KR20020063939A - Cup-type vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A cup type vending machine is provided, which has good clearing and detection accuracy of the existence of syrup, and simplifies a configuration of a syrup supply system. CONSTITUTION: A cup type vending machine mixes a syrup of a beverage and a drinking water and a carbonic water which are supplied to a supply nozzle(28) via a supply tube from a syrup storing part(15) storing the syrup, and then sells it as a cup type beverage. A syrup detection part(22) detecting the existence of the syrup is arranged on a position of the supply tube, and the supply tube has a syrup capacity according to selling amount as much as at least one cup via the supply nozzle from the syrup detection part.

Description

Cup Vending Machine {CUP-TYPE VENDING MACHINE}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cup vending machine, and more particularly, to a cup vending machine which can reduce the work involved in syrup exchange and can simplify the configuration.

Background Art Conventionally, there are cup type vending machines that produce a cup type beverage by mixing a syrup of beverage as a raw material and a drink or carbonated water.

7 shows a syrup supply system of a conventional cup vending machine, and a sold-out case for detecting the presence of syrup supplied from a syrup tank 15 through a pipe 21 from a syrup tank 15 storing a syrup ( 22, a cooling coil 23 connected to the downstream side of the sold-out case 22 and immersed in the cooling water W stored in the cooling water tank 7, and a cooling coil 23 connected to the cooling coil 23 It has a flow regulator 12 which adjusts flow volume, and the solenoid valve 13 connected through the flow regulator 12 and the piping 24, and opens and closes based on the supply operation of a syrup.

The syrup tank 15 has a gas introduction part 15A connected to a gas cylinder (not shown) which stored carbon dioxide gas, and the syrup sending part 15B which sends a syrup based on the gas pressure of carbon dioxide gas, and is not shown in figure. The syrup is sent out to the pipe 21 connected to the syrup sending section 15B by opening the solenoid valve 13 based on the syrup supply command output from the control unit.

Fig. 8 shows a conventional sold-out case 22, an introduction portion 22L for introducing a syrup into a case from a pipe (not shown) installed at the bottom of the case and connected to the pipe connecting member 22K, and a cylindrical case. The main body 22M, the sending part 220 which sends the syrup installed in the upper case and stored in the case via the siphon tube 22N, and the syrup which is attached to the sending part 220 and detects the presence or absence of the syrup in a case. It has a sensor 22P and the gas discharge part 22Q screwed to the sending part 220, and the syrup of 70 cc (a quantity required at the time of selling one cup) is stored in a case. The sold-out case 22 guides the syrup introduced into the case to the upper part of the case at the time of selling the cup-like drink by the flow path 22R, and passes the syrup from the lower part of the case through the siphon tube 22N from the discharge part 220. It has a first-in-out structure to send out. 22L of introduction parts, the case main body 22M, and the sending part 220 are equipped with the sealing member 22S for preventing liquid leakage, and is airtight between the gas discharge part 22Q and the sending part 220. The sealing member 22T which prevents leakage is attached. The syrup sensor 22P is a pair of electrodes immersed in the syrup in the case, and when the liquid level of the syrup is lowered and the electrode is exposed, the syrup sensor 22P detects the sold out of the syrup on the basis of non-conduction. The gas discharge portion 22Q forms a gap between the tip portion 22U and the discharge portion 220 by rotating in a predetermined direction, and the gas discharge portion 22V communicates with the inside of the case and is stored in the case based on the gap. The carbon dioxide gas is exhausted to the outside.

According to the sold-out case 22 described above, since one cup of syrup is stored in the case, the selling operation of one cup can be performed even after the syrup is sold out.

However, according to the conventional cup-type vending machine, since the syrup flow path and the siphon tube are provided in the syrup case in order to realize pre-in and out, the case and the piping structure are complicated. In addition, there is a problem that a large amount of washing water is required for the cleaning operation when the type of syrup is replaced, and that time is required for cleaning. In addition, in a syrup having a high gas absorption rate, bubbles may be generated due to a flow rate change based on a change in the cross-sectional area of the flow path, and the bubbles may come into contact with the syrup sensor to cause malfunction, and the presence or absence of syrup cannot be accurately detected. In addition, since a predetermined amount of syrup is stored in the case in order to guarantee the sales volume of one glass after the out of stock detection, there is a problem that the case becomes large.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cup-type vending machine which is excellent in the cleanability and detection accuracy of the presence or absence of syrup, and which can simplify the configuration of the syrup supply system.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a cup vending machine having a syrup supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an explanatory diagram of a syrup supply system of a cup vending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sold-out case according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an explanatory diagram of a syrup supply system of a cup vending machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the sold-out case according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an explanatory diagram of a syrup supply system of a cup vending machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

7 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional syrup supply system.

