JPH0369797B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a carbonated beverage supply valve device suitable for use in a post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing device called a post-mix type.

[Prior Art] This type of carbonated beverage supply valve device is known, for example, from Jikkosho.
51-18189, includes a body defining one or more beverage passages. Each beverage passage is equipped with a valve mechanism for opening and closing it, as well as an adjustment screw for adjusting the degree of opening. The valve mechanism can be operated by an operating lever provided on the front of the body. The adjustment screw, on the other hand, is located inside the cabinet of the post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing device.

Beverages such as carbonated water, diluted water, syrup, etc. are introduced into the communication port at one end of the beverage passage and are discharged from the nozzle under control by a valve mechanism and adjustment screw.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in conventional carbonated beverage supply valve devices, the valve mechanism is one in which the operating part that actually opens and closes the beverage passage and the operating part that receives the operating force from the operating lever are integrated. Therefore, not only does it require a large number of processing steps, but it also requires a large number of sealing parts. There is also a great risk of carbonated beverages leaking.

Furthermore, since the adjustment screw must be provided at a location separate from the valve mechanism, the size of the carbonated beverage supply valve device increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a carbonated beverage supply valve device that is easy to manufacture, can easily prevent leakage of carbonated beverages, and can be miniaturized.

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, there is provided a body having a communication port connected to a beverage source, a nozzle for discharging a beverage, and a beverage passage connecting them, and a valve for opening and closing the beverage passage. A carbonated beverage supply valve device including a mechanism and an operating lever provided on the body for operating the valve mechanism, wherein the valve mechanism is held on the body so as to face the beverage passage, and opens the beverage passage. A working member movable between an open position and a closed position, a sealing device interposed between the body and the working member to prevent beverage leakage, and engaging with an end of the working member on the open position side. a stopper that determines the open position by fitting together, is slidably held by the body, and has one end engaged with the operating lever;
an actuating shaft whose other end is movable toward and away from the end of the operating member in the open position, and which is opposed to the operating member; A carbonated beverage supply valve device is obtained, characterized in that it has biasing means for pushing it into position.

[Function] In the carbonated beverage supply valve device of the present invention, when a beverage is not being supplied, the biasing means pushes the actuating shaft toward the actuating member and pressing the actuating member to the closed position. The active member thus closes the beverage channel.

When the operating lever is operated to move the actuating shaft against the biasing means, the pressing force on the operating member is released, so that the operating member moves to the open position and is locked by the stopper. The open position of the operating member at this time is uniquely determined by the stopper, regardless of the amount of movement of the operating shaft.

[Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a carbonated beverage supply valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated valve device is a dispensing valve device of a post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing device, and includes a body 2 fixed to a frame (not shown) with a bottle 1.
Contains. The body 2 may consist of a combination of several parts. The body 2 is formed with a central syrup passage 3, and dilution water passages and carbonated water passages 4 and 5 on the left and right sides of the syrup passage 3. Syrup aisle 3
The dilution water passage 4 and the carbonated water passage 5 communicate with a nozzle 6 at the lower end of the body 2.

The communication port 7 at the upper end of the syrup passage 3 is connected to the body 2.
It is connected to a syrup container 8 placed on top of the container. The dilution water passage 4 is a dilution water pipe (not shown)
via a dilution water source (not shown). The carbonated water passage 5 also has a carbonated water source (not shown).
It is connected to the. Therefore, the syrup, dilution water and carbonated water can be mixed and discharged from the nozzle 6.

A valve mechanism 12 for opening and closing the syrup passage 3 is provided in the middle of the syrup passage 3. Further, the dilution water passage 4 and the carbonated water passage 5 are also provided with a valve mechanism 13.
Since these valve mechanisms 12 and 13 are the same, only one of the valve mechanisms 12 will be described here.

