JP7428291B1 - beverage dispensing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To properly clean a stirring airline and an extraction airline.
[Solution] By driving an air pump 72 and supplying pressurized air to the extractor 30 through an air line 401 for stirring, the raw material and the hot water are fed into an extractor 30 into which the crushed raw material and hot water are input. and a control unit 12 that extracts the beverage by stirring the water and extracting the beverage by driving the air pump 72 and supplying pressurized air through the extraction airline 402, and supplies the beverage extracted by the extractor 30 to the cup C. In the beverage supply device 1, the control unit 12 connects the extractor 30, stirring airline 401, and extraction airline 402 to fill them with hot water on the condition that a cleaning command is given. .
[Selection diagram] Figure 34

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing device.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, Patent Document 1 proposes a beverage supply device that extracts a beverage from pulverized raw materials and hot water using an extractor provided inside the device main body, and supplies the extracted beverage to a cup, which is a container. In this beverage supply device, the raw material and hot water are stirred by driving the air pump and supplying pressurized air to the extractor through the stirring air line, and then the air pump is driven to supply pressurized air to the extractor through the stirring air line. Beverage was extracted by supplying pressurized air to the extractor.

JP 2021-180713 Publication

By the way, in the above-mentioned beverage supply device, a part of the stirring air line serves as a distribution route for the extracted beverage, so it was possible to wash it with hot water, etc. However, the pressurized air supplied from the air pump Most of them had not been cleaned. Furthermore, the entire extraction airline was not cleaned.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispensing device that can also effectively clean the stirring airline and the extraction airline.

In order to achieve the above object, the beverage supply device according to the present invention includes an extractor into which pulverized raw materials and hot water are input, and an air pump that drives the extractor to pressurize the extractor through a stirring airline. a control unit that stirs the raw material and the hot water by supplying air, and extracts the beverage by driving the air pump and supplying pressurized air through the extraction airline; A beverage supply device that supplies extracted beverage to a cup, wherein the control unit connects the extractor, the stirring airline, and the extraction airline to a communication state on the condition that a cleaning command is given. It is characterized by filling them with hot water.

The present invention also provides the above-described beverage supply device, wherein the extractor includes a cylindrical cylinder, a top seal portion that closes an upper opening of the cylinder, and a filter block that opens and closes a lower opening of the cylinder, and The control unit supplies the pressurized air to the cylinder for stirring through the stirring air line connected to the filter block, and supplies the pressurized air to the cylinder through the extraction air line connected to the top seal unit. It is characterized by supplying pressurized air to extract the beverage.

According to the present invention, on the condition that a cleaning command is given, the control unit connects the extractor, the stirring airline, and the extraction airline and fills them with hot water. Also, the extraction airline can be effectively cleaned.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a beverage supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a beverage supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing main components of a beverage supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the beverage supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention, with some components not shown. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one raw material box. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing one raw material box. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing one raw material box. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing one raw material box. FIG. 9 is a side view showing how the storage section shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 is attached to the dispensing section. FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the raw material box shown in FIGS. 5 to 9. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the extractor shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main parts of the extractor shown in FIG. 11. (a) and (b) of FIG. 13 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the passage forming member. FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing essential parts of the extractor shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the valve group shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the air valve shown in FIGS. 3 and 15. FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the air valve shown in FIGS. 3 and 15. FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the air valve shown in FIGS. 3 and 15. FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the air valve case shown in FIGS. 16 to 18. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the hot water valve shown in FIGS. 3 and 15. FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the hot water valve shown in FIGS. 3 and 15. FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the hot water valve shown in FIGS. 3 and 15. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the hot water valve shown in FIGS. 3 and 15. FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the hot water valve case shown in FIGS. 20 to 23. FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the coffee valve shown in FIGS. 3 and 15. FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the drain valve shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of the drain valve shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a procedure for extracting a beverage using the extractor shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a procedure for extracting a beverage using the extractor shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a procedure for extracting a beverage using the extractor shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a procedure for extracting a beverage using the extractor shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a procedure for extracting a beverage using the extractor shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a procedure for extracting a beverage using the extractor shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing cleaning of the stirring airline and the extraction airline by the extractor shown in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a beverage supply device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Schematic configuration of beverage supply device>
1 to 4 each show a beverage dispensing device that is an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the beverage dispensing device, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the beverage dispensing device. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the main components of the beverage supply device; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the beverage supply device; The illustration of the constituent elements is omitted.

The beverage supply device 1 exemplified here is a coffee machine installed in a store such as a convenience store, for example, and performs bean grinding and extraction processing to supply a beverage such as coffee to a cup C, which is a container. . Such a beverage supply device 1 includes a main body cabinet 10 and a front door 20.

The main body cabinet 10 is an apparatus main body having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a front opening 10a (see FIG. 4) on the front surface, and a production unit 11 for producing a beverage (for example, coffee) and a control section 12 are provided therein. It is being

The front door 20 is a door body having a size sufficient to close the front opening 10a of the main cabinet 10. The front door 20 is provided at the front left edge of the main body cabinet 10 so as to be swingable around the central axis of a shaft (not shown) extending along the vertical direction. It is possible to open and close the opening 10a. The front surface of the front door 20 constitutes a customer service surface, and is provided with a display section 21, a beverage supply section 22, and an opening/closing door 23.

The display unit 21 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel, and displays various information according to commands given from the control unit 12, and is capable of input operations such as touch operations. The display section 21 sends a sales signal to the control section 12 when an input operation such as a touch operation is performed.

The beverage supply section 22 is provided below the display section 21 and includes a nozzle 22a and a stage 22b. The nozzle 22a discharges the beverage produced by the production unit 11 downward. The stage 22b is provided in a region below the nozzle 22a. This stage 22b is for placing the cup C.

The opening/closing door 23 is made of a translucent material such as transparent resin, and has a size sufficient to cover the entrance 22c of the beverage supply section 22. The opening/closing door 23 has a left end portion pivotally supported by the front door 20 and is swingable in the front-rear direction. In other words, the opening/closing door 23 is swingable in the front-rear direction in a manner approaching and away from the beverage supply section 22, and when swinging backward in a manner approaching the beverage supply section 22, the opening/closing door 23 can swing at the entrance of the beverage supply section 22. 22c can be closed and the inlet 22c of the beverage supply 22 can be opened when swinging forward away from the beverage supply 22.

The generation unit 11 includes an extractor (beverage generation section) 30, a raw material supply section 50, a hot water supply section 60, an air supply section 70, and a storage bucket 80.

The extractor 30 extracts coffee, which is a beverage, from raw materials supplied from the raw material supply section 50 and hot water supplied from the hot water supply section 60, and supplies it to the beverage supply section 22.