8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional sold-out case;

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: intake pipe

2: cistern

3: front switch

4: water supply solenoid valve

5, 11, 24, 30: piping

6: pump

7: cooling water tank

8, 23: cooling coil

9: 3 way valve

10: Carbonator

12, 25, 31: flow regulator

13, 26, 32: solenoid valve

14: gas cylinder

15: syrup tank

15A: Gas Inlet

15B: Syrup Sender

16, 19: gas piping

17, 20: gas valve

18: gas manifold

21: plumbing

22: Sold Out Case

22A, 22C: Piping Connection

22B: main body

22D: electrode support

22E: Syrup Euro

22F: Electrode

22G: Nut

22H, 22S, 22T: Sealing Member

22K: Piping Connection Member

22L: Introduction

22M: Case Body

22N: Siphon Tube

22O: sending part

22P: Syrup Sensor

22Q: gas discharge part

22R: Euro

22U: Tip

22V: gas exhaust

27: cup

28: supply nozzle

29: cooler

W: coolant

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cup-type vending machine for mixing a syrup of a beverage supplied to a supply nozzle from a syrup storage unit storing a syrup and a dilution water such as a beverage or a carbonated water and selling it as a cup beverage. To

Disposing a syrup detector for detecting the presence of syrup at a predetermined position in the supply line, the supply line is provided with a cup vending machine having a syrup capacity according to the sales amount of at least one cup from the syrup detector to the supply nozzle do.

According to the cup type vending machine described above, by holding the syrup of the sales amount of one cup in the supply line from the syrup detector to the supply nozzle, the number of parts used in the supply line can be reduced, and the configuration can be simplified.

Hereinafter, the cup vending machine of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 shows a cup-type vending machine in an embodiment of the present invention, which detects a drop in the water level of the cistern 2 supplied with the drinking water from the water intake pipe 1 and the drinking water stored in the cistern 2. The pump provided in the front switch 3 which outputs a water level fall signal, the water supply solenoid valve 4 which opens and closes based on the input of the water level fall signal, and the piping 5 connected downstream of the cistern 2. (6), a cooling coil (8) connected to the pipe (5) and immersed in the cooling water (W) stored in the cooling water tank (7), and a three-way valve (9) provided at the branch of the pipe (5). And a carbonator 10 for dissolving carbonic acid gas supplied from a gas cylinder to be described later via the three-way valve 9 to produce carbonated water, and a three-way valve 9. The solenoid valve 13 which opens and closes based on the flow regulator 12 installed in the piping 11 branched from the supply liquid, and the drinking water supply operation. A gas cylinder 14 storing carbon dioxide gas, a gas pipe 16 connecting the gas cylinder 14 and the syrup tank 15, a gas valve 17 provided in the gas pipe 16, and a gas. The gas pipe 19 branched from the pipe 16 via the gas manifold 18 and connected to the carbonator 10, the gas valve 20 provided in the gas pipe 19, and the syrup tank 15. Sold out case 22 which is installed in the pipe 21 connected to the pipe to detect the presence of the syrup passing through, and immersed in the cooling water (W) installed downstream of the sold case 22 and stored in the cooling water tank (7) A cooling coil 23, a pipe 24 connected to the cooling coil 23, a flow regulator 25 for adjusting the flow rate of the syrup, a solenoid valve 26 opened and closed based on a syrup supply operation, Supply nozzles 28, which are provided at the end portions of the pipes 11 and 24 and the pipe 30 to be described later, supply liquid such as syrup, beverage or carbonated water to the cup 27, and cold A cooler 29 for cooling the cooling water W stored in the respective water tanks 7 to a predetermined temperature, a pipe 30 for supplying carbonated water from the carbonator 10 to the supply nozzle 28, and a pipe 30. And a solenoid valve 32 that is opened and closed based on the supply operation of the carbonated water, and the carbonator 10 is stored therein by a cooler (not shown). The carbonated water is cooled to a predetermined temperature.

