JP7075275B2

JP7075275B2 - Beverage supply equipment

Info

Publication number: JP7075275B2
Application number: JP2018085617A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 公嗣大塚
Original assignee: フクシマガリレイ株式会社
Priority date: 2018-04-26
Filing date: 2018-04-26
Publication date: 2022-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-26
Also published as: JP2019187936A

Description

特許法第３０条第２項適用展示会名：ＨＯＳＰＥＸＪａｐａｎ２０１７開催場所：東京都江東区有明３－１０－１東京ビッグサイト開催日：平成２９年１１月２０日～２２日Patent Law Article 30 Paragraph 2 Applicable Exhibition Name: HOPSEX Japan 2017 Venue: 3-10-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo Tokyo Big Sight Date: November 20-22, 2017

特許法第３０条第２項適用展示会名：第１８回厨房設備機器展開催場所：東京都江東区有明３－１０－１東京ビッグサイト開催日：平成３０年２月２０日～２３日Patent Law Article 30 Paragraph 2 Applicable Exhibition Name: 18th Kitchen Equipment Exhibition Venue: 3-10-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo Tokyo Big Sight Date: February 20-23, 2018

特許法第３０条第２項適用展示会名：メディセオ総合医療フェア２０１８ｉｎ京都開催場所：京都市左京区岡崎成勝寺町９番地の１みやこめっせ開催日：平成３０年３月１１日Patent Law Article 30 Paragraph 2 Applicable Exhibition Name: Mediseo Comprehensive Medical Fair 2018 in Kyoto Venue: 9-1 Okazaki Seishoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City Miyako Messe Date: March 11, 2018

特許法第３０条第２項適用展示会名：２０１８サンキューフェア開催場所：岡崎市高隆寺町町字峠１番地岡崎中央総合公園総合体育館開催日：平成３０年３月２８日Patent Law Article 30 Paragraph 2 Applicable Exhibition Name: 2018 Thank You Fair Venue: 1 Aza Pass, Koryujicho, Okazaki City Okazaki Central General Park General Gymnasium Date: March 28, 2018

特許法第３０条第２項適用７６社にチラシを配布配布期間：平成２９年１２月２０日～平成３０年４月２６日Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Law Distributing leaflets to 76 companies Distribution period: December 20, 2017-April 26, 2018

本発明は、とろみを付けた飲料物を提供できる飲料供給装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a beverage supply device capable of providing a thickened beverage.

飲料供給装置の分野において、ミキシング装置を使って、粉末茶などの飲料の原料成分と湯水などの液体成分とを攪拌混合したのち、これをカップなどに注出することは周知技術である。また、飲料供給装置の分野において、１回の飲料供給動作を２段階に分けて行うことも公知であり、特許文献１に記載の飲料供給装置では、ミキシングボール内に原料成分と液体成分とを供給し、これらを攪拌羽根体で攪拌して飲料を生成したのち、これをカップ内に注出する動作を２回連続して行うことで飲料を作成している。特許文献２に記載の飲料供給装置も同様の動作を行うものとなっている。なお、これら特許文献１、２に記載の飲料供給装置では、ミキシングボール内に泡が残留することを防ぐことを目的として、２回に分けて同一のミキシングボール内において原料成分と液体成分とを攪拌している。 In the field of beverage supply equipment, it is a well-known technique to use a mixing device to stir and mix a raw material component of a beverage such as powdered tea and a liquid component such as hot water, and then pour this into a cup or the like. Further, in the field of a beverage supply device, it is also known that one beverage supply operation is performed in two stages. In the beverage supply device described in Patent Document 1, a raw material component and a liquid component are contained in a mixing ball. Beverages are produced by supplying the beverages, stirring them with a stirring blade to generate a beverage, and then pouring the beverages into the cup twice in succession. The beverage supply device described in Patent Document 2 also performs the same operation. In the beverage supply devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the raw material component and the liquid component are divided into two times in the same mixing ball for the purpose of preventing bubbles from remaining in the mixing ball. It is stirring.

特開２００６－３２６０５６号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-326056 特開２００８－２７２２７５号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-272275

本発明等は、高齢者などの嚥下障害者に提供される、とろみを付けた飲食物を提供できる飲料提供装置の開発に携わっており、そこでは介護現場の実情に鑑みて、少なくとも「とろみが付いた湯水」、「とろみが付いた茶などの飲料」、および「とろみが付いていない飲料（通常の茶）」を提供できる飲料供給装置を開発することを予定している。しかしながら、特にとろみが付いた茶などの飲料を、先のミキシング装置を具備する飲料供給装置で作成する場合には、固形の飲料成分（粉末茶など）がとろみ成分に取り込まれて、飲料内において飲料成分が均一に分散されず、飲料の味覚が損なわれるおそれがある。とろみ成分がダマとなって、咽喉ごしが悪くなり、飲料の味覚が損なわれるおそれもある。さらに、とろみが付いた湯水やとろみ付き飲料を提供したのちにとろみの無い飲料を提供するときに、前者の湯水や飲料の生成時のとろみ成分がカップへの注出流路に残留し、後者の飲料にとろみが付けられて、後者の飲料の味覚が損なわれるおそれもある。 The present invention and the like are involved in the development of a beverage providing device capable of providing thickened food and drink provided to elderly people with swallowing disorders, where at least "thickness is" in view of the actual situation at the nursing care site. We are planning to develop a beverage supply device that can provide "hot water with water", "beverages such as thickened tea", and "beverages without thickening (normal tea)". However, especially when a beverage such as thickened tea is prepared by a beverage supply device equipped with the above-mentioned mixing device, a solid beverage component (powdered tea or the like) is incorporated into the thickened component and is contained in the beverage. Beverage components may not be evenly dispersed and the taste of the beverage may be impaired. The thickening component may become lumpy, which may make the throat feel worse and impair the taste of the beverage. Furthermore, when a thickened hot water or a thickened beverage is provided and then a non-thickened beverage is provided, the former hot water or the thickened component at the time of producing the beverage remains in the pouring channel to the cup, and the latter. The beverage may be thickened and the taste of the latter beverage may be impaired.

本発明の目的は、とろみ付きの飲料を提供できる飲料提供装置において、飲料成分がとろみ成分に取り込まれて、飲料内における飲料成分の分散が不均一となる不具合や、とろみ成分がダマとなる不具合や、カップへの注出流路にとろみ成分が残留する不具合などが生じ難く、提供される飲料の味覚を良好に保持することができる、とろみ付きの飲料を提供できる飲料供給装置を得ることを目的とする。 An object of the present invention is a problem in a beverage providing device capable of providing a thickened beverage, in which a beverage component is incorporated into the thickened component and the dispersion of the beverage component in the beverage becomes uneven, or a problem in which the thickened component becomes lumpy. To obtain a beverage supply device that can provide a thickened beverage, which is unlikely to cause a problem that a thickened component remains in the pouring flow path to the cup and can maintain a good taste of the provided beverage. The purpose.

