JP6449733B2 - Beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing a beverage such as beer.

  As a device that pours beverages such as beer from the beverage container, the beverage container is accommodated in a larger holding container, and the beverage container and the beverage dispensing pipe are connected via a head attached to the mouth of the beverage container. Connected and configured to be able to dispense beverage by opening and closing the on-off valve provided on the outlet side of the beverage dispensing pipe with a lever-shaped operation member while applying pressure for dispensing to the beverage container A beverage dispensing apparatus is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 51799691

  In the beverage dispensing apparatus of the type described above, when the beverage container is attached to or detached from the holding container, the beverage may leak due to the pressure of the gas introduced into the beverage container. In order to prevent such leakage, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, when a beverage dispensing pipe is attached or detached, a beverage is provided by holding a shut-off valve provided at the outlet end of the beverage dispensing pipe closed. Prevents leakage. However, in a beverage dispensing apparatus of a type that introduces gas into a beverage container and pushes out the beverage with that pressure, there is a possibility that an undesirable liquid leakage may occur due to the pressure of the gas remaining in the beverage container.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispensing device capable of appropriately releasing pressure in a beverage container and suppressing or eliminating a risk of beverage leakage.

  The beverage dispensing apparatus (1) of the present invention comprises a storage chamber (4) in which a beverage container (3) can be taken in and out, a holding container (2) having a lid (6) for opening and closing the storage chamber, and the beverage container A gas introduction path (15a) for guiding a beverage dispensing gas into the beverage container and a beverage extraction path (15b) for removing the beverage from the beverage container are provided. A cap (15), a gas supply pipe (24) connected to a gas supply source, a beverage extraction pipe (18) connected to the beverage extraction passage of the cap, and a connection to the beverage extraction pipe An opening / closing valve (30), wherein the lid is provided with a joint portion (20) connected to the gas supply pipe, and at least one of the joint portion and the cap includes the lid When the valve is closed, the joint portion and the gas introduction path are hermetically sealed. When the lid is opened, the connection between the joint part and the gas introduction path is released so that the connection between the joint part and the gas introduction path is released and the gas introduction path is opened to the atmosphere. A flow path connecting means (23) for changing the state is provided.

  According to the beverage dispensing apparatus of the present invention, when the lid is closed, the joint portion and the gas introduction path are hermetically connected, whereby the gas from the gas supply source can be introduced into the beverage container. On the other hand, when the lid is opened, the connection between the joint portion and the gas introduction path is released, and accordingly, the gas introduction path is opened to the atmosphere. Therefore, the pressure in the beverage container can be released from the gas introduction path, thereby suppressing or eliminating the possibility of unwanted liquid leakage due to the pressure remaining in the beverage container.

  In one aspect of the beverage dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, as the flow path connecting means, the joint portion surrounds the opening on the inlet side of the gas introduction path when the lid is closed. A seal member (23) that is in close contact with the cap may be provided. In this aspect, when the lid is closed, the seal member comes into close contact with the cap, and the joint portion and the gas introduction path are hermetically connected. On the other hand, when the lid is opened, the seal member is separated from the cap together with the lid, and the gas introduction path is opened to the atmosphere.

  In another aspect of the beverage dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, as the flow path connecting means, an elastic material plug (50) provided on the cap so as to close the opening on the inlet side of the gas introduction path. ) And a needle (51) provided in the joint so as to penetrate the plug in accordance with the operation of closing the lid. In this aspect, when the lid is closed, the needle pierces and penetrates the plug, and the joint portion and the gas introduction path are hermetically connected. When the lid is opened, the needle comes out of the plug, and the gas introduction path is opened to the atmosphere through the hole in which the needle is opened.

  In one aspect of the beverage dispensing apparatus of the present invention, the holding container is provided with an operation mechanism (40) connected to the on-off valve so that the on-off valve can be opened and closed, and the cap, the beverage dispensing pipe And the opening / closing valve is detachable from the holding container together with the beverage container, and the opening / closing valve opens when the opening / closing valve is removed from the holding container by releasing the connection between the opening / closing valve and the operating mechanism. As described above, a connecting portion (32f, 48) between the on-off valve and the operation mechanism may be configured. According to this, since the on-off valve opens when the connection between the operation mechanism and the on-off valve is released and the on-off valve is removed, the pressure remaining on the beverage dispensing path such as the beverage supply pipe is passed through the on-off valve. Can escape properly.

  In the above aspect, the on-off valve is provided with a valve body (32) movable so as to open and close the internal flow path (31a) of the on-off valve, and the operating mechanism is connected to the valve body to A connecting portion between the on-off valve and the operating mechanism is configured to move a valve body, and a second connecting portion provided on the operating mechanism side with respect to a first connecting element (32f) provided on the valve body. The connecting element (48) is pushed in the moving direction of the valve body when the on-off valve is closed, so that the two connecting elements are connected to each other, and the second connecting element is the first connecting element. On the other hand, the connection of both the connecting elements may be released by being pulled out in the moving direction of the valve body when the on-off valve is opened. According to this, when pulling out the 2nd connection element from the 1st connection element, a valve element moves in the direction which opens an on-off valve. Accordingly, the opening / closing valve is opened when the connection between the operation mechanism and the opening / closing valve is released and the opening / closing valve is removed.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the lid is opened, the connection between the joint portion and the gas introduction path is released and the gas introduction path is opened to the atmosphere. It is possible to suppress or eliminate the possibility of undesired liquid leakage due to the escape from the gas introduction path and thereby the pressure remaining in the beverage container.

Sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the drink extraction apparatus which concerns on one form of this invention. The expanded sectional view of the part from the bottle of the drink extraction apparatus of FIG. 1 to the extraction part. The partially broken perspective view which shows the cap with which the opening part of a bottle is mounted | worn, and the structure of the circumference | surroundings. The disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a cap. The figure which shows the connection state of each component which comprises the drink extraction path | route from a down tube to an on-off valve. The perspective view which shows the structure from a bottle mouth part when opening a cover to an on-off valve. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state where the lid is somewhat opened from the state of FIG. 2. The figure which shows the inside of an on-off valve when a valve body moves to the position which stops pouring of a drink. The figure which shows the inside of the on-off valve when the valve body is moving to the position which pours out a drink. The figure which shows the inside of an on-off valve when the valve body is moving to the position which pours out foam. The expanded sectional view which shows the state which removed the operation mechanism with the cover closed. Sectional drawing which shows the modification of a flow-path connection means. The fragmentary broken perspective view which shows the mode of the cap in the modification of FIG. The figure which shows the inside of an on-off valve when the valve body moves to the position which stops the extraction | pouring of a drink in the on-off valve which concerns on a 1st modification. The figure which shows the inside of an on-off valve when the valve body is moving to the position which pours out a drink in the on-off valve which concerns on a 1st modification. The figure which shows the inside of an on-off valve when the valve body is moving to the position which pours out the foam in the on-off valve which concerns on a 1st modification. The figure which shows the inside of an on-off valve when a valve body moves to the position which stops the pouring of a drink in the on-off valve which concerns on a 2nd modification. The figure which shows the inside of an on-off valve when a valve body moves to the position which pours out a drink in the on-off valve which concerns on a 2nd modification. The figure which shows the inside of an on-off valve when the valve body moves to the position which pours out the foam in the on-off valve which concerns on a 2nd modification.

  Hereinafter, a beverage dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the beverage dispensing device 1 has a holding container 2. The holding container 2 includes a main body 5 including a storage chamber 4 that stores a bottle 3 as an example of a beverage container, and a lid 6 that opens and closes the storage chamber 4. The main body 5 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the lid 6 is formed in a shape that covers the upper surface side of the main body 5 and the center portion swells upward. The bottle 3 is a resin bottle filled with a carbonated beverage such as beer as an example. The bottle 3 is accommodated in the accommodating chamber 4 with its mouth 3a protruding somewhat upward from the accommodating chamber 4. In addition, since the gas for drink extraction is introduce | transduced into the inside, the bottle 3 needs to be equipped with the intensity | strength which can endure the gas pressure.

  The main body 5 is provided with a housing 7 and a cooling unit 8 that form the storage chamber 4. As an example, the cooling unit 8 includes a cooling source such as a Peltier element and a cooling fan for discharging the exhaust heat of the cooling source to the outside of the holding container 2. By receiving heat from the inside of the housing 7 by the cooling unit 8, the storage chamber 4 functions as a refrigerating chamber for cooling the beverage in the bottle 3. A jacket 9 made of a heat conductive material is provided between the housing 7 and the heat absorption side of the cooling unit 8, thereby enhancing the cooling effect of the storage chamber 4 by the cooling unit 8. Further, the main body 5 is provided with a gas supply unit (not shown) as a supply source of a beverage dispensing gas, for example, pressurized carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide). The gas supply unit is configured by combining a gas cylinder and a fluid control component such as a pressure reducing valve (or regulator) that adjusts the pressure of the gas extracted from the gas cylinder to an appropriate pressure.

  The lid 6 is attached to the rear side (right side in FIG. 1) of the main body 5 so as to be rotatable about the hinge shaft 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the holding container 2 is provided with a beverage dispensing portion 11 so as to protrude forward. The main body 5 is provided with a valve support portion 12 so as to form a lower wall portion of the pouring portion 11. On the other hand, a cover 13 is provided on the lid 6 so as to form wall portions on the upper side and the front side (left side in FIG. 1) of the extraction portion 11. The cover 13 moves upward as a part of the lid 6 when the accommodation chamber 4 is opened.

  The opening / closing range of the lid 6, that is, the angle at which the lid 6 can rotate around the hinge shaft 10 is limited to a range smaller than 90 ° from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 in the clockwise direction (the arrow CW direction in the figure). The reason is that if the lid 6 is opened at 90 ° or more, the center of gravity of the holding container 2 is biased toward the hinge shaft 10 and the holding container 2 may fall over. The main body 5 is provided with a damper 14. The damper 14 is provided to contact the lid 6 in the middle of closing the lid 6 and buffer its movement so that the lid 6 does not close suddenly. Further, a gas supply joint portion 20 is provided on the back surface side (the lower surface side in FIG. 1) of the lid 6, details of which will be described later.

