JP5372459B2 - Beverage production equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a beverage making apparatus achieving mixing and preparation of beverage according to property of beverage raw material and finished beverage. <P>SOLUTION: This beverage making apparatus 1 is configured to prepare beverage by mixing raw material and hot water using a mixer 20 in a mixing container 15. The apparatus includes a control device C for controlling the mixer 20. The mixer 20 includes the mixing motor 20M and a mixing blade 32 fitted to a rotating shaft 20A of the mixing motor and rotating in the mixing container 15. The control device C is capable of changing the rotating speed of the mixing motor 20M at least to a normal mode and to a low speed mode slower than the normal mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a beverage production apparatus that discharges while preparing a beverage by stirring a raw material such as a powder raw material and hot water with a stirring device in a stirring container.

  As a conventional beverage manufacturing apparatus, for example, there is an apparatus that manufactures a beverage by stirring and mixing powder materials such as coffee, sugar, milk, and hot water (for example, see Patent Document 1). FIG. 12 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional beverage manufacturing apparatus 100. For example, a conventional beverage manufacturing apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 12 is supplied from a raw material canister 102 that stores powder raw materials, a hot water tank 103 that stores hot water, and a powder raw material and hot water tank 103 that are supplied from the raw material canister 102. It is comprised from the stirring apparatus 101 etc. which stir the hot water and mix | blend a drink.

  The stirring device 101 has a stirring container 105 that stirs and mixes the powder raw material supplied from the raw material canister 102 via the chute 107 and the hot water supplied from the hot water tank 103. An unillustrated stirring blade and a valve blade are provided. Below the stirring vessel 105, a supply pipe 108 is provided for supplying a beverage prepared by stirring with a stirring blade or a valve blade to a cup or the like. The supply pipe 108 is opened / closed by the valve blade.

  When producing a beverage, the stirring motor is rotated to rotate the stirring blade and the valve blade, and the hot water electromagnetic valve 109 is opened to supply hot water stored in the hot water tank 103 to the stirring container 105. To do. Further, a predetermined amount of powder raw material is supplied from the raw material canister 102 into the stirring vessel 105. And the hot water and powder raw material which were supplied in the stirring container 105 by stirring rotation of a stirring blade and a valve blade are stirred, and a drink is prepared. After mixing, the rotation of the valve blade that had sealed the inside of the stirring vessel 105 was stopped during stirring, and the beverage was poured out from the supply pipe 108 into the cup or the like through the gap between the valve blade and the stirring vessel 105. .

Further, in such a beverage production apparatus, for example, when producing a beverage to be foamed such as a whipped cocoa beverage, a stirring blade, a valve blade, and the like directly from an air supply pipe and an inner surface of the stirring container 105 by a specially provided air pump During this period, air was discharged, whereby air was entrained in the beverage to form bubbles in the beverage and produce a foamed beverage. On the other hand, for example, when producing beverages that do not want to be foamed too much, such as coffee beverages, the operation of the air pump is stopped and the stirring blades and valve blades are rotated to produce beverages with less foaming. It was.
JP 2004-295470 A

  However, in such a beverage production apparatus, in order to produce a beverage to be foamed, the arrangement of the air pump and the shape of the stirring container must be made complicated, and the cost increases due to an increase in the number of parts. was there. Further, it is unavoidable that the beverage enters the air supply pipe connecting the air pump and the stirring container, and hot water used for cleaning the stirring container can be made to enter the air supply pipe, but the cleaning is effectively performed. It was difficult to do.

  Moreover, in the said drink manufacturing apparatus, since a drink was once stored in the stirring container, stirred and prepared, and then discharged from the supply pipe 108, bubbles easily remain on the inner wall of the stirring container 105, and the bubbles flow. Therefore, a large amount of rinse water (cleaning water) was necessary.

  Furthermore, in the above-described conventional beverage manufacturing apparatus, even if it is a light powder raw material that easily floats in hot water, after the hot water is supplied into the stirring container 105 or at the same time, the powder raw material is supplied into the stirring container 105. Even if the blades and valve blades are driven to rotate, the powder raw material floats on the hot water and is difficult to mix. Thereby, the drink of the state of poor mixing may be supplied.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the conventional technical problems, and provides a beverage production apparatus capable of realizing agitation and blending of beverages according to the properties of beverage ingredients and finished beverages.

The beverage production apparatus of the present invention discharges while preparing a beverage by stirring raw materials and hot water in a stirring container with a stirring device, and includes a control device that controls the stirring device. The stirring motor is composed of a stirring motor and a stirring blade attached to the rotating shaft of the stirring motor and rotating in the stirring container, and the control device sets the rotation speed of the stirring motor to at least a normal mode and a low speed mode slower than the normal mode. The control device puts a predetermined amount of raw material and hot water corresponding to the selected beverage into the stirring container, and stirs it with the stirring device at the stirring time and rotation speed corresponding to the selected beverage. After dispensing while preparing the beverage, the stirring motor is stopped, the amount of rinse water corresponding to the selected beverage is supplied into the stirring vessel, and the beverage adhering to the inner wall of the stirring vessel is washed away Characterized in that it out.

