JP4348204B2 - Beverage cooler - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a beverage cooling apparatus.

  As one type of beverage cooling device, the cooling water tank, the stirrer disposed in the center of the cooling water tank, and the diameters concentrically arranged on the outer peripheral side of the stirrer in the cooling water tank are different from each other. A plurality of coiled cooling pipes, and the beverage introduced from the upstream side of each of the coiled cooling pipes and led out from the downstream side while flowing through the coiled cooling pipes, the stirrer There is a beverage cooling device of a type that cools to a predetermined temperature by a circulating water flow generated in the cooling water tank. The beverage cooling device of this type is used for cooling the beverage fed from the beverage supply source to the beverage dispensing unit, and is integrated with the beverage dispensing unit formed separately. The cooling beverage pouring device is constituted by the above, or is formed integrally with the beverage pouring portion to constitute the cooling beverage pouring device. A beverage cooling apparatus of this type has been proposed, for example, under the name “beverage supply apparatus” (see Patent Document 1).

By the way, in the beverage cooling apparatus of the said form, the water flow of the cooling water which a stirrer forms directs the inner peripheral side of an inner coiled cooling pipe to the downward direction, and goes outward through the lower part of each coiled cooling pipe. This is a circulating water flow that directs the outer peripheral side of the outer coiled cooling pipe upward, and passes through the upper part of each coiled cooling pipe to the inner peripheral side of the inner coiled cooling pipe. The circulating water flow of the cooling water comes into contact with the coiled tube portion constituting each coiled cooling tube and effectively cools the beverage flowing through each coiled cooling tube. For this reason, in the drink cooling device of the said form, in order to raise the cooling efficiency of a drink, the contact efficiency of the circulating water flow of the cooling water formed with a stirrer and the coiled pipe part of each coiled cooling pipe is raised. In particular, in this type of beverage cooling apparatus, this point has not been sufficiently studied.
JP 2002-321794 A

  An object of the present invention is to efficiently cool a beverage flowing through each coiled cooling pipe in the beverage cooling apparatus of the type, and a circulating water flow of cooling water and a temperature distribution state of the beverage flowing through the coiled cooling pipe. In consideration of the contact state between the coiled tube portion and the circulating water flow, the cooling efficiency of the beverage flowing through each coiled cooling tube is greatly improved.

More beverage cooling apparatus to which the present onset bright is to apply subject to a cooling water bath, which is stored by maintaining the cooling water at a predetermined water level, the concentrically erected on the outer circumference of the agitator placed in the top center of the cold却水tank And a plurality of pouring cocks connected to the downstream side located at the upper end of each of the coiled cooling pipes, and the inner coiled cooling pipe of the coiled cooling pipe by the operation of the stirrer Through the coiled cooling pipes by cooling water that flows downward from the top to the bottom and flows back upward along the inner peripheral surface of the cooler spirally provided on the peripheral wall of the cooling tank from the bottom of the cooling tank. It is a beverage cooling device in which the introduced drinking water is cooled .

The upper end of the onset in the light of the beverage cooling device, the inner coiled cooling pipe vertical coiled tube portion in principal site located in the middle is wound by the upper and lower spacing closely the inner coil-like cooling pipe coiled pipe portion in the side portion and the lower end portion is compared to the main site will be wound up and down interval coarse, the lower end portion of the outer periphery consisting of mesh member disposed to surround the cylindrical body of said agitator Cooling in which the upper end portion of a water-impermeable member having a predetermined width, which is located inside the upper end portion of the inner coiled cooling pipe and wound around the substantially central portion of the cylindrical member made of the same net member, is stored in the cooling water tank. It is characterized in that reflux of cooling water flowing into the drive shaft of the stirrer is suppressed above the inner coiled cooling pipe located above the water surface .

