JP4000807B2 - Cup vending machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cup-type vending machine that sells a cup beverage prepared by stirring a beverage made of a raw material supplied to a cup and a diluent such as hot water or water with a stirring device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A cup-type vending machine that sells a cup beverage prepared by stirring a beverage made of a raw material supplied to a cup and a diluent such as hot water or water is known. In the cup-type vending machine, when a beverage purchaser inserts money and presses a beverage selection button, the cup supplied from the cup supply device is transported as needed, and after the raw materials and diluent are supplied to the cup, It is controlled so that it is agitated into a cup beverage and carried out to the sales outlet. Among such conventional stirring devices, there is a non-contact type stirring device that stirs and cooks at a flow rate when the diluent is supplied to the raw material supplied to the cup. However, in such a non-contact type stirring device, it may be difficult to reliably dissolve the raw material in the diluent. For this reason, most of the conventional stirring devices are contact-type stirring devices in which stirring blades are inserted into the raw material and diluent supplied to the cup and rotated forcibly.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a contact-type stirring device, the raw material adheres to the stirring blade or the like. Therefore, there is a possibility that the attached raw material may affect the taste and odor of the beverage to be sold, and using it in a dirty state is not preferable for hygiene and needs to be periodically cleaned.
[0004]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention relates to a cup-type vending machine that supplies a raw material and a diluted solution such as hot water or water to a cup, inserts and rotates a stirring blade of a stirring device, and cooks a beverage. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cup-type vending machine that can easily perform cleaning and the like.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a cup-type vending machine provided with a stirring blade for stirring a beverage made of a raw material and a diluent supplied to a cup. The diluting liquid supply device is based on an agitating device having one driving unit and a second driving unit that moves the agitating blade up and down , a diluting liquid supplying device that supplies the diluting liquid, and an instruction to wash the agitating blade. Control for supplying dilution liquid to the cup and controlling the stirring device to change at least one of the rotation direction and the vertical movement direction of the stirring blade in a state where the stirring blade is lowered and immersed in the dilution liquid in the cup. Means.
[0006]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the control means re-executes the cleaning operation in which the stirring device immerses the stirring blade in the diluted solution in the cup and rotates it after a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 3, the dilution liquid supply device has a diluent supply nozzle, the control means, diluted in the cup after the stirrer was rotated is lowered flooded stirring blades to the diluent in the cup Control is performed so that the stirring blade is raised and rotated from the liquid, and the diluent supply device is controlled to directly discharge the diluent from the diluent supply nozzle to the stirring blade.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that a cup cover is provided to cover the stirring blade located above the surface of the diluted liquid in the cup and the opening of the cup.
[0010]
In the invention according to claim 5 , the control means controls the stirring device so that the stirring blade descends from the diluting liquid in the cup and rotates and then the stirring blade is raised from the diluting liquid in the cup and rotated. In addition, the cup cover is washed by controlling the diluting liquid supply device to discharge the diluting liquid from the diluting liquid supply nozzle directly to the stirring blade.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that an ultrasonic generator for vibrating the stirring blades is provided in the stirring device.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the diluent is hot water.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 shows, as a cup-type vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, a cup beverage prepared by stirring a beverage comprising a raw material supplied to a cup and a diluted solution such as hot water or water with a stirring device. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a cup-type vending machine provided to beverage purchasers. This cup type vending machine includes a cup supply device 1 for supplying cups, a powder raw material supply device 2 for supplying powder raw materials such as coffee, cream and sugar, and a liquid raw material supply device for supplying liquid raw materials such as lemon syrup. 3, a dilution water supply device 4 for supplying dilution water such as water and carbonated water, a hot water tank 5 (dilution solution supply device) for supplying hot water, an ice making machine 6 for supplying ice made from drinking water, A cup holding device 7 having a cup tray 7A for supporting the cup and a cup holding arm 7B for holding the cup side surface, a cup conveying device 8 for conveying the cup holding device 7 in the horizontal direction, and a raw material and a diluent supplied to the cup The stirrer 9 that stirs the stirrer blade 9A connected to a stirrer motor (not shown) with a rotating shaft, and the waste cup that contains the waste cup used for cleaning the stirrer blade 9A of the stirrer 9 The receiving apparatus 10, sales outlet to provide a cooked cup drink beverage shoppers (not shown), having a liquid source of water, the carbonated water is cooled and supplied in a not shown cooler.
