JPH11222299A - Liquid pouring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a constant amount within a reference value to be poured against fluctuating factors of a poured amount. SOLUTION: The liquid pouring apparatus for feeding liquid by a pump 7 to a liquid discharging part through a tube 10 made of a material having flexible restorability connecting from a liquid supply source to the discharging part comprises a pressure detection means placed in the middle of the tube 10 for detecting fluctuation in a flow rate of liquid in the tube 10 as a change in pressure, wherein an output of the pump 7 is controlled based on detection of the change in pressure by the pressure detection means so that the flow rate is made constant to pour a constant amount.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid dispensing apparatus, and more particularly to a liquid dispensing apparatus which is optimally applied to a fixed quantity dispensing of a beverage dispenser having a bag-in-box filled with a liquid such as syrup or liqueur as a supply source. It relates to a liquid pouring device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A bag made of a flexible airtight material is filled with beverages such as various syrups and liqueurs, and the bag is placed in an outer box made of cardboard and the like, and the outer box is set in a dispenser. A back-in-box (hereinafter, abbreviated as BIB) that allows a beverage to be poured out of a bag has been widely used.

As a means for discharging a beverage from such a BIB, as is well known, a BIB separate type dispenser using a gas pump driven by gas pressure, a tube is sequentially crushed by a plurality of rollers, and the inside of the tube is crushed by a plurality of rollers. A dispenser with a built-in BIB is provided using a tube pump to dispense the beverage by squeezing it out.

On the other hand, in a liquid vending machine, for example, a sensor electrode pair is attached to a reservoir as sold-out detecting means such as a pressure-based vending machine for syrup, and whether or not syrup exists between the electrodes is determined. The one that detects the change of resistance value and displays the sold out,
In addition, as the means for detecting the sold-out of syrups using BIB, the contents of BIB and the amount to be dispensed per cup are calculated in advance, and subtracted each time the syrup is sold to reach a predetermined number of cups. When it is sold out, it is displayed.

On the other hand, in a conventional beverage dispenser,
There is a model that mixes alcohol (shochu, liqueurs) filled in BIB with a soft drink and sells it as a new alcohol mixed drink.

In such a liquid discharging apparatus, a gas pump is conventionally used, and a flow regulator (needle valve) and an opening / closing valve are arranged in a pipe connecting the gas pump and the alcohol discharging nozzle to supply a fixed amount of alcohol. A valve (solenoid valve) is opened in synchronization with the dispensing of the soft drink from the soft drink dispenser, and a certain amount of alcohol is poured and mixed with the soft drink. .

[0007]

However, in the case of using the above gas pump, a plurality of gas pumps which are relatively inexpensive and can be easily applied to the BIB, but the cleaning effect of the chemical solution cannot be sufficiently obtained due to the structure of the gas pump itself. Since there is a stagnation point between complicated parts, there is a problem in sanitary properties, and application to a neutral syrup is difficult.

On the other hand, in the case of using the above-mentioned tube pump, there is no problem in the case of using the above gas, but B
Dispensing volume tends to fluctuate due to an increase in negative pressure due to a decrease in the remaining amount of beverage in the IB, permanent compression strain of the tube, and the effects of temperature, and no guarantee has been provided for this in the past. Was.

On the other hand, the detection of sold out of a liquid vending machine depends on a change in resistance value due to the presence or absence of a liquid by the above-mentioned sensor electrode pair. However, in the case of a liquid vending machine based on BIB, gas (air) capacity sufficient to expose an electrode from a BIB connection portion cannot be compensated, so that it is not applicable.

On the other hand, in the case of the subtraction method, in order to avoid that the actual remaining amount becomes smaller than the theoretical remaining amount, it is necessary to set a considerable amount of margin, and as a result, 5 to 7% However, there is a problem that a remaining amount error (loss) occurs.

[0011] In the above-mentioned prior art of the mixed sale form of alcohols and soft drinks, since soft drinks and alcohol are always poured out synchronously, it is not possible to sell only soft drinks and there is no versatility.

According to the present invention, a constant-volume dispensing within a reference value can be performed for a variable element of a dispensed amount without using any mechanical part such as a pump and a flow stabilizer which may cause a stagnation or direct contact of the beverage. It has been made as a first object to provide a liquid dispensing device capable of assuring.

As a second problem, there is provided an optimal liquid dispensing apparatus which can detect no remaining amount (sold out) without contacting the liquid and can be applied to a liquid vending machine using BIB. A third object of the present invention is to provide a liquid dispensing apparatus that can sell an alcohol-mixed beverage at any time.

