TW202011882A - Beverage production device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a beverage production device with which it is possible to indicate a beverage through a dedicated operation. A beverage is prepared using beverage ingredients in accordance with a received operation from a user. A beverage for actual drinking is prepared when a first operation is received from the user, and a beverage for testing is prepared when a second operation is received from the user.

Description

Beverage manufacturing device and method

The invention relates to a beverage manufacturing device and method for preparing beverages.

Patent Document 1 describes that by installing a topping device 10 in the vending machine 1, the purchaser can add ingredients (sugar powder, sugar powder, etc.) after the coffee beverage is manufactured, that is, after tasting the conditioned coffee beverage Cream powder).

Patent Document 2 describes that a small amount can be drawn out to constitute a test drink when drawing from the baking container to the taking out container. Patent Document 3 describes that the operator appropriately operates the setting input unit 15 of the vending machine 10, changes the prescription information of the beverage set in the beverage prescription, and adjusts the taste (tasting). Patent Document 4 describes that the barista performs a tasting of the unit espresso (shot) being delivered. When it does not meet this time, the grinding is adjusted to raise and lower the delivery speed in such a way as to be the ideal extraction ratio, and corrected to a perfect unit Espresso. Patent Document 5 describes that the set value of the reference value can be changed as appropriate according to the user's rule of thumb or tasting. [Prior Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-145602 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-125313 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent No. 6024518 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent No. 5778857 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-355177

(Problems to be solved by the invention)

However, none of the patent documents mentions that a general user who orders coffee beverages instructs a test drink by a dedicated operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage manufacturing apparatus and method that can be tasted by a dedicated operation. (Means to solve the problem)

The beverage manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is characterized by having: Accepting means of accepting operations from users; and According to the operation received from the user by the acceptance means, the preparation means for preparing the beverage using the material of the beverage, The preparation means is to perform the formal drinking modulation once the first operation is accepted by the acceptance means, and to perform the trial drinking once the second operation is accepted by the acceptance means. [Effect of invention]

According to the present invention, the test drink can be instructed by a dedicated operation.

The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the same constituent elements, and the description is omitted.

<1. Overview of beverage manufacturing equipment> FIG. 1 is an external view of the beverage manufacturing device 1. The beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is an apparatus that automatically manufactures coffee beverages from roasted coffee beans and liquid (here, water), and can manufacture a cup of coffee beverage for one manufacturing operation. The roasted coffee beans as raw materials can be stored in a canister 40. In the lower part of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 is a placing portion 110 provided with a cup, and the coffee beverage to be manufactured is poured into the cup from the injection portion 10c.

The beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 is provided with a housing 100 that forms an exterior to surround an internal mechanism. The casing 100 is roughly divided into a body portion 101 and a cover portion 102 that covers a part of the front surface and a part of the side surface of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. The cover 102 is provided with an information display device 12. In the case of this embodiment, the information display device 12 is a touch-panel-type display. In addition to the display of various information, it can also accept input from a manager of the device or a user of a drink. The information display device 12 is mounted on the cover portion 102 via the moving mechanism 12a, and can be moved within a certain range in the up-down direction by the moving mechanism 12a.

The cover portion 102 is a door 103a further provided with a bean inlet 103 and opening and closing the bean inlet 103. The opening and closing door 103 can be opened to put roasted coffee beans different from the roasted coffee beans stored in the tank 40 toward the bean inlet 103. In this way, a special cup can be provided for those who need a drink.

In the case of this embodiment, the cover portion 102 is formed of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic (Acryl) or glass, and constitutes a transparent cover whose entirety is a transmission portion. Therefore, the inner mechanism covered by the cover portion 102 can be viewed from the outside. In the case of this embodiment, a part of the manufacturing unit that manufactures coffee beverages can be seen through the cover unit 102. In the case of this embodiment, the entire body 101 is a non-transmissive part, and it is difficult to visually recognize the inside from the outside.

FIG. 2 is a partial front view showing the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. The front view of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 is a view of a part of the manufacturing section that is visible to the user. The cover part 102 or the information display device 12 is illustrated by an imaginary line.

The cabinet 100 of the front part of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 has a double structure of a body part 101 and a cover part 102 on the outside (front side) thereof. In the front-rear direction, a mechanism of a part of the manufacturing section is arranged between the body portion 101 and the cover portion 102, and the user can view it through the cover portion 102.

In the case of this embodiment, the mechanisms of a part of the manufacturing section that can be viewed by the user through the cover section 102 are an aggregate conveying section 42 described later, grinders 5A, 5B, a separating device 6, an extraction container 9, and the like. The front surface of the main body 101 is formed with a rectangular recess 101a recessed to the inside, and the extraction container 9 and the like are located on the inside of the recess 101a.

Such mechanisms can be viewed from the outside through the cover 102, and it may be easier for managers to check points or confirm operations. Moreover, for those who need beverages, they can sometimes enjoy the manufacturing process of coffee beverages.

In addition, the cover portion 102 is supported by the body portion 101 at the right end portion thereof via a hinge 102a to open and close horizontally. At the left end of the cover portion 102 is provided an engagement portion 102b that maintains the body portion 101 and the cover portion 102 in a closed state. The engaging portion 102b is, for example, a combination of magnet and iron. The manager can perform inspection of a part of the above-mentioned manufacturing part inside by opening the cover part 102.

In addition, in the case of the present embodiment, the cover portion 102 is of the horizontal opening type, but it may be of the vertical opening type (vertical opening type), or may be of the sliding type. In addition, the cover portion 102 may not be able to be opened and closed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the function of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. The beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a bean processing apparatus 2 and an extraction apparatus 3, and serves as a coffee beverage manufacturing unit.

The bean processing device 2 produces ground beans from roasted coffee beans. The extraction device 3 extracts the coffee liquid from the ground beans supplied from the bean processing device 2. The extraction device 3 includes a fluid supply unit 7, a drive unit 8 described later, an extraction container 9, and a switching unit 10. The ground beans supplied from the bean processing device 2 are put into the extraction container 9. The fluid supply unit 7 puts hot water into the extraction container 9. The coffee liquid is extracted from the ground beans in the extraction container 9. The hot water containing the extracted coffee liquid is sent to the cup C via the switching unit 10 as a coffee drink.

<2. Fluid supply unit and switching unit> The configuration of the fluid supply unit 7 and the switching unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. First, the fluid supply unit 7 will be described. The fluid supply unit 7 performs supply of hot water to the extraction container 9 or control of the air pressure in the extraction container 9. In addition, in this specification, when the air pressure is exemplified by numbers, unless otherwise explained, it means absolute pressure. The gauge pressure is an air pressure in which atmospheric pressure is set to 0 atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure means the air pressure around the container 9 or the air pressure of the beverage manufacturing device. For example, when the beverage manufacturing device is installed at a location at an altitude of 0 m, the International Civil Aviation Organization (=“International Civil Aviation Organization” [ICAO]) The reference air pressure (1013.25hPa) at an altitude of 0m in the International Standard Atmosphere (="International Standard Atmosphere" [referred to as ISA]) established in 1976.

The fluid supply unit 7 includes pipes L1 to L3. The pipe L1 is a pipe through which air flows, and the pipe L2 is a pipe through which water flows. The piping L3 is a piping through which both air and water can flow.

The fluid supply unit 7 includes a compressor 70 as a pressurization source. The compressor 70 compresses the air and sends it out. The compressor 70 is driven by, for example, a motor (not shown) as a driving source. The compressed air sent from the compressor 70 is supplied to the air tank (air cylinder) 71 via the check valve 71a. The air pressure in the gas storage tank 71 is monitored by the pressure sensor 71b, and the compressor 70 is driven so as to be maintained at a predetermined air pressure (in this embodiment, 7 air pressure (gauge pressure, 6 air pressure)). The air storage tank 71 is provided with a drain 71c for draining, and can drain water generated by compression of air.

The water tank 72 stores hot water (water) constituting a coffee drink. The water tank 72 is provided with a heater 72a that warms the water in the water tank 72 and a temperature sensor 72b that measures the temperature of the water. The heater 72a maintains the temperature of the stored hot water at a predetermined temperature based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 72b (120 degrees Celsius in this embodiment). For the heater 72a, for example, the temperature of the hot water is turned on at 118 degrees Celsius and turned off at 120 degrees Celsius.

The water tank 72 is also provided with a water level sensor 72c. The water level sensor 72c detects the level of hot water in the water tank 72. Once it is detected by the water level sensor 72c that the water level is lower than the predetermined water level, the water is supplied to the water tank 72. In the case of this embodiment, tap water is supplied via a water purifier (not shown). A solenoid valve 72d is provided in the middle of the pipe L2 from the water purifier. Once the water level sensor 72c detects a drop in the water level, the solenoid valve 72d will be opened to supply water. Once the predetermined water level is reached, The solenoid valve 72d is blocked to block the water supply. In this way, the hot water in the water tank 72 will be maintained at a certain water level. In addition, the water supply to the water tank 72 may be performed every time the hot water produced by the coffee beverage used once is discharged.

The water tank 72 is also provided with a pressure sensor 72g. The pressure sensor 72g detects the air pressure in the water tank 72. In the water tank 72, the air pressure in the gas tank 71 is supplied via the pressure regulating valve 72e and the solenoid valve 72f. The pressure regulating valve 72e reduces the air pressure supplied from the gas tank 71 to a predetermined air pressure. In the case of this embodiment, the pressure is reduced to 3 atmospheres (gauge pressure, 2 atmospheres). The solenoid valve 72f switches the supply and shutoff of the air pressure adjusted by the pressure regulating valve 72e to the water tank 72. Except for the supply of tap water to the water tank 72, the solenoid valve 72f is opened and closed so that the air pressure in the water tank 72 is maintained at 3 atm. When supplying tap water to the water tank 72, the air pressure in the water tank 72 is reduced to a pressure lower than the water pressure of the tap water (for example, less than 2.5 air pressure) by the solenoid valve 72h to enable the water pressure of the tap water To smoothly replenish tap water to sink 72. The solenoid valve 72h switches whether the water tank 72 is freed from the atmosphere or not, and when the pressure is reduced, the water tank 72 is freed from the atmosphere. In addition, the solenoid valve 72h is other than when tap water is supplied to the water tank 72. When the air pressure in the water tank 72 exceeds 3 atm, the inside of the water tank 72 is released to the atmosphere, and the inside of the water tank 72 is maintained at 3 atm.