本発明に係る飲料供給装置は、飲料を抽出する給茶装置４と、給茶装置４が収納される給茶機本体２と、給茶機本体２に形成されて、カップ１８が配されるカップステーション２１と、給茶機本体２の前面に配された飲料の種類を選択するための複数個の押しボタン７Ａ～７Ｌで構成される操作部８とを備える。押しボタン７Ａ～７Ｌは、ユーザーがとろみ付き飲料を選択するための押しボタン７Ａ、７Ｂ、７Ｄ、７Ｆ、７Ｇ、７Ｉと、ユーザーがとろみが付いた湯水を選択するための押しボタン７Ｃ・７Ｈと、ユーザーが温水を選択するための押しボタン７Ｅと、ユーザーが冷水を選択するための押しボタン７Ｊとを備える。給茶装置４は、とろみ成分を含むとろみ液を生成するとろみ液生成部と、粉末茶である飲料成分を含む濃飲料液を生成する濃飲料液生成部と、冷水又は温水の液体成分を供給する給液装置１５とを備える。とろみ液生成部は、とろみ成分の粉末原料成分が貯留され、搬出指令に従ってとろみ成分の粉末原料成分を搬出するキャニスター１２（１２Ｂ・１２Ｃ）と、各キャニスター１２（１２Ｂ・１２Ｃ）に応じて配置された原料シュート１３と、原料シュート１３に接続され、キャニスター１２（１２Ｂ・１２Ｃ）から搬出されたとろみ成分の粉末原料成分と、給液装置１５から供給された液体成分とを混合してとろみ液を生成するミキシングボール１６（１６Ｂ・１６Ｃ）と、ミキシングボール１６（１６Ｂ・１６Ｃ）内でとろみ成分の粉末原料成分と液体成分との混合撹拌を行う撹拌体１７とで構成される。濃飲料液生成部は、飲料成分の粉末原料成分が貯留され、搬出指令に従って飲料成分の粉末原料成分を搬出するキャニスター１２（１２Ａ・１２Ｄ）と、各キャニスター１２（１２Ａ・１２Ｄ）に応じて配置された原料シュート１３と、原料シュート１３に接続され、キャニスター１２（１２Ａ・１２Ｄ）から搬出された飲料成分の粉末原料成分と、給液装置１５から供給された液体成分とを混合して濃飲料液を生成するミキシングボール１６（１６Ａ・１６Ｄ）と、ミキシングボール１６（１６Ａ・１６Ｄ）内で飲料成分の粉末原料成分と液体成分との混合撹拌を行う撹拌体１７とで構成される。ユーザーにより温水を選択するための押しボタン７Ｅ、或いは冷水を選択するための押しボタン７Ｊが押圧操作されると、給液装置１５からカップ１８に温水、或いは冷水が供給されるように構成される。ユーザーによりとろみが付いた湯水を選択するための押しボタン７Ｃ・７Ｈが押圧操作されると、とろみ液生成部を構成する一つのキャニスター１２（１２Ｂ・１２Ｃ）から、当該キャニスター１２（１２Ｂ・１２Ｃ）に対応するミキシングボール１６（１６Ｂ・１６Ｃ）に向けてとろみ成分が供給されるとともに、給液装置１５から温水、或いは冷水の液体成分が当該ミキシングボール１６（１６Ｂ・１６Ｃ）に供給され、当該ミキシングボール１６（１６Ｂ・１６Ｃ）内にとろみ成分を含むとろみ液が生成され、当該とろみ液がカップ１８に供給されるように構成される。ユーザーによりとろみが付いた飲料物を選択するための押しボタン７Ａ、７Ｂ、７Ｄ、７Ｆ、７Ｇ、７Ｉが押圧操作されると、とろみ液生成部を構成する一つのキャニスター１２（１２Ｂ・１２Ｃ）から、当該キャニスター１２（１２Ｂ・１２Ｃ）に対応するミキシングボール１６（１６Ｂ・１６Ｃ）に向けてとろみ成分が供給されるとともに、給液装置１５から温水、或いは冷水の液体成分が当該ミキシングボール１６（１６Ｂ・１６Ｃ）に供給され、当該ミキシングボール１６（１６Ｂ・１６Ｃ）内にとろみ成分を含むとろみ液が生成され、加えて濃飲料液生成部を構成するキャニスター１２（１２Ａ・１２Ｄ）から飲料成分の粉末原料成分が、当該キャニスター１２（１２Ａ・１２Ｄ）に対応するミキシングボール１６（１６Ａ・１６Ｄ）に供給されるとともに、給液装置１５から液体成分が当該ミキシングボール１６（１６Ａ・１６Ｄ）に供給されて、当該ミキシングボール１６（１６Ａ・１６Ｄ）内に飲料成分を含む濃飲料液が生成され、これらとろみ液と濃飲料液とがカップ１８内で混合されることで、とろみ付き飲料が生成されるように構成されていることを特徴とする。 The beverage supply device according to the present invention is formed in a tea supply device 4 for extracting a beverage, a tea supply machine main body 2 in which the tea supply device 4 is housed, and a tea supply machine main body 2, and a cup 18 is arranged. A cup station 21 and an operation unit 8 composed of a plurality of push buttons 7A to 7L for selecting a type of beverage arranged on the front surface of the tea dispenser main body 2 are provided. The push buttons 7A to 7L are push buttons 7A, 7B, 7D, 7F, 7G, 7I for the user to select a thickened beverage, and push buttons 7C / 7H for the user to select thickened hot water. , A push button 7E for the user to select hot water and a push button 7J for the user to select cold water. The tea supply device 4 supplies a thickening liquid generating unit that generates a thickening liquid containing a thickening component, a concentrated drinking liquid generating unit that generates a concentrated drinking liquid containing a beverage component that is powdered tea, and a liquid component of cold water or hot water. The liquid supply device 15 is provided. The thickening liquid generation unit is arranged according to the canisters 12 (12B / 12C) in which the powder raw material component of the thickening component is stored and the powder raw material component of the thickening component is carried out according to the carry-out instruction, and each canister 12 (12B / 12C). The thickened liquid is mixed with the raw material chute 13 and the powdered raw material component of the thickening component connected to the raw material chute 13 and carried out from the canister 12 (12B / 12C) and the liquid component supplied from the liquid supply device 15. It is composed of a mixing ball 16 (16B / 16C) to be generated and a stirring body 17 for mixing and stirring a powder raw material component and a liquid component of a thickening component in the mixing ball 16 (16B / 16C). The concentrated beverage liquid generation unit is arranged according to the canisters 12 (12A / 12D) in which the powder raw material components of the beverage component are stored and the powder raw material components of the beverage component are carried out in accordance with the carry-out instruction, and the canisters 12 (12A / 12D). The raw material chute 13 that was made, the powder raw material component of the beverage component that was connected to the raw material chute 13 and carried out from the canister 12 (12A / 12D), and the liquid component supplied from the liquid supply device 15 were mixed to make a concentrated beverage. It is composed of a mixing ball 16 (16A / 16D) for producing a liquid and a stirring body 17 for mixing and stirring the powder raw material component and the liquid component of the beverage component in the mixing ball 16 (16A / 16D). When the push button 7E for selecting hot water or the push button 7J for selecting cold water is pressed by the user, hot water or cold water is supplied from the liquid supply device 15 to the cup 18. .. When the push buttons 7C and 7H for selecting the thickened hot water are pressed by the user, the canisters 12 (12B and 12C) from one canister 12 (12B and 12C) constituting the thickening liquid generator are pressed. The thickening component is supplied to the mixing ball 16 (16B / 16C) corresponding to the above, and the liquid component of hot water or cold water is supplied from the liquid supply device 15 to the mixing ball 16 (16B / 16C) to perform the mixing. A thickening liquid containing a thickening component is generated in the balls 16 (16B / 16C), and the thickening liquid is supplied to the cup 18. When the push buttons 7A, 7B, 7D, 7F, 7G, and 7I for selecting a thickened beverage by the user are pressed, the canisters 12 (12B and 12C) constituting the thickened liquid generator are used. The thickening component is supplied toward the mixing ball 16 (16B / 16C) corresponding to the canister 12 (12B / 12C), and the liquid component of hot water or cold water is the mixing ball 16 (16B) from the liquid supply device 15.・ 16C) is supplied, and a thickening liquid containing a thickening component is generated in the mixing ball 16 (16B ・ 16C). The raw material component is supplied to the mixing ball 16 (16A / 16D) corresponding to the canister 12 (12A / 12D), and the liquid component is supplied to the mixing ball 16 (16A / 16D) from the liquid supply device 15. , A concentrated beverage liquid containing a beverage component is generated in the mixing balls 16 (16A, 16D), and the thickened liquid and the concentrated beverage liquid are mixed in the cup 18 to produce a thickened beverage. It is characterized by being configured in.

より具体的には、ユーザーによりとろみが付いた飲料物を選択するための押しボタン７Ａ、７Ｂ、７Ｄ、７Ｆ、７Ｇ、７Ｉが押圧操作されたとき、とろみ液生成部を構成するミキシングボール１６（１６Ｂ・１６Ｃ）内で生成されたとろみ液をカップ１８内に流下させたのちに、濃飲料液生成部を構成するミキシングボール１６（１６Ａ・１６Ｄ）内で生成された濃飲料液をカップ１８内に流下させて、濃飲料液の自重により両液をカップ１８内で攪拌混合させることで、とろみ付き飲料が生成されるように構成することができる。 More specifically, when the push buttons 7A, 7B, 7D, 7F, 7G, and 7I for selecting a thickened beverage by the user are pressed, the mixing ball 16 constituting the thickening liquid generating unit ( After the thickening liquid generated in 16B / 16C) is allowed to flow down into the cup 18, the concentrated drinking liquid generated in the mixing balls 16 (16A / 16D) constituting the concentrated drinking liquid generating unit is placed in the cup 18. By flowing down into the cup 18 and stirring and mixing both liquids in the cup 18 by the weight of the concentrated beverage liquid, a thickened beverage can be produced.

複数個のミキシングボール１６の下方には、各ミキシングボール１６から流下された飲料を受け止めて、カップ１８に案内する集合ロート１９が配置されており、集合ロート１９を介して、とろみ液、および濃飲料液がカップ１８内に流下されるように構成することができる。 Below the plurality of mixing balls 16, a collecting funnel 19 that receives the beverage flowed down from each mixing ball 16 and guides it to the cup 18 is arranged, and the thickening liquid and the thickening liquid and the thickening liquid are arranged through the collecting funnel 19. The drinking liquid can be configured to flow into the cup 18.

集合ロート１９は、左右方向に長く形成され、底壁の左右方向の中央部に、各ミキシングボール１６から流下された飲料を流下させる注出口２０が形成されており、複数個のミキシングボール１６は、集合ロート１９の上方に左右方向に沿って列設されており、左右方向の中央寄りに位置するミキシングボール１６が、とろみ液を生成するためのミキシングボール１６とすることが望ましい。 The collecting funnel 19 is formed long in the left-right direction, and a spout 20 for flowing the beverage flowed down from each mixing ball 16 is formed in the central portion in the left-right direction of the bottom wall, and the plurality of mixing balls 16 are formed. It is desirable that the mixing balls 16 arranged above the collecting funnel 19 along the left-right direction and located near the center in the left-right direction are the mixing balls 16 for producing the thickening liquid.

とろみが付いた湯水、及びとろみ付き飲料の飲料供給回数（Ｎ）を積算し、当該飲料供給回数（Ｎ）が所定回数に至ると、少なくともとろみ液の生成を担うミキシングボール１６（１６Ｂ・１６Ｃ）からカップ１８に至る、とろみ液の注出経路に対する洗浄動作が行われるように構成することが望ましい。 The number of times (N) of beverages supplied with thickened hot water and thickened beverages is accumulated, and when the number of times the beverages are supplied (N) reaches a predetermined number of times, at least the mixing ball 16 (16B / 16C) responsible for producing the thickened liquid. It is desirable to configure it so that a cleaning operation is performed on the thickening liquid pouring path from the to the cup 18.

