JP5168126B2 - Cup holder - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cup holding device that is built in a cup-type beverage vending machine and holds a cup from which a beverage is poured out.

  2. Description of the Related Art A cup holding device is known that includes a cup holder that receives a cup supplied from a cup supply device, and a pair of cup gripping arms that grip a cup body. This cup holding device is received by the cup cradle by using a table moving mechanism for moving the cup cradle in the height direction of the cup according to the size of the cup and an arm interval according to the size of the cup. An arm moving mechanism for opening and closing the cup gripping arm so as to grip the cup. The table moving mechanism includes a moving motor, a gear head that is connected to the moving motor and decelerates rotation, a feed screw that is connected to the gear head, and a cup holder that is screwed to the feed screw. When the moving motor is rotated accordingly, power is transmitted in the order of the gear head and the feed screw, and the cup cradle moves in the height direction of the cup. The arm moving mechanism includes an arm opening / closing motor, an arm mounting hole and a gear portion in which a drive shaft of the arm opening / closing motor is loosely fitted on one side, and a gear portion and a mounting hole provided on the other side so as to mesh with the gear portion. A pair of left and right cup gripping arms, and a support shaft fitted in the mounting hole. When the arm opening / closing motor is rotated according to the size of the cup, the cup gripping arm is powered. The cup received and received by the cup holder is gripped (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-352315 A

  However, since the cup holding device described above includes the moving motor that moves the cup cradle in the vertical direction and the arm opening and closing motor that opens and closes the cup gripping arm, the moving motor and the arm opening and closing motor according to the size of the cup. Each had to be driven.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a cup holding device that pushes a cup flapper when a cup cradle is moved in the height direction of a cup to be received.

  In order to achieve the above object, a cup holding device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a cup gripping portion that is supported so that gear portions formed on a shaft portion mesh with each other and that has a cylindrical shape. In a cup holding device comprising a pair of cup flappers biased in a closing direction and a cup receiving base for receiving a cup received in the cup flapper, the cup in the height direction of the cup received when receiving a large cup A pedestal moving means for moving the cradle, and a flapper expanding means that is provided on the cup cradle and opens the cup flapper when the cup cradle is moved in the height direction of the cup to be received. And

  The cup holding device according to claim 2 of the present invention is the cup holding device according to claim 1, wherein the flapper expanding means is provided in a base arm portion that supports a base portion that receives the cup, and is in a height direction of the cup that receives the cup. It is a protrusion that presses the flapper arm portion that connects the cup gripping portion and the shaft portion of the cup flapper when the cup cradle is moved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the cup holding device according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a plurality of ribs for supporting the cup received in the cup gripping portion of the cup flapper.

  In the cup holding device according to the present invention, when the cup holder is moved in the height direction of the cup when receiving a large cup, the cup flapper is pushed open, so that it is not necessary to push the cup flapper independently.

  Exemplary embodiments of a cup holding device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  1 and 2 are front views showing an internal structure of a cup-type beverage vending machine on which a cup holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted, and FIG. 1 shows a state in which an outer door is opened, FIG. 2 shows a state where the cup supply device is removed. The cup-type beverage vending machine described here cooks a hot beverage by a mixing ball method.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cup-type beverage vending machine includes a box-shaped main body cabinet 1 whose front surface is open and a display door 2 that closes the front opening of the main body cabinet 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a cup supply device 11 is provided on the front surface of the main body cabinet 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a hot water tank 12, a powder canister 13, and a bean canister 14 are provided inside the main body cabinet 1. , Coffee brewer 15, water reservoir 16, cooling water tank 17, and ice maker 18.