The beverage production apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned invention, the amount corresponding to one drink is selected by combining hot water and rinse water used for stirring with the raw material.

The beverage production apparatus of the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in each of the above inventions, the rinse water is supplied into the stirring container while forming a swirling flow.

  According to the present invention, in the beverage manufacturing apparatus that dispenses while preparing the beverage by stirring the raw material and hot water in the stirring container with the stirring device, the control device that controls the stirring device is provided. And a stirring blade attached to the rotating shaft of the stirring motor and rotating in the stirring container, and the control device can change the rotation speed of the stirring motor at least between the normal mode and the low speed mode slower than the normal mode. Therefore, even if the raw material and hot water are stored in the stirring vessel and stirred and then discharged, the raw material and hot water are supplied into the stirring vessel and the beverage is discharged while being stirred. Even if it exists, it becomes possible to implement | achieve stirring according to the property of a drink.

  Thereby, for example, whether it is a beverage that is desired to be foamed or a beverage that is not desired to be foamed, it is possible to manufacture the beverage according to the nature of the beverage to be provided. Thereby, the quality of a drink can be improved and can be provided.

In particular, the control device puts a predetermined amount of raw material and hot water corresponding to the selected beverage into the stirring container, and mixes the beverage by stirring with the stirring device at the stirring time and the rotational speed corresponding to the selected beverage. After discharging, the agitation motor is stopped, an amount of rinsing water corresponding to the selected beverage is supplied into the agitation container, and the beverage adhering to the inner wall of the agitation container is discharged while being washed away. Therefore, it becomes possible to wash away the foam of the beverage adhering to the inner wall of the stirring container at the time of beverage preparation.

In this case, since the hot water used for stirring with the raw material and the rinsing hot water are combined as in the second aspect of the invention, the amount is equivalent to that of a selected beverage. While rinsing the inner wall, it is possible to provide a full drink prepared at an appropriate ratio without any trouble.

Furthermore, if the rinse water is supplied into the stirring vessel while forming a swirling flow as in the invention of claim 3, the beverage adhering to the inner wall of the stirring vessel can be effectively washed away. is there.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a front view of a beverage production apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The beverage production apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a powder beverage production unit 1A constituting the beverage production apparatus of the present invention and a coffee beverage production unit (not shown) that extracts coffee liquid from ground beans in the main body 6. .

  The front surface of the main body 6 is provided with a discharge portion 15B that constitutes a beverage pouring nozzle that discharges the beverage poured out from the powdered beverage manufacturing unit 1A and the coffee beverage manufacturing unit, and a hot water nozzle 2 that discharges only hot water. . Below these discharge parts 15B and the nozzles 2, a container support 7 for placing a container such as a cup for receiving the poured out beverage is provided. A cup sensor 12 for detecting the presence or absence of a container such as a cup is provided on both sides of the main body 6 located below the discharge unit 15B and the nozzle 2 and above the container support 7.

  The front surface of the main body 6 is closed by a front door 4 so as to be freely opened and closed. On the front surface of the front door 4, a plurality of beverage selection buttons 5 for selecting the type of beverage to be discharged and hot water for discharging only hot water. A selection button 10 is provided.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 provided on the front upper portion of the front door 4 is a display unit provided with a sellable lamp 11 </ b> A, an inspection lamp 11 </ b> B, and the like, and 9 is a bean storage container constituting the coffee beverage manufacturing unit. It is.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 2 thru | or FIG. 7, the structure of the powdered drink manufacturing part 1A is demonstrated. 2 is a block diagram of the powdered beverage manufacturing unit 1A, FIG. 3 is a front view of the powdered beverage manufacturing unit 1A excluding the hot water tank, FIG. 4 is a front view of the stirring container 15, chute 18 and exhaust cap 19, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

  The powdered beverage manufacturing unit 1A in the present embodiment is a beverage manufacturing apparatus that mixes a powder raw material such as coffee, cocoa, milk, sugar, and hot water supplied in the stirring container 15 and prepares a beverage. This powder beverage manufacturing unit 1A includes a raw material canister 16 for storing a powder raw material used as a raw material of the beverage, a hot water tank 17, a stirring container 15, and a stirring device 20.

  The raw material canister 16 is used for filling and storing powder raw materials, and includes a powder filling port that opens upward and a discharge portion 16A that is formed in the lower part of the front surface. The powder filling port is closed by the lid 16B so as to be freely opened and closed. Further, in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the raw material canister 16, it is not shown from the back to the discharge portion 16 </ b> A (in this embodiment, since the discharge portion 16 </ b> A is formed in the lower front portion of the raw material canister 16, before and after the raw material canister 16). The powder discharge mechanism is extended.