本発明に係る飲料供給装置においては、とろみ成分と飲料成分の両成分を含むとろみ付き飲料が選択されると、とろみ成分を含むとろみ液を一つのミキシングボール１６（１６Ｂ・１６Ｃ）内で作成するとともに、飲料成分を含む濃飲料液を他のミキシングボール１６（１６Ａ・１６Ｄ）内で作成して、とろみ液と濃飲料液の両液をカップ１８内で混合させることで、とろみ付き飲料が生成されるようにした。以上のように本発明に係る飲料供給装置においては、濃飲料液の状態で飲料成分をとろみ液に混合させるようにしたので、粉末成分である飲料成分が粉末のままでとろみ液に取り込まれることはなく、飲料内において飲料成分の分散が不均一となることを効果的に防ぐことができる。従って、提供されるとろみ付き飲料の味覚が損なわれることを防ぐこともできる。また、とろみ成分を予めとろみ液としたうえで、当該とろみ液と濃飲料液と混合するので、とろみ成分と飲料成分の両粉末成分が混ざり合って、とろみ成分がダマとなり、咽喉ごしが悪くなり、提供される飲料の味覚が損なわれることを防ぐこともできる。さらにとろみ成分を予めとろみ液としたうえでカップ１８内に流下させるので、カップ１８への注出流路にとろみ成分が残留する不具合は生じ難く、この点でも提供される飲料の味覚が損なわれることを防ぐことができる。 In the beverage supply device according to the present invention, when a thickened beverage containing both a thickened component and a beverage component is selected, a thickened liquid containing the thickened component is prepared in one mixing ball 16 (16B / 16C). At the same time, a concentrated beverage liquid containing a beverage component is prepared in another mixing ball 16 (16A / 16D), and both the thickened liquid and the concentrated beverage liquid are mixed in the cup 18 to generate a thickened beverage. I tried to be done. As described above, in the beverage supply device according to the present invention, the beverage component is mixed with the thickened liquid in the state of the concentrated beverage liquid, so that the beverage component, which is a powder component, is incorporated into the thickened liquid as a powder. However, it is possible to effectively prevent non-uniform dispersion of beverage components in the beverage. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the taste of the thickened beverage from being impaired when provided. In addition, since the thickened component is made into a thickened liquid in advance and then mixed with the thickened liquid and the concentrated beverage liquid, both the thickened component and the beverage component are mixed, and the thickened component becomes lumpy and the throat feels bad. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the taste of the provided beverage from being impaired. Further, since the thickening component is made into a thickening liquid in advance and then poured into the cup 18, the problem that the thickening component remains in the pouring flow path to the cup 18 is unlikely to occur, and the taste of the provided beverage is impaired in this respect as well. You can prevent that.

とろみ液をカップ１８内に流下した後に、濃飲料液をカップ１８内に流下させて、濃飲料液の自重により両液をカップ１８内で攪拌混合させるようにしていると、攪拌具などを使って攪拌混合させる構成に比べて、装置構成の簡素化を図って飲料提供装置の低コスト化に貢献できる。また、一般的にとろみ成分を含むとろみ液の粘度は、濃飲料液の粘度よりも格段に高いため、低粘度の濃飲料液中に高粘度のとろみ液を流下させると、とろみ液の落下衝撃を受けて、濃飲料液はカップ１８内で跳ねて分散しやすく、後から流下させたとろみ液と濃飲料液とを均一に混ざり合わせることは難しく、とろみ付き飲料の味覚が損なわれるおそれがある。後から入れるとろみ液の粘度が高い場合には、先にカップ１８内に入れた濃飲料液が跳ねて、濃飲料液がカップ１８から零れるおそれもある。これに対して本願発明のように、とろみ液をカップ１８内に流下させた後に、濃飲料液をカップ１８内に流下させるようにしていると、低粘度の濃飲料液を勢い良くカップ１８内に入れて、該濃飲料液の自重により両液をカップ１８内で均一に攪拌混合させることができるので、両液が分離することを防いで、提供される飲料の味覚が損なわれることを防ぐことができる。 After the thickened liquid flows down into the cup 18, the concentrated drinking liquid is made to flow down into the cup 18, and both liquids are stirred and mixed in the cup 18 by the weight of the concentrated drinking liquid. It is possible to contribute to the cost reduction of the beverage providing device by simplifying the device configuration as compared with the structure of stirring and mixing. In addition, since the viscosity of a thickened liquid containing a thickening component is generally much higher than that of a concentrated drinking liquid, when a high-viscosity thickening liquid is poured into a low-viscosity concentrated drinking liquid, the impact of dropping the thickening liquid is high. In response to this, the concentrated beverage liquid easily bounces and disperses in the cup 18, and it is difficult to evenly mix the thickened liquid and the concentrated beverage liquid that have flowed down later, which may impair the taste of the thickened beverage. .. If the thickening liquid is added later and the viscosity is high, the concentrated drinking liquid previously placed in the cup 18 may bounce and the concentrated drinking liquid may spill from the cup 18. On the other hand, as in the present invention, when the thickened liquid is allowed to flow into the cup 18 and then the concentrated drinking liquid is allowed to flow into the cup 18, the low-viscosity concentrated drinking liquid is vigorously poured into the cup 18. Since both liquids can be uniformly stirred and mixed in the cup 18 by the weight of the concentrated beverage liquid, it is possible to prevent the two liquids from separating and to prevent the taste of the provided beverage from being impaired. be able to.

複数個のミキシングボール１６の下方に、各ミキシングボール１６から流下された飲料を受け止めて、カップ１８に案内する集合ロート１９が配置されていると、カップ１８への注出流路を単一化することができる。従って、複数の注出流路が設けられている形態における、カップ１８の載置ミスの問題が生じることを防ぐことができる。さらに、とろみ付き飲料の生成時に、とろみ液、次いで濃飲料液の順に集合ロート１９内に液体を供給するようにしていると、当該とろみ付き飲料の生成時に集合ロート１９内にとろみ成分が残留することを、確実に防ぐことができる。 When a collecting funnel 19 that receives the beverage flowed down from each mixing ball 16 and guides it to the cup 18 is arranged below the plurality of mixing balls 16, the pouring flow path to the cup 18 is unified. can do. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the problem of mounting error of the cup 18 in the form in which a plurality of pouring channels are provided. Further, if the liquid is supplied into the aggregate funnel 19 in the order of the thickened liquid and then the concentrated beverage liquid at the time of producing the thickened beverage, the thickened component remains in the aggregated funnel 19 at the time of producing the thickened beverage. This can be reliably prevented.

本発明においては、集合ロート１９の底壁の左右方向の中央部にとろみ液等を流下させる注出口２０を形成するとともに、左右方向の中央寄りに位置するミキシングボール１６をとろみ液を生成するためのミキシングボール１６としたので、集合ロート１９内に供給された濃飲料液で、集合ロート１９内に残留するとろみ成分を注出口２０を介してカップ１８内により確実に流下させることができる。とろみ液を生成するためのミキシングボール１６から注出口２０に至る流路距離を短くすることができるので、粘度の高いとろみ液をミキシングボール１６から注出口２０を経てカップ１８内により確実且つ迅速に流下させることができる。 In the present invention, the spout 20 for flowing the thickened liquid or the like is formed in the central portion of the bottom wall of the collecting funnel 19 in the left-right direction, and the mixing ball 16 located closer to the center in the left-right direction is used to generate the thickened liquid. Since the mixing ball 16 is used, the thickened component remaining in the collecting funnel 19 can be reliably flowed down into the cup 18 through the spout 20 with the concentrated drinking liquid supplied in the collecting funnel 19. Since the flow path distance from the mixing ball 16 for producing the thickening liquid to the spout 20 can be shortened, the thickened liquid having a high viscosity can be more reliably and quickly filled in the cup 18 from the mixing ball 16 through the spout 20. It can be made to flow down.

とろみが付いた湯水を生成する第１のモードと、とろみ付き飲料を生成する第２のモードと、とろみの無い飲料を生成する第３のモードとを備えると、一つの飲料供給装置で種々の飲料を提供することが可能となり、飲料提供装置の実用利便性の向上を図ることができる。 A first mode for producing thickened hot water, a second mode for producing thickened beverages, and a third mode for producing thickened beverages are provided in a single beverage supply device. Beverages can be provided, and the practical convenience of the beverage providing device can be improved.

とろみが付いた湯水、及びとろみ付き飲料の飲料供給回数（Ｎ）を積算し、当該飲料供給回数（Ｎ）が所定回数に至ると、少なくともとろみ液の生成を担うミキシングボール１６（１６Ｂ・１６Ｃ）からカップ１８に至る、とろみ液の注出経路に対する洗浄動作が行われるように構成されていると、カップ１８への注出流路にとろみ成分が残留することを防ぐことができるので、提供される飲料の味覚が損なわれることを防ぐことができる。 The number of times (N) of beverages supplied with thickened hot water and thickened beverages is accumulated, and when the number of times the beverages are supplied (N) reaches a predetermined number of times, at least the mixing ball 16 (16B / 16C) responsible for producing the thickened liquid. If the cleaning operation is performed on the thickening liquid pouring path from the to the cup 18 to the cup 18, it is possible to prevent the thickening component from remaining in the pouring flow path to the cup 18, and thus the thickening component is provided. It is possible to prevent the taste of the beverage from being impaired.