  The cup supply device 11 can supply cups of three types of sizes, large, medium, and small. The size is selected according to the beverage to be sold, and the cup shooter 19 ( (See FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water tank 12 is disposed in the back of the main body cabinet 1 and supplies hot water to mixing balls 13 b and 13 d and a coffee brewer 15 described later. The powder canister 13 is disposed inside the main body cabinet 1 and in front of the hot water tank 12. The powder canister 13 is a storage container that stores powder materials (powder) such as tea, cocoa, instant coffee, sugar, and cream for each type, and has a plurality of storage chambers. A shooter 13a and a mixing ball 13b are provided for each storage room below the storage room in which premix powders such as tea and cocoa are stored, and the powder raw material discharged from the storage room to the mixing ball 13b and the hot water tank 12 The hot water poured from is stirred and cooked. On the other hand, a common shooter 13c and a mixing ball 13d are provided below the storage chamber in which instant coffee, sugar and cream are stored. From the powder raw material discharged from the storage chamber to the mixing ball 13d and the hot water tank 12 The poured hot water is stirred to cook the beverage.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the bean canister 14 is disposed inside the main body cabinet 1 and on the right side of the powder canister 13. The bean canister 14 is a storage container that stores coffee beans (for example, coffee beans for iced coffee and coffee beans for hot coffee) for each type, and has a plurality of storage chambers. Below the bean canister 14, a shooter 14 a and a mill 14 b that are common to the storage chamber are provided, and the coffee beans discharged from the storage chamber to the mill 14 b are ground and fed into the coffee brewer 15. ing. The coffee brewer 15 is configured to pour hot water from the hot water tank 12 into the coffee beans (ground beans) that have been input, thereby extracting regular coffee. The regular coffee poured out by the coffee brewer 15 is poured into the mixing ball 13d, and sugar and cream are added to the mixing ball 13d.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the water reservoir 16 is disposed on the left side inside the main body cabinet 1. The water reservoir 16 supplies water to a cold water coil (not shown) and a carbonator (not shown) immersed in the cooling water tank 17 and an ice making device 18.

  The cooling water tank 17 cools the stored water by using the ice melting latent heat generated by the cooling unit 20, and the water supplied from the water reservoir 16 to the cooling water coil becomes cold water. The water supplied from the carbon dioxide to the carbonator becomes carbonated water by the carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide cylinder 21 (see FIG. 1).

  In addition, a plurality of syrup containers (not shown) are immersed in the cooling water tank 17. The syrup container is filled with syrup as a raw material for cold beverages, and syrup discharged from the syrup container and cold water or carbonated water discharged from a cold water coil or carbonator are mixed in a cup to make a cold beverage. It is like that.

  The ice making device 18 is for producing ice for cooking, and ice is produced by freezing water supplied from the water reservoir 16.

  A selection button (not shown) for selecting a beverage is arranged on the front surface of the display door 2 together with a beverage display representing the beverage, and a beverage to be sold is selected by pressing the selection button. ing. A rectangular outlet 22 is provided in the approximate center of the display door 2. The take-out port 22 is an opening for taking out a cup into which a beverage has been poured out, and the above-described cup shooter 19 supplies the cup to a position facing the take-out port 22 (cup supply position / cup take-out position). It has become.

  3 and 4 are views showing the arrangement of nozzles for dispensing a beverage, FIG. 3 is a perspective view, and FIG. 4 is a plan view. 3 and 4, the cup supplied to the cup supply position is indicated by a solid line, and the cup moved to the cold beverage supply position and the ice supply position is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a hot beverage dispensing position is provided at a position (right side in the figure) separated from the cup supply position. More specifically, the hot beverage pouring is performed such that the cup supply position and the hot beverage pouring position are located on a conveyance path having a predetermined radius (a radius corresponding to a distance between a shaft 42 and a cup supply position described later). An exit position is provided.

  Above the hot beverage dispensing position, a hot beverage dispensing nozzle 31 is arranged for each beverage to be dispensed (the same nozzle is used for instant coffee and regular coffee). The hot beverage dispensing nozzle 31 is connected to the above-described mixing balls 13b and 13d by beverage piping (not shown) and cooked in the mixing balls 13b and 13d to the cup transported to the hot beverage dispensing position. Hot drinks are being dispensed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a cold beverage dispensing position is provided at a position (left side in the drawing) spaced apart from the cup supply position and the hot beverage dispensing position. More specifically, the cold beverage pouring is performed so that the cup supply position and the cold beverage pouring position are located on a conveyance path having a predetermined radius (a radius corresponding to a distance between a shaft 42 and a cup supply position described later). An exit position is provided. Therefore, the cup supply position, the hot beverage pouring position, and the cold beverage pouring position are all located on the transport path having a predetermined radius.

