JP3485830B2 - Beer and other foam retention time evaluation 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 device for evaluating the foam-keeping time of beer or the like, and more specifically, the surface of beer such as bottles, cans or low-malt beer using malt when poured into a cup, jug, etc. The present invention relates to an apparatus for evaluating a foam-holding time of beer or the like for evaluating the duration of foams formed in the.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The inventors of the present invention previously used, as a method for evaluating the foam retention of beer, a foam formed by pouring into a container in a state similar to a beer pouring state by hand as a sample for the foam retention test. Based on the idea that what is important in evaluating the actual foam retention, a device for pouring beer into a container was developed by a method similar to the action of pouring beer by a person (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-67342).

The device is fixed with a spout of a beer bottle as a fulcrum, and the bottom of the bottle is rotated around the fulcrum at a constant speed at a predetermined angle to a predetermined height (in a state where beer is poured into a cup). , Pour a specified amount of beer after lifting it from the mouth of the beer bottle to the bottom of the cup to be poured, and hold the finished foam layer (time until the foam disappears: hereinafter referred to as "foam holding time") ) Is used to evaluate the goodness of foam retention. In this method, the pouring amount is fixed, but the fixed amount itself is not an essential requirement.

What is required is that the foaming conditions be the same. Factors related to foaming when pouring beer into a cup include the pouring force and the time required for pouring when the same cup is used. It is necessary to make this factor the same condition in order to evaluate foam retention. Putting this factor under the same condition is equivalent to pouring a predetermined amount of beer within the same time. Therefore, in performing the foam retention evaluation, the purpose can be achieved by managing the pouring time and the pouring amount to be the same.

Further, the pouring amount is related to the size of the pouring container, and is set to an appropriate amount such that bubbles and the like do not overflow from the container and a small amount such that the foaming conditions are the same.

However, in the above method, especially in the case of a beer bottle, the shape of the bottle is not the same, and even if the bottle is poured at the same angle, the same amount is not always poured. That is,
The foaming conditions described above may not be the same.

Further, in the above-mentioned pouring, various conditions relating to the formation of bubbles and the duration of the bubbles, such as the shape of the pouring container, the temperature of the container itself, the state of the surface inside the container and the pouring height (corresponding to the container) The amount of foaming differs depending on the strength of impact,
The conditions are such that the stronger the impact, the more the foaming occurs, and the like, but the conditions are such that the pouring is performed under the same conditions, but in reality, the thickness of the foam layer formed by pouring often differs.

According to the results of the research conducted by the present inventor, foaming is good or bad depending on the type of beer (good or bad foaming), and a foam having good foaming is formed if other conditions are the same. The layer thickness increases. Moreover, since foaming and foam retention are different characteristics, it is not possible to judge the goodness or badness of foam retention only by the foam retention time (the time until the foam volume falls below a certain value in the ratio of total volume). become.

Therefore, an essential requirement in this evaluation method is to make the foam layers formed on the sample have the same thickness, but it has been extremely difficult to realize it.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art so that the beer foam layer having the same thickness can be evaluated for its foam retention time by its foam retention time. In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bubble holding time evaluation device for beer or the like for realizing the work of measuring the bubble holding time.

Further, the wind of the air conditioner,
Bubbles disappear due to the movement of air around the device, and when observing bubbles with a video camera, it prevents the influence of the background and the obstruction of observation due to surrounding reflections, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide a device for evaluating the foam retention time of beer or the like that can be evaluated.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention encloses a plurality of small tables on which reference cups are placed and the circumference of each reference cup placed on the small tables from inside. A turntable equipped with a partitioning partition and a windbreak hood arranged near the upper edge of each of the reference cups, and a predetermined beer from an arbitrary pouring height so as to form a preset reference foam layer thickness value. A means for pouring a fixed amount into the reference cup, and obtains image information by cameras provided above and on the side of the reference cup, and obtains the foam layer thickness value of beer in the reference cup and its foam retention time. Measuring means for measuring and storing, means for comparing the foam layer thickness value obtained in the measurement with the reference foam layer thickness value, and adjusting the beer pouring height so as to approach the reference foam layer thickness value. Then again A sample is obtained by pouring a predetermined amount of beer into a reference cup in a fixed amount, measuring and storing the foam layer thickness value and the foam holding time thereof, a control unit for repeating a plurality of samples and a plurality of the samples. A foam retention time evaluation device for beer or the like, which comprises data processing means for reading a foam retention time corresponding to the reference foam layer thickness value based on a graph obtained from data of foam layer thickness value versus foam retention time.

