JPH1146981A - Drink dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drink dispenser which positively prevents an overflowing water from spilling to the outside of the dispenser and is less costly in terms of installation/operation and also can be handled easily. SOLUTION: Overflow piping 20 running from a hot water supply tank 5 is connected to a water storage tank 2. In the hot water supply tank 5, a water level is kept almost constant by detecting the water level using a float switch 18 and controlling the drive and the stoppage of a pump 6 based on the detection results. In the case that the float switch 18 malfunctions to allow the continued drive of the pump 6, the overflow of the hot water supply tank 5 occurs. In this case, however, the overflowing water is totally circulated back to the water storage tank 2, so that the spillage of the overflowing water to the outside of the dispenser is positively eliminated. In addition, it is no longer necessary to provide a drain tank separately, so that an installation space is saved by this drain tank, contributing to the miniaturization of the dispenser and the reduction of a manufacturing cost. The incidental operation to drain the drain tank also need not be considered to lessen a financial burden on the part of a user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an improved structure for treating overflow water in a beverage dispenser.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a tea machine equipped with a cassette type water storage tank is known as a tea machine installed in a place where a water supply pipe cannot be easily secured, and a known example thereof is shown in FIG. Have been. This is equipped with a water storage tank a provided so as to be able to be taken in and out of the body, and a hot water supply tank b provided fixedly. Raw water composed of tap water is stored in the water storage tank a. In the hot water supply tank b, the raw water is stored as warm water while being heated to a substantially constant temperature by the heater c. When the solenoid valve d is opened, the warm water is discharged from the discharge port e and passes through the tea filter f containing tea leaves. It is poured into cup g as tea. Also, the hot water tank b is equipped with a float switch h, and when the level of the hot water drops due to tea pouring, the pump i is driven to supply raw water from the water storage tank a, and the water level of the hot water tank b is kept constant. Is to be kept. Here, it cannot be said that there is no case where replenishment of water from the water storage tank a is performed more than necessary due to a failure of the float switch h or the like. that time,
An overflow pipe j for discharging overflowed water to a predetermined position is provided so that water does not overflow from the hot water supply tank b and wet the electric control parts. Conventionally, the overflow pipe j is connected to a drain tank k separately provided, and the overflow water is collected in the drain tank k together with the drain water from the drain tray n provided on the lower surface of the container holder m.

[0003]

When the drainage tank k is provided as described above, for example, the water storage tank a
Considering the case in which all the water stored in the tank overflows, the volume of the drainage tank k must be set at least equal to or larger than that of the water storage tank a. There is a drawback that it leads to conversion. Further, if the above-mentioned overflow occurs in a state where the drainage is left in the drainage tank k, the water may overflow from the drainage tank k. Therefore, for example, every time the water storage tank a is newly filled with water. The user has to be burdened, for example, to instruct the user to empty the drain tank k once. The present invention has been completed on the basis of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to reliably prevent the overflow of the discharge tank from spilling in and out of the apparatus even when the overflow occurs, and to reduce cost and cost. Another object is to provide an excellent beverage dispenser in terms of handling.

[0004]

As means for achieving the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 comprises a replenishing tank for storing raw water, and heating or cooling the raw water supplied from the replenishing tank. A discharge tank that stores and discharges water from a discharge unit, a replenishing unit that replenishes raw water from the replenishment tank to detect a water level of the discharge tank and keep the water level substantially constant; A beverage dispenser comprising: an overflow pipe for flowing out overflow water from a tank; wherein the overflow pipe is connected to the replenishing tank so as to be able to return. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the replenishment tank and the overflow pipe are connected to the replenishment tank via a joint pipe having two flow passages. However, it has features. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention, the supply pipe and the overflow pipe are connected to the discharge tank via a joint pipe having two flow paths. It is characterized in that it is connected.

[0005]

Actions and effects of the present invention

<Invention of Claim 1> When an overflow occurs in the discharge tank, it is all returned to the replenishment tank by the overflow pipe. Overflow water is reliably prevented from spilling into and out of the machine. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a separate drain tank, the installation space is reduced, and the apparatus can be reduced in size. In addition, the number of parts, including associated piping parts, can be reduced, and manufacturing costs can be reduced. be able to. Further, the drainage work of the drainage tank becomes unnecessary, and the burden on the user is reduced. <Invention of claim 2> Since the supply pipe and the overflow pipe are connected to the supply tank by a common joint pipe, the piping structure around the supply tank is clearly arranged. <Invention of claim 3> Similarly, the piping structure around the discharge tank can be clearly arranged.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a tea machine will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. <First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the overall structure of the tea machine will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of a tea machine, and a water storage tank 2 for storing raw water such as tap water is installed at a lower position inside the main body 1. This water storage tank 2
Is a cassette type, which can be opened and closed while opening and closing the front door 3. On the other hand, a hot water supply tank 5 is fixedly installed at an upper position inside the main body 1. The hot water supply tank 5 and the water storage tank 2 are connected by a supply pipe 7 provided with a pump 6 as described later in detail,
Raw water stored in the water storage tank 2 is pumped up by the pump 6 and supplied to the hot water supply tank 5. A heater 8 is provided on the bottom side of the hot water supply tank 5 as schematically shown in FIG. 2, and the internal water can be raised to a substantially constant temperature and stored while detecting the hot water temperature by a temperature sensor (not shown). It has become.