The raw material supply unit 50 supplies coffee beans, which are beverage raw materials, to the extractor 30, and includes a raw material box 51. The raw material box 51 stores roasted coffee beans, and is provided in such a manner that a portion thereof protrudes upward from the top plate portion 13 of the main cabinet 10. This raw material box 51 is provided with a raw material supply drive section 51a. The raw material supply drive unit 51a is driven when the raw material supply motor 51b, which is a drive source, is given a drive command from the control unit 12, and supplies a predetermined amount of coffee beans included in the drive command to the raw material supply chute 52. It is paid out through.

The hot water supply unit 60 supplies hot water to the extractor 30, and includes a hot water tank 61, a first hot water pump 62, a sub tank 63, and a second hot water pump 64 in a hot water supply path 65 constituted by hot water piping. They are connected sequentially.

The hot water tank 61 heats supplied water, such as tap water, with a heater (not shown) and stores it as hot water. The first hot water supply pump 62 is configured by, for example, a centrifugal pump, and when driven by a command given from the control unit 12, sends a fixed amount of hot water from the hot water tank 61 to the sub tank 63. The sub-tank 63 has a smaller volume than the hot water tank 61, and temporarily stores the hot water delivered by the first hot water pump 62. The second hot water supply pump 64 is configured by, for example, a gear pump or the like, and when driven in accordance with a command given from the control unit 12, delivers hot water from the sub tank 63.

The air supply unit 70 supplies pressurized air to the extractor 30. The air supply section 70 is configured by providing an air pump 72 in an air supply path 71 constituted by air supply piping. The air pump 72 is driven according to a command given from the control unit 12, and compresses air and sends it out as pressurized air.

The storage bucket 80 is installed in the area below the extractor 30, and is used to store extraction dregs K (see FIG. 32, etc.) generated by extracting the beverage with the extractor 30.

The control section 12 controls the operation of each section of the beverage supply device 1 in an integrated manner according to programs and data stored in a storage section (not shown). Note that the control unit 12 may be realized by causing a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a program, that is, by software, or may be realized by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit). Alternatively, it may be realized using a combination of software and hardware.

<Raw material box 51>
A plurality of raw material boxes 51 (three in the illustrated example) are provided, and are arranged in parallel with other raw material boxes 51. These raw material boxes 51 are installed so as to pass through top plate holes 13a formed in the top plate part 13 of the main cabinet 10, respectively. That is, these raw material boxes 51 are arranged in such a manner that a portion thereof is exposed from the main body cabinet 10, which is a housing.

The raw material boxes 51 may contain different types of raw materials, or may contain a plurality of raw materials of the same type and some of them may contain different types of raw materials. Since these raw material boxes 51 each have the same configuration, the configuration of one raw material box 51 will be described below, and the description of the configurations of the other raw material boxes 51 will be omitted.
is accommodated.

5 to 8 each show one raw material box 51, FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are exploded perspective views. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the raw material box 51 includes a dispensing section 511 and a storage section 512.

The dispensing section 511 is installed inside the main cabinet 10, that is, below the top plate section 13 of the main cabinet 10, and is a box in which the above-mentioned raw material supply drive section 51a is arranged. The dispensing portion 511 is formed with a dispensing port 5111, an introduction port 5112, a locking protrusion 5113, an insertion opening 5114, and an operating portion 5115.

The dispensing port 5111 is provided at the lower front part of the dispensing section 511, and is an opening for discharging the raw material to the extractor 30 when the raw material supply drive section 51a is driven. The introduction port 5112 is an opening formed in the upper part of the dispensing part 511.

Three locking protrusions 5113 are provided inside the left and right opening edges of the introduction port 5112 in the front-rear direction. These locking protrusions 5113 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction, and are formed in such a manner that they protrude inward of the introduction port 5112. The insertion opening 5114 is formed at the opening edge on the rear side of the introduction port 5112, and has an elongated hole shape whose longitudinal direction is the left-right direction.

The operating portion 5115 is constituted by a pair of left and right projecting portions 5115a formed at the upper front portion of the dispensing portion 511 in such a manner as to protrude forward. This operating portion 5115 is formed with a locking protrusion 5115b that protrudes outward. That is, a locking protrusion 5115b that protrudes to the left is formed on the left protrusion portion 5115a, and a locking protrusion 5115b that protrudes to the right is formed on the right protrusion portion 5115a.

The accommodating portion 512 is made of, for example, a translucent material, and the inside thereof is visible. This storage portion 512 has an input port 5121 formed at the top and a communication port 5122 at the bottom, and the cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the input port 5121 to the communication port 5122. The input port 5121 is an opening for inputting raw materials, and is opened and closed by the lid 513. This input port 5121 is normally closed by the lid 513. The communication port 5122 has approximately the same opening area as the introduction port 5112 of the dispensing portion 511.

An insertion piece 5123, a locked projection 5124, and a locked block 5125 are formed in such a housing portion 512. The insertion piece 5123 has a flat plate shape and is formed at the rear opening edge of the communication port 5122 so as to protrude rearward. This insertion piece 5123 has a size that allows it to enter the insertion opening 5114.

The locked protrusions 5124 are formed to protrude outward from the left and right opening edges of the communication port 5122. The locked protrusion 5124 has an elongated shape extending in the front-rear direction, and has a cutout portion formed in the middle thereof to allow the locking protrusion 5113 to pass therethrough.

The locked block 5125 is formed at the lower front part of the accommodating part 512. This locked block 5125 is formed with an entry recess 5125a that opens forward, backward, and downward. The entry recess 5125a allows the operation section 5115 to enter.

As shown in FIG. 9, such a housing portion 512 approaches the dispensing portion 511 from the front side, and the insertion piece 5123 is inserted with the locked projection 5124 disposed below the locking projection 5113. While being inserted into the opening 5114 from the front, the operating portion 5115 relatively enters the entry recess 5125a of the locked block 5125 from the rear side, and the locking protrusion 5115b locks on the front end surface of the entry recess 5125a. By doing so, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is engaged with the dispensing part 511 to form the raw material box 51.

In this case, the insertion piece 5123 is inserted into the insertion opening 5114 from the front, so that movement of the housing part 512 to the rear side with respect to the dispensing part 511 is restricted. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the accommodating part 512 is arranged upwardly with respect to the dispensing part 511 by being locked to the locking projection 5113 with the locked projection 5124 disposed below the locking projection 5113. Movement to the side is restricted. Furthermore, the accommodating part 512 is restricted from moving forward with respect to the dispensing part 511 by the locking protrusion 5115b of the operating part 5115 being locked to the front end surface of the locked block 5125.