  As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cap 15 is attached to the mouth 3 a of the bottle 3. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cap 15 has a ring-shaped base portion 15A and a swivel portion 15B fitted to the inner periphery of the base portion 15A so as to be relatively rotatable. The fitting portion between the base portion 15A and the swivel portion 15B is appropriately sealed so as not to cause gas leakage. The base portion 15 </ b> A is fixed to the bottle 3 by being screwed into the outer periphery of the mouth portion 3 a of the bottle 3. The swivel unit 15 </ b> B is provided with a gas introduction path 15 a for guiding the beverage dispensing gas into the bottle 3 and a beverage extraction path 15 b for taking out the beverage from the bottle 3. The gas introduction path 15a penetrates the cap 15 in the vertical direction at a position eccentric from the center of the swivel portion 15B, and its upper end opens on the upper surface of the swivel portion 15B. The beverage extraction path 15b protrudes downward from the swivel portion 15B and is connected to the down tube 16 in the bottle 3, and protrudes to the side of the swivel portion 15B and serves as a beverage dispensing pipe outside the bottle 3. The outflow port 15d connected to the extraction tube 18 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the opening portion of the gas introduction path 15 a is connected to the joint portion 20 when the lid 6 is closed. The joint portion 20 is attached to the main body portion 21 fixed to the lid 6, the connector portion 22 screwed into the main body portion 21 so as to communicate with the gas flow path 21 a of the main body portion 21, and the outlet side end portion of the connector portion 22. And a bellows 23 as a sealing member. As is clear from FIG. 3, a gas tube 24 as a gas supply pipe is connected to the main body portion 21. The gas tube 24 guides the gas sent from the gas supply unit to the gas flow path 21a. The bellows 23 is formed of rubber or other elastic material and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The lower end of the bellows 23 protrudes on the back side of the lid 6, and comes into close contact with the upper surface of the cap 15 when the lid 6 is closed. The bellows 23 is provided in close contact with the cap 15 so as to surround the gas introduction path 15 a on the upper surface of the cap 15. Therefore, when the lid 6 is closed, the gas tube 24 and the gas introduction path 15a are hermetically connected via the gas flow path 21a of the joint portion 20. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the lid 6 is opened, the connection between the joint portion 20 and the gas introduction path 15a is released, thereby opening the gas introduction path 15a to the atmosphere. By opening the gas introduction path 15a to the atmosphere, the gas pressure in the bottle 3 can be released to the atmosphere. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that an undesirable pressure remains in the bottle 3 when the lid 6 is removed from the storage chamber 4.

  As apparent from FIGS. 6 and 7, when the lid 6 is opened, the cap 15 attached to the bottle 3 and the dispensing tube 18 connected to the cap 15 are placed on the upper surface side of the main body 5 of the holding container 2. Exposed. As is apparent from FIG. 5, the opening / closing valve 30 is connected to the distal end side of the extraction tube 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the on-off valve 30 includes a valve case 31, a valve body 32 attached to an internal flow path 31 a (see FIGS. 8A to 8C) of the valve case 31, and an internal flow of the valve case 31. A valve cap 33 is mounted on the upper end of the valve case 31 so as to close the passage 31a. The valve case 31 is provided with an inflow port 34 connected to the extraction tube 18 so as to protrude to the side of the on-off valve 30. The inflow port 34 communicates with the internal flow path 31a. A valve seat 31b is formed in the internal channel 31a by narrowing the inner diameter. A hollow cylindrical outflow port 35 is formed at the tip of the valve seat 31b. Therefore, the valve seat 31b is located between both ports 34 and 35. The on-off valve 30 is mounted on the valve support 12 from above so that the inflow port 34 faces the cap 15 and the outflow port 35 protrudes below the valve support 12 of the main body 5. Thereby, the outflow port 35 functions as a beverage spout in the holding container 2.

  When the lid 6 is closed, the on-off valve 30 is covered with the cover 13, and when the lid 6 is opened, the on-off valve 30 is also the main body 5 of the holding container 2, like the extraction tube 18. (See FIG. 6). Therefore, when removing the bottle 3, the cap 15, the extraction tube 18, and the on-off valve 30 can be detached from the holding container 2 together with the bottle 3. Further, when the cap 15 is attached to the bottle 3 and these parts are attached to the holding container 2 in a state where the cap 15, the extraction tube 18 and the on-off valve 30 are connected to each other, the swivel portion 15B of the cap 15 is used. Is rotated with respect to the base portion 15A, the direction of the outflow port 15d of the cap 15, the extraction tube 18 and the inflow port 34 of the on-off valve 30 can be arranged in a line as shown in FIG. Therefore, the operability when the bottle 3 is attached is improved. In addition, the gas introduction path 15 a that is eccentric from the center of the cap 15 can be reliably aligned with the position of the bellows 23.