本発明に係る飲料供給装置を適用した給茶機の概略構成を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the tea feeding machine to which the beverage supply device which concerns on this invention is applied. 飲料供給装置の概略構成を示す正面図である。It is a front view which shows the schematic structure of the beverage supply device. 飲料供給装置の飲料物の供給経路を説明するための側面図である。It is a side view for demonstrating the supply route of the beverage of the beverage supply apparatus. 飲料供給装置の動作を説明するためのフローチャートである。It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation of a beverage supply apparatus. 操作部を示す正面図である。It is a front view which shows the operation part. 本発明に係る飲料供給装置の別実施例を示しており、給茶機の要部の概略構成を示す図である。Another embodiment of the beverage supply device according to the present invention is shown, and it is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the main part of the tea dispenser.

（実施例）図１ないし図５に本発明に係る飲料供給装置を給茶機に適用した実施例を示す。本実施例における前後、左右、上下とは、図２、３に示す交差矢印と、各矢印の近傍に表記した前後、左右、上下の表示に従う。図２に示すように、給茶機１は、四角箱状の給茶機本体２と、給茶機本体２の前面に開閉可能に取り付けられた扉体３とを備え、給茶機本体２内にお茶などの飲料を注出する給茶装置４が収納されている。 (Example) FIGS. 1 to 5 show an example in which the beverage supply device according to the present invention is applied to a tea dispenser. The front / rear, left / right, and up / down in this embodiment follow the crossing arrows shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the tea dispenser 1 includes a square box-shaped tea dispenser main body 2 and a door body 3 that is openably and closably attached to the front surface of the tea dispenser main body 2. A tea supply device 4 for pouring out beverages such as tea is housed inside.

扉体３の下方には、給茶装置４の注出口２０に臨んで開口する注出開口５が形成され、扉体３の注出開口５の上方にはフロントパネル６が装着されている。フロントパネル６には、押しボタン７Ａ～７Ｌで構成された操作部８が配置されている。図５に示すように、操作部８は、提供する飲料の種類等を選択するためのものであり、右方には上方から順に「温かいとろみ付きの煎茶（薄め）」（７Ａ）、「温かいとろみ付きの煎茶（濃いめ）」（７Ｂ）、「とろみ付きの湯」（７Ｃ）、「温かいとろみ付きのほうじ茶（薄め）」（７Ｄ）、「お湯」（７Ｅ）を選択できる押しボタンが列設され、左方には上方から順に「冷たいとろみ付きの煎茶（薄め）」（７Ｆ）、「冷たいとろみ付きの煎茶（濃いめ）」（７Ｇ）、「とろみ付きの水」（７Ｈ）、「冷たいとろみ付きのほうじ茶（薄め）」（７Ｉ）、「冷水」（７Ｊ）を選択できる押しボタンが列設されている。最下方には、「とろみなし」を選択できる押しボタン（７Ｋ）と、洗浄動作を実行させるための押しボタン（７Ｌ）とが設けられている。符号９Ａ～９Ｄは「とろみ付煎茶（薄め）」、「とろみ付煎茶（濃いめ）」、「とろみ付水（薄め）」、「とろみ付ほうじ茶（薄め）」などの飲料の種類が書かれた表示部を示しており、ユーザーは、これら表示部９Ａ～９Ｄの記載に基づいて飲料の種別を確認したうえで、その左右に位置するいずれの押しボタン（７Ａ～７Ｊ）からなる飲料選択ボタンを押圧することで、ホットタイプ或いはコールドタイプの飲料を選択することができる。また飲料の選択前に押しボタン７Ｋを押圧することでとろみ無しの飲料を選択することができる。また、押しボタン７Ｌを押圧することで、任意のタイミングで強制的に洗浄動作を実行することができる。なお、「濃いめ」、「薄め」とは、とろみの強弱を意味している。 A pouring opening 5 is formed below the door body 3 so as to face the pouring outlet 20 of the tea supply device 4, and a front panel 6 is mounted above the pouring opening 5 of the door body 3. An operation unit 8 composed of push buttons 7A to 7L is arranged on the front panel 6. As shown in FIG. 5, the operation unit 8 is for selecting the type of beverage to be provided, and on the right side, "warm thickened green tea (thin)" (7A) and "warm" are ordered from the top. There are rows of push buttons that allow you to select "thickened sencha (thick)" (7B), "thickened hot water" (7C), "warm thickened roasted green tea (thin)" (7D), and "hot water" (7E). From the top on the left, "Cold thickened sencha (thin)" (7F), "Cold thickened sencha (thick)" (7G), "Thickened water" (7H), "Cold thickened sencha" (7H) There are rows of push buttons that allow you to select "Sencha (thin)" (7I) or "Cold water" (7J). At the lowermost part, a push button (7K) for selecting "deemed" and a push button (7L) for executing a washing operation are provided. Codes 9A to 9D indicate the type of beverage such as "thickened sencha (thin)", "thickened sencha (thick)", "thickened water (thin)", and "thickened roasted tea (thin)". After confirming the type of beverage based on the description of these display units 9A to 9D, the user presses the beverage selection button consisting of any of the push buttons (7A to 7J) located on the left and right of the unit. By doing so, it is possible to select a hot type or a cold type beverage. Further, by pressing the push button 7K before selecting a beverage, a beverage without thickening can be selected. Further, by pressing the push button 7L, the cleaning operation can be forcibly executed at an arbitrary timing. In addition, "dark" and "thin" mean the strength of thickening.

より詳しくは、給茶機１は、とろみ付きの湯、或いはとろみ付きの水を生成する第１モードと、とろみ付きの煎茶、或いはとろみ付きのほうじ茶を生成する第２モードと、とろみのない通常の煎茶やほうじ茶を提供する第３モードと、とろみのない湯、或いは水を提供する第４モードとを備えている。つまり、「とろみ付きのお湯」（７Ｃ）、或いは「とろみ付きの冷水」（７Ｈ）の押しボタンが押圧操作されたときには第１モードとなり、「温かいとろみ付きの煎茶（薄め）」（７Ａ）、「温かいとろみ付きの煎茶（濃いめ）」（７Ｂ）、「温かいとろみ付きのほうじ茶」（７Ｄ）、「冷たいとろみ付きの煎茶（薄め）」（７Ｆ）、「冷たいとろみ付きの煎茶（濃いめ）」（７Ｇ）、或いは「冷たいとろみ付きのほうじ茶」（７Ｉ）の押しボタンが押圧操作されたときには第２モードとなり、上記のとろみ付き飲料を選択する押しボタン（７Ａ、７Ｂ、７Ｄ、７Ｆ、７Ｇ、７Ｉ）が押圧される前に、「とろみなし」を選択する押しボタン（７Ｋ）が押圧操作されたときには第３モードとなり、「お湯」（７Ｅ）、或いは「冷水」（７Ｊ）の押しボタンが押圧操作されたときには第４モードとなるように設定されている。 More specifically, the tea dispenser 1 has a first mode for producing thickened hot water or thickened water, a second mode for producing thickened sencha or thickened roasted tea, and a normal non-thickened tea. It has a third mode for providing sencha and roasted green tea, and a fourth mode for providing thick water or water. In other words, when the push button of "thickened hot water" (7C) or "thickened cold water" (7H) is pressed, the first mode is set, and "warm thickened sencha (thin)" (7A), "Warm thickened sencha (dark)" (7B), "warm thickened roasted green tea" (7D), "cold thickened sencha (thin)" (7F), "cold thickened sencha (dark)" ( When the push button of 7G) or "cold thickened roasted green tea" (7I) is pressed, the second mode is set and the push button (7A, 7B, 7D, 7F, 7G, 7I) for selecting the above thickened beverage is selected. ) Is pressed, and when the push button (7K) that selects "deemed" is pressed, the third mode is set, and the push button of "hot water" (7E) or "cold water" (7J) is pressed. It is set to be in the fourth mode when operated.

