JP6725974B2 - Bubble generating mechanism and bubble generating method, pouring device provided with the bubble generating mechanism, and beverage manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a foam generation mechanism and a foam generation method for mixing a beverage and gas to generate foam, a pouring device equipped with the foam generation mechanism, and a method for manufacturing a beverage.

As an example of a foam generating mechanism for generating foam of a beverage, an orifice is provided in a flow path for guiding beer that is a sparkling beverage, and external gas is mixed with beer before or during passing through the orifice, It is known that a beer mixed with gas is depressurized by passing through an orifice to generate finely textured and long-lasting foam (see Patent Document 1).

JP, 2013-133160, A

The foam generating mechanism of Patent Document 1 mixes beer with external gas before or during passage through the orifice, and mixes the external gas into the foam of beer that is foamed by depressurization after passing through the orifice.

However, in the foam generation mechanism as in Patent Document 1, since the smooth flow of the beverage passing through the orifice is hindered by the introduction of the external gas into the beverage such as beer before or during the passage of the orifice, the generation of the foam is suppressed. May be disturbed.

Therefore, the present invention, a foam generating mechanism and a foam generating method capable of generating a foam of a beverage having a fine texture and long-lasting, without disturbing the smooth flow of the beverage, a pouring device equipped with the foam generating mechanism, and a beverage. It aims at providing the manufacturing method of.

The foam generation mechanism of the present invention is a foam generation mechanism (1A, 1B, 1C) that generates a foam (Bf) of a beverage (B), and reduces the flow passage cross-sectional area to the outside (S, S1, A). A beverage flow channel (7) having an opening throttle portion (7a), in which the beverage supplied in a pressurized state flows inside, and interference with the beverage flowing out from the throttle portion of the beverage flow channel to the outside. Thus, the external gas supply means (6, 8, 26) for supplying the external gas (G) containing nitrogen gas to the outside is provided.

According to this foam generation mechanism, the beverage flowing under pressure in the beverage flow path is depressurized by passing through the throttle portion, and the beverage discharged from the throttle and the external gas interfere with each other to generate the foam of the beverage. Since the external gas is supplied to the outside where the throttle portion opens, the external gas does not affect the beverage before or during passage through the throttle portion. Therefore, it is possible to generate bubbles of a beverage having a fine texture and a long life without hindering the smooth flow of the beverage.

In the foam generating mechanism according to an aspect of the present invention, the external gas supply unit has a gas flow path that guides the external gas to the outside, and a beverage opening (25) in which the throttle unit opens and the gas flow. It may further comprise a body (2) formed with a plurality of gas openings (26) with open channels, said plurality of gas openings being arranged around said beverage opening. According to this aspect, the external gas is entangled in the beverage that has come out of the beverage opening from a plurality of directions, so that the mixing of the beverage and the external gas is promoted.

A foam generation mechanism according to an aspect of the present invention is a foam collection unit (3, 30, 40) that collects foam of the beverage caused by interference between the beverage that has flowed out of the throttle unit to the outside and the external gas. May be further provided. According to this aspect, the generated bubbles are collected in the desired range by the bubble collection unit, and it is possible to prevent undesired scattering of the bubbles.

The dispensing device (100) of the present invention including the above-described foam generating mechanism is provided with a foam outlet (101) for pouring the foam of the beverage generated by the foam generating mechanism into a container. .. According to this pouring device, it is possible to provide the foam of the beverage having a fine texture and good durability in the container.

A pouring device according to an aspect of the present invention pours a liquid pouring mechanism (102) for supplying the beverage in a liquid state, and pouring the liquid beverage flowing through the liquid pouring mechanism into the container. And a liquid outlet (103) for According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a beverage in which a finely textured and long-lasting foam is provided on the liquid surface in a container.

The foam generation method of the present invention is a foam generation method for generating foam of a beverage, and is supplied under pressure to the inside of a beverage flow channel having a narrowed portion that opens to the outside while narrowing the flow channel cross-sectional area. It includes an introducing step of introducing the beverage, and a supplying step of supplying an external gas containing nitrogen gas to the outside so as to interfere with the beverage discharged from the narrowed portion of the beverage flow path to the outside.