The hot water in the water tank 72 is supplied to the extraction container 9 via the check valve 72j, the solenoid valve 72i, and the pipe L3. The hot water is supplied to the extraction container 9 by opening the solenoid valve 72i, and the supply of hot water is blocked by closing. The supply amount of hot water to the extraction container 9 can be managed by the opening time of the solenoid valve 72i. However, the supply amount may be measured to control the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 72i. The piping L3 is provided with a temperature sensor 73e that measures the temperature of hot water, and monitors the temperature of the hot water supplied to the extraction container 9.

The air pressure of the gas tank 71 is also supplied to the extraction container 9 via the pressure regulating valve 73a and the solenoid valve 73b. The pressure regulating valve 73a decompresses the air pressure supplied from the gas tank 71 to a predetermined air pressure. In the case of this embodiment, the pressure is reduced to 5 atmospheres (gauge pressure, 4 atmospheres). The solenoid valve 73b switches the supply and shutoff of the air pressure adjusted by the pressure regulating valve 73a to the extraction container 9. The air pressure in the extraction container 9 is detected by the pressure sensor 73d. When the pressurization in the extraction container 9 is performed, the solenoid valve 73b is opened based on the detection result of the pressure sensor 73d, and the extraction container 9 is pressurized to a predetermined air pressure (in the case of this embodiment, the maximum is 5 air pressure (gauge pressure, 4 barometric pressure)). The air pressure in the extraction container 9 can be reduced by the solenoid valve 73c. The solenoid valve 73c switches whether to release the inside of the extraction container 9 from the atmosphere. When the pressure is abnormal (for example, when the pressure in the extraction container 9 exceeds 5 atmospheres), the inside of the extraction container 9 is released from the atmosphere.

When the production of the first coffee beverage is completed, in the present embodiment, the inside of the container 9 is washed out with tap water. The solenoid valve 73f is opened during washing, and tap water is supplied to the extraction container 9.

Next, the switching unit 10 will be described. The switching unit 10 is a unit that switches the delivery position of the liquid sent from the extraction container 9 to any one of the injection part 10c and the exhaust gas tank T. The switching unit 10 includes a switching valve 10a and a motor 10b that drives the switching valve 10a. The switching valve 10a switches the flow path to the injection part 10c when the coffee beverage in the extraction container 9 is delivered. The coffee beverage is poured into the cup C from the injection part 10c. When the waste liquid (tap water) and the residue (grinding beans) at the time of washing are discharged, the flow path is switched to the waste gas tank T. In the case of this embodiment, the switching valve 10a is a three-port ball valve. During washing, the residue will pass through the switching valve 10a. Therefore, it is appropriate that the switching valve 10a is a ball valve, and the flow path is switched by the rotation axis of the motor 10b.

＜3. Bean processing device＞ The bean processing device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The bean processing device 2 includes a storage device 4 and a crushing device 5.

<3-1. Storage device> The storage device 4 is a plurality of tanks 40 that contain roasted coffee beans. In the case of this embodiment, three tanks 40 are provided. The can 40 is a cylindrical main body 40a that contains roasted coffee beans, and a handle 40b provided on the main body 40a, and is configured to be detachable from the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1.

Each tank 40 can also accommodate different types of roasted coffee beans, and the type of roasted coffee beans used in the manufacture of coffee beverages can be selected by operation input to the information display device 12. The different types of roasted coffee beans are, for example, roasted coffee beans of different types of coffee beans. In addition, the roasted coffee beans of different types are roasted coffee beans that may be the same type of coffee beans but have different degrees of roasting. In addition, the roasted coffee beans of different types may be roasted coffee beans of different varieties and roasting degrees. In addition, at least one of the three tanks 40 may be roasted coffee beans that contain roasted coffee beans of a plurality of types. In this case, the roasted coffee beans of various varieties may have the same degree of roasting.

In this embodiment, a plurality of tanks 40 are provided, but one tank 40 may be provided. In addition, when plural tanks 40 are provided, roasted coffee beans of the same type may be stored in all or plural tanks 40.

Each tank 40 is detachably attached to the measuring and transporting device 41. The measuring and transporting device 41 is, for example, an electric screw conveyor, and automatically measures a predetermined amount of roasted coffee beans stored in the tank 40 and sends it to the downstream side.

Each weighing and conveying device 41 is a collective conveying part 42 that discharges roasted coffee beans to the downstream side. The collective conveying section 42 is formed of a hollow member, and forms a conveying path for roasted coffee beans from each conveyor 41 to the crushing device 5 (particularly, the grinder 5A). The roasted coffee beans discharged from each weighing and transporting device 41 are moved inside the collection and transporting unit 42 by their own weight, and flow down to the crushing device 5.

The collective conveying unit 42 is formed with a guide 42 a at a position corresponding to the bean inlet 103. The guide portion 42a forms a passage that guides the roasted coffee beans input from the bean input port 103 to the grinder 5 (particularly, the grinder 5A). By this, in addition to the roasted coffee beans accommodated in the tank 40, a coffee drink using roasted coffee beans input from the bean inlet 103 as a raw material can also be manufactured.

＜3-2. Crushing device＞ The crushing device 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4. FIG. 4 is a partially broken perspective view of the separation device 6. The crushing device 5 includes the grinders 5A and 5B and the separation device 6. The grinders 5A and 5B are mechanisms for grinding roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4. The roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are ground by the grinder 5A, and further grinded by the grinder 5B to form a powder, which is put into the extraction container 9 from the discharge pipe 5C.

The grinders 5A and 5B grind beans with different particle sizes. The grinder 5A is a grinder for rough grinding, and the grinder 5B is a grinder for fine grinding. The grinders 5A and 5B are electric grinders respectively, and include a motor of a driving source, a rotary blade driven by the motor, and the like. By changing the number of rotations of the rotating blade, the size (granularity) of the roasted coffee beans to be crushed can be changed.

The separating device 6 is a mechanism for separating unnecessary substances from the ground beans. The separation device 6 includes a passage portion 63a arranged between the grinder 5A and the grinder 5B. The passage portion 63a is a hollow body forming a separation chamber through which grind beans freely falling from the grinder 5A pass. The passage portion 63a is a passage portion 63b connected to a direction (left-right direction in the present embodiment) that intersects with the passing direction of the grind bean (in this embodiment, the vertical direction), and this passage portion 63b is connected to the suction unit 60 . The suction unit 60 sucks the air in the passage portion 63a to suck a light-weight object such as thin skin or fine powder. By this, unnecessary substances can be separated from the ground beans.

The suction unit 60 is a centrifugal separation mechanism. The suction unit 60 includes a blower unit 60A and a recovery container 60B. In the case of this embodiment, the air blowing unit 60A is a fan motor, and exhausts the air in the recovery container 60B upward.

The collection container 60B includes an upper portion 61 and a lower portion 62 that are detachably engaged. The lower portion 62 is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top, and forms a space for storing unnecessary objects. The upper portion 61 is a cover portion that constitutes an opening attached to the lower portion 62. The upper portion 61 includes a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 61a and an exhaust cylinder 61b formed coaxially. The air blowing unit 60A is fixed to the upper portion 61 above the exhaust cylinder 61b so as to attract the air in the exhaust cylinder 61b. The upper part 61 is a connection passage 63b. The passage portion 63b is opened to the side of the exhaust cylinder 61b.

The air flow shown by arrows d1 to d3 in FIG. 4 is generated by driving the air supply unit 60A. By this air flow, air containing unnecessary substances is sucked into the recovery container 60B from the passage portion 63a through the passage portion 63b. Since the passage portion 63b is opened to the side of the exhaust cylinder 61b, the air containing unnecessary substances is swirled around the exhaust cylinder 61b. The unnecessary objects D in the air are dropped by their weight and are collected in a part of the recovery container 60B (accumulated on the bottom surface of the lower part 62). The air is exhausted upward through the inside of the exhaust cylinder 61b.

A plurality of fins 61d are integrally formed on the peripheral surface of the exhaust cylinder 61b. The plural fins 61d are arranged in the circumferential direction of the exhaust cylinder 61b. Each fin 61d is inclined obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the exhaust cylinder 61b. By providing such fins 61, the rotation around the exhaust cylinder 61b containing the air of unnecessary substances D is promoted.

In the case of this embodiment, the lower portion 62 is formed of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic or glass, and constitutes a transparent container whose entirety is a transmission portion. In addition, the lower portion 62 is a portion covered by the cover portion 102 (FIG. 2 ). The administrator or the person who needs a drink can see the unnecessary objects D accumulated in the lower portion 62 through the peripheral wall of the cover portion 102 and the lower portion 62. For the manager, it is sometimes easy to confirm the cleaning timing of the lower part 62, and for the user of the beverage, by seeing that the unnecessary object D is removed, the sense of expectation for the quality of the coffee beverage under manufacture may sometimes be improved .

As described above, in this embodiment, the roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are first coarsely ground by the grinder 5A. When the coarsely ground beans pass through the passage portion 63a, the undesirable substances are separated by the separating device 6. The coarsely ground beans that are not separated are finely ground by the grinder 5B. The unnecessary substances separated in the separating device 6 are represented by thin skin or fine powder. These are sometimes to reduce the taste of coffee beverages. By removing thin skins from grind beans, etc., the quality of coffee beverages can be improved.

The crushing of roasted coffee beans can also be a grinder (one-stage crushing). However, as in the present embodiment, by two-stage grinding of two grinders 5A and 5B, the particle size of the grind beans is easily consistent, and the degree of extraction of the coffee liquid can be made constant. When the beans are crushed, heat is sometimes generated by friction between the cutter and the beans. The two-stage pulverization can also suppress heat generation due to friction during pulverization, and prevent deterioration of grind beans (eg, reduced flavor).

In addition, by separating coarse materials such as thin skins through coarse grinding → separation of unnecessary materials → fine grinding, the quality difference between unnecessary materials and ground beans (essential parts) can be enlarged. This can improve the separation efficiency of unnecessary substances, and can prevent grind beans (essential parts) from being separated as unnecessary substances. In addition, by interposing a separation process of unnecessary substances that are attracted by air between the coarse grinding and the fine grinding, the heat generation of the grind bean can be suppressed by air cooling.

＜4. Drive unit and extraction container＞ <4-1. Overview> The drive unit 8 and the extraction container 9 of the extraction device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drive unit 8 and the extraction container 9. Most of the drive unit 8 is surrounded by the body 101.