  As shown in detail in FIGS. 8A to 8C, the valve body 32 has a seal portion 32 a that can be in close contact with the valve seat 31 b and a spool that is movably fitted to the inner wall of the internal flow path 31 a of the valve case 31. A portion 32b and a stem portion 32c extending on the axis of the spool portion 32b are provided. By moving the valve body 32 along the internal flow path 31a, the valve body 32 can selectively take the three positions shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C. 8A, the seal portion 32a of the valve body 32 is in close contact with the valve seat 31b. In this case, the space between the inflow port 34 and the outflow port 35 is closed, so that the beverage cannot be dispensed. On the other hand, in the position of FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C, when the seal part 32a leaves | separates from the valve seat 31b, between the inflow port 34 and the outflow port 35 is connected via the internal flow path 31a. However, at the position shown in FIG. 8B, the entire spool portion 32b retreats upward from the joining portion of the inflow port 34 and the internal flow path 31a. That is, the spool portion 32 b moves backward from the flow path connecting both the ports 34 and 35. Therefore, a flow path having a relatively large cross-sectional area suitable for beverage dispensing is formed between the inflow port 34 and the outflow port 35. Therefore, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 8B, the beverage flowing from the inflow port 34 passes around the seal portion 32a and is smoothly guided to the outflow port 35.

  On the other hand, in the position of FIG. 8C, although the inflow port 34 and the outflow port 35 communicate with each other, the seal portion 32a is positioned in the vicinity of the valve seat 31b, and a gap between the seal portion 32a and the valve seat 31b is present. Being limited to be small enough, the gap functions as a substantial orifice. Therefore, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 8C, the beverage guided from the inflow port 34 is squeezed in the gap between the seal portion 32a and the valve seat 31b to generate beverage foam. Thereby, the foam of the beverage is poured out from the outflow port 35.

  Returning to FIG. 2, in order to move the valve body 32 between the positions of FIGS. 8A to 8C, the distal end portion of the stem portion 32 c of the valve body 32 protrudes from the valve cap 33, and a latching portion 32 f is formed at the protruding portion. It is formed (see also FIG. 5). The hooking portion 32f is provided by forming the tip portion of the stem portion 32c in a generally barrel shape, and the root portion is somewhat narrowed radially inward. The valve body 32 can be operated from the outside of the on-off valve 30 by grasping the latching portion 32f.

  The holding container 2 is provided with an operation mechanism 40 for moving the valve element 32 using the latching portion 32 f of the on-off valve 30. The operation mechanism 40 includes a lever 41 as an operation member, and a conversion mechanism 42 that converts the operation of the lever 41 into the operation of the valve body 32. The lever 41 has a substantially solid rod shape, and a screw hole 41a for connecting to the conversion mechanism 42 is formed at one end thereof. On the other hand, the conversion mechanism 42 is fitted with a connector 43 that can be attached to the screw hole 41a, a plunger 45 that is connected to the connector 43 and the pin 44 so as to be relatively rotatable, and the plunger 45 is movable in the axial direction. The guide 46 is provided. The guide 46 is attached to the cover 13 by being screwed to the outer periphery of a cylindrical portion 47 formed integrally with the cover 13 of the lid 6. The axial direction of the pin 44 is set to the left-right direction of the holding container 2 (direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 2). Therefore, the lever 41 can be operated so as to be tilted back and forth around the pin 44.

  In conjunction with the operation of the lever 41 in the front-rear direction, the plunger 45 moves up and down along the guide 46. That is, if the lever 41 is positioned at a position where it is in a straight line with the axis CL of the plunger 45 (hereinafter referred to as a neutral position) P0, the lever 41 is moved from the neutral position. The greater the tilt, the greater the plunger 45 moves upward. At the lower end portion of the plunger 45, a hook portion 48 that can mesh with the latching portion 32f of the valve body 32 is provided (see also FIG. 7). The hook portion 48 is formed in a claw shape that grips the narrowed portion at the base of the hook portion 32f. Therefore, when the hook portion 48 is pushed in from above the hook portion 32f, the hook portion 48 is elastically deformed outward and gets over the hook portion 32f. When the hook portion 48 that has passed over the latching portion 32f returns to the original state from the elastically deformed state, the valve body 32 and the plunger 45 are connected so as to be movable integrally in the axial direction of the valve body 32.

  On the other hand, when the hook portion 48 is pulled upward with respect to the latching portion 32f, the hook portion 48 gets over the latching portion 32f, and the connection between the hook portion 48 and the latching portion 32f is released. Therefore, the latching portion 32f and the hook portion 48 constitute a coupling portion between the on-off valve 30 and the operation mechanism 40. The latching portion 32f is a first coupling element on the valve body 32 side, and the hook portion 48 is the manipulation mechanism 40. It functions as a second connecting element on the side. A coil spring 49 is provided on the outer periphery of the plunger 45. The coil spring 49 is compressed as the plunger 45 moves upward, and applies a restoring force that pushes the plunger 45 back to the valve body 32 side. The restoring force also acts as a force for returning the lever 41 to the neutral position P0.