[0014]

According to the present invention, as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a liquid is supplied from a liquid supply source to a liquid discharge section by a pump section through a tube made of a material having flexibility and a resilience. A pressure detecting means for detecting a change in the flow rate of the liquid in the tube as a pressure change in the middle of the tube, and detecting the pressure change by the pressure detecting means. The output of the pump unit is controlled on the basis of the flow rate, and the flow rate is made constant so as to dispense quantitatively.

The liquid supply source may be a bag-in-box regardless of whether it is a separate type or a built-in type. A tube pump may be used as the pump in combination with the use of the bag-in-box. Very preferred from the point of view.

The pressure detecting means is movably provided between the flat pressure-sensitive sensor and the pressure-sensitive sensor and the tube engaging portion, and transmits a pressure change of the liquid in the tube to the pressure-sensitive sensor. However, it is preferable that the tube can be set to the pressure-sensitive sensor accurately although the tube can be easily attached and detached.

An elastomer sheet is interposed between the pressure-sensitive sensor and the inner end of the actuator for dispersing pressure fluctuations transmitted through the actuator to the pressure-sensitive portion of the pressure-sensitive sensor and uniformly transmitting the pressure fluctuation. It is better to let.

Further, in the case of suction and discharge, the pressure detecting means detects a diameter reduction of the tube when the negative pressure in the tube passing therethrough exceeds a predetermined value, and determines that there is no remaining liquid in the bag-in-box. Including those to be detected.

Further, an alcohol made of a material having flexibility and resilience, which is connected from the bag-in-box, which is a supply source of alcohol, to the alcohol discharge portion, supplies the alcohol by the pump portion, and guides the alcohol to the vicinity of the discharge portion of the soft drink dispenser. And a diluting water tube which is guided from the soft drink dispenser side and has a diluting water nozzle in the vicinity of the alcohol discharge section, for stopping the supply of the liquid flowing through the tubes in the middle of each of the tubes. And a pressure detecting means for detecting a change in the flow rate of alcohols in the alcohol tube as a pressure change, and controlling the output of the pump unit based on the detection of the pressure change by the pressure detecting means. To make it possible to pour out a certain amount of alcohol and close the solenoid valve of the tube. Some that made it possible to dispense of only soft drinks by the.

Also in this case, when the negative pressure in the alcohol tube passing through the pressure detecting device exceeds a certain value, the diameter of the tube is detected to detect the remaining amount of alcohol in the bag-in box. It can be detected.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which a bag-in-box 1 (in this case, for syrup, hereinafter abbreviated as BIB) is of a separate type, and a piping system for connecting BIB 1 and dispenser 2 is shown. A pump unit 3 is provided therein. The dispenser 2 is supplied with a carbon dioxide gas from a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 4 and tap water is supplied through a water filter 5 so that the dispenser 2 dispenses a predetermined amount of carbonated beverage into a cup placed on a receiving table 6 as a carbonated drink mixed with three persons. Things.

The pump unit 3 includes a pump unit 7,
The apparatus includes pressure detecting means 8 for detecting a pressure change in the tube and a pinch mechanism 9. The tube 10 is made of a resin material having high flexibility and restoring property.

A tube pump is preferably used for the pump section 7 in consideration of sanitary properties. The tube pump itself is well known, but one example is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in which the tube 10 is pushed in from above so as to stably support the tube 10 at the inlet and the outlet of the pump body 11 and clamped. Are provided between the pair of left and right rotating members 14 and 14 which endlessly rotate in a vertical plane between the holding portions 12 and 13. A tube presser 17 is provided on the inner surface of a lid member 16 which is rotatably supported at a pitch and is closed so as to cover the upper surface thereof. When the lid member 16 is closed, the upper surface of the tube 10 is pressed and the roller is pressed. 15,
15, the tube 10 is crushed.

Therefore, when the rotating members 14, 14 rotate and the pressing roller 15 moves in the liquid discharge direction, the pressing roller 15, 15,... It can be poured out by squeezing out the liquid inside. In this case, by forming the pressing surface on the start end side of the tube pressing 17 on the downward curved surface 17a, the pressing roller 15 can start pressing the tube 10 smoothly.

One example of the pressure detecting means 8 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the tube 10 has a pressure-sensitive sensor 19 arranged in a planar manner at a lower portion in the base 18, and an opening 20 a on the upper surface of the base 18 for fitting the tube 10. A tube locking portion 20 for fixedly holding an outer peripheral portion, and a rod-shaped actuator 21 slidably provided so as to penetrate the base 18 in a vertical direction in the drawing.
And an elastomer sheet 22 interposed between the pressure-sensitive sensor 19 and the inner end of the actuator 21.
The inner end of the actuator 21 is preferably spherical.

