JP3188049B2 - Cup vending 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 so-called cup-type vending machine which mixes raw materials and hot water, such as regular coffee and tea, and extracts the extract.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, cup-type vending machines for selling beverages such as regular coffee and tea are prepared by mixing raw materials such as coffee ground beans and tea leaves with hot water and dissolving the extract in the hot water. Then, the mixture eluted with the extract is filtered through a paper filter to separate into an extract and an extract cake, and sugar and cream are dissolved in the extract to be sold.

Here, the separation of the extract will be described in detail. A conventional vending machine uses an extraction device in which a paper filter is interposed between a mixing chamber and an extract chamber and the whole is hermetically sealed. The raw material and the hot water are supplied and mixed into the mixing chamber, and pressurized air is supplied from above the mixing chamber. The mixed liquid is filtered with a paper filter, and only the extract is taken out into the extraction chamber. The extracted extract is further
Due to the pressurizing action of the pressurized air, it passes through the extract supply pipe at a high flow rate, is injected into the gas-liquid separator, and is separated from the pressurized air. Or supplied to the cup.

[0004] Here, when the extract is supplied to the mixer, sugar or milk is discharged into the mixer after the extract has flowed in, and mixed with the extract to obtain the final product. The beverage is cooked and supplied to the cup.

[0005] When the extract is supplied to the cup, the extract, sugar and cream are all supplied to the cup, and then the impeller of the stirrer is rotated to stir. The beverage is cooked.

[0006]

The time required to produce an extract varies depending on the raw material. In other words, for example, in the case of coffee raw materials, the soot roasting condition is made shallow, and priority is given to flavor, and coarse coffee ground bean raw materials have low filtration resistance with a paper filter,
It is possible to separate the extract and the extraction waste in a short time. On the other hand, raw materials with a very fine particle size, in which the soot roasting is deepened so that the coffee extract can be eluted in a short time, have a large filtration resistance with a paper filter and require a long time for filtration (compared to the former). And about 2 to 4 seconds longer). The same is true for tea ingredients.

Accordingly, when the extract is supplied to the mixer, if the supply of the extract is rapid, sugar or cream is supplied after the extract has flowed out of the mixer, so that the dissolution of the sugar or the like is prevented. Becomes insufficient. Therefore, the conventional vending machine has to determine the release timing of the sugar and the like in accordance with the raw material for which the time for producing the extract is short.
For this reason, in the case of a raw material having a slow time to produce an extract, on the contrary, sugar and the like are released too quickly into the mixer,
There is a problem that the dissolution of sugar or the like is rather insufficient, resulting in deterioration of the quality of the product.

On the other hand, when supplying the extract to the cup, it is necessary to stir after the extract, sugar and the like are all discharged into the cup. Therefore, it is necessary to start the stirring according to the raw material that takes a long time to generate the extract. For this reason, when a raw material requiring a short time for the production is used, a loss time is generated, and the cooking time is delayed.

In addition, since it is necessary to change the raw materials to be used in various ways depending on the season and the best sellers, it is necessary to avoid exchanging the raw materials with the fastest extraction time and the raw materials with the latest extraction time, or using them simultaneously in the same vending machine. As a result, the quality of the product is lowered and the cooking time is delayed.
On the other hand, a method of adjusting the timing and the like inside the vending machine according to the raw material to be used is also conceivable, but handling is inconvenient and impractical because it requires advanced operation technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a cup-type vending machine that can be adjusted without adjustment and that can improve the quality of a product and shorten the sales time. I do.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned object,
A cup-type vending machine according to the present invention is provided in an extraction device that mixes a raw material and hot water to extract an extract of the raw material, and an extract supply path that supplies an extract extracted by the extraction device. It is characterized by comprising extraction liquid detection means for detecting passage of liquid, and cooking control means for controlling to execute a predetermined cooking process based on a detection signal of the extraction liquid detection means.