  A cold water nozzle 32, a carbonated water nozzle 33, a syrup nozzle 34, and a coffee nozzle 35 are disposed above the cold beverage pouring position. (Instant coffee and regular coffee use the same coffee nozzle 35). The cold water nozzle 32 is connected to the above-mentioned cold water coil by a pipe 36, and the carbonated water nozzle 33 is connected to the above-mentioned carbonator by a pipe (not shown). The syrup nozzle 34 is connected to the syrup container described above by a syrup pipe 37 (not shown). Further, the coffee nozzle 35 is connected to the above-described mixing ball 13d by a beverage pipe (not shown). Therefore, cold water or carbonated water and syrup, instant coffee or regular coffee is poured into the cup transported to the cold beverage pouring position and mixed (cooked) in the cup.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an ice supply position is provided between the cup supply position and the cold beverage dispensing position. More specifically, the ice supply position is provided so that the cup supply position and the ice supply position are located on a conveyance path having a predetermined radius (a radius corresponding to a distance between a shaft and a cup supply position described later). is there. Therefore, the cup supply position, the hot drink pouring position, the cold drink pouring position, and the ice supply position are all located on the transport path having a predetermined radius.

  An ice supply nozzle 38 is disposed above the ice supply position. The ice supply nozzle 38 is connected to the ice maker 18 described above by a pipe 39 and supplies ice to the cup transported to the ice supply position.

  5 to 8 are diagrams illustrating a cup transport device that transports a cup supplied at a cup supply position to a hot beverage pouring position or a cold beverage supply position, and FIG. 5 illustrates an appearance of the cup transport device. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the cup transport device, FIG. 7 is a right side view showing the internal structure of the cup transport device, and FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the cup transport device. 9 to 11 are diagrams showing a cup holding device constituting the cup transport device, in which FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the cup holding device, FIG. 10 is a side view showing the cup holding device, and FIG. It is a top view which shows a cup holding | maintenance apparatus.

  The cup conveying device 40 described here rotates around an axis, and puts the cup from the cup supply position to the hot beverage pouring position, or from the cup supply position to the cold beverage supply position via the ice supply position. After transporting, the cup is transported to the cup removal position (cup supply position).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cup transport device 40 includes a transport device main body 41 and a cup holding device 50. The transport device main body 41 constitutes a frame (frame body) of the cup transport device 40, and houses a drive component that drives the cup transport device 40 and a drive component that drives the cup holding device 50. .

