WO2021132670A1

WO2021132670A1 - Dispense head and beverage supply system

Info

Publication number: WO2021132670A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/048999
Authority: WO
Inventors: 慶太吉原
Original assignee: サントリーホールディングス株式会社
Priority date: 2019-12-26
Filing date: 2020-12-25
Publication date: 2021-07-01
Also published as: CN114929614A; JP2021104811A; JP7330882B2; KR20220088470A

Abstract

This dispense head (50) is provided with: a housing (51) that has a first fluid inflow port (516) connected to a water supply passage (90) through which water is supplied and a second fluid inflow port (517) connected to a gas supply passage (60) through which gas is supplied; a plunger (52) that is disposed within the housing and has a fluid outflow port (521) connected to a beverage transfer passage (70) through which beverage within a beverage storage container (20) is transferred; and an operating part (53) that is manually operated so as to cause the plunger to slide inside the housing. The plunger is configured to slide between a first position at which the first fluid inflow port and the fluid outflow port are directly connected to each other and at which the second fluid inflow port is shut off from the interior of the beverage storage container and the fluid outflow port, and a second position at which the first fluid inflow port is shut off from the interior of the beverage storage container and the fluid outflow port and at which the second fluid inflow port and the fluid outflow port are connected to each other via the interior of the beverage storage container.

Description

Dispens head and beverage supply system

The present invention relates to a dispense head and a beverage supply system.

Conventionally, a beverage supply system for supplying a beverage transferred from a beverage container by gas from a beverage dispenser to the outside is known (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-36221). A user of such a beverage supply system can easily obtain a desired amount of beverage by pouring the beverage from a beverage dispenser into a container (glass or the like).

However, after the beverage supply by the beverage supply system is completed, the beverage is left in the beverage flow path. The remaining beverage may cause deterioration of the beverage, propagation of microorganisms, and the like. Therefore, in order to prevent the taste of the beverage from being deteriorated, the beverage supply system is regularly washed.

In the beverage supply system described in JP-A-2006-36221, when cleaning the beverage supply system, the operating lever of the dispense head is operated instead of replacing the beverage storage container with the cleaning container. Such a dispense head is configured to switch the communication state between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet by the operating lever. This makes it possible to wash the beverage supply system without supplying wash water to the inside of the beverage storage container with the dispense head attached to the beverage storage container.

Further, in the beverage supply system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-36221, an inclination sensor that detects an inclined state of the operating lever is used to prevent the washing water from being mixed into the beverage in the beverage container due to an erroneous operation by the user. It is provided on the dispense head.

However, there is a risk that the tilt sensor will break down due to adhesion of liquid (drinking or water), deterioration over time, etc. When the tilt sensor fails, the tilted state of the operating lever cannot be detected, so that it is not possible to prevent the washing water from being mixed into the beverage.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to more reliably prevent the washing water from being supplied to the inside of the beverage storage container when cleaning the beverage supply system.

The gist of this disclosure is as follows.

(1) A dispense head that can be attached to a beverage container and has a first fluid inflow port communicating with a water supply path for supplying water and a second fluid inflow port communicating with a gas supply path for supplying gas. A plunger having a housing and a plunger having a fluid outlet which is arranged in the housing and communicates with a beverage transfer path for transferring a beverage in the beverage container, and a plunger which is manually operated to slide the plunger in the housing. The plunger includes an operation unit, and the plunger directly communicates the first fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and shuts off the second fluid inlet from the inside of the beverage container and the fluid outlet. A position, the first fluid inlet is blocked from the inside of the beverage container and the fluid outlet, and the second fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are communicated with each other through the inside of the beverage container. A fluid head that slides between two positions.

(2) Further provided with an on-off valve for opening and closing the second fluid inflow port, the on-off valve closes the second fluid inflow port when the plunger is in the first position, and the plunger is in the second position. The dispense head according to (1) above, which opens the second fluid inlet when the second fluid inlet is located.

(3) The plunger has a third position that shuts off the first position, the second position, the first fluid inlet, and the second fluid inlet from the inside of the beverage container and the fluid outlet. The dispens head according to (1) or (2) above, which slides between and.

(4) A water supply path connected to the water supply source, a first gas supply path connected to the gas supply source, a beverage transfer path connected to the beverage dispenser, and a dispense head attached to the beverage storage container. The dispense head is arranged in the housing and a housing having a first fluid inlet communicating with the water supply passage and a second fluid inlet communicating with the first gas supply passage. A plunger having a fluid outlet communicating with the beverage transfer path and an operation unit for sliding the plunger in the housing by manual operation are provided, and the plunger is provided with the first fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A first position that directly communicates with and shuts off the second fluid inlet from the inside of the beverage container and the fluid outlet, and the first fluid inlet is connected to the inside of the beverage container and the fluid outlet. A beverage supply system that shuts off from the water and slides between the second fluid inlet and the fluid outlet at a second position that communicates with each other through the inside of the beverage storage container.

(5) A water on-off valve that opens and closes the water supply path, a second gas supply path that connects the gas supply source and the first fluid inflow port, and a gas on-off valve that opens and closes the second gas supply path. The water on-off valve and the control device for controlling the gas on-off valve are further provided, and the water on-off valve is configured to close the water supply path when the power is off and open the water supply line when the gas is on. The beverage supply system according to (4) above, wherein the on-off valve is configured to close the second gas supply path when the power is off and open the second gas supply path when the power is on.

