JP2022107387A - Beverage supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To suitably perform supplying of a desired beverage and cleaning of a beverage supply path by detecting the state of attachment of various connectors to a socket.SOLUTION: A beverage supply device 1 supplies a cup C with a beverage through a beverage supply path. The beverage supply device 1 has: a socket 43 that is removably provided to a joint JT constituting the beverage supply path and allows the passage of the stock solution of the beverage constituting beverage to the beverage supply path when a stock solution connector CN1 is attached to the socket 43, while allowing the passage of cleaning solution to the beverage supply path when a cleaning connector CN2 is attached to the socket 43; and a detector 42 that detects in which state the socket 43 is, a first attachment state with only the stock solution connector CN1 attached thereto, a second attachment state with only the cleaning connector CN2 attached thereto, or a non-attachment state with neither the stock solution connector CN1 nor the cleaning connector CN2 attached thereto.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a beverage supply device, and more particularly to a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage to a container through a beverage supply channel.

Conventionally, in a beverage supply device for supplying a coffee beverage such as a latte to a container such as a cup, for example, as proposed in Patent Document 1, a beverage supply route for supplying a milk beverage such as milk in a whipped state is provided. Things are known.

In such a beverage supply device, when a stock solution connector is attached to a joint portion constituting a beverage supply path via a socket, it is supplied from a milk beverage storage unit that stores a milk beverage (beverage stock solution) such as milk. Allows the milk drink to pass through the beverage supply route, while allowing the supplied cleaning liquid to pass through the beverage supply route when a cleaning connector is attached to the joint portion via the socket. However, the beverage supply route is cleaned.

JP-A-2017-105489

By the way, in the above-mentioned beverage supply device, it is not detected whether the undiluted solution connector is attached to the joint portion of the beverage supply path via the socket or the cleaning connector is attached via the socket. There were the following problems.

That is, there is a problem that the undiluted solution connector is not attached to the joint portion via the socket and the supply of the beverage is started, and as a result, the desired beverage cannot be supplied. Further, there is a problem that the cleaning of the beverage supply path is started without the cleaning connector being attached to the joint portion via the socket, and as a result, the cleaning liquid leaks out and the beverage supply path cannot be cleaned.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a beverage supply device capable of satisfactorily supplying a desired beverage and cleaning the beverage supply path by detecting the mounting state of various connectors to the socket. The purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, the beverage supply device according to the present invention is a beverage supply device that supplies beverages to a container through a beverage supply path, and is detachably provided at a joint portion constituting the beverage supply path. When the undiluted solution connector is attached, the beverage undiluted solution constituting the beverage is allowed to pass through the beverage supply path, while when the cleaning connector is attached, the cleaning solution is allowed to pass through the beverage supply path. The socket that allows passage, the first mounting state in which only the undiluted solution connector is mounted, the second mounting state in which only the cleaning connector is mounted, and the undiluted solution connector and the cleaning connector are It is characterized by being provided with a detection means for detecting any of the non-mounted states that are not mounted.

Further, according to the present invention, in the beverage supply device, the detection means is subjected to the first mounting state and the first mounting state depending on the light receiving state of the first detection light emitted by the first light emitting element and the second detection light emitted by the second light emitting element. 2 It detects either the mounted state or the non-mounted state, and the socket is characterized in that at least a portion through which the first detection light and the second detection light pass is formed of a translucent material. And.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the beverage supply device, the socket is entirely made of a translucent material.

Further, according to the present invention, in the beverage supply device, when the cleaning connector is attached to the socket, the cleaning connector is formed in a gap between itself and the passable region of the first detection light and the second detection light in the socket. It is characterized in that the passable area is washed by passing a washing liquid through it.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the beverage supply device, the beverage stock solution is a milk beverage.