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the drive component that drives the cup transport device 40 rotates the cup transport device 40 to move the cup from the cup supply position to the hot beverage pouring position or from the cup supply position to ice. The cup is transported to the cold beverage dispensing position through the supply position, and is attached to the main body cabinet 1 and rotatably supports the cup transport device 40, and a fixed gear 43 fixed to the shaft 42. And a drive gear 45 that is fixed to the output shaft of the drive motor 44 that drives the cup conveying device 40 and meshes with the fixed gear 43. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a disc 46 provided with a notch is attached to the shaft 42, and the cup transport device 40 is detected by an origin detection sensor 47 (for example, a photo interrupter) attached to the transport device body 41. The origin (cup supply position) is detected. The drive motor 44 is, for example, a pulse motor typified by a stepping motor, and rotates from a cup supply position to a hot beverage dispensing position or a cup supply position by rotating it by a predetermined pulse in a predetermined direction after detecting the origin. The cup is moved from the ice supply position to the cold beverage dispensing position.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the cup holding device 50 includes a cup cradle 51 and a pair of cup flappers 61. The cup cradle 51 is attached to the transport device main body 41 so as to be movable up and down, and is moved up and down by a drive component that drives the cup cradle 51.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the cup cradle 51 is provided in a row with a pedestal 511, a base 512 erected on the pedestal, and a pedestal arm 513 extending from the base 512 to the back. It has the holder part 514 which supports 51 so that raising / lowering is possible. The base part 511 is a part that receives the cup supplied from the cup supply device 11, and is provided with a plurality of rectangular holes to form a lattice. The base 512 has a V-shape in a plan view, and is formed so as to gradually become thinner from the base 511 upward. On both sides of the base arm portion 513, protrusions 515 that are trapezoidal in a front view are formed. The holder portion 514 is provided with a sliding recess having a rectangular shape in plan view, and is guided by a plate-like body (not shown) extending in the vertical direction so that the cup cradle 51 is raised and lowered. In addition, the drive unit 52 is fitted and fixed in the sliding recess of the holder unit 514. A guide portion 521 protrudes from the upper surface of the drive portion 52. The guide portion 521 has a shape in which two columns are continuously provided, and a shaft hole through which a shaft 53 that supports the cup cradle 51 to be movable up and down is formed on one side, and the cup cradle 51 is lifted and lowered. A feed screw (female screw) with which the feed screw 54 is screwed is formed on the other side.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the driving component for driving the cup holding device 50 is inserted into a shaft hole formed in the driving unit 52, and a shaft 53 that supports the cup cradle 51 to be movable up and down, and the driving unit. The feed screw (female screw) formed on 52 is screwed into a feed screw (female screw) that raises the cup holder 51 when rotated clockwise and lowers the cup holder when rotated counterclockwise. Male screw) 54, a driven gear 55 fixed to the upper end of the feed screw 54, a drive gear 57 fixed to the output shaft of the drive motor 56 that drives the cup pedestal 51, a drive gear 57 and a driven gear 55 And an idler gear 58 that meshes with the drive gear 57 and also meshes with the driven gear 55.

  Further, the driving unit 52 is provided with a protrusion 522 (see FIG. 9), and the origin (small size) of the cup cradle 51 is detected by an origin detection sensor 59 (for example, a photo interrupter) attached to the transport apparatus body 41. It is designed to detect the cup cup position). The drive motor 56 is, for example, a pulse motor typified by a stepping motor. The drive motor 56 is rotated by a predetermined pulse in a predetermined direction after detecting the origin so that the cup cradle 51 is lowered to a position suitable for the cup size. It has become.

  The pair of cup flappers 61 are attached to the transport apparatus main body 41 so as to be openable and closable, and are closed by an elastic restoring force of a spring (compression coil spring) 62 provided between the transport apparatus main body 41 and the cup flapper 61.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the left cup flapper 61L includes a shaft portion 61L1, a gear portion 61L2 provided at the upper end of the shaft portion 61L1, a flapper arm portion 61L3 extending forward slightly from the middle of the shaft portion 61L1, The cup gripper 61L4 is connected to the flapper arm 61L3 and is formed so as to form a semi-cylindrical shape with a sunk lower side. The cup gripper 61L4 is connected to the cup gripper 61L4 and extends obliquely leftward and forward. It has a flapper 61L5.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 11, the right cup flapper 61R includes a shaft portion 61R1, a gear portion 61R2 provided at the upper end of the shaft portion 61R1, and a flapper arm that extends forward from the middle of the shaft portion 61R1. 61R3 and flapper arm portion 61R3 are provided continuously to cup gripping portion 61R4 and cup gripping portion 61R4 which are formed so as to form a semi-cylindrical shape where the lower side is squeezed. In addition to the extending flapper portion 61R5, it has a spring acting portion 61R6 extending in the opposite direction to the gear portion 61R2.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the shaft portion 61L1 of the left cup flapper 61L and the shaft portion 61R1 of the right cup flapper 61R are rotatably supported by the transport device body 41, and the gear portions 61L2 and 61R2 are mutually connected. Is engaged. Therefore, when the left cup flapper 61L is opened (rotated clockwise in FIG. 11), the right cup flapper 61R is also opened (rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 11), and the right cup flapper 61R is opened. Will open the left cup flapper 61L.