The drive unit 8 is supported by the frame F. The frame F is a column portion F3 including upper and lower beam portions F1 and F2 and support beam portions F1 and F2. The drive unit 8 is roughly divided into three units of an upper unit 8A, a middle unit 8B, and a lower unit 8C. The upper unit 8A is supported by the beam portion F1. The middle unit 8B is supported between the beam portion F1 and the column portion F3 between the beam portion F1 and the beam portion F2. The lower unit 8C is supported by the beam portion F2.

The drawer container 9 is a chamber including the container body 90 and the lid unit 91. The withdrawal container 9 is sometimes called a chamber. The middle unit 8B is provided with an arm member 820 that detachably holds the container body 90. The arm member 820 includes a holding member 820a and a pair of left and right shaft members 820b. The holding member 820a is an elastic member such as a C-shaped clip-shaped resin, and holds the container body 90 by its elastic force. The holding member 82a holds the left and right sides of the container body 90, and the front side of the container body 90 is exposed. This makes it easy to see the inside of the container body 90 from the front.

The container body 90 is attached to and detached from the holding member 820a by manual operation. By pushing the container body 90 against the holding member 820a in the front-back direction, the container body 90 is attached to the holding member 820a. Furthermore, by pulling out the container body 90 from the front-back direction of the holding member 820a toward the front side, the container body 90 can be separated from the holding member 820a.

The pair of shaft members 820b are members extending in the front-rear direction, respectively, and support the holding member 820a. In the present embodiment, the number of shaft members 820b is set to two, but it may be one, or three or more. The holding member 820a is an end portion fixed to the front side of the pair of shaft members 820b. By a mechanism described later, the pair of shaft members 82b advances and retreats in the front-rear direction, whereby the holding member 820a advances and retreats in the front-rear direction, and can move the container body 90 in parallel in the front-rear direction. The middle unit 8B can also perform a turning operation for reversing the vertical direction of the extraction container 9 as described later.

＜4-2. Draw out the container＞ The extraction container 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. 6 is a diagram showing the closed state and the open state of the extraction container 9. As described above, the extraction container 9 is turned upside down by the middle unit 8B. The extraction container 9 of FIG. 6 is a basic posture showing that the lid unit 91 is located on the upper side. When describing the up-down positional relationship in the following description, unless otherwise specified, it means the up-down positional relationship of the basic posture.

The container body 90 is a bottomed container, and has a bottle shape having a neck 90b, a shoulder 90d, a waist 90e, and a bottom 90f. At the end of the neck 90b (the upper end of the container body 90) is a flange portion 90c formed with an opening 90a communicating with the internal space of the container body 90.

Both the neck 90b and the waist 90e have a cylindrical shape. The shoulder portion 90d is a portion between the neck portion 90b and the waist portion 90e, and has a tapered shape so that the cross-sectional area of the internal space gradually decreases from the waist portion 90e side toward the neck portion 90b side.

The cover unit 91 is a unit that opens and closes the opening 90a. The opening and closing operation (lifting operation) of the lid unit 91 is performed by the upper unit 8A.

The container body 90 includes a body member 900 and a bottom member 901. The body member 900 is a cylindrical member that opens up and down to form the neck 90b, the shoulder 90d, and the waist 90e. The bottom member 901 is a member forming the bottom 90f, and is inserted into the lower portion of the body member 900 to be fixed. A sealing member 902 is interposed between the body member 900 and the bottom member 901 to enhance the airtightness in the container body 90.

In the case of this embodiment, the main body member 900 is formed of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic or glass, and constitutes a transparent container whose entirety is a transmission part. The manager or the person who needs the beverage can view the state of drawing out the coffee beverage in the container body 90 through the cover part 102 and the body member 900 of the container body 90. It is easy for the manager to confirm the extraction operation, and for the person who needs a drink, it is sometimes possible to enjoy the extraction situation.

A convex portion 901c is provided at the center of the bottom member 901, and the convex portion 901c is provided with a communication hole that connects the inside of the container body 90 to the outside and a valve that opens and closes the communication hole (valve 903 in FIG. 8). The communication hole is used for discharging waste liquid and residue when used in washing the container body 90. A sealing member 908 is provided on the convex portion 901c, and the sealing member 908 is a member for maintaining airtightness between the upper unit 8A or the lower unit 8C and the bottom member 901.

The cover unit 91 is provided with a hat-shaped base member 911. The base member 911 is provided with a convex portion 911d and a brim portion 911c overlapping the flange portion 90c when closed. The convex portion 911d has the same structure as the convex portion 901c of the container body 90, and is provided with a communication hole that communicates the inside of the container body 90 to the outside and a valve that opens and closes the communication hole (valve 913 in FIG. 8). The communication hole of the convex portion 911d is mainly used for the injection of hot water into the container body 90 and the delivery of coffee beverage. The convex portion 911d is provided with a sealing member 918a. The sealing member 918a is a member for maintaining airtightness between the upper unit 8A or the lower unit 8C and the base member 911. The cover unit 91 is also provided with a sealing member 919. The sealing member 919 improves the airtightness of the lid unit 91 and the container body 90 when the lid unit 91 is closed. The cover unit 91 holds a filter for filtration.

＜4-3. Upper unit and lower unit＞ The upper unit 8A and the lower unit 8C will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. 7 is a front view showing the configuration of a part of the upper unit 8A and the lower unit 8C, and FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 7.

The upper unit 8A includes an operation unit 81A. The operation unit 81A performs the opening and closing operation (lifting) of the lid body 91 to the container body 90 and the opening and closing operation of the valves of the convex portions 901c and 911d. The operation unit 81A includes a support member 800, a holding member 801, a lifting shaft 802, and a probe 803.

The supporting member 800 is fixedly installed so as not to change the relative position with respect to the frame F, and holds the holding member 801. The support member 800 is further provided with a communication portion 800a that communicates the piping L3 with the inside of the support member 800. The hot water, tap water, and air pressure supplied from the pipe L3 are introduced into the support member 800 through the communication portion 800a.

The holding member 801 is a member that can detachably hold the cover unit 91. The holding member 801 is a cylindrical space having a convex portion 911d inserted into the cover unit 91 or a convex portion 901c of the bottom member 901, and includes a mechanism that detachably holds these. This mechanism is, for example, a snap ring mechanism, which is engaged by a certain pushing force and released by a certain separating force. The hot water, tap water, and air pressure supplied from the pipe L3 can be supplied into the extraction container 9 through the communication portion 800a and the communication hole 801a of the holding member 801.

The holding member 801 is also a movable member that can be slidably provided in the support member 800 in the vertical direction. The elevating shaft 802 is provided so that its axis direction becomes the up-down direction. The elevating shaft 802 penetrates the top of the support member 800 in an up-and-down direction in an airtight manner, and the support member 800 is vertically movable up and down.

At the lower end of the lifting shaft 802 is the top of the fixed holding member 801. The holding member 801 slides in the up-and-down direction by the lifting of the lifting shaft 802, so that the holding member 801 can be attached to and detached from the convex portion 911d or the convex portion 901c. In addition, the lid unit 91 can be opened and closed to the container body 90.

A bolt 802a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lifting shaft 802. Here, the bolt 802a is screwed to the nut 804b. The upper unit 8A is provided with a motor 804a, and the nut 804b is rotated by the driving force of the motor 804a at the moment (without moving up and down). The lifting shaft 802 will be raised and lowered by the rotation of the nut 804b.

The elevating shaft 802 is a tubular shaft having a through hole in the center axis, and the probe 803 is slidably inserted into the through hole through up and down. The probe 803 penetrates the top of the holding member 801 in an airtight manner in the up-down direction, and the support member 800 and the holding member 801 are vertically movable up and down.

The probe 803 is an operation member that opens and closes the valves 913 and 903 provided inside the convex portions 911d and 901c, and the valves 913 and 903 can be set from the closed state to the open state by lowering the probe 803. The rise of 803 sets the valve from an open state to a closed state (by the action of a return spring (not shown)).

A bolt 803a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the probe 803. Here, the bolt 803a is screwed to the nut 805b. The upper unit 8A is provided with a motor 805a, and the nut 805b is provided to be rotated by the driving force of the motor 805a at present (without moving up and down). The probe 803 is raised and lowered by the rotation of the nut 805b.

The lower unit 8C includes an operation unit 81C. The operation unit 81C is a structure that inverts the operation unit 81A up and down, and performs opening and closing operations of the valves 913 and 903 provided inside the convex portions 911d and 901c. The operation unit 81C is also a structure that can open and close the cover unit 91, but in this embodiment, the operation unit 81C is not used for opening and closing the cover unit 91.

Hereinafter, although it is substantially the same as the description of the operation unit 81A, the operation unit 81C will be described. The operation unit 81C includes a support member 810, a holding member 811, a lifting shaft 812, and a probe 813.

The support member 810 is fixedly installed so that the relative position with respect to the frame F does not change, and holds the holding member 811. The support member 810 further includes a communication portion 810a that allows the switching valve 10a of the switching unit 10 to communicate with the inside of the support member 810. Residues of coffee beverage, tap water, and grind in the container body 90 are introduced into the switching valve 10a through the communication portion 810a.

The holding member 811 is a cylindrical space having a convex portion 911d inserted into the lid unit 91 or a convex portion 901c of the bottom member 901, and includes a mechanism that detachably holds these. This mechanism is, for example, an engagement mechanism, which engages with a certain pushing force and releases the engagement with a certain separating force. Residues of coffee beverage, tap water, and grind in the container body 90 are introduced into the switching valve 10a through the communication portion 810a and the communication hole 811a of the holding member 811.

The holding member 811 is also a movable member that is slidably provided in the support member 810 in the up-down direction. The elevating shaft 812 is provided in such a manner that its axis direction becomes the up-down direction. The elevating shaft 812 vertically penetrates the bottom of the support member 800 in the up-down direction, and the support member 810 is vertically movable up and down.

At the lower end of the lifting shaft 812 is the bottom of the fixed holding member 811. The holding member 811 slides in the up-and-down direction by the lifting of the lifting shaft 812, so that the holding member 811 can be attached to and detached from the convex portion 901c or the convex portion 911d.

A bolt 812a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lifting shaft 812. Here, the bolt 812a is screwed to the nut 814b. The lower unit 8C is provided with a motor 814a, and the nut 814b is rotated by the driving force of the motor 814a at the moment (without moving it up and down). The lifting shaft 812 will be raised and lowered by the rotation of the nut 814b.