According to this foam generation method, the beverage flowing under pressure in the beverage flow path is depressurized by passing through the throttle portion, and the beverage discharged from the throttle portion and the external gas interfere with each other to generate the foam of the beverage. .. Since the external gas is supplied to the outside where the throttle portion opens, the external gas does not affect the beverage before or during passage through the throttle portion. Therefore, it is possible to generate bubbles of a beverage having a fine texture and a long life without hindering the smooth flow of the beverage.

In the foam generating method according to one aspect of the present invention, in the supplying step, the external gas may be supplied from a plurality of positions around the opening (25) of the throttle portion. According to this aspect, the external gas is entangled in the beverage that has come out of the beverage opening from a plurality of directions, so that the mixing of the beverage and the external gas is promoted.

The foam generating method according to an aspect of the present invention, further comprising a collecting step of collecting foam of the beverage caused by interference between the external gas and the beverage that has exited from the opening of the throttle unit. Good. According to this aspect, the generated bubbles are collected in the desired range by the bubble collection unit, and it is possible to prevent undesired scattering of the bubbles.

The method for producing a beverage according to the present invention includes a foam pouring step of pouring the foam generated by the foam generating method described above into the liquid surface of the beverage in the container. According to this manufacturing method, it is possible to provide a beverage with finely textured and long-lasting foam in a container.

In addition, in the method for producing a beverage according to the present invention, the beverage may be produced using the above-mentioned pouring device. For example, in the method for producing a beverage according to one aspect of the present invention, the foam generated by the foam generation mechanism is operated on the pouring device to cause the liquid level of the beverage in the container to be the same. It includes a foam pouring step of pouring out from the foam outlet.

Further, the manufacturing method according to another aspect of the present invention, the beverage flowing through the liquid pouring mechanism, a beverage pouring step of pouring from the liquid outlet to the container by operating the pouring device, The foam generated by the foam generation mechanism of the pouring device, by operating the pouring device, the foam outlet to the liquid surface of the beverage poured into the container in the beverage pouring step And a foam pouring step of pouring out from.

According to these manufacturing methods, it is possible to provide a beverage having finely textured and long-lasting bubbles on the liquid surface in a container.

In the above description, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated forms.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the external gas is caused to interfere with the beverage that has come out of the throttle portion to generate bubbles, the external gas affects the beverage before or during passage through the throttle portion. Never give. Therefore, the bubbles of the beverage can be generated without disturbing the smooth flow of the beverage.

Sectional drawing of the principal part of the bubble generation mechanism which concerns on the 1st form of this invention. Sectional drawing regarding II-II of FIG. Explanatory drawing explaining the production|generation process of a bubble. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the bubble generation mechanism which concerns on the 2nd form of this invention. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the bubble generation mechanism which concerns on the 3rd form of this invention. The figure which showed roughly the principal part of the pouring device with which the foam generation mechanism was incorporated. The figure which shows the modification which changed the gas opening part of a gas flow path.

(First form)
The foam generating mechanism 1A shown in FIG. 1 can be used by being incorporated in a pouring device described later. The foam generation mechanism 1A mixes beer B, which is an example of a drink (for example, a sparkling drink, but is not limited thereto) that may be provided with foam, and an external gas G containing nitrogen gas. As a result, beer foam Bf as foam is generated. As the external gas G, nitrogen gas, various mixed gases containing nitrogen, or air can be used. Beer foam Bf has a finer texture and a longer holding than ordinary foam.

The foam generating mechanism 1A includes a main body 2 to which beer B and an external gas G are supplied, a foam collecting section 3 attached to a tip 2a of the body 2, and a base 4 attached to a base end 2b of the body 2. Equipped with. The main body 2 is an assembly in which a plurality of parts are combined, and is configured to be axisymmetric with respect to the centerline CL as a whole. The base 4 is provided with a beverage supply passage 5 for supplying beer B in a pressurized state and a gas supply passage 6 for supplying external gas G at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. The main body 2 is formed with a beverage flow path 7 that communicates with the beverage supply passage 5 and guides the beer B, and a gas flow path 8 that communicates with the gas supply passage 6 and guides the external gas G.