図１において給茶装置４は、全体の制御を担う制御装置１０と、粉末原料成分１１（図３参照）を貯留し、制御装置１０からの搬出指令に従って粉末原料成分１１を搬出するキャニスター１２（１２Ａ～１２Ｄ）と、各キャニスター１２Ａ～１２Ｄの前方に配置された原料シュート１３（１３Ａ～１３Ｄ）と、制御装置１０からの供給指令に従って冷水や温水などの液体成分を供給する給液装置１５と、原料シュート１３に接続され、キャニスター１２から搬出された粉末原料成分１１と、給液装置１５から供給された液体成分とを混合して飲料を生成するミキシングボール１６（１６Ａ～１６Ｄ）と、各ミキシングボール１６内に配置されて、粉末原料成分１１と液体成分との混合攪拌を行う攪拌体１７と、各ミキシングボール１６から流下された飲料を受け止めて、カップ１８に案内する集合ロート１９とで構成される。集合ロート１９の底面には注出口２０が突設されており、この注出口２０から流下された飲料が、カップステーション２１内に配されたカップ１８内に供給される。カップステーション２１は、扉体３の注出開口５に対応して給茶機本体２内に設けられた箱体であり、その底面にはスノコが配されている。注出口２０から流下された飲料のうち、カップ１８で受け止められなかった飲料は、スノコ、排水流路２２を介して装置の外部に排出、或いは図外の排水タンクに貯められる。 In FIG. 1, the tea supply device 4 stores the control device 10 which is responsible for overall control and the powder raw material component 11 (see FIG. 3), and the canister 12 (which carries out the powder raw material component 11 according to the carry-out command from the control device 10). 12A to 12D), raw material chute 13 (13A to 13D) arranged in front of each canister 12A to 12D, and a liquid supply device 15 for supplying liquid components such as cold water and hot water according to a supply command from the control device 10. , Mixing balls 16 (16A to 16D) for producing a beverage by mixing the powder raw material component 11 connected to the raw material chute 13 and carried out from the canister 12 and the liquid component supplied from the liquid supply device 15. A stirring body 17 that is arranged in the mixing ball 16 and mixes and stirs the powder raw material component 11 and the liquid component, and a collecting funnel 19 that receives the beverage flowing down from each mixing ball 16 and guides it to the cup 18. It is composed. A spout 20 is projected from the bottom surface of the collecting funnel 19, and the beverage flowing down from the spout 20 is supplied into the cup 18 arranged in the cup station 21. The cup station 21 is a box body provided in the tea machine main body 2 corresponding to the pouring opening 5 of the door body 3, and a slatted board is arranged on the bottom surface thereof. Of the beverages that have flowed down from the spout 20, the beverages that are not received by the cup 18 are discharged to the outside of the device via the drainboard and the drainage channel 22, or are stored in a drainage tank (not shown).

キャニスター１２には、粉末茶（粉末煎茶）、粉末ほうじ茶、およびとろみ成分の粉末原料成分１１が収容されている。本実施例の給茶機１では、４つのキャニスター１２のうち、右端のキャニスター１２Ａには粉末茶が収容され、中央の２つのキャニスター１２Ｂ・１２Ｃにはとろみ成分が収容され、左端のキャニスター１２Ｄには粉末ほうじ茶が収容されている。図３に示すように、キャニスター１２の下端には、モータ２５で回転される供給スクリュー２６が配置されている。制御装置１０からの搬出指令を受けると、所定時間モータ２５が回転することで、所定量の粉末原料成分１１を原料シュート１３に繰り出して供給することができる。中央の２つのキャニスター１２Ｂ・１２Ｃのモータ２５の回転時間は異なるものに設定されており、搬出指令を受けたときの右方のキャニスター１２Ｂからのとろみ成分の搬出量は、左方のキャニスター１２Ｃのそれよりも多くなるように設定されている。 The canister 12 contains powdered tea (powdered green tea), powdered roasted tea, and powdered raw material component 11 as a thickening component. In the tea dispenser 1 of this embodiment, of the four canisters 12, the rightmost canister 12A contains powdered tea, the two central canisters 12B and 12C contain the thickening component, and the leftmost canister 12D contains the thickening component. Contains powdered roasted tea. As shown in FIG. 3, a supply screw 26 rotated by a motor 25 is arranged at the lower end of the canister 12. Upon receiving the carry-out command from the control device 10, the motor 25 rotates for a predetermined time, so that a predetermined amount of the powder raw material component 11 can be delivered and supplied to the raw material chute 13. The rotation times of the motors 25 of the two central canisters 12B and 12C are set to be different, and the amount of the thickening component carried out from the right canister 12B when receiving the carry-out command is that of the left canister 12C. It is set to be more than that.

図３に示すように、各ミキシングボール１６は、円形の底壁部２７と、この底壁部２７の周縁から上方に立設された周壁部２８とからなる有底円筒状のボール部２９と、ボール部２９の上方開口を塞ぐ蓋体３０とで構成される。底壁部２７は中央部が下窄まりのテーパー状に形成されており、底壁部２７の最下方には飲料の流出を許す流出口３１が開口されている。蓋体３０には、原料シュート１３のほか、攪拌体１７の回転軸３４と、湯・水用ノズル６０を受け入れる開口が形成されている。 As shown in FIG. 3, each mixing ball 16 has a bottomed cylindrical ball portion 29 including a circular bottom wall portion 27 and a peripheral wall portion 28 erected above the peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 27. , A lid 30 that closes the upper opening of the ball portion 29. The bottom wall portion 27 is formed in a tapered shape with a lower constriction at the center, and an outflow port 31 that allows the outflow of beverage is opened at the lowermost portion of the bottom wall portion 27. In addition to the raw material chute 13, the lid 30 is formed with a rotation shaft 34 of the stirring body 17 and an opening for receiving the hot water / water nozzle 60.

ミキシングボール１６内に配置されて、粉末原料成分１１と液体成分との混合攪拌を担う攪拌体１７は、モータ３３の出力軸に連結された回転軸３４と、回転軸３４の下方に配された円盤状の攪拌羽根３５とで構成される。攪拌羽根３５の底面には、複数本のリブ状の翼体３６が膨出形成されている。攪拌羽根３５の回転時には、翼体３６が飲料を跳ね飛ばすことで飲料の流出口３１からの流下が抑えられ、攪拌羽根３５の回転が停止することで飲料は流出口３１から流下される。 The stirring body 17, which is arranged in the mixing ball 16 and is responsible for mixing and stirring the powder raw material component 11 and the liquid component, is arranged in a rotating shaft 34 connected to the output shaft of the motor 33 and below the rotating shaft 34. It is composed of a disk-shaped stirring blade 35. A plurality of rib-shaped blades 36 are bulged and formed on the bottom surface of the stirring blade 35. When the stirring blade 35 rotates, the blade 36 bounces off the beverage to suppress the flow of the beverage from the outlet 31, and the stirring blade 35 stops rotating to cause the beverage to flow down from the outlet 31.

集合ロート１９は、各ミキシングボール１６Ａ～１６Ｄに対応する４つの有底容器状の液受部を有する左右横長の成形品であり、その左右方向の中央部に注出口２０が突設されている。 The collecting funnel 19 is a horizontally long molded product having four bottomed container-shaped liquid receiving portions corresponding to the mixing balls 16A to 16D, and a spout 20 is provided at the center portion in the left-right direction thereof. ..

図１において給液装置１５は、湯を供給する湯供給装置３８と、冷水を供給する冷水供給装置３９と、制御装置１０からの分配指令を受けて、湯供給装置３８および冷水供給装置３９から送られてきた湯水をミキシングボール１６、および集合ロート１９に分配するディストリビュータ４０とを含む。湯供給装置３８および冷水供給装置３９には、水道に接続された給水ライン４１を介して水道水が供給される。湯供給装置３８は、ヒータ４２で所定温度に沸き上げた湯を貯湯する湯タンク４３と、この湯タンク４３内の湯をディストリビュータ４０に供給する配湯ライン４４と、湯タンク４３から配湯ライン４４に湯を汲み上げるポンプ４５とで構成される。湯タンク４３には、給水ライン４１から湯タンク４３に至る配水管４６を介して水道水が供給される。配水管４６内における水の流れは、電磁弁である第１給水弁４７によりオンオフ制御されており、第１給水弁４７を開くことで、配水管４６を介して湯タンク４３に水道水を供給することができる。 In FIG. 1, the liquid supply device 15 is supplied from the hot water supply device 38 and the cold water supply device 39 in response to a distribution command from the hot water supply device 38 for supplying hot water, the cold water supply device 39 for supplying cold water, and the control device 10. It includes a mixing ball 16 and a distributor 40 that distributes the sent hot water to the collecting funnel 19. Tap water is supplied to the hot water supply device 38 and the cold water supply device 39 via a water supply line 41 connected to the water supply. The hot water supply device 38 includes a hot water tank 43 that stores hot water boiled to a predetermined temperature by the heater 42, a hot water distribution line 44 that supplies the hot water in the hot water tank 43 to the distributor 40, and a hot water distribution line from the hot water tank 43. It is composed of a pump 45 for pumping hot water to 44. Tap water is supplied to the hot water tank 43 via a water distribution pipe 46 from the water supply line 41 to the hot water tank 43. The flow of water in the water distribution pipe 46 is controlled on and off by the first water supply valve 47, which is an electromagnetic valve, and by opening the first water supply valve 47, tap water is supplied to the hot water tank 43 via the water distribution pipe 46. can do.

冷水供給装置３９は、冷却水４９が貯められた冷却用タンク５０と、給水ライン４１に接続されて、冷却用タンク５０内を通ってディストリビュータ４０に至る配水ライン５１と、冷却水４９を冷却する冷凍サイクル５２とで構成される。冷凍サイクル５２は、冷却用タンク５０内に設けられて冷却水４９を介して配水ライン５１内の水を冷却する蒸発器５３と、冷媒管５４を介して蒸発器５３に冷媒を供給する圧縮機、凝縮器等からなる冷凍装置５５とで構成される。給水ライン４１から配水ライン５１への給水は第２給水弁５６によりオンオフ制御され、配水ライン５１内の流水は第３給水弁５７によりオンオフ制御される。両給水弁５６・５７を開姿勢とすることで、配水ライン５１内を流れる水は、冷却水４９により冷却されて冷水とされ、ディストリビュータ４０に向けて冷水を供給することができる。 The chilled water supply device 39 cools the cooling water 49, which is connected to the cooling tank 50 in which the cooling water 49 is stored, and the water distribution line 51, which is connected to the water supply line 41 and reaches the distributor 40 through the cooling tank 50. It is composed of a refrigeration cycle 52. The refrigerating cycle 52 is provided in the cooling tank 50 and is provided with an evaporator 53 for cooling the water in the distribution line 51 via the cooling water 49 and a compressor for supplying the refrigerant to the evaporator 53 via the refrigerant pipe 54. , A refrigerating device 55 including a condenser and the like. The water supply from the water supply line 41 to the water distribution line 51 is controlled on / off by the second water supply valve 56, and the flowing water in the water distribution line 51 is controlled on / off by the third water supply valve 57. By setting both water supply valves 56 and 57 in the open position, the water flowing in the water distribution line 51 is cooled by the cooling water 49 to be cold water, and cold water can be supplied to the distributor 40.