  In the powder discharge mechanism, for example, rotating blades are provided in a spiral shape around the rotation shaft, and the front end of the rotation shaft is disposed facing the discharge portion 16A. The canister motor 16M that rotationally drives the rotating shaft drives the powder discharging mechanism to rotate about the rotating shaft, and the raw material powder filled between the rotary blades is sequentially supplied to the discharging unit 16A. Sent out. The canister motor 16M is assumed to be driven and controlled by a control device C described later in detail.

  In the drawing, 16C provided on the lower side surface of the raw material canister 16 is an optical sensor (powder raw material sold-out detecting means) for detecting the sold-out of the powder raw material filled and stored in the raw material canister 16.

  A chute 18 for appropriately guiding the powder raw material discharged from the canister 16 to the stirring vessel 15 through the exhaust cap 19 is connected to the discharge portion 16A of the raw material canister 16.

  The exhaust cap 19 is formed of a substantially cylindrical member that opens up and down, and a fitting portion 19B (see FIG. 6) for inserting and fitting the discharge portion 16A of the raw material canister 16 is formed at the upper end portion. Has been. Further, in the present embodiment, an exhaust portion 19A that opens rearward is formed on the side surface of the exhaust cap 19 at a position that is biased to one side from the substantially center of the cross section, as shown in FIG. One end of a duct member 21 having an exhaust duct is connected to the exhaust portion 19A. The other end of the duct member 21 is connected to a lower duct member 24 provided with an exhaust blower fan (exhaust means) 22 and a filter 23.

  The chute 18 is composed of a substantially cylindrical member that opens up and down, and a fitting portion 18A into which the lower end of the exhaust cap 19 is inserted and fitted is formed at the upper end portion. The lower portion of the chute 18 has a funnel shape that becomes narrower as it goes downward, and the lower end portion of the discharge portion 18B is inclined toward one side (rear lower portion in the present embodiment) (see FIG. 6). Is formed.

  Further, a hot water introduction portion 18 </ b> C for introducing hot water supplied from the hot water tank 17 is formed on the side surface of the chute 18. This hot water introducing portion 18C is a side surface of the chute 18, and is formed so as to be biased to the left or right of the center as shown in the sectional view of FIG. ing. The end face opening of the hot water introducing portion 18C is formed to open toward the rear where the hot water tank 17 is provided.

  The hot water tank 17 for supplying hot water to the chute 18 is a tank capable of storing several liters of drinking water, and the water stored in the hot water tank 17 is heated and kept at, for example, + 94 ° C. to + 97 ° C. An electric heater (heating means) 25 and a water level switch 27 (water level detection means; only FIG. 8 is shown) are provided. The hot water tank 17 is also provided with a hot metal temperature sensor (hot water temperature detecting means) 26 for detecting the temperature of hot water in the hot water tank 17 and an unshown bimetal thermostat for preventing hot water. Based on the temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 26, the controller C energizes the electric heater 25 when the temperature of the stored water decreases to + 94 ° C., and cuts off the energization when it rises to + 97 ° C.

  Further, the water level switch 27 is provided with a low water level at a full water level and a position where a predetermined water level is lowered from the full water level, and the control device C supplies water when the water level switch 27 detects a low water level. Control is performed to open the valve 28 (only FIG. 8 is shown) and close it when a full water level is detected.

  The hot water tank 17 is connected with a hot water supply pipe 30 provided with a hot water solenoid valve 29, and the other end of the hot water supply pipe 30 is connected with the hot water introducing portion 18 </ b> C of the chute 18 as described above. .

  Next, with reference to FIG.6 and FIG.7, the structure of the stirring container 15 and the stirring apparatus 20 is demonstrated. The stirring container 15 is used to prepare a beverage by stirring the powder raw material supplied from the raw material canister 16 and hot water supplied from the hot water tank 17 with the stirring device 20, and has a predetermined volume. It has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape.

  The stirring device 20 includes a stirring motor 20M and a stirring blade 32 that is attached to the rotating shaft 20A of the stirring motor 20M and rotates in the stirring container 15. The agitation motor 20M is housed and mounted in a motor housing 33 that is positioned at the upper front of the lower duct member 24 and is inclined toward the front upper side. In this embodiment, the agitation motor 20M is shown in FIG. The rotating shaft 20 </ b> A is attached to the stirring motor 20 </ b> M via the motor connecting member 34, and the stirring container 15 is attached to the motor housing 33 via the attachment member 36 attached to the stirring container 15.

  Here, the agitation motor 20M is disposed such that the rotation shaft 20A is inclined with respect to the horizontal and the agitation motor 20M is above the agitation blade 32 attached to the end of the rotation shaft 20A. Installed inside.