The spacers and the inner peripheral wall of the windbreak hood are characterized by being treated to be matte or light-reflective so as not to be reflected.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a foam retention time evaluation device for beer or the like which is an embodiment of the present invention.

For convenience of explanation, in the following description, beer or low-malt beer using malt will be described with beer as a representative, and bottles and cans will be represented with a bottle as a representative, but the rest is not limited to this. It goes without saying that it may be one of

As shown in FIG.
Holds a beer bottle and a turntable drive 2 for supporting the test cup 1 and moving it to a vertical position, a horizontal position, a beer pouring position and a foam observing position.
A pouring mechanism 3 for driving the beer into the test cup 1 by tilting the bottle bottom around the mouth of the beer in a form similar to a person pouring beer, and its driving unit,
It is composed of a video camera 4 for observing the bubbles formed in the cup from the vertical direction and a video camera 5 for measuring the bubble layer thickness from the horizontal direction.

Further, 6 is a personal computer with a monitor for setting and controlling the operation of the pouring device and processing various kinds of obtained data, and 7 is a printer for printing out the measured data. The beer holding time evaluation device for beer or the like according to the present embodiment mainly includes a personal computer with a monitor 6, a printer 7, and a beer pouring device 10.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the turntable driving unit.

As shown in FIG. 2 (A), the turntable 11 is provided with six concentric small tables 12 supporting test cups, and the rotation of the turntable 11 causes the small table 12 to move under the beer bottle mouth. After pouring a fixed amount into the cup at the pouring position in, it is sequentially transferred to the measuring position. The beer bottle is fixedly supported by the elastic fixing belt 14 while being placed on the receiving portion of the attachment 13.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the turntable 1
1 is rotationally driven by the rotation of the rotary motor 21 and the reduction gear, and the front-rear motor 22, the timing belt 23,
The position can be adjusted in the front-rear direction (left and right in FIG. 2B) along the linear shaft 25 by the ball screw 24. At the pouring position, the six small tables 12 can be vertically moved up and down via the elevating motor 26 and the rack and pinion gear 27 to adjust the distance between the cup and the spout. Further, a load sensor 28 for detecting the weight of the cup containing beer is provided at the lower end of the rack.

The small table 12 is constructed so as to move upward through a through hole provided in the turntable, the vertical position of the cup 1 can be adjusted, and the height position of pouring beer is corrected and set. can do. The cup 1 is initially placed on the turntable 11 at the position where the through hole is formed (the diameter of the cup 1 is larger than the diameter of the through hole). By the way, turntable 1
Beer that overflows when pouring beer into the upper cup may adhere, and due to this, the adhered beer functions as an adhesive and cup 1 placed on the turntable sticks on the turntable. , It may happen that the height cannot be adjusted with the small table. In extreme cases, the load detection sensor 28 provided on the small table may be damaged. Although not shown in the drawing, the cup 1 is provided with protrusions provided at three places around the through hole of the turntable 11 at intervals of 120 degrees.
Minimize contact between the bottom of the and the turntable surface.
Further, it is desirable that the tip end of the protrusion is in point contact with the cup 1. There are other methods to eliminate the sticking problem of the cup 1. That is, before the beer is poured into the cup 1, when the cup 1 is lifted by the small table 12 to adjust the pouring height, the cup 1
The control system has a detection means for determining the presence or absence of. A load sensor 28 provided on the small table 12 is used as this detecting means. That is, since the weight of the cup 1 is known in advance, when the height of the cup 1 is adjusted, the load sensor 28 is operated to measure the weight of the cup 1, and the weight of the cup 1 is set to the measured value. If they are different, especially if they are abnormally heavy, the cup 1 may be stuck to the turntable 11, and the height of the cup 1 should be adjusted in order not to damage the load detection sensor 28. Stop and check for abnormalities.

