JP2570433Y2 - Beverage supply machine - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage by operating a beverage dispensing switch and operating a dispensing mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in this kind of beverage supply machine, a liquid supply pump is connected to a raw material storage tank housed in a main body of the beverage supply machine.
When a beverage dispensing switch provided on an operation panel is operated, a liquid supply pump is operated to supply a beverage to a cup or the like, and is particularly used in stores such as restaurants. Also,
The beverage dispensing mode when the beverage dispensing switch is operated includes:
There are two types: One is a “dispensing operation” in which the liquid supply pump is operated for a preset time based on the operation of the beverage dispensing switch to supply a fixed amount of beverage, and the other is a beverage dispensing operation. This is a "free amount dispensing operation" in which the liquid supply pump is operated only for the time when the output switch is operated and the amount of beverage is supplied according to the time. Therefore, in the conventional beverage dispenser, a beverage dispensing switch for performing the above-described “quantitative dispensing operation” (referred to as a quantitative dispensing switch) and a beverage dispensing for performing the “free amount dispensing operation” are described. A switch (referred to as a free-amount discharge switch) is provided on the operation panel.

[0003]

However, if different types of beverage dispensing switches are provided on the same operation panel as in the above-described configuration, the user tends to rush and perform an erroneous operation especially during a busy time. was there. In addition, even when performing the “dispensing operation”, three types of dispensing switches, for example, S size, M size, and L size are provided according to the cup size, and the amount corresponding to each size is provided. There is a beverage dispenser which can supply the beverage of the type described above. In such a beverage dispenser provided with various kinds of beverage dispensing switches, the intervals between the switches become narrower, so that erroneous operation is more likely to occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to make it possible to perform "quantitative dispensing operation" and "free amount dispensing operation" in order to prevent erroneous operation of the beverage dispensing switch. The aim is to provide a beverage dispenser that can be prevented.

[0005]

As a means for achieving the above-mentioned object, a beverage dispenser according to the present invention is a dispensing mechanism for supplying a beverage material from a material storage tank to a supply unit and operating the same. A liquid dispensing switch for supplying a constant amount of beverage by operating the dispensing mechanism for a preset time based on the operation of the beverage dispensing switch; and A beverage dispensing operation provided on an operation panel, wherein the dispensing mechanism can be operated only for a time during which the dispensing switch is operated to perform a free amount dispensing operation for supplying a beverage in an amount corresponding to the time. A selection switch for selecting whether the output switch functions as a fixed-quantity dispensing switch for performing the fixed-quantity dispensing operation or as a free-quantity dispensing switch for performing the free-quantity dispensing operation. Provided, and, as the beverage dispensing switch, a plurality of types in which the operating time of the dispensing mechanism is separately set when performing the dispensing operation is provided, and when the dispensing operation is selected by the selection switch, By operating each beverage dispensing switch, a fixed amount dispensing operation is performed at a supply amount corresponding to the beverage dispensing switch, while when the free amount dispensing operation is selected, which beverage dispensing switch is operated. It is characterized in that it is provided with a means for performing a free amount dispensing operation even when operated.

[0006]

Generally, in a busy store where many customers come to the store within a short time, the manner of service to the customers is manualized, and it is often sufficient to supply a fixed amount of beverage to a cup or the like. However, there are many cases where it is necessary to supply a plurality of types of cups and the like and to supply a beverage suitable for each cup and the like. Since the clerk needs to process orders of many customers at one time, it is required that the operation of the beverage dispensing switch be as short as possible. Therefore, in such a store, it is desirable to perform a “quantitative dispensing operation” in which a fixed amount of beverage corresponding to the size of a cup or the like can be supplied by simply operating the switch once. On the other hand, in a store with a small number of customers, since there is room to slowly pour while watching the amount of beverage in the cup, a “free amount dispensing operation” in which a clerk can pour an optimal amount of beverage is performed. It is desirable.

