas L Straight line

Claims (11)

A foam generation mechanism for generating foam for a beverage,
A beverage channel having a throttle portion that opens to the outside while narrowing the channel cross-sectional area, and the beverage supplied in a pressurized state flows through the interior;
An external gas supply means for supplying an external gas containing nitrogen gas to the outside so as to interfere with the beverage that has come out from the throttle portion of the beverage flow path;
Foam generation mechanism with. The external gas supply means has a gas flow path for guiding the external gas to the outside,
It further comprises a body formed with a beverage opening in which the throttling portion is opened and a plurality of gas openings in which the gas flow path is opened,
The foam generating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of gas openings are arranged around the beverage opening.   The foam production | generation mechanism of Claim 1 or 2 further provided with the foam collection part which collects the foam of the said drink produced by interference with the said drink which came out of the said outside from the said narrowing part, and the said external gas. The foam generation mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A foam outlet for pouring the foam of the beverage produced by the foam production mechanism into a container;
The pouring device with. A liquid dispensing mechanism for supplying the beverage in a liquid state;
A liquid outlet for pouring the liquid beverage flowing through the liquid pouring mechanism into the container;
The dispensing device according to claim 4, further comprising: A foam generation method for generating foam for a beverage,
An introduction step of introducing the beverage supplied in a pressurized state into the beverage channel having a throttle portion that opens to the outside while reducing the channel cross-sectional area;
A supply step of supplying an external gas containing nitrogen gas to the outside so as to interfere with the beverage that has come out of the beverage flow path from the throttle portion;
A foam generation method comprising:   The foam generation method according to claim 6, wherein in the supplying step, the external gas is supplied from a plurality of positions around the opening of the throttle portion.   The foam generation method according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a collecting step of collecting bubbles of the beverage generated by interference between the beverage that has flowed outside from the opening of the throttle portion and the external gas.   The manufacturing method of a drink including the foam extraction process which pours the foam produced | generated by the foam production | generation method as described in any one of Claims 6-8 on the liquid level of the said drink in a container.   The said foam produced | generated by the said foam production | generation mechanism of the extraction apparatus of Claim 4 is poured out from the said foam outlet to the liquid level of the said drink in the said container by operating the said extraction apparatus. A method for producing a beverage including a foam pouring step. A beverage dispensing step of dispensing the beverage flowing through the liquid dispensing mechanism of the dispensing device according to claim 5 from the liquid outlet to the container by operating the dispensing device;
By operating the pouring device, the foam generated by the foam generating mechanism of the pouring device is added to the liquid outlet of the beverage that has been poured into the container in the beverage pouring step. Foam pouring process to pour from
The manufacturing method of the drink containing this.

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