Further, the pouring device is provided with an operation panel 15 as shown in FIG. 2A, and is provided with basic operation and operation display means such as turning on the power of the pouring device 10. .

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram showing the structure of the pouring mechanism / driving unit.

The rotation of the pulse motor 31 is controlled by the gearbox 3
It is transmitted to the two rotating shafts. A case 33 is attached to the gear box 32, and a rotation shaft of the gear box penetrates the case 33 and a lifting lever 34 is attached to the tip thereof. One end of the lifting bar 34 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the case 33 so as to rotate, and the other end is engaged with one end of the intermediate bar 36 via the lifting pin 35. An intermediate portion of the intermediate bar 36 is supported by a shaft 39 and an engaging pin 37 is provided at the other end. One end of the main bar 38 is supported concentrically with the rotating shaft of the case 33, the other end is supported by the shaft 39, and the main bar 38 has a groove in which the engaging pin 37 of the intermediate bar 36 is locked. Further, the main bar 38 is fixedly attached to the upper portion of the attachment 13 holding a beer bottle.

The operation of the pouring mechanism / driving unit will be described step by step.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which a beer bottle is mounted on a pouring mechanism and is in a standby state before a test, FIG. 5 shows a state before starting to pour beer, and FIG. 6 shows a state in which a fixed amount of beer is finished to be poured. ing. 4 to 6, the holding mechanism for the beer bottle (attachment 13, fixing belt 14, etc.) is not shown.

As described above, the lifting bar 34 is rotated around the rotation shaft of the drive motor 31. Main bar 3
8 is supported by the case 33 concentrically with the rotation shaft of the drive motor 31, and the intermediate bar 36 and the main bar 38 are the shaft 39.
It is supported by. The lifting bar 34 and the intermediate bar 36 can be engaged by the lifting pin 35, and the intermediate bar 36 and the main bar 38 can be engaged by the engaging pin 37.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the standby state before the test, the beer bottle and the intermediate bar 36 are in an upright posture, and the lifting bar 34, the intermediate bar 36 and the main bar 38 form a triangle.

When the pulse motor 31 is rotationally driven, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the lifting bar 34 rotates about the rotation axis of the drive motor 31, and the intermediate bar 36 also moves along with the lifting pin 35. The bottom of the beer bottle is lifted by the rotation of the intermediate bar 36 and the attachment 13, and further tilted by its own weight to lift the lifting bar 34 and the intermediate bar 3.
When 6 and 6 are aligned, the engaging pin 37 provided on the intermediate bar engages with the groove of the main bar 38, and the subsequent rotation is performed by the lifting bar 34, the intermediate bar 36 and the main bar 38. It will rotate together. In this case, the spout of the beer bottle is set near the center of rotation so as to be in a fixed position.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the liquid level in the bottle is higher than the pouring port of the beer bottle, pouring into the cup starts and the pulse motor 31 is driven to rotate for a while to lift the bottom portion of the beer bottle. And continue pouring into the cup. The weight of the cup into which the beer is poured is detected by the load sensor 28 provided below the small table, and when the predetermined amount is detected, the pouring is ended and the remaining beer in the bottle cannot be poured into the cup. Return the bottle to the (tilt angle). And the next pouring is done promptly. If the beer is tilted and poured again after returning to the original state, the movement distance of the beer until it is poured into the cup becomes long and the foaming conditions are different, so it cannot be returned to the original position. In this way, the preparation of the sample is completed.