[0007] Therefore, according to the present invention, by operating the selection switch, the beverage dispensing switch provided on the operation panel can be made to function as either a fixed quantity dispensing switch or a free amount dispensing switch. it can. Then, when the constant-rate dispensing operation is selected, if one of the plurality of beverage dispensing switches is operated, the constant-rate dispensing is performed at a supply amount corresponding to the beverage dispensing switch. When the free amount dispensing operation is selected, the free amount dispensing is performed by operating any of the plurality of beverage dispensing switches.

[0008]

[Effect of the Invention] As described above, according to the beverage dispenser of the present invention, a plurality of types of fixed quantity dispensing can be performed in a busy store and a free amount can be dispensed in a non-busy store without unnecessarily increasing the number of beverage dispensing switches. In any of the stores, an effect is obtained in which a switch operation with few erroneous operations and excellent usability can be realized.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The beverage supply machine of this embodiment can supply three types of beverages (here, referred to as "beverage A", "beverage B" and "beverage C" for convenience), and the supply form is "quantitative dispensing operation". "And" Free-amount dispensing operation "can be selected. In addition, when performing the" quantitative dispensing operation ", three kinds of supply amounts corresponding to the cup sizes (S, M, L) are set. You can choose. The overall configuration is as shown in FIG. The lower part of the front surface of the beverage dispenser is further retracted to the rear to form a space for the beverage supply unit 11, and a tray 12 for placing a cup (not shown) is provided at the bottom. A door 13 is provided on the upper part of the front surface of the main body so as to be openable and closable via a hinge 13a. By opening the door 13, the three raw material storage tanks 14 provided in the main body can be individually taken out. In addition, these raw material storage tanks 14 store concentrated stock solutions of each beverage. Also, the door 13
An operation panel 15 is provided at the lower part of the display panel. Three display boards 16 indicating types of beverages “A”, “B”, and “C” are provided here, and below each display board 16. In FIG. 1, three drink pouring switches 17 are arranged in a horizontal row, and a remaining amount warning lamp 18 is provided between the group of switches 17 and the display panel 16. In addition, the drink dispensing switch 17 sets the cup size (S,
M, L), three in total, and a total of nine are provided. However, when these are collectively shown, they are simply denoted by reference numeral "17" and only one of the nine is provided. Are individually indicated by the letters “17” as a subscript with a letter indicating the type of beverage and a letter indicating the size of the cup. That is, the drink dispensing switch for A cup and for S cup is denoted by reference numeral “17AS”, and the drink discharge switch for B drink and M cup is denoted by reference numeral “17BM”.

Next, a dispensing mechanism for supplying the beverage to the supply section 11 is as shown in FIG. That is, one cold water tank 19 is provided in the main body in addition to the three raw material storage tanks 14 described above, and the cold water tank 19 is connected to, for example, a water pipe, and stores a predetermined amount of water therein. It has become. A cooling pipe (not shown) is arranged in the cold water tank 19, and water in the cold water tank 19 can be cooled by flowing a coolant through the cooling pipe. A chilled water supply pipe 20 is connected to the bottom of the chilled water tank 19. The chilled water supply pipe 20 is divided into three branches, each of which is individually connected to three mixers 22 via a chilled water valve 21. These mixers 22 are located side by side at the top of the beverage supply 11, from which the beverage flowing down is received by a cup placed on the tray 12.

On the other hand, couplers 23 are provided below the three raw material storage tanks 14, respectively. When the raw material storage tanks 14 are set in the main body, the openings at the bottoms thereof are connected to the respective couplers 23. You. The liquid supply pipe 2 through which the undiluted beverage in the raw material storage tank 14 flows is connected to each of the couplers 23.
4 are connected, and the liquid supply pipes 24 are connected to the respective mixers 22 via liquid supply pumps 25, respectively. The chilled water valve 21 and the liquid supply pump 25 are provided three each for each of the three types of beverages. Therefore, in FIG. 3, reference numeral “21” indicating the chilled water valve and a motor for driving the liquid supply pump 25 are provided. The symbols A, B,
C is added as a subscript.