  A plurality of ribs 61L7 and 61R7 extending in the height direction are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cup gripper 61L4 of the left cup flapper 61L and the inner peripheral surface of the cup gripper 61L4 of the right cup flapper ( Two cup flappers 61 shown in FIG. 11 are provided. The ribs 61L7 and 61R7 support the cup supplied to the cup flapper 61 so that the inner peripheral surface of the cup gripping portions 61L4 and 61R4 does not touch the cup body. Even when a beverage adheres to the inner peripheral surfaces of 61L4 and 61R4, the cup is prevented from being stained.

  The spring action portion 61R6 of the right cup flapper 61R is a portion where the above-described spring 62 acts, and the spring 62 acts in a direction in which the cup flapper 61 is closed.

  In the cup-type beverage vending machine described above, when a selection button is pressed and a beverage to be sold is selected, a cup suitable for the beverage to be sold is unloaded from the cup supply device 11.

  Here, when the size of the cup to be carried out is large, by driving the drive motor 56, power is transmitted in the order of the drive gear 57, the idle gear 58, and the driven gear 55, and the feed screw 54 is rotated counterclockwise. Let When the feed screw 54 lowers the cup cradle 51, the protrusion 515 formed on the pedestal arm portion 513 of the cup cradle 51 presses the flapper arm portions 61L3 and 61R3 of the cup flapper 61, and the spring 62 is elastically restored. The cup flapper 61 is pushed open against the force (see FIG. 10-2).

  When the cup is unloaded from the cup supply device 11 to the cup shooter 19, the cup shooter 19 supplies the cup to a cup supply position (cup removal position) facing the take-out port.

  If the selected beverage is a hot beverage, the powder canister 13 is discharged from the powder canister 13 to the mixing ball 13b and the raw material for the hot beverage is discharged from the hot water tank 12 to the mixing ball 13b. Hot water is poured and the hot beverage is cooked (stirred).

  In parallel with this, the cup transport device 40 transports the cup from the cup supply position to the hot beverage dispensing position. When the cup is transported to the hot beverage dispensing position and the hot beverage is cooked in the mixing ball 13b, the hot beverage is poured into the cup via the hot beverage dispensing nozzle 31.

  And when a hot beverage is poured out into the cup from the mixing ball 13d, the cup transport device 40 transports the cup from the hot beverage dispensing position to the cup take-out position (cup supply position) and completes the sales.

  On the other hand, when the selected beverage is regular coffee, the coffee beans are dispensed from the bean canister 14 to the mill 14b, and after the coffee beans are ground, the coffee beans 15 are poured into the coffee brewer 15, and hot water is poured to extract regular coffee. To do. Then, the extracted regular coffee is sent to the mixing ball 13d, and sugar and cream are added if necessary. And after that, like a hot beverage, it will be poured into a cup and will be conveyed to a cup taking-out position.

  On the other hand, when the selected beverage is a cold beverage, the cup transport device 40 transports the cup from the cup supply position to the ice supply position. When the cup is transported to the ice supply position, ice is supplied from the ice maker 18 to the cup via the ice supply nozzle 38.

  When ice is supplied to the cup, the cup transport device 40 transports the cup from the ice supply position to the cold beverage dispensing position. When the cup is transported to the cold beverage supply position, cold water (carbonated water) is poured into the cup from the cold water coil (carbonator) via the cold water nozzle 32 (carbonated water nozzle 33) and the syrup via the syrup nozzle 34. Pour syrup from container into cup and mix (cook) in cup.

  And when a cold drink is poured into a cup, the cup conveyance apparatus 40 will convey a cup from a cold drink extraction position to a cup extraction position (cup supply position), and will complete sales.

  Even if the selected beverage is a cold beverage, it is not necessary to put ice in the cup at the ice supply position. When ice is not put into the cup, the cup transport device 40 transports the cup from the cup supply position to the cold beverage supply position without stopping.