According to the present invention, a socket detachably provided at a joint portion constituting a beverage supply path allows a beverage stock solution constituting a beverage to pass through the beverage supply path when a stock solution connector is attached. On the other hand, when the cleaning connector is attached, the cleaning liquid is allowed to pass through the beverage supply path, and the detection means is the first attachment state in which only the undiluted solution connector is attached to the socket, and only the cleaning connector is attached. Since either the mounted second mounted state or the non-mounted state in which the undiluted solution connector and the cleaning connector are not mounted is detected, the desired beverage can be supplied and the desired beverage can be supplied by detecting the mounted state of various connectors to the socket. It has the effect of being able to satisfactorily clean the beverage supply route.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic circuit configuration of a beverage supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the cold storage shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the cold storage shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the cold storage shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the joint portion shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the joint portion shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the joint portion shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the socket is housed in the joint portion shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the undiluted solution connector is attached to the socket shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the undiluted solution connector is attached to the socket shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of the first detection light and the second detection light in a state where the undiluted solution connector is attached to the socket. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cleaning connector is attached to the socket shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cleaning connector is attached to the socket shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of the first detection light and the second detection light in a state where the cleaning connector is attached to the socket. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the flow of the cleaning liquid in a state where the cleaning connector is attached to the socket. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the flow of the cleaning liquid in a state where the cleaning connector is attached to the socket. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the second nozzle shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the second nozzle shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the second nozzle for showing the flow of high-pressure steam.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the beverage supply device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Outline circuit configuration of beverage supply device>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic circuit configuration of a beverage supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The beverage supply device 1 illustrated here supplies coffee containing foamed milk such as a latte to cup C, which is a container. The beverage supply device 1 includes a coffee extraction unit 10, a steam supply unit 11, a stock solution supply unit 12, an air supply unit 13, a mixing unit 14, a forming unit 15, a nozzle unit 16, and a cleaning unit 17.

The coffee extraction unit 10 is provided in the dispenser main body 2 and is connected to the hot water tank 18 through the first hot water supply pipe L1. Here, the hot water tank 18 is a storage unit for storing hot water, and heats water supplied from a water supply means (not shown) and stores it as hot water.

One end of the first hot water supply pipe L1 is connected to the hot water tank 18, and the other end is connected to the coffee extraction unit 10, connecting the hot water tank 18 and the coffee extraction unit 10. A first hot water supply pump P1 is provided in the middle of the first hot water supply pipe L1. The first hot water supply pump P1 supplies hot water from the hot water tank 18 to the coffee extraction unit 10 under the drive control of the first hot water supply pump drive unit M1.

The first hot water supply pump drive unit M1 is controlled by the control unit 20. The control unit 20 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the beverage supply device 1 according to a program or data stored in a memory (not shown).

Such a coffee extraction unit 10 extracts coffee from crushed raw materials such as coffee beans and hot water supplied by the first hot water supply pipe L1.

The steam supply unit 11 includes a steam tank 11a, a first steam supply pipe L2, and a second steam supply pipe L3. The steam tank 11a is connected to the second hot water supply pipe L4. One end of the second hot water supply pipe L4 is connected to the upstream side of the first hot water supply pump P1 of the first hot water supply pipe L1, and the other end is connected to the steam tank 11a. Is to connect. A second hot water supply pump P2 is provided in the middle of the second hot water supply pipe L4. The second hot water supply pump P2 supplies hot water from the hot water tank 18 to the steam tank 11a by driving and controlling the second hot water supply pump drive unit M2 by the control unit 20.

Then, the steam tank 11a heats the hot water supplied from the hot water tank 18 through the second hot water supply pipe L4 to generate pressurized steam.

One end of the first steam supply pipe L2 is connected to the steam tank 11a, and the other end is connected to the mixing unit 14, connecting the steam tank 11a and the mixing unit 14. A first steam supply valve V1 and a first steam check valve G1 are arranged in the middle of the first steam supply pipe L2.

The first steam supply valve V1 opens and closes according to a command given from the control unit 20. When the first steam supply valve V1 is opened, it allows pressurized steam to pass through the first steam supply pipe L2. Further, when the first steam supply valve V1 is closed, it regulates the passage of pressurized steam through the first steam supply pipe L2. The first steam check valve G1 allows the passage of a fluid (pressurized steam) from the steam tank 11a to the mixing unit 14, while restricting the passage of the fluid from the mixing to the steam tank 11a.

