JPS6029034Y2 - Hot beverage dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] This invention is for preparing hot drinks by storing hot water and powder for drinks such as powdered soup, measuring and taking out each as needed, and dissolving this powder for drinks in hot water. This invention relates to a hot beverage dispensing device.

As one of this type of hot beverage dispensing apparatus, one having a configuration as shown in FIG. 1 is known.

That is, the beverage powder is stored in the beverage raw material storage tanks IA and IB, and is transported out through the export ports 2A and 2B.

The hot water in a hot water tank 3, which is connected to the water supply via a water supply valve means 5 and has a heater 4 inside, is controlled by a float switch so that the liquid level is constant. Hot water is supplied to a mixing bowl 6 provided below the outlet ports 2A and 2B through a hot water supply electromagnetic valve 8 and a hot water supply pipe 7 connected thereto.

Note that a temperature drop prevention heater 9 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the hot water supply pipe 7.

Beverage powder and hot water are supplied substantially simultaneously to the mixing bowl 6 based on a dispensing command, where they are diluted and mixed to form a hot beverage, which is dispensed from a drinking water pipe 10 into a cup 11.

Incidentally, stirring blades are often provided at the lower part of the mixing bowl 6 as shown in the figure in order to cope with powders having poor solubility.

In this hot beverage dispensing device, as described above, the mixing bowl 6
Since the hot beverage is prepared inside the device, the mixing bowl 6 and the drinking water pipe 10 come into direct contact with the hot beverage, and if left as is after pouring, the beverage adhering to the inner walls of these devices will deteriorate and become contaminated with bacteria. As a result, degenerated ingredients and bacteria are mixed into the drink that is being poured out, which not only significantly impairs the taste of the drink but also is extremely unhygienic.

In addition, as mentioned above, since the wet area that comes into contact with the beverage is large, the beverage adheres to the inner walls of these devices even after the beverage is poured out, and this beverage gradually drips and flows down the drinking water pipe 10.
In addition to contaminating the equipment, the outlet of the drinking water pipe 10 is constantly wet with drinking water, which is unhygienic as it attracts insects and other insects. It is true.

In addition, in order to improve these drawbacks, the mixing ball 6
There is an example in which a pipe for washing water is installed in the pipe to wash the inner wall from the mixing bowl 6 to the drinking water pipe 10 every time a drink is poured out, but complete washing is not expected if only a small amount of water is passed through. Dirt accumulates little by little during long-term use, and even with water, dripping cannot be avoided, so a cleaning process must be added after each pouring process, which increases the overall cycle time. As the time becomes longer, the pouring capacity per hour decreases significantly.

Furthermore, the equipment becomes even more complicated due to water treatment using washing water.

Also, in the hot water supply section, the water level in the hot water tank 3 is controlled by a float, so even if the water level is set at a predetermined position in the cold water state, the volume of the water expands due to heating and the water level becomes higher than the initial level. When pouring and measuring hot water while keeping the open time of the hot water supply solenoid valve 8 and the water level in the hot water tank 3 constant,
The metered amount of water changes, and as a result, the required amount of hot water cannot be poured out, and the concentration of the drinking liquid changes, impairing its taste.

Furthermore, the mixing bowl 6 and the drinking water pipe 10 are relatively large parts and have a large heat capacity, so the hot water supply pipe 7
The temperature of the hot water that is poured from the mixing bowl 6 decreases greatly while passing through them, and if the temperature of the beverage that is poured changes depending on the season, or if several drinks are poured in a row, the temperature may initially drop in the mixing bowl 6. The temperature of the poured beverage is not constant, such as when the temperature is lower when it is poured out, and the temperature is higher the later it is poured.

There were drawbacks such as.

In order to solve these drawbacks, the mixing bowl 6 is removed, and the hot beverage dispensing device is of a type that directly supplies beverage powder and hot water to the cup 11, and prepares a hot beverage by stirring and mixing by spraying and supplying the hot water. There is.

