JP2023073676A - Beverage supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a beverage supply device that can easily perform syrup remaining amount management and beverage sales amount management with a simple configuration even if there is a case where beverage supply to the same pipe is performed by switching a syrup tank.SOLUTION: A beverage supply device includes: syrup information D2 that manages a syrup use amount for each of syrup identifiers by assigning a syrup identifier to each of kinds of syrup and assigning a beverage identifier to each of kinds of beverage; and beverage information D3 that manages a beverage sales amount for each of the beverage identifiers based on recipe information D1 for each of the beverage identifiers associated with the syrup identifiers by defining a blending ratio of syrup with one or more syrup identifiers and one or more diluting solutions. The beverage supply device, when a supply of a desired beverage is instructed, supplies the instructed beverage based on the recipe information D1 and manages, based on the syrup use amount supplied, a syrup remaining amount for each of the syrup identifiers and a beverage sales amount for each of the beverage identifiers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a beverage supply apparatus for supplying a beverage obtained by diluting syrup with a diluent containing carbonated water.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, beverage dispensers are known for providing beverages such as juices in which two or more types of liquids are mixed together. In this beverage supply device, a stock solution such as concentrated syrup and a diluent such as cold water or carbonated water are discharged from one beverage supply nozzle into one cup and mixed to dilute to a predetermined ratio (concentration). I am trying to make a drink.

Patent Document 1 discloses that a weight measuring instrument for measuring the total weight of a beverage tank is connected to a controller, and the controller notifies when the total weight of the beverage tank measured by the weight measuring instrument is less than a predetermined weight. It is

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200001 discloses that when the remaining quantity of products measured by a measuring means is less than the minimum appropriate quantity, an order for products is placed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-201000 discloses a method for managing the remaining amount of beverage by detecting the remaining amount of the beverage with a weight sensor or a liquid level sensor.

JP 2020-158153 A JP 2019-138493 A Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-229466

However, the detection of the remaining amount of a beverage tank or the like by the above-described conventional method requires an additional hardware configuration because a weight sensor or the like is used, which increases the cost.

In addition, when different types of syrup tanks are interchanged and connected to the same pipe, there is also the problem that the remaining amount management for each type of syrup and the sales management of beverages in which syrup and diluent are mixed become complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and even if beverages are supplied by replacing different syrup tanks in the same pipe, the remaining amount of syrup and the sales of beverages can be managed with a simple configuration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage supply device that can be easily operated.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a beverage supply apparatus that supplies a beverage obtained by diluting syrup with a diluent containing carbonated water, wherein a syrup identifier is assigned to each type of syrup. In addition, a beverage identifier is assigned to each type of beverage, syrup information for managing the amount of syrup used for each syrup identifier, and a mixing ratio of one or more syrup identifiers and one or more diluents. and beverage information for managing the amount of beverage sales for each beverage identifier based on the recipe information for each beverage identifier that is defined and linked to the syrup identifier, and the supply of the desired beverage is instructed. In this case, supplying the beverage indicated based on the recipe information, and managing the syrup remaining amount for each syrup identifier and the beverage sales amount for each beverage identifier based on the amount of the supplied syrup used. characterized by

Further, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the syrup information is associated with a connection relationship between the syrup identifier and a syrup pipe for supplying the syrup to which the syrup tank storing the syrup is connected. and

Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the amount of syrup to be used is determined by a flow meter provided on a syrup pipe for supplying the syrup.

Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, the amount of syrup used is determined based on the flow rate of a flow meter provided on a beverage pipe that supplies a beverage in which the syrup and the diluent are mixed, and the recipe information. It is characterized by asking for

In the above invention, the amount of syrup used is determined by the number of opening and closing operation pulses of an automatic valve that is provided on a syrup pipe that supplies the syrup and opens and closes the syrup at each predetermined fine adjustment flow rate. Characterized by asking.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, when the syrup tank storing the syrup is replaced, the remaining amount of syrup of the syrup identifier of the replaced syrup tank is reset.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, a monitoring camera for monitoring the state of supply of the beverage is provided,
It is characterized in that image information captured by the monitoring camera is acquired when the beverage sales amount is acquired.