FIG. 7 is a block circuit diagram showing electrical connection in the beer foam holding time evaluation device.

The drive system of the pouring mechanism and the cup position adjustment system give drive instructions to the pulse motor from the personal computer 6 via the pulse motor controller based on the set test conditions. In addition, the turntable control mechanism exchanges information with the personal computer through the input / output interface and sequentially brings the test cups to the pouring position and the measuring position by rotating the turntable. Positioning is performed by the index sensor provided on the turntable side. In this embodiment, since six test cups are handled, a detector (limit sensor) is provided for each position rotated 60 degrees from the starting point position.
Is provided. Prior to the start of sample preparation, a detector (origin sensor) is provided at the starting point position so that it always comes to the starting point position, and initialization is performed.

The pouring amount information from the load sensor 28 and the exchange between the operation panel 15 and the personal computer are performed via the A / D converter. In addition, for the initial setting of the pouring mechanism and the cup position adjusting mechanism and the prevention of overrun, the detection information from the origin sensor and the limit sensor are transmitted to the personal computer through the input / output interface.

The operation of the pouring device is preset by the personal computer. Figure 8 shows the operation setting screen of the personal computer.
Beer bottle tilting speed, eg angular velocity [° / S], end weight (pouring amount), cup side (pouring position in the diametrical direction of the cup), cup height (pouring height position) can be set arbitrarily for each sample You can do it.

The side of the cup can be adjusted in position by driving the front / rear motor 22 in order to pour it in the center of the cup or along the wall, and the height of the cup can be adjusted in position by driving the elevating motor 26. can do.

Next, a method for evaluating the foam retention time of beer or the like will be described.

In this embodiment, a beer of the same kind is used as a sample, and a reference foam layer thickness is set in advance (the ideal foam layer thickness when pouring beer is about 3 cm (shape and size of container). )), Pour a quantity of beer from any pouring height to form a foam layer of such thickness. According to this quantitative regulation, the weight of the container into which the sample beer is poured is detected by the load sensor 28, and when the determined amount is reached, the pouring is stopped. The obtained sample is moved to the measurement step, the foam layer thickness and the foam retention time are measured, and the obtained data is stored in the data processing device (computer). Here, the data processing device obtains a constant bubble layer thickness based on the image information from the horizontal camera 5 (see FIG. 1), and the bubble holding time also includes the image information from the vertical camera 4. It is calculated from the duration until the bubbles disappear.

When starting the second sample preparation from the same beer bottle, the foam layer thickness data obtained in the first measurement is compared with the above-mentioned reference value, and the beer pouring height is adjusted so as to approach the reference value. Adjust the height by raising and lowering the cup 1 and start the second sample preparation.

The above series of operations are repeated several times, and the obtained plurality of data are computer-processed to be plotted on the bubble layer thickness vs. bubble holding time coordinate, and a straight line graph closest to each point on the coordinate is drawn. Then, the bubble holding time corresponding to the reference value is read from the graph. The value thus obtained is used as the foam retention evaluation value of the beer to be measured.

Next, a detailed configuration for collecting image information with a vertical camera and a horizontal camera when measuring the above-mentioned constant bubble layer thickness and bubble holding time will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. .

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the structure of a bubble holding time evaluation device for beer or the like which is an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a side view of a portion centering around a lateral camera and a windbreak hood, and FIG. FIG. 3A is a plan view (A) of a portion centered around the test cup and the spacer, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

In the above-described embodiments, the bubbles disappear by the influence of the movement of air around the device, such as the air blow from the air conditioner, during the measurement of the bubble holding (the time until the bubbles disappear). In that case, an error will occur in the measurement of foam retention. Further, although the disappearance of bubbles is performed while observing with the video camera 4 from the vertical direction, it is necessary to confirm the thickness of the bubble layer from the horizontal direction with the video camera 5 before the measurement. . At this time, a measurement error occurs due to the influence of the background behind the test cup on the video camera 5 and the influence of light around the cup.