  The position of the lever 41 and the position of the valve body 32 are associated as follows. That is, when the lever 41 is in the neutral position P0, the valve body 32 is held at the position shown in FIG. 8A. Accordingly, neither beverage nor foam is poured out at the neutral position P0 of the lever 41. The neutral position P0 corresponds to the extraction stop position of the lever 41. On the other hand, when the lever 41 is tilted forward (leftward in FIG. 2) by the angle θ1 with respect to the neutral position P0, the valve body 32 moves to the position shown in FIG. 8B. Beverage can be dispensed at this position. Therefore, the position tilted forward by the angle θ1 corresponds to the beverage dispensing position P1 of the lever 41. On the other hand, when the lever 41 is tilted from the neutral position P0 in the direction opposite to the beverage dispensing position P1 by an angle θ2 (θ2 <θ1) smaller than the angle θ1, the valve body 32 moves to the position shown in FIG. 8C. At this position, foam can be poured out. Therefore, the position inclined backward by the angle θ2 corresponds to the bubble pouring position P2 of the lever 41.

  As is clear from the above, there is a relationship between the operation amount of the lever 41 and the movement amount of the valve body 32 that increases as the operation amount increases. Therefore, the movement amount (first movement amount) of the valve body 32 when the lever 41 is operated from the neutral position to the beverage dispensing position is the same as when the lever 41 is operated from the neutral position to the foam dispensing position. It is larger than the moving amount (second moving amount) of the valve body 32. Due to the difference in the amount of movement, the valve body 32 is moved until the spool section 32b is retracted from between the ports 34 and 35 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8C, the moved state and the state in which the valve body 32 is moved to such an extent that a narrow gap that functions as an orifice is formed between the seal portion 32a and the valve seat 31b are selectively generated. be able to. Further, the operating mechanism 40 is provided with a stopper (not shown) that restricts the operation of the lever 41 beyond the angles θ1 and θ2 so that the lever 41 cannot be operated beyond the positions P1 and P2. Further, a click mechanism that generates a click feeling when the lever 41 is operated at the beverage dispensing position P1 and the foam dispensing position P2 may be further provided.

  In the operation mechanism 40 described above, the direction when the hook portion 48 of the plunger 45 is pushed into the latching portion 32f of the valve body 32 or the hook portion 48 is pulled out from the latching portion 32f and the moving direction of the valve body 32 are approximately. Match. Moreover, the direction in which the hook portion 48 is pushed into the latching portion 32f is the moving direction during the closing operation of the valve body 32, and the direction in which the hook portion 48 is pulled out from the latching portion 32f is during the opening operation of the valve body 32. It corresponds to each moving direction. The operation mechanism 40 is attached to the cover 13 of the lid 6, and the cover 13 is opened as a part of the lid 6. Therefore, when the lid 6 is opened as shown in FIG. 7, the hook portion 48 moves so as to be pulled out with respect to the latching portion 32f, and accordingly, the valve body 32 moves upward, that is, in the moving direction during the opening operation. Gravitate. When the valve body 32 comes into contact with the valve cap 33, the valve body 32 can no longer be lifted, and the hook portion 48 gets over the latching portion 32 f of the valve body 32 to connect the latching portion 32 f and the hook portion 48. Is released. In this state, the valve body 32 is in a position shown in FIG. 8B or a position further retracted further upward. Therefore, the opening / closing valve 30 is opened when the lid 6 is opened. When opening the lid 6, the joint portion 20 is separated from the cap 15 and the gas introduction path 15 a is opened, so that the internal pressure of the bottle 3 is released, but in addition to this, the on-off valve 30 is forcibly opened. The residual pressure on the extraction path such as the extraction tube 18 can be released appropriately.

  Note that when the on-off valve 30 is removed from the holding container 2, it is essential to open the lid 6, but by removing the guide 46 of the operation mechanism 40 from the cover 13 prior to the operation of opening the lid 6, FIG. 9, the entire operation mechanism 40 can be detached from the holding container 2. Even in this case, the plunger 45 is lifted along with the removal of the guide 46, and the valve body 32 is attracted to the hook portion 48 and moved to a position where the on-off valve 30 is opened. Therefore, when the connection between the on-off valve 30 and the operation mechanism 40 is released and the on-off valve 30 is removed from the holding container 2, the on-off valve 30 can be opened to release the pressure regardless of the procedure.