Further, according to the present invention, even if beverages are supplied by replacing different syrup tanks in the same pipe, it is possible to easily manage the remaining amount of syrup and sales of beverages with a simple configuration.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the beverage supply device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of recipe information. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of syrup information. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of beverage information. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the piping configuration in the vicinity of the beverage supply nozzle in the beverage supply device of Modification 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a beverage supply device according to Modification 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a beverage supply system according to Modification 3. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a beverage supply system according to Modification 4. As shown in FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Configuration of beverage supply device>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the beverage supply device according to the present embodiment. The beverage supply apparatus 1 is, for example, a beverage supply apparatus that is applied to commercial beverage dispensers, cup-type vending machines, etc., and in particular, mixes a stock solution such as syrup with a diluent such as cold water or carbonated water. It is provided as a soft drink such as juice. It should be noted that the beverage supply apparatus may be configured to provide a hot beverage by using hot water instead of cold water or carbonated water as the diluent.

As shown in FIG. 1, the beverage supply device 1 has a beverage supply nozzle 2 arranged above a bend stage 1b of a device main body 1a. The beverage supply nozzle 2 mixes and supplies syrup and cold water or carbonated water as a diluent in the nozzle. The beverage supply apparatus 1 includes a cooling water tank 3, an agitator 3a for agitating the cooling water, a cooling unit 4 for the cooling water tank 3, a carbonator 5 for producing carbonated water, a water supply pump 6 connected to the water supply, and beverages having different flavors and colors. It has syrup tanks 7A to 7D and a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 8, each accommodating various syrups by type.

Between the beverage supply nozzle 2 and each syrup tank 7A-7D, syrup pipes 9A-9D are arranged via a cooling water tank 3. As shown in FIG. A carbonated water pipe 10 is arranged between the beverage supply nozzle 2 and the carbonator 5 via the cooling water tank 3 . Furthermore, a cold water pipe 11 is arranged between the beverage supply nozzle 2 and the water supply pump 6 via the cooling water tank 3 .

The syrup pipes 9A to 9D and the cold water pipe 11 have cooling coils interposed in the middle thereof, and the cooling coils are immersed in the water of the cooling water tank 3 respectively. Also, the cold water pipe 11 is arranged between the cooling coil and the beverage supply nozzle 2 so as to branch from the middle and supply water to the carbonator 5 . Carbonator 5 is immersed in water in cooling water tank 3 .

A valve 12A is arranged in each of the syrup pipes 9A to 9D. A valve 12B is arranged in the carbonated water pipe 10 . A valve 12</b>C is arranged in the cold water pipe 11 . Valves 12A-12C are valve group 12 . A carbonator water supply valve 13 is arranged in the flow path of the cold water pipe 11 to the carbonator 5 . Carbon dioxide pipes 14 are arranged between the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 8 and each of the syrup tanks 7A to 7D and between the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 8 and the carbonator 5. can be supplied under pressure. That is, in this embodiment, a pressure system is adopted in which syrup is pressure-fed to syrup pipes 9A-9D by supplying and delivering carbon dioxide gas to syrup tanks 7A-7D containing syrup.

In the beverage supply device 1, a desired beverage is selected by pressing a beverage selection button on the operation display section 1c while the cup 15 is placed on the bend stage 1b. When this beverage is selected, the valve corresponding to the selected beverage is opened, and when a carbonated beverage is selected, syrup and carbonated water are sent to the beverage supply nozzle 2 and mixed within the beverage supply nozzle 2. The carbonated beverage is supplied to the cup 15 . When the non-carbonated beverage is selected, syrup and cold water are fed to the beverage supply nozzle 2, and the non-carbonated beverage mixed within the beverage supply nozzle 2 is supplied to the cup 15. When these beverages are supplied, the flowmeter 20 detects the amount of syrup supplied and the remaining amount is calculated. Manage the sales volume of beverages calculated in

Flowmeters 20 (20A-20D) are provided on syrup pipes 9A-9D for supplying syrup from syrup tanks 7A-7D, respectively. Specifically, it is provided on the syrup pipes 9A-9D on the side of the syrup tanks 7A-7D.