As the pressure-sensitive sensor 19, for example, a resistance-change-type pressure sensor that is formed in a film shape and whose resistance value decreases with an increase in pressure applied to an active area (pressure-sensitive portion) is used. This type of pressure-sensitive sensor needs to apply an initial pressure (break force) necessary for the sensor to start functioning by slightly projecting the outer end of the actuator 21 into the tube locking portion 20. The pressure sensor 19 can be obtained by pressing the pressure-sensitive sensor 19 via the actuator 21 when the tube 10 is engaged with the tube locking portion 20.

Although the opening 20a of the tube engaging portion 20 is opened upward in FIG. 5, it can be provided sideways to propagate the pressure fluctuation in the tube 10 to the actuator 21.

The pinch mechanism 9 clamps the tube 10 from both sides and squeezes the tube 10 to stop the discharge of the liquid. As is well known, the clamping member is operated by the operation of a solenoid or the like, and the tube 10 is moved. Anything that can be crushed may be used.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an alcohol-mixed beverage. The dispenser 2 contains BIBs 1 and 1 filled with predetermined syrups. A spout 24 for dispensing alcoholic beverages such as shochu and liqueur is arranged on the side of the spout 24. These are mixed at a predetermined ratio and placed on the cradle 6. 26.

The BIB 1 of the alcoholic beverage is placed separately, and the BIB 1 and the dispenser 2 are connected to a tube 10.
And the pump unit 3 is disposed in the middle thereof.

Each of the dispensers 2 has an electromagnetic opening / closing valve at its outlet.

The control unit 27 regards the pipe resistance and the viscosity of the liquid as constant since the pressure generated when the liquid flows through the pipe takes a constant value depending on the resistance of the pipe, the viscosity of the liquid, and the flow velocity. , And the pressure is proportional to the flow rate (flow velocity). Therefore, a constant flow rate is maintained by controlling the rotation speed of the pump unit 7 so that the internal pressure in the tube 10 becomes constant. .

When the pipe resistance and the viscosity of the liquid are low or the required flow rate is small, the hole diameter of the tube holding portion 12 on the downstream side of the tube 10 is arbitrarily reduced with respect to the inside diameter of the tube 10. As a result, the internal pressure can be increased, and stable control can be performed.

When the flow rate flowing through the tube 10 is constant, the internal pressure is correlated with the change in viscosity due to the temperature change of the liquid. A temperature sensor (not shown) for measuring the temperature is provided, and a value measured by the sensor is compared with characteristic data stored in advance to control so as to compensate for a variation in flow rate due to temperature. .

In use, the lid 1 of the pump unit 3
6, the tube 10 is set in a predetermined position, and the lid 1
6 is closed, the tube 10 is connected to the tube holder 1 of the lid 16.
Pressed by 7.

Next, when the reset switch is turned on, the pump section 7 is driven to rotate the rotating members 14, 14, and when the pressure reaches the upper limit value (X + a) of an arbitrary pressure determined by the position of the pump output adjusting volume, the operation is started. Stop.

When the discharge valve of the dispenser 2 is opened and the liquid flows out, the pressure in the tube 10 decreases and the X-
When the value of b is reached, the output of the pump unit 7 is adjusted by the control unit 27 so that the pump unit 7 starts and maintains the pressure X.

When the set flow rate cannot be obtained due to the sold out liquid (for example, syrup) in the BIB 1 or the disconnection of the connection connector of the tube 10 to the BIB 1, that is, the pump output becomes the design upper limit and the value of X−b is reached. At this point, the pump unit 7 is stopped, and a flashing lamp, a buzzer sound, etc., notify the situation.

In the present embodiment, as an example of a tube pump, the pressing roller 15,
15 are shown, but a plurality of pressure rollers are rotatably supported at positions around one surface of the rotating disk.
The present invention can be applied to a structure in which a tube is passed between the roller and the wall plate, and the tube is pressed against the wall plate by the roller to be drawn out. The pump having the structure described above may be used.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show another embodiment of the present invention, in which it is possible to detect that the inside of the BIB is empty. In this embodiment, a gas pump 30 using carbon dioxide gas as a pump is provided. It is used to suck liquid from the BIB 1 and guide it to the nozzle 25 of the dispenser. A pressure detecting means 8 ′ is interposed between the BIB 1 and the gas pump 30, and the tube 31 from the gas pump 30 to the nozzle 25 is After passing through a cooling water tank 32, a flow regulator 33 and a solenoid valve 34 are connected. The pressure detecting means 8 ′ can detect that there is no remaining amount by detecting that the liquid in the BIB 1 runs out and the inside of the tube 35 reaching the pump 30 becomes negative pressure and the tube 35 is reduced in diameter. It has become.