  This invention is not limited to the form mentioned above, You may implement in the form to which various changes and deformation | transformation were given. For example, in the above embodiment, the bellows 23 is provided in the joint portion 20 as the flow passage connecting means. However, by providing the bellows 23 on the cap 15 side, the connection between the internal flow path of the joint portion 20 and the gas introduction passage 15a is performed. The state may be changed. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, as a flow path connecting means, a plug 50 made of an elastic material is disposed so as to close the opening on the inlet side of the gas introduction path 15 a of the cap 15, and the joint portion 20. Alternatively, a needle 51 that passes through the plug 50 and communicates with the inside of the bottle 3 in accordance with the operation of closing the lid 6 may be provided. Also in this example, when the lid 6 is closed, the joint portion 20 and the gas introduction path 15a are hermetically connected, and when the lid 6 is opened, the needle 51 comes out of the plug 50 and the joint portion 20 and the gas are connected. The connection with the introduction path 15a is released, whereby the gas introduction path 15a is opened to the atmosphere through the through hole from which the needle 51 has been removed. 10 and 11 may be used in combination with the bellows 23 shown in FIG.

  The beverage dispensing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the example in which the resin bottle 3 is used as a beverage container, and various beverage containers may be used. The beverage filled in the beverage container is not limited to beer and may be various carbonated beverages. Even in the case of a beverage that does not require the foam to be dispensed, by using the beverage dispensing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to properly release the pressure in the container when the beverage container is taken out and prevent the beverage from leaking.

  The configuration of the on-off valve 32 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the on-off valve 30A according to the first modification shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C can be used as a configuration for pouring out the foam of the beverage. In FIGS. 12A to 12C, the same reference numerals are given to the common parts with FIGS. 8A to 8C. In the on-off valve 30A, the spool portion 32b of the valve body 32 includes an annular groove 32d as a relay path extending over the entire circumference of the spool portion 32b, and an annular groove 32d on the outer peripheral surface of the spool portion 32b. A plurality of orifices 32e (only one is shown in the figure) extending toward the outflow port 35 are provided. The orifice 32e opens at the end on the outflow port 35 side of the spool portion 32b in a region on the outer peripheral side of the close contact position (closed position) between the seal portion 32a and the valve seat 31b. The cross-sectional area of each orifice 32e is set in a range suitable for the dispensing of beverage foam.

  By moving the valve body 32 along the internal flow path 31a, the valve body 32 can selectively take the three positions shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C. In the position of FIG. 12A, the seal portion 32a of the valve body 32 is in close contact with the valve seat 31b. In this case, the space between the inflow port 34 and the outflow port 35 is closed, so that the beverage cannot be dispensed. On the other hand, in the position of FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C, when the seal part 32a leaves | separates from the valve seat 31b, between the inflow port 34 and the outflow port 35 is connected via the internal flow path 31a. However, at the position shown in FIG. 12B, the entire spool portion 32b retreats upward from the joining portion of the inflow port 34 and the internal flow path 31a. That is, the spool portion 32 b moves backward from the flow path connecting both the ports 34 and 35. Therefore, a flow path having a relatively large cross-sectional area suitable for beverage dispensing is formed between the inflow port 34 and the outflow port 35. Therefore, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 12B, the beverage that flows in from the inflow port 34 passes smoothly around the seal portion 32 a and is smoothly guided to the outflow port 35.

  On the other hand, in the position of FIG. 12C, the spool portion 32b overlaps with the inflow port 34 and is located between the ports 34 and 35. At this time, the annular groove 32 d of the spool portion 32 b is connected to the inflow port 34. Further, in the region adjacent to the annular groove 32d in the axial direction of the valve body 32, the outer periphery of the spool portion 32b is in contact with the inner wall of the internal flow path 31a. Therefore, the inflow port 34 and the outflow port 35 are connected via the annular groove 32d and the orifice 32e. Therefore, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 12C, the beverage guided from the inflow port 34 flows into the outflow port 35 via the annular groove 32d and the orifice 32e in sequence. Bubbles are generated as the beverage passes through the orifice 32e, and the beverage bubbles are dispensed from the outflow port 35.

  The groove width (dimension in the axial direction) of the annular groove 32d of the valve body 32 is set so as to be reliably connected to the inflow port 34 even if a slight error occurs in the position of the valve body 32. Therefore, even if the position of the valve body 32 operated by the operation mechanism 40 is slightly deviated, the inflow port 34 and the orifice 32e can be reliably connected via the annular groove 32d at the bubble dispensing position. Further, when the lever 41 is operated to the foam dispensing position, the beverage passes through the orifice 32e having a predetermined cross-sectional area, and the flow path cross-sectional area may vary depending on the error in the stop position of the valve body 32. There is no. Therefore, it is possible to reliably generate bubbles of a certain quality.