  When the sale is completed, the user will take out the cup from the outlet 22, and at this time, if the flapper portions 61L5 and 61R5 of either one of the left and right cup flappers 61L and 61R are pushed open, both the left and right cup flappers 61L and 61R are opened.

  When the cup is taken out from the outlet 22, the drive motor 56 is driven until the origin detection sensor 59 detects the origin, whereby the power is transmitted in the order of the drive gear 57, the idle gear 58, and the driven gear 55. The screw 54 is rotated clockwise. Then, when the feed screw 54 raises the cup cradle 51, the protrusion 515 formed on the pedestal arm portion 513 of the cup cradle 51 comes off from the flapper arm portions 61L3 and 61R3 of the cup flapper 61, and the elastic restoring force of the spring 62 This closes the cup flapper 61 (see FIG. 10-1).

  According to the cup holding device 50 according to the above-described embodiment, when the cup carried out from the cup supply device 11 is large, the cup cradle 51 is lowered in the height direction of the cup and is necessary for receiving the cup. Secure space. At the same time, the protrusion 515 formed on the base arm portion 513 of the cup receiving base 51 presses the cup flapper 61 and the flapper arm portions 61L3 and 61R3 to push open the cup flapper 61. There is no.

It is a front view which shows the internal structure of a cup-type drink vending machine. It is a front view which shows the internal structure of a cup-type drink vending machine. It is a perspective view which shows arrangement | positioning of the nozzle which pours out a drink. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the nozzle which pours out a drink. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a cup conveyance apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the cup conveyance apparatus shown in FIG. It is a right view which shows the internal structure of the cup conveyance apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the internal structure of the cup conveyance apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the cup stand and cup flapper which comprise the cup holding | maintenance apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. It is a right view which shows the cup holder and cup flapper which comprise the cup holding | maintenance apparatus which is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The state when receiving a small size cup is shown. It is a right view which shows the cup holder and cup flapper which comprise the cup holding | maintenance apparatus which is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The state when receiving a large-sized cup is shown. It is a top view which shows the cup holder and cup flapper which comprise the cup holding | maintenance apparatus which is embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Cup supply apparatus 19 Cup shooter 22 Taking out port 40 Cup conveyance apparatus 41 Conveyance apparatus main body 42 Axis 43 Fixed gear 44 Drive motor 45 Drive gear 46 Disk 47 Origin detection sensor 50 Cup holding apparatus 51 Cup receiving table 511 Stand part 512 Base part 513 Base arm portion 514 Holder portion 515 Protrusion 52 Drive portion 521 Guide portion 522 Protrusion 53 Shaft 54 Feed screw 55 Driven gear 56 Drive motor 57 Drive gear 58 Free gear 59 Origin detection sensor 61L, 61R Cup flapper 61L1, 61R1 Shaft portion 61L2, 61R2 Gear part 61L3, 61R3 Flapper arm part 61L4, 61R4 Cup gripping part 61L5, 61R5 Flapper part 61R6 Spring action part 61L7, 61R7 Rib 62 Spring

Claims (3)

A pair of cup flappers that are supported so that the gear portions formed on the shaft portions mesh with each other and the cylindrical cup gripping portions are urged toward each other, and a cup that is received in the cup flapper In a cup holding device comprising a cup cradle for receiving
A cradle moving means for moving the cup cradle in the height direction of the cup to be received when receiving a large cup;
A cup holding device, comprising: a flapper widening means that is provided on the cup stand and pushes the cup flapper when the cup stand is moved in the height direction of the cup to be received.   The flapper expansion means is provided on the base arm part that supports the base part that receives the cup, and connects the cup gripper and the shaft part of the cup flapper when the cup base is moved in the height direction of the cup that receives the cup. The cup holding device according to claim 1, wherein the cup holding device is a protrusion that presses a flapper arm portion.   The cup holding device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of ribs are provided to support the cup received in the cup gripping portion of the cup flapper.

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