JP3101174B2 - Beverage dispensing device - 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 dispensing apparatus, and more particularly, to a beverage in which a heated or cooled beverage is circulated in a tank so that the entire temperature of the beverage can be kept uniform. It concerns the dispensing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a beverage dispensing apparatus for dispensing a heated beverage obtained by diluting a concentrated undiluted solution with hot water is provided inside a device main body with a storage of a container storing the concentrated undiluted solution and a required amount of the container. It is equipped with a hot water storage tank that keeps hot water warm.
In the front part of the apparatus main body, a beverage discharge nozzle connected to the concentrated raw liquid container and the hot water storage tank is provided, and hot water kept warm in the hot water storage tank and the concentrated raw liquid stored in the concentrated raw liquid container are provided. Is supplied to the beverage discharging nozzle, whereby the concentrated stock solution is diluted with hot water, and the heated beverage is discharged from the nozzle to the outside.

[0003] A hot water storage tank disposed inside the apparatus main body has, for example, a structure shown in FIG. That is,
The hot water storage tank 10 is provided with a heater 12 at the inner bottom, and a water supply pipe 14 connected to an external water supply is connected to the upper part of the heater 12. The water supply pipe 16 provided on the water supply pipe 14 is opened to open the hot water storage tank 10. A quantity of water is supplied. Further, inside the hot water storage tank 10, water level switches 18 and 20 are arranged vertically separated from each other.
The water supply valve 16 is controlled to open and close so as to maintain the water level during 20. A hot water supply pump 2 is provided at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 10.
2, and a discharge pipe 26 of the pump 22 is connected to a beverage discharge nozzle 28 to which a stock solution is supplied from a concentrated stock solution container via a stocking mechanism (none is shown). It is connected. A discharge valve 30 is provided in the discharge pipe 26. By opening the valve 30, hot water is supplied to the beverage discharge nozzle 28 to dilute the undiluted solution.

[0004] One end of a return pipe 32 is connected to the discharge pipe 26 from the disposition position of the discharge valve 30 toward the pump.
The return pipe 32 is piped on the outside rear side of the hot water storage tank 10, and has another end opening facing the upper part of the hot water storage tank 10. That is, when the supply pump 22 is operated with the injection valve 30 closed, the lower hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 10 is sucked into the pump 22 and then discharged to the discharge pipe 26 and the return pipe 26. It is supplied to the upper part of the tank via 32. In this way, by circulating the lower portion of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 to the upper portion, the temperature of the entire hot water in the tank is kept uniform.

[0005]

Since the return pipe 32 is piped to the outside rear side of the hot water storage tank 10, as shown in FIG. 7, a rear wall 10a of the hot water storage tank 10 and a rear wall 34 of the apparatus main body are provided. Between them, a required space for piping the return pipe 32 is required. That is, the size of the hot water storage tank 10 housed in the limited space in the apparatus main body must be set small, the amount of hot water stored is reduced, and the amount of the heated beverage that can be continuously poured out is small. It is pointed out that the device has a low dispensing capacity. When the size of the hot water storage tank 10 is increased, a problem that the size of the apparatus body is inevitably increased. Further, since the return pipe 32 is exposed to air from the connection portion with the discharge pipe 26 to the opening, the hot water radiates heat while flowing through the return pipe 32 and cools down. (Not shown). For this reason, there is a problem that the cost increases, the piping space of the return pipe 32 increases, and the size of the hot water storage tank 10 further decreases.

Therefore, the return pipe 32 is connected to the hot water storage tank 10.
It is conceivable to connect the outside rear side of the tank to the bottom of the tank without piping so that the opening faces the bottom of the hot water storage tank 10. However, simply returning hot water at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 10 to the bottom via the return pipe 32 does not stir the hot water in the entire tank and cannot maintain a uniform temperature. Further, in the beverage dispensing device, the dispensing valve 30 disposed on the beverage dispensing nozzle side from the connection position of the return pipe 32 in the discharge pipe 26 is opened to supply hot water to the beverage dispensing nozzle 28. doing. That is, if the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 10 is large, the return pipe 3
2 is large, and the hot water discharged from the supply pump 22 to the discharge pipe 26 is returned to the return pipe 32.
Is supplied to the beverage discharge nozzle 28 via the discharge valve 30 without flowing into the beverage discharge nozzle 28. However, hot water storage tank 10
When the amount of hot water in the inside decreases and the water pressure applied to the opening of the return pipe 32 decreases, a part of the hot water discharged from the supply pump 22 to the discharge pipe 26 is returned to the hot water storage tank 10 through the return pipe 32.
Will return to. As a result, the supply amount of hot water to the beverage discharge nozzle 28 decreases, and a problem arises in that the constant supply of hot water cannot be performed. Therefore, in order to achieve a stable quantitative supply of hot water, it is necessary to set the opening of the return pipe 32 at a position sufficiently higher than the position where the beverage discharge nozzle 28 is provided (a position where a required head is generated), As described above, the configuration in which the opening faces the bottom of the hot water storage tank 10 has a practical problem.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks inherent in the prior art, and has been proposed to solve the problem suitably. It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing apparatus capable of setting a large product and suppressing a change in temperature of a beverage flowing through the return pipe without covering the return pipe with a heat insulating material.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and to achieve the intended object, the present invention relates to a tank for storing a beverage to be heated or cooled, and a method for heating a beverage stored in the tank. Or a heat exchange means for cooling, a pump connected to the tank through a suction pipe, and a discharge side thereof and a beverage discharge nozzle connected to the discharge pipe through a discharge pipe, and a pump connected to the discharge pipe. is, internally in the beverage extraction device consisting of a return pipe back to the tank were discharged into the discharge pipe beverage from the pump by switching the control valve disposed in said discharge exit tube, the return pipe from the bottom of the tank while immersed in the beverage being stored in a tank and piping,
The upper limit water level switch provided in the tank in the return pipe
Above the upper water level of the beverage specified by the switch
An opening is formed in the device.