  In the above modified example, the orifice 32e of the on-off valve 30 is formed in a groove shape that opens to the outer periphery of the spool portion 32b. However, the orifice 32e is in close contact with the annular groove 32d as a relay path and the valve seat 31b of the seal portion 32a. As long as it opens in the edge part of the spool part 32b in the area | region of the outer peripheral side, it may be formed in the through-hole shape which penetrates the spool part 32b. The on-off valve 30 has a so-called poppet type configuration in which the seal portion 32a of the valve body 32 is brought into close contact with the valve seat 31b from a direction substantially orthogonal to close between the inflow port 34 and the outflow port 35. A similar function can be realized even with a spool type on-off valve. For example, FIGS. 13A to 13C show an on-off valve 30B of a second modification in which the valve seat 31b of the valve case 31 is omitted and the outer peripheral surface of the spool portion 32b is also used as the seal portion 32a. In this case, when the lever 41 is in the neutral position, the inflow port 34 is closed by the seal portion 32a as shown in FIG. 13A, and when the lever 41 is in the beverage dispensing position, the spool portion 32b is shown in FIG. 13B. Is moved backward from the inflow port 34 to connect between the ports 34 and 35. When the lever 41 is in the bubble pouring position, the annular groove 32d is connected to the inflow port 34 as shown in FIG. 13C. , By guiding the beverage to the outflow port 35 via the orifice 32e, the valve body 32 is selectively moved to three positions in the same manner as the on-off valve 30A of FIGS. It is possible to switch between dispensing and stopping dispensing.

  The modes of the invention described below can be derived from the modes of the on-off valves 30A and 30B described above.

  That is, the beverage dispensing device (1) according to one aspect is movable so as to open and close between the valve case (31) provided with the inflow port (34) and the outflow port (35) of the beverage. On-off valve (30A, 30B) having a valve body (32) provided with an orifice (32e) mounted in the valve case in a state and capable of narrowing the flow of beverage from the inflow port toward the outflow port ), And an operation member (41) that can be switched between at least three positions of a pouring stop position (P0), a beverage pouring position (P1), and a foam pouring position (P2), An operation mechanism (40) for moving the valve body according to the position of the operation member, and when the operation member is in the extraction stop position, a position for closing between the inflow port and the outflow port (FIG. 12A; FIG. 13A When the operating member is operated from the pouring stop position to the beverage pouring position, the valve body is moved by a first movement amount from the closed position and the valve body is moved. The valve body is held in a position (FIG. 12B; FIG. 13B) that connects the inflow port and the outflow port. The position of the operating member and the position of the valve body are associated with each other so that the valve body is held at a position (FIG. 12C; FIG. 13C) where the second movement amount is smaller than the movement amount of the valve body. When the valve body moves to a position corresponding to the beverage dispensing position, both ports are connected without passing through the orifice, and the valve body moves to a position corresponding to the foam dispensing position. Through the orifice. Both ports Te in which is provided to be connected.

  According to the beverage dispensing apparatus according to the above aspect, when the operation member is operated from the dispensing position to the beverage dispensing position, the valve body moves by the first movement amount and the inflow port and the outflow port are connected. Thereby, the beverage is dispensed. On the other hand, when the operation member is operated from the extraction position to the bubble extraction position, the valve element moves by a second movement amount that is smaller than the first movement amount. In this case, the valve body is disposed at an intermediate position between a state in which the two ports are closed and a state in which the two ports are opened with a cross-sectional area suitable for dispensing the beverage. In this state, both ports are connected via an orifice provided in the valve body, so that the beverage is reliably squeezed through the orifice having a constant cross-sectional area, and foam of a certain quality is poured out. Since it is possible to change whether or not an orifice is interposed between both ports according to the position of the valve body, it is not necessary to incorporate a complicated mechanism in the opening / closing valve by combining a plurality of spools to make the flow path cross-sectional area variable. . Accordingly, it is possible to pour out bubbles of a certain quality while using an on-off valve having a relatively simple configuration.

  In one aspect of the beverage dispensing apparatus, the valve body is provided with a spool portion (32b) that is movably fitted along the inner wall of the valve case, and the spool portion is configured so that the valve body is When moved to a position corresponding to the beverage dispensing position, it moves to a position that opens between both ports, and when the valve element moves to a position corresponding to the foam dispensing position, it moves to a position that closes between both ports. The orifice may be provided in the spool portion so that the two ports can be connected when the valve body moves to a position corresponding to the bubble pouring position. According to this, when the operating member is operated to the bubble pouring position, the spool portion orifices are set to both spools by utilizing the state in which the spool portion is not completely retracted with respect to the flow path connecting both ports. Can be interposed between them.

  In the above aspect, the spool portion is provided with an annular groove (32d) so as to go around the outer periphery of the spool portion, and when the valve body moves to a position corresponding to the bubble pouring position, The position of the annular groove is determined such that the annular groove is connected to either the inflow port or the outflow port (34), and the orifice extends from the annular groove to the inflow port or the outflow port. It may be provided so as to extend toward one of the other ports (35). According to this, when the operating member is operated to the bubble dispensing position, the annular groove is connected to one port, so that one port is securely connected to the orifice, and both ports are connected via the orifice. Can be connected. Since there is no need to reduce the cross-sectional area of an annular groove like an orifice, an allowance is set in the groove width of the annular groove so that the annular groove and one port are securely connected even if an error occurs in the position of the valve body. can do.