The elevating shaft 812 is a tubular shaft having a through hole in the center axis, and the probe 813 is inserted into this through hole so as to slide up and down. The probe 813 penetrates the bottom of the holding member 811 in an airtight manner in the up-down direction, and the support member 810 and the holding member 811 are vertically movable up and down.

The probe 813 is an operating member that opens and closes the valves 913 and 903 provided inside the convex portions 911d and 901c, and the valve 913 and 903 can be changed from the closed state to the open state by the rise of the probe 813. The drop of the valve changes the valve from the open state to the closed state (by the action of the return spring (not shown)).

On the outer peripheral surface of the probe 813, a bolt 813a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed. Here, the bolt 813a is screwed to the nut 815b. The lower unit 8C is provided with a motor 815a, and the nut 815b is provided to be rotated by the driving force of the motor 815a at the moment (without moving it up and down). The probe 813 will be raised and lowered by the rotation of the nut 815b.

<4-4. Central unit> The central unit 8B will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 9. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the middle unit 8B. The middle unit 8B includes a support unit 81B that supports the extraction container 9. The support unit 81B is a unit body 81B′ that includes a support mechanism 821 in addition to the arm member 820 described above.

The lock mechanism 821 is a mechanism that maintains the lid unit 91 in a closed state with respect to the container body 90. The lock mechanism 821 is a pair of holding members 821a including a pair of the cap portion 911c that vertically clamps the lid unit 91 and the flange portion 90c of the container body 90. The pair of grip members 821a has a C-shaped cross section that fits between the brim portion 911c and the flange portion 90c, and is opened and closed in the left-right direction by the driving force of the motor 822. When the pair of gripping members 821a are in a closed state, as shown by the solid lines in the circled drawing of FIG. 9, each gripping member 821a is fitted into the cap portion 911c and the flange portion 90c so as to sandwich the cap portion 911c and the flange portion 90c up and down. The lid unit 91 will airtightly lock the container body 90. In this locked state, even if the holding member 801 is lifted by the lifting shaft 802 to open the cover unit 91, the cover unit 91 does not move (the lock is not released). That is, the force of locking by the locking mechanism 821 is set to be stronger than the force of using the holding member 801 to open the cover unit 91. With this, it is possible to prevent the lid unit 91 from being opened to the container body 90 when abnormal.

In addition, when the pair of gripping members 821a is in an open state, as shown by the broken line in the circled diagram of FIG. 9, each gripping member 821a will be separated from the brim portion 911c and the flange portion 90c. The lock of the container body 90 is released.

When the holding member 801 is in the state of holding the cover unit 91 and the holding member 801 is raised from the lowered position to the raised position, the cover unit 91 is separated from the container body 90 when the pair of holding members 821a is in the open state. Conversely, when the pair of holding members 821a is in the closed state, the holding member 801 of the cover unit 91 will be released, and only the holding member 801 will rise.

The middle unit 8B further includes a mechanism that uses the motor 823 as a driving source and horizontally moves the arm member 820 in the front-rear direction. With this, the container body 90 supported by the arm member 820 can be moved between the rear extraction position (state ST1) and the front bean insertion position (state ST2). The bean feeding position is a position where the grind beans are thrown into the container body 90, and grind beans grinded by the grinder 5B are thrown into the opening 90a of the container body 90 from which the lid unit 91 is separated from the discharge pipe 5C. In other words, the position of the discharge pipe 5C is above the container body 90 at the bean insertion position.

The extraction position is a position where the container body 90 can be operated by the operation unit 81A and the operation unit 81C, and a position coaxial with the probes 803 and 813 to extract the coffee liquid. The extraction position is a position on the inner side than the bean input position. 5, 7 and 8 all show the case where the container body 90 is in the withdrawn position. In this way, the position of the container body 90 is different from the input of ground beans, the extraction of coffee liquid, and the supply of water, so that the hot air generated when the liquid coffee is drawn out can be prevented from adhering to the discharge pipe 5C of the supply portion of ground beans.

The middle unit 8B further includes a mechanism that rotates the support unit 81B around a shaft 825 in the front-rear direction using the motor 824 as a driving source. Thereby, the posture of the container body 90 (withdrawing the container 9) can be changed from the upright posture (state ST1) with the neck 90b to the upper side to the inverted posture (state ST3) with the neck 90b to the lower side. During the rotation of the withdrawing container 9, the state in which the lid unit 91 is locked to the container body 90 by the locking mechanism 821 is maintained. In the upright posture and the upside down posture, the container 9 is reversed when the container 9 is pulled up and down. In the inverted posture, the convex portion 911d will be located at the position of the convex portion 901c in the upright posture. In addition, in the inverted posture, the convex portion 901c is located at the position of the convex portion 911d in the upright posture. Therefore, in the inverted posture, the operation unit 81A can perform the opening and closing operation on the valve 903, and the operation unit 81C can perform the opening and closing operation on the valve 913. ＜5. Control device＞ The control device 11 related to the beverage manufacturing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control device 11.

The control device 11 controls the entire beverage manufacturing device 1. The control device 11 includes a processing unit 11a, a memory unit 11b, and an I/F (interface) unit 11c. The processing unit 11a is a processor such as a CPU. The memory section 11b is, for example, RAM or ROM. The I/F unit 11c is an input/output interface including input and output of signals between the external device and the processing unit 11a. The I/F unit 11c also includes a communication interface that can communicate data with the server 16 via a communication network 15 such as the Internet. The server 16 is capable of communicating with a portable terminal device 17 such as a smartphone via the communication network 15, and for example, can receive information such as reservations and impressions of beverage production from the portable terminal device 17 of a drink user.

The processing unit 11a executes a program stored in the memory unit 11b, and controls the actuator group 14 according to the instruction from the information display device 12, the detection result of the sensor group 13, or the instruction from the server 16. The sensor group 13 is various sensors provided in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 (for example, a temperature sensor of hot water, an operating position detection sensor of a mechanism, a pressure sensor, etc.). The actuator group 14 is various actuators (for example, motors, solenoid valves, heaters, etc.) provided in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1.

＜6. Operation control example＞ 11A (A) and (B), an example of a control process of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 executed by the processing unit 11a will be described. Fig. 11(A) is a control example showing the operation of one coffee beverage production. The state of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 before the manufacturing instruction is called a standby state. The state of each mechanism in the standby state is as follows.

The extraction device 3 is in the state of FIG. 5. The extraction container 9 is in an upright posture and is located in the extraction position. The lock mechanism 821 is in a closed state, and the lid unit 91 locks the opening 90 a of the container body 90. The holding member 801 is in the lowered position and is attached to the convex portion 911d. The holding member 811 is in a raised position and is attached to the convex portion 901c. Valves 903 and 913 are closed. The switching valve 10a connects the communication portion 810a of the operation unit 8C and the exhaust gas tank T.

In the standby state, if there is an instruction to make a coffee beverage, the process of FIG. 11(A) is executed. In S1, pre-heat treatment is performed. This process is a process of pouring hot water into the container body 90 and warming the container body 90 in advance. First, the valves 903 and 913 are opened. Thereby, the piping L3, the extraction container 9, and the exhaust gas tank T become in a communication state.

Only after a predetermined time (for example, 1500 ms), the solenoid valve 72i is opened and closed. Thereby, hot water is injected from the water tank 72 into the extraction container 9. Next, the solenoid valve 73 is opened after a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) and then locked. As a result, the air drawn out of the container 9 is pressurized to promote the discharge of hot water to the exhaust gas tank T. By the above process, the inside of the extraction container 9 and the piping L2 are preheated, and then in the manufacture of coffee beverages, the hot water can be reduced from cooling down.

In S2, the grinding process is performed. Here, the roasted coffee beans are crushed, and the ground beans are put into the container body 90. First, the lock mechanism 821 is set to the open state, and the holding member 801 is raised to the raised position. The cover unit 91 is held by the holding member 801 and rises together with the holding member 801. As a result, the lid unit 91 is separated from the container body 90. The holding member 811 is lowered to the lowered position. The container body 90 is moved to the bean input position. Next, the storage device 4 and the crushing device 5 are operated. With this, a cup of roasted coffee beans is supplied from the storage device 4 to the grinder 5A. In the grinders 5A and 5B, the roasted coffee beans are ground in two stages, and the separating device 6 separates unnecessary substances. The grind beans are thrown into the container body 90.

The container body 90 is returned to the extraction position. The holding member 801 is lowered to the lowered position, and the lid unit 91 is attached to the container body 90. The lock mechanism 821 is set to a closed state, and the lid unit 91 is hermetically locked to the container body 90. The holding member 811 is raised to the raised position. Among the valves 903 and 913, the valve 903 is set to the open state, and the valve 913 is set to the closed state.

In S3, extraction processing is performed. Here, the coffee liquid is drawn from the ground beans in the container body 90. FIG. 11(B) is a flowchart of S3 extraction processing.

In S11, in order to evaporate and grind the ground beans in the container 9, a smaller amount of hot water than a cup of hot water is injected into the extraction container 9. Here, the solenoid valve 72i is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) and closed. As a result, hot water is injected from the water tank 72 into the extraction container 9. Then, it waits for a predetermined time (for example, 5000 ms) to end the processing of S11. This process can be used to steam and grind the beans. By steaming and grinding the ground beans, the carbon dioxide gas contained in the ground beans can be released to improve the subsequent extraction effect.

In S12, the remaining amount of hot water is poured into the extraction container 9 such that a cup of hot water is contained in the extraction container 9. Here, the solenoid valve 72i is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 7000 ms) and closed. As a result, hot water is injected from the water tank 72 into the extraction container 9.

The extraction container 9 can be set to a state where the temperature of 1 atmosphere exceeds 100 degrees Celsius (for example, about 110 degrees Celsius) by the process of S12. Next, the extraction container 9 is pressurized by S13. Here, at a predetermined time (for example, 1000 ms), the solenoid valve 73b is opened and closed, and the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized to a pressure at which hot water does not boil (for example, about 4 atmospheres (gauge pressure, about 3 atmospheres)). Then, the valve 903 is closed.

Next, this state is maintained for a predetermined time (for example, 7000 ms), and the dip-type coffee liquid is extracted (S14). By this, the dipping-type coffee liquid under high temperature and high pressure is extracted. Immersion extraction under high temperature and high pressure is expected to have the following effects. First, by forming a high pressure, it is easy to soak hot water into the inside of the grind beans, which can promote the extraction of coffee liquid. Second, by forming a high temperature, the extraction of coffee liquid will be promoted. Third, by forming a high temperature and reducing the viscosity of the oil contained in the grind bean, the extraction of the oil will be promoted. In this way, a highly aromatic coffee beverage can be produced.