Fig. 2 shows a syrup supply system in a first embodiment of a cup vending machine, and is connected via a syrup tank 15 for storing syrup, a syrup tank 15, and a pipe 21 to connect a pipe connecting portion 22A. , 22C) Cooling that is immersed in the sold-out case 22 having the main body 22B and the electrode support 22D, and the cooling water W stored in the cooling water tank 7 connected to the downstream side of the sold-out case 22. It is connected to the coil 23 and the cooling coil 23 to adjust the flow rate of the syrup, and is connected via the flow rate regulator 25 and the pipe 24 to open and close based on the supply operation of the syrup. The main body 22B of the sold-out case 22 is provided with the solenoid valve 26 so that the syrup which passes inside can be visually confirmed. In this syrup supply system, a capacity for securing the sales amount (for example, 150 cc) of at least one cup of beverage in the portion from the sold case 22 to the solenoid valve 26 is provided. The dose of is as shown in Table 1.

Capacity (cc) Piping (21) 30 Sold Out Case (22) 4 Cooling coil (23) 70 Flow regulator (25) 5 Plumbing (24) 3.0 Solenoid valve (26) 0.4

Fig. 3 shows the sold-out case 22 of the first embodiment, and a pair of electrodes 22F protruding into the syrup flow passage 22E and contacting the syrup at the tip of the electrode support 22D inserted in the main body 22B. Is attached. Moreover, the piping connection parts 22A and 22C fix the piping connection member 22K to the main body 22B with the nut 22G. The inner diameter d2 of the syrup flow passage 22E is formed such that an enlargement amount is three times or less in the pipe cross-sectional area with respect to the inner diameter d1 of the pipe connecting member 22K.

The electrode 22F is connected to a syrup detection circuit (not shown) via a conductive wire (not shown) inserted into the electrode support portion 22D. 22H of sealing members for preventing liquid leakage are attached to the junction part of piping connection part 22A, 22C and main body 22B, and the insertion part of electrode support part 22D inserted in main body 22B.

Syrup supply operation of the cup type | mold vending machine opens the gas valve 17 installed in the gas piping 16 which connects the gas cylinder 14 and the syrup tank 15, and supplies carbon dioxide gas to the syrup tank 15. By supplying.

The syrup stored in the syrup tank 15 is fed into a sold-out case 22 via a pipe 21 connected based on the pressure of carbon dioxide gas, and through a pipe connecting member 22K connected to the pipe 21. It passes through the flow path 22E. The pair of electrodes 22F protruding into the syrup flow passage 22E are in a conductive state when a syrup is interposed between both electrodes, and the syrup is detected when a current detection unit (not shown) detects a current based on the conductive state. I am in a state of being in stock. Moreover, when a syrup is not interposed between both electrodes, it becomes a non-conductive state, and this state is made into the state of no syrup. Moreover, when the residual amount of syrup becomes small, bubbles of carbon dioxide may mix in the syrup sent from the syrup tank 15 to the pipe 21, and in this case, conduction is interrupted. When passing a liquid through a pipeline, if there is a difference in the inner diameter, there is a case that the flow velocity of the liquid passing through changes and the flow is disturbed. In such a turbulent state, the carbon dioxide gas mixed in the syrup may separate and bubble, and the syrup detectability by the pair of electrodes 22F may be lowered. In order to prevent such deterioration of the syrup detectability, the change in flow velocity is caused by forming the inner diameter d2 of the syrup flow path 22E to be 3 times or less in the pipe cross-sectional area with respect to the inner diameter d1 of the pipe connecting member 22K. Suppressed.

For example, in the case where the enlarged amount of the inner diameter d2 is formed six times in the cross-sectional area of the pipe and a syrup having high absorbency of carbon dioxide is passed based on the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas, the difference in the inner diameter is generated. Confusion in the flow of the syrup creates bubbles.

The syrup having passed through the sold-out case 22 is cooled by the cooling coil 23 immersed in the cooling water tank 7, and at a flow rate set by the flow regulator 25 based on the opening operation of the solenoid valve 26. It is sent to the supply nozzle 28. This syrup is sold as a cup type | mold drink by mixing with the drinking water supplied through the piping 11 and the supply nozzle 28, and supplying it to the cup 27 based on switching of the three-way valve 9. In the case of the carbonated beverage, the syrup is sold as a cup beverage by being mixed with the carbonated water supplied from the carbonator 10 via the pipe 30 and supplied from the supply nozzle 28 to the cup 27. In addition, when the carbonated beverage is a bicarbonate beverage or a weak carbonated beverage, a predetermined amount of beverage water is supplied through the pipe 11 and mixed in the supply nozzle 28 according to the gas volume of the cup-type beverage sold.