A solenoid valve 10 is provided at the lower part of the front of the hot water supply tank 5.
The discharge port 11 is provided downward. A tea leaf supply unit (not shown) is provided on the side of the discharge port 11 (on the front side in FIG. 1), and the tea filter 12 moves between a position directly below the tea supply unit and a position directly below the discharge port 11. It is provided as possible. Further, at a position below the discharge port 11, a scoop-shaped container holder 15 for mounting a cup 14 for putting tea is provided, and on a lower surface of the container holder 15,
A drain tray 16 is mounted so that it can be taken in and out from the front. Then, after the tea filter 12 receives the tea leaves at a position directly below the tea leaf supply unit, the tea filter 12 returns to a position immediately below the discharge port 11, and when the dispensing button is pressed here, the solenoid valve 10 is opened and the discharge from the discharge port 11 is stopped. A certain amount of warm water is discharged and passes through the tea filter 12 to be turned into tea and poured into the cup 14. When the tea is dispensed a predetermined number of times, the tea filter 12 is turned over to the opposite side in FIG.
Returning again to the position directly below the tea leaf supply unit, the above operation is repeated.

The hot water supply tank 5 is provided with a float switch 18 as shown in FIG. 2, and when the water level of the hot water supply tank 5 decreases with the above-mentioned tea pouring, the pump 6 is driven. The raw water in the water storage tank 2 is replenished by the replenishing pipe 7 and is replenished to a predetermined water level. When the water level is detected by the float switch 18, the drive of the pump 6 is stopped. It is kept substantially constant. Further, an overflow pipe 20 is drawn from the hot water supply tank 5.

The piping structure will be described in more detail.
At an upper position on the rear side of the hot water supply tank 5, as shown in FIG. 3, a cylindrical connection tube 21 is provided to protrude sideways, and a joint pipe 22 is attached to the connection tube 21. The joint pipe 22 has a double pipe structure including an outer pipe 23 and an inner pipe 24. A flange 25 is formed on the outer circumference of the outer tube 23 at a substantially central portion in the length direction. One side of the flange 25 is a large-diameter mounting portion 26 and the other side is a connecting portion 27. A seal ring 28 is mounted on the outer periphery of the mounting portion 26, and the mounting portion 26 can be fitted in the connection cylinder 21 of the hot water supply tank 5 in a watertight manner. On the other hand, the connection portion 27 can be connected to the overflow pipe 20. The inner tube 24 is formed in an L-shape, and one end thereof is attached to the mounting portion 2 of the outer tube 23.
6 is concentrically inserted with a clearance in
6, and is formed as an inflow / outflow portion 30. The other end of the inner tube 24 projects upward from the upper surface of the outer tube 23 to form a connection portion 31, which can be connected to the supply pipe 7. The outer surface of the inner tube 24 near the bent portion and the outer tube 23
Are connected to each other by connecting pieces 33.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the joint pipe 22 has the outer pipe 23
Of the inner pipe 24 projects into the hot water supply tank 5 through the seal ring 28 in a watertight manner. Then, as shown in FIG.
4 is connected to the outlet of the supply pipe 7, while the connection 27 of the outer pipe 23 is connected to the inlet of the overflow pipe 20.

An opening 35 projects upward from the upper surface of the water storage tank 2 as shown in FIG. An external thread 36 is cut on the outer periphery of the opening 35. A tank cap 37 is attached to the opening 35 and the tank cap 3
7, a joint pipe 22A is attached. The joint pipe 22A has the same shape as the joint pipe 22 attached to the connection tube 21 of the hot water supply tank 5 described above.

