JP5072039B2 - Beverage server - Google Patents

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a beverage server that cools and heats beverages such as drinking water, stores the beverages, and dispenses the beverages, and more specifically, prevents breeding of bacteria and the like in beverage containers and beverage passages. The present invention relates to a beverage server that can cool and dispense beverages efficiently.

  Beverage servers that can cool and cool drinking water such as mineral water and hot water that is heated are known. These cold water and hot water are normally stored in a cold water tank and a hot water tank in the beverage server. In this case, since the temperature of the hot water is high (for example, about 80 ° C.), the bacteria do not propagate, but relatively few bacteria are present in the beverage container, the cold water tank, and the pipe connected to the cold water tank. Will be easy to breed.

  Therefore, a technique as described in Patent Document 1 below is known. Patent Document 1 describes a drinking water dispenser in which a sterilizer using an ultraviolet lamp is disposed immediately before a cold water extraction valve of a cold water supply unit to sterilize cold water to be supplied. Cold water is supplied from a water bottle to a cold water tank, a sterilizer, and a cold water extraction valve. And warm water is supplied from a water bottle to a cold water tank, a warm water tank, and a warm water extraction valve.

  Moreover, the technique as described in the following patent document 2 is also well-known. Patent Document 2 describes a beverage server in which a beverage from a beverage container cooled in an upper cooling chamber is directly poured out from a low-temperature beverage dispensing cock. This beverage server eliminates the need for a low-temperature beverage tank, reduces the cost of the beverage server, and can always provide a sanitary beverage without the low-temperature beverage tank in which bacteria easily propagate. The invention described in Patent Document 2 has been made by the inventor of the present invention.

Moreover, the drink server which added the cold water tank which cools and stores cold water to the exterior downward direction of the cooling chamber with respect to the drink server provided with the cooling chamber like patent document 2 was also used. In this beverage server, the cold water tank is also provided with a cooler, and the cooling chamber and the cold water tank are cooled by two cooling medium paths.
JP 2000-085892 A JP 2005-187020 A

  As described above, the conventional beverage server has relatively few problems on the hot water side, but there is a problem that bacteria are likely to be generated in the cold water side tank and the supply path, and in particular, the cold water side tank and the supply line. It was necessary to frequently sterilize roads. For this reason, time and cost are required for maintenance, and the running cost of the beverage server is increased. Moreover, if maintenance is neglected, there is a possibility that a drink that is not suitable for drinking may be poured out.

  Even in the technique of Patent Document 1, if the irradiation time of ultraviolet rays is short, the sterilization treatment may not be sufficiently performed. In addition, since the range where the sterilization effect reaches is limited to the range where ultraviolet rays reach, there is a problem that efficient sterilization treatment is difficult. In addition, since cold water is stored inside the cold water tank and there is a portion where the cold water stays for a long time, there is a problem in that bacterial growth easily proceeds in such a stay portion. Furthermore, it was necessary to add a sterilizer, which led to an increase in the cost of the beverage server.

  Moreover, although the drink server of patent document 2 can provide a sanitary drink for a long time by eliminating the tank for low temperature drinks, there existed the following problems. First, since there is no tank for low-temperature beverages, a considerable amount of time is required until it becomes possible to pour cold water at an appropriate temperature immediately after the beverage container is replaced. In addition, the beverage supply path from the beverage container to the low temperature beverage pouring cock is short, and there is no part where the beverage stays to prevent the growth of bacteria, etc., but it is still sterilized, sterilized, washed, etc. after long-term use It is preferable to perform the cleaning operation. The cleaning work had to be done manually, leading to an increase in maintenance costs.

  Furthermore, in addition to the cooling chamber, the beverage server provided with a cold water tank outside the cooling chamber is provided with two cooling medium paths and requires complicated piping, refrigerant path switching means, etc. There was a problem that the cost would increase. In addition, since a large-capacity cold water tank is provided below the cooling chamber, the overall height and weight of the beverage server are increased, and the conditions for the location and location of the beverage server are severe.

  Therefore, the present invention can prevent the propagation of bacteria and the like in the beverage container and the beverage passage and can efficiently cool and dispense the beverage, and further reduce the cost by reducing the size and weight and is hygienic. An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage server that can dispense beverages.