[0015]
The cup conveying device 8 includes a motor as a driving source and an endless belt driven by the motor, and a cup holding device 7 is fixed to the endless belt. The motor rotates based on a signal output from a sales control unit (not shown), thereby driving the endless belt. The cup holding device 7 is conveyed to a predetermined position based on the driving of the endless belt.
[0016]
In FIG. 1, for ease of explanation, a cup transport device 8 for moving the cup holding device 7 in the reciprocating direction is shown. However, in an actual cup type vending machine, space saving is realized. In addition, a cup transport device for freely transporting the cup holding device 7 in the X direction (lateral direction) and the Y direction (depth direction) is provided.
[0017]
The stirring device 9 stirs the beverage made of the raw material and the diluent received in the cup conveyed by the cup holding device 7 by the rotation of the stirring blade 9A.
[0018]
FIG. 2 shows a stirring device 9 of the present invention, a stirring blade 9A that stirs a beverage made of a raw material and a diluent in a cup, a stirring motor 91 (first driving unit) that rotationally drives the stirring blade 9A, The agitating blade 9A is attached to the lower end, and the agitating motor 91 is attached to the upper end, and the rotating shaft 92 that transmits the rotational force of the agitating motor 91 to the agitating blade 9A and the ultrasonic waves for washing the agitating blade 9A are generated. An ultrasonic generator 92a, a lifting base 93 to which the stirring motor 91 and the ultrasonic generator 92a are attached, and a rack 94 are provided on the lifting base 93. The case 95 is provided with a plurality of guide shafts 96 for guiding the raising and lowering of the lifting base 93 through the guide holes 93 a provided in the lifting base 93, and the lifting motor 97 (second drive unit) attached to the case 95. The spur gear 98 attached to the output shaft of the rotational speed conversion portion 97a for converting the rotational speed of the gears) meshes with the rack 94 attached to the lifting base 93.
[0019]
The stirring blade 9A is shaped so that the liquid (beverage) diffuses and flows downward by rotating clockwise (relative to FIG. 2). The details of the stirring blade are described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-039641 filed by the present applicant. Further, when rotating counterclockwise (relative to FIG. 2), the liquid flows upward, and when the rotation speed of the stirring blade 9A is increased, the liquid can be ejected vigorously upward from the stirring blade 9A.
[0020]
A cup cover 99 that covers the cup opening is attached under the case 95, and a hot water supply nozzle 52 (diluent supply nozzle) that supplies hot water stored in the hot water tank 5 through the hot water supply pipe 51 is attached to the cup cover 99. The hot water supplied from the hot water supply nozzle 52 flows down through the rotating shaft 92 and is supplied to the cup.
[0021]
When a signal is output from a sales control unit (not shown), when the spur gear 98 is rotated clockwise (as viewed from the right in FIG. 2) by the controlled rotation of the lifting motor 97, the rack 94 engaged with the spur gear 98 is lowered. Then, the stirring blade 9 </ b> A descends along with the lifting base 93 along the guide shaft 96. Further, when the spur gear 98 is rotated counterclockwise (as viewed from the right in FIG. 2), the stirring blade 9A rises. The stirring blade 9A rotates by the controlled rotation of the stirring motor 91, and stirs and cooks the beverage made of the raw material and the diluent in the cup.
[0022]
The cup holding device 7 includes a cup tray 7A that supports the cup supplied from the cup supply device 1 and a cup gripping arm 7B that grips the side surface of the cup supported by the cup tray 7A. The cup tray 7A is not illustrated. With the cup tray moving mechanism, the cup can be raised so that the cup opening enters the inside of the cup cover 99. Further, when discarding the held cup, the cup holding device 7 tilts the tip of the cup tray 7A downward (arrow direction in FIG. 2), opens the cup gripping arm 7B, and opens the cup. Drop and discard.