  On the other hand, the stirring blade 32 in the present embodiment is located on the stirring motor 20M side, and has a truncated cone base 32A that is tapered toward the bottom surface of the stirring container 15, and the bottom surface of the stirring container 15 of the base 32A. A cylindrical stirring part 32B formed from the end face on the side toward the bottom side is integrally formed. Then, around the end of the base 32A on the side of the stirring motor 20M, a flange 32C is formed that is close to the inner surface of the stirring container 15 while ensuring a predetermined clearance. In addition, a plurality of irregularities are formed on the side surface of the stirring portion 32 </ b> B of the stirring blade 32. In this embodiment, the stirring blade 32 is configured by integrally forming a truncated cone-shaped base 32A and a cylindrical stirring portion 32B, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the whole may have a cylindrical shape such as a cylinder, a square tube, or a truncated cone.

  The agitation container 15 is fixed to the motor housing 33 or the agitation container 15 (or the attachment member 36) with the cylindrical upper surface opening abutting against the lower surface of the attachment member 36 so as to include the agitation blade 32. The members 34 and 34 are detachably fixed.

  An introduction portion 15A, into which the discharge portion 18B of the chute 18 is inserted and fitted, is formed on the cylindrical side surface of the stirring vessel 15 at a position that becomes the front upper portion when attached. As shown in FIG. 7, the introduction portion 15 </ b> A is located above a position biased toward the rotation direction of the stirring blade 32 (shown by a solid arrow in FIG. 7) with respect to the axis of the rotating shaft 20 </ b> A of the stirring device 20. Is located. At this time, the side surface of the stirring part 32B of the stirring blade 32 is configured to face the vertically lower side of the introduction part 15A as indicated by a dotted line in FIG.

  In addition, a discharge portion (discharge port) 15B for discharging a beverage prepared in the stirring container 15 is formed at a position which is a cylindrical bottom surface of the stirring container 15 and is a rear lower portion when attached. Yes. The discharge part 15B is formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle from the lower rear part of the stirring container 15 toward the front lower part in order to discharge the beverage prepared in the stirring container 15 to the front lower part.

  Further, the flow of the beverage is suppressed in the vicinity of the discharge port 15C of the discharge portion 15B formed on the cylindrical bottom surface of the stirring vessel 15, that is, in the direction in which the beverage in the stirring vessel 15 flows by the rotation of the stirring blade 32. And the protrusion wall 15D which promotes discharge | emission of a drink from the discharge outlet 15C formed in the near side is formed.

  Next, with reference to the electric block diagram of the control apparatus C of FIG. 8, the control apparatus C of the powdered beverage manufacturing part 1A in a present Example is demonstrated. The control device C is composed of a general-purpose microcomputer and incorporates a timer 35 as a time limit device and a memory 39 as storage means. On the input side of the control device C, the beverage selection button 5..., The hot water selection button 10, the control panel 40 for performing various settings, the water level switch 27, the hot water temperature sensor 26, the cup sensor 12, the optical sensor 16 C, etc. Is connected. In the control panel 40, it is possible to set the amount of raw material, the amount of hot water, the hot water delay time, the stirring time, the amount of rinse water to be described later, the end delay time, and the like for each beverage to be manufactured. The amount of raw material, amount of hot water, amount of hot water for rinsing, etc. may be controlled based on what is detected by a flow meter or the like, but in this embodiment, the opening time of the hot water solenoid valve 29 calculated in advance and the canister motor 16M It is assumed that it is controlled by the driving time of

  Further, on the output side of the control device C, a canister motor 16M, an agitation motor 20M, a blower fan motor 22M, a displayable lamp 11A of the display unit 11, an inspection lamp 11B, a hot water solenoid valve 29, an electric heater 25, a water supply valve 28, etc. Is connected. The stirring motor 20M is connected via a rotation control circuit 38 in order to make the rotation speed variable.

  With the above configuration, the operation of the powdered beverage manufacturing unit 1A in the present embodiment will be described. The powder beverage manufacturing unit 1 </ b> A in the present embodiment can set the operation mode to a plurality of modes by the control panel 40. In the present embodiment, there are a normal operation mode for producing and selling beverages for each cup, and a multiple selling mode for producing and selling beverages for a plurality of cups based on one beverage selling operation. In each operation mode, it is possible to set a low-speed mode in which the beverage is stirred at a slower stirring speed than in the normal operation mode depending on the type of beverage. In addition to this, it is possible to set a raw material advance mode for producing an appropriate beverage by using a powder raw material that easily floats in hot water.

  First, the normal operation mode will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In addition, in the memory 39 of the control device C, the beverage is agitated in advance at a normal rotation speed (normal mode) or at a slower agitation speed (low speed mode) depending on the type of beverage. It is assumed that it is stored. For example, for beverages that are desirable to be served in a more finely whipped state, such as espresso coffee drinks or whipped cocoa drinks, it is remembered that the normal mode is set, and foaming such as American coffee drinks is stored. For beverages that are desired to be served in a non-contained state, it is assumed that the low speed mode is stored.