  In order to achieve the above object, a beverage server of the present invention is provided in a cooling chamber for storing and cooling a beverage container, a cooler installed in the cooling chamber, the interior of the cooling chamber, A connecting portion for connecting to the beverage container, a branch passage connected to the lower portion of the connecting portion, branching the beverage from the beverage container into two and flowing out, and one branch outflow passage of the branch passage A cooling tank that is connected and disposed inside the cooling chamber and stores the beverage supplied via the branch passage in a cooled state, and is connected to the other branch outflow passage of the branch passage and the cooling A high temperature tank that is disposed outside the chamber and stores the beverage supplied through the branch passage in a heated state, a heater installed in the high temperature tank, and a beverage in the high temperature tank are poured out. Hot drink for A dispensing cock, connected to said cooling tank is cooled beverage as it has a low-temperature beverage extraction cock for pouring.

  In the beverage server, the cooler can be disposed on the upper inner surface of the cooling chamber, thereby cooling the inside of the cooling chamber and the cooling tank.

  In the above beverage server, the cooler can be disposed in contact with the outer periphery of the cooling tank, thereby cooling the cooling tank and cooling the inside of the cooling chamber.

  In the above beverage server, the cooler includes a first cooler disposed in contact with the outer periphery of the cooling tank and a second cooler disposed on the upper inner surface of the cooling chamber. The first cooler and the second cooler are connected in series, and the refrigerant that has passed through the first cooler can be supplied to the second cooler.

  Moreover, in said drink server, it is preferable to provide the heat insulating material which covers the outer periphery whole periphery of the said cooling tank and a said 1st cooler.

  In the beverage server, a circulation pipe for circulating the high-temperature beverage in the high-temperature tank to a beverage supply path from the beverage container to the low-temperature beverage pouring cock, and the high-temperature pipe in the circulation pipe It is preferable to have a circulation pump that circulates the high-temperature beverage in the tank.

  In the beverage server, the cooling chamber is provided with a partition plate that partitions an upper space of the cooling chamber in which the beverage container is disposed and a lower space of the cooling chamber in which the cooling tank is disposed. The partition plate is preferably formed with an opening for forcibly circulating cold air.

  Further, in the above beverage server, a shielding plate is provided that is disposed above and near the outer periphery of the cooling tank, and makes it difficult for the heat of the cooling tank to be transmitted to the upper part of the cooling chamber during circulation of the high temperature beverage. be able to.

  Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects.

  Because the cooling tank is placed inside the cooling chamber, the cooling beverage that has been cooled to the appropriate temperature is always stored in a fully filled state inside the cooling tank, and the appropriate temperature of the cooled beverage can be poured out immediately when the beverage container is replaced. It is. Moreover, since the cooling tank has good heat conductivity and excellent cooling performance, the beverage supplied to the cooling tank can be cooled to an appropriate temperature in a short time. The capacity of the cooling tank may be relatively small, and the beverage server can be reduced in size and weight, and can be provided at low cost.

  In the case where the cooler is disposed in contact with the outer periphery of the cooling tank, the cooling tank is efficiently cooled by direct heat conduction by surface contact. For this reason, the cooling capacity of the beverage by the cooling tank is improved, and the supply performance of the cooled beverage can be improved even immediately after the beverage container is replaced.

  With the cooler disposed in contact with the outer periphery of the cooling tank and the cooler disposed on the upper inner surface of the cooling chamber, the cooling capacity of the cooling chamber can be improved together with the cooling capacity of the cooling tank. . In addition, the two coolers can be connected in series to one refrigerant circulation path to efficiently cool the cooling chamber and the cooling tank at the same time without significantly increasing the cost of the cooling system. Furthermore, if the entire outer periphery of the cooling tank and the first cooler is covered with a heat insulating material, the cooling capacity of the cooling tank can be further improved, and the temperature rise of the cooling chamber during sterilization operation can be greatly increased. Can be reduced.

  In what provided the circulation piping and circulation pump for circulating a high temperature drink, a high temperature drink can be circulated through the supply path | route of a cooling drink, and a sterilization operation can be performed. Such a sterilization operation can be performed regularly and automatically, the beverage server can always be kept in a sanitary state, and a sanitary drinking water can be always provided.

  In the case where the shielding plate is disposed above and near the outer periphery of the cooling tank, the heat of the cooling tank during circulation of the high-temperature beverage can be hardly transmitted to the upper part of the cooling chamber, and the temperature in the cooling chamber during the sterilization operation can be reduced. The rise can be greatly reduced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, as a drink, drink water, such as mineral water, will be described as an example. First, the beverage server 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the beverage server 11, and is a cross-sectional view of the beverage server 11 as seen from the right side.