The temperature of the hot water (high-temperature water) may be as long as it exceeds 100 degrees Celsius, but the higher temperature is advantageous at the point of extraction of the coffee liquid. On the other hand, in order to raise the temperature of hot water, the general cost becomes high. Therefore, the temperature of the hot water may be, for example, 105 degrees Celsius or more, or 110 degrees Celsius or more, or 115 degrees Celsius or more, and for example, 130 degrees Celsius or less, or 120 degrees Celsius or less. The air pressure is as long as the hot water does not boil.

In S15, the inside of the extraction container 9 is decompressed. Here, the air pressure in the extraction container 9 is switched to the air pressure at which hot water is boiling. Specifically, the valve 913 is opened, and the solenoid valve 73c is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1000 ms) and closed. When the container 9 is drawn out, it will be liberated to the atmosphere. Then, the valve 913 is again closed.

The extraction container 9 is suddenly depressurized to a pressure lower than the boiling point pressure, and the hot water in the extraction container 9 boils at a stretch. The hot water and ground beans in the extraction container 9 are explosively scattered in the extraction container 9. By this, hot water can be boiled uniformly. In addition, the destruction of the cell wall of grind beans can be promoted, and the extraction of the coffee liquid can be further promoted later. Furthermore, the ground beans can be stirred with hot water by boiling, so that the extraction of the coffee liquid can be promoted. In this way, in the present embodiment, the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid can be improved.

In S16, the extraction container 9 is reversed from the upright position to the inverted position. Here, the holding member 801 is moved to the raised position and the holding member 811 is moved to the lowered position, respectively. Furthermore, the support unit 81B is rotated. Then, the holding member 801 is returned to the lowered position, and the holding member 811 is returned to the raised position, respectively. The extraction container 9 in the inverted posture is such that the neck 90b or the lid unit 91 will be located on the lower side.

In S17, a permeable coffee liquid is drawn out, and the coffee beverage is sent out to the cup C. Here, the switching valve 10a is switched so that the injection portion 10c communicates with the passage portion 810a of the operation unit 81C. In addition, the valves 903 and 913 are both opened. Furthermore, the solenoid valve 73b is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 10000 ms), and a predetermined air pressure (for example, 1.7 air pressure (gauge pressure, 0.7 air pressure)) is drawn out of the container 9. In the extraction container 9, the coffee beverage in which the coffee liquid is dissolved in hot water is sent out to the cup C through the filter provided in the lid unit 91. The filter restricts the leakage of grind beans. The extraction process is completed by the above.

In the present embodiment, by using the immersion type extraction in S14 and the permeation type extraction in S17, the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid can be improved. In the state where the extraction container 9 is in the upright posture, the grind beans are accumulated from the waist 90e to the bottom 90f. On the other hand, in the state where the extraction container 9 is in the upright posture, the grind beans are accumulated from the shoulder 90d to the neck 90b. The cross-sectional area of the waist 90e will be larger than the cross-sectional area of the neck 90b, and the stacked thickness of grind beans in the inverted position is thicker than the stacked thickness in the upright position. That is, the grind beans are relatively thin and widely stacked in a state where the extraction container 9 is in an upright posture, and relatively thick and narrowly stacked in a state in an inverted posture.

In the case of this embodiment, the immersion-type extraction of S14 is performed in a state where the extraction container 9 is in the upright posture, so that hot water can be brought into contact with the grind beans in a wide range, and the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid can be improved. However, in this case, there is a tendency for hot water and grind beans to partially contact. On the other hand, the permeable extraction of S17 is performed in a state where the extraction container 9 is in an inverted posture, so the hot water will pass through the accumulated grated beans while contacting more grated beans. The hot water will contact the ground beans more everywhere, which can improve the extraction efficiency of coffee liquid.

Returning to FIG. 11(A), the extraction process of S3 is followed by the discharge process of S4. Here, the cleaning of the extraction container 9 is performed. The cleaning of the extraction container 9 is performed by returning the extraction container 9 from the inverted posture to the upright posture, and supplying tap water (clean water) to the extraction container 9. Then, the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized, and the water in the extraction container 9 is discharged to the waste gas tank T together with the residue of grind beans.

With the above, the coffee beverage manufacturing process is completed once. In the future, the same process will be repeated for each manufacturing instruction. The time required for the production of one coffee beverage is, for example, about 60 to 90 seconds.

Next, referring to FIG. 12, an application system (hereinafter referred to as a system) including the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the system 1200 including the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. The system 1200 includes a server 1201, a portable terminal device 1202, an information display device 1203, and a beverage manufacturing device 1204. Here, the beverage manufacturing device 1204 corresponds to the beverage manufacturing device 1, and the interface manufacturing device 1204 corresponds to the information display device 12. The portable terminal device 1202 is, for example, a smartphone held by a user. The server 1201, the portable terminal device 1202, and the information display device 1203 are communicably connected to each other via a network 1205 such as the Internet. The information display device 1203 and the beverage manufacturing device 1204 are, for example, present in a store that provides coffee beans or beverages, and can perform short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth between the portable terminal device 1202 held by the user and the information display device 1203.

In the system 1200, the server 1201 can provide various services (functions) related to coffee through the application program downloaded to the portable terminal device 1202. The functions provided by the server 1201 include, for example, a service about points available at a store (cafe, etc.), a service for selling coffee beans through a communication website, and a review (review) about the purchase of reviews or ratings, etc. ) Service, the Custom Recipe Service described later. In addition, the services provided by the server 1201 are not limited to these, for example, it may also include a coffee shop search service, or to upload coffee ordered by users to SNS (Social Network Services), which is used to borrow The portable terminal device 1202 processes services such as photographing materials. The user activates the application downloaded from the server 1201 by clicking, etc., thereby enjoying various services related to coffee as described above.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of the server 1201. The processing unit 1301 includes, for example, a CPU and controls the server 1201 in a comprehensive manner. The operation of the server 1201 of this embodiment is realized by, for example, the processing unit 1301 loading the program stored in the memory unit 1303 into the memory 1302 and implementing it. The memory 1302 can also be used as a working memory of the CPU of the processing unit 1301. The memory unit 1303 stores basic control programs, data, or parameters for the operation of the server 1201. In the storage unit 1303, various databases 1309 are constructed. For example, a database is constructed based on the review information or review information transmitted from each user's portable terminal device 1202, and the special information of the prescription. Moreover, the memory unit 1303 is a memory for various applications 1310, for example, an application that can provide the above-mentioned services. The user accesses the server 1201 via the portable terminal device 1202, whereby it can be downloaded to the portable terminal device 1202 as an application program.

The communication interface (I/F) 1304 is constituted by media corresponding to the network 1205 such as wired or wireless. The display unit 1305 is, for example, a display, and displays a user interface screen for an administrator who builds the database 1309, for example. In addition, the operation unit 1306 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and can accept operations from an administrator.

The data processing unit 1307 includes, for example, a GPU, and analyzes the feature amount based on the big data transmitted from each user's portable terminal device 1202. There may be a case where the big data transmitted from each user's portable terminal device 1202 is used as the database 1309, and a result analyzed by the data processing unit 1307 may be used as the database 1309. The parts of FIG. 13 can be connected to each other via a bus bar 1308.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of the portable terminal device 1202. As described above, the portable terminal device 1202 is, for example, a smartphone held by a user. The processing unit 1401 includes, for example, a CPU, and controls the portable terminal device 1202 as a whole. The operation of the portable terminal device 1202 of the present embodiment is implemented by, for example, the processing unit 1401 loading the program stored in the memory unit 1403 into the memory 1402. The memory 1402 can also be used as a working memory of the CPU of the processing unit 1401. The memory unit 1403 is for storing basic control programs, data or parameters for the operation of the portable terminal device 1202. In addition, the storage unit 1403 stores the application 1310 downloaded from the server 1201.

The microphone 1404 is for inputting the user's voice, and the speaker 1405 is for outputting other users' voices, or playing messages according to predetermined voice data. The imaging unit 1406 is a camera, and generates imaging data of still images or moving images. The display unit 1407 is a touch panel, and for example, displays icons for starting the application 1310 or various user interface screens related to the application 1310. In addition, the display unit 1407 can accept operations from the user via the touch panel. The operation unit 1408 is capable of accepting operations from the user, such as a power button or a volume adjustment button.

The communication I/F1409 is constituted by media corresponding to the network 1205 such as wired or wireless. The short-range wireless communication I/F1410 communicates by a communication method different from that of the communication I/F1409, such as Bluetooth. In the present embodiment, the portable terminal device 1202 can transmit the special information of the prescription to the information display device 1203 via the short-range wireless communication I/F 1410. Each part of FIG. 14 is mutually connectable via the bus bar 1411.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of the information display device 1203. As described above, the information display device 1203 corresponds to the information display device 12. The processing unit 1501 includes, for example, a CPU and controls the information display device 1203 in a comprehensive manner. The operation of the information display device 1203 of the present embodiment is realized by, for example, the processing unit 1501 loading the program stored in the memory unit 1503 into the memory 1502. The memory 1502 is used as a working memory of the CPU of the processing unit 1501. The memory unit 1503 stores basic control programs, data, or parameters for the operation of the information display device 1203.

The communication I/F 1504 is constituted by media corresponding to the network 1205 such as wired or wireless. The short-range wireless communication I/F1505 communicates by a communication method different from that of the communication I/F1504, such as Bluetooth. In this embodiment, the information display device 1203 can receive prescription-specific information and the like from the portable terminal device 1202 via the short-range wireless communication I/F 1505.

The display unit 1507 is a touch panel, and displays a user interface screen for the user to use the beverage manufacturing device 1204. In addition, the operation unit 1508 is a hardware key that can accept operations from the user and includes decisions and the like. When the display unit 1507 is a touch panel, the operation unit 1508 can also be implemented as a software key on the touch panel.

The imaging unit 1509 is a camera and generates imaging data of still images. The imaging unit 1509 is capable of ingesting, for example, coffee beans brought into the store by a user, or ingesting a two-dimensional barcode displayed on the display unit 1407 of the portable terminal device 1202. By capturing the two-dimensional bar code displayed on the display unit 1407 of the portable terminal device 1202, the information display device 1203 can become a communication I/F1504 or a short-range wireless communication I/F1505 between the portable terminal device 1202 Communication methods other than communication. The main body I/F 1506 is an interface with the control device 11. For example, the selection information or extraction profile information of the coffee beans set by the user is sent to the control device 11 via the display unit 1507 or the operation unit 1508. . Each part of FIG. 15 can be connected to each other via a bus 1510.