The foam collecting unit 3 is configured as a hollow member and has a function of preventing the generated beer foam Bf from scattering or collecting the beer foam Bf within a desired range. One end 3a of the foam collection unit 3 is closed by being attached to the main body 2, and the other end 3b is opened as an outlet 10 for providing the generated beer foam Bf to the outside. An external space S is formed in the bubble collection unit 3, and the space S is defined by the inner wall 15 and the tip 2a of the main body 2. The inner wall 15 includes a cylindrical portion 15a having a center line CL as a center, and a conical portion 15b having an inner diameter that gradually decreases following the cylindrical portion 15a. As a result, a part of the space S has an axially symmetrical shape with respect to the center line CL. The tip of the conical portion 15b is connected to the bent portion 15c reaching the outlet portion 10 so as to be bent outward in the radial direction.

The beverage flow path 7 formed in the main body 2 has a narrowed portion 7a that opens into the space S while narrowing the cross-sectional area of the flow path. Further, the gas flow passage 8 formed in the main body 2 includes a cylindrical portion 8a formed in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the beverage flow passage 7, and from the cylindrical portion 8a, four branch portions 8b are branched. ing. Each branch portion 8b is open to the space S. Since the flow passage cross-sectional area of each branch portion 8b is smaller than the flow passage cross-sectional area of the cylindrical portion 8a, the gas flow passage 8 has a narrowed flow passage cross-sectional area and opens into the space S. The opening direction Da of the narrowed portion 7a of the beverage flow path 7 opening to the space S and the opening direction Db of each branching portion 8b of the gas flow path 8 opening to the space S are the same direction, and the opening direction Da thereof, Db is parallel to the center line CL.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tip portion 2a of the main body 2 is formed in a circular shape, and the center portion thereof coincides with the center line CL. At the center C of the tip 2a, a beverage opening 25 is formed in which the narrowed portion 7a is opened. Further, four gas openings 26 are formed in the tip 2a so that each branch 8b of the gas flow path 8 opens. The beverage opening 25 and the four gas openings 26 are arranged on a straight line L extending in the radial direction when viewed from the direction of the center line CL. Two gas openings 26 are arranged on both sides of the beverage opening 25 in the straight line L direction. In other words, the beverage openings 25 are arranged so as to be sandwiched between the two gas openings 26, and the gas openings 26 are arranged one by one outside the two gas openings 26 sandwiching the beverage opening 25. There is. In the present embodiment, the inner diameter of the beverage opening 25 is set to be twice the inner diameter of the gas opening 26 or more. For example, the inner diameter of the beverage opening 25 is set to 1.45 mm, and the inner diameter of each gas opening 26 is set to 0.50 mm. In this embodiment, a combination of the gas supply passage 6, the gas flow path 8 and the gas opening 26 corresponds to the external gas supply means according to the present invention.

Here, the bubble generation method in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, an introducing step of introducing the beer B supplied in a pressurized state into the beverage flow channel 7 having the narrowed portion 7a opening to the space S while reducing the flow channel cross-sectional area is performed. Then, a supply step of supplying the external gas G containing nitrogen gas to the space S so as to interfere with the beer B discharged from the narrowed portion 7a of the beverage flow path 7 into the space S is performed. In the supply step, the external gas G is supplied from a plurality of positions around the beverage opening 25 of the throttle 7a. Further, a collecting step of collecting foams of beer B generated by the interference between the beer B discharged into the space S from the beverage opening 25 of the narrowed portion 7a and the external gas G using the foam collecting unit 3 is performed.

According to this foam generation method, the beer B that has passed through the squeezing portion 7a and exited from the beverage opening portion 25 into the space S is decompressed, and thus expands in the radial direction while foaming. On the other hand, the external gas G is supplied to the space S so as to interfere with the beer B discharged from the beverage opening 25. As a result, the beer foam Bf in which the external gas G is taken in is generated while the external gas G is entrained in the foaming beer B from both directions on the outer peripheral side thereof. Since the external gas G interferes with the beer after passing through the squeezing portion 7a, it does not affect the flow of beer B flowing through the squeezing portion 7a. Therefore, it is possible to generate beer foam Bf having a fine texture and longevity without hindering the smooth flow of beer B.