In the beverage cooling apparatus of the type to which the present invention is applied, each coiled cooling pipe is basically formed by winding a large number of metal pipes in a dense manner, and constitutes a coiled cooling pipe. The coiled tube portions adjacent to each other are in a dense state in which the upper and lower intervals are the same and there is almost no gap. For this reason, the contact efficiencies between the coiled tube portions and the cooling water are almost the same, and the cooling efficiencies for beverages flowing through the coil tube portions are also the same. On the other hand, in the beverage cooling device according to the present invention, the upper and lower sides of the adjacent coiled tube portions in the portion of the predetermined length on the lower end side of the inner coiled cooling tube located inside each coiled cooling tube. A configuration is adopted in which the interval is secured wider than the upper and lower intervals between adjacent coiled tube portions in the main body part. In the case where the upper and lower intervals between the coiled tube portions are wide, the gaps between the coiled tube portions are large, and a part of the circulating water flow of the cooling water easily flows through the gaps. As a result, the contact area with respect to the cooling water of each coil-shaped pipe part in which the vertical space is widely secured is large, and the cooling efficiency for the beverage flowing through the part is increased. Moreover, the cooling water which distribute | circulates the clearance gap between each coiled tube part also improves the cooling efficiency with respect to the drink which distribute | circulates the coiled tube part of the coiled cooling tube located in the outer side facing the said coiled tube part.

In the beverage cooling device of this type, the portion of the coiled cooling pipe that requires the highest cooling action is the upstream portion where the beverage is in the normal temperature state and a state close thereto, and the beverage cooling device according to the present invention In, in the lower end side portion, which is the upstream portion of the inner coiled cooling pipe, a large vertical space is secured between the coiled pipe portions. For this reason, according to the drink cooling device concerning the present invention, the drink which requires the highest cooling action can be cooled to the maximum, and the cooling efficiency for the drink flowing through each coiled cooling pipe as a whole is further enhanced. Can do. In this case, a large amount of cooling water circulating in the cooling water tank returns to the inside from the upper end of the inner coil cooling pipe through the upper end of each coiled cooling pipe, but the water flow facing the inner peripheral side from the upper end of the inner coil cooling pipe Since the upper end of the water-impermeable member having a predetermined width wound around the adjusting member is located above the surface of the cooling water stored in the cooling water tank, the circulation of the cooling water flowing into the drive shaft of the stirrer is suppressed. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the water splash phenomenon from the circumference | surroundings of the upper end part in a cooling water tank and generation | occurrence | production of the entrainment sound resulting from entrainment of air are prevented.

The present invention relates to a beverage cooling apparatus. 1 and 2 show a cooled beverage dispensing device (beer dispenser) formed by integrating a second beverage cooling device according to the present invention. The cooling beverage dispensing device is of a triple cock type, and a lower part in the device main body A is formed in a machine room that houses the refrigeration device B, and an upper part is formed in the beverage cooling device C. ing. As shown in FIG. 2, the beverage cooling device C includes a cooling water tank 10, a stirring mechanism 20, and a beverage dispensing circuit unit 30.

  The cooling water tank 10 includes a water tank 11, a heat insulating material 12 that covers the outer periphery of the water tank 11, and an outer plate 13 that covers the heat insulating material 12, and is supported by a support member 14 in the water tank 11. A cooler 15 is provided. The cooler 15 is formed by winding a pipe in a spiral shape, and is connected to a refrigeration circuit constituting the refrigeration apparatus B and functions as an evaporation pipe. The refrigeration apparatus B is a well-known device that is configured by interposing a compressor, a condenser, and a capillary tube in a refrigeration circuit.

  The refrigeration apparatus B is operated in a state where a predetermined amount of water is accommodated in the water tank 11 of the cooling water tank 10, and in a state where the operation is stable, a cylindrical ice having a predetermined thickness is provided in the vicinity of the cooler 15 in the water tank 11. D is generated, and cooling water E having a predetermined temperature is generated on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical ice D. A support plate 16 that supports a drive motor 21 constituting a stirring mechanism 20 to be described later is attached to the upper end side opening of the cooling water tank 10, and the upper side of the cooling water tank 10 is covered with a heat insulating lid. Yes.

  The stirring mechanism 20 includes a drive motor 21, an output shaft 22, and an impeller 23 provided at the lower end portion of the output shaft 22. The drive motor 21 is supported by a support plate 16 provided in the cooling water tank 10, and the output shaft 22. Is placed near the center of the water tank 11. A cylindrical water flow adjusting member 24 for adjusting the circulating water flow of the cooling water is disposed on the lower surface side of the support plate 16. The water flow adjusting member 24 is a mesh-like cylinder, and surrounds the outer periphery of the output shaft 22 and the impeller 23 and extends concentrically downward.