The devices shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 are computers that can constitute the invention, respectively.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the flow in the system 1200 until the user uses the portable terminal device 1202 to formulate a prescription and the beverage manufacturing device 1204 extracts coffee.

First, the user clicks on the icon displayed on the display unit 1407 of the portable terminal device 1202 to start the application 1310 downloaded from the server 1201 in advance (project 1601). Once the application 1310 is started on the portable terminal device 1202, the login screen for logging in to the server 1201 is displayed on the display portion 1407 of the portable terminal device 1202. The user enters the ID and password obtained in advance on the login screen (Project 1602). Once the authentication on the server 1201 is successful, the server 1201 returns the TOP screen of the application 1310 to the portable terminal device 1202.

18 is a diagram showing an example of the TOP screen of the application 1310 displayed on the display unit 1407 of the portable terminal device 1202. In the display area 1801, the name "ABC app" of the application 1310 is displayed. In addition, the current holding points held by the user are displayed in the display area 1802. Users can use this point, for example, to buy coffee beans in online stores. In the display area 1803 is a list showing services that can provide the application 1310. The user can click on each display area 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807. Once any one is clicked, the service screen will be displayed.

The display area 1804 is a store search service. For example, the user is a cafe that can search for a franchise service. The display area 1805 is a comment service, for example, the user can post or comment on the cafe visited. The display area 1806 is a coffee bean mail order service, and the user is an online store where coffee beans can be viewed to buy coffee beans. The display area 1807 is a special prescription service, and the user can adjust the extraction profile on the portable terminal device 1202.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a service screen displayed when the user clicks on the display area 1805. FIG. In the display area 1901, the name "ABC app" of the application 1310 is displayed. In addition, in the display area 1902, evaluation information is displayed, and the user can evaluate the coffee purchased at the visited cafe. In addition, a comment field is displayed in the display area 1903, and the user can input a comment about the cafe visited. Once the submit button 1904 is pressed, the content entered by the user is determined in this review service. In this embodiment, once the content is confirmed by pressing the posting button 1904, the confirmed content is sent to the server 1201. With such a configuration, the server 1201 can collect review information from each user and analyze it by the data processing unit 1307.

20 is a diagram showing an example of a service screen displayed when a user clicks on the display area 1807. The user can adjust the amount of hot water drawn on the portable terminal device 1202 through the screen of FIG. 20. The screen in FIG. 20 is basically the same as the setting items displayed on the information display device 1203. Before the user visits the cafe, the user can adjust the amount of hot water drawn on the portable terminal device 1202 to a favorite value.

The user can arbitrarily adjust and set the amount of coffee beans through the display area 2001. In addition, the user can arbitrarily adjust and set the grinding particle size through the display area 2002. In addition, the user can arbitrarily adjust and set the amount of steaming hot water by the display area 2003. In addition, the user can arbitrarily adjust and set the steaming time by the display area 2004. In addition, the user can arbitrarily adjust and set the amount of extracted hot water by the display area 2005. In addition, the user can arbitrarily adjust the drawing pressure through the display area 2006 and set it. In addition, the user can arbitrarily adjust and set the extraction time by the display area 2007.

The key 2008 is a key for determining the content of the display area 2001 to 2007. In the case of FIG. 20, once the button 2008 is pressed, the contents of the display area 2001 to 2007 will be saved and the QR code will be displayed. When a user visits a cafe, the two-dimensional code displayed on the portable terminal device 1202 is aligned with the imaging unit 1509 of the information display device 1203, so that the content of the display area 2001-2007 can be transmitted to the information display device 1203. The key 2008 may or may not be used to display a two-dimensional code. For example, it may be a key saved to determine the content of the display area 2001-2007, or the content of the display area 2001-2007 may be sent to the information display device 1203 via the short-range wireless communication I/F 1410.

By adjusting the parameters for the extraction of coffee beverages as shown in FIG. 20 on the portable terminal device 1202, the user can easily experience the feeling of a coffee extraction operation like a barista. In the present embodiment, the parameter for extracting the coffee beverage as shown in FIG. 20 is referred to as an extraction profile or prescription.

Again, refer to FIG. 16. Once in the project 1603, the portable terminal device 1202 receives the TOP screen from the server 1201, the user clicks the display area 1807, and adjusts the extraction profile on FIG. 20 to set (project 1604). Then, the user visits the cafe as described above, and transmits the setting information from the portable terminal device 1202 to the information display device 1203 (project 1605). Here, the setting information is, for example, the contents of the display areas 2001 to 2007 in FIG. 20. In addition, the method of transmitting the setting information is in the case of two-dimensional barcodes and in the case of short-range wireless communication.

Once the information display device 1203 obtains the setting information, the information display device 1203 sends the setting information to the control device 11 of the beverage manufacturing device 1204 via the main body I/F 1506 (project 1606). The beverage manufacturing apparatus 1204 extracts coffee beverages based on the setting information (process 1607).

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the flow until the user makes a prescription on the information display device 1203 in the system 1200 and the coffee is extracted by the beverage manufacturing device 1204.

In FIG. 16, the user adjusts the extraction profile on the portable terminal device 1202, but in FIG. 17, the user adjusts the extraction profile on the information display device 1203 in the cafe.

The user adjusts and sets the extraction profile on the user interface screen displayed on the display unit 1507 of the information display device 1203 (project 1701). Here, basically the same items as those shown in FIG. 20 are displayed on the user interface screen. Once the information display device 1203 obtains the setting information, the information display device 1203 sends the setting information to the control device 11 of the beverage manufacturing device 1204 via the main body I/F 1506 (project 1702). In the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1204, the coffee beverage is extracted based on the setting information (process 1703).

[First embodiment] Next, referring to FIG. 21, a description will be given of a process of adjusting the extraction profile and taste chart according to the user after the beverage maker 1204 is extracted for tasting (trial drinking) of coffee beverages and before ordering.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a process of accepting adjustment from the user before ordering in this embodiment. The process of FIG. 21 is realized by, for example, the processing unit 1501 of the information display device 1203 loading the program stored in the memory unit 1503 into the memory 1502 and executing it. In S2101, the processing unit 1501 is an instruction to accept tasting from the user. From now on, the so-called point-of-sale refers to the withdrawal of the part of the official drink (this withdrawal).

Here, the process up to the acceptance of the tasting instruction from the user will be described. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface screen displayed on the display unit 1507 of the information display device 1203. As shown in FIG. 22, the display unit 1507 displays items 2201 to 2205 corresponding to the type of coffee beans, and the user can select the desired type of coffee beans. Here, the user selects the item 2201.

23 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface screen displayed when the item 2201 is selected. As shown in FIG. 23, in item 2304, a phrase indicating the characteristics of the type of coffee beans selected by the user (for example, "Mixed A") is displayed. In addition, items 2305 and 2306 display the characteristics of the type of coffee beans selected by the user. In FIG. 23, as the item 2305, the production country, brand, refining method, baking degree, and corresponding extraction profile are shown as an example, but other characteristics may also be displayed. In addition, in FIG. 23, as item 2306, a taste graph is displayed as a characteristic of the type of coffee beans selected by the user. The taste chart is as shown in FIG. 23, and the approximate target person who shows the aroma, sweetness, bitterness, sourness, and richness is preset according to the type of coffee beans. In FIG. 23, the above five taste indexes are used, but other indexes may be used.

Information about various types of characteristics corresponding to coffee beans may also be stored in the memory unit 1503 of the information display device 1203, or may be stored in the memory unit 1303 of the server 1201. When stored in the memory unit 1303 of the server 1201, the processing unit 1501 of the information display device 1203 obtains such information from the server 1201 via the network 1205. For example, for "type of coffee beans A", attribute information such as origin, roasting degree, and characteristic information such as bitterness/sweetness/sourness will be associated. For "type of coffee beans A", the identification information of the profile is extracted Will be associated and remembered. The extraction profile refers to the identification information, for example, the parameters such as the amount of coffee beans, the grinding particle size, the amount of simmering hot water, the simmering time, the amount of extracted hot water, the extraction pressure, and the extraction time are correlated and memorized.

The key 2301 is a key for accepting tasting instructions from the user. When the user presses the button 2301, sometimes the selected coffee beans can be tasted before ordering. The button 2302 is a button for accepting an order from the user. By pressing the button 2302, the user can order the selected coffee beans without tasting. When the button 2302 is pressed, the process of FIG. 11(A)(B) is performed in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1204. The button 2303 is a button for returning to the previous screen. Once pressed on FIG. 23, the screen of FIG. 22 will be displayed again.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface screen displayed when the button 2301 (tasting) is pressed. As shown in FIG. 24, once the tasting instruction is accepted, instead of the display of item 2306 (taste graph), setting item 2401 of the amount of trial drinking is displayed. As the selection items of the test drink setting item 2401, item 2402 (more), item 2403 (middle), and item 2404 (less) are displayed. The user can determine the setting content of the test drink volume by selecting any one of the items 2402~2404 and pressing the button 2405. For example, item 2402 sets 55 cc as a trial drinking amount, item 2403 sets 50 cc as a trial drinking amount, and item 2404 sets 45 cc as a trial drinking amount. Here, it is assumed that the item 2403 and the key 2405 are pressed. In addition, the display of the item 2401 of the test drink amount may be displayed as a subwindow on the screen of FIG. 23.

Again, refer to FIG. 21. Once the tasting instruction is accepted in S2101, in S2102, the processing unit 1501 is the control device 11 requesting the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1204 to perform the extraction process of the coffee beverage for tasting. At S2102, the processing of FIGS. 11(A)(B) is performed. Then, in S2103, the processing unit 1501 is an instruction to accept adjustment by the user. The user's adjustment is, as will be described later, adjustment of the extraction profile after the tasting or adjustment of the user related to the taste chart. Then, in S2104, the processing unit 1501 accepts an order from the user.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface screen displayed when a button 2405 (determination of a trial drinking amount) is pressed to perform extraction processing of a coffee beverage for tasting. As shown in FIG. 25, a screen 2501 indicating that the extraction of the coffee drink for tasting is completed is displayed. In addition, within the screen 2501, items 2502 to 2505 are selectively displayed.