  First, the operator places a container for receiving a drink on the container support 7 positioned below the discharge unit 15B. At this time, based on the detection output of the cup sensor 12, the control device C assumes that the container is installed and is in a state in which the beverage can be sold, and the beverage selection button 5 corresponding to the type of beverage The operation of is allowed. In addition to this, the control device C turns on the sale enable lamp 11A of the display unit 11B based on the temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 26 and allows the sale of beverages. . If the condition is not satisfied, the control device C turns off the sale enable lamp 11B and invalidates the operation of the various selection buttons 5 and 10 for instructing beverage production.

  When the beverage selection button 5 corresponding to the type of beverage to be manufactured is operated in a state where the sale of the beverage is permitted, the control device C receives the sales start signal based on the operation of the selection button 5, Started manufacturing beverages.

  The control device C drives the canister motor 16M of the powder discharge mechanism of the raw material canister 16 filled with the powder raw material for a predetermined time, and the amount of the powder raw material in the raw material canister 16 corresponding to one drink from the discharge part 16A (place (Quantitative) only. The powder raw material discharged from the raw material canister 16 is supplied into the stirring container 15 through the exhaust cap 19 and the chute 18 from the discharge portion 16A.

  At this time, the introduction portion 15A of the stirring container 15 is formed so that the side surface of the stirring portion 32B of the stirring blade 32 faces vertically below the introduction portion 15A. Through the introduction part 15A of the stirring container 15, the powder raw material supplied by natural fall from above can be directly placed on the side surface of the stirring part 32B of the stirring blade 32 in the stirring container 15, and is placed on the introduction part 15A. Thus, the inconvenience of clogging the powder raw material can be suppressed.

  The control device C opens the hot water solenoid valve 29 for a predetermined time simultaneously with the start of driving of the canister motor 16M, or at the same time, and supplies hot water in the hot water tank 17 via the hot water supply pipe 30 to the hot water introduction portion of the chute 18. A predetermined amount is discharged from 18C (in the present embodiment, an amount obtained by subtracting an amount necessary for rinse water described later from an amount corresponding to one drink). Hot water supplied through the hot water supply pipe 30 is supplied into the stirring container 15 through the chute 18.

  Here, as described above, the hot water introducing portion 18C formed on the chute 18 is a side surface of the chute 18 and is inclined to the left or right rather than the center, and is inclined lower from the upper limit to the lower limit. Is formed. Therefore, the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe 30 is supplied into the stirring container 15 while forming a swirling flow along the inner wall surface of the chute 18 by the hot water introducing portion 18C.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the powder material passing through the chute 18 from adhering to the inner wall of the chute 18 at the same time, and to wash the powder material adhering to the stirring vessel 15 while washing the adhering powder material. Can be supplied. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the hot water chute actually closes the passage end time of the powder material chute 18 so that the hot water solenoid valve 29 closes after the drive end time of the canister motor 16M. It is assumed that the passage end time in 18 is designed to be delayed. This also makes it possible to effectively suppress the disadvantage that the powder raw material remains on the inner wall of the chute 18. By setting it as such a structure, it becomes possible to discharge the drink prepared by the appropriate ratio.

Further, the control device C starts to drive the stirring motor 20M of the stirring device 20 at the same time or at the same time as the driving start time of the canister motor 16M and the opening start time of the hot water electromagnetic valve 29.
As a result, as described above, the powdered raw material and hot water supplied into the stirring container 15 are mixed by stirring and mixing by the stirring blade 32 that is rotationally driven by the stirring motor 20M.

  At this time, the introduction portion 15A for introducing the powder raw material and hot water into the stirring vessel 15 is located above the position biased toward the rotation direction of the stirring blade 32 from the axis of the rotating shaft 20A of the stirring device 20. Therefore, the powder raw material or hot water introduced from the introduction part 15A can be introduced from above the position biased to the rotational direction side just above the stirring blade 32 (rotating shaft 20A) where the rotating material rotates. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the rebound of the powder material and the like caused by being introduced from directly above the rotating stirring blade 32 (rotating shaft 20A), and it is possible to avoid a decrease in stirring efficiency due to this. Thereby, in the stirring container 15, it becomes possible to mix | blend a powder raw material and hot water efficiently, and to mix | blend a drink appropriately.

  Further, since a plurality of irregularities are formed on the side surface of the stirring portion 32B of the stirring blade 32, the stirring efficiency with the air in the stirring container 15 can be improved, and a beverage with good foaming can be produced. it can.

  Then, the beverage prepared in the stirring container 15 is formed in the direction in which the beverage flows by the rotation of the stirring blade 32, and via the discharge port 15C formed at the rear lower portion of the stirring container 15 while preparing the beverage by stirring. Thus, the beverage can be discharged into the container from the discharge portion 15B.

  At this time, since the protruding wall 15D is formed in the direction in which the beverage flows due to the rotation of the stirring blade 32 of the discharge port 15C, the beverage agitated in the stirring container 15 collides with the protruding wall 15D, thereby smoothly It becomes possible to discharge the beverage from the discharge port 15C.