  The beverage dispensing circuit unit 30 includes three coiled cooling pipes 31, 32, and 33. Each of the coiled cooling pipes 31, 32, and 33 is a cylindrical pipe having a predetermined height formed by winding a pipe densely and many times. The coiled cooling pipes 31 to 33 have different diameters, and are arranged concentrically while maintaining a predetermined circumferential interval, and the output shaft 22 and the impeller located in the central portion in the water tank 11. 23 and the outer periphery of the water flow adjusting member 24 are concentrically surrounded and are erected in the central portion in the water tank 11.

  In a state where the coiled cooling pipes 31, 32, and 33 are arranged concentrically with each other, the small diameter coiled cooling pipe 31 is located on the inner side to form the inner coiled cooling pipe (31), The coiled cooling pipe 32 is located in the middle to constitute the intermediate coiled cooling pipe (32), and the large-diameter coiled cooling pipe 33 is located on the outside to constitute the outer coiled cooling pipe (33). ing.

Each of the coiled cooling pipes 31 to 33 is arranged in an upright state so that the lower end side is the upstream side . Introduced hoses 34a to 34c connected to a beverage supply source (for example, a beer barrel) are connected to the lower end portion which is the upstream end portion of each coiled cooling tube 31 to 33, and each coiled cooling tube. Each outlet hose 36 connected to each of the extraction cocks 35a to 35c constituting the extraction structure is connected to the upper end which is the downstream end of 31 to 33. Each lead-out hose 36 is connected to the extraction cocks 35a to 35c constituting the extraction structure.

  Thereby, at the time of the operation of the beverage cooling apparatus C, the beverage is introduced from the beverage supply source into the coiled cooling pipes 31 to 33 through the introduction hoses 34a to 34c in an independent state. It flows through the pipe-shaped cooling pipes 31 to 33 and is led out to the pouring cocks 35 a to 35 c through the lead-out hoses 36. The beverage circulates through the inner peripheral side of the inner coiled cooling tube 31 and the outer peripheral side of the outer coiled cooling tube 33 of the beverage dispensing circuit unit 30 while flowing in the coiled cooling tubes 31 to 33. The cooling water E is cooled to a predetermined temperature by the circulating water flow. The cooled beverage is poured out from each of the dispensing cocks 35a to 35c as a cooled beverage.

Therefore, in the beverage cooling apparatus C, the circulating water flow of the cooling water E is generated by the rotational drive of the impeller 23 of the stirring mechanism 20. The cooling water E forms a circulating water flow indicated by an arrow in FIG. That is, the cooling water E descends on the inner peripheral side of the inner coiled cooling pipe 31, and most of the cooling water flow passes through the lower ends of the coiled cooling pipes 31 to 33 to the outer peripheral side of the outer coiled cooling pipe 33. Finally, the outer peripheral side of the outer coiled cooling pipe 33 rises, and a circulating water flow is formed that flows back to the inner peripheral side of the inner coiled cooling pipe 31 through the upper ends of the coiled cooling pipes 31 to 33.

In the beverage cooling apparatus C, when the winding density of the coiled tube portions of the coiled cooling tubes 31 to 33 is the same, in other words, coiled adjacent to each other constituting the coiled cooling tubes 31 to 33. When the upper and lower intervals between the tube portions are the same, the cooling action of the circulating water flow on each of the coiled cooling tubes 31 to 33 is substantially the same for all of the coiled tube portions.

In the beverage cooling apparatus C, the cooling time of the beverage can be shortened if the cooling efficiency of the beverage flowing in the coiled cooling pipes 31 to 33 is increased. Moreover, the cooling water tank 10 can be enlarged , a larger amount of beverage can be cooled in the same cooling time, and the cooling water tank 10 can be reduced in size when cooling the same amount of beverage. is there.

The beverage cooling device C according to the present invention is intended to increase the cooling efficiency of the beverage flowing in each coiled cooling pipe, and the upstream side portion of the inner coiled cooling pipe , In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper and lower intervals between the coiled tube portions adjacent to each other in the portion of the predetermined length on the lower end side (lower end side portion 31 a) of the inner coiled cooling tube 31 are set as main portions ( The intermediate part 31b) has a structure that is secured wider than the upper and lower intervals between adjacent coiled tube portions. However, in the inner coiled cooling pipe 31, the upper end side portion 31 c that may be included in the main portion in the present invention is provided in order to suppress the occurrence of a water splash phenomenon and air entrainment noise, which will be described later. A wide vertical space is secured between the coiled tube portions. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 37 denotes a support column that supports the coiled cooling pipe 31.