[0009]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a beverage dispensing apparatus according to the present invention. The same members as those described in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body of the beverage dispensing apparatus is composed of an upper main body 38 and a lower main body 40 formed by molding a plate material such as stainless steel into a box shape.
Is mounted and fixed to the lower main body 40, and a storage 42 having a heat insulating structure is arranged on the front inside thereof. A plurality of (for example, three) concentrated raw material containers 44 storing concentrated raw materials are stored in the main body 3 in a storage room 42 a defined inside the storage 42.
8 are stored in parallel along the width direction. At the lower part of each concentrated raw material container 44, a pouring mechanism 48 having a pouring pump 46 is provided.
And a beverage discharge nozzle 28 are connected, and a required amount of the concentrated raw material discharged from the concentrated raw material container 44 via the discharge mechanism 48 is supplied to the beverage discharge nozzle 28.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a hot water storage tank 10 for storing a required amount of hot water is disposed at the rear side inside the upper body 38. The hot water storage tank 10 communicates with a water supply pipe 14 connected to an external water source, and opens an electromagnetic open / close type water supply valve 16 provided on the water supply pipe 14,
A required amount of water is supplied into the tank 10. As shown in FIG. 4, a lower limit water level switch 20 is installed near the bottom of the hot water storage tank 10 and an upper limit water level switch 18 is installed near the upper end of the hot water storage tank 10. Hot water level (storage volume)
Is maintained between the two switches 18 and 20. That is, when the water supply valve 16 is opened, water is supplied to the hot water storage tank 10. When the water level is detected by the upper limit water level switch 18, the water supply valve 16 is closed to stop the supply of water, and the water level decreases due to consumption of hot water. When the lower water level switch 20 detects the water level, the water supply valve 16 is opened to supply water. Further, a heater 12 is disposed below the lower limit water level switch 20, and the heater 12
The hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 10 is heated to a set temperature (for example, 90 ° C.). A temperature sensor 50 is provided inside the hot water storage tank 10, and the ON-OF of the heater 12 is determined by the temperature detected by the sensor 50.
It is configured to perform the F control to maintain the temperature of the hot water at the set temperature. Further, when the lower limit water level switch 20 detects the water level, by stopping the pouring of the heated beverage,
The heating of the heater 12 is prevented.

In a lower body 40 located below the hot water storage tank 10, a supply pump 22 for supplying the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 10 to the beverage discharging nozzle 28 corresponds to each discharging mechanism 48. It is arranged. The suction pipe 24 connected to the suction port of the supply pump 22
The discharge pipe 26 connected to the bottom of the pump 22 and connected to the discharge port of the pump 22 communicates with the beverage discharge nozzle 28 via the discharge valve 30 disposed below the storage 42. Be composed. The supply pump 22 is controlled to always operate, and the discharge valve 30 is controlled to be opened for a predetermined time by pressing a discharge button (not shown) disposed at an appropriate position on the apparatus main body. You. That is,
By pressing the dispensing button and opening the dispensing valve 30,
The hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 10 is supplied to the beverage discharge nozzle 28 from below. The operation of the dispensing button also activates the dispensing pump 46 of the dispensing mechanism 48, so that a required amount of concentrated undiluted solution is supplied from the concentrated raw material container 44 to the beverage dispensing nozzle 28.