Since the beverage opening 25 is formed in the central portion C of the tip 2a of the main body 2, the external gas G is mixed with the beer B discharged from the beverage opening 25 into the space S from the outer peripheral side thereof. Therefore, the external gas G is easily caught in the foaming beer B, so that the mixing of the beer B and the external gas G is promoted. Furthermore, since the plurality of gas openings 26 are arranged around the beverage opening 25, the external gas G is caught in the beer B from a plurality of directions. Therefore, the mixing of beer B and external gas G is further promoted.

(Second form)
Next, the second mode will be described with reference to FIG. The bubble generation mechanism 1B of the second mode is the same as the bubble generation mechanism 1A except for the structure of the bubble collection unit 3. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals in FIG. 4 and the description thereof will be omitted. The foam collecting unit 30 attached to the main body 2 of the foam generating mechanism 1B has a cylindrical shape, one end 30a is closed at the tip 2a of the main body 2, and the other end 30b is opened as the outlet 10. Has been done. Also in the foam generation mechanism 1B of the present embodiment, beer foam is generated in the space S1 as the outside formed in the foam collecting unit 30, and the foam collecting unit 30 prevents the scattering of beer foam.

(Third form)
Next, a third mode will be described with reference to FIG. The foam generation mechanism 1C of the third embodiment is the same as the foam generation mechanism 1A except for the structure of the foam collection unit 3. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. 5, and description thereof will be omitted. The bubble collection unit 40 provided in the bubble generation mechanism 1C is configured as a plate member having an L-shaped cross section. The bubble collecting unit 40 does not define the space S by being attached to the main body 2 unlike the first embodiment. However, since the foam collecting unit 40 is arranged around the tip 2a of the main body 2, it is possible to provide the beer foam Bf generated in the outside A in the predetermined direction indicated by the arrow while suppressing the scattering.

(Application example)
Next, an application example of the bubble generation mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 schematically shows a main part of the pouring device 100 in which the foam generating mechanism 1A of the first embodiment is incorporated. The pouring device 100 is a device for pouring beer B as a sparkling beverage into a container 200. The pouring device 100 is a foam outlet 101 for pouring the beer foam Bf generated by the foam generating mechanism 1A into the container 200, a liquid pouring mechanism 102 for supplying the beer B in a liquid state, and a liquid pouring mechanism. A liquid outlet 103 for pouring the liquid beer B flowing through the container 102 into the container 200 is provided.

The liquid pouring mechanism 102 is a beer path 105 that guides the liquid beer B under pressure, a branch path 106 that branches from the beer path 105 and is connected to the beverage supply path 5 of the foam generating mechanism 1A, and a branch path 106. And the switching valve 107 provided at the branch position of the. The switching valve 107 may be a manual valve or an automatic valve. The switching valve 107 can switch between a state a in which the branch passage 106 is opened to guide the liquid beer B to the beverage supply passage 5 and a state b in which the branch passage 106 is closed to guide the liquid beer B to the liquid outlet 103. it can. Therefore, by operating the switching valve 107, it is possible to selectively carry out the pouring of the liquid beer B into the container 200 and the pouring of the beer foam Bf generated by the foam generating mechanism 1A into the container 200. Therefore, by operating the switching valve 107 of the pouring device 100, the beer froth Bf generated by the froth generating mechanism 1A can be poured from the froth outlet 101 to the liquid surface of the beer B poured into the container 200. .. Thereby, the beer B with the beer foam Bf on the liquid surface can be provided in the container 200, and the method for producing a beverage of the present invention is realized. Although the pouring device 100 incorporates the foam generating mechanism 1A of the first embodiment, the pouring device of the present invention can be constructed by incorporating the foam generating mechanism 1B or the foam generating mechanism 1C instead of the foam generating mechanism 1A. Can also be realized.