The tank cap 37 has a small diameter portion 3 at the upper end.
8, a female screw 40 that can be screwed into the male screw 36 of the opening 35 is formed on the inner periphery of the large-diameter portion 39 on the lower end side. The inner circumference of the small diameter portion 38 has such a size that the mounting portion 26 of the outer tube 23 in the joint tube 22A can be tightly fitted. At the center in the tank cap 37, a suction pipe 42 is provided with a clearance. The upper end of the suction pipe 42 is integrally connected to the inner surface of the lower end of the small diameter portion 38 via a plurality of connecting pieces 43 arranged radially. The lower end of the suction pipe 42 protrudes below the large diameter portion 39, and a suction hose 45 is connected to the protruding end. The joint pipe 2 is provided in the suction pipe 42.
The inflow / outflow portion 30 of the inner pipe 24 in 2A can be fitted tightly, and a seal ring 4
6 is mounted.

That is, after the suction hose 45 is connected to the suction pipe 42, as shown in FIG.
The tank cap 37 is put on the opening 35 while the 5 is inserted from the opening 35, and the tank cap 37 is fixed by screwing the female screw 40 to the male screw 36. The lower end of the suction hose 45 hangs down to near the bottom of the water storage tank 2. Subsequently, the mounting portion 26 of the outer tube 23 in the joint tube 22A is pushed into the small diameter portion 38 of the tank cap 37 until the flange 25 hits, and the connection is made watertight through the seal ring 28. At the same time, the inflow / outflow portion 30 of the inner pipe 24 is inserted into the upper end side of the suction pipe 42 of the tank cap 37, and similarly connected in a watertight manner via the seal ring 46. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the connecting portion 31 of the inner pipe 24 in the joint pipe 22 </ b> A and the inflow port of the supply pipe 7,
The connection part 27 of the outer pipe 23 is connected to the outlet of the overflow pipe 20.

The present embodiment has the above structure,
Subsequently, the operation will be described. When pouring tea,
As described above, when the discharge switch is turned on, the hot water tank 5
The hot water is discharged from the discharge port 11 and passes through the tea filter 12 to produce tea, which is poured into the cup 14. When the water level in the hot water supply tank 5 drops, the pump 6 is driven,
Raw water in the water storage tank 2 is sucked up by the suction hose 45, passes through the inner pipe 24 of the joint pipe 22 </ b> A from the suction pipe 42, further passes through the supply pipe 7, and then flows into the hot water supply tank 5.
The hot water is supplied to the hot water supply tank 5 from the inflow / outflow portion 30 through the inner pipe 24 of the joint pipe 22 on the side. When the water level in the hot water supply tank 5 rises to a predetermined position and is detected by the float switch 18, the pump 6 stops and replenishment stops. During operation, when the level of the hot water drops due to the pouring of tea, the pump 6 is driven to replenish the raw water from the water storage tank 2, the water level in the hot water supply tank 5 is kept constant, and the water level is kept substantially constant. The temperature is raised and stored.

The supply of raw water from the water storage tank 2 proceeds,
If it becomes necessary to fill raw water into the water storage tank 2,
This is performed as follows. First, after opening the door 3, the joint pipe 22A attached to the tank cap 37 is pulled out and removed. As a result, the tank is opened while the tank cap 37 is mounted. Then, take out the water storage tank 2 and carry it to the place where there is a water pipe.
Fill with tap water. After that, the water storage tank 2 is stored in the machine again, and the joint pipe 22A is pushed into the tank cap 37 and connected. Then, in the same manner as described above, water is supplied from the water storage tank 2 to the hot water supply tank 5, and the tea is continuously poured while the water level in the hot water supply tank 5 is kept constant.

If the float switch 18 does not operate for some reason due to the malfunction of the float switch 18 and the water in the hot water supply tank 5 rises to a predetermined water level, the pump 6 continues to operate. Driven. Then, the raw water in the water storage tank 2 is replenished to the hot water supply tank 5 one after another, resulting in an overflow state. In that case, the overflow water flows out into the overflow pipe 20 through the inside of the outer pipe 23 in the joint pipe 22. The overflow pipe 20 is connected to the water storage tank 2.
Is connected to the side joint pipe 22A, the overflow water flows between the outer pipe 23 and the inner pipe 24 in the joint pipe 22A, and furthermore, the suction pipe 42 and the tank cap 37.
Are all returned to the water storage tank 2 through the large-diameter portion 39. The drain tray 16 on the lower surface of the container holder 15
The wastewater accumulated in the wastewater may be appropriately removed and discarded at a predetermined location.

That is, according to this embodiment, when an overflow occurs in the hot water supply tank 5, all of the overflow is returned to the water storage tank 2 by the overflow pipe 20. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent overflow water from spilling into and out of the airframe. Also, unlike the conventional case, it is not necessary to provide a separate drainage tank, so that the installation space is reduced and the device can be reduced in size, and when the size of the device is the same, the capacity is large. It becomes possible to equip the water storage tank 2. Also, since the number of parts including the accompanying piping parts can be reduced, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, since the drainage work of the drainage tank is not required, the burden on the user is reduced.