By thus configuring the raw material box 51 by engaging the accommodating part 512 with the dispensing part 511, a part of the accommodating part 512 can be inserted through the top plate hole 13a of the top plate part 13 of the main cabinet 10. It is arranged so as to protrude upward from the top plate portion 13. After that, the lid 513 is removed to open the input port 5121, and the inside of the raw material box 51 can be filled with raw materials such as coffee beans. The raw material box 51 can dispense a predetermined amount of raw material from the dispensing port 5111 to the extractor 30 by driving the raw material supply drive unit 51a in accordance with a command given from the control unit 12.

By the way, when removing the accommodating part 512 from the dispensing part 511, it is done as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 4, after opening the front door 20, a part of the top plate part 13 is removed by facing forward. Next, by elastically deforming the pair of left and right projecting portions 5115a of the operating portion 5115 so as to approach each other, the locked state between the locking projection 5115b and the locked block 5125 is released, and the accommodating portion 512 What is necessary is to displace it toward the front with respect to the payout part 511. As a result, the insertion piece 5123 is separated from the insertion opening 5114, and the locked projection 5124 displaces the lower part of the locking projection 5113 toward the front, so that the accommodating part 512 can be separated from the dispensing part 511. .

In this way, in the raw material box 51, the accommodating part 512 is detachable from the dispensing part 511, and the operating part 5115 is formed in the dispensing part 511, which is disposed below the top plate part 13 of the main cabinet 10. Therefore, the operation section 5115 is disposed inside the main body cabinet 10.

<Extractor 30>
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the extractor 30 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the extractor 30 includes an extractor main body 31, and the extractor main body 31 is provided with a crusher 32, a brewer unit 34, a pinch mechanism 36, a scraper 38, and a valve group 40. It is composed of

The crusher 32 is what is called a mill, and is provided at the top of the extractor main body 31. This crusher 32 is driven when a drive command is given to a crusher drive unit 32a, which is an actuator. This crusher 32 is installed in the lower area of the raw material box 51, and is connected to the raw material box 51 via the raw material supply chute 52.

When the pulverizer 32 is driven, it pulverizes the coffee beans guided by the raw material supply chute 52 and feeds the pulverized coffee beans (hereinafter also referred to as pulverized coffee beans) into the brewer unit 34 through the raw material chute section 33. It is for. As shown in FIG. 12, this raw material chute section 33 has a raw material passage 331 for dropping ground coffee beans. The raw material chute section 33 will be described later.

The brewer unit 34 includes a cylinder 341, a top seal portion 342, and a filter block 343. The cylinder 341 is removably attached through the extraction opening 311 on the front surface of the extractor main body 31, and has a substantially cylindrical shape. Since this cylinder 341 is removable from the extractor main body 31, its direction is not clearly determined, but in this specification, its configuration will be explained according to the direction when it is attached to the extractor main body 31. .

The cylinder 341 has an opening (hereinafter also referred to as a lower surface opening) 341a on the lower surface and an opening (hereinafter also referred to as an upper surface opening) 341b on the upper surface. Such a cylinder 341 is installed in a mounting area 312 facing the extraction opening 311 in the extractor main body 31, and when installed in the extractor main body 31, the extraction opening 311 shown in FIG. It is pressed upward by the take-out door 313 which opens and closes. When such a take-out door 313 closes a part of the take-out opening 311, the cylinder 341 is pressed upward. On the other hand, when the removal door 313 swings forward, the cylinder 341 becomes free and can be removed from the mounting area 312.

The top seal portion 342 is provided on the extractor main body 31 in such a manner that it constitutes an upper portion of the mounting area 312. This top seal portion 342 is pressed against the cylinder 341 when the cylinder 341 is pressed upward by the take-out door 313, and closes the top opening 341b of the cylinder 341.

As shown in FIG. 12, such a top seal portion 342 is formed with a cylindrical passage forming member 35 extending upward, the inside of which communicates with the upper surface opening 341b. The passage forming member 35 is made of a resin material such as silicone, and has an elliptical cross section. A part of the raw material chute section 33 is inserted from above into the hollow part of the passage forming member 35, and as a result, the hollow part is filled with ground coffee beans and mixed water (hot water), which will be described in detail later. constitutes a passage 351 through which the water passes, and the inner wall surface thereof has water repellency.

Further, a part of the upper end portion of the hollow portion of the passage forming member 35 is connected to an exhaust duct 49 in a manner separated from the raw material chute portion 33. The exhaust duct 49 not only communicates with the passage forming member 35 but also communicates with the inside of the cylinder 341 via the passage forming member 35 when the cylinder 341 is installed in the mounting area 312. The exhaust duct 49 is provided with an exhaust fan 46 as shown in FIG. The exhaust fan 46 is driven by an exhaust fan drive section 46a, which is an actuator, in response to a command given from the control section 12. When the exhaust fan 46 is driven, the air inside the cylinder 341 is discharged to the outside through the exhaust duct 49. It is something to do.

The filter block 343 has a substantially box-like shape that is movable in the vertical direction in the lower area of the mounting area 312, and has an upper surface large enough to close the lower opening 341a of the cylinder 341. It has a certain quality. This filter block 343 is provided with a disk-shaped metal mesh member 343a in which a plurality of holes are formed, and a beverage supply path 48 communicating with these holes is connected. This beverage supply path 48 is configured by connecting a beverage supply pipe, and connects the filter block 343 and the nozzle 22a.

The filter block 343 moves in the vertical direction when the filter block drive section 343b, which is an actuator, is driven in accordance with a command given from the control section 12. That is, the cylinder 341 mounted in the mounting area 312 moves up and down in a manner approaching and away from it. When the filter block 343 rises, it presses the lower opening 341a of the cylinder 341 to close it.

The pinch mechanism 36 is provided above the top seal portion 342. This pinch mechanism 36 includes a first pinch component 361 and a second pinch component 362 that extend in the left-right direction and are spaced apart from each other in the front and rear. The passage forming member 35 is arranged between the forming part 362 and the forming part 362 .

In such a pinch mechanism 36, in a normal state, the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 are disposed farthest apart from each other, and as shown in FIG. 35 has no effect. On the other hand, when the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 come closest to each other due to the drive of the pinch motor 36a, the pinch mechanism 36 moves the passage component 35 as shown in FIG. 13(b). The lower part of the passage 351 is elastically deformed to close a part of the passage 351. By closing a portion of the passage 351 in this manner, passage of ground coffee beans and the like through the passage 351 is restricted. Note that the location where the pinch mechanism 36 pinches the passage forming member 35 to close a part of the passage 351 is a lower part of the passage forming member 35, that is, a portion below the region into which the raw material chute portion 33 is inserted. .

As shown in FIG. 14, the scraper 38 is a flat member extending in the vertical direction, and a lower end portion 38a is made of a resin material such as rubber. Further, the upper end portion 38b of the scraper 38 is also made of a flexible soft material. Such a scraper 38 is connected to a scraper body 381.