A return pipe 32, one end of which is connected to the pump side of the discharge pipe 26 from the position where the discharge valve 30 is provided, is piped from the bottom of the hot water storage tank 10 to the inside as shown in FIG. . The free end of the return pipe 32 facing the inside of the tank is supported by a bracket 52 disposed in the tank, and is located at a position facing upward due to the position of the upper limit water level switch 18 in the return pipe 32. Opening 32
a, 32a are drilled (see FIG. 4). That is, in a state where the discharge valve 30 is closed, the supply pump 2
By the operation of 2, the lower hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 10 is sucked into the pump 22, and then supplied to the upper portion of the tank via the discharge pipe 26 and the return pipe 32 (see the solid line arrow in FIG. 5). In this way, by circulating the warm water at the bottom in the tank to the upper part, the temperature of the entire warm water in the tank is kept uniform. Since the openings 32a and 32a of the return pipe 32 are set at a level sufficiently higher than the level at which the beverage discharge nozzle 28 is provided, the hot water discharged from the pump 22 is returned even if the discharge valve 30 is opened. It is all supplied to the beverage discharge nozzle 28 without flowing into the pipe 32.

[0014]

Next, the operation of the beverage dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described below. The water supplied from the water supply pipe 14 and stored in the hot water storage tank 10 is supplied to the heater 12
The heater 12 is turned on when the temperature sensor 50 detects a set temperature (for example, 90 ° C.).
F is operated. Further, when the heating by the heater 12 is stopped, the temperature of the hot water drops, and the temperature sensor 50
When the set temperature is no longer detected, the heater 12 is energized again to heat the hot water to the set temperature, and the temperature of the hot water in the tank is always maintained at the set temperature. During the heating operation of the water and the warming operation of the hot water, the supply pump 22 is always operated while the discharge valve 30 is kept in the closed state, and the lower part of the hot water storage tank 10 is connected through the suction pipe 24. The warm water sucked into the pump 22 by the discharge pipe 26 and the return pipe 32
The hot water is supplied to the upper portion of the hot water storage tank 10 via a stirrer, and the hot water in the tank is stirred and circulated to achieve efficient heating of the hot water and uniform temperature of the entire hot water.

As shown in FIG. 5, the return pipe 32 is piped inside the hot water storage tank 10 and is mostly immersed in the hot water in the tank, so that the hot water flowing through the return pipe 32 radiates heat. Prevents the temperature from dropping. Thereby, the water stored in the hot water storage tank 10 can be efficiently heated to the set temperature during the heating operation or the heat keeping operation, and the entire hot water can be maintained at a uniform temperature. In addition, since the return pipe 32 is piped in the hot water storage tank 10, it is not necessary to secure a piping space for the return pipe 32 outside the hot water storage tank 10, and the internal volume of the tank 10 is increased without increasing the size of the entire apparatus. It is possible to increase the amount of stored hot water. Further, since it is not necessary to cover most of the return pipe 32 with the heat insulating material, the cost can be reduced.

When the dispensing button is pressed to dispense the heated beverage, the dispensing pump 46 of the dispensing mechanism 48 is operated, and a required amount of the raw material is supplied from the concentrated stock solution container 44 to the beverage dispensing nozzle 28. Supplied. Further, the discharge valve 30 is opened for a certain period of time, and all the hot water discharged from the supply pump 22 to the discharge pipe 26 does not flow into the return pipe 32 having a high head, and the beverage is poured through the discharge valve 30 via the discharge valve 30. Is supplied to the outlet nozzle 28
(See the dashed arrow in FIG. 5), where the concentrated ingredients are diluted and the heated beverage is dispensed.

FIG. 6 shows a main part of a beverage dispensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this apparatus, a concentrated beverage is diluted with cold water to pour a cooled beverage. It is configured to emit. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, only the configuration of a different portion will be described.

As shown in the figure, an evaporating pipe 56 derived from a refrigerating mechanism (not shown) is wound around a water storage tank 54 for storing a predetermined amount of cooling water, and a refrigerant circulating through the evaporating pipe 56 The water is cooled to a required temperature by heat exchange with water in the water storage tank 54. Further, the water storage tank 54 and the evaporating pipe 56 are surrounded by a heat insulating material 58 so as to suppress a change in the temperature of the cooling water stored therein.