In both the hot water supply tank 5 and the water storage tank 2, the supply pipe 7 and the overflow pipe 20 are connected together by the joint pipes 22 and 22A. The surrounding structure can be summarized clearly. Moreover, since the joint pipes 22 and 22A having the same shape are used in common, it is possible to contribute to a reduction in manufacturing cost.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment,
When an overflow occurs as described above, a function of detecting the overflow relatively early, stopping the pump 6, and issuing a warning is added. The time during which the pump 6 can be normally driven continuously is the time required for the hot water supply tank 5 to be filled from the empty state, as in the case of initial water supply to the hot water supply tank 5. Therefore, if the pump 6 is continuously driven for a predetermined time or longer, it can be considered that an overflow has occurred and the overflow water is being returned to the water storage tank 2.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, a control unit 51 equipped with a microcomputer is provided. The input side of the control unit 51 is connected to a drive time detecting means 52 for detecting a continuous drive time every time the pump motor 50 for driving the pump 6 is started. On the other hand, the output side of the control unit 51 is connected to the pump motor 50 via a motor drive control unit 53 and a warning lamp 54. The control unit 51 stores a comparing unit 55. A reference time based on the maximum continuous drive time of the pump 6 is set in advance in the comparison means 55. If the time detected by the drive time detection means 52 exceeds the reference time, a stop signal is output to the motor drive control unit 53. Also, it functions to output a lighting signal to the warning lamp 54.

That is, when an overflow occurs in the hot water supply tank 5, the overflow water is returned to the water storage tank 2 while the pump 6 is continuously driven, but the pump 6 is still driven after the maximum continuous drive time. The pump motor 50, that is, the pump 6, is forcibly stopped, and the warning lamp 54
Lights up. As a result, the pump 6 is prevented from being driven uselessly for a long time, and repairs can be taken at an early stage.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the structure of the joint pipe 60 and the tank cap 61 is changed at the pipe connection portion of the water storage tank 2. Joint pipe 6
0 is different from that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in that a part between the outer circumference on the base end side of the inflow / outflow section 30 and the inner circumference of the mounting section 26 is replaced by the connecting piece 33. Is packed. Further, a seal ring 63 is mounted on the outer periphery of the projecting end of the inflow / outflow portion 30. On the other hand, the tank cap 61
As compared with the first embodiment, as described above, the seal ring 6 is provided on the protruding end side of the inflow / outflow portion 30 of the joint pipe 60.
Due to the mounting of the seal 3, the seal ring 46 mounted on the inner periphery of the upper end of the suction pipe 42 is removed.
The other structures, functions and effects are the same as in the first embodiment. In addition, the joint pipe 60 can be used by being attached to the connection cylinder 21 of the hot water supply tank 5.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. (1) The present invention relates to a tea dispenser of a type that melts powdered tea, and a device that melts powdered coffee and pours a beverage.
The present invention can be widely applied to all beverage dispensers having a cassette type water storage tank. (2) In addition to the type in which raw water supplied from the water storage tank is heated to generate and store hot water, a type of tank in which cold water is generated and stored by cooling raw water is provided. The same can be applied to objects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of a tea machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a piping structure.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a pipe connection portion of a hot water supply tank.

FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view of a pipe connection portion of the water storage tank.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the assembled state.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control mechanism according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a joint pipe and a tank cap according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a conventional piping structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... water storage tank 5 ... hot water supply tank 6 ... pump 7 ... supply pipe 8 ... heater 11 ... discharge section 18 ... float switch 20 ... overflow pipe 22, 22A ... joint pipe 35 ... opening 37 ... tank cap 45 ... suction hose 60 ... Joint pipe 61 ... Tank cap

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A replenishing tank for storing raw water, a discharging tank for storing raw water supplied from the replenishing tank while heating or cooling and storing the raw water so that the raw water can be discharged from a discharging part; and a water level of the discharging tank. In a beverage dispenser comprising: a replenishing means for replenishing raw water from the replenishing tank so as to keep the water level substantially constant while detecting the water level; and an overflow pipe for flowing out overflow water of the discharge tank. A beverage dispenser, which is connected to the replenishing tank so as to be able to reflux. 2. The supply tank and the overflow pipe are connected to the supply tank via a joint pipe having two flow paths defined therein. Beverage dispenser. 3. The supply pipe and the overflow pipe are connected to the discharge tank via a joint pipe having two flow passages defined therein. A beverage dispenser according to claim 2.