The valve mechanism 12 is connected to the body 2 by arrows 14 and 15.
It includes an actuating member 16 and an actuating shaft 17 which are held movably in the direction. The working member 16 has a seal 18 at one end. The gasket 18 faces the syrup passage 3 and opens and closes the syrup passage 3 by moving the operating member 16 in the directions of arrows 14 and 15. FIG. 1 shows the operating member 16 in the closed position, closing the syrup passage 3. Working member 1
6 is biased in the direction of arrow 14 by a compression spring 19. The body 2 includes a sealing member 20 that prevents syrup from leaking by slidingly contacting the operating member 16.
is retained.

On the other hand, the operating shaft 17 has a cylindrical adjustment screw 21.
It is held in a state where it passes through and faces the other end of the working member 16. The adjustment screw 21 is screwed into the body 2 so as to partially protrude.
Therefore, by rotating the adjusting screw 21, its position can be adjusted in the directions of arrows 14 and 15.

A compression spring 22 is provided inside the adjustment screw 21 as a biasing means. This compression spring 22
is for urging the actuating shaft 17 in the direction of arrow 15 to press the operating member 16 to the closed position.

Here, the biasing force of the compression spring 19 is set smaller than the biasing force of the compression spring 22.

A stopper 23 is fixed to the end of the adjustment screw 21 in the direction of arrow 15. The stopper 23 may be separated from the adjusting screw 21 and freely movable in the directions of arrows 14 and 15. Since the position of the adjusting screw 21 is adjustable, the position of the stopper 23 is also variable. The stopper 23 defines an open position in which the syrup passage 3 is opened by engaging the actuating member 16. That is, this open position is the adjustment screw 2
By rotating 1, it can be adjusted as desired. Therefore, the degree of opening of the syrup passage 3 can be adjusted.

Further, an operating lever 24 is provided on the front surface of the body 2. The operating lever 24 is rotatably supported by a support portion 25 at a slightly upper portion of its lower end via a horizontal shaft 26 . Further, the substantially lower end of the operating lever 24 is removably engaged with a shaft 27 at the front end of the operating shaft 17.

Now, move the operating lever 24 to the arrow 28 as shown in Figure 4.
When pressed as shown, the actuating shaft 17 is moved in the direction of arrow 14 by the lever principle. Following this, the action member 16 also moves in the direction of arrow 14,
Open syrup passage 3. As a result, the syrup in the syrup container 8 is supplied to the nozzle 6 from the water guide member 29 through the syrup passage 3. Note that the operation of the operating lever 24 is detected by the arm 31 operating the detection switch 32.

As mentioned above, the dilution water passage 4 and the carbonated water passage 5
is also equipped with a similar structure, so that a beverage containing an appropriate mixture of syrup, carbonated water, and diluted water can be provided through the nozzle 6 by operating each operating lever. Needless to say, the concentration of the beverage at that time is adjusted and set using each adjustment screw.

According to the above-mentioned carbonated beverage supply valve device, since the device for opening and closing each of the syrup passage 3, the diluted water passage 4, and the carbonated water passage 5 and the device for adjusting the degree of opening thereof are provided at the same location, it is possible to reduce the production time. It is easy to prevent carbonated beverages from leaking, and it can be made smaller.

The syrup container 8 is of a cassette type that can be attached to and detached from the body 2. Carbon dioxide gas can be supplied to the syrup container 8 from a carbon dioxide gas hose (not shown) via a carbon dioxide gas passage 34. The carbon dioxide gas passage 34 is equipped with a backflow prevention device 40 .

The backflow prevention device 40 includes a gas circuit main body 42 fixed to the body 2 with screws 41. The gas circuit main body 42 has a space 4 communicating with the carbon dioxide gas passage 34.
It has 3. This space 43 extends vertically, and the opening at the lower end is closed with a screw cap 44.
A gas introduction hole 46 communicates with the upper end of the cavity 43 . The above-mentioned carbon dioxide hose is connected to the gas introduction hole 46.