One end of the second steam supply pipe L3 is connected to the upstream side of the first steam supply valve V1 of the first steam supply pipe L2, and the other end is a joint portion JT that can be connected to the stock solution supply unit 12 and the cleaning unit 17. It is connected and connects the steam tank 11a and the joint portion JT. Here, the joint portion JT is attached to one end of the liquid supply pipe L5 connected to the mixing portion 14. The liquid supply pipe L5 is provided with a liquid check valve G2. The liquid check valve G2 allows the passage of fluid from the joint portion JT to the mixing portion 14, while restricting the passage of the fluid from the mixing portion 14 to the joint portion JT.

A second steam supply valve V2 and a second steam check valve G3 are arranged in the middle of the second steam supply pipe L3. The second steam supply valve V2 opens and closes according to a command given from the control unit 20. The second steam supply valve V2, when opened, allows pressurized steam to pass through the second steam supply pipe L3. Further, when the second steam supply valve V2 is closed, it regulates the passage of pressurized steam through the second steam supply pipe L3. The second steam check valve G3 allows the passage of fluid (pressurized steam) from the steam tank 11a to the joint portion JT, while restricting the passage of the fluid from the joint portion JT to the steam tank 11a.

The stock solution supply unit 12 includes a bag-in-box (hereinafter, also referred to as BIB) 12a, a tube pump P3, and a stock solution connector CN1.

The BIB12a is configured by accommodating a bag-shaped container containing a stock solution (hereinafter, also referred to as milk stock solution) of foamed milk (whipped milk) to be supplied to the cup C in a box-shaped container. The BIB 12a is arranged in the cold storage 3.

The tube pump P3 is provided on the lower side of the BIB 12a inside the cold storage 3. In this tube pump P3, the tube pump drive unit M3 is driven and controlled by the control unit 20, so that the tube T connected to the BIB 12a is crushed by a plurality of rollers or the like, and the milk stock solution of the BIB 12a is pumped out. Is. The undiluted solution connector CN1 is attached to the tip end portion of the tube T connected to the BIB 12a, and can be connected to the joint portion JT.

The air supply unit 13 is configured to include an air supply pipe L6. One end of the air supply pipe L6 is connected to the air pump P4, and the other end is connected to the mixing unit 14, connecting the air pump P4 and the mixing unit 14. The air pump P4 compresses air by driving and controlling the air pump drive unit M4 by the control unit 20, and sends out compressed air through the air supply pipe L6.

An air check valve G4 is arranged in the middle of the air supply pipe L6. The air check valve G4 allows the passage of fluid (compressed air) from the air pump P4 to the mixing unit 14, while restricting the passage of the fluid from the mixing unit 14 to the air pump P4.

The mixing unit 14 heats the milk stock solution by mixing the pressurized steam supplied through the first steam supply pipe L2 and the milk stock solution supplied through the liquid supply pipe L5, and further supplies the milk stock solution through the air supply pipe L6. By mixing compressed air, milk in a slightly foamed state is produced.

The forming unit 15 is connected to the mixing unit 14 via the beverage delivery pipe L7. The forming unit 15 foams the milk beverage delivered from the mixing unit 14 through the beverage delivery pipe L7 to generate foamed milk.

The nozzle portion 16 has a first nozzle 161 and a second nozzle 162. The first nozzle 161 is connected to the coffee extraction unit 10 through the coffee lead-out path L8. The first nozzle 161 discharges the coffee extracted by the coffee extraction unit 10 and delivered through the coffee lead-out path L8 to the cup C.

The second nozzle 162 is connected to the forming unit 15. The second nozzle 162 discharges the foamed milk delivered from the forming unit 15 into the cup C.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the joint portion JT, the liquid supply pipe L5, the mixing portion 14, the beverage delivery pipe L7, the forming portion 15 and the nozzle portion 16 (second nozzle 162) form the beverage supply path. ..

The cleaning unit 17 includes a mixing container 17a, a cleaning stock solution supply pipe L9, a cleaning hot water supply pipe L10, and a cleaning liquid supply pipe L11. The mixing container 17a is provided in the washing stock solution storage 4 adjacent to the dispenser main body 2 and the cold storage 3.