In addition, when changing the kind of syrup supplied, the gas valve 20 is connected by connecting the service connector (not shown) of the carbonator 10 to the syrup sending part 15B of the syrup tank 15, for example. Carbon dioxide is opened to supply carbon dioxide, and then the solenoid valve 26 is opened, so that carbonated water is supplied from the carbonator 10 to the pipe 21 to clean the inside of the tube. After cleaning, the service connector (not shown) of the carbonator 10 is removed to connect the service connector (not shown) of the gas cylinder 14, and the gas valve 20 is opened to pipe carbon dioxide 21. ), The liquid in the tube is removed.

According to the cup-type vending machine described above, by securing the syrup amount corresponding to the sales amount of one cup in the entire pipe of the syrup supply system, the number of parts forming the sold-out case 22 can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified. The cost can be reduced. In addition, by forming the inner diameter d2 of the syrup flow path 22E formed in the sold-out case 22 so that the enlargement amount may be 3 times or less with respect to the inner diameter d1 of the piping connection member 22K, and it will pass at the time of a syrup passage. Suppress confusion in the flow of syrup. As a result, the electrode 22F does not malfunction due to bubbles generated in the syrup based on the change in the flow velocity of the syrup flow passage 22E. It increases the quality and does not require a large amount of washing water, which enables the cleaning of the sold-out case 22 and the syrup supply system in a short time. In the case of the syrup supply system having the sold-out case 22 described above, the time required for washing in one circuit is 35 seconds, and the washing time can be shortened by half compared to the siphon-type sold-out case. Thus, the flavor change of the cup type | mold drink sold by the washing | cleaning of the sold-out case 22 and the syrup supply system becomes easy.

Fig. 4 shows the syrup supply system in the second embodiment, and the other configuration except for the sold-out case 22 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus, no overlapping explanation will be given to the pipe connection portions 22A and 22C. The support part 22D is provided and the pipe connection part 22A is bent in an L shape, which is different from the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 shows the sold-out case 22 of the second embodiment, and a pair of electrodes 22F protruding into the syrup flow passage 22E and contacting the syrup are attached to the tip of the electrode support 22D. The syrup flow passage 22E is enlarged in the downstream inner diameter d2 to the inner diameter d1 from the pipe connecting member 22K provided at the pipe connecting portion 22C to just before the electrode 22F on the lower side of the paper surface. The amount is formed to be three times or less in the cross section of the pipe. In addition, the syrup flow passage 22E is bent in an L shape at the pipe connecting portion 22A so that the syrup fed to the downstream side does not flow back due to its own weight.

FIG. 6 shows a syrup supply system in the third embodiment, wherein the electrode support 22D is separated from the main body 22 and provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the main body 22. And the degree of freedom in designing the pipe 21 can be improved without impairing the cleanability. Piping connection parts 22A and 22C can be provided in positions other than the position shown, and also arrange | position several electrodes like three or four, and grasping the state of the syrup in piping 21 from the electricity supply pattern of each electrode. You may do so.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, although the cup-type vending machine which has a syrup supply system was demonstrated, the same effect can be exhibited even if it applies to the syrup supply system of a beverage supply apparatus, for example.

As described above, according to the cup vending machine of the present invention, the syrup detection unit is provided at a predetermined position of the supply line, and the syrup according to the sales amount of at least one cup is supplied to the supply line downstream of the syrup detection unit. The detection accuracy of qualitative and syrup presence is excellent, and the structure of a syrup supply system can be simplified.

Claims (4)

In the cup-type vending machine which mixes the syrup of the drink supplied to a supply nozzle from a syrup storage part which stores a syrup, and the dilution water, such as a drink and carbonated water, and sells it as a cup type drink, And a syrup detector for detecting the presence of syrup at a predetermined position in the supply conduit, wherein the supply conduit has a syrup capacity in accordance with the sales amount of at least one cup from the syrup detector to the supply nozzle. vending machine. The cup type vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the syrup detection unit has a syrup flow path having a cross-sectional area of three times or less than the cross-sectional area of the supply pipe. The cup type vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the syrup detection unit has a pair of electrodes which protrude into the syrup flow path and conduct through a syrup passing through the syrup flow path to detect the presence of the syrup. The cup type automatic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the syrup detection unit has a visible portion provided in the syrup flow path between the pair of electrodes, and having a visible portion formed to visually identify the syrup passing through the syrup flow path. Vending machine.