Such a scraper 38 is driven by a scraper drive mechanism 382, which is an actuator, in response to a command given from the control unit 12, so that power is transmitted to the scraper body 381, and the scraper 38 moves in the front-rear direction.

To explain in more detail, the scraper 38 is installed so as to be able to move forward and backward in the front-rear direction between a standby position behind the filter block 343 and an advanced position ahead of the filter block 343. In the normal state, as shown in FIG. 14, it is placed in a standby position.

Here, a drive device 383 such as a scraper drive mechanism 382 is housed on the rear side of the filter block 343, the standby position is a position close to the drive device 383, and the advanced position is a position away from the drive device 383. It's the location.

Then, when the scraper 38 moves forward from the standby position to the advanced position and moves backward from the advanced position to the standby position, the lower end portion 38a slides on the upper surface of the mesh member 343a of the filter block 343 that has moved the lowest position. The extraction slag K placed on the mesh member 343a is removed when the mesh member 343a is advanced from the standby position to the advanced position.

The vertical dimension of such a scraper 38 is slightly smaller than the distance between the cylinder 341 and the filter block 343 that has moved to the lowest position. That is, the scraper 38 has vertical dimensions such that the upper end portion 38b approaches the lower opening 341a of the cylinder 341 when moving forward and backward between the standby position and the advanced position.

As shown in FIG. 11, the valve group 40 is installed at the upper rear side of the extractor main body 31, and as shown in FIG. It is configured with a coffee valve (valve) 43.

16 to 18 are cross-sectional views showing the internal structure of the air valve 41 shown in FIGS. 3 and 15, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the air valve 41 includes an air valve case 411 and an air valve shaft 412.

The air valve case 411 is configured by connecting a first air valve case component 4111 and a second air valve case component 4112. The first air valve case component 4111 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The second air valve case component 4112 has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape with a closed end, and an internal hollow portion 4111a communicates with the hollow portion 4111a of the first air valve case component 4111. . Here, the inner diameter of the hollow part 4112a of the second air valve case constituent part 4112 is larger than the inner diameter of the hollow part 4111a of the first air valve case constituent part 4111. Further, the first air valve case component 4111 is formed in a tapered shape such that the inner diameter of the boundary portion 4111b with the second air valve case component 4112 gradually decreases as the distance from the second air valve case component 4112 increases. The first air valve case component 4111 and the second air valve case component 4112 are connected via an O-ring 413 at a portion that is not exposed to the hollow portions 4111a, 4112a, so that the distance between the hollow portions 4111a, 4112a is Maintains airtightness.

Such an air valve case 411 is formed with a plurality of (four) ports including an air introduction port 411a, a stirring air discharge port 411b, an extracted air discharge port 411c, and an open port 411d. These ports communicate with hollow portions 4111a and 4112a, respectively.

The air introduction port 411a is formed in the second air valve case component 4112, and is connected to the air supply path 71 of the air supply section 70. The stirring air discharge port 411b is formed in the second air valve case component 4112, and is connected to the stirring airline 401. This stirring air line 401 is constituted by stirring air supply piping, and is connected to the coffee valve 43.

The extraction air discharge port 411c is formed in the first air valve case component 4111, and is connected to the extraction air line 402. This extraction air line 402 is constituted by extraction air supply piping, and is connected to the top seal portion 342. The open port 411d is formed in the first air valve case component 4111, and is an opening for opening the inside of the hollow portion 4111a.

The air valve shaft 412 is provided in hollow portions 4111a, 4112a of the air valve case 411 so as to be movable along the axial direction of the air valve case 411. The air valve shaft 412 has a small diameter portion 412a and a large diameter portion 412b having different external shapes, and is provided with a plurality of O-rings (annular sealing material) 414.

The small diameter part 412a has a maximum diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow part 4111a of the first air valve case constituent part 4111, and the large diameter part 412b has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow part 4111 of the first air valve case constituent part 4111. 4111a and smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4112a of the second air valve case component 4112.

The air valve shaft 412 is placed at a reference position by the urging force of an air valve shaft spring 415 serving as an urging means, and when placed at the reference position, as shown in FIG. 16, the small diameter portion 412a One end protrudes outward from the air valve case 411, and a portion of the large diameter portion 412b is in contact with a boundary portion 4111b between the first air valve case component 4111 and the second air valve case component 4112.

When the air valve shaft 412 is displaced against the biasing force of the air valve shaft spring 415 and disposed at the tip position due to one end being pressed, as shown in FIG. The tip portion 416 abuts the tip of the second air valve case component 4112.

In such an air valve 41, when the air valve shaft 412 is placed at the standard position, the air introduction port 411a and the stirring air discharge port 411b communicate with each other, and the extracted air discharge port 411c and the open port 411d communicate with each other.

On the other hand, when the air valve shaft 412 is disposed at the tip position, the air introduction port 411a and the extracted air discharge port 411c communicate with each other, and the stirring air discharge port 411b and the open port 411d do not communicate with each other.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 18, the air valve shaft 412 of the air valve 41 can also be arranged at an intermediate position between the above-mentioned reference position and the above-mentioned tip position. When the air valve shaft 412 is disposed at the intermediate position in this manner, the air introduction port 411a, stirring air discharge port 411b, extracted air discharge port 411c, and open port 411d are all in communication.

In the air valve 41 as described above, the distal end portion 416 of the air valve shaft 412, that is, the distal end portion 416 of the large diameter portion has an umbrella shape in which the cross-sectional area gradually decreases toward the distal end. Further, in the air valve 41, as shown in FIG. 19, a support rib 417 is formed on the inner surface of the second air valve case component 4112 and is capable of slidingly contacting an O-ring 414 provided on the distal end side of the air valve shaft 412. Such support ribs 417 extend along the axial direction of the air valve case 411, and are formed along the circumferential direction of the air valve case 411, but the support ribs 417 are located near the air introduction port 411a, i.e., A notch 418 is formed in a portion of the air valve case 411 that is spaced apart from the tip.

20 to 23 show the hot water valve 42 shown in FIGS. 3 and 15, respectively. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the hot water valve 42, and FIG. 21 is an internal view of the hot water valve 42. 22 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the hot water valve 42, and FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the hot water valve 42. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 20 to 23, the hot water valve 42 includes a hot water valve case 421 and a hot water valve shaft 422.

The hot water valve case 421 is configured by connecting a first hot water valve case component 4211 and a second hot water valve case component 4212. The first hot water valve case component 4211 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The second hot water valve case component 4212 has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape with a closed end, and an internal hollow portion 4212a communicates with the hollow portion 4211a of the first hot water valve case component 4211. ing. Here, the inner diameter of the hollow part 4212a of the second hot water valve case constituent part 4212 is larger than the inner diameter of the hollow part 4211a of the first hot water valve case constituent part 4211. Further, the first hot water valve case component 4211 is formed in a tapered shape such that the inner diameter of the boundary portion 4211b with the second hot water valve case component 4212 gradually decreases as the distance from the second hot water valve case component 4212 increases. ing. The first hot water valve case constituent part 4211 and the second hot water valve case constituent part 4212 are connected via an O-ring 423 at a portion not exposed to the hollow parts 4211a and 4212a, so that the hollow parts 4211a and 4112a are connected to each other. Maintaining airtightness between.