Therefore, as a configuration for improving the situation that causes these measurement errors, the influence of the movement of air is shown in FIGS.
A windbreak hood 42 is provided between the test cup 1 and the test cup 1. In addition, the light for observing bubbles is made to reach the surface of the sample through the inside of the hood 42, and the inner wall of the hood is frosted or treated so as not to reflect light (black in this example) so as not to be reflected. Apply).

As a countermeasure against the influence of the background and the influence of light around the container, as shown in FIG. 11, spacers 44 are provided to partition the periphery of the test cup 1 on the turntable from the inside. To form a partition. The height of this spacer should be approximately the same as the height of the test cup. Further, the inner wall of the spacer is reflected and is anti-reflection as in the case of the hood so as to prevent reflection from an external light source from affecting.

The lamp 41, which is a light source for observation, is
The shaded donut-shaped lamp does not interfere with the observation of the beer surface by the video camera 4.

[0046]

As described above, according to the foam retention time evaluation device of the present invention, the pouring device capable of pouring a fixed amount of beer is adopted, and the thickness of the beer foam layer formed is as follows. This has the effect of making it possible to accurately and accurately evaluate the foam retention time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a foam retention time evaluation device for beer or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view (A) and a front view (B) showing a configuration of a turntable driving unit.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a pouring mechanism / driving unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operating state of a pouring mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an operating state of the pouring mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an operating state of the pouring mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a block circuit diagram showing electrical connection in the foam retention time evaluation device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state of operation setting for obtaining a plurality of samples.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a foam retention time evaluation device for beer or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a portion centered around the lateral camera and the windbreak hood.

FIG. 11 is a plan view (A) of a portion centered around the sample container and the spacer, and a sectional view (B) taken along line AA of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Test cup 2 Turntable drive 3 Pouring mechanism and drive unit 4 Video camera (vertical direction) 5 Video camera (horizontal direction) 6 PC 10 Pouring device 11 turntable 12 small tables 13 Attachment 15 Operation panel 14 fixed belt 21 rotary motor 22 Front-rear motor 23 Timing belt 24 ball screw 25 linear shaft 26 Lifting motor 27 Rack and pinion gear 28 Load sensor 31 pulse motor 32 gearbox 33 cases 34 Lifting bar 35 Lifting pin 36 Middle bar 37 Engagement pin 38 Main bar 39 shaft 41 Donut-shaped lamp 42 Windbreak hood 43 Windbreak Hood Attachment 44 Spacer 45 cylinder

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of small tables on which reference cups are placed, a spacer partitioning each reference cup placed on the small tables so as to surround the reference cups from the inside, and a spacer near the upper edge of each of the reference cups. A turntable equipped with a windbreak hood arranged, a pouring means for pouring a predetermined beer into the reference cup in a predetermined amount from an arbitrary pouring height so as to form a preset reference foam layer thickness value, and the reference Image information is acquired by cameras provided above and on the side of the cup, and a measuring means for measuring and storing the foam layer thickness value of beer in the reference cup and its foam-holding time, and obtained by the measurement Means for comparing the foam layer thickness value and the reference foam layer thickness value, and the beer pouring height is adjusted so as to approach the reference foam layer thickness value, and the predetermined beer is again poured into the reference cup in a fixed amount. sample Obtaining and measuring and storing the foam layer thickness value and the foam retention time, a control unit that repeats a plurality of times for a plurality of samples, and from the data of the foam layer thickness value of the plurality of samples vs. the foam retention time. A foam-holding time evaluation device for beer or the like, which comprises a data processing means for reading a foam-holding time corresponding to the reference foam layer thickness value based on the obtained graph. 2. The foam of beer or the like according to claim 1, wherein the spacer and the inner peripheral wall of the windbreak hood are treated to be matte or light-reflecting so as not to be reflected. Time evaluation device.