This device has a configuration as shown in FIG.

That is, drinking water from a water pressure source such as a tap is reduced to an appropriate pressure by a pressure regulator 15, introduced into the hot water tank 3 from the bottom of the hot water tank 3 through a water supply pipe 16, and the water flow direction is controlled by a baffle plate 21. The hot water flows in the horizontal direction and fills the hot water tank 3.

A heater 4 is provided in the hot water tank 3, and works together with a thermostat 13 to control the heating of the water in the hot water tank 3 to a predetermined temperature.

The hot water in the hot water tank 3 passes from the top of the hot water tank 3 through a hot water pipe 7 equipped with a heater 9 to prevent temperature drop for keeping the pipe warm, and passes through a hot water solenoid valve 8 to a hot water pouring nozzle having a small hole at the tip. 17 into the cup 11.

Opening and closing of the hot water solenoid valve 8 is controlled by a timer 20, and the pressure inside the hot water tank 3 is kept constant by the pressure regulator 15, so the opening time of the hot water solenoid valve 8 is controlled by the timer 20. Through control, a required amount of hot water can be obtained from the pouring nozzle 17.

On the other hand, the beverage powder stored in the beverage raw material storage tank 1 is measured by a measuring device 18 and passed through the chute 19 into the cup 11 in time relation with the opening and closing of the hot water supply solenoid valve 8.
and is stirred and dissolved in the cup 11 by a jet of hot water from the pouring nozzle 17.

Note that a relief valve 14 is provided at the top of the hot water tank 3.
A vacuum release valve 12 is provided to prevent the internal pressure of the hot water tank 3 from becoming too high or becoming negative due to a change in volume or generation of bubbles due to temperature changes in the hot water in the hot water tank 3. .

Based on the pouring command, beverage powder (hereinafter referred to as powdered soup) measured by the measuring device 18 is supplied to the cup 11 from the chute 19, and almost at the same time, the hot water supply solenoid valve 8 opens to increase the pressure controlled by the pressure regulator 15. The hot water in the hot water tank 3 is supplied in a jet form from the hot water pouring nozzle 17, and the powdered soup is stirred and dissolved in the cup 11 by this jet of water, thereby creating a hot beverage (hereinafter referred to as soup).

In this way, all of the mixing and dissolution of the powdered soup with hot water takes place within the cup, so only cup 11 touches the soup liquid.
There is no deterioration of the adhesion-resistant soup liquid or the growth of bacteria inside the device, and therefore there is no need for cleaning, making it possible to always provide fresh, high-quality soup in an extremely hygienic manner. I can do it.

In addition, the hot water pipe 7 is wrapped with a heater 9 to prevent temperature drop and is actively kept warm, so the temperature of the hot water inside the hot water pipe 7 does not change even if the device is used for a long time, and the hot water outlet is connected to the hot water solenoid valve. 8 and pouring nozzle 17, the structure is extremely simple, the heat capacity is small, and the temperature drop during pouring is small, so it is possible to always provide soup liquid at a constant temperature under any conditions. I can do it.

Furthermore, since no washing step is required, the cycle time for pouring out the soup can be extremely short, and the soup can be poured out with high efficiency continuously with the heifuki.

In addition, there is a hot water supply electromagnetic valve 8 in the upstream part of the hot water pouring nozzle 17, which is closed except when pouring hot water, and since the tip of the hot water pouring nozzle 17 has a small hole, a small amount of water remains in the hot water pouring nozzle. The hot water is retained without dripping, so there is no one left after hot water.

Although this device solves many of the problems of the hot beverage dispensing device shown in FIG. Immediately after boiling, the pressure is maintained at the end of the relief valve 14, and this pressure rises to the inlet side of the hot water supply solenoid valve 8. When the hot water supply solenoid valve 8 is opened, the hot water suddenly reaches the hot water pipe 7 due to the internal pressure of the tank. , the hot water supply solenoid valve 8 , and the pouring nozzle 17 , and then jetting out from the small hole at the tip of the hot water pouring nozzle 17 , the spouted hot water hits the bottom of the cup 11 violently and bounces off, and at the same time the cup 11 The powdered soup supplied to the machine was also splashed out of the cup 11, contaminating the area around the machine.