The cleaning stock solution supply pipe L9 is connected to the cleaning stock solution storage unit 17b for storing the cleaning stock solution, the other end is connected to the mixing container 17a, and connects the cleaning stock solution storage unit 17b and the mixing container 17a. The cleaning stock solution storage unit 17b is arranged in the cleaning stock solution storage 4.

A cleaning stock solution supply pump P5 is arranged in the middle of the cleaning stock solution supply pipe L9. The cleaning stock solution supply pump P5 supplies the cleaning stock solution from the cleaning stock solution storage unit 17b to the mixing container 17a by driving and controlling the cleaning stock solution supply pump drive unit M5 by the control unit 20.

One end of the washing hot water supply pipe L10 is connected to a portion upstream of the connection portion of the first hot water supply pipe L1 with the second hot water supply pipe L4, and the other end is connected to the mixing container 17a. A washing hot water pump P6 is arranged in the middle of the washing hot water supply pipe L10. The washing hot water pump P6 supplies hot water from the hot water tank 18 to the mixing container 17a by driving and controlling the washing hot water pump driving unit M6 by the control unit 20. As a result, in the mixing container 17a, the undiluted cleaning solution and the hot water are mixed to generate a cleaning solution.

One end of the cleaning liquid supply pipe L11 is connected to the mixing container 17a, and the other end is connected to the cleaning connector CN2, which connects the mixing container 17a and the cleaning connector CN2. Here, the cleaning connector CN2 can be connected to the joint portion JT.

A cleaning liquid pump P7 is arranged in the middle of the cleaning liquid supply pipe L11. The cleaning liquid pump P7 supplies the liquid from the mixing container 17a to the cleaning connector CN2 by driving and controlling the cleaning liquid pump driving unit M7 by the control unit 20.

In the beverage supply device 1 having the above circuit configuration, coffee containing foamed milk such as latte can be supplied to the cup C as follows.

First, with respect to coffee, the first hot water supply pump P1 is driven by the control unit 20, and hot water is supplied to the coffee extraction unit 10 into which the crushed coffee beans are charged, so that the coffee extraction unit 10 agitates the coffee and the like. Is extracted. The coffee extracted by the coffee extraction unit 10 is discharged to the cup C from the first nozzle 161.

On the other hand, the foamed milk is discharged into the cup C in parallel with the coffee extraction as follows.

It is assumed that the first steam supply valve V1 is opened by the control unit 20 and the tube pump P3 and the air pump P4 are driven. The second steam supply valve V2 is closed. Further, it is assumed that the joint portion JT and the undiluted solution connector CN1 are connected, and the cleaning connector CN2 is separated from the joint portion JT.

By driving the tube pump P3 in this way, the undiluted solution supply unit 12 pumps out the undiluted milk solution of BIB12a. The milk stock solution pumped from BIB12a passes through the liquid supply pipe L5 after passing through the tube T. The milk stock solution passing through the liquid supply pipe L5 reaches the mixing unit 14.

By the way, the pressurized steam generated in the steam tank 11a due to the opening of the first steam supply valve V1 passes through the first steam supply pipe L2 and reaches the mixing unit 14. Further, when the air pump P4 is driven, the compressed air passes through the air supply pipe L6 and reaches the mixing unit 14.

In the mixing unit 14, the milk stock solution is heated by the pressurized steam. Further, in the mixing unit 14, when compressed air enters, it is mixed with a milk stock solution heated by pressurized steam to produce a milk beverage. The milk beverage produced here is in a state of being slightly foamed by compressed air. The milk beverage produced in the mixing unit 14 in this way passes through the beverage delivery pipe L7 and reaches the forming unit 15.

In the forming unit 15, when the milk beverage comes into contact with the wall surface or the like, the amount of foaming of the milk beverage is increased and foamed to generate foamed milk. The foamed milk thus produced is delivered to the second nozzle 162, and is discharged from the second nozzle 162 to the cup C. In this way, coffee is discharged from the first nozzle 161 and foamed milk is discharged from the second nozzle 162 to the cup C, so that coffee containing foamed milk such as a latte can be supplied.