The beverage supply device 1 comprises a control unit 30 for controlling and managing the beverage supply. The control unit 30 has a remote controller 31 , a communication section 32 , a storage section 33 and a control section 34 . The remote controller 31 is an input/output device that displays various operations and operation results. The communication unit 32 is a communication interface for communication connection with a store terminal, a management server, and the like. The storage unit 33 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or nonvolatile memory, and has recipe information D1, syrup information D2, and beverage information D3.

The control unit 34 is a control unit that controls the entire beverage supply device 1 and has a beverage supply control unit 35 and a management unit 36 . The control unit 34 stores programs corresponding to these functional units in a storage device such as a non-volatile memory or a magnetic disk device, loads these programs into the memory, and executes them by the CPU. to run the process.

The beverage supply control unit 35 supplies the instructed beverage based on the recipe information D1. The recipe information D1, as shown in FIG. 2, describes the name of the drink and the dilution ratio between the syrup and the diluent. In the specific recipe information D1, cola A has a ratio of cola syrup and carbonated water of 1:5. Also, orange juice has a ratio of orange syrup to cold water of 1:4. Orange melon juice has a ratio of orange syrup, melon syrup and cold water of 4:1:9. Also, apple juice has a ratio of apple syrup to cold water of 1:4. Here, in the recipe information D1, a syrup ID (syrup identifier) is assigned to each type of syrup, and a beverage ID (beverage identifier) is assigned to each type of beverage. Specifically, beverage IDs B1, B2, B3, and B4 are assigned in advance to cola A, orange juice, orange melon juice, and apple juice, respectively. Syrup IDs A1, A2, A3, and A4 are assigned in advance to syrups such as cola, orange, melon, and apple, respectively.

Here, when the syrup of cola A is stored in the syrup tank 7A and cola A is designated as the beverage, the beverage supply control unit 35 opens the valves 12A and 12B to dispense the syrup of cola. , 25 ml of carbonated water flows out through the syrup pipe 9A, and 175 ml of carbonated water, which is five times as large as the cola syrup, flows out through the carbonated water pipe 10.

The management unit 36 manages the remaining amount of syrup and the sales volume of the beverage at the time of supplying the beverage, based on the syrup information D2 and the beverage information D3. As shown in FIG. 3, the syrup information D2 includes syrup ID, syrup type, usage amount, remaining amount, and connection position. In FIG. 3, the amount of syrup used, the remaining amount, and the connection position are described for each syrup ID for each type of syrup. The amount used is the amount of syrup measured by the flow meter 20 . The remaining amount is the value obtained by subtracting the used amount from the full filling amount of the syrup tank. The connection position is the position where the syrup tank is connected to the syrup piping. FIG. 3 shows that syrup tanks 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D with syrup IDs A1, A2, A3, and A4 are connected to syrup pipes 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D, respectively. The connection position is used as information for specifying the valve 12A during beverage supply. That is, the connection position associates the connection relationship between the syrup ID and the syrup pipe to which the syrup tank storing the syrup of the syrup ID is connected.

The amount used is
Amount used [ml] = flowmeter detection value [ml/s] x flowmeter ON time [s]
can be calculated as
On the other hand, the remaining amount is
Remaining amount [ml] = Full filling amount [ml] - Usage amount [ml]
can be calculated as
The remaining amount is the remaining amount information D4 for the syrup of the syrup ID.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the beverage information D3 includes a beverage ID, a beverage name, and a sales volume. In FIG. 4, the sales volume of the beverage is described for each beverage ID. The amount of sales is obtained based on the amount of syrup used and the recipe information D1. In FIG. 4, 150 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml, and 200 ml are described as sales amounts for each of beverage IDs B1, B2, B3, and B4.

Sales volume is
Amount of sales [ml] = Amount used [ml] x (1 + (dilution ratio of diluent/dilution ratio of syrup))
can be calculated as
The sales amount is the beverage sales information D5 for each beverage ID.