[0012]

According to the cup-type vending machine of the present invention, when the extract from which the raw material extract is extracted by the extraction device passes through the extract supply path, the extract detection means detects the passage of the extract. I do. Then, based on this detection signal, the cooking control means determines a predetermined cooking process, for example, a supply process of supplying sugar or cream to a predetermined place, or a stirring process of stirring a mixture of extract, sugar and cream. Control is performed to execute the companion operation. Therefore, regardless of the length of the extraction time, the supply timing of the extraction liquid is accurately grasped and the subsequent cooking process is executed.
In addition, loss of time is prevented, and the quality of the product is improved by accurate cooking timing.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A cup type vending machine to which an extract detector according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This vending machine is of a type in which a beverage in a cup which has been cooked in the vending machine is conveyed to a sales outlet and provided to a product purchaser. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cooking unit for hot regular coffee of the vending machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the cooking unit 1 is arranged along a transport device 2 extending in a horizontal direction.
Cup supply device 3 for supplying cup C, canisters 4a and 4b for supplying cream and sugar as powder raw material P into cup C, extraction device 5 for extracting coffee from coffee ground bean raw material K, powder raw material It comprises a stirrer 6 for stirring P and the extract B extracted by the extractor 5.

Here, the operation of the cooking section 1 will be briefly described. The cup C supplied from the cup supply device 3 is transported to a predetermined set position by the transport device 2 and cream and cream are supplied from the canisters 4a and 4b. After receiving the supply of sugar, it is further transported to a predetermined set position. On the other hand, the extraction device 5 generates the extract B from the coffee ground bean raw material K, and extracts the extract B into the cup C. At this time, the extraction device 5 sends a disturbance start signal to the disturbance device 6 as described later, and the disturbance device 6 performs a disturbance operation based on the inputted disturbance start signal. Thereafter, the transport device 2 transports the cup C to a predetermined selling position, and the predetermined cooking process is completed.

The cup supply device 3 stores a large number of cups C. Although not shown, a transfer mechanism for transferring the cups C to the transfer device 2 is provided at a lower portion. Then, the cup supply device 3 takes out the cups C one by one from the inside of the cup supply device 3 based on the sales command and transfers the cups to the transport device 2 via the transfer mechanism.

The cream canister 4a and the sugar canister 4b stock the cream and the sugar as the powder raw materials P, respectively, and supply a predetermined amount of each powder raw material P to the cup C by a supply mechanism 21 projecting below. . Under each supply mechanism 21, a powder shooter 22 is provided.
The powder raw material P in each of the canisters 4 a and 4 b is supplied to the cup C conveyed below the powder shooter 22 via the powder shooter 22 as appropriate.

The extraction device 5 includes a ground bean canister 10 for storing coffee ground bean raw material K, a hot water tank 11 for supplying hot water H, and an extract B from coffee ground bean raw material K and hot water H.
, And a gas-liquid separator 13.

The ground bean canister 10 supplies coffee ground bean raw material K to an extraction chamber 16 via a ground bean shooter 15 provided at an upper part of the extractor 12 from a supply mechanism 14 projecting downward.

On the other hand, the hot water tank 11 has a heater (not shown) therein and supplies hot water H to the extraction chamber 16. A hot water valve 31 and a hot water supply nozzle 32 connected to the hot water valve 31 are provided at a hot water supply port. Have. Then, the hot water valve 31 is opened by a sales command, and a predetermined amount of hot water H is supplied to the extraction chamber 16 via the hot water supply nozzle 32.

Further, the extractor 12 mixes the ground bean raw material K and the hot water H supplied to the extraction chamber 16, supplies pressurized air (not shown), and filters through a filter 17, thereby extracting coffee extract. An extracted liquid B is generated, and the extracted liquid B is supplied to the gas-liquid separator 13 through an extracted liquid supply pipe (extracted liquid supply path) 18.

The gas-liquid separator 13 allows the pressurized air to escape from the pressurized air discharge port 19 provided at the upper part, discharges the extract from the extract liquid discharge port 34 provided at the lower part, and extracts the extract liquid 34 The extract B is supplied to the cup C via an extract discharge pipe (extract supply path) 35 provided in series.

Here, the gas-liquid separator 13 will be described in detail with reference to the sectional view shown in FIG. Gas-liquid separator 13
Is a hopper-shaped main body 1 to which an extract supply pipe 18 is connected.
3a and a lid 13b that covers the upper part of the main body 13a and has a cylindrical portion 13c inside. A pair of electrode portions 33a and 33b are provided inside the cylindrical portion 13c, and a pressurized air discharge port 19 which projects upward in a cylindrical shape is provided at the center. Note that an AC power supply unit (not shown) is provided, and one output unit of the AC power supply unit is connected to the electrode unit 33a. It is connected to a ground 71 (see FIG. 3) via a capacitor (not shown). Further, the electrode portion 33b is
It is connected to the extract detection circuit 71. The pressurized air supplied to the gas-liquid separator 13 is released to the outside from the pressurized air discharge port 19 via the cylindrical portion 13c, and the extract B is supplied to the inner surface of the main body 13a and the cylindrical portion 13c. The fluid naturally falls in a spiral shape between the outer surface and the fluid, and flows into the extract discharge pipe 35 (see FIG. 1) through the extract discharge port 34.