The electrical configuration of this embodiment is as shown in FIG. 3, and mainly includes a control circuit 30 including a microcomputer (not shown). The door 13
A selection switch 31 for setting the function of the beverage dispensing switch 17 as will be understood from the description below, and a beverage stock solution is replenished to each raw material storage tank 14 on the back side of the operation panel 15 among the back sides of the above. There are provided three reset switches 32A, 32B, 32C which are turned on when they are turned on, and these are connected to a control circuit 3 as shown in FIG.
0 is connected to the input side. The control mode of the control circuit 30 is as follows.

First, the control circuit 30 always selects the selection switch 3
By referring to the state of No. 1, it is determined whether the beverage dispensing switch 17 functions as a “quantitative dispensing switch” or a “free amount dispensing switch”. For this purpose, the level of the input port Iss is referred to, and one of the functions is realized by software according to the level. When the beverage dispensing switch 17 functions as a fixed quantity dispensing switch, the following operation is performed. When the beverage dispensing switch 17 is turned on, a change in a signal based on the switch is used as a trigger, and first, the chilled water valve 21 is opened and chilled water is supplied to the mixer 22,
Then, slightly later, the motor 26 is energized and the liquid supply pump 25 is operated. With this, the raw material storage tank 1
Since the undiluted beverage in 4 is supplied to the mixer 22, the undiluted beverage and cold water flow down while being mixed in the mixer 22 and are received by the cup placed on the tray 12. Then, when the timer measures that the motor 26 has been energized for a predetermined time, the motor 26 is first turned off, and the chilled water valve 21 is closed a little later. The “dispensing operation” ends. The chilled water valve 21 and the liquid supply pump 25 operated here are, of course, ones corresponding to the types of beverages, but in the present embodiment, these operating times correspond to three types of cup sizes. The time is set to any one of the three types of time set in advance. That is, when the beverage dispensing switch 17 corresponding to “S” having the smallest cup size is turned on, the liquid supply pump 25 is operated only for 5 seconds, for example, and the beverage corresponding to “L” having the largest cup size is operated. When the dispensing switch 17 is turned on, for example, the liquid supply pump 25 is operated only for 7 seconds, and when the beverage dispensing switch 17 corresponding to an intermediate cup size “M” is turned on, for example, The liquid supply pump 25 is operated only for six seconds. Therefore, the amount of the beverage to be dispensed into the cup is determined by which of the three types of beverage dispensing switches 17 corresponding to the cup size is turned on.

On the other hand, when the beverage dispensing switch 17 functions as a free amount dispensing switch, it operates as follows. When the beverage dispensing switch 17 is turned on, the chilled water valve 21 is opened by a change in the signal based on the switch, and the chilled water is supplied to the mixer 22. Then, the motor 26 is energized a little later and the liquid is supplied. The pump 25 is operated. As a result, the beverage stock solution in the raw material storage tank 14 is
, The beverage undiluted solution and the cold water flow down while being mixed in the mixer 22 and are received by the cup placed on the tray 12. The motor 26 continues to be energized on condition that the beverage discharge switch 17 is turned on, and when the switch 17 returns to the off state, the motor 26 is immediately turned off, and the chilled water valve 21 is further slightly delayed. It is operated closed. As a result, a “free amount dispensing operation” is performed in which the beverage is dispensed into the cup in an amount corresponding to the time during which the beverage dispensing switch 17 is turned on. Of course, the chilled water valve 21 and the liquid supply pump 25 operated here correspond to the type of each beverage, but in the present embodiment, any one of the three types of beverage discharge switches 17 corresponding to the cup size is used. Even if is turned on, the amount of beverage corresponding to the time during which the on operation is performed is dispensed. That is, for the beverage A, even when the beverage ejection switch 17AS for the cup size S is turned on or the beverage ejection switch 17AL for the cup size L is turned on, the liquid supply pump 25 It is operated only while the dispensing switches 17AS and 17AL are turned on.