  In the upper part of the beverage server 11, a cooling chamber 2 for housing the beverage container 10 and cooling the drinking water inside the beverage container 10 is arranged. Below the cooling chamber 2, a device storage unit 3 for storing a high-temperature tank 6, a cooling device, and the like is disposed. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the arrangement of devices inside the device storage section 3.

  The wall surface 21 around the cooling chamber 2 and the front door 22 are filled with a heat insulating material. When the door 22 is closed, the inside and outside of the cooling chamber 2 are thermally blocked. The internal space of the cooling chamber 2 is cooled by the cooler 23 disposed on the ceiling portion of the cooling chamber 2, and the drinking water inside the beverage container 10 is cooled. Drinking water is cooled to a suitable temperature (for example, 10 ° C. or less) as cold water. The cooling chamber 2 is provided with a partition plate 42 inside, and separates the internal space of the cooling chamber 2 into an upper space 2a and a lower space 2b. The beverage container 10 is disposed in the upper space 2a as illustrated.

  However, the partition plate 42 does not completely separate the interior space of the cooling chamber 2 from top to bottom, and an opening through which cool air can flow is formed in the partition plate 42. The cold air in the cooling chamber 2 is forcibly circulated by the circulation fan 28, and the cold air is also introduced into the lower space 2 b through the opening of the partition plate 42. Thereby, the lower space 2b is cooled similarly to the upper space 2a.

  As the beverage container 10, for example, a BIB (bag in box) type container is preferable. However, other synthetic resin bottles or the like can be used as long as they can be stored in the cooling chamber 2. BIB is a paper container in which a bag-like container made of a flexible resin is arranged. As the beverage container 10, for example, one having a capacity of about 10 to 20 L can be used. The beverage container 10 is placed on the support plate 24 as illustrated with the connection port facing downward.

  The support plate 24 is supported by the partition plate 42 so as to be swingable around the rotation shaft 26. The rotating shaft 26 is disposed in the horizontal direction. The structure of the support plate 24 and the installation method of the beverage container 10 will be described in detail later. After the beverage container 10 is installed, the swinging end portion side of the support plate 24 is abutted and supported by the contact portion 43, and the support plate 24 is in a horizontal state. Further, when the beverage container 10 is installed on the support plate 24, the installation position of the beverage container 10 is determined by the stopper 25.

  The connection part 4 (see FIG. 3) is inserted into the base part 101 of the beverage container 10, and the drinking water in the beverage container 10 falls by gravity through the connection part 4. Below the connecting portion 4, a branch passage 5 is provided integrally and continuously with the connecting portion 4. The outflow side of the branch passage 5 branches into a branch pipe 51 for cold water and a branch pipe 52 for hot water. A cooling tank 53 is connected to the branch pipe 51 for cold water. The cooling tank 53 is a tank with good thermal conductivity formed of a metal plate (plate thickness of about 2 to 3 mm), cools the internal beverage to an appropriate temperature by the cool air of the lower space 2b, and stores the appropriate temperature of the cooled beverage. To do.

  Since the beverage cooled to the appropriate temperature is always stored in the cooling tank 53, the beverage with the appropriate temperature can be immediately poured out when the beverage container 10 is replaced. Further, since the cooling tank 53 has good thermal conductivity and excellent cooling performance, the beverage supplied to the cooling tank 53 can be cooled to an appropriate temperature in a short time. Even if cold water flows out from the cooling tank 53 to the cold water cock 56 side, the same amount of beverage is supplied from the beverage container 10 side at the same time, so the cooling tank 53 is always full. The capacity of the cooling tank 53 is about 2L.

  A chilled water pipe 55 is connected to the cooling tank 53, and a chilled water cock 56 is connected to the distal end side of the chilled water pipe 55. When the lever of the cold water cock 56 is operated to be in the open state, cold water cooled to an appropriate temperature in the cooling chamber 2 and the cooling tank 53 is poured out from the cold water cock 56. As described above, in the beverage server 11 of the present invention, the cooling tank 53 for storing cold water is disposed inside the cooling chamber 2, so there is no need to separately provide a cooling medium path for cooling the cooling tank 53. The cost of the beverage server can be reduced.