The hot water valve case 421 is formed with a plurality of (three) ports including a hot water introduction port 421a, a mixed hot water discharge port 421b, and an added hot water discharge port 421c. These ports communicate with hollow portions 4211a and 4112a, respectively.

The hot water introduction port 421a is connected to the hot water supply path 65 of the hot water supply section 60. The mixed hot water discharge port 421b is connected to the mixed hot water supply path 403. This mixed hot water supply path 403 is constituted by a mixed hot water supply pipe, and is connected to a mixed hot water nozzle 404 formed in the raw material chute section 33, as shown in FIG.

Here, the mixed hot water nozzle 404 is provided so as to face the raw material passage 331 in the raw material chute section 33, and discharges mixed hot water diagonally downward in a fan shape. To explain in more detail, the mixed hot water nozzle 404 discharges mixed hot water in a manner that partially blocks the raw material passage 331 in the raw material chute section 33.

As a result, the extractor 30 mixes ground coffee beans and mixed water in the air in the raw material chute 33, collides this mixture with the inner wall surface of the raw material passage 331, and then moves it downward along the inner wall surface. It is made to fall toward the direction so as not to come into contact with the inner wall surface of the passage forming member 35.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 12, in the extractor 30, an intake port 45 for sucking air is formed above the part where the ground coffee beans are discharged from the grinder 32 to the raw material chute part 33. There is.

The additive hot water discharge port 421c is connected to the additive hot water supply path 405. This additive hot water supply path 405 is constituted by an additive hot water supply pipe, and is connected to an additive hot water nozzle (not shown) formed in the top seal portion 342. Here, the additive hot water nozzle discharges the additive hot water supplied through the additive hot water supply path 405 downward in a shower shape.

The hot water valve shaft 422 is provided in hollow portions 4211a, 4212a of the hot water valve case 421 so as to be movable along the axial direction of the hot water valve case 421. The hot water valve shaft 422 has a small diameter portion 422a and a large diameter portion 422b having different external shapes, and is provided with a plurality of O-rings (annular sealing material) 424.

The small diameter portion 422a has a maximum diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4211a of the first hot water valve case component 4211, and the large diameter portion 422b has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4211a of the first hot water valve case component 4211. It is larger than the inner diameter of the hollow part 4211a and smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow part 4212a of the second hot water valve case constituent part 4212.

The hot water valve shaft 422 is placed at a reference position by the urging force of a hot water valve shaft spring 425, which is a urging means, and when placed at the standard position, as shown in FIG. One end protrudes outward from the hot water valve case 421, and a portion of the large diameter portion 422b is in contact with a boundary portion 4211b between the first hot water valve case component 4211 and the second hot water valve case component 4212.

When the hot water valve shaft 422 is displaced against the biasing force of the hot water valve shaft spring 425 by being pressed at one end and is disposed at the tip position, as shown in FIG. The tip portion 426 abuts the tip of the second hot water valve case component 4212 .

In such a hot water valve 4242a, when the hot water valve shaft 422 is placed at the standard position, the hot water introduction port 421a and the mixed hot water discharge port 421b are in communication. On the other hand, when the hot water valve shaft 422 is disposed at the tip position, the hot water introduction port 421a and the added hot water discharge port 421c are in communication.

In the hot water valve 42 as described above, the distal end portion 426 of the hot water valve shaft 422, that is, the distal end portion 426 of the large diameter portion has an umbrella shape in which the cross-sectional area gradually decreases toward the distal end. Further, in the hot water valve 42, as shown in FIG. 24, a support rib 427 is formed on the inner surface of the second hot water valve case component 4212, and is capable of slidingly contacting an O-ring 424 provided on the distal end side of the hot water valve shaft 422. ing. Such support ribs 427 extend along the axial direction of the hot water valve case 421, and are formed along the circumferential direction of the hot water valve case 421, and include a portion close to the hot water introduction port 421a, That is, a notch 428 is formed in a portion of the hot water valve case 421 that is spaced apart from the tip.

The coffee valve 43 is disposed in the middle of the beverage supply path 48. As shown in FIG. 25, this coffee valve 43 is constructed by inserting an inner member 432 into a hollow portion 431f of an outer member 431 having a cylindrical shape with a bottom.

A coffee introduction port 431a and a stirring air introduction port 431b are formed in the outer member 431. Here, an opening (first opening) 4311 that constitutes the coffee introduction port 431a and an opening (not shown) (second opening) that constitutes the air introduction port 411a are opposite to each other, and the coffee introduction port 431a is Guide ribs 431c are formed in the opening 4311 to divide the opening 4311 into upper and lower sections.

The inner member 432 has a coffee discharge port 432a formed therein, and an inlet portion 432b communicating with the coffee discharge port 432a formed in the lower part thereof. An O-ring (annular sealing material) 433 is disposed at the lower part of the inner member 432 so as to surround the inlet part 432b, and a cutout part 432c is formed in the area excluding the inlet part 432b. There is.

The coffee introduction port 431a is connected to the filter block 343 (brew unit 34) through a portion of the beverage supply path 48. The stirring air introduction port 431b is connected to the stirring airline 401. The coffee discharge port 432a is connected to the nozzle 22a of the beverage supply section 22 through a portion of the beverage supply path 48.

In such a coffee valve 43, when the inlet portion 432b of the inner member 432 is arranged to face the opening 4311 forming the coffee introduction port 431a, the coffee introduction port 431a and the coffee discharge port 432a communicate with each other. On the other hand, when the inner member 432 rotates about 90 degrees around its own central axis, the notch 432c faces the opening 4311 of the coffee introduction port 431a and the opening of the stirring air introduction port 431b, and thereby the stirring air introduction port 431b and the coffee introduction port 431a communicate with each other.

In such a valve group 40, as shown in FIG. 15, an air valve 41, a hot water valve 42, and a coffee valve 43 are linked by a common valve actuator 40a. The valve motor 40b constituting the valve actuator 40a is driven to rotate cams and gears, thereby switching the communication state of each port of the air valve 41, hot water valve 42, and coffee valve 43.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 3, a drain valve 44 is provided in the beverage supply path 48 that connects the filter block 343 and the coffee valve 43.

26 and 27 show the drain valve 44 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the external structure, and FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view. As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the drain valve 44 is constructed by inserting an inner component 442 into a hollow portion 441a of a cylindrical outer component 441. As shown in FIGS.