That is, as shown in the sectional views of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the tube 35 is inserted into the tube engaging portion 20 to be engaged with the tube 35 through a diaphragm 36 at a portion facing the outer surface of the tube 35. The flat pressure-sensitive sensor 19 is mounted so as to be sandwiched between the back plate 37 and the elastomer sheet 22, and one end of the rod-shaped actuator 21 supported by another diaphragm 38 is provided on the outer surface of the tube 35, and the other end is provided with the above-described sensor. Elastomer sheet 2 of pressure sensor 19
2 and is configured to adjust the initial set pressure by pressing the back plate 37 with a pressure adjusting screw 39.

As the pressure-sensitive sensor 19, a pressure-sensitive element whose resistance value changes according to the increase or decrease of the pressing force is used in the same manner as the above-mentioned pressure detecting means 8. By setting the initial pressure to a value, when the tube 35 is reduced in diameter as shown in FIG. 9B by the negative pressure in the tube 35 in addition to the flow rate control, the actuator 21 follows the reduced diameter. Then, a signal is generated when the pressing force applied to the pressure sensor 19 decreases and the resistance value changes to infinity, and it is determined that the remaining amount of the liquid in the BIB 1 has run out, that is, “out of stock”. It is indicated separately by a lamp or the like.

FIG. 10 shows a method in which the provision of a soft drink by the dispenser 2 and the provision of an alcohol-mixed beverage in which alcohol is mixed with the soft drink can be selectively used (selectable sale) by one dispensing device. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment (corresponding to claims 4 and 5) to which the invention is applied, in which an alcohol tube 40 connected to a BIB 1 containing alcohol and a dilution water tube 41 for guiding dilution water from the dispenser 2. Are provided as independent systems, and nozzles 42, 4 at the tips of these tubes 40, 41 are provided.
3 is a nozzle head 44 of the soft drink dispenser 2
Are arranged in the vicinity.

A gas pump 45, a flow regulator 46 (needle valve), a solenoid valve 47, and a pressure detecting means 8 'are connected to the alcohol tube 40 from the upstream side, respectively. A flow regulator 48 (needle valve) and an electromagnetic valve 49 are connected from the side.

Accordingly, the alcohol is controlled and discharged at a constant flow rate by the pressure detecting means 8 ', and detects that the interior of the BIB 1 is empty.

The electromagnetic valve 4 of the alcohol tube 41
By closing 7, only the soft drink can be diluted and poured out of the dispenser 2, and by opening the solenoid valve 47, an alcohol-mixed drink in which alcohol is mixed with the soft drink can be obtained. These solenoid valves 4
In the case of a vending machine, the opening and closing of 7, 49 can be performed by operating the selection button of the purchased item.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, the pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure in the tube is provided on one side of the tube for sending out the liquid by the pump, so that the liquid in the tube is not contacted. By controlling the pump rotation speed based on the pressure change by detecting the pressure in the tube,
Since the flow rate is made constant, the amount of liquid to be discharged can be accurately controlled.

If a tube pump is used for the pump section, the consumption of carbon dioxide gas can be greatly reduced as compared with a conventional carbon dioxide gas driven pump, and the gas cylinder can be replaced only with carbon dioxide gas for carbonated beverages. Often,
Good maintainability. In particular, both the tube pump and the pressure detecting means are in non-contact with the liquid, so that there is no place where the liquid stays in the tube from the liquid supply source (BIB) to the dispenser or where it is difficult to clean the tube. Sanitary properties are remarkably excellent, and a sterile piping system can be obtained.

Further, a high degree of sterility required when BIB is used can be easily achieved by integrally forming the BIB and the tube and using a sterile bag tube configuration by γ-ray or electron beam irradiation. Can also sufficiently respond to the sale of neutral beverages.

On the other hand, since the pump output is controlled on the basis of the flow rate at the time of obtaining an arbitrary flow rate = the pressure, a stable flow rate can always be obtained without being affected by the aging of the tube. ) When a predetermined flow rate cannot be obtained due to a cut, a tube coming off, or a broken tube, the pump can be immediately stopped to notify the occurrence of an abnormal situation by an alarm or the like.