  In the beverage cooling apparatus C, when the space between the upper and lower portions of the coiled tube portions in the lower end portion 31a of the inner coiled cooling tube 31 is widely secured, the gap between the coiled tube portions is large, A part of the circulating water flow of the cooling water E easily flows through the gap, and the contact area of each coiled pipe portion with the circulating water flow is increased. As a result, the cooling efficiency with respect to the drink which flows through each coil-shaped pipe part with which the space | interval of the upper and lower sides is widely secured becomes high. Moreover, the cooling water E which distribute | circulates each coil-shaped pipe part is a drink which flows through the coil-shaped pipe part of the intermediate | middle coil-shaped cooling pipe 32 and the coiled pipe part of the outer side coil-shaped cooling pipe 33 which oppose these coiled pipe parts. Also enhances the cooling action against.

    In the beverage cooling apparatus C, the upper and lower intervals of the coiled tube portions in the lower end side portion 31a of the inner coiled cooling tube 31 are widely secured, and the room temperature beverage inflow where the highest cooling action is required. That is, the cooling effect | action of the cooling water in the site | part of the lower end side of the coiled cooling pipes 31-33 is heightened. For this reason, according to the said beverage cooling device C, the maximum cooling effect | action can be performed with respect to the drink for which the highest cooling effect | action is requested | required, and the drink which flows through each coiled cooling pipe | tube 31-33 as a whole Cooling can be performed more efficiently.

  In addition, in the said beverage cooling device, the space | interval of the inner coiled cooling pipe 31 of the cooling water E is ensured widely ensuring the space | interval of the upper and lower sides of each coiled pipe part in the at least upper end part 31c of the inner coiled cooling pipe 31. Means are taken to suppress the occurrence of water splashing and air entrainment due to the reflux water flow to the side. Such means is well known, and in this case as well, it is essential to ensure a wide space between the upper and lower portions of the coiled tube portions in the lower end portion 31a of the inner coiled cooling tube 31.

  Moreover, in order to raise the cooling efficiency of the drink which distribute | circulates the inside of each coil-shaped cooling pipe 31-33, if the winding of all the coil-shaped pipe parts is made rough, it will be with respect to the cooling water E of all the coil-shaped pipe parts. The contact area increases. However, it is a beverage cooling device in which the length, height, and winding diameter of the coiled tube portions of the coiled cooling tubes 31 to 33 are set to predetermined values and designed into a mold of a predetermined size. In a beverage cooling device in which the amount of beverage dispensed per hour is set, it is impossible to take a means for roughing the winding of all coiled tube parts, and the beverage to be introduced is at room temperature. In view of this, it is useless from the viewpoint of cooling efficiency to adopt this means.

  In the beverage cooling apparatus C, the circulating water flow of the cooling water E is indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2, and the coiled cooling pipes 33 are arranged from the outer peripheral side of the outer coiled cooling pipes 33 constituting the coiled cooling pipes. Circulates to the inner peripheral side of the inner coiled cooling pipe 31 through ~ 31. When the flow rate of the circulating cooling water E is high, an entrainment sound resulting from the entrainment of air is generated and a water splash phenomenon from around the upper end of the water tank 11 occurs.

  In the beverage cooling apparatus, the water flow adjusting member 24 is interposed between the outer periphery of the output shaft 22 and the impeller 23 constituting the stirring mechanism 20 and the inner periphery of the inner coiled cooling pipe 31. The water flow adjusting member 24 is composed of a cylindrical net member, and functions as a resistance member to reduce the flow rate of the circulating cooling water E. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of the eddy current around the output shaft 22 by the circulating cooling water E is prevented, and generation | occurrence | production of the water splash phenomenon from the upper end part periphery of the water tank 11 and generation | occurrence | production of the entrainment sound resulting from entrainment of air are prevented. Is done.