ディストリビュータ４０の入口ポートには、配湯ライン４４と配水ライン５１とを連結してなる集合ライン５８が接続され、ディストリビュータ４０の出口ポートには、計５本の湯・水用パイプ５９Ａ～５９Ｅが接続されている。これら湯・水用パイプ５９Ａ～５９Ｅのそれぞれは、４つのミキシングボール１６Ａ～１６Ｄの湯・水用ノズル６０Ａ～６０Ｄと、集合ロート１９の湯・水用ノズル６０Ｅに至っている。 An assembly line 58 connecting the hot water distribution line 44 and the water distribution line 51 is connected to the inlet port of the distributor 40, and a total of five hot water / water pipes 59A to 59E are connected to the outlet port of the distributor 40. It is connected. Each of these hot water / water pipes 59A to 59E reaches the hot water / water nozzles 60A to 60D of the four mixing balls 16A to 16D and the hot water / water nozzles 60E of the collecting funnel 19.

制御装置１０は、制御プログラム等が記録されているＲＯＭと、制御プログラムに基づいて各部位に向けて制御信号を発して給茶機１の全体を制御する制御部と、制御部の動作領域となるＲＡＭなどで構成される。ＲＡＭには、とろみが付いた湯水、及びとろみ付き飲料の飲料供給回数の積算値（Ｎ）のほか、当該積算値の比較対象となる洗浄基準回数（Ｃ）が格納されており、当該積算値（Ｎ）が洗浄基準回数（Ｃ）に至ると、とろみ液の注出経路を洗浄する洗浄動作が実行されるようになっている。また、制御装置１０の制御部は、予め設定された時刻（例えば３時、９時、１５時、２１時の４回）に洗浄を行うように給茶機１を制御している。当該設定時刻毎の洗浄が行われた時には、給茶機１の動作は待機状態から電源がオン操作された状態にリセットされる。このように、本実施例の給茶機１では、押しボタン７Ｌが押圧操作されたとき、飲料供給回数が洗浄基準回数（Ｃ）に達したとき、および予め設定された時刻になったときにとろみ液の注出経路の洗浄が行われるようになっている。 The control device 10 includes a ROM in which a control program or the like is recorded, a control unit that emits a control signal to each part based on the control program to control the entire tea dispenser 1, and an operation area of the control unit. It is composed of RAM and the like. In the RAM, in addition to the integrated value (N) of the number of times the thickened hot water and the thickened beverage are supplied, the cleaning reference number (C) to be compared with the integrated value is stored, and the integrated value is stored. When (N) reaches the cleaning reference number of times (C), a cleaning operation for cleaning the thickening liquid injection path is executed. Further, the control unit of the control device 10 controls the tea dispenser 1 so as to perform cleaning at a preset time (for example, four times of 3:00, 9:00, 15:00, and 21:00). When the cleaning is performed at each set time, the operation of the tea dispenser 1 is reset from the standby state to the power-on operation state. As described above, in the tea dispenser 1 of the present embodiment, when the push button 7L is pressed, the number of times the beverage is supplied reaches the washing reference number (C), and the time reaches a preset time. Cleaning of the thickening liquid injection route is performed.

以上のような構成からなる給茶機１の動作について、図４のフローチャートを使って説明する。待機状態から電源がオン操作されると、とろみが付いた湯水、及びとろみ付き飲料の飲料供給回数の積算値（Ｎ）を「０」に設定して（Ｓ１）、待機状態となる。この待機状態から飲料選択ボタン（押しボタン（７Ａ～７Ｊ））が押圧操作され（Ｓ２でＹＥＳ）、選択された飲料が「冷水」または「お湯」である場合には（Ｓ３でＹＥＳ）、「冷水」或いは「お湯」を注出・提供して（Ｓ４）、Ｓ２に戻る。具体的には、冷水の場合には、給茶機１は第４のモードとなり、配水ライン５１の両給水弁５６・５７を開操作して、ディストリビュータ４０に向けて冷水を供給し、当該ディストリビュータ４０により、冷水を湯・水用パイプ５９Ｅに供給する。これにより、湯・水用ノズル６０Ｅ、集合ロート１９、注出口２０を介して、カップステーション２１に載置されたカップ１８に冷水を給液することができる。お湯の場合には、ポンプ４５を駆動して湯タンク４３から配湯ライン４４にお湯を汲み上げて、ディストリビュータ４０、湯・水用ノズル６０Ｅ、集合ロート１９、注出口２０を介して、カップステーション２１に載置されたカップ１８にお湯を給液することができる。 The operation of the tea dispenser 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power is turned on from the standby state, the integrated value (N) of the number of times the thickened hot water and the thickened beverage are supplied is set to "0" (S1), and the standby state is established. From this standby state, the beverage selection button (push button (7A to 7J)) is pressed (YES in S2), and when the selected beverage is "cold water" or "hot water" (YES in S3), " Pour and provide "cold water" or "hot water" (S4), and return to S2. Specifically, in the case of cold water, the tea dispenser 1 is in the fourth mode, and both water supply valves 56 and 57 of the water distribution line 51 are opened to supply cold water to the distributor 40, and the distributor is concerned. 40 supplies cold water to the hot water / water pipe 59E. As a result, cold water can be supplied to the cup 18 placed on the cup station 21 via the hot water / water nozzle 60E, the collecting funnel 19, and the spout 20. In the case of hot water, the pump 45 is driven to pump hot water from the hot water tank 43 to the hot water distribution line 44, and the cup station 21 is passed through the distributor 40, the hot water / water nozzle 60E, the collecting funnel 19, and the spout 20. Hot water can be supplied to the cup 18 placed in the cup 18.

飲料選択ボタン（押しボタン（７Ａ～７Ｊ））の押圧操作により選択された飲料が「冷水」や「お湯」ではなく（Ｓ３でＮＯ）、「温かいとろみ付きの煎茶（薄め）」、「温かいとろみ付きの煎茶（濃いめ）」、「温かいとろみ付きのほうじ茶」、「とろみ付きのお湯」、「冷たいとろみ付きの煎茶（薄め）」、「冷たいとろみ付きの煎茶（濃いめ）」、「冷たいとろみ付きのほうじ茶」、および「とろみ付きの冷水」などの「とろみ付き飲料」である場合には（Ｓ５でＹＥＳ）、とろみ液を調合する（Ｓ６）。具体的には、例えば「とろみ付きのお湯」に係る押しボタン（７Ｃ）が押圧操作された場合には、給茶機１は第１のモードとなり、キャニスター１２Ｃの供給スクリュー２６を回転操作して、ミキシングボール１６Ｃ内にとろみ成分を供給するとともに、ポンプ４５を駆動して、湯タンク４３、配湯ライン４４、ディストリビュータ４０を介して、ミキシングボール１６Ｃ内にお湯を供給し、所定時間攪拌体１７を回転させて、とろみ成分とお湯とを攪拌させてとろみ液を調合する。次いで攪拌体１７の回転を停止することにより、流出口３１、集合ロート１９、注出口２０を介して、カップステーション２１に載置されたカップ１８にとろみ液を給液することができる。以上のようにとろみ付き飲料が選択され（Ｓ５）、とろみ液が調合されると（Ｓ６）、とろみ付き飲料の飲料供給回数の積算値（Ｎ）を１つ加算し（Ｎ＋１）、当該飲料供給回数をＲＡＭに保存する（Ｓ７）。 The beverage selected by pressing the beverage selection button (push button (7A-7J)) is not "cold water" or "hot water" (NO in S3), but "warm thickened sencha (thin)" and "warm thickening". Sencha with thick drink (thick), warm thickened roasted green tea, hot water with thickened water, cold thickened sencha (thin), cold thickened sencha (dark), cold thickened sencha In the case of "thickened beverage" such as "hojicha" and "thickened cold water" (YES in S5), the thickened liquid is prepared (S6). Specifically, for example, when the push button (7C) related to "thickened hot water" is pressed, the tea dispenser 1 is in the first mode, and the supply screw 26 of the canister 12C is rotated. , The thickening component is supplied into the mixing ball 16C, and the pump 45 is driven to supply hot water into the mixing ball 16C via the hot water tank 43, the hot water distribution line 44, and the distributor 40, and the stirring body 17 is used for a predetermined time. Is rotated to stir the thickening component and hot water to prepare the thickening liquid. Then, by stopping the rotation of the stirring body 17, the thickened liquid can be supplied to the cup 18 placed on the cup station 21 via the outlet 31, the collecting funnel 19, and the spout 20. When the thickened beverage is selected (S5) and the thickened liquid is prepared (S6) as described above, the integrated value (N) of the number of times the thickened beverage is supplied is added by one (N + 1) to supply the beverage. The number of times is stored in the RAM (S7).