[0016] As described above, each of the beverage dispensing switches 1
When the respective liquid supply pumps 25 are operated and the beverage is dispensed in response to the ON operation of 7, the beverage raw material in the raw material storage tank 14 is gradually consumed and the remaining amount decreases. Therefore, in order to detect this remaining amount, in the present embodiment, the microcomputer included in the control circuit 30 and its related components are made to function as follows. When the beverage dispensing switch 17 returns from on to off, the remaining amount monitoring process shown in FIG. 4 is executed. Here, first, it is determined whether each of the beverage dispensing switches 17 functions as a “quantitative dispensing switch” or a “free amount dispensing switch” (step 1).
00). This determination is made, for example, by input port I of the control circuit 30.
This can be done by referring to the level of ss. As a result of this determination, when the beverage dispensing switch 17 has functioned as the “quantitative dispensing switch”, it is determined which type of beverage dispensing switch 17 corresponding to the cup size has been turned on next (step 101), the value (s, m, l) corresponding to the type is subtracted from the counter value C (steps 102 to 104). The counters are provided in three types corresponding to the three raw material storage tanks 14. When the reset switch 32 corresponding to each raw material storage tank 14 is turned on, the contents of the counters are set to the initial value C0. It is set to be. This initial value C
0 is a value corresponding to the maximum capacity of each raw material storage tank 14. That is, if the beverage discharging switch 17 corresponding to the cup size M is turned on, 100 cc of the beverage stock solution is consumed, and the maximum capacity of the raw material storage tank 14 is 1
When there is 0 liter, the initial value C0 is a value corresponding to 100 × m. Next, the counter value C and a predetermined reference value r
Are compared (step 105), and when the counter value C reaches the reference value r, a remaining amount warning process of lighting the remaining amount warning lamp 18 provided on the operation panel 15 is performed (step 106).

If it is determined in step 100 that the beverage dispensing switch 17 has functioned as a "free amount dispensing switch", first, the time during which the liquid supply pump 25 is operated is read (step 107). A value p proportional to the operation time is subtracted from the counter value C (step 10).
8). This value p is assumed to be 2 by the liquid supply pump 25 per second.
Assuming that 0 cc of the beverage stock solution can be supplied, when the maximum capacity of the raw material storage tank 14 is 10 liters, the liquid supply pump 25 performs a continuous operation of 500 seconds and the raw material storage tank 1
Since 4 becomes empty, it is set to a value corresponding to 1/500 of the counter initial value C0 (p = C0 / 500). In addition,
The operation time of the liquid supply pump 25 is integrated in a process different from the remaining amount monitoring process.

When the above-described subtraction process (step 108) is completed, the process also proceeds to step 105 where the counter value C is compared with a predetermined reference value r. When the counter value C reaches the reference value r, the counter value C is provided on the operation panel 15. A remaining amount warning process for lighting the remaining amount warning lamp 18 is performed (step 10).
6). In this way, if the remaining amount is detected by software using a microcomputer, regardless of whether the dispensing operation of the fixed amount or the free amount is performed, the undiluted beverage actually dispensed can be accurately detected. When the remaining amount of the undiluted beverage is reduced to a predetermined value, it can be reliably notified and the replenishment of the undiluted beverage can be appropriately promoted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by opening the door 13 on the front surface of the main body and switching the selection switch 31, the beverage discharging switch 17 provided on the operation panel 15 is operated.
Can be selected to function as a quantitative dispensing switch for “quantitative dispensing operation” or to function as a quantitative dispensing switch for “free amount dispensing operation”. Therefore, for example, in a busy store where many customers come to the store within a short time, the beverage dispensing switch 17 may be made to function as a fixed amount dispensing switch. Then, the "dispensed dispensing operation" in which a fixed amount of beverage is supplied is performed by simply operating the beverage dispensing switch 17 once, so that orders of many customers are processed in a short time. Will be able to do it. Of course, the operation panel 15 does not have a free-amount dispensing switch. Therefore, while the two types of “quantitative dispensing operation” and “free-amount dispensing operation” can be executed, the “free-amount dispensing operation” is performed unintentionally Is not performed, and the usability is improved from this aspect.