  The cooling tank 53 has good thermal conductivity and is efficiently cooled by the cool air in the cooling chamber 2. The capacity of the cooling tank 53 may be relatively small, and the beverage server can be reduced in size and weight. Furthermore, the overall height of the beverage server can be kept small by making the cooling tank 53 into a horizontally long and small shape as shown in the figure. The shape of the cooling tank 53 can be a prismatic shape such as a cylindrical shape or any other shape. In any shape, it is desirable to make the height smaller than the horizontal dimension.

  As described above, since the cooling tank 53 is disposed inside the cooling chamber 2, the cooled beverage cooled to an appropriate temperature is always stored in the inside of the cooling tank 53, and immediately when the beverage container 10 is replaced. Cool drinks with appropriate temperature can be dispensed. Further, since the cooling tank 53 has good thermal conductivity and excellent cooling performance, the beverage supplied to the cooling tank 53 can be cooled to an appropriate temperature in a short time.

  The lower end side of the hot water branch pipe 52 is connected to a high temperature tank 6 disposed in the device storage unit 3. The high temperature tank 6 is for storing drinking water (hot water) heated to a high temperature. A heater 63 is disposed at the lower part of the outer periphery of the high temperature tank 6. The drinking water in the high temperature tank 6 is heated by the heater 63 and is kept at a substantially constant high temperature (for example, 85 to 95 ° C.). For this reason, the drinking water in the high temperature tank 6 is completely sterilized and in a sterile state. A drain pipe 62 for draining water is provided on the bottom surface of the high temperature tank 6. During normal use, the drain pipe 62 is closed.

  A hot water pipe 61 is connected to the upper portion of the high-temperature tank 6, and a hot water cock 64 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the distal end side of the hot water pipe 61. When the lever of the hot water cock 64 is operated to open the hot water cock 64, hot hot water is poured out from the hot water cock 64. When hot water is poured out from the hot water cock 64, the same amount of drinking water is introduced from the beverage container 10 into the high temperature tank 6.

  A receiving portion 31 is provided on the lowermost front side of the beverage server 11. Even when a beverage poured out from the cold water cock 56 or the hot water cock 64 is spilled, the beverage falls to the receiving portion 31. In addition, a beverage container such as a glass or a paper cup can be placed on the receiving portion 31, and the beverage can be poured out from the cold water cock 56 or the hot water cock 64 into the beverage container.

  A cooling device such as a compressor 7 is disposed in the device storage unit 3 of the beverage server 11. The refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 7 and sent to the condenser 71, and is cooled by the cooling fan 72 and liquefied. The liquefied refrigerant is further squeezed and expanded to form a low-temperature refrigerant, which is sent to the cooler 23 to cool the cooling chamber 2. The refrigerant after cooling the cooling chamber 2 is circulated to the compressor 7 again.

  Although not shown here, it is preferable to cover the outer periphery of the high-temperature tank 6 and the hot water pipe 61 with a heat insulating material or the like. Thereby, while reducing the power consumption for a heating, hot water can be poured out from the hot water cock 64, maintaining a high temperature state. The compressor 7 and the heater 63 are driven and controlled by a drive control unit (not shown). The drive control unit drives and controls the heater 63 to keep the drinking water in the high temperature tank 6 at a predetermined high temperature (for example, 85 to 95 ° C.), and drives and controls the compressor 7 to drink water in the cooling chamber 2. Is cooled and kept at a predetermined appropriate temperature (for example, 10 ° C. or lower).

  The equipment storage unit 3 is provided with a circulation pump 8 for performing a sterilization operation by circulating a high-temperature beverage through a beverage supply path. The hot water supply path has no sanitary problem because the bactericidal action works by the hot water itself maintained at a high temperature (for example, 85 to 95 ° C.). However, the supply path of cold water usually does not have such a bactericidal action, which may cause sanitary problems. In view of this, the beverage server 11 is configured such that the high-temperature beverage can be circulated through the supply path of the cold water and the periodic sterilization operation can be automatically performed.

  The suction side of the circulation pump 8 is connected to the lower part of the high-temperature tank 6 by a circulation pipe 81. A circulation pipe 82 is connected to the discharge side of the circulation pump 8, and the front end side of the circulation pipe 82 is connected to a position near the cold water cock 56 of the cold water pipe 55. By starting the circulation pump 8, all the chilled water supply paths are heated in the circulation path from the circulation pipe 82 to the cold water pipe 55, the cooling tank 53, the branch pipe 51, the branch passage 5, the branch pipe 52, and the high temperature tank 6. The beverage can be circulated.