Next, in a state where the undiluted solution connector CN1 is separated from the joint portion JT and the cleaning connector CN2 is connected to the joint portion JT, the control unit 20 is operated by the user through a predetermined input means (not shown). When a cleaning command is given to the control unit 20, the control unit 20 performs a cleaning process. Since such a cleaning treatment is known, it will be briefly described here.

First, the control unit 20 drives the washing hot water pump P6 to supply hot water from the hot water tank 18 to the mixing container 17a as washing hot water through the washing hot water supply pipe L10, and then stops the driving of the washing hot water pump P6 to wash the washing liquid. By driving the pump P7, the hot water in the mixing container 17a is sent from the cleaning liquid supply pipe L11 to the beverage supply path (joint portion JT, liquid supply pipe L5, mixing portion 14, beverage delivery pipe L7, forming portion 15, second nozzle 162). Perform a pre-rinsing process to pass through. After that, the cleaning liquid pump P7 is stopped. The control unit 20 that has performed the prerinsing treatment in this way opens the second steam supply valve V2 to allow the pressurized steam to pass through the beverage supply path from the second steam supply pipe L3 to blow the beverage supply path. .. After that, the second steam supply valve V2 is closed.

Next, the control unit 20 drives the cleaning hot water pump P6 and the cleaning stock solution supply pump P5 for a predetermined time to mix the cleaning hot water and the cleaning stock solution in the mixing container 17a, and drives the cleaning liquid pump P7 to drive the mixing container 17a. A cleaning liquid supply process is performed in which the cleaning liquid mixed in (1) is passed through the beverage supply path from the cleaning liquid supply pipe L11.

The control unit 20 that has performed such a cleaning liquid supply treatment a predetermined number of times drives the cleaning hot water pump P6 for a predetermined time to supply hot water as cleaning hot water to the mixing container 17a in the same manner as the prerinsing treatment described above, and then the cleaning liquid pump. By driving P7 for a predetermined time, a rinsing process is performed in which the hot water in the mixing container 17a is passed through the beverage supply path from the cleaning liquid supply pipe L11.

Then, the control unit 20 opens the second steam supply valve V2 for a predetermined time, allows the pressurized steam to pass through the beverage supply path from the second steam supply pipe L3, blows the beverage supply path, and performs the cleaning process. finish.

<Cold storage 3>
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the cold storage 3 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the cold storage 3 shown in FIG. The cold storage 3 illustrated here includes a cold storage main body 30 and a rear door 37.

The cold storage main body 30 is a housing having an opening (hereinafter, also referred to as a rear opening) 31 on the rear surface, and a storage chamber 32 having a heat insulating structure is formed inside the housing so as to face the rear opening 31.

A pelche element (cooling means) 33 is provided on the upper portion of the refrigerator main body 30, and the cold heat generating portion 33a of the pelche element 33 faces the storage chamber 32. In such a refrigerator 3, the air cooled by the Pelche element 33 is blown by the internal fan 34a provided in the lower region of the Pelche element 33, and as a result, the internal atmosphere of the storage chamber 32 is cooled. There is. On the other hand, the exhaust heat portion 33b of the Pelche element 33 faces upward, and the air heated by the exhaust heat portion 33b is blown by the external fan 34b provided in the upper region of the Pelche element 33 to the outside. Has been discharged to. In such a storage chamber 32, a BIB 12a is arranged, and a tube pump P3 is installed on the lower side of the BIB 12a.

In the cold storage main body 30, the inner surface of the storage chamber 32 is made of a resin material. The resin material forming the bottom surface 32B of the storage chamber 32 has a rear end edge portion bent downward to form a lower edge portion 31a of the rear surface opening 31. Further, the extending end portion of the resin material is bent rearward to form a gutter 35. The bottom of the gutter 35 is gradually inclined downward from both ends in the left-right direction toward the center in the left-right direction, which extends along the left-right direction, and a discharge hole 35a is formed in the center. Has been done.