The user can adjust the extraction profile by selecting item 2502. For example, adjustment may be made to increase the amount of hot water drawn for the coffee beans of the coffee drink tasted this time. In addition, the user can adjust the taste chart by selecting item 2503. For example, it is possible to select the type of coffee beans that suppress bitterness more than the coffee beans of the coffee drink tasted this time. In addition, the user can refer to other extraction profiles by selecting the item 2504. For example, other extraction profiles can be applied to the coffee beans of the coffee beverage tasted this time (for example, the amount of hot water extracted is greater). In addition, the user can order the coffee beverage to be tasted by selecting item 2505. Once the item 2505 is selected, the processing unit 1501 requests the control device 11 of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1204 to perform the extraction process of the coffee beverage of the coffee beans currently selected. Then, in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1204, the processing of FIGS. 11(A)(B) is performed.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface screen displayed when the item 2502 (adjustment profile) is pressed. As shown in FIG. 26, items 2603 to 2606 that the user can adjust for the extraction profile are displayed. In addition, the value of each item that is initially preset to be displayed when the screen of FIG. 26 is displayed is the value of the extraction profile corresponding to the type of coffee beans currently selected.

The user can set the amount of steaming hot water to the desired value by item 2603. In addition, the user can set the steaming time to the desired value by item 2604. In addition, the user can set the amount of extracted hot water to a desired value by item 2605. In addition, the user can set the extraction time to the desired value by the item 2606. The relevant items are not limited to those shown in FIG. 26, and the amount of coffee beans, grind size, extraction pressure, etc. may be displayed.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, each item is a two-type display area including a numerical display area 2607 and an analog display area 2608. The numerical display area 2607 displays a value like 80 ml, and the analog display area 2608 displays a slide bar. With such a display method, sometimes the user can recognize the value of 80 ml for item 2603, for example, and perceptibly recognize 80% of the maximum amount that the user can adjust.

The button 2601 is a button for accepting an order from a user. Moreover, once the button 2602 is pressed, the value of each item on the way of adjustment will return to the preset display. After the adjustment of the extraction profile, once the instruction to order is accepted via the button 2601, the modulated (corrected) extraction profile will be registered in the memory unit 1503 in correspondence with the type of coffee beans currently selected. In addition, when the data relating to the type of coffee beans and the characteristic information is stored in the memory unit 1303 of the server 1201, the processing unit 1501 sends the modulated extraction profile information to the server 1201 via the network 1205 for registration.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface screen displayed when the button 2601 (order to buy) is pressed. Once the button 2601 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 27, a message indicating that the order is accepted will be displayed as item 2702. When the button 2701 is pressed, the main screen of the display unit 1507 displayed on the information display device 1203 is returned. For example, it may return to the screen of FIG. 22 as the main screen.

According to this embodiment, the user may adjust the extraction profile after tasting and before ordering.

28 is a flowchart showing extraction and discharge processing for tasting. The process of FIG. 28 is the process performed in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1204. S2801 to S2803 are the same as S1 to S3 in FIG. 11(A). In S2804, among the amounts extracted in S2803, the portion of the trial drinking amount of any one of the items 2402 to 2404 set in FIG. 24, for example, 50 cc is discharged. Then, in S2805, the amount of the actual drinking portion, for example, 250 cc, is discharged from the remaining portion after the trial drinking portion is discharged.

FIG. 29 is another flowchart showing extraction and discharge processing for tasting. The processing in FIG. 29 is performed in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1204. Once the button 2405 (determination of the amount of trial drinking) of FIG. 24 is pressed, the processes of S2901 to S2904 are performed to perform extraction and discharge processes for tasting. S2901 to S2904 are the same as the description of S1 to S4 in FIG. 11(A) except that the amount of the trial drinking part is different from the amount of the formal drinking part. The amount of the tasting part is different from the amount of the formal drinking part, in addition to the amount of the drinking part, it also includes the following. For example, if the amount of the formal drinking part is 250 cc, the amount of steaming hot water is 20 cc, and if the amount of the trial drinking part is 50 cc, the amount of steaming hot water is 5 cc. That is, even for the same type of coffee beans, if the amount of the drinking portion is different, the parameters required for each process up to the discharge process will be different. In addition, the difference is that not only the parameters themselves but also the elements calculated from the parameters. For example, in the above example, the ratio of 5cc to 50cc (0.1) is greater than the ratio of 20cc to 250cc (0.08).

After the extraction and discharge processing for tasting is performed, in S2905, a flushing process is performed. In the flushing process, the extraction container 9 is cleaned. Then, when receiving an order for ordering from the user, by performing the processing of S2906 to S2909, the extraction and discharge processing for the formal drinking portion is performed.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface screen displayed when the item 2503 (adjustment of taste) is pressed. As in item 3002, a message indicating that the characteristics can be adjusted on the taste chart of the type of coffee beans currently selected is displayed. As item 3003, a taste chart corresponding to the type of coffee beans currently selected is displayed in an adjustable manner for each index. The key 3001 is a key for determining adjustment content on the taste chart shown in item 3003. Moreover, the user can return to the screen of FIG. 25 by pressing the button 3004.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface screen displayed when the button 3001 (confirmation of taste adjustment content) is pressed. In FIG. 30, the taste chart shown in item 2306 of FIG. 23 is to adjust each index like the taste chart shown in item 3003. In this state, once the button 3001 is pressed, a list of the types of coffee beans corresponding to the adjusted taste chart, and a list of extraction profiles corresponding to the types are displayed. For example, in FIG. 31, as the type of coffee beans corresponding to the adjusted taste graph, “provisioning H” is displayed, and items 3101 to 3105 indicating extraction profiles corresponding to the scheduling H are displayed. On the screen of FIG. 31, once any item is selected, the corresponding screen of FIG. 26 is displayed, and the user can adjust the profile and order. In addition, the user can return to the screen of FIG. 30 by pressing the button 3106.

According to this embodiment as described above, the user may adjust the taste chart according to his or her taste after tasting and before ordering.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface screen displayed when the item 2504 (refer to another profile) is pressed. When the item 2504 is pressed, as shown in items 3201 to 3205 of FIG. 32, a list of extraction profiles corresponding to the type of coffee beans currently selected is displayed. Once any item is selected on the screen of FIG. 32, the corresponding screen of FIG. 26 is displayed, and the user can adjust the profile and order. Also, the user can return to the screen of FIG. 25 by pressing the button 3206.

According to this embodiment as described above, the user may reselect the extraction profile corresponding to the type of coffee beans currently selected after tasting and before ordering.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, it is explained that the user can perform extraction profile adjustment, taste chart adjustment, and re-selection of the extraction profile corresponding to the type of coffee beans currently selected after tasting and before ordering. In the second embodiment, it may be possible to taste again after tasting and before ordering. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with respect to the differences from the first embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a process of accepting adjustments from the user before ordering according to the present embodiment and tasting again. The process of FIG. 33 is realized by, for example, the processing unit 1501 of the information display device 1203 loading the program stored in the memory unit 1503 into the memory 1502 and executing it.

S3301 to S3303 and S3305 are the same as the description of S2101 to S2103 and S2104 in FIG. 21. As explained in the first embodiment, in S3303, for example, the user accepts adjustment of the extraction profile.

34 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface screen displayed when an item 2502 (adjustment profile) is pressed in FIG. 25 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 34, the user-adjustable items 2603-2606 are displayed for the extraction profile.

FIG. 34 is different from FIG. 26 in that the key 3401 is displayed. The key 3401 is a key for accepting tasting instructions from the user. By pressing the button 3401, the user can extract the adjusted profile and taste it before ordering. Once the button 3401 is pressed, the item 2401 in FIG. 24 will be displayed as a sub-window, and the user can set the amount of the test drink. By pressing the button 2405 on the sub-window, once the amount of the test drink is determined, the tasting portion is discharged. At this time, the tasting portion is discharged by the processing of FIG. 28 or FIG. 29. Once the tasting part is ejected, the sub-window containing the message "Tasteable!" will be displayed on Fig. 34. At this time, in a way that the key 3401 will not be pressed, that is, to prohibit the tasting again, the acceptance of the operation is restricted by non-selectable (Grayed out) or the like. The user can click on the button 2601 after tasting to order the adjusted extraction profile.

When the item 2503 (adjustment of taste) is pressed in FIG. 25, and any one of the items 3101 to 3105 is selected in FIG. 31, FIG. 34 is also displayed and operates as described above. In addition, in FIG. 25, when any one of the items 3201 to 3205 is selected in FIG. 32 according to the item 2504 (refer to the other overview), FIG. 34 is also displayed and operates as described above.

In the above, an example in which the tasting is limited to once is explained. In the following, an example of tasting up to a predetermined number of times will be described.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing processing for permitting tasting to a predetermined number of times. The process of FIG. 35 is realized by, for example, the processing unit 1501 of the information display device 1203 loading the program stored in the memory unit 1503 into the memory 1502 and executing it.

S3501 to S3503 are the same as the description of S2101 to S2103 in FIG. 21. In S3503, the screen of FIG. 34 is displayed. In S3504, when the processing unit 1501 accepts the press of the button 3403 on the screen of FIG. 34, the process proceeds to S3505.

In S3505, the processing unit 1501 determines whether or not the number of press acceptances of the key 3403 is within a predetermined number. The predetermined number of times is, for example, two times. Here, if it is determined that it is within a predetermined number of times, the process returns to S3502, and the tasting portion is discharged. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined number of times is exceeded, for example, in the above example, if the number of presses of the key 3403 is accepted for the third time, the process proceeds to S3406, and the processing unit 1501 displays a warning message on the screen.

36 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen displayed in S3406. On the screen of Fig. 36, a warning message 3601 displayed as "unable to taste" is displayed. In addition, at this time, the key 3401 may limit the acceptance of the operation by not selecting it or the like. After S3406, the process of FIG. 35 ends.

According to this embodiment as described above, it may be possible to taste again after tasting and before ordering. In addition, the number of tasting times may be limited to a predetermined number of times.