  Therefore, it is possible to efficiently discharge the beverage prepared from the discharge port 15C while stirring the beverage in the stirring container 15, and to shorten the time required for manufacturing and discharging a full drink. Become. Therefore, smooth beverage sales can be realized.

  At this time, as described above, whether the normal mode or the low speed mode is set in advance for each beverage selected by the beverage selection button 5 is stored in the memory 39 of the control device C. Therefore, the control device C drives and controls the stirring motor 20M by the rotation control circuit 38 in a mode corresponding to the selected beverage.

  That is, for a beverage that is desired to be provided in a more finely foamed state, such as an espresso coffee beverage or a whipped cocoa beverage, since it is stored as a normal mode, the rotation control circuit 38 performs a predetermined high-speed rotation. The stirring motor 20M is rotationally driven by a number. On the other hand, since it is memorized that the low-speed mode is stored for a beverage that is desirably served in a non-foamed state such as an American coffee beverage, the rotation control circuit 38 performs a predetermined low-speed rotation speed. The stirring motor 20M is driven to rotate.

  Thereby, for example, whether it is a beverage that is desired to be foamed or a beverage that is not desired to be foamed, it is possible to manufacture the beverage according to the nature of the beverage to be provided. Therefore, the quality of the beverage can be improved and provided. Agitation according to the nature of the beverage can be realized.

  Then, the control device C discharges the beverage from the discharge unit 15C while mixing the beverage by stirring for a predetermined time, and then stops the operation of the stirring motor 20M and opens the hot water electromagnetic valve 29 again for the predetermined time. Then, rinsing hot water (running hot water or rear hot water) is supplied into the stirring vessel 15 through the chute 18.

  At this time, as described above, the hot water introduction portion 18C formed on the chute 18 is a side surface of the chute 18 and is inclined to the left or right of the center, and is inclined lower from the upper side to the lower side. Thus, the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe 30 is supplied into the stirring vessel 15 while forming a swirling flow along the inner wall surface of the chute 18 by the hot water introducing portion 18C.

  Thereby, rinsing hot water can be supplied along the inner wall of the stirring container 15 where the stirring device 20 is stopped, and rinsing hot water is supplied into the container from the discharge portion 15B while washing the beverage adhering to the inner wall. can do. As a result, in the container, the amount of hot water corresponding to one drink can be supplied into the container together with the hot water used for stirring with the powder raw material described above, and prepared at an appropriate ratio. It can be supplied in a container as a beverage.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, after the rinsing water is supplied, the control device C ends the sale of the beverage after a predetermined end delay time required for the discharge of the beverage or the rinse water, that is, draining, and the next beverage Sales operations shall be permitted.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a method of dispensing while stirring to prepare a beverage is employed. Thus, as in the prior art, once the raw material and hot water are accumulated in the stirring vessel and stirred, the beverage is produced and discharged. Compared to the case, a large amount of beverage can be produced and discharged at a time. Therefore, it is not necessary to seal the stirring container, the powder raw material, and the hot water introducing portion with the gap between the stirring blades as in the conventional case, so that the passage can be widened, so that the beverage is a highly viscous beverage or a beverage containing a solid content. However, it is possible to manufacture and discharge beverages without any problem. Thereby, the kind of drink which can be supplied can be expanded.

  In the present embodiment, in this method, the rotation shaft 20A of the stirring device 20 is inclined with respect to the horizontal, and the stirring motor 20M is disposed above the stirring blade 32. While 20M is stopped, the risk of malfunction due to intrusion of water such as hot water and beverages into the stirring motor 20M is reduced.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, a flange 32C close to the inner surface of the stirring container 15 is formed around the end of the stirring blade 32 on the stirring motor 20M side, so that the stirring motor M is stopped by the hook 32C. It is possible to further suppress the inconvenience of water such as hot water and beverages entering the stirring motor 20M side. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the failure by a water | moisture content permeating into the stirring motor 20M can be made still lower.

  In addition, in the said Example, regarding the drink manufactured using the comparatively light powder raw material which floats easily in hot water, when the drink selection button 5 corresponding to the memory 39 of the control apparatus C is operated beforehand, raw material advance It is assumed that the mode is set to be executed.

  When the raw material advance mode is set, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 10, the control device C drives only the canister motor 16M for a predetermined time in advance according to the operation of the beverage selection button 5. That is, in the above-described embodiment, opening of the hot water solenoid valve 29 and driving of the stirring motor 20M are started at the same time as driving of the canister motor 16M. In such a case, after starting driving of the canister motor 16M, It is assumed that the hot water solenoid valve 29 is opened and the stirring motor 20M is started after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Thereby, the powder raw material supplied into the stirring container 15 through the exhaust cap 19 and the chute 18 prior to hot water by the drive of the canister motor 16M is placed on the stopped stirring blade 32. Thereafter, the supply of hot water and the rotational driving of the stirring blade 32 are started, so that the powder raw material can be supplied into the stirring vessel 15 very smoothly without clogging the powder raw material in the introduction portion 15A.