A drain discharge port 441b is formed in the outer component 441. This drain discharge port 441b is connected to a drain path 471 provided in a manner extending to the storage bucket 80. A guide rib 441c is formed in the opening 4411 constituting the drain discharge port 441b to divide it into two parts.

The inner component 442 has a first inner port 442a and a second inner port 442b, and an inlet portion 442c that communicates with the first inner port 442a and the second inner port 442b. An O-ring (annular sealing material) 443 is disposed in this inner component portion 442 so as to surround the inlet portion 442c.

The first inner port 442a is connected to the filter block 343 (brew unit 34) through a part of the beverage supply path 48. A beverage supply pipe connected to the coffee valve 43 is connected to the second inner port 442b.

In such a drain valve 44, the outer component 441 rotates around its own central axis in conjunction with the vertical movement of the filter block 343. When the filter block 343 is lowered, the inlet portion 442c of the inner component 442 is arranged to face the opening 4411 forming the drain discharge port 441b, and the first inner port 442a and the drain discharge port 441b communicate with each other. It is. Note that it also communicates with the first inner port 442a and the second inner port 442b.

On the other hand, when the filter block 343 is raised, the outer component 441 rotates about 90 degrees around its own central axis, so that the inlet portion 442c and the opening 4411 forming the drain discharge port 441b are arranged facing each other. The inlet portion 442c is closed by the inner surface of the outer component portion 441. As a result, the first inner port 442a and the second inner port 442b are brought into communication.

<Supplying operation of beverage supply device 1>
In the beverage supply device 1 described above, coffee can be supplied to the cup C placed on the stage 22b of the beverage supply section 22, as shown in FIGS. 28 to 33. As a prerequisite, hot water is stored in the hot water tank 61, and in the air valve 41, the air valve shaft 412 is arranged at the standard position, and the air introduction port 411a and the stirring air discharge port 411b communicate with each other, and the extracted air discharge port 411c and the open port 411d are in communication. Further, in the hot water valve 42, the hot water introduction port 421a and the mixed hot water discharge port 421b communicate with each other, and in the coffee valve 43, the stirring air introduction port 431b and the coffee introduction port 431a communicate with each other.

When the user touches the display unit 21, the control unit 12 receives a sales signal for the selected beverage, and as shown in FIG. move it upwards. As the filter block 343 rises in this manner, in the drain valve 44, the opposing arrangement between the inlet portion 442c of the inner component 442 and the opening 4411 forming the drain discharge port 441b is eliminated, and the inlet portion 442c is removed. It is closed by the inner surface of the outer component 441. That is, in the drain valve 44, only the first inner port 442a and the second inner port 442b communicate with each other.

Thereafter, a drive command is given to the raw material supply drive unit 51a to cause the grinder 32 to dispense coffee beans in an amount corresponding to the beverage. Note that the control unit 12 causes the raw material supply drive unit 51a to stop driving after a predetermined amount of coffee beans have been delivered to the grinder 32.

Then, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the pulverizer drive unit 32a while giving a drive command to the first hot water supply pump 62 and the second hot water supply pump 64. As a result, as shown in FIG. 29, the hot water in the hot water tank 61 is supplied to the mixed hot water nozzle 404 through the hot water valve 42 and the mixed hot water supply path 403, and is discharged from the mixed hot water nozzle 404 as mixed hot water, and is also supplied to the crusher 32. The coffee beans are ground and the ground coffee beans are discharged into the raw material chute section 33. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the ground coffee beans fall and mix with the mixing water in the air in the raw material chute 33, and the mixture collides with the inner wall surface of the raw material passage 331 before being thrown into the cylinder 341. be done. The control unit 12 causes the grinder driving unit 32a to stop driving after discharging a predetermined amount of ground coffee beans, and also causes the first hot water supply pump 62 and the second hot water supply pump 64 to stop after discharging a predetermined amount of mixed hot water. Stop the drive.

Thereafter, the control unit 12 drives the air pump 72, and as shown in FIG. The liquid is sent out in this order through the supply path 48, the drain valve 44 (inner second port 442b-inner first port 442a), and the brewer unit 34 to agitate the mixture. The pressurized air sent to the brewer unit 34 and used for stirring the mixture is sent out in this order to the extraction air line 402, the air valve 41 (extraction air discharge port 411c - open port 411d), and is then sent out from the open port 411d. released.

The control unit 12 that has stirred the mixture in this way gives a drive command to the valve actuator 40a to displace the hot water valve shaft 422 of the hot water valve 42 to communicate the hot water introduction port 421a and the added hot water discharge port 421c. .

Then, by giving a drive command to the first hot water supply pump 62 and the second hot water supply pump 64, the control unit 12 causes the hot water in the hot water tank 61 to be added through the hot water valve 42 and the added hot water supply path 405, as shown in FIG. The hot water is supplied to the hot water nozzle, and is discharged from the added hot water nozzle in the form of a shower as added hot water. In addition, pressurized air is supplied to the air valve 41 (air introduction port 411a - stirring air discharge port 411b), stirring air line 401, coffee valve 43, beverage supply path 48, drain valve 44 (inner second port 442b - inner first port 442a) and brewer unit 34 in this order to further agitate the mixture. The pressurized air sent to the brewer unit 34 and used for stirring the mixture is sent out in this order to the extraction air line 402, the air valve 41 (extraction air discharge port 411c - open port 411d), and is then sent out from the open port 411d. released. Note that the control unit 12 stops driving the first hot water pump 62 and the second hot water pump 64 after discharging a predetermined amount of added hot water.

After discharging a predetermined amount of hot water, the control unit 12 drives the pinch motor 36a to bring the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 close to each other, thereby changing the passage configuration. The lower part of the member 35 is elastically deformed to close a portion of the passage 351. This allows the inside of the cylinder 341 to be sealed.

Further, the control unit 12 displaces the air valve shaft 412 of the air valve 41 to the tip position by giving a drive command to the valve actuator 40a, thereby communicating the air introduction port 411a and the extracted air discharge port 411c. Further, the coffee introduction port 431a and the coffee discharge port 432a of the coffee valve 43 are communicated with each other.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 31, the pressurized air from the air pump 72 is sent out in this order to the air valve 41 (air introduction port 411a - extraction air discharge port 411c), the extraction air line 402, and the brewer unit 34. Coffee is extracted, and the extracted coffee is supplied to the nozzle 22a via the beverage supply path 48, and is discharged into the cup C from the nozzle 22a.

When a predetermined amount of coffee is dispensed into the cup C, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the valve actuator 40a to displace the air valve shaft 412 of the air valve 41 to the reference position, and connects the air introduction port 411a with the air valve shaft 412 of the air valve 41. The stirring air discharge port 411b is communicated with the extraction air discharge port 411c and the open port 411d are communicated with each other, and the stirring air introduction port 431b of the coffee valve 43 is communicated with the coffee introduction port 431a, and then the air pump 72 is driven. make it stop.