Further, since the quantitativeness within the standard range is guaranteed, it is possible to prevent incomplete products from being offered to customers due to a decrease in the amount of syrup.

Further, even if a BIB for alcoholic beverages is separately added for high-grade shochu or the like, the present invention can be easily applied for the quantitative supply of the alcoholic beverages.
The versatility can be significantly improved.

According to the third aspect, since the diameter of the tube is detected to detect that the remaining amount of the liquid in the BIB is exhausted, it is possible to reliably detect the liquid without contacting the liquid and to control the flow rate. In addition, there is no need to provide a margin for the remaining amount in the BIB, and the yield can be significantly increased.

Further, according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to selectively dispense a normal beverage and an alcohol-mixed beverage, so that versatility can be enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the main part.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a pump unit with a lid opened.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state of use.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing an example of a pressure detecting means according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the same.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when the present invention is applied to an alcoholic beverage.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views showing pressure detecting means suitable for detecting the absence of the remaining amount of liquid in the BIB, wherein FIG.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram in which an alcohol-mixed beverage and a soft drink are selectively dispensed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 back-in-box (BIB) 2 dispenser 3 pump unit 5 water filter 7 pump unit 8, 8 'pressure detecting means 9 pinch mechanism 10 tube 12, 13 tube holding unit 14 rotating member 15 pressurizing roller 16 lid member 17 tube press 18 Base 19 Pressure-sensitive sensor 20 Tube locking portion 21 Actuator 22 Elastomer sheet 23, 24, 25 Spout 30 Gas pump 36, 38 Diaphragm 39 Pressure adjusting screw 42 Alcohol pouring nozzle 43 Dilution water pouring nozzle 45 Gas pump

Claims (8)

[Claims] In a liquid discharging apparatus, a liquid is supplied by a pump unit through a tube made of a material having flexibility and connected from a liquid supply source to a liquid discharge unit and guided to the discharge unit. Pressure detecting means for detecting a change in the flow rate of the liquid in the tube as a change in pressure, controlling the output of the pump section based on the detection of the pressure change by the pressure detecting means, and stabilizing the flow rate. A liquid dispensing device characterized in that the liquid is dispensed by a fixed amount. 2. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply source is a bag-in-box. 3. A liquid dispensing apparatus, wherein liquid is sucked by a pump section through a tube made of a material having flexibility and resilience connected from a bag-in-box as a liquid supply source to a liquid discharge section and guided to the discharge section. Pressure detecting means for detecting a change in the flow rate of the liquid in the tube as a change in pressure is provided in the middle of the tube, and the output of the pump unit is controlled based on the detection of the pressure change by the pressure detecting means. A constant flow rate is dispensed, and when the negative pressure in the tube passing through the pressure detecting means exceeds a certain value, the diameter of the tube is detected to detect the remaining amount of liquid in the bag-in-box. A liquid dispensing device characterized in that: 4. A material having flexibility and resilience, which is connected from a bag-in-box, which is a supply source of alcohol, to an alcohol discharge section, supplies alcohol by a pump section, and guides the alcohol to a vicinity of the discharge section of the soft drink dispenser. An alcohol tube and a dilution water tube which is guided from the soft drink dispenser side and has a dilution water nozzle in the vicinity of the alcohol discharge section are provided, and the supply of the liquid flowing through the tube is stopped at an intermediate portion of each tube. And a pressure detecting means for detecting a change in the flow rate of alcohols in the alcohol tube as a change in pressure, and the output of the pump unit is detected based on the detection of the pressure change by the pressure detecting means. By controlling, it is possible to pour out alcohol at a constant flow rate and to close the solenoid valve of the tube. Liquid dispensing apparatus characterized in that it allowed the pouring of only soft drinks Ri. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pump section is a suction pump, and the pressure detecting device detects a diameter reduction of the tube when the negative pressure in the alcohol tube passing through the detecting device exceeds a predetermined value. 5. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the remaining amount of alcohol in the bag-in-box is detected. 6. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the pump section is a tube pump. 7. The pressure detecting means is provided movably between a flat pressure-sensitive sensor and the pressure-sensitive sensor and the tube locking part, and detects a pressure fluctuation of the liquid in the tube. The liquid injecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an actuator for transmitting the liquid to the liquid discharging device. 8. An elastomer sheet is interposed between the pressure-sensitive sensor and the inner end of the actuator for dispersing pressure fluctuations transmitted through the actuator to the pressure-sensitive portion of the pressure-sensitive sensor and uniformly transmitting the pressure fluctuation. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 7, wherein