  Therefore, when the powder raw material is a kind of raw material that easily floats in hot water, by executing this mode, the powder raw material is supplied into the stirring vessel 15 first, and then hot water is supplied. It becomes possible to eliminate the lack of stirring caused by floating on the surface. Thereby, it becomes possible to implement | achieve sales of an appropriate drink by improving stirring performance.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, since the stirring blade 32 has a cylindrical shape, it is composed of a plurality of conventional blades even when the powder raw material is supplied before such hot water. Unlike the case, the powder raw material supplied into the stirring container 15 can be reliably received on the stirring blade 32 without dropping from the discharge part 15C as it is, and the subsequent stirring operation can be executed. Become. Therefore, it is possible to improve the stirring performance in such a method of discharging while stirring.

  The control device C drives the blower fan motor 22M for a predetermined time from the start of sales. As a result, moisture caused by hot water supplied into the stirring vessel 15 through the chute 18 and the exhaust cap 19 can be discharged to the outside through the exhaust portion 19 </ b> A formed in the exhaust cap 19 and the duct member 21. It becomes possible. Thereby, it becomes possible to maintain the dried state by discharging the moisture in the stirring container 15, the chute 18 and the exhaust cap 19, improving hygiene, and adhering the powder raw material to the chute 18 and the like. It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience.

  Next, the multiple sales mode will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In this multi-sale mode, a plurality of drinks are produced and sold based on a single beverage sales operation. A button operation provided on the control panel 40 or a continuous sale button (not shown) provided on the front door 4 is operated. It is set by doing. In the setting operation, the number of cups sold continuously can be set.

  First, the operator places a container for receiving a plurality of drinks, for example, a large-capacity cup or decanter on the container support 7 positioned below the discharge unit 15B. In addition, since the sales allowable operation | movement etc. of a drink are the same as the above, it abbreviate | omits.

  When the beverage selection button 5 corresponding to the type of beverage to be manufactured is operated in a state where the sale of the beverage is permitted, the control device C receives the sales start signal based on the operation of the selection button 5, Started manufacturing beverages.

  Similarly to the case of FIG. 9, the control device C drives the canister motor 16M of the powder discharge mechanism of the raw material canister 16 filled with the powder raw material for a predetermined time, and the powder raw material in the raw material canister 16 is discharged from the discharge portion 16A. Drain only the amount (predetermined amount) equivalent to one drink. The powder raw material discharged from the raw material canister 16 is supplied into the stirring container 15 through the chute 18 and the like.

  Further, the control device C opens the hot water solenoid valve 29 for a predetermined time simultaneously with the start of driving of the canister motor 16M or at the same time, and hot water in the hot water tank 17 is supplied to the hot water of the chute 18 via the hot water supply pipe 30. A predetermined amount (in this embodiment, an amount obtained by subtracting an amount required for rinsing hot water to be described later from an amount corresponding to one drink) is discharged from the introduction unit 18C. Hot water supplied through the hot water supply pipe 30 is supplied into the stirring container 15 through the chute 18.

Further, the control device C starts to drive the stirring motor 20M of the stirring device 20 at the same time or at the same time as the driving start time of the canister motor 16M and the opening start time of the hot water electromagnetic valve 29.
As a result, as described above, the powdered raw material and hot water supplied into the stirring container 15 are mixed by stirring and mixing by the stirring blade 32 that is rotationally driven by the stirring motor 20M.

  Then, the beverage prepared in the stirring container 15 is formed in the direction in which the beverage flows by the rotation of the stirring blade 32, and via the discharge port 15C formed at the rear lower portion of the stirring container 15 while preparing the beverage by stirring. Thus, the beverage is discharged into the container from the discharge portion 15B.

  In this case as well, as in the case of FIG. 9, the agitation motor 20M is driven and controlled depending on whether the normal mode or the low speed mode preset for each beverage selected by the beverage selection button 5.

  Then, the control device C discharges the beverage from the discharge unit 15B while mixing the beverage by stirring for a predetermined time, and then stops the operation of the stirring motor 20M and opens the hot water electromagnetic valve 29 again for the predetermined time. Then, rinse water is supplied into the stirring container 15 through the chute 18.

  Thereby, rinse water is supplied along the inner wall of the stirring container 15 in which the stirring device 20 is stopped, and rinse water is supplied into the container from the discharge part 15B while washing the beverage adhering to the inner wall. As a result, in the container, the amount of hot water corresponding to the amount of a drink is supplied into the container together with the hot water used for stirring with the powder raw material described above, and the amount for one cup prepared at an appropriate ratio A beverage is supplied into the container.

  Thereafter, the control device C manufactures the beverage as in the previous time and supplies it into the container on the condition that the end delay time has elapsed. In this case, the end delay time can be arbitrarily set in advance by the control panel 40. For example, when a set number of beverages are continuously supplied into the container, the end delay time is set to 0 seconds.