At this time, since the extract discharge pipe 35 is made thinner than the extract supply pipe 18, the extract B is supplied to the main body 1.
It is stored to some extent at the bottom of 3a, and its water level gradually rises as the supply time elapses. And both electrode parts 33
When a and 33b are immersed in the stored extract B, the impedance between both electrode portions 33a and 33b becomes low, and the AC current of the AC power source flows.

Next, the extract detection circuit will be described with reference to FIG. The extract detection circuit 71 shown in FIG.
It comprises a PU 72, a comparator 73, and electrodes 33a, 33b of the gas-liquid separator 13,
a and 33b constitute an extract detection means. CPU7
Reference numeral 2 denotes a cooking control means, and the output port of the comparator 73 is connected to the input port. Further, the comparator 73 includes the electrode units 33a and 33b.
The extraction liquid detection signal is generated from the current flowing through the capacitor 74.
The electrode section 33b is connected via the resistor 5 and the resistor 76. Note that a smoothing capacitor 77 is connected to the cathode side of the diode 75. Further, a voltage obtained by dividing a DC voltage of 12 V by resistors 78 and 79 is input to the plus input portion of the comparator 73 via the resistor 80. The feedback resistor indicated by reference numeral 81 causes the comparator 73 to have hysteresis.

Next, the operation of the extract detection circuit 71 will be described. When the extract B is not injected into the gas-liquid separator 13, the two electrode portions 33 a, 33
Since no AC current flows through b and the voltage at the plus input of the comparator 73 is higher than the voltage at the minus input, the output voltage of the comparator 73 is high. On the other hand, when the extract B is injected into the gas-liquid separator 13 and both the electrode portions 33a and 33b are immersed in the extract B, the two electrode portions 33a and 33b
Between the two electrode portions 33a, 3
3b, the AC current flows into the capacitor 77 via the capacitor 74 and the diode 75, and is half-wave rectified and integrated by the capacitor 77. When the integrated voltage becomes higher than the voltage applied to the plus input of the comparator 73, the output voltage of the comparator becomes
It becomes low voltage. The CPU 72 uses the low voltage to
It is detected that the extraction liquid has been injected into the gas-liquid separator 13.
Thereafter, the stored water level of the extract B is changed to the both electrode portions 33a, 33b.
, The AC current stops flowing, and the charge charged in the capacitor 77 is discharged via a discharge resistor (not shown), and the comparator 73 outputs a high voltage to the CPU 72. Then, based on the rise of the high voltage, the CPU 72 outputs a disturbance start signal to the disturbance device 6 to start the disturbance operation.

The stirrer 6 mixes and agitates the powdered raw material P and the extract B in the cup C by rotation of an impeller attached to the lower end of the rotating shaft, and moves the stirrer 41 up and down. It is composed of a lifting mechanism 42 and a controller (not shown) for controlling the lifting mechanism 42. The elevating mechanism 42 includes an elevating belt, a driving pulley and a driven pulley around which the elevating belt is stretched, and an elevating motor (stepping motor) for operating the driving pulley.
And a light-transmitting rotary encoder (both not shown) provided in the lifting motor.

The transport device 2 includes a support frame 61 extending linearly in a horizontal direction, and drive pulleys rotatably supported at both left and right ends ("left and right" with respect to the plane of FIG. 1) of the support frame 61, respectively. 62 and a driven pulley 63, and an endless transport belt 64 stretched between the pulleys 62 and 63.
, A transport motor 66 with an encoder 65 for operating the drive pulley 62, and a cup gripping mechanism 67 fixed to the transport belt 64.

The cup gripping mechanism 67 is fixed to a predetermined portion of the conveyor belt 64 at the center of the lower surface, and a roller 68 is attached to the fixed portion so as to straddle it. When the conveyor belt 64 is operated, the roller 68 comes into contact with the upper edge of the support frame 61, and the cup gripping mechanism 67 is smoothly moved in the left-right direction. In addition, the cup gripping mechanism 6
At the front upper part of 7, a gripping arm 69 is protruded,
The cup C is gripped by the edge of the upper end of the cup C so as to be hooked on the grip arm 69.