In the application example described above, the pouring device 100 includes the bubble generation mechanism 1A (may be 1B or 1C) and the liquid pouring mechanism 102, but the pouring device does not include the liquid pouring mechanism. It may be provided with only a bubble generation mechanism. In that case, another liquid pouring device that pours out the beverage in a liquid state, or the liquid surface of the beverage poured into the container from the can or bottle filled with the beverage, is generated by the pouring device. You may make it pour out the foam. Alternatively, the foam generated by the dispenser may be poured into an empty container to provide only the foam.

The present invention is not limited to each of the above modes, and can be implemented in various modes. In each of the above-described modes, beer B is applied and the beer foam Bf that is the foam is generated, but the beverage to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to beer. Effervescent beverages containing cereal decomposition products such as Happoshu and non-alcoholic beer, effervescent beverages containing no cereal decomposition products, or milk beverages, coffee beverages, even non-effervescent beverages such as juice Any beverage that can generate bubbles by passing through a squeeze and then interfering with a nitrogen-containing gas may be included in the beverage to which the present invention is applied.

As the cereal decomposed product-containing sparkling beverage, any kind of drink can be a target as long as it is a sparkling beverage containing a decomposed product of cereals, but particularly preferably malt and barley. Beverages containing degradation products can be mentioned. The grain is not particularly limited as long as it is a grain, but barley, wheat, soybean, and pea are preferable, and barley is more preferable. The specific embodiment of the decomposed product of cereals is not particularly limited, but is a decomposed product of malt, barley, wheat, soybean, pea, corn, for example, soy protein, soybean peptide, pea protein, corn protein decomposition Things can be mentioned.

Specific examples of the grain-decomposed product-containing effervescent beverage are preferably malt-decomposed product-containing effervescent beverages, and more preferably beer-based beverages. The beer-based beverage generally refers to a beverage having a unique beer taste and aroma obtained when beer is produced, that is, when beer is produced based on fermentation by yeast or the like. Examples thereof include fermented malt beverages such as beer, sparkling liquor and liqueurs, other brewed liquors, and non-fermented malt beverages such as completely alcohol-free malt beverages (non-alcoholic malt beverages).

Although the throttle portion 7a in each of the above-described embodiments is of a nozzle type, the present invention can be implemented in a form including an orifice type or Venturi type throttle portion as long as the flow passage cross-sectional area is narrowed.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the gas passage 8 is narrowed to supply the external gas G, but narrowing the gas passage is merely an example. For example, it is possible to introduce the external gas so as to interfere with the beverage that comes out of the throttle without restricting the gas flow path. The introduction position of the external gas is not limited to the position in each of the above-described modes, and the external gas may be introduced at any position. Further, the direction in which the external gas is supplied does not necessarily have to match the direction in which the beverage flows out from the beverage opening. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, around the beverage opening portion 25 of the narrowed portion 7a in the beverage flow path 7, the external gas from the lateral direction (direction crossing the flow) with respect to the flow direction of the beverage discharged from the beverage opening portion 25. The gas opening 26 of the gas flow path 8 may be provided so that Note that FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the front end portion 2a of the main body 2.

In short, the present invention includes various forms in which the external gas interferes with the beverage that has exited the squeezing portion. Other suitable modifications are possible. For example, the location of the beverage opening is not limited to the center of the body. Further, for example, the tip of the main body is not limited to the circular cross section. Further, for example, the gas opening and the beverage opening are not limited to the example in which they are arranged on a straight line passing through the center of the main body. Further, the introduction position of the external gas may be one place instead of a plurality of places. That is, only one gas opening may be provided. Further, not only one beverage channel but also a plurality of beverage channels may be provided, and a plurality of beverage openings may be provided.