In the space 43 of the gas circuit main body 42, first and second check valve devices 47 and 48 are provided in series in the direction of flow of carbon dioxide gas. First check valve device 47
is a mounting base 51 fixed to the gas circuit main body 42
and a valve body 52 attached to the center of this mount 51. The space around the mounting base 51 is sealed with an O-ring 53. Mounting stand 5
1 has a plurality of gas holes 54. On the other hand, the valve body 52 is made of rubber and has a flange portion 56 corresponding to the gas passage hole 54 . The flange portion 56 allows carbon dioxide gas to flow in the forward direction, but acts to block the flow in the reverse direction. The second check valve device 48 also has exactly the same structure as the first check valve device 47. Note that 57 is a filter.

By providing this backflow prevention device 40, the carbon dioxide gas passage 34 is formed in a U-shape. Therefore, in addition to the fact that the first and second check valve devices 47 and 48 are provided in series in the flow direction of carbon dioxide gas, backflow of syrup is reliably prevented.

Referring also to FIG. 5, the water guide member 29 has a central cylindrical portion 61 and a water guide plate portion 62 provided in a flange shape around the central cylindrical portion 61. The cylindrical portion 61 is a portion connected to the syrup passage 3, and a syrup discharge port 63 is formed near its lower end. Therefore, the syrup is discharged from the syrup outlet 63 to the center of the nozzle 6.

A water guide groove 66 is formed between a large number of ribs 64 around the water guide plate portion 62 . In addition, the water guide plate portion 62
On the upper surface, there are table parts 67 and 68 that protrude slightly upward at two symmetrical places with respect to the cylindrical part 61.
is provided. The upper surfaces of the table parts 67 and 68 are flat.

This water guiding member 29 is arranged inside the nozzle 6 so that the table parts 67 and 68 face the outlets of the diluted water passage 4 and the carbonated water passage 5 one-to-one. As a result, the dilution water and carbonated water discharged from the dilution water passage 4 and the carbonated water passage 5 collide with the flat upper surfaces of the table parts 67 and 68 and spread in all directions, filling the numerous water guide grooves 66 in a substantially uniform ratio. The liquid passes through the nozzle 6 and is ejected around the cylindrical portion 61 . In the nozzle 6, the syrup is therefore surrounded by dilution water and carbonated water, which results in good mixing.

Next, the entire post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing device will be described.

Portable tank 126 is connected to pump 135 via water supply pipe 142 at seal coupler 141 . The seal coupler 141 connects the portable tank 126 and the water supply pipe 142 so that they can be separated without water leakage. Various known seal couplers 141 can be used.

One end of the cooling pipe 118 is connected to the pump 135 . The operation of the pump 135 is controlled by a controller 145 in accordance with the operation of the detection switch 32. The cooling pipe 118 passes through the cooling water in the cooling water tank 116 while meandering. Two water supply pipes 144 and 146 are connected to the other end of the cooling pipe 118 via a three-way solenoid valve 143.
One water supply pipe 144 is connected to the carbonator 117 via a check valve 147.

The other water supply pipe 146 is connected to the valves V1, V2, and V3 as the above-mentioned mixing valve device via a flow rate adjustment device 148 provided in the distribution section 113. Here, since there are a plurality of valves, the other water supply pipe 146 is branched and connected to each of the valves.

Carbon dioxide container 127 is connected to carbonator 117 via pipe 151. In the carbonator 117, carbonated water is produced from drinking water and carbon dioxide. A pressure reducing valve 152 and a check valve 153 are inserted into the pipe 151 .
The pressure reducing valve 152 is equipped with a primary pressure display gauge 154.