[0023]
FIG. 3 shows a control block diagram of the cup type vending machine of the present invention, and a beverage selection button 80 for selecting the type of cup beverage provided on the front panel (not shown) of the cup type vending machine; A cleaning button 85 for instructing cleaning of the stirring device 9 provided in the cup type vending machine, a sales control unit 100 (control means) for controlling each operation of the cup type vending machine, and a sales control unit Cup supply device 1 that receives a signal from 100 and supplies a cup, hot water tank 5 that supplies hot water, cup holding device 7 that holds the cup, cup transport device 8 that transports cup holding device 7, and cup The agitator 9 for agitating the liquid supplied to the cup, the memory 102 for storing the control data of each part of the cup-type vending machine, and the clock generated by the reference clock generator (not shown) are counted and counted. With a cormorant timer 103. The memory 102 stores control data for each operation of the cup-type vending machine, and the sales control unit 100 controls, for example, the cup transport device 8 based on the control data stored in the memory 102 to provide a cup beverage. The cup is transported to each position for cooking, and the raw material and diluent supplied to the cup are stirred by the stirring device 9. When the beverage selection button 80 is selected and a selection signal is output to the sales control unit 100, the timer 103 is reset in response to an instruction from the sales control unit 100 and counts each count for cooking the cup beverage. Do.
[0024]
With the configuration of the cup-type vending machine in the above-described embodiment, for example, in order to cook and sell hot coffee, when the beverage purchaser inserts money and the beverage selection button 80 for hot coffee is pressed, sales control is performed. The unit 100 outputs a signal for supplying, transporting, and stirring the cup, the raw material, and the diluent set in correspondence with the display of the beverage selection button 80. When the sales controller 100 outputs a signal, the cup transport device 8 transports the cup holding device 7 from the standby position to the lower side of the cup supply device 1 to supply the cup. When the cup supplied from the cup supply device 1 is held by the cup tray 7A and the cup gripping arm 7B of the cup holding device 7, is appropriately transferred by the cup transfer device 8, and is transferred below the powder raw material supply device 2. The supply of cream, coffee and sugar is received and conveyed below the stirring device 9. When the cup holding device 7 is conveyed below the stirring device 9, the cup tray 7 </ b> A rises and the cup opening enters the inside of the cup cover 99, so that hot water stored in the hot water tank 5 passes through the hot water supply pipe 51. When the stirring blade 9A is lowered and rotated clockwise (relative to FIG. 2), the beverage ingredients and hot water are diffused downward by the rotation of the stirring blade 9A, and the cream, Coffee, sugar and hot water are stirred to make hot coffee. When the cooked cup containing hot coffee is transported to the sales outlet and placed, it is received by the beverage purchaser.
[0025]
The configuration of the cup type vending machine that supplies the cup with a raw material and a diluted liquid such as hot water or water and sells the cup beverage that has been stirred and cooked by the stirring device has been described. A control for cleaning the stirring blade 9A and the cup cover 99 of the cup stirring device 9 to which the automatic vending machine is applied will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
[0026]
When the washing button 85 is pressed to wash the stirring blade 9A and the cup cover 99 of the cup stirring device 9 in the cup type vending machine by the configuration of the cup type vending machine described above, the sales control unit 100 first starts. , Supply a cup and output a signal to carry. When the sales controller 100 outputs a signal, the cup transport device 8 transports the cup holding device 7 from the standby position to the lower side of the cup supply device 1, and the cup supply device 1 supplies the cup. The cup supplied by the cup supply device 1 is held by the cup tray 7A and the cup gripping arm 7B of the cup holding device 7. Next, the cup transport device 8 transports the cup held by the cup holding device 7 to the position of the stirring device 9 and stops. Then, the cup tray 7 </ b> A is raised so that the cup opening enters the inside of the cup cover 99. Further, the amount of hot water in the hot water tank 5 is supplied from the hot water supply nozzle 52 and the stirring blade 9A is rotated downward by lowering the surface of the water as shown in FIG. Hot water is spouted upward from 9A to clean the inner surface of the cup cover 99.
[0027]
Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the stirring blade 9A is lowered while being rotated, the rotating shaft 92 is washed with hot water in the cup. At this time, if the washing is performed by changing the rotation direction of the stirring blade 9A counterclockwise and changing the rotation direction clockwise, the flow of hot water changes in the vertical direction, so that the washing effect can be further increased. Further, when the stirring blade 9A is repeatedly raised and lowered in hot water while changing the rotation direction of the stirring blade 9A counterclockwise and clockwise, as shown in FIG. 4, the inner surface of the cup cover 99 is stirred. While washing | cleaning the blade | wing 9A, as shown in FIG. 5, since the stirring blade | wing 9A and the rotating shaft 92 can be wash | cleaned, it becomes possible to raise a washing | cleaning effect efficiently. Note that the cleaning effect can be further enhanced by performing the cleaning operation again after a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed after the cleaning operation.