The resin material constituting the top surface 32T of the storage chamber 32 has a rear end edge portion bent upward to form an upper edge portion 31b of the rear surface opening 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the resin material constituting the right side surface 32R of the storage chamber 32 has a rear end edge portion bent to the right to form a right edge portion 31c of the rear surface opening 31. The resin material constituting the left side surface 32L of the storage chamber 32 has a rear end edge portion bent to the left to form a left edge portion 31d of the rear surface opening 31.

As described above, in the cold storage main body 30, the edges (31a, 31b, 31c, 31c) of the rear opening 31 are made of the resin material forming the inner surface of the storage chamber 32, and the gutter 35 is the bottom surface of the storage chamber 32. It is integrally formed with the bottom surface 32B by the resin material constituting 32B. A tray 36 supported by the installation base 5 of the cold storage main body 30 is arranged in the lower region of the discharge hole 35a of the gutter 35.

The rear door 37 is a door body having a heat insulating structure having a size sufficient to close the rear opening 31 of the cold storage main body 30, and is swingably supported on the right side of the rear end of the cold storage main body 30. ing. The rear door 37 can swing back and forth in a manner of approaching and separating from the cold storage body 30, and opens the rear opening 31 when swinging backward, while swinging forward. It closes the rear opening 31.

In such a rear door 37, the front surface 37a forms the rear surface, the back surface 37b forms the front surface, and a gasket GS is provided at the edge of the back surface 37b. Such a gasket GS has a structure with a foam cushion, and when the rear door 37 closes the rear opening 31, it comes into contact with the edge of the rear opening 31 and elastically deforms. As a result, the airtightness of the rear opening 31 is ensured. Further, the lower end surface 37B of the rear door 37 is gradually inclined downward from the front surface 37a toward the back surface 37b.

In the cold storage 3 having such a configuration, when the rear door 37 closes the rear opening 31, a gutter 35 is provided in the lower region of the rear door 37. As a result, the dew condensation water generated on the gasket GS, the surface 37a of the rear door 37, and the like can be dropped onto the gutter 35, and the gutter 35 guides the dew condensation water to the tray 36. Therefore, according to the cold storage 3, the generated dew condensation water can be treated satisfactorily.

Further, according to the cold storage 3, since the gutter 35 is integrally formed with the bottom surface 32B by the resin material constituting the bottom surface 32B of the storage chamber 32, the dew condensation water generated by the gasket GS or the like reaches the gutter 35. It is possible to prevent the dew condensation water from leaking because there are no gaps or the like in the route.

Further, according to the cold storage 3, since the edge of the rear opening 31 is formed of the resin material forming the inner surface of the storage chamber 32, the edge of the rear opening 31 is made of a material having a small thermal conductivity coefficient. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the transmission of the cold air in the internal atmosphere of the storage chamber 32 to the outside, and it is possible to reduce the generation of dew condensation water.

Further, according to the cold storage 3, the lower end surface 37B of the rear door 37 gradually inclines downward from the front surface 37a toward the back surface 37b, so that the dew condensation water generated on the surface 37a of the rear door 37 is discharged to the gutter 35. Can guide you well.

<Joint part JT>
5 to 7 show the configuration of the joint portion JT shown in FIG. 1, respectively, FIGS. 5 and 6 are exploded perspective views, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view. The joint portion JT is connected to the liquid supply pipe L5, and a socket accommodating portion 41 having an opening on the side opposite to the liquid supply pipe L5 is provided.

Such a joint portion JT has a detection portion 42. The detection unit 42 is configured by installing two optical sensors 421 and 422 so as to face the socket accommodating unit 41.

The first optical sensor 421 is installed in such a manner that the first light emitting element 421a and the first light receiving element 421b are paired with each other. The first light emitting element 421a emits the first detection light. The second optical sensor 422 is installed at a location slightly below the first optical sensor 421 and close to the connection portion with the liquid supply pipe L5. The second optical sensor 422 is installed in such a manner that the second light emitting element 422a and the second light receiving element 422b are paired with each other. The second light emitting element 422a emits the second detection light.