  Circulation pump 8 and heater 63 are controlled by a drive control unit (not shown). The beverage server 11 is normally energized continuously for 24 hours and is continuously operated for 24 hours. However, in general, the use frequency is extremely reduced in a time zone such as from 0:00 to 5:00. Therefore, the sterilization operation is performed in a time zone with a low use frequency. For example, the sterilization operation is automatically performed by the drive control unit from 3:00:00 to 3:20 AM.

  In the sterilization operation, the circulation pump 8 is activated to circulate the high temperature beverage to each part of the supply path. At this time, the heater 63 is controlled to adjust the temperature of the high temperature beverage to a temperature suitable for circulation. To do. During normal operation, the hot beverage is kept at 85-95 ° C. as described above. This temperature is the temperature of the high temperature beverage at the top of the high temperature tank 6, and the beverage stored near the bottom of the high temperature tank 6 has a lower temperature of about 70 ° C. due to heat dissipation and the like.

  For the circulation pump 8, the high temperature beverage at 85 to 95 ° C. has a problem because the temperature is too high. There is also a possibility that the circulation pump 8 may break down or the life may be significantly reduced. Therefore, a beverage at about 70 ° C. near the bottom of the high-temperature tank 6 is used as the high-temperature beverage to be circulated in the sterilization operation. Even at this temperature, there is no hindrance to the bactericidal action. For this reason, the connection position of the circulation pipe 81 to the high temperature tank 6 is the lowest position near the bottom of the high temperature tank 6.

  The sterilization operation is controlled as follows by the drive control unit. The drive control unit can detect the real time by a real time clock circuit or the like, and at 3 am every day, the circulation pump 8 is activated to supply a high temperature beverage of about 70 ° C. to each part of the supply path. Circulate. Further, since the high temperature beverage circulates in the cooling tank 53 and the temperature of the cooling tank 53 rises, the circulation fan 28 stops so that the upper space 2a is kept as low as possible. Since the temperature of the beverage in the high temperature tank 6 is lowered by the circulation of the high temperature beverage, the heater 63 is controlled by the drive control unit so that the temperature of the high temperature beverage to be circulated is always about 70 ° C.

  This sterilization operation is continued until 3:20 am. At 3:20 am, the circulation pump 8 is stopped. Then, the circulation fan 28 is activated. Thus, the sterilization operation returns to the normal operation. The execution time of the sterilization operation is merely an example, and a time zone with a low use frequency can be appropriately set according to the use environment. Further, the sterilization operation can be performed manually at an arbitrary time.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for installing the beverage container 10 on the support plate 24 of the cooling chamber 2. Drinking water is sealed in the beverage container 10 in a completely sterilized state, and the base 101 is provided with a sealing film to completely seal the inside of the beverage container 10. The support plate 24 is provided so as to be swingable about a rotation shaft 26 arranged in the horizontal direction. The rotating shaft 26 is supported by the partition plate 42.

  Further, the connection portion 4 is fixed to the partition plate 42, and the branch passage 5 is integrally provided below the connection portion 4. A branch pipe 51 for cold water and a branch pipe 52 for hot water are connected to the outflow side of the branch passage 5. The connecting portion 4 is formed with a sharp tip 41. The tip portion 41 breaks through the sealing film of the beverage container 10, and the beverage inside the beverage container 10 flows out into the branch passage 5.

  In order to replace the beverage container 10, as shown in FIG. 3, the support plate 24 is swung upward, and the base portion 101 is detached from the connection portion 4. Then, the support plate 24 is kept in an inclined state by causing the locking member 44 to engage with the engaging portion 27. The locking member 44 is swingably provided as shown by the arrow in FIG. In such an inclined state, the beverage container 10 can be easily removed by pulling out the empty beverage container 10 to the near side (left side in the figure).

  Next, the new beverage container 10 is placed on the support plate 24 in an inclined state. Then, the locking member 44 is removed from the engaging portion 27 and tilted, the support plate 24 is swung downward, and brought into contact with the contact portion 43 to be in a horizontal state. At this time, the connection portion 4 is inserted into the base portion 101 of the beverage container 10, and the tip portion 41 of the connection portion 4 penetrates the sealing film and enters the beverage container 10. And the drinking water in the drink container 10 flows into the connection part 4 side. Thus, the replacement operation of the beverage container 10 can be easily performed by anyone without requiring skill.

  Next, the beverage server 12 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the beverage server 12, and is a cross-sectional view of the beverage server 12 as seen from the right side. The beverage server 12 has many similarities to the configuration of the beverage server 11, and the same reference numerals are given to common portions. Also, description of common parts is omitted.