Thereby, the user can take out the cup C from the beverage supply section 22 by swinging the opening/closing door 23 in the direction of opening. The pressurized air used for extraction is sent out in the order of the extraction air line 402 and the air valve 41 (extraction air discharge port 411c - open port 411d), and is released from the open port 411d, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the brewer unit 34. can be lowered. In addition, the control unit 12 drives the pinch motor 36a to separate the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 from each other, thereby elastically deforming the passage component 35 to its original state and achieving the closed state. Let it be canceled.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 32, the control section 12 gives a command to the filter block drive section 343b to lower the filter block 343. At this time, the extraction dregs K is placed above the filter block 343.

The control unit 12 that has lowered the filter block 343 gives a forward rotation drive command to the scraper drive mechanism 382 to advance the scraper 38 from the standby position to the advanced position, as shown in FIG. Thereby, the extraction dregs K can be separated from the upper area of the filter block 343 and discharged into the storage bucket 80. Thereafter, the control unit 12 gives a reverse rotation drive command to the scraper drive mechanism 382 to move the scraper 38 from the advanced position to the standby position.

By the way, although not described in the above-mentioned coffee extraction, the control unit 12 drives the exhaust fan 46 during coffee extraction. As mentioned above, since the intake port 45 for sucking air is formed above the part where the ground coffee beans are discharged from the grinder 32 to the raw material chute section 33, the exhaust fan 46 is driven. 12, the air sucked in from the intake port 45 passes through the raw material passage 331 and is then discharged to the outside through the exhaust duct 49, and the air inside the cylinder 341 passes through the raw material passage 331. It is discharged to the outside via the exhaust duct 49 without passing through the air. This can prevent steam from being sent to the portion of the grinder 32 from which ground coffee beans are discharged. Further, the control unit 12 reduces the rotation speed of the exhaust fan 46 when the ground coffee beans are discharged from the grinder 32.

Thereafter, although a detailed explanation will be omitted, hot water is supplied to the brewer unit 34 and the like as cleaning hot water to clean the brewer unit 34 and the like. When the filter block 343 is lowered, the hot water used for cleaning the brewer unit 34 and the like is brought into communication between the inner first port 442a and the drain discharge port 441b at the drain valve 44, and the water is drained through the drain path. 471 and is discharged into the storage bucket 80. In addition, in the drain valve 44, the first inner port 442a and the second inner port 442b communicate with each other, but the coffee valve 43, which is the connection destination of the second inner port 442b through the beverage supply path 48, is connected to the stirring air. Since the introduction port 431b and the coffee introduction port 431a are in communication with each other, the washing hot water introduced from the first inner port 442a is not discharged from the second inner port 442b.

By the way, in the beverage supply device 1, the stirring airline 401 and the extraction airline 402 are cleaned in the following manner every predetermined period (for example, one year or half a year).

When a command to clean the stirring air line 401 and the extraction air line 402 is given, the control unit 12 raises the filter block 343 and then gives a drive command to the valve actuator 40a to close the air valve shaft of the air valve 41. 412 is disposed at an intermediate position from the reference position, and the air introduction port 411a, stirring air discharge port 411b, extraction air discharge port 411c, and open port 411d are communicated. Further, the control unit 12 disposes the hot water valve shaft 422 at the tip position, and communicates the hot water introduction port 421a and the added hot water discharge port 421c in the hot water valve 42. Furthermore, the control unit 12 causes the coffee introduction port 431a and the stirring air introduction port 431b to communicate with each other in the coffee valve 43. That is, the extractor 30, the stirring airline 401, and the extraction airline 402 are brought into communication through a portion of the beverage supply path 48.

Then, the control unit 12 drives the first hot water supply pump 62 and the second hot water supply pump 64 to supply hot water to the brewer unit 34 through the added hot water supply path 405. As a result, as shown in FIG. 34, the hot water supplied to the brewer unit 34 enters the stirring airline 401 from the beverage supply path 48, and also enters the brewing airline 402 from the brewer unit 34, and enters the air valve 41. It is discharged from the open port 411d. Thereby, the stirring airline 401 and the extraction airline 402 can be cleaned.

<Beverage supply device 1 and effects of each part of the beverage supply device 1>
The beverage supply device 1 as described above has the following effects.

According to the beverage supply device 1, the raw material box 51 is composed of the dispensing section 511 and the accommodating section 512, and the operating section 5115 for engaging and disengaging the accommodating section 512 from the dispensing section 511 is disposed inside the main body cabinet 10. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation unit 5115 from being operated by an unintended person. Furthermore, when the storage section 512 is separated from the dispensing section 511, the storage section 512 can be easily cleaned. Therefore, cleaning of the raw material box 51 can be simplified and raw materials can be prevented from being taken out.

In addition, the operation section 5115 is disposed in the dispensing section 511, and when an operating force is applied to the operating section 5115, the engagement with the locked block 5125 is released. Since the accommodating state is released and the accommodating section 512 is allowed to separate from the dispensing section 511, the operation on the operation section 5115 and the operation for disengaging the accommodating section 512 from the dispensing section 511 are performed using different hands. It needs to be done and cannot be done with one hand. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the accommodating section 512 from detaching from the dispensing section 511 due to unintentional operation of the operating section 5115 during cleaning, etc., and as a result, the raw material accommodated in the accommodating section 512 is released to the outside. Overflow can be prevented.

In addition, since the accommodating portion 512 can be removed from the dispensing portion 511 by sliding it in the front-rear direction with respect to the dispensing portion 511, it is possible to prevent a large amount of raw material from overflowing.

According to the above-mentioned beverage supply device 1, the scraper 38 is normally arranged at a standby position on the rear side of the filter block 343 and close to the drive equipment 383 such as the scraper drive mechanism 382, and is located at the standby position and the advanced position. Since the upper end portion 38b has such a vertical dimension as to be close to the lower surface opening 341a of the cylinder 341 when moving forwards and backwards, the filter block may be damaged due to defective extraction by the extractor 30. Even if the drink 343 is lowered and the drink is scattered, it is possible to suppress the drink from scattering to the drive device 383.

In the above-described switching valve (air valve 41 and hot water valve 42), the valve shaft (air valve shaft 412 and hot water valve shaft 422) is configured to have small diameter portions 412a, 422a and large diameter portions 412b, 422b with different outer diameters. The valve case (air valve case 411 and hot water valve case 421) is a first valve case component (first air valve case component) in which the inner diameter of the hollow portions 4111a, 4211a is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portions 412b, 422b. 4111, first hot water valve case component 4211), and a second valve case component (second air valve case component 4112, second Since the hot water valve case component 4212) are connected to each other, it is possible to prevent the valve shaft from slipping out of the valve case.