The socket 43 has a box-like shape with an open rear surface, and is detachably provided in the joint portion JT by being accommodated in the socket accommodating portion 41. The socket 43 is made of a translucent material, and its tip is a first optical sensor 421 and a second light as shown in FIG. 8 when the socket 43 is housed in the socket housing 41. It is a detection region (passable region) 431 that allows the passage of the first detection light and the second detection light of the sensor 422. In this case, the first light receiving element 421b can receive the first detection light and the second light receiving element 422b can receive the second detection light, and the first detection light and the second detection light are in the projected state. Become.

Such a socket 43 can be optionally mounted as either the undiluted solution connector CN1 or the cleaning connector CN2 in a state of being housed in the socket accommodating portion 41. Then, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the undiluted solution connector CN1 is attached, the socket 43 connects the joint portion JT and the undiluted solution connector CN1. When the undiluted solution connector CN1 is mounted on the socket 43 in this way, as shown in FIG. 11, the first detection light is blocked by the undiluted solution connector CN1 and cannot be received by the first light receiving element 421b, and the first detection light cannot be received. Is in a light-shielded state. On the other hand, since the second detection light is not blocked by the undiluted solution connector CN1, the second detection light can be received by the second light receiving element 422b, and the second detection light is in a flooded state.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the cleaning connector CN2 is mounted, the socket 43 connects the joint portion JT and the cleaning connector CN2. When the cleaning connector CN2 is attached to the socket 43 in this way, as shown in FIG. 14, the first detection light and the second detection light are blocked by the cleaning connector CN2, and the first detection light and the second detection light are shielded. It becomes a state.

In this way, when the first detection light and the second detection light are in the flooded state, the detection unit 42 detects that the undiluted solution connector CN1 and the cleaning connector CN2 are not mounted in the socket 43. can do. Further, when the first detection light is in a light-shielded state and the second detection light is in a flooded state, the detection unit 42 detects that the socket 43 is in the first mounting state in which only the undiluted solution connector CN1 is mounted. Can be done. Further, when the first detection light and the second detection light are in a light-shielding state, the detection unit 42 can detect that only the cleaning connector CN2 is mounted on the socket 43 and is in the second mounting state. The detection result in such a detection unit 42 is given to the control unit 20.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 12, in the cleaning connector CN2, the cleaning liquid discharge port 51 is provided above the communication port 52 to the joint portion JT, and the cleaning liquid is located in the tip region of the cleaning liquid discharge port 51. A guide wall 53 is formed to guide the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 51 to the lateral region.

As a result, when the cleaning connector CN2 is attached to the socket 43, as shown in FIG. 15, the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge port 51 abuts on the guide wall 53 and is guided to the lateral region, which is shown in FIG. As described above, the cleaning liquid can be passed through the gap between the cleaning connector CN2 and the detection area 431 of the socket 43, and the cleaning liquid after passing can be circulated to the joint portion JT.

According to the beverage supply device 1 of the present embodiment, when the undiluted solution connector CN1 is attached to the socket 43 detachably provided on the joint portion JT constituting the beverage supply path, milk is provided in the beverage supply path. While allowing the undiluted solution to pass, when the cleaning connector CN2 is attached, the cleaning solution is allowed to pass through the beverage supply path, and the detection unit 42 allows the socket 43 to pass through the first attached state, the first attached state. 2 Since either the mounted state or the non-mounted state is detected, the desired beverage supply and the beverage supply route can be supplied by detecting the mounted state of various connectors (undiluted solution connector CN1 or cleaning connector CN2) with respect to the socket 43. Cleaning can be performed well.

According to the beverage supply device 1, when the cleaning connector CN2 is attached to the socket 43, the cleaning liquid is passed through the gap between the cleaning connector CN2 and the detection area 431 of the socket 43 to clean the detection area 431. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the undiluted milk solution or the like from adhering to the socket 43 and causing either the first detection light or the second detection light to be shielded from light, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of false detection in the detection unit 42. Can be done.

<2nd nozzle 162>
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the second nozzle 162 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the second nozzle 162 shown in FIG. The second nozzle 162 illustrated here has a hole portion 162a through which the forming portion 15 is inserted, and is connected to the forming portion 15 by mounting the forming portion 15 in the hole portion 162a.