  The beverage server 12 is different from the beverage server 11 in the installation position of the cooler 54 for cooling the cooling chamber 2. In the beverage server 12, the cooler 54 is installed so as to come into surface contact with the outer periphery of the cooling tank 53. The cooler 54 efficiently cools the cooling tank 53 by heat conduction by surface contact, and cools the lower space 2 b of the cooling chamber 2. The cooled cool air in the lower space 2 b is forcedly circulated by the circulation fan 28 and introduced into the upper space 2 a through the opening of the partition plate 42. Thereby, the lower space 2b is cooled similarly to the upper space 2a.

  Since the cooling server 53 is disposed in the cooling chamber 2 in the beverage server 12 as in the beverage server 11, the cooling beverage cooled to an appropriate temperature is always stored in a full state in the cooling tank 53. It is possible to immediately pour out a cool drink at an appropriate temperature even when 10 is replaced. Further, since the cooling tank 53 has good thermal conductivity and excellent cooling performance, the beverage supplied to the cooling tank 53 can be cooled to an appropriate temperature in a short time.

  Further, in this beverage server 12, the cooler 54 is disposed so as to be in surface contact with the outer periphery of the cooling tank 53, so that the cooling tank 53 is efficiently cooled by direct heat conduction by surface contact. For this reason, the cooling capacity of the beverage by the cooling tank 53 is improved, and the supply performance of the cooled beverage can be improved even immediately after the beverage container 10 is replaced.

  In the beverage server 12, similarly to the beverage server 11, the high temperature beverage can be circulated to each part of the supply path to perform the sterilization operation. However, in this beverage server 12, the cooling of the cooling tank 53 by the cooler 54 is stopped during the sterilization operation. At this time, the circulation fan 28 is also stopped. That is, the compressor 7 and the like are stopped, the circulation of the refrigerant is stopped, and the circulation fan 28 is also stopped. When the sterilization operation is completed, the compressor 7 and the like are started again, the refrigerant circulation is resumed and the circulation fan 28 is also started.

  Next, the beverage server 13 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the beverage server 13, and is a cross-sectional view of the beverage server 13 as seen from the right side. The beverage server 13 has many similarities to the configuration of the beverage server 11, and the same reference numerals are given to common portions. Also, description of common parts is omitted.

  The beverage server 13 is different from the beverage server 11 in the configuration of a cooler for cooling the cooling chamber 2. In the beverage server 13, a cooler 54 that is in surface contact with the outer periphery of the cooling tank 53 is installed in addition to the cooler 23 disposed on the ceiling of the cooling chamber 2. The cooler 54 efficiently cools the cooling tank 53 by heat conduction by surface contact, and cools the lower space 2 b of the cooling chamber 2. The low-temperature refrigerant from the cooling device is first sent to the cooler 54 to cool the cooling tank 53 and the lower space 2b. The refrigerant discharged from the cooler 54 is then sent to the cooler 23 to cool the upper space 2a. The refrigerant discharged from the cooler 23 is circulated to the compressor 7 again.

  Thus, the cooling tank 53 and the cooler 23 are connected in series to one refrigerant circulation path, and the upper space 2a, the lower space 2b, and the lower space 2b of the cooling chamber 2 are increased without significantly increasing the cost of the cooling system. The cooling tank 53 can be efficiently cooled at the same time. Further, the circulation fan 28 forcibly circulates the air in the cooling chamber 2 so that a temperature difference between the upper space 2a and the lower space 2b does not occur.

  Since the cooling server 53 is disposed in the cooling chamber 2 in the beverage server 13 as in the beverage server 11, the cooling beverage cooled to an appropriate temperature is always stored in a full state in the cooling tank 53. It is possible to immediately pour out a cool drink at an appropriate temperature even when 10 is replaced. Further, since the cooling tank 53 has good thermal conductivity and excellent cooling performance, the beverage supplied to the cooling tank 53 can be cooled to an appropriate temperature in a short time.

  In this beverage server 13, in addition to the cooler 23, the cooler 54 is arranged so as to be in surface contact with the outer periphery of the cooling tank 53, so that the cooling tank 53 is efficiently cooled by direct heat conduction by surface contact. . For this reason, the cooling capacity of the beverage by the cooling tank 53 is improved, and the supply performance of the cooled beverage can be improved even immediately after the beverage container 10 is replaced. Further, since the cooler 23 and the cooler 54 are connected in series to one system of the refrigerant circulation path, the upper space 2a, the lower space 2b, and the cooling tank of the cooling chamber 2 are not significantly increased without increasing the cost of the cooling system. 53 can be efficiently cooled at the same time.