In the switching valves (air valve 41 and hot water valve 42), support ribs 417, 427 that can slide into O-rings 414, 424 provided at the tip end of the valve shaft are formed on the inner surface of the second valve case component. Therefore, when the valve shaft is displaced along the axial direction of the valve case, the O-rings 414, 424 always come into sliding contact with the support ribs 417, 427, and when the valve shaft is displaced, the O-rings may be eccentric, etc. 414, 424 can be prevented from being damaged or twisted, and their service life can be extended.

In particular, while the tip portions 416, 426 of the valve shaft are shaped like umbrellas, cutouts 418, 428 are formed in the portions of the support ribs 417, 427 that are spaced apart from the tip of the valve case. The piping resistance of the valve case due to the formation can be reduced.

In the coffee valve 43, the opening 4311 constituting the coffee introduction port 431a in the outer member 431 is formed with a guide rib 431c that divides it into an upper and lower section, so that when the inner member 432 inserted into the outer member 431 rotates, A part of the O-ring 433 surrounding the inlet portion 432b comes into sliding contact with the guide rib 431c, and can be prevented from sliding into contact with the opening edge of the opening 4311 due to the elastic restoring force. Thereby, damage to the O-ring 433 due to rotation of the inner member 432 can be suppressed, and the service life can be extended.

In the above-mentioned beverage supply device 1, after discharging a predetermined amount of coffee into the cup C, the coffee introduction port 431a and the stirring air introduction port 431b of the coffee valve 43 are communicated with each other, and then the air pump 72 is stopped. In the coffee valve 43, when switching from the communication state between the coffee introduction port 431a and the coffee discharge port 432a to the communication state between the coffee introduction port 431a and the stirring air introduction port 431b, the coffee remaining inside is transferred to the stirring air. Entry into line 401 can be suppressed.

According to the above-mentioned beverage supply device 1, the control unit 12 connects the extractor 30, the stirring airline 401, and the extraction airline 402 and fills them with hot water on the condition that a cleaning command is given. Therefore, the stirring airline 401 and the extraction airline 402, which have been difficult to clean in the past, can also be cleaned well.

In the beverage supply device 1 described above, the drain valve 44 is linked to the vertical movement of the filter block 343, and when the filter block 343 is raised, the inlet portion 442c of the inner component 442 is connected to the inner surface of the outer component 441. When the drain is closed and the filter block 343 is lowered, the inlet portion 442c of the inner component 442 is opposed to the opening 4411 forming the drain discharge port 441b, so the following effects are achieved.

That is, when cleaning is performed by supplying cleaning hot water to the brewer unit 34 etc., the filter block 343 is lowered so that the inlet portion 442c of the inner component 442 faces the opening 4411 of the drain discharge port 441b, thereby opening the drainage path. The cleaning hot water is discharged into the storage bucket 80 through 471, but after that, the filter block 343 is raised again and the hot water is poured into the cylinder 341 again, and the filter block 343 is lowered to drain the hot water that was poured in again. By passing through the drain discharge port 441b, the drain discharge port 441b can be cleaned.

<Modified example of beverage supply device 1>
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various changes can be made.

In the beverage supply device 1 of the present invention, the raw material chute section 33 can be cleaned as follows. That is, after the pinch mechanism 36 elastically deforms the lower part of the passage forming member 35 to close a part of the passage 351, the first hot water supply pump 62 and the second hot water supply pump 64 are driven to supply hot water to the raw material chute. The raw material chute section 33 can be cleaned by charging the raw material into the section 33 and allowing it to stay there. The hot water used for cleaning the raw material chute section 33 may then be discharged by releasing the closed state of the passage forming member 35 by the pinch mechanism 36 and charging it into the brewer unit 34 or the like.

In addition, the filter block 343 is raised without the passage forming member 35 being closed by the pinch mechanism 36, and then the first hot water supply pump 62 and the second hot water supply pump 64 are driven to supply hot water to the cylinder 341 and the passage forming member. 35 may be stored. In this case, by driving the air pump 72, the air valve 41 (air introduction port 411a - stirring air discharge port 411b), stirring air line 401, coffee valve 43, beverage supply path 48, drain valve 44 (inner second The stored hot water may be stirred by sending air in this order from the port 442b to the first inner port 442a) and the brewer unit 34.

Although not mentioned in the above embodiment, a strainer may be provided near the outlet of the extraction airline in the top seal portion. According to this, it is possible to suppress extraction slag and the like from entering the extraction airline.

In the embodiment described above, the hot water supply unit 60 was equipped with the first hot water supply pump 62, the sub tank 63, and the second hot water supply pump 64, but in the present invention, the first hot water supply pump 62 constituted by a centrifugal pump and , the sub-tank 63 may be omitted, and a second hot water pump constituted by a gear pump and a flow meter may be provided. According to this, it is possible to suppress a decrease in temperature caused by temporarily storing hot water in the sub-tank 63.

Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiment described above, after the coffee is delivered from the brewer unit 34 to the nozzle 22a, hot water can be added to the brewer unit 34 as additional hot water to extract the coffee. When adding additional hot water in this way, by driving the air pump 72, the air valve 41 (air introduction port 411a - stirring air discharge port 411b), stirring air line 401, coffee valve 43, beverage supply path 48, It is preferable to send out air in this order from the drain valve 44 (second inner port 442b to first inner port 442a) and the brewer unit 34 to stir the liquid again. According to this, it is possible to break up the ground coffee beans that have been compacted during the first extraction, and it is possible to supply a large amount of coffee in a satisfactory manner.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Beverage supply device, 10... Main body cabinet, 11... Generation unit, 12... Control section, 20... Front door, 22... Beverage supply section, 30... Extraction machine, 50... Raw material supply section, 60... Hot water supply section, 70 ...Air supply unit, 80...Storage bucket, C...Cup.

Claims (2)

an extractor into which pulverized raw materials and hot water are input;
To the extractor, the raw material and the hot water are stirred by driving an air pump and supplying pressurized air through the stirring airline, while driving the air pump to supply pressurized air through the extraction airline. and a control unit that extracts the beverage by supplying the beverage.
A beverage supply device that supplies the beverage extracted by the extraction machine to a cup,
The beverage supply device is characterized in that, on the condition that a cleaning command is given, the control unit connects the extractor, the stirring airline, and the extraction airline to fill them with hot water. . The extractor is
a cylindrical cylinder,
a top seal portion that closes the top opening of the cylinder;
and a filter block for opening and closing the lower opening of the cylinder,
The control unit supplies the pressurized air to the cylinder for stirring through the stirring air line connected to the filter block, and supplies the pressurized air to the cylinder through the extraction air line connected to the top seal unit. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressurized air is supplied to extract the beverage.

Images