In addition, there are disadvantages such as the possibility that the flying hot water may cause burns to people, and the sound of hot water spewing out may make the operator of the machine feel uneasy. Immediately after the pressure rises, the pressure reaches the dead-end pressure of the relief valve 14, and this pressure is slightly higher than the set pressure of the pressure regulator 15, so if you start hot water at this point, the amount of hot water that comes out will increase slightly, and the variation in the amount of hot water that comes out will be reduced. will occur.

Furthermore, since the hot water tank 3 is a closed tank and is used under pressure at all times, it needs to have sufficient strength in terms of pressure resistance, resulting in an expensive product.

The present invention improves the drawbacks of the conventional device shown in Fig. 2 mentioned above, maintains the pressure of hot water in the hot water tank constant, eliminates fluctuations in the amount of hot water poured into the cup, and gradually increases the pressure poured into the cup. The purpose is to prevent the powder and poured molten metal from scattering, to ensure safety, and to eliminate variations in the amount of poured molten metal.

Hereinafter, an embodiment shown in FIG. 3 will be explained in detail.

A water supply pipe 16 is connected to the secondary side sum of the pressure regulator 15 connected to a water pressure source such as a water supply via a water supply solenoid valve 30, and the other end of this water supply pipe 16 is connected to the bottom of the hot water tank 3. There is.

A baffle plate 21 is provided at the bottom of the hot water tank 3 to cover the connection port of the water supply pipe 16, and a heater 4
A heat sensitive portion 13' of a thermostat 13 is provided which controls the supply of electricity to the heater 4 to control the temperature of the water.

A hot water pipe 7 is connected to the top of the hot water tank 3,
The tip of the hot water supply pipe 7 is connected to a hot water pouring nozzle 17 having a small hole at the tip via a hot water supply electromagnetic valve 8 whose opening and closing are controlled by a timer 20.

Note that a temperature drop prevention heater 9 is attached to the outside of the hot water supply pipe 7 to keep the hot water inside the hot water supply pipe 7 warm.

Furthermore, an overflow port 26 is provided at the top of the hot water tank 3, and a valve stem 23 is provided opposite the overflow port 26.

This valve rod 23 is supported by a spring 24 so as to be spaced apart from the overflow port 26, and the upper end of this valve rod is connected to a plunger 28 of the electromagnet 22 via a buffer spring 27.

An overflow pipe 25 extends from a valve chamber 29 surrounding the overflow port 26.

A chute 19 is provided at the lower end of the beverage raw material storage tank 1 containing the soup powder via a measuring device 18. It is designed so that the inside of the cup 11 can be seen.

Note that the water supply solenoid valve 30, the hot water supply solenoid valve 8, and the electromagnet 22 are energized at the same time.

Next, the operation of this device will be explained.

First, in order to fill the hot water tank 3 with water, the water supply solenoid valve 30 is energized and opened, and at the same time, the hot water supply solenoid valve 8 and the electromagnet 22 are also energized, the hot water supply solenoid valve 8 is opened, and the plunger 28 of the electromagnet 22 is attracted. buffer spring 2
7, the valve stem 23 is lowered against the spring 24 to close the overflow port 26.

The buffer spring 27 is adapted to be slightly bent after the valve stem 23 comes into contact with the overflow port 26 to absorb the shock when the plunger 28 is sucked.

Therefore, drinking water from the water pressure source flows from the bottom into the hot water tank 3 through the water supply solenoid valve 30 at a pressure set by the pressure regulator 15, and hits the baffle plate 21 to change the flow direction horizontally. It flows into the hot water tank 3.

At this time, the air in the hot water tank 3 passes through the open hot water supply solenoid valve 8 and is discharged from the hot water pouring nozzle 17.