「薄め」の飲料の押しボタンが選択されたとき、具体的には「とろみ付き煎茶（薄め）」に係る押しボタン（７Ａ・７Ｆ）、「とろみ付き水（薄め）」に係る押しボタン（７Ｃ・７Ｈ）、或いは「とろみ付きほうじ茶（薄め）」に係る押しボタン（７Ｄ・７Ｉ）が押圧操作されたときには、キャニスター１２Ｃからとろみ成分が供給されて、ミキシングボール１６Ｃによりとろみ液が調合される。「濃いめ」の飲料の押しボタンが選択されたとき、具体的には「とろみ付き煎茶（濃いめ）」に係る押しボタン（７Ｂ・７Ｇ）が押圧操作されたときには、キャニスター１２Ｂからとろみ成分が供給されて、ミキシングボール１６Ｂによりとろみ液が調合される。 When the "thin" beverage push button is selected, specifically, the push button (7A / 7F) related to "thickened sencha (thin)" and the push button (7C) related to "thickened water (thin)". When the push button (7D / 7I) pertaining to 7H) or "thickened roasted green tea (thin)" is pressed, the thickening component is supplied from the canister 12C, and the thickening liquid is prepared by the mixing ball 16C. When the push button of the "thick" beverage is selected, specifically, when the push button (7B / 7G) related to "thickened sencha (thick)" is pressed, the thickening component is supplied from the canister 12B. Then, the thickening liquid is prepared by the mixing ball 16B.

飲料選択ボタン（押しボタン（７Ａ～７Ｊ））の押圧操作により選択された飲料が、煎茶やほうじ茶などを含む調合が必要な飲料である場合には（Ｓ８でＹＥＳ）、煎茶やほうじ茶などの濃飲料液を調合する（Ｓ９）。具体的には、例えば「温かいとろみ付きの煎茶（薄め）」が選択された場合には、給茶機１は第２のモードとなり、キャニスター１２Ａの供給スクリュー２６を回転操作して、ミキシングボール１６Ａ内に粉末茶を供給するとともに、ポンプ４５を駆動して、湯タンク４３、配湯ライン４４、ディストリビュータ４０を介して、ミキシングボール１６Ａ内にお湯を供給し、所定時間攪拌体１７を回転させて、粉末茶とお湯とを攪拌させて濃飲料液である濃煎茶を調合する。次いで攪拌体１７の回転を停止することにより、流出口３１、集合ロート１９、注出口２０を介して、カップステーション２１に載置されたカップ１８に濃飲料液を給液することができる。以上より、先のＳ５、Ｓ６のステップによりカップ１８内に供給されていたとろみ液に、濃飲料液を加えて、濃飲料液の自重により両液をカップ１８内で攪拌混合させることで、とろみ付きの煎茶を生成することができる。なお、以上のような第２のモードにおいてミキシングボール１６Ａ～１６Ｄに供給される冷水やお湯の水量は、後述する第３のモードにおける水量の約半分に設定されており、カップ１８内に供給される液体の総量は、略均一となるように設定されている。 If the beverage selected by pressing the beverage selection button (push button (7A-7J)) is a beverage that requires preparation including sencha or roasted green tea (YES in S8), the beverage such as sencha or roasted green tea is concentrated. The beverage liquid is prepared (S9). Specifically, for example, when "warm thickened green tea (thin)" is selected, the tea dispenser 1 is in the second mode, and the supply screw 26 of the canister 12A is rotated to rotate the mixing ball 16A. While supplying powdered tea to the inside, the pump 45 is driven to supply hot water into the mixing ball 16A via the hot water tank 43, the hot water distribution line 44, and the distributor 40, and the stirring body 17 is rotated for a predetermined time. , Powdered tea and hot water are stirred to prepare a strong sencha, which is a strong drinking liquid. Then, by stopping the rotation of the stirrer 17, the concentrated beverage liquid can be supplied to the cup 18 placed on the cup station 21 via the outlet 31, the collecting funnel 19, and the spout 20. From the above, the concentrated drinking liquid is added to the thickened liquid supplied in the cup 18 in the previous steps S5 and S6, and both liquids are stirred and mixed in the cup 18 by the weight of the concentrated drinking liquid to thicken. It is possible to produce sencha with a drink. The amount of cold water or hot water supplied to the mixing balls 16A to 16D in the second mode as described above is set to about half the amount of water in the third mode described later, and is supplied into the cup 18. The total amount of liquid is set to be substantially uniform.

一方、例えば「温かい煎茶」が選択された場合には、給茶機１は第３のモードとなり、キャニスター１２Ａの供給スクリュー２６を回転操作して、ミキシングボール１６Ａ内に粉末茶を供給するとともに、ポンプ４５を駆動して、湯タンク４３、配湯ライン４４、ディストリビュータ４０を介して、ミキシングボール１６Ａ内にお湯を供給し、所定時間攪拌体１７を回転させて、粉末茶とお湯とを攪拌させて煎茶を調合する。次いで攪拌体１７の回転を停止することにより、流出口３１、集合ロート１９、注出口２０を介して、カップステーション２１に載置されたカップ１８に煎茶を給液する。 On the other hand, for example, when "warm green tea" is selected, the tea dispenser 1 is in the third mode, and the supply screw 26 of the canister 12A is rotated to supply powdered tea into the mixing ball 16A. The pump 45 is driven to supply hot water into the mixing ball 16A via the hot water tank 43, the hot water distribution line 44, and the distributor 40, and the stirring body 17 is rotated for a predetermined time to stir the powdered tea and the hot water. Mix sencha. Next, by stopping the rotation of the stirring body 17, the sencha is supplied to the cup 18 placed on the cup station 21 via the outlet 31, the collecting funnel 19, and the spout 20.

以上のような飲料のカップ１８への給液が終了すると、とろみが付いた湯水、及びとろみ付き飲料の飲料供給回数の積算値（Ｎ）をＲＡＭから読み出し、当該積算値（Ｎ）と洗浄基準回数（Ｃ）とを比較し（Ｓ１０）、積算値（Ｎ）が洗浄基準回数（Ｃ）に達すると、内部洗浄動作を実行する（Ｓ１１）。具体的には、とろみ液の生成用のミキシングボール１６Ｂ・１６Ｃに対してお湯を流して、ミキシングボール１６Ｂ・１６Ｃから集合ロート１９を介して注出口２０に至る、とろみ液の注出経路を洗浄する。内部洗浄動作が終了すると（Ｓ１１）、Ｓ１に戻って、積算値（Ｎ）をリセットする。 When the above-mentioned liquid supply to the cup 18 of the beverage is completed, the integrated value (N) of the number of times the beverage is supplied with the thickened hot water and the thickened beverage is read from the RAM, and the integrated value (N) and the cleaning standard are read. The number of times (C) is compared (S10), and when the integrated value (N) reaches the cleaning reference number of times (C), the internal cleaning operation is executed (S11). Specifically, hot water is poured through the mixing balls 16B / 16C for producing the thickening liquid, and the pouring route of the thickening liquid from the mixing balls 16B / 16C to the spout 20 via the collecting funnel 19 is washed. do. When the internal cleaning operation is completed (S11), the process returns to S1 and the integrated value (N) is reset.

以上のように本実施例に係る給茶機１においては、とろみ成分と飲料成分の両成分を含むとろみ付き飲料が選択されると、とろみ成分を含むとろみ液を一つのミキシングボール１６（１６Ｂ・１６Ｃ）内で作成してカップ１８内に流下させたのち、飲料成分を含む濃飲料液を他のミキシングボール１６（１６Ａ・１６Ｄ）内で作成してカップ１８内に流下させて、濃飲料液の自重により両液をカップ１８内で攪拌混合させることで、とろみ付き飲料が生成されるようにしたので、飲料成分が粉末のままでとろみ液に取り込まれて、飲料内において飲料成分の分散が不均一となる不具合や、とろみ成分と飲料成分の両粉末成分が混ざり合って、とろみ成分がダマとなる不具合の発生を確実に防いで、提供される飲料の味覚が損なわれることを防ぐこともできる。さらに、とろみ液をカップ１８内に流下した後に、濃飲料液をカップ１８内に流下させるので、とろみ付き飲料の提供時にカップ１８への注出流路にとろみ成分が残留する不具合は生じ難く、この点でも提供される飲料の味覚が損なわれることを防ぐことができる。 As described above, in the tea dispenser 1 according to the present embodiment, when a thickened beverage containing both a thickened component and a beverage component is selected, the thickened liquid containing the thickened component is combined into one mixing ball 16 (16B. After making it in 16C) and letting it flow down into the cup 18, a concentrated drinking liquid containing a beverage component is made in another mixing ball 16 (16A / 16D) and flowing down into the cup 18 to make a concentrated drinking liquid. By stirring and mixing both liquids in the cup 18 by the weight of the beverage, a thickened beverage is produced. Therefore, the beverage component is taken into the thickened liquid as a powder, and the beverage component is dispersed in the beverage. It is also possible to prevent the occurrence of non-uniformity problems and problems that the thickening component and the beverage component are mixed and the thickening component becomes lumpy, and the taste of the provided beverage is not impaired. can. Further, since the concentrated beverage liquid is allowed to flow down into the cup 18 after the thickened liquid is poured into the cup 18, it is unlikely that the thickened component remains in the pouring flow path to the cup 18 when the thickened beverage is provided. In this respect as well, it is possible to prevent the taste of the provided beverage from being impaired.