  In the beverage server 13, similarly to the beverage server 11, the high temperature beverage can be circulated through each part of the supply path to perform the sterilization operation. However, the beverage server 13 stops the cooling by the cooler 23 and the cooler 54 during the sterilization operation. At this time, the circulation fan 28 is also stopped. That is, the compressor 7 and the like are stopped, the circulation of the refrigerant is stopped, and the circulation fan 28 is also stopped. When the sterilization operation is completed, the compressor 7 and the like are started again, the refrigerant circulation is resumed and the circulation fan 28 is also started.

  Next, the beverage server 14 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the beverage server 14, and is a cross-sectional view of the beverage server 14 as viewed from the right side. The beverage server 14 has many similarities to the configuration of the beverage server 13 (see FIG. 5) of the third embodiment, and common portions are given the same reference numerals. Also, description of common parts is omitted.

  In this beverage server 14, the entire outer periphery including the cooling tank 53 and the upper and lower surfaces of the cooler 54 is covered with a heat insulating material 45. For this reason, the cooler 54 can be operated exclusively for cooling the cooling tank 53, and the cooling capacity of the cooling tank 53 can be further improved. The upper space 2 a of the cooling chamber 2 is cooled by the cooler 23. In addition, since the cooling tank 53 is insulated from the surroundings, heat conduction from the cooling tank 53 to the inside of the cooling chamber 2 can be greatly reduced even during the sterilization operation, and the temperature rise of the cooling chamber 2 during the sterilization operation can be reduced. Can be prevented. The operation of the sterilization operation of the beverage server 14 is the same as that of the beverage server 13.

  Next, the beverage server 15 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the beverage server 15, and is a cross-sectional view of the beverage server 15 as seen from the right side. The beverage server 15 has many similarities to the configuration of the beverage server 12 (see FIG. 4) of the second embodiment, and common portions are given the same reference numerals. Also, description of common parts is omitted.

  In this beverage server 15, a shielding plate 46 is disposed above and near the outer periphery of the cooling tank 53. During the sterilization operation, the high-temperature beverage circulates in the cooling tank 53, and the temperature of the cooling tank 53 also rises. The ambient air is warmed by the cooling tank 53 whose temperature has risen, and the warmed air raises the temperature of the entire interior of the cooling chamber 2 by convection. In order to prevent such a temperature rise inside the cooling chamber 2 as much as possible, a shielding plate 46 is provided. A shielding plate 46 is disposed close to and above the cooling tank 53 and the cooler 54 and spaced from the cooling tank 53 and the cooler 54, and covers the upper and outer circumferences of the cooling tank 53. There is no shielding plate 46 below the cooling tank 53 and is open.

  By arranging the shielding plate 46 in this way, the convection of the air heated by the cooling tank 53 is prevented by the shielding plate 46. Thereby, the temperature rise in the cooling chamber 2 during the sterilization operation can be greatly reduced. In other words, the shielding plate 46 can prevent the heat of the cooling tank 53 from being transmitted to the upper part of the cooling chamber 2 during circulation of the high-temperature beverage. In normal operation, the air cooled by the cooler 54 moves downward and is forcedly circulated by the circulation fan 28 to cool the entire cooling chamber 2. Since the lower part of the shielding plate 46 is opened, the cooling of the cooling chamber 2 is not adversely affected.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the cooling tank 53 is disposed inside the cooling chamber 2, the cooling beverage cooled to an appropriate temperature is always stored in the inside of the cooling tank 53 in a fully filled state. It is possible to immediately pour out a cool drink at an appropriate temperature even when 10 is replaced. Further, since the cooling tank 53 has good thermal conductivity and excellent cooling performance, the beverage supplied to the cooling tank 53 can be cooled to an appropriate temperature in a short time. The capacity of the cooling tank 53 may be relatively small, and the beverage server can be reduced in size and weight, and can be provided at low cost.

  Furthermore, a high temperature drink can be circulated through the supply path | route of a cooling drink, and a sterilization driving | operation can be performed. Such a sterilization operation can be performed regularly and automatically, the beverage server can always be kept in a sanitary state, and a sanitary drinking water can be always provided.