On the other hand, in a store where the number of customers is small and there is sufficient time, it is sufficient to operate the selection switch 31 so that the beverage dispensing switch 17 functions as a free amount dispensing switch. Then, a “free amount supply operation” in which the amount of beverage corresponding to the time during which the beverage discharge switch 17 is operated is performed, the clerk checks the amount of beverage in the cup while checking the amount of beverage in the cup. It is possible to dispense an optimal amount of beverage according to the amount of ice previously put in the cup, for example, thereby improving usability. Of course, since the operation panel 15 does not have a fixed-quantity dispensing switch, there is no unintended “quantitative dispensing operation”.
From this aspect, usability is improved.

Further, as described above, the usability is improved, and a small number of beverage dispensing switches 17 need only be arranged on the operation panel 15. Therefore, the layout of the group of beverage dispensing switches 17 can be designed with a margin. The degree of freedom is increased, so that it is possible to consider a layout in which an erroneous operation is unlikely to occur. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented with the following modifications, for example. (B) In the above embodiment, three beverage pouring switches 17 are provided for each type of beverage, and three types of “quantitative pouring operation” can be performed according to the cup size. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, only one or two cup sizes may be supported.

(B) In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a configuration in which a beverage undiluted solution is mixed with water and discharged as a beverage. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which a beverage stored in a raw material storage tank is directly discharged. The present invention can be similarly applied to a beverage supply machine. (C) The selection switch is not limited to the back side of the door 13, but may be variously changed and implemented, for example, it may be provided on the side surface of the main body. (D) Also, in the above embodiment, the remaining amount monitoring process is executed when the beverage dispensing switch 17 returns from ON to OFF and one dispensing operation is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The integration process can be performed when the switch 17 is turned on.

(E) In the above embodiment, the integrated value is reset by operating the reset switch 32 by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the integrated value is automatically set based on the setting of the raw material storage tank. The switch may be arranged at an operating position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional side view showing an ejection mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a remaining amount monitoring process according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

11 supply unit, 14 raw material storage tank, 15 operation panel, 17 beverage discharge switch, 25 liquid supply pump, 30
... Control circuit, 31 ... Selection switch

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A dispensing mechanism for supplying a beverage material from a raw material storage tank to a supply unit, and a beverage dispensing switch for operating the same, and the dispensing is performed based on an operation of the beverage dispensing switch. Quantitative dispensing operation for operating a mechanism for a preset time to supply a fixed amount of beverage, and operating the dispensing mechanism for a time during which the beverage dispensing switch is operated to adjust the amount according to the time. Or a free-amount dispensing operation for supplying a beverage, wherein the beverage dispensing switch provided on the operation panel functions as a quantitative dispensing switch for performing the quantitative dispensing operation, A selection switch for selecting whether to function as a free amount dispensing switch for performing the free amount dispensing operation is provided, and, as the beverage dispensing switch, performing the fixed amount dispensing operation. Providing a plurality of types in which the operation time of the dispensing mechanism is separately set, and when the constant-rate dispensing operation is selected by the selection switch, corresponding to the beverage dispensing switch by operating each beverage dispensing switch. It is characterized by comprising a means for performing a fixed amount dispensing operation by the supply amount, while, when the free amount dispensing operation is selected, a free amount dispensing operation can be performed by operating any beverage dispensing switch. Drinker.