In this embodiment, a syrup ID is assigned in advance for each syrup type, and a beverage ID is assigned for each beverage type. Beverage information D3 that manages the beverage sales amount for each beverage ID based on the recipe information D1 for each beverage ID that defines the mixing ratio (dilution ratio) with one or more diluents and is linked to the syrup ID. When a desired beverage is instructed to be supplied, the instructed beverage is supplied based on the recipe information D1, and the remaining amount of syrup for each syrup ID and the beverage It manages the sales volume of beverages for each ID. As a result, the remaining amount of syrup and the amount of sales of beverages can be obtained only with a simple flow meter 20. - 特許庁At this time, the remaining amount of syrup and the amount of sales of the beverage can be easily obtained only by measuring the amount of syrup used based on the recipe information D1.

Further, in the present embodiment, the remaining amount is separately managed for each syrup ID, so that the number of syrups to be ordered for each syrup ID can be easily grasped.

Also, since the syrup information D2 is managed for each syrup ID, syrup management is facilitated even when different types of syrup are replaced in the same syrup pipe.

<Modification 1>
In the above-described embodiment, the syrup and the diluent (cold water or carbonated water) are mixed in the beverage supply nozzle 2. It mixes and supplies the mixed beverage to the beverage supply nozzle 2 .

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a piping configuration in the vicinity of the beverage supply nozzle 2 in the beverage supply device of Modification 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the syrup pipes 9A to 9D, the cold water pipe 11, and the carbonated water pipe 10 are located behind the valves 12A, 12C, and 12B and between the beverage supply nozzle 2. The pipe 11 and the carbonated water pipe 10 are connected to form one beverage pipe 16 , through which a beverage in which syrup and diluent are mixed is supplied to the beverage supply nozzle 2 . In this case, as in the embodiment, flow meters may be provided on the syrup pipes 9A to 9D, the cold water pipe 11 and the carbonated water pipe 10, respectively. A flow meter 21 is provided on one of the beverage lines 16 .

As for the remaining amount in this case, first, the total amount of beverage is obtained from the flowmeter detection value of the flowmeter 21 .
Total amount of beverage [ml] = flow meter detection value [ml] x flow meter ON time [s]
and the remaining amount is
Remaining amount [ml] = full filling amount [ml] - (total amount of beverage [ml] / (1 + (dilution ratio of diluent / dilution ratio of syrup))
can be calculated as
The sales volume is the total beverage volume.

<Modification 2>
In the above embodiment and modification 1, the flowmeters 20 and 21 were used, but in this modification 2, the valve 12A is changed to an automatic valve 12D that opens and closes the syrup for each predetermined fine adjustment flow rate, The syrup flow rate (usage amount) is obtained from the number of opening/closing operation pulses of the automatic valve 12D.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a beverage supply device according to Modification 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, in Modification 2, the flow meter 20 is eliminated and the valve 12A is changed to an automatic valve 12D. The beverage supply control unit 35 controls the number of opening/closing operation pulses of the automatic valve 12D of the syrup pipe to be supplied, thereby controlling the amount of syrup used. On the other hand, the management unit 36 calculates the amount of syrup used based on the number of opening/closing operation pulses.
Amount used [ml] = Number of opening/closing operation pulses [pulse] x Fine adjustment flow rate [ml/pulse]
Then, the sales volume is, as in the embodiment,
Amount of sales [ml] = Amount used [ml] x (1 + (dilution ratio of diluent/dilution ratio of syrup))
can be calculated as

<Modification 3>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a beverage supply system according to Modification 3. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the beverage supply apparatus 1 is connected to a store terminal 40 inside the store 100, and the store terminal 40 manages the beverage supply apparatus 1 connected via a plurality of store terminals 40 outside. It is connected to the management server 50 .

The management server 50 delivers the recipe information D1 of the beverage to be supplied by the beverage supply device 1 to the beverage supply device 1 in advance. In response to this, the beverage supply apparatus 1 generates the syrup information D2 and the beverage information D3, and sequentially or periodically transmits the residual amount information D4 of the syrup information D2 to the store terminal 40, and the beverage information D3. The sales information D5 is transmitted to the management server 50 via the shop terminal 40. Based on the sales information D5, the management server 50 instructs the store terminal 40 and the beverage supply device 1 to change, add, or delete the type of beverage to be sold.