1A-1C Foam production mechanism 2 Main body 2a Tip part 3,30,40 Foam collection part 7 Beverage flow path 7a Throttling part 8 Gas flow path 25 Beverage opening part 26 Gas opening part B Beer (foaming beverage)
Bf beer foam (foam)
C Center G External gas L Straight line

Claims (11)

A foam generating mechanism for generating a foam of a beverage,
A beverage channel having a throttle portion that opens to the outside while squeezing the channel cross-sectional area, and the beverage supplied in a pressurized state flowing inside,
Having a gas flow path for guiding an external gas containing nitrogen gas to the outside, the external gas is caught in the beverage by interfering with the beverage that has exited to the outside from the throttle portion of the beverage flow channel, External gas supply for supplying the external gas from the at least one gas opening to the outside of the gas flow path to the outside so that the beverage and the external gas are mixed with each other to generate bubbles. Means and
Equipped with
A plurality of the gas openings are provided,
Further comprising a main body in which the beverage opening part in which the throttle part is opened and the plurality of gas openings of the gas flow path are formed,
Wherein the plurality of gas apertures, the foam raw formed mechanism disposed around the beverage opening. The foam generation mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a foam collection unit that collects foam of the beverage generated by interference between the beverage that has flowed out of the squeezing unit to the outside and the external gas. A bubble generation mechanism according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A foam outlet for pouring the foam of the beverage generated by the foam generation mechanism into a container,
Dispenser equipped with. A liquid pouring mechanism for supplying the beverage in a liquid state,
A liquid outlet for pouring the liquid beverage flowing through the liquid pouring mechanism into the container,
The pouring device according to claim 3 , further comprising: A bubble generation mechanism for generating bubbles of a beverage, which has a narrowed portion that opens to the outside while narrowing the flow passage cross-sectional area, and the beverage flow path in which the beverage supplied in a pressurized state flows, and nitrogen gas. An external gas including a gas flow path that guides the external gas to the outside, and the external gas interferes with the beverage that has flowed out to the outside from the narrowed portion of the beverage flow path and is caught in the beverage, thereby the external gas And an external gas supply means for supplying the external gas from the at least one gas opening to the outside of the gas flow path to the outside so that foam is generated by mixing the beverage and the external gas. And a bubble generation mechanism,
A foam outlet for pouring the foam of the beverage generated by the foam generation mechanism into a container,
A liquid pouring mechanism for supplying the beverage in a liquid state,
A liquid outlet for pouring the liquid beverage flowing through the liquid pouring mechanism into the container,
Dispensing device example Bei the. The pouring device according to claim 5, wherein the foam generating mechanism further includes a foam collecting unit that collects foam of the beverage generated by the interference between the beverage and the external gas discharged from the squeezing unit to the outside. .. A foam generating method for generating foam of a beverage, comprising:
An introducing step of introducing the beverage to be supplied in a pressurized state, inside the beverage flow path having a narrowed portion opening to the outside while narrowing the flow path cross-sectional area,
External gas containing nitrogen gas, by interfering with the beverage that has come out of the outside from the throttle portion of the beverage flow channel and is involved in the beverage, the external gas is mixed with the beverage at the outside. A supply step of introducing the external gas into a gas flow path and supplying the gas from the at least one gas opening to the outside of the gas flow path so that bubbles are generated;
Including
Wherein the supplying step, the narrowed portion foam generating how to supply the external gas from the gas opening provided in each of a plurality of positions around the opening of the. The foam generating method according to claim 7 , further comprising a collecting step of collecting foam of the beverage caused by interference between the beverage and the external gas that have flowed out of the opening through the opening of the narrowed portion. A method for producing a beverage, comprising a foam pouring step of pouring the foam generated by the foam generating method according to claim 7 or 8 onto a liquid surface of the beverage in a container. The foam generated by the foam generation mechanism of the dispenser according to claim 3 is discharged from the foam outlet to the liquid surface of the beverage in the container by operating the dispenser. A method for producing a beverage, which includes a foam pouring step. Beverage pouring which pours out the beverage which flows through the liquid pouring mechanism of the pouring device according to any one of claims 4 to 6 from the liquid outlet to the container by operating the pouring device. Process,
The foam generated by the foam generation mechanism of the pouring device, by operating the pouring device, the foam outlet to the liquid surface of the beverage poured into the container in the beverage pouring step From the foam pouring process,
The manufacturing method of the drink containing.

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