  In addition, although the above embodiment gave and demonstrated drink water, such as mineral water, as an example as a drink, it is applicable also to arbitrary drinks other than drink water.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the drink server which can pour out the cool drink of suitable temperature immediately at the time of replacement | exchange of a drink container, and can always pour out sanitary drinking water can be provided. In addition, the beverage server can be reduced in size and weight, and the cost can be reduced.

It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the drink server 11 of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the arrangement of devices inside the device storage unit 3. It is a figure which shows the procedure which installs the beverage container 10 in the support plate 24 of the cooling chamber 2. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the drink server 12 of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the drink server 13 of 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the drink server 14 of 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the drink server 15 of 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Cooling chamber 2a Upper space 2b Lower space 3 Equipment storage part 4 Connection part 5 Branch passage 6 High temperature tank 7 Compressor 8 Circulation pump 10 Beverage container 11-15 Beverage server 21 Wall surface 22 Door 23,54 Cooler 24 Support plate 25 Stopper 26 Rotating shaft 27 Engaging portion 28 Circulating fan 31 Receiving portion 41 Tip portion 42 Partition plate 43 Abutting portion 44 Locking member 45 Heat insulating material 46 Shielding plate 51, 52 Branch pipe 53 Cooling tank 55 Cooling water pipe 56 Cold water cock 61 Hot water Pipe 62 Drain pipe 63 Heater 64 Hot water cock 71 Condenser 72 Cooling fan 81, 82 Circulation pipe 101 Base part

Claims (8)

A cooling chamber (2) for storing and cooling the beverage container (10);
A cooler (23, 54) installed in the cooling chamber (2);
A connection portion (4) provided in the cooling chamber (2) for connecting to the beverage container (10);
A branch passage (5) arranged below the connection portion (4) and branching out the beverage from the beverage container (10) in two;
In a state where the beverage supplied through the branch passage (5) is cooled while being connected to one branch outflow passage (51) of the branch passage (5) and disposed inside the cooling chamber (2). A cooling tank (53) for storing;
The beverage connected to the other branch outflow passage (52) of the branch passage (5) and disposed outside the cooling chamber (2) and heated via the branch passage (5) A high-temperature tank (6) stored in
A heater (63) installed in the high temperature tank (6);
A high temperature beverage dispensing cock (64) for dispensing the beverage in the high temperature tank (6);
A beverage server connected to the cooling tank (53) and having a low temperature beverage dispensing cock (56) for dispensing a cooled beverage. The beverage server according to claim 1,
The said cooler (23) is arrange | positioned at the upper inner surface of the said cooling chamber (2), and is a drink server which cools the said cooling tank (53) while cooling the inside of the said cooling chamber (2). The beverage server according to claim 1,
The said cooler (54) is a drink server which is arrange | positioned in contact with the outer periphery of the said cooling tank (53), and cools the inside of the said cooling chamber (2) while cooling the said cooling tank (53). The beverage server according to claim 1,
The cooler includes a first cooler (54) disposed in contact with the outer periphery of the cooling tank (53), and a second cooler (23) disposed on the upper inner surface of the cooling chamber (2). The first cooler (54) and the second cooler (23) are connected in series, and the refrigerant that has passed through the first cooler (54) is the second cooler (54). Beverage server to be supplied to the cooler (23). A beverage server according to claim 4, wherein
A beverage server comprising a heat insulating material (45) covering the entire outer periphery of the cooling tank (53) and the first cooler (54). It is a drink server given in any 1 paragraph of Claims 1-5,
Circulation pipes (81, 82) for circulating the high temperature beverage in the high temperature tank (6) to the beverage supply path from the beverage container (10) to the low temperature beverage dispensing cock (56);
A beverage server comprising a circulation pump (8) for circulating the high-temperature beverage in the high-temperature tank (6) through the circulation pipes (81, 82). It is a drink server given in any 1 paragraph of Claims 1-6,
The cooling chamber (2) includes an upper space (2a) of the cooling chamber (2) in which the beverage container (10) is disposed, and a cooling chamber (2) in which the cooling tank (53) is disposed. A partition plate (42) for partitioning the lower space (2b) is provided,
The said partition plate (42) is a drink server in which the opening part for forcedly circulating cold air is formed. The beverage server according to claim 7,
A shielding plate (disposed above the cooling tank (53) and close to the outer periphery, for preventing the heat of the cooling tank (53) from being transmitted to the upper part of the cooling chamber (2) during circulation of the high-temperature beverage. 46) a beverage server.

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