  In the above aspect, a valve seat (31b) is provided in the valve case so as to be positioned between both ports, and the valve body is positioned at a position corresponding to the dispensing stop position. There is provided a seal portion (FIGS. 12A to 12C, 32a) that is in close contact with the valve seat and closes between both ports, and the orifice extends from the annular groove toward the other port, It may be provided so as to open to an end portion on the other port side of the spool portion in a region on the outer peripheral side with respect to a contact position between the seal portion and the valve seat. According to this, since the orifice is opened at the end portion of the spool portion in the region on the outer peripheral side from the contact position of the seal portion, when the seal portion is in close contact with the valve seat, the beverage is passed through the orifice. There is no risk of spillage. When the operation member is operated to the foam dispensing position, the seal part is separated from the valve seat, while the flow path is formed so that one port is connected to the other port through the annular groove and the orifice in order. Can do.

  Alternatively, the spool portion is provided with a seal portion (FIGS. 13A to 13C, 32a) that closes the one port when the valve body is in the dispensing stop position, and the orifice is formed by the annular groove. It extends toward the other port, and may be provided so as to open at an end portion on the other port side of the spool portion. In this case, when the operating member is at the pouring stop position, the seal portion on the spool closes one port, and when the operating member is at the beverage pouring position or the foam pouring position, the seal portion is on one side. Move to open the port. However, in the bubble pouring position, the annular groove is connected to one port, and the flow path can be formed so as to communicate from one port to the other port through the annular groove and the orifice in order.

  Furthermore, in each of the above aspects, the beverage dispensing position and the foam dispensing position of the operation member are located in different directions across the dispensing stop position, and from the dispensing stop position to the beverage The operation amount of the operation member to the extraction position may be set larger than the operation amount of the operation member from the extraction stop position to the bubble extraction position. According to this aspect, by changing the movement amount of the valve body according to the difference in the operation amount of the operation member, the first movement amount of the valve body during the operation from the dispensing stop position to the beverage dispensing position Differentiating from the second movement amount of the valve body at the time of operation from the extraction stop position to the bubble extraction position can be realized.

1 Beverage Dispensing Device 2 Holding Container 3 Bottle (Beverage Container)
4 Accommodating chamber 6 Lid 15 Cap 15A Base part 15B Swivel part 15a Gas introduction path 15b Beverage takeout path 18 Pour out tube (beverage pour out pipe)
20 joint 23 bellows (flow path connecting means)
24 Gas tube (gas supply pipe)
30, 30A On-off valve 31 Valve case 31a Internal flow path of valve case 31b Valve seat 32 Valve body 32a Seal part 32b Spool part 32d Annular groove 32e Orifice 32f Latching part (first connecting element)
34 Inflow port 35 Outflow port 40 Operation mechanism 41 Lever (operation member)
42 Conversion mechanism 48 Hook (second connecting element)
50 plug 51 needle

Claims (5)

A holding container having a storage chamber in which a beverage container can be taken in and out and a lid for opening and closing the storage room;
A cap provided at a mouth portion of the beverage container and provided with a gas introduction path for guiding a beverage dispensing gas into the beverage container and a beverage extraction path for taking out the beverage from the beverage container;
A gas supply pipe connected to the gas supply source;
A beverage extraction pipe connected to the beverage extraction path of the cap;
An on-off valve connected to the beverage dispensing pipe,
The lid is provided with a joint portion connected to the gas supply pipe,
When the lid is closed, at least one of the joint portion and the cap, the joint portion and the gas introduction path are hermetically connected, and when the lid is opened, the joint portion A beverage is provided with flow path connection means for changing the connection state between the joint and the gas introduction path so that the connection between the gas introduction path and the gas introduction path is released to the atmosphere. Pouring device.   2. The seal member that is in close contact with the cap so as to surround the opening on the inlet side of the gas introduction path when the lid is closed as the flow path connecting means. The beverage dispensing device according to 1.   As the flow path connecting means, a plug made of an elastic material provided on the cap so as to close the opening on the inlet side of the gas introduction path, and the plug is penetrated in accordance with an operation of closing the lid. The beverage dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a needle provided in the joint portion. The holding container is provided with an operation mechanism connected to the on-off valve so that the on-off valve can be opened and closed.
The cap, the beverage dispensing pipe and the on-off valve are provided so as to be removable from the holding container together with the beverage container,
The connection part of the said on-off valve and the said operation mechanism is comprised so that when the connection with the said on-off valve and the said operation mechanism is cancelled | released and the said on-off valve is removed from the said holding | maintenance container, the said on-off valve opens. Item 4. The beverage dispensing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The on-off valve is provided with a valve body movable so as to open and close the internal flow path of the on-off valve,
The operating mechanism is configured to be connected to the valve body and move the valve body,
The connecting portion between the on-off valve and the operation mechanism is the valve when the second connection element provided on the operation mechanism side closes the on-off valve with respect to the first connection element provided on the valve body. The movement of the valve body when the second connection element opens the on-off valve with respect to the first connection element so that the two connection elements are connected to each other by being pushed in the movement direction of the body 5. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the beverage dispensing device is configured such that the connection of both the connecting elements is released by being pulled out in the direction.