<Other embodiments> In the above-mentioned embodiment, coffee beverages are specifically targeted, but various beverages such as tea and soups such as Japanese tea and black tea may also be targeted. Moreover, coffee beans, green beans of coffee, ground beans of coffee beans, roasted coffee beans, ground beans of roasted coffee beans, unroasted coffee beans, ground beans of unroasted coffee beans, etc., powdered coffee beans , Instant coffee, coffee placed in a container, etc. are taken as an example. As an extraction object, a coffee beverage is taken as an example. As a beverage, a coffee liquid is taken as an example of a beverage liquid, but it is not limited to these. As the extraction target, as long as it is tea such as Japanese tea, black tea, oolong tea, ground tea, vegetables, crushed vegetables, fruits, crushed fruits, cereals, crushed cereals, mushrooms such as shiitake mushrooms, mushrooms such as shiitake mushrooms Pulverized products, dried mushrooms and other mushrooms, dried products, heated mushrooms and other mushrooms and dried products, bonito fish, bonito fish, crushed fish, etc. Dried fish such as bonito, dried dried fish such as bonito, dried algae such as kelp, crushed algae such as kelp, heated algae such as kelp What is dried, what is dried by heating seaweed such as kelp, what is crushed, what is dried after heating the meat of cattle, pigs, chickens, etc., what is crushed after heating the meat, etc., Extracted materials such as heated bones such as bovine bones, pig bones, chicken bones, etc., and crushed dried materials after heating the bones, etc., as the beverage, as long as it is Japanese tea or black tea , Oolong tea, vegetable juice, fruit juice, vegetable soup, broth, soup and other beverages, as the beverage liquid, as long as it is Japanese tea extract, black tea extract, oolong tea extract, vegetable extract, fruit extract , Mushroom extracts, fish extracts, meat extracts, bone extracts and other extracts are sufficient. In the examples, there are descriptions of water, tap water, purified water, hot water, and washing water. However, any of the descriptions may be, for example, replacing water with hot water and replacing hot water with water. It can be replaced with other descriptions, and can be replaced with all liquids, steam, high temperature water, cooling water, cold water, and the like. For example, if it is described that the extraction target (for example, roasted coffee beans and ground beans) and hot water are put into the extraction container 9, it can be replaced with the extraction target (for example, roasted coffee beans and ground beans) and cold water (only water is also acceptable). ) The description of putting in the drawer container 9, if this is the case, it can also be handled as a pullout method such as ice drip coffee or a beverage manufacturing apparatus.

<Summary of embodiments> The beverage manufacturing apparatus of the above-mentioned embodiment is characterized by comprising: Accepting means (2301, 2302) for accepting operations from users; and According to the operation received from the user by the acceptance means, the preparation means for preparing the beverage using the material of the beverage (FIG. 28, FIG. 29), The modulation means is to perform the formal drinking modulation once the first operation (2302) is accepted by the acceptance means, and the trial drinking modulation is performed once the second operation (2301) is accepted by the acceptance means. In addition, it is characterized in that the modulation means does not perform the modulation of the trial drinking when the first operation is accepted. With such a configuration, an instruction for tasting may be accepted.

In addition, it is characterized by being provided with correction means (FIG. 26, FIG. 30) for correcting the profile of modulation in accordance with an instruction from the user, After the preparation of the trial drinking is performed, and the profile is corrected by the correction means, the preparation means, once the first operation is accepted by the acceptance means, the modified profile is used to perform the aforesaid Formal drinking modulation. With such a configuration, for example, after a trial drink, the profile can be revised and ordered.

It is also characterized in that the instruction from the user is to change the value of at least one parameter of the profile (2502), specify another profile (2504), and specify the taste preference of the user ( 2503). With such a configuration, plural types of corrections may be accepted.

In addition, it is characterized in that the correction means is to perform the correction of the profile after the preparation of the trial drinking. With such a configuration, the profile may be corrected after a trial drink.

It is also characterized in that the first profile used for the preparation of the official drinking is different from the second profile used for the preparation of the trial drinking regardless of whether the correction of the profile is corrected by the correction means. Furthermore, it is characterized in that the first profile and the second profile differ in at least one of the amount of stuffing and the amount of extraction. Also, its characteristics are: The amount of beverage adjusted according to the first profile is the first amount, and the amount of beverage adjusted according to the second profile is the second amount less than the first amount, The amount of simmering hot water in the first profile is a third amount, and the amount of simmering hot water in the second profile is a fourth amount less than the third amount, The ratio of the fourth amount to the second amount is greater than the ratio of the third amount to the first amount.

In addition, it is characterized in that the beverage manufacturing apparatus is provided with a memory means for memorizing the information of the profile corrected by the correction means. With such a configuration, the information of the revised profile can sometimes be memorized.

In addition, it is characterized in that the modulation means performs modulation of the trial drinking once the second operation is accepted after correction by the correction means. With such a structure, it is sometimes possible to try a drink after the test.

In addition, it is characterized by having: setting means for setting the information used for the modulation of the aforementioned trial drinking, The modulation means performs modulation of the trial drinking based on the information set by the setting means. With such a configuration, for example, sometimes the user can set a trial drinking amount.

In addition, it is characterized in that the preparation means is to perform the preparation of the trial drinking using a part of the amount of the actual drinking once the second operation is accepted by the receiving means. In addition, it is characterized in that the preparation means is to accept the first operation by the acceptance means after the preparation of the trial drinking is performed, and then to perform the formal drinking using the remaining amount of the formal drinking Of modulation. With such a configuration, it is possible to shorten the time from the trial drinking until the part of the ordered coffee beverage is discharged.

In addition, it is characterized in that the preparation means is to accept the first operation by the acceptance means after the preparation of the trial drinking is performed, and then perform the formal drinking by inputting the material of the beverage modulation. With such a configuration, for example, after a trial drink, the flushing process may be carried out to discharge some of the coffee beverage ordered.

1. 1204: Beverage manufacturing device 1200: System 1201: Server 1202: Portable terminal device 1203: Information display device 1301, 1401, 1501: processing department

FIG. 1 is an external view of a beverage manufacturing apparatus. Fig. 2 is a partial front view of the beverage manufacturing apparatus of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the function of the beverage manufacturing apparatus of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a partially broken perspective view of the separating device. 5 is a perspective view of the drive unit and the extraction container. 6 is a diagram showing the closed state and the open state of the extraction container of FIG. 5. 7 is a front view showing the configuration of a part of the upper unit and the lower unit. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 7. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the central unit. 10 is a block diagram of a control device of the beverage manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 11(A) and (B) are flowcharts showing an example of control executed by the control device. 12 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system including a beverage manufacturing device. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a server. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a portable terminal device. 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information display device. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the flow until coffee is drawn out. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the flow until coffee is drawn out. 18 is a diagram showing a TOP screen of an application displayed on a portable terminal device. 19 is a diagram showing a service screen. 20 is a diagram showing a service screen. 21 is a flowchart showing a process of accepting adjustments from users before ordering. 22 is a diagram showing a user interface screen displayed on the information display device. 23 is a diagram showing a user interface screen displayed on the information display device. 24 is a diagram showing a user interface screen displayed on the information display device. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a user interface screen displayed on the information display device. 26 is a diagram showing a user interface screen displayed on the information display device. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a user interface screen displayed on the information display device. 28 is a flowchart showing extraction and discharge processing for tasting. 29 is a flowchart showing extraction and discharge processing for tasting. 30 is a diagram showing a user interface screen displayed on the information display device. 31 is a diagram showing a user interface screen displayed on the information display device. 32 is a diagram showing a user interface screen displayed on the information display device. 33 is a flowchart showing a process of re-tasting. 34 is a diagram showing a user interface screen displayed on the information display device. FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing processing for permitting tasting to a predetermined number of times. 36 is a diagram showing a user interface screen displayed on the information display device.

Claims (15)

A beverage manufacturing device characterized by: Accepting means of accepting operations from users; and According to the operation received from the user by the acceptance means, the preparation means for preparing the beverage using the material of the beverage, The preparation means is to perform the formal drinking modulation once the first operation is accepted by the acceptance means, and to perform the trial drinking once the second operation is accepted by the acceptance means. As for the beverage manufacturing apparatus according to item 1 of the patent application range, the modulation means does not perform the modulation of the trial drinking when the first operation is accepted. A beverage manufacturing apparatus as claimed in item 1 or 2 of the patent scope, which includes: correction means for correcting the profile of the preparation in accordance with instructions from the user, After the preparation of the trial drinking is performed, and the profile is corrected by the correction means, the preparation means, once the first operation is accepted by the acceptance means, the modified profile is used to perform the aforesaid Formal drinking modulation. A beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 of the patent application, wherein the instruction from the user is a change in the value of at least one parameter of the profile, designation of another profile, and taste preference of the user Specify at least one of them. According to the beverage manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, the correction means is to modify the profile after the preparation of the trial drinking. For example, in the beverage manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, it does not matter whether the above-mentioned profile is corrected by the above-mentioned correction means, the first profile used for the modulation of the official drinking and the one used for the modulation of the trial drinking The second profile is different. For example, in the beverage manufacturing apparatus of claim 6, the first profile and the second profile are different in at least one of the amount of steaming and the amount of extraction. A beverage manufacturing device according to item 7 of the patent application, wherein the amount of beverage adjusted according to the first profile is the first amount, and the amount of beverage adjusted according to the second profile is less than the first amount Second amount, The amount of simmering hot water in the first profile is a third amount, and the amount of simmering hot water in the second profile is a fourth amount less than the third amount, The ratio of the fourth amount to the second amount is greater than the ratio of the third amount to the first amount. A beverage manufacturing device as claimed in item 3 of the patent scope includes memory means for memorizing the profile information corrected by the aforementioned correction means. According to the beverage manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, the preparation means is to perform the preparation of the trial drinking once the second operation is accepted after the correction by the correction means. For example, the beverage manufacturing device according to item 1 of the patent application includes: setting means for setting the information for the trial drinking modulation, The modulation means performs modulation of the trial drinking based on the information set by the setting means. A beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 of the patent application, wherein the modulation means is to perform the modulation of the trial drinking using a part of the amount of the formal drinking once the second operation is accepted by the acceptance means. According to the beverage manufacturing apparatus of claim 12 of the patent application scope, wherein the modulation means is to use the amount of the official drink after accepting the first operation by the acceptance means after the trial drinking modulation is performed The remainder of is used to prepare the aforementioned formal drinking. A beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 of the patent application, wherein the preparation means is to accept the first operation by the acceptance means after the preparation of the trial drinking is performed, by performing the material of the beverage To invest in the preparation of the aforementioned formal drinking. A method, which is implemented in a beverage manufacturing device, is characterized by: Accepting engineering from users' operations; and According to the operation received from the user in the acceptance process, the preparation process of the preparation of the beverage using the material of the beverage, In the aforementioned preparation process, once the first operation is accepted in the acceptance process, the actual drinking modulation is performed, and once the second operation is accepted in the acceptance process, the trial drinking modulation is performed.

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