  In the beverage cooling apparatus C, the beverage dispensing circuit unit 30 has a three-layer structure including an inner coiled cooling tube 31, an intermediate coiled cooling tube 32, and an outer coiled cooling tube 33 made of independent coiled cooling tubes. A large-scale beverage cooling device capable of simultaneously cooling a large amount of beverages, and the circulating water flow of the cooling water E is increased. For this reason, the space | interval between the outer periphery of the outer side coil-shaped cooling pipe 33 and the inner periphery of the water tank 11 is large, and a lot of cooling water E flows easily between these both. As a result, the amount of the cooling water E that flows back to the inner peripheral side of the inner coiled cooling pipe 31 via the coiled cooling pipes 33 to 31 is large, and the flow rate of the cooling water E is also fast. For this reason, the occurrence of the water splash phenomenon from the periphery of the upper end of the water tank 11 and the occurrence of the entrainment sound due to the entrainment of air are more likely to occur. In such a case, it is preferable to employ the water flow adjusting member 25 shown in FIG.

  The water flow adjusting member 25 is formed by winding a metal plate with a predetermined width around a portion slightly higher than the central portion of the water flow adjusting member 24, and the winding portion 25 a of the metal plate is made impermeable to the cooling water E. As a part, a function different from the upper and lower mesh parts 25b (parts permeable to the cooling water E) is given. The water flow adjusting member 25 is disposed in the same manner as the water flow adjusting member 24 shown in FIG. 2, but the upper end portion of the winding portion 25 a of the metal plate is positioned above the water surface of the cooling water E in the water tank 11. Arrange. By disposing the water flow adjusting member 25 in this way, the reflux of the cooling water E from the upper side of the inner coiled cooling pipe 31 to the portion of the output shaft 22 on the inner peripheral side is further suppressed, and the periphery of the upper end portion of the water tank 11 The occurrence of the water splash phenomenon from the air and the generation of the entrainment sound due to the entrainment of air are further suppressed.

It is a front view of the cooling beverage extraction apparatus incorporating the beverage cooling device which concerns on this invention. It is a vertical side view of the same cooling drink pouring device. It is a side view which expands and shows the inner side coiled cooling pipe which comprises the drink cooling circuit unit of the drink cooling device. It is a perspective view which expands and shows an example of the water flow adjustment member employ | adopted as the same drink cooling device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Cooling water tank, 11 ... Water tank, 12 ... Heat insulating material, 13 ... Outer plate, 14 ... Support member, 15 ... Cooler 16 ... Support plate, 20 ... Stirring mechanism, 21 ... Drive motor, 22 ... Output shaft, 23 ... Impeller, 24, 25 ... water flow adjusting member, 25a ... winding part, 25b ... mesh part, 30 ... beverage dispensing circuit unit, 31 ... inner coiled cooling pipe, 31a ... lower end part, 31b ... intermediate part, 31c ... Upper end side portion, 32 ... intermediate coiled cooling pipe, 33 ... outer coiled cooling pipe, 34a to 34c ... introduction hose, 35a to 35c ... pouring cock, 36 ... outlet hose, 37 ... support column, A ... device main body, B ... Freezing device, C ... Beverage cooling device, D ... Cylindrical ice, E ... Cooling water.

Claims (1)

A cooling water bath, which is stored by maintaining the cooling water at a predetermined water level, and a plurality of coiled cooling tubes concentrically erected on the outer circumference of the agitator placed in the top center of the cold却水 tank, each of these coiled cooling pipes And a plurality of pouring cocks connected to the downstream side located at the upper end of the cooling tank, and flows from the upper side to the lower side of the inner coiled cooling pipe of the coiled cooling pipe by the operation of the stirrer, and the cooling tank Drinking water introduced through each of the coiled cooling pipes is cooled by cooling water that circulates upward along the inner peripheral surface of the cooler spirally provided on the peripheral wall of the cooling tank from the bottom of the beverage. In the cooling device ,
The coiled tube portion in the main portion located in the middle in the vertical direction of the inner coiled cooling tube is wound with a close vertical spacing, and the coiled tube portions in the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the inner coiled cooling tube. There will be wound around a rough upper and lower spacing compared to the main portion, the lower end of the cylindrical body periphery consists of mesh member disposed to surround the agitator on the upper end side portion of the inner coiled cooling pipes An upper end of a water-impermeable member having a predetermined width wound around a substantially central part of a cylindrical body made of the same net member is located above the water surface of the cooling water stored in the cooling water tank and is located on the inner side. A beverage cooling apparatus characterized in that the recirculation of cooling water flowing into the drive shaft of the agitator is suppressed above the coiled cooling pipe .

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