  Thus, hot water for continuously producing the next cup of beverage is supplied into the stirring container 15 through the chute 18 after the supply of rinse hot water is completed. At the same time or at the same time, a full amount of powder material is also supplied into the stirring vessel 15 when the canister motor 16M starts to be driven. Similarly, when the agitation motor 20M is driven to rotate, the next cup of beverage is agitated and mixed in the agitation container 15 and discharged from the discharge part 15B into the container. Also in this case, rinsing water is supplied.

  Thereafter, the control device C prepares a predetermined number of cups of beverage and discharges them into the container. Thereby, the control apparatus C supplies the predetermined amount of powder raw material and hot water in the stirring container 15, and stirs with the stirring apparatus 20, and mix | blends the drink for one cup, The number of cups set continuously By executing the continuous sales mode, the beverage can be continuously manufactured and sold with a single operation.

  Therefore, when a beverage is received in a decanter, a large-capacity cup, or the like, it is possible to sell a large amount of beverages continuously without performing an operation for instructing the sale of beverages a plurality of times, that is, an operation of the beverage selection button 5. It becomes possible. For this reason, during a busy hour, etc., a single sales instruction operation can be performed to store a plurality of drinks in a large-capacity container such as a decanter. It is also possible to perform other work away from the apparatus. Thereby, workability | operativity can be improved remarkably.

  In addition, as described above, it is possible to arbitrarily set the end delay time after the end of the discharge of a drink of beverage, that is, after the supply of rinse water. For example, a time obtained by adding a predetermined cup replacement time to the draining time in the above embodiment is set as the end delay time.

  Accordingly, by performing an operation to instruct a single beverage sale, it is possible to discharge a plurality of cups of the same type of beverage from the discharge unit 15B every predetermined time, for example, every few seconds. It is possible to perform an operation of exchanging a container such as a cup to be received at an end delay time provided each time the beverage dispensing (sales) operation is completed.

  As a result, it becomes possible to sell a plurality of cups of beverages continuously by operating a single sales instruction. Therefore, when installed in busy hours, for example, in offices, many beverages can be cupped at once. It is possible to improve the efficiency of workability at the time of pouring out to the like.

  In this embodiment, a powder raw material is used as a raw material for beverages, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a granular raw material, a gel-like raw material, a liquid raw material, or the like may be used. Further, in this example, hot water is used for mixing and stirring with the powder raw material, but is not limited thereto, and it is not limited to this, and cold water, milk, extracted coffee, extracted tea, If it is a liquid to be used, the same effect can be obtained.

It is a front view of a beverage manufacturing apparatus. It is a block diagram of a powdered drink manufacturing part. It is a front view of the powdered drink manufacturing part except a hot water tank. It is a front view of a stirring container, a chute, and an exhaust cap. FIG. 5 is a right side view of FIG. 4. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is an electrical block diagram of a control apparatus. It is a timing chart of normal operation mode. It is a timing chart of raw material advance mode. It is a timing chart of multiple sales mode. It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional drink manufacturing apparatus.

C Control device 1 Beverage production device 1A Powdered beverage production department (beverage production device)
4 Front door 5 Beverage selection button 6 Main body 7 Container support 10 Hot water selection button 15 Stirring container 15A Introducing section 15B Discharging section (discharging port)
16 Raw material canister 16A Discharge part 16C Optical sensor (powder raw material sold out detection means)
16M canister motor 17 hot water tank 18 chute 18A fitting part 18B discharge part 18C hot water introduction part 19 exhaust cap 19A exhaust part 19B fitting part 20 stirring device 20M stirring motor 20A rotating shaft 29 hot water solenoid valve 30 hot water supply piping 32 stirring blade 32A base Table 32B Stirrer 33 Motor housing 35 Timer 38 Inverter 39 Memory 40 Control panel

Claims (3)

In the beverage production apparatus for dispensing while preparing the beverage by stirring the raw material and hot water in the stirring container with the stirring device,
A control device for controlling the stirring device;
The stirring device includes a stirring motor and a stirring blade attached to a rotating shaft of the stirring motor and rotating in the stirring container.
The control device is capable of changing the number of rotations of the stirring motor to at least a normal mode and a low-speed mode slower than the normal mode ,
The control device puts a predetermined amount of raw material and hot water corresponding to the selected beverage into the stirring container, and mixes the beverage by stirring with the stirring device at the stirring time and the rotational speed corresponding to the selected beverage. After discharging, the agitating motor is stopped, an amount of rinse water corresponding to the selected beverage is supplied into the stirring vessel, and the beverage adhering to the inner wall of the stirring vessel is discharged while washing away A beverage production apparatus characterized by: The beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amount of hot water used for stirring with the raw material and the rinse water correspond to the amount of the selected beverage. The beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rinse water is supplied into the stirring vessel while forming a swirling flow.

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