When the hot water tank 3 becomes full, water is poured out from the hot water pouring nozzle 17, so the water supply solenoid valve 30 and hot water supply solenoid valve 8 are turned off to supply water to the hot water tank 3 and water from the hot water pouring nozzle 17. When the jetting of the water is stopped, the energization of the electromagnetic valve 22 is also cut off at the same time, so that the valve stem 23 is lifted by the spring 24 and the overflow port 26 is unblocked.

Water in the hot water tank 3 is heated by a heater 4 to raise its temperature, and is controlled to a required temperature by a thermostat 13.

The hot water that has expanded in volume due to the temperature rise overflows from the overflow port 26 and is discharged from the overflow pipe 25 to the hot water tank 3.
The interior is maintained at atmospheric pressure.

Next, when the water supply solenoid valve 8 is opened for a certain period of time by the timer 20 in order to pour out the soup, the water supply solenoid valve 30, electromagnet 22, and meter 18 also operate in synchronization, and the overflow port 26 is closed.
Water is supplied to the hot water tank 3 from a water supply solenoid valve 30, and soup powder is supplied from a measuring device 18 into a cup 11 via a chute 19.

Since the pressure inside the hot water tank 3 is at atmospheric pressure at the beginning of the water supply, the pressure gradually increases as the water is supplied.

Therefore, even if the hot water supply solenoid valve 8 is opened as described above, hot water is initially poured out slowly from the hot water pouring nozzle 17, and hot water is poured out from the hot water tank 3.
When the pressure in the hot water tank 3 reaches a certain value, the hot water continues to be ejected with a certain force, and after a predetermined time determined by the timer 20, the hot water solenoid valves 8, . The water supply solenoid valve 30 is closed, the overflow port 26 is opened, and the hot water tank 3 returns to atmospheric pressure.

As described above, the soup powder supplied into the cup 11 from the meter 18 through the chute 19 in synchronization with the pouring of hot water from the pouring nozzle 17 is poured into the cup 1 by the hot water jet from the pouring nozzle 17. It is stirred and dissolved to prepare a hot bone drink.

As mentioned above, the hot water tank 3 is normally open to the atmosphere and stands by in a full state, and becomes a closed pressurized tank only when pouring out a hot beverage, and during the pressurization process to a predetermined pressure, the hot water poured out from the pouring nozzle 17 is At first it is slow, then it gradually accelerates and quickly reaches full speed, so the hot water pours out from cup 1, which has a solid wall.
The warm water that is gradually pressurized and poured out does not hit the bottom of the cup 11 directly, but has already been poured out and flows into the cup 11. Since the hot water is supplied on top of the hot water that has accumulated at the bottom of the cup 11, the buffering effect of the warm water that has accumulated at the tip prevents the water from becoming water droplets and scattering outside the cup 11. Therefore, the beverage that is simultaneously supplied to the cup 11 There is no possibility that the powder will be scattered outside the cup 11 with the water droplets and contaminate the surroundings of the machine.

Furthermore, since the hot water is poured out slowly at first and hits the bottom of the cup 11, the pouring table is small and there is no splashing of the hot water, so there is no fear of making the pouring operator feel uneasy or causing burns.

In addition, the pressure inside the hot water tank 3, which serves as a power source for pouring out hot water, repeats a cycle of increasing the pressure from atmospheric pressure to the set pressure of the pressure regulator 15 every time a hot beverage is poured out, so it is Compared to the case where the internal pressure of the tank is slightly higher than the normal set pressure when hot water is boiled, the amount of hot water dispensed is accurate, and therefore the concentration and taste of the hot beverage poured can always be kept constant.

Note that even if hot water is poured while the heater 4 is energized, the pouring time for one cup is very short, so no pressure rise occurs due to boiling water while pouring hot water.

Furthermore, since the hot water tank 3 is sealed and pressurized only when pouring hot water, and is normally used in an open state, the pressure resistance of the hot water tank 3 only needs to withstand pressure for a short period of time, making it safer than a sealed tank. The ratio can be kept small, and therefore it can be manufactured at low cost.