<Modification 4>
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a beverage supply system according to Modification 4. As shown in FIG. In Modified Example 4, in Modified Example 3, surveillance camera 60 that captures an image of the vicinity of beverage supply device 1 is arranged in store 100 . Then, the beverage supply device 1 transmits the image information captured by the surveillance camera 60 together with the sales information D5. Note that the monitoring camera 60 may be connected to the store terminal 40 . Based on the sales information D5 and the video information, the management server 50 analyzes the behavior of the purchaser and takes measures to improve the sales or service of beverage supply.

In the above-described embodiment and modification, the recipe information D1 is preferably distributed to the beverage supply apparatus 1 from the management server 50 or the like, but is created by the administrator of the beverage supply apparatus 1 operating the remote control 31. You may In this case as well, the setting is made using the syrup ID and the beverage ID, so the setting is easier than in the conventional case.

Also, when connecting different types of syrup tanks to the same syrup pipes 9A to 9D by replacing them, it is only necessary to change the syrup ID and arrangement position of the syrup information D2. If the syrup in the syrup tank is the same as the syrup before replacement, pressing the reset button on the remote control 31 automatically changes the remaining amount of the replaced syrup information D2 to the full filling amount. When replacing with a different kind of syrup tank, the syrup ID of the connection position in the syrup information D2 should be changed. Also in this case, pressing the reset button automatically changes the remaining amount of the syrup information D2 to the full filling amount. Note that the syrup ID may be an ID common to syrup types presented in advance in the syrup tank.

It should be noted that each configuration illustrated in the above-described embodiment and modified examples is functionally schematic, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of dispersion/integration of each device and component is not limited to the illustrated one, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed/integrated in arbitrary units according to various usage conditions. can be configured

1 Beverage supply device 1a Device body 1b Bend stage 1c Operation display unit 2 Beverage supply nozzle 3 Cooling water tank 3a Agitator 4 Cooling unit 5 Carbonator 6 Water supply pump 7A to 7D Syrup tank 8 Carbon dioxide cylinder 9A to 9D Syrup piping 10 Carbonated water piping 11 Cold water Piping 12 valve group 12A to 12C valve 12D automatic valve 13 carbonator water supply valve 14 carbon dioxide gas pipe 15 cup 16 beverage pipe 20, 21 flow meter 30 control unit 31 remote control 32 communication unit 33 storage unit 34 control unit 35 beverage supply control unit 36 management Section 40 Store terminal 50 Management server 60 Surveillance camera 100 Store D1 Recipe information D2 Syrup information D3 Beverage information D4 Remaining amount information D5 Sales information

Claims (7)

A beverage supply device for supplying a beverage obtained by diluting syrup with a diluent containing carbonated water,
A syrup identifier is assigned to each type of syrup, a beverage identifier is assigned to each type of beverage, syrup information for managing the amount of syrup used for each syrup identifier, syrup of one or more syrup identifiers and one Beverage information for managing the sales volume of the beverage for each beverage identifier based on the recipe information for each beverage identifier linked to the syrup identifier by defining the mixing ratio with the diluent above,
When the supply of the desired beverage is instructed, the instructed beverage is supplied based on the recipe information, and the remaining amount of syrup for each syrup identifier and the beverage are based on the amount of the supplied syrup used. A beverage supply device characterized by managing beverage sales volume for each identifier. 2. The beverage supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the syrup information is associated with a connection relationship between the syrup identifier and a syrup pipe for supplying the syrup to which a syrup tank for storing the syrup is connected. . 3. The beverage supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amount of syrup used is determined by a flow meter provided on a syrup pipe for supplying said syrup. 2. The amount of syrup to be used is obtained based on the recipe information and the flow rate of a flow meter provided on a beverage pipe that supplies a beverage in which the syrup and the diluent are mixed. 3. Beverage supply device according to claim 2. 3. The amount of syrup used is determined by the number of opening and closing operation pulses of an automatic valve which is provided on a syrup pipe for supplying said syrup and which opens and closes said syrup every predetermined fine adjustment flow rate. Beverage dispensing device according to . 6. The beverage supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the syrup tank storing the syrup is replaced, the syrup remaining amount of the syrup identifier of the replaced syrup tank is reset. . A surveillance camera is installed to monitor the supply of beverages,
7. The beverage supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein image information captured by said surveillance camera is acquired when said beverage sales amount is acquired.

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