図６に本発明の飲料供給装置の別実施例を示す。この別実施例に係る飲料供給装置（給茶機）では、集合ロート１９の形態が先の実施例と相違する。それ以外の構成は先の実施例と同様であるので、同一の部材には同一の符号を付してその説明を省略する。 FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the beverage supply device of the present invention. In the beverage supply device (tea dispenser) according to the other embodiment, the form of the collective funnel 19 is different from that of the previous embodiment. Since the other configurations are the same as those in the previous embodiment, the same members are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

図６に示すように、別実施例に係る集合ロート１９は、各ミキシングボール１６Ａ～１６Ｄ、および湯・水用ノズル６０Ｅに対応したガイド流路７０Ａ～７０Ｅを備える点が、先の実施例に係る集合ロート１９と相違する。より詳しくは、別実施例に係る集合ロート１９は、各ミキシングボール１６Ａ～１６Ｄの流出口３１から流下された飲料を受け止めて、各飲料を注出口２０に案内するガイド流路７０Ａ～７０Ｄと、湯・水用ノズル６０Ｅから流下された湯水を注出口２０に案内するガイド流路７０Ｅとを備えており、各飲料や湯水は、他の飲料等と混じることなく、各ガイド流路７０Ａ～７０Ｄの終端に設けられた注出口２０を介してカップ１８内に供給されるようになっている。 As shown in FIG. 6, the collective funnel 19 according to another embodiment is provided with the mixing balls 16A to 16D and the guide flow paths 70A to 70E corresponding to the hot water / water nozzles 60E. It is different from the set funnel 19. More specifically, the collective funnel 19 according to another embodiment has guide channels 70A to 70D that receive the beverages that have flowed down from the outlets 31 of the mixing balls 16A to 16D and guide the beverages to the spout 20. It is equipped with a guide flow path 70E that guides the hot water flowing down from the hot water / water nozzle 60E to the spout 20, and each beverage or hot water is not mixed with other beverages or the like, and each guide flow path 70A to 70D. It is supplied into the cup 18 through the spout 20 provided at the end of the.

上記実施形態では、本発明の飲料供給装置を給茶機１に適用した例について説明したが、本発明は給茶機に限られず、コーヒーやスポーツドリンクを提供できる装置にも適用できる。装置本体内に配置されるキャニスター１２やミキシングボール１６の個数は４個に限られず、それ以上であっても、それ以下であってもよい。とろみ成分が格納されるキャニスター１２は一つであってもよく、その場合には、キャニスター１２からミキシングボール１６へのとろみ成分の供給量を変更することで、とろみの強さに強弱を付けることができる。 In the above embodiment, an example in which the beverage supply device of the present invention is applied to the tea supply machine 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the tea supply machine, but can also be applied to a device capable of providing coffee or sports drink. The number of canisters 12 and mixing balls 16 arranged in the main body of the apparatus is not limited to four, and may be more or less. There may be only one canister 12 in which the thickening component is stored. In that case, the strength of the thickening component is increased or weakened by changing the supply amount of the thickening component from the canister 12 to the mixing ball 16. Can be done.

１飲料供給装置（給茶機）
１１粉末原料成分
１２キャニスター
１３原料シュート
１５給液装置
１６ミキシングボール
１７攪拌体
１８カップ
１９集合ロート
２０注出口 1 Beverage supply device (tea supply machine)
11 Powder raw material component 12 Canister 13 Raw material chute 15 Liquid supply device 16 Mixing ball 17 Stirrer 18 Cup 19 Collective funnel 20 Spout

Claims

A tea supply device (4) for extracting a beverage, a tea supply machine main body (2) in which the tea supply device (4) is housed, and a tea supply machine main body (2) are formed, and a cup (18) is arranged. The cup station (21) and the operation unit (8) composed of a plurality of push buttons (7A to 7L) for selecting the type of beverage arranged on the front surface of the tea dispenser body (2). Prepare,
The push buttons (7A-7L) are push buttons (7A, 7B, 7D, 7F, 7G, 7I) for the user to select a thickened beverage, and push buttons for the user to select thickened hot water. (7C / 7H), a push button (7E) for the user to select hot water, and a push button (7J) for the user to select cold water.
The tea supply device (4) has a thickening liquid generating unit that generates a thickening liquid containing a thickening component, a concentrated drinking liquid generating unit that produces a concentrated drinking liquid containing a beverage component that is powdered tea, and a liquid component of cold water or hot water. Equipped with a liquid supply device (15) to supply
In the thickening liquid generation unit, the canister (12 (12B / 12C)) and each canister (12 (12B / 12C)) in which the powder raw material component of the thickening component is stored and the powder raw material component of the thickening component is carried out according to the carry-out instruction. The raw material chute (13) arranged accordingly, the powder raw material component of the thickening component connected to the raw material chute (13) and carried out from the canister (12 (12B, 12C)), and supplied from the liquid supply device (15). Mixing of the powder raw material component of the thickening component and the liquid component in the mixing ball (16 (16B / 16C)) and the mixing ball (16 (16B / 16C)) that mixes the liquid component to generate a thickening liquid. It is composed of a stirring body (17) for stirring.
In the concentrated beverage liquid generation unit, a canister (12 (12A / 12D)) in which the powder raw material component of the beverage component is stored and the powder raw material component of the beverage component is carried out in accordance with the carry-out instruction, and each canister (12 (12A / 12D)). From the raw material chute (13) arranged according to the above, the powder raw material component of the beverage component connected to the raw material chute (13) and carried out from the canister (12 (12A, 12D)), and the liquid supply device (15). A mixing ball (16 (16A / 16D)) that mixes the supplied liquid component to generate a concentrated beverage liquid, and a powder raw material component and a liquid component of the beverage component in the mixing ball (16 (16A / 16D)). Consists of a stirrer (17) that mixes and stirs
When the push button (7E) for selecting hot water or the push button (7J) for selecting cold water is pressed by the user, hot water or cold water is discharged from the liquid supply device (15) to the cup (18). Configured to be supplied,
When the push button (7C / 7H) for selecting the thickened hot water is pressed by the user, the canister (12) (12B / 12C) constituting the thickening liquid generating unit is pressed. The thickening component is supplied toward the mixing ball (16 (16B / 16C)) corresponding to (12B / 12C)), and the liquid component of hot water or cold water is the mixing ball (16) from the liquid supply device (15). (16B ・ 16C)), a thickening liquid containing a thickening component is generated in the mixing ball (16 (16B ・ 16C)), and the thickening liquid is supplied to the cup (18).
When the push buttons (7A, 7B, 7D, 7F, 7G, 7I) for selecting a thickened beverage by the user are pressed, one canister (12 (12B. The thickening component is supplied from 12C)) to the mixing ball (16 (16B / 16C)) corresponding to the canister (12 (12B / 12C)), and hot or cold water is supplied from the liquid supply device (15). The liquid component of the above is supplied to the mixing ball (16 (16B, 16C)), and a thickening liquid containing the thickening component is generated in the mixing ball (16 (16B, 16C)), and in addition, a concentrated beverage liquid generation unit is generated. From the constituent canisters (12 (12A, 12D)), the powder raw material components of the beverage components are supplied to and supplied to the mixing balls (16 (16A, 16D)) corresponding to the canisters (12 (12A, 12D)). The liquid component is supplied from the liquid device (15) to the mixing ball (16 (16A, 16D)), and a concentrated beverage liquid containing the beverage component is generated in the mixing ball (16 (16A, 16D)). A beverage supply device characterized in that a thickened beverage and a concentrated beverage liquid are mixed in a cup (18) to produce a thickened beverage.

When the push buttons (7A, 7B, 7D, 7F, 7G, 7I) for selecting a thickened beverage by the user are pressed, the mixing balls (16 (16B, 16C) constituting the thickening liquid generating unit) are pressed. )) After the thickening liquid generated in) is allowed to flow down into the cup (18), the concentrated drinking liquid generated in the mixing balls (16 (16A, 16D)) constituting the concentrated drinking liquid generating unit is cupped. The beverage according to claim 1, wherein a thickened beverage is produced by flowing down into (18) and stirring and mixing both liquids in the cup (18) by the weight of the concentrated beverage liquid. Feeder.

Below the plurality of mixing balls (16), a gathering funnel (19) that receives the beverage flowed down from each mixing ball (16) and guides it to the cup (18) is arranged.
The beverage supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickening liquid and the concentrated beverage liquid are allowed to flow down into the cup (18) through the collecting funnel (19).

The collecting funnel (19) is formed long in the left-right direction, and a spout (20) for flowing the beverage flowed down from each mixing ball (16) is formed in the central portion in the left-right direction of the bottom wall.
A plurality of mixing balls (16) are arranged in a row above the gathering funnel (19) along the left-right direction.
The beverage supply device according to claim 3 , wherein the mixing ball (16 (16B / 16C)) located near the center in the left-right direction is a mixing ball (16) for producing a thickening liquid.

The number of times the thickened hot water and the thickened beverage are supplied (N) are integrated, and when the number of times the beverage is supplied (N) reaches a predetermined number, at least the mixing ball (16 (16B / 16C)) responsible for producing the thickened liquid. )) The beverage supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a cleaning operation is performed on the thickening liquid pouring route from the cup (18) to the cup (18) .