Furthermore, even in the unlikely event that the pressure regulator 15 fails and high pressure is applied to the hot water tank 3 during hot water pouring, the strength of the buffer spring 27 that connects the plunger 28 and the valve stem 23 should be appropriately designed. As a result, excessive pressure can be released from the overflow port 26, and the safety of the hot water tank 3 can be ensured.

Note that when the overflow port 26 is opened and the internal pressure of the hot water tank 3 is released, some hot water flows out from the production pipe 25, but since the inside of the hot water tank 3 is filled with incompressible hot water, the pressure is released. The amount of hot water that flows out is small.

Further, since a temperature drop prevention heater 9 is attached to the outside of the hot water supply pipe 7, the hot water in the hot water supply pipe 7 is kept warm without getting cold even if it is left for a long time.

As described above, the present invention eliminates unhygienic problems such as deterioration, bacterial growth, and dripping caused by hot beverage remaining in the hot beverage dispensing device equipped with a mixing bowl and adhesion, as well as cleaning mechanisms. This solution solves the problems of long operation cycles, long operating cycles, and fluctuations in beverage temperature, and also supplies beverage powder and hot water directly to a drinking cup, where the beverage powder is heated by a jet of hot water. A drawback of conventional hot beverage dispensing devices, which prepare hot beverages in a short time by stirring and dissolving them, is that hot water and beverage powder scatter outside the cup when dispensing hot beverages, and the surrounding environment is affected by this. Prevents contamination It is hygienic, improves safety by eliminating the danger of burns and the sense of anxiety caused by the splashing sound of hot water spouting out for pouring operators, and eliminates variations in the amount of hot water poured to ensure the optimal taste is always achieved. It is possible to provide a hot beverage dispensing device that can serve beverages and can be constructed with an inexpensive hot water tank.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a conventional hot beverage dispensing device, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of another conventional hot beverage dispensing device,
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structure of an embodiment of the present invention. Names of each part in the drawing: 1...Beverage raw material storage tank, 3...Hot water tank, 7...Hot water supply pipe, End...Hot water supply solenoid valve, 15. ...Pressure regulator, 17...Pouring nozzle, 18...
Meter, 19... Chute, 22... Electromagnet, 23... Valve stem, 26... Overflow port, 2
7...Buffer spring, 28...Plunger, 30...Water supply solenoid valve.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] ■ A hot water tank that has an overflow port at the top and can control the temperature of the hot water inside to a constant level, and a hot water tank that can control the water from a pressure water source such as a tap water source to a predetermined pressure. a pressure regulator for supplying water to the hot water tank; a water supply solenoid valve for stopping the supply of water to the hot water tank via the pressure regulator; an overflow valve for opening and closing the overflow port; and the hot water tank. A hot water supply section consisting of a water supply pipe led out from the top of the oil supply pipe, a hot water pouring nozzle having a small hole at the tip connected to the oil supply pipe, and a hot water supply solenoid valve interposed in the hot water supply pipe or the hot water pouring nozzle. , a potable raw material storage tank filled with beverage powder, a powder measuring device connected to an outlet of the drinking raw material storage tank, and a powder supply unit comprising a chute connected to the powder measuring device, The discharge port of the chute and the tip of the pouring nozzle are arranged close to each other, and based on a pouring command, the water supply solenoid valve and the hot water supply solenoid valve are opened, and at the same time, the overflow valve is closed. A hot beverage dispensing device characterized in that the water supply solenoid valve and the hot water supply solenoid valve are closed and the overflow valve is opened upon release of the output command. 2. The overflow valve has a valve stem that is pressed toward the overflow port;
A utility model comprising an electromagnet connected to the valve stem via a buffer spring, the strength of the buffer spring being determined in accordance with the allowable pressure of the hot water tank, and configured to function as a safety valve. A hot beverage dispensing device according to claim 1.