Next, the operation of the cooking section will be described. The cup C received by the cup gripping mechanism 67 from the cup supply device 3 is appropriately stepped to the right by the encoder 65 of the transport motor 66 and a control device (not shown) to supply the cream from the cream canister 4a. Receiving the supply of sugar from the sugar canister 4c,
It is transported to the position of the stirring device 6. Here, the extract B is supplied from the gas-liquid separator 13, and a stirring start signal is output to the stirring device 6 to operate the stirring device 6, and the powder material P and the extract B are stirred. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the stirring operation is stopped, and the cooking of the sales beverage is completed. The beverage cooked in this manner is further conveyed in a state filled with the cup C to the right end of the conveying device 2, where:
It is delivered to a lifting device (not shown) and lifted up into the sales outlet by the lifting device.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that a mixing section is used, but a mixing bowl is used. Note that the same reference numerals are used for components common to the first embodiment.

Reference numeral 7 in the figure denotes a mixing bowl, and a sugar canister 4a and a cream canister 4b are arranged above the mixing bowl 7, and the sugar and cream discharged from each supply mechanism 21 are supplied with a powder shooter. 2
The mixing bowl 7 is supplied to the mixing bowl 7 via the mixing bowl 7. In addition, the extraction bowl 3 is provided in the mixing bowl 7.
5 is connected.

The operation of the second embodiment will be described. When the extract is injected into the gas-liquid separator 13, the extract detecting circuit 71 detects the extract, and the CPU 72 detects the low voltage of the comparator 73. Based on the fall, a powder material supply signal is sent to a canister control circuit (not shown), and the extract B is discharged from the extract discharge pipe 35 to the mixing bowl 7. The canister control circuit controls the respective supply mechanisms 21 of the sugar canister 4a and the cream canister 4b based on the powder material supply signal, and supplies a predetermined amount of sugar and cream at a predetermined timing. The supplied sugar and cream are supplied to the mixing bowl 7 via the powder shooter 22. At this time, the extracted liquid B is mixed with the extract B by the force of the discharged extract B to complete the cooking.

It is to be noted that, in the second embodiment, the output of the supply signal of the powder raw material based on the low voltage of the comparator 73 is different from the first embodiment in that the supply timing of the sugar or the like must be advanced. That's why. That is, in the first embodiment, it is necessary to stir after all the extract B is supplied to the cup C, but in the second embodiment, the extract B is discharged to the mixing bowl 7. This is because it is necessary to supply sugar and the like in accordance with the timing.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is detected that the extract B has been supplied to the gas-liquid separator 13 provided in the extract supply path, and the next cooking is performed based on this detection signal. Since the process (stirring operation or supply operation of sugar or the like) is performed, it is possible to prevent a waiting state in the stir operation and supply sugar or the like at a timing suitable for dissolving in the extract B. be able to. Further, as described above, by using either of the detection signals when the extract is immersed in both electrode portions 33a and 33b and when the extract is almost passed after the water level is lowered after the immersion, the following can be properly selected. Not only the start timing of the cooking process, but also the end timing (for example, the timing of stopping the stirring operation). For this reason, cooking management after the next cooking process becomes possible, and the cooking time can be further reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the extract detection means is not limited to one using electrodes, but may be any one that can detect passage of the extract, such as an optical sensor.

In the embodiment, the both electrode portions 33 are used.
a, 33b, the AC power supply was used,
A power supply may be used.

Further, the installation position of the extract detection means is not limited to the inside of the gas-liquid separator, and the installation position can be appropriately changed within the scope of the present invention.

[0039]

As described above, according to the cup-type vending machine of the present invention, by detecting the passage of the extract, the next cooking process can be managed based on the passage signal. Without adjustment, it is possible to improve the quality of the product and shorten the sales time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking unit of a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a gas-liquid separator.

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of an extract detection circuit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cooking unit of a vending machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 Extraction device 18 Extraction liquid supply pipe 33a Electrode part 33b Electrode part 34 Extraction discharge pipe 71 Extraction liquid detection circuit 72 CPU K Coffee ground bean raw material H hot water C Extraction liquid

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An extraction device for mixing a raw material and hot water to extract an extract of the raw material, and an extract supply path for supplying an extract extracted by the extraction device, wherein the extraction liquid is passed through And a cooking control means for controlling a predetermined cooking process to be executed based on a detection signal of the extraction liquid detecting means. .