[0028]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the hot water stored in the hot water tank 5 is stirred from the hot water supply nozzle 52 through the hot water supply pipe 51 while the stirring blade 9A is raised from the hot water surface and rotated in the cup cover 99. It supplies so that it may contact with the blade | wing 9A. The hot water supplied to the rotating stirring blade 9A hits the stirring blade 9A and scatters in all directions, and the hot water adhering to the surface of the stirring blade 9A also scatters due to the rotating centrifugal force of the stirring blade 9A. Clean the inner surface of 99. Furthermore, since hot water directly hits the rotating stirring blade 9A, the stirring blade 9A can be washed. Further, when washing is performed by changing the rotation direction of the stirring blade 9A counterclockwise and a plurality of times such as clockwise, the washing effect can be further increased because the direction in which the hot water is scattered changes from the upper direction to the lower direction. In addition, if this cleaning operation is performed again after a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed after performing this cleaning operation, the cleaning effect is further enhanced.
[0029]
In addition, although demonstrated in the Example which uses hot water for washing | cleaning, this invention can also use water for washing | cleaning. However, the use of hot water for cleaning increases the cleaning effect and has a sterilizing effect. Furthermore, the stirring blade 9A, the rotary shaft 92, and the cup cover 99 can be quickly dried. Use is preferred for hygiene purposes.
[0030]
Further, in the embodiment, the cleaning operation is performed by pressing the cleaning button 85 for instructing cleaning. However, the cleaning operation is performed under the control of the sales control unit 100 based on the cleaning time stored in the memory 102 in advance. It may be.
[0031]
Furthermore, when the stirring blade 9A is rotated to stir and cook the beverage, or when washing, an ultrasonic wave is generated by the ultrasonic generator 92a and transmitted to the stirring blade 9A via the rotating shaft 92. When the blade 9A vibrates with ultrasonic waves, the mixing effect of the raw material and the diluent can be enhanced when cooking a beverage, and the washing effect of the stirring blade 9A and the rotating shaft 92 can be further enhanced when washing.
[0032]
The cup used for cleaning is disposed in the waste cup storage device 10 by tilting the tip of the cup tray 7A of the cup holding device 7 downward (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2) and opening the cup gripping arm 7B to open the cup. To do.
[0033]
In the above embodiment, when the cup used for cleaning is discarded, the tip of the cup tray 7A of the cup holding device 7 is tilted downward (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2) and the cup gripping arm 7B is opened to open the cup. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, any cup discarding method may be used as long as the cup used for cleaning can be discarded. For example, a cup discarding plate is inserted between the cup holding device 7 and the cup, and the cup gripping arm 7B is opened to open the cup. And a cup discarding method in which the cup holding device 7 is moved and the cup is dropped from the cup tray 7A with a cup discarding plate.
[0034]
As described above, in the cup type vending machine provided with the stirring blade 9A for stirring the beverage composed of the raw material and the diluent supplied to the cup, the stirring device 9 having the stirring motor 91 for rotating the stirring blade 9A. And a hot water tank 5 for supplying hot water and an instruction to wash the stirring blade 9A, the hot water tank 5 supplies hot water to the cup, and the stirring device 9 submerses the stirring blade 9A in the hot water in the cup. By providing the sales control unit 100 that controls to rotate, it is possible to provide a cup type vending machine that can easily wash the stirring blade 9A and the like.
[0035]
The sales control unit 100 can further enhance the cleaning effect by performing again the cleaning operation in which the stirring device 9 makes the hot water in the cup soak and rotate the stirring blade 9A after a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0036]
The agitator 9 has a lifting motor 97 that moves the agitating blade 9A up and down, the hot water tank 5 has a hot water supply nozzle 52, and the sales control unit 100 uses the agitating device 9 to add the agitating blade 9A to the hot water in the cup. Control is performed so that the stirring blade 9A is lifted and rotated from the hot water in the cup after being submerged and rotated, and the hot water tank 5 is controlled to directly discharge the hot water from the hot water supply nozzle 52 to the stirring blade 9A. By doing so, it becomes possible to wash the stirring blade 9A with newly supplied hot water.