A pressure reducing valve 152 and a check valve 153 are connected to the pipe 151.
A branch pipe 156 is connected between the two. The branch pipe 156 is connected to the pressure reducing valve 157 and the operating knob 1.
58, branches as many as the number of valves V1, V2, and V3, and flows through the syrup container 8 through the backflow prevention device 40.
It is connected to syrup tanks S1, S2, and S3. Here, the pressure reducing valve 157 is for reducing the pressure to 0.4 kg/cm ² . Syrup tank S1, S
2 and S3 are connected to valves V1, V2, and V3 via a flow rate adjustment device 159 of the distribution section 113.

Carbonated water from carbonator 117 is discharged from pipe 16
It can be derived through 1. The outlet pipe 161 branches into as many branches as there are valves, and is connected to these valves via a flow rate adjustment device 162.

The valves V1, V2, and V3 each have a water injection nozzle 6. The water injection nozzle 6 is for pouring beverage into the cup 169.

An evaporator 171 of the refrigeration circuit including a compressor 136 and a condenser 137 is attached to the cooling water tank 116 so as to extend along its inner wall. Various known refrigeration circuits can be used as the refrigeration circuit.

Note that the temperature of the cooling water in the cooling water tank 116 is controlled to be approximately 0°C.

Next, the operation of the variable post-mixing carbonated beverage dispensing device described above will be explained.

When a cup is placed on a drain tray (not shown) and an arbitrary operating lever is pressed, the detection switch 32 is operated in conjunction with this, and the pump 135 and three-way solenoid valve 143 are operated simultaneously. Now, when the cooled drinking water is supplied to the carbonator 117, the carbonator 11
At step 7, carbonated water is made. As a result, drinking water, carbonated water, and syrup flow through the flow regulating device 14.
8,159,162, valve V1, V2, V3,
and is supplied to cup 169 through nozzle 6. In this case, the ratio of carbonic acid from strongly carbonated water to non-carbonated water can be changed arbitrarily by adjusting the flow rate adjusting devices 148 and 162.

When a drop in the water level of the carbonator 117 is detected by the float switch 172, the pump 135 operates (at this time, the three-way solenoid valve 143 does not operate).
Potable water is supplied into carbonator 117. In this way, the water level in the carbonator 117 is controlled to be constant. Note that drinking water is supplied into the carbonator 117 by spraying it in the form of mist.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above using the embodiments, according to the present invention, the device for opening and closing the beverage passage and the device for adjusting the degree of opening can be provided at the same location, which facilitates manufacturing. It is possible to provide a carbonated beverage supply valve device that can easily prevent leakage of carbonated beverages and can be made smaller.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along the - line in FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a carbonated beverage supply valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the - line in FIG. 2. Figure 4 is a partial view similar to Figure 1 showing the operating state, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the water guiding member used in the carbonated beverage supply valve device of Figure 2, and Figure 6 is the same as Figure 2. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a post-mixing carbonated beverage dispensing device using the carbonated beverage supply valve device of FIG. 2... Body, 3... Syrup passage, 4... Dilution water passage, 5... Carbonated water passage, 6... Nozzle, 7
...Communication port, 8...Syrup container, 12, 13...
... Valve mechanism, 16 ... Acting member, 17 ... Actuation shaft, 21 ... Seal member, 22 ... Compression spring,
23...Stopper, 24...Operation lever.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A body having a communication port connected to a beverage source, a nozzle for discharging a beverage, and a beverage passage connecting them, a valve mechanism for opening and closing the beverage passage, and a body for operating the valve mechanism. In a carbonated beverage supply valve device including an operating lever provided with,
The valve mechanism includes an operating member held by the body so as to face the beverage passage, and movable between an open position for opening the beverage passage and a closed position for closing the beverage passage, and an operating member between the body and the operating member. a sealing device intervening to prevent beverage leakage; a stopper that engages with the open position side end of the operating member to determine the open position; and a stopper slidably held in the body;
an operating shaft whose one end engages with the operating lever and whose other end is movable toward and away from the open position end of the operating member and which faces the operating member; the operating shaft is directed toward the operating member; A carbonated beverage supply valve device comprising a biasing means for biasing the operating member to the closed position.