In a beverage dispensing apparatus according to another embodiment,
The return pipe 32 having one end connected to the discharge pipe 26 of the supply pump 22 that is constantly operated is piped from the bottom of the water storage tank 54 to the inside. Openings 32a, 32a are formed in the free end of the return pipe 32 facing the inside of the tank at a position facing upward due to the position of the upper limit water level switch 18. That is, the cold water in the lower part of the water storage tank 54 sucked into the supply pump 22 through the suction pipe 24 while keeping the injection valve 30 in the closed state, causes the discharge pipe 26 and the return pipe 32 to pass through. The water is supplied to the upper part of the water storage tank 54 through the tank, and cool water in the tank is stirred and circulated to keep the temperature uniform. In this case, since most of the return pipe 32 is immersed in the cold water in the water storage tank 54, the temperature of the cold water flowing in the return pipe 32 is prevented from exchanging heat with air, and the temperature is prevented from increasing. The entire cold water stored in 54 can be efficiently maintained at a uniform temperature. In addition, the water storage tank 5 can be used without increasing the size of the apparatus body.
4 can increase the internal volume and reduce the amount of heat insulating material used to reduce costs. In addition, in the return pipe 32 of the cold water, it is possible to prevent dew condensation from occurring outside the pipe.

In the embodiment, the case where the concentrated raw material is diluted with hot water or cold water has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank may be transferred to a tea strainer containing tea leaves, for example. It can also be used for an apparatus for dispensing tea by supplying it, or for dissolving granular or powdery raw materials with warm water to dispense a heated beverage. Further, if the apparatus is configured to be able to selectively supply a cooled beverage such as juice and a heated beverage such as tea or soup, the hot water storage tank for storing hot water and the cold water are stored without increasing the size of the entire apparatus. The internal volume of the water storage tank can be increased. Furthermore,
In the embodiment, a discharge valve is disposed on the beverage discharge nozzle side from the connection position of the return pipe connected to the discharge pipe, and when the discharge valve is opened, the hot water discharged from the supply pump by the lift of the return pipe is ejected by the nozzle. The discharge pipe and the return pipe are connected by a switching valve, and the flow path of the hot water is changed by switching the valve.

[0021]

As described above, according to the beverage dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, the return pipe is provided in the tank, and most of the return pipe is immersed in the beverage stored in the tank. In addition, it is possible to effectively prevent a temperature change due to heat exchange between the beverage flowing through the return pipe and air. Thus, the beverage stored in the tank can be efficiently heated or cooled to the set temperature, and the entire beverage can be maintained at a uniform temperature. In addition, by arranging the return pipe in the tank, it is not necessary to secure a piping space for the return pipe outside the tank, so that the internal volume of the tank can be set large without increasing the size of the entire apparatus, and Can increase the amount of storage and provide a device with a high pouring capacity. Further, since it is not necessary to cover most of the return pipe with the heat insulating material, there is an advantage that the cost can be reduced and the assembling is easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a beverage dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment, partially cut away.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the beverage dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the hot water storage tank according to the embodiment, partially cut away.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the hot water storage tank according to the embodiment, partially cut away.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a circulation path of hot water in the beverage dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a circulation path of cold water in a beverage dispensing apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a circulation path of hot water in a beverage dispensing apparatus according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 storage tank, 12 heater, 22 supply pump,
24 suction pipe 26 discharge pipe, 28 beverage discharge nozzle, 30 discharge valve, 3
2 Return pipe 54 Water storage tank, 56 Evaporation pipe

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Toshikatsu Takagi 3-16 Hoshizaki Electric, Sakaemachi Minamikan, Toyoake-shi, Aichi Prefecture (72) Inventor Akihiro Sato 16-16 Hoshizaki Electric, Sakamachicho, Toyoake-shi, Aichi (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Inoue 3-16 Hoshizaki Electric Co., Ltd., Sakaemachi Minamikan, Toyoake-shi, Aichi Prefecture (72) Inventor Shunichi Ueno 16-16 Hoshizaki Electric Co., Ltd. 56) References JP-A-6-86733 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Application Sho 62-7943 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A47J 31/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A tank (10, 54) for storing a beverage to be heated or cooled, and a heat exchange means (12, 56) for heating or cooling the beverage stored in the tank (10, 54). A pump connected to the tank (10, 54) via a suction pipe (24), and a discharge side thereof and a beverage discharge nozzle (28) connected to the tank (10, 54) via a discharge pipe (26). 22), the beverage discharged from the pump (22) to the discharge pipe (26) by switching a control valve (30) disposed in communication with the discharge pipe (26) and disposed on the discharge pipe (26). the tank in a beverage dispensing device consisting of a tube return back to (10,54) (32), tank (10 from the bottom to the pipe inside the tank (10,54) said return pipe (32) and, 54) Immerse in the beverage stored in
Together with the tank (10, 54) in the return pipe (32).
Of the beverage specified by the upper water level switch (18)
Drill openings (32a, 32a) at positions above the upper water level.
Beverage dispensing apparatus, characterized in that was. 2. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein a heater (12) is provided inside the tank (10), and the beverage stored in the tank (10) is heated. 3. An evaporating pipe (56) connected to a refrigeration mechanism is provided outside the tank (54) so as to cool the beverage stored in the tank (54). Beverage dispensing equipment.