In such a second nozzle 162, a discharge port 162b capable of discharging foamed milk downward in the vertical direction is formed, and an inclined portion 162c that is inclined in a manner approaching the discharge port 162b toward the lower side is formed. Have.

The inclined portion 162c guides the foamed milk supplied from the forming portion 15 to the discharge port 162b along its own inclined surface. A gentle inclined portion 162d is formed in such an inclined portion 162c. The gently inclined portion 162d has a downward inclination angle at a portion directly below the forming portion 15 in the inclined portion 162c, that is, a portion closer to the discharge port 162b than the portion 162e where the foamed milk supplied from the forming portion 15 abuts. It is formed by becoming gentle.

In the beverage supply device 1 having such a second nozzle 162, when high-pressure steam for blowing the inner surface of the second nozzle 162 is supplied through the forming unit 15 in the cleaning process, FIG. 19 shows. As described above, the high-pressure steam can be circulated along the inclined surface of the inclined portion 162c, but the high-pressure steam can be circulated in the upper region of the discharge port 162b at the gentle inclined portion 162d, and is in the vicinity of the discharge port 162b. The foamy milk that remains even after washing with the washing liquid can be discharged from the discharge port 162b.

Therefore, according to the beverage supply device 1, it is possible to prevent milk from remaining inside the second nozzle 162.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made.

In the above-described embodiment, the beverage supply device 1 for supplying the cafe latte has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a beverage supply device for supplying various beverages may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the socket 43 is formed of a translucent material, but in the present invention, only the passable region through which the first detection light and the second detection light can pass is formed of the translucent material. It may have been done.

1 ... Beverage supply device, 2 ... Dispenser body, 3 ... Cold storage, 10 ... Coffee extraction section, 11 ... Steam supply section, 12 ... Stock solution supply section, 13 ... Air supply section, 14 ... Mixing section, 15 ... Forming section, 16 ... Nozzle part, 162 ... Second nozzle, 162b ... Discharge port, 162c ... Inclined part, 162d ... Slowly inclined part, 17 ... Cleaning part, 20 ... Control unit, 30 ... Cold storage body, 31 ... Rear opening, 32 ... Storage chamber, 32B ... bottom surface, 33 ... Pelche element, 35 ... trough, 35a ... discharge hole, 37 ... rear door, 37a ... front surface, 37b ... back surface, 37B ... lower end surface, 41 ... socket housing unit, 42 ... detection unit, 421 ... 1st optical sensor, 421a ... 1st light emitting element, 421b ... 1st light receiving element, 422 ... 2nd optical sensor, 422a ... 2nd light emitting element, 422b ... 2nd light receiving element, 43 ... Socket, 431 ... Detection area , C ... cup, CN1 ... undiluted solution connector, CN2 ... cleaning connector, GS ... gasket, JT ... joint part.

Claims (5)

A beverage supply device that supplies beverages to a container through a beverage supply channel.
When the undiluted solution connector is detachably provided at the joint portion constituting the beverage supply path and the undiluted solution connector is attached, the beverage undiluted solution constituting the beverage is allowed to pass through the beverage supply path, while the cleaning connector is provided. When installed, a socket that allows the cleaning liquid to pass through the beverage supply path, and
One of the first mounting state in which only the undiluted solution connector is mounted, the second mounting state in which only the cleaning connector is mounted, and the non-mounting state in which the undiluted solution connector and the cleaning connector are not mounted on the socket. Beverage supply device characterized by being equipped with a detection means for detecting. The detection means is either in the first mounted state, the second mounted state, or the non-mounted state, depending on the light receiving state of the first detection light emitted by the first light emitting element and the second detection light emitted by the second light emitting element. Is to detect
The beverage supply device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion through which the first detection light and the second detection light pass is formed of a translucent material. The beverage supply device according to claim 2, wherein the socket is entirely made of a translucent material. When the cleaning connector is attached to the socket, the cleaning liquid is passed through a gap between itself and the passable area of the first detection light and the second detection light in the socket to clean the passable area. The beverage supply device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the beverage supply device is characterized by the above. The beverage supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the beverage stock solution is a milk beverage.

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