[0037]
The agitator 9 has a lifting motor 97 that moves the agitating blade 9A up and down, the hot water tank 5 has a hot water supply nozzle 52, and the sales control unit 100 uses the agitating device 9 to add the agitating blade 9A to the hot water in the cup. The inner surface of the cup cover 99, the stirring blade 9A, and the rotating shaft 92 can be cleaned by controlling so that at least one of the rotating direction of the stirring blade 9A and the moving direction of the upper and lower movements is changed while being submerged. Therefore, it becomes possible to enhance the cleaning effect efficiently.
[0038]
By providing a cup cover 99 that covers the stirring blade 9A located above the diluted liquid surface in the cup and the opening of the cup, when the beverage is cooked or when the stirring blade 9A is washed, It becomes possible to prevent splashing of hot water.
[0039]
The sales controller 100 controls the stirring device 9 so that the stirring blade 9A descends and rotates in the hot water in the cup and then rotates the stirring blade 9A from the hot water in the cup to rotate, and the hot water tank By controlling 5 so that hot water from hot water supply nozzle 52 is directly discharged to stirring blade 9A, the inner surface of cup cover 99 can be cleaned.
[0040]
By providing the stirring device 9 with an ultrasonic generator 92a for vibrating the stirring blade 9A, the mixing effect of the raw material and the diluent is enhanced when cooking beverages, and the stirring blade 9A and rotation are used for cleaning. The cleaning effect of the shaft 92 can be further enhanced.
[0041]
Since the diluting liquid is hot water, the cleaning effect is enhanced and the sterilizing effect is obtained. Further, the stirring blade 9A, the rotating shaft 92, and the cup cover 99 can be quickly dried.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a cup-type vending machine for cleaning a cup-type vending machine that supplies a raw material and a diluting solution such as hot water or water to a cup and inserts and rotates a stirring blade of a stirring device to cook a beverage. It is possible to provide a cup-type vending machine that can be easily performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a cup type vending machine to which a cup type vending machine of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a stirring device to which the cup type vending machine of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram to which the cup type vending machine of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cleaning operation of an embodiment to which the cup type vending machine of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cleaning operation of an embodiment to which the cup type vending machine of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cleaning operation of an embodiment to which the cup type vending machine of the present invention is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cup supply apparatus 2 Powder raw material supply apparatus 3 Liquid raw material supply apparatus 4 Dilution water supply apparatus 5 Hot water tank 6 Ice making machine 7 Cup holding apparatus 8 Cup conveyance apparatus 9 Stirring apparatus 9A Stirring blade 10 Waste cup accommodating apparatus 52 Hot water supply nozzle 80 Beverage selection Button 85 Cleaning button 92a Ultrasonic generator 100 Sales control unit

Claims (7)

In a cup-type vending machine equipped with stirring blades for stirring beverages consisting of raw materials and diluent supplied to a cup,
A stirring device having a first drive unit that rotates the stirring blade, and a second drive unit that moves the stirring blade in the vertical direction ;
A diluent supply device for supplying the diluent;
Based on the instruction to wash the stirring blade, the diluent supply device supplies the diluent to the cup, and the stirring device causes the diluent in the cup to descend and submerge the stirring blade , Control means for controlling to change at least one of the rotation direction of the stirring blade or the vertical movement direction ;
A cup-type vending machine characterized by comprising   The cup-type vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs again the cleaning operation in which the stirring device immerses and rotates the stirring blade in the diluent in the cup after a predetermined time has elapsed. Machine. The diluent supply apparatus has a diluent supply nozzle,
The control means controls the stirring device to raise and rotate the stirring blade from the dilution liquid in the cup after the stirring blade descends and rotates the stirring blade in the dilution liquid in the cup, and The cup type vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diluent supply device controls the stirring blade to directly discharge the diluent from the diluent supply nozzle. The cup-type automatic according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a cup cover that covers the stirring blade located above the surface of the diluted liquid in the cup and the opening of the cup. Vending machine. The control means controls the stirring device to raise and rotate the stirring blade from the dilution liquid in the cup after the stirring blade descends and rotates the stirring blade in the dilution liquid in the cup, and 5. The cup-type automatic according to claim 4 , wherein the cup cover is washed by controlling the diluting liquid supply device to discharge the diluting liquid from the diluting liquid supply nozzle directly to the stirring blade. Vending machine. The cup type vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein an ultrasonic generator for vibrating the stirring blade is provided in the stirring device. The cup type vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the diluent is hot water.

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