(6) The beverage supply system according to (4) or (5) above, further comprising a branched water supply channel branched from the water supply channel.

(7) The beverage supply system according to (5) above, wherein the water supply path and the second gas supply path are integrated into a common flow path, and the first fluid inflow port is connected to the common flow path.

(8) The beverage supply system according to (7) above, further comprising a branched shared flow path branched from the shared flow path.

According to the present invention, it is possible to more reliably prevent the washing water from being supplied to the inside of the beverage storage container when cleaning the beverage supply system.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a beverage supply system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the dispense head and spear valve when the plunger is located in the upper position. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the on-off valve of FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispense head and spear valve when the plunger is located at the lower position. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a beverage supply system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a beverage supply system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a beverage supply system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the control device of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control routine of the cleaning process according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control routine for water bullet control. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a beverage supply system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the dispense head and spear valve when the plunger is located in the upper position in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the dispense head and spear valve when the plunger is located at the intermediate position in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the dispense head and spear valve when the plunger is located in the lower position in the fifth embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, similar components are given the same reference numbers.

<First Embodiment>
First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

<Beverage supply system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a beverage supply system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The beverage supply system 1 includes a gas supply source 10, a beverage storage container 20, a beverage dispenser 30, a dispense head 50, a gas supply path 60, a beverage transfer path 70, a water supply path 90, a water supply source 100, and a water pressure reducing valve 110. .. The beverage supply system 1 supplies the beverage transferred from the beverage storage container 20 through the beverage transfer path 70 by the gas supplied from the gas supply source 10 from the beverage dispenser 30 to the outside. A user of the beverage supply system 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "user") can easily obtain a desired amount of beverage by pouring the beverage from the beverage dispenser 30 into a container.

The gas supply path 60 connects the gas supply source 10 and the dispense head 50. The gas supply path 60 is configured, for example, as a gas supply hose and is made of various materials capable of withstanding gas pressure (eg, polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE)). , Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc.).

The beverage transfer path 70 connects the dispense head 50 and the beverage dispenser 30. The beverage transfer path 70 is configured as, for example, a beverage transfer hose and has a variety of materials capable of withstanding the pressure of beverage, water and gas (eg, polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene co-weight). It is formed from coalescence (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc.).

The water supply path 90 connects the water supply source 100 and the dispense head 50. The water supply channel 90 is configured as, for example, a water supply hose and is made of various materials capable of withstanding the pressure of water (eg, polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE)). , Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc.).

Hereinafter, each component of the beverage supply system 1 will be described in detail.

The water supply source 100 supplies water used for cleaning the beverage supply system 1 described later. The water supply source 100 is configured as, for example, a tap. The water pressure reducing valve 110 is provided in the water supply path 90 and adjusts the pressure of the water supplied from the water supply source 100. The water pressure reducing valve 110 may be omitted.

The gas supply source 10 supplies gas such as carbon dioxide gas (carbon dioxide gas), nitrogen gas, and compressed air. The gas supply source 10 has a gas pressure reducing valve 11, and the pressure of the gas supplied from the gas supply source 10 is adjusted by the gas pressure reducing valve 11. The gas supply source 10 is configured as, for example, a gas cylinder. The gas supply source 10 is connected to the gas supply path 60, and the gas supplied from the gas supply source 10 is supplied to the beverage container 20 through the gas supply path 60.

Beverage storage container 20 stores beverages. For example, the beverage storage container 20 stores effervescent beverages. Effervescent beverages include beer, beer-like alcoholic beverages, beer-taste beverages, chuhai, whiskey-containing beverages (whiskey, highballs, etc.), carbonated juices, and the like. Beer-like alcoholic beverages include low-malt beer, low-malt beer-flavored low-malt beer (so-called third beer) produced from raw materials other than malt, or mixed with low-malt beer and wheat-derived alcoholic beverage. Beer-taste beverages include non-alcoholic beer and the like. The beverage storage container 20 is configured as, for example, a beverage barrel for accommodating effervescent beverages.

The beverage storage container 20 may store non-sparkling beverages. Non-sparkling beverages include coffee, wine and the like.

The beverage storage container 20 includes a spear valve 21 that functions as a base for the beverage storage container 20. The spear valve 21 is attached to the beverage storage container 20 and extends from the top of the beverage storage container 20 to the vicinity of the bottom of the beverage storage container 20.

The dispense head 50 is attached to the beverage storage container 20, specifically, the spear valve 21 of the beverage storage container 20. Further, the dispense head 50 is connected to the gas supply path 60, the beverage transfer path 70, and the water supply path 90. The dispense head 50 and the spear valve 21 are configured to supply the beverage in the beverage storage container 20 to the beverage transfer path 70 by the gas connected from the gas supply path 60. Details of the dispense head 50 will be described later.

The beverage dispenser 30 supplies the beverage transferred from the beverage storage container 20 by the gas supplied from the gas supply source 10 to the outside (outside of the beverage dispenser 30). FIG. 1 shows the beverage dispenser 30 with the cover removed. The beverage dispenser 30 includes a coiled beverage introduction pipe 31, a tap 32, a cooling water tank 33, and a cooling device 34.

One end of the beverage introduction pipe 31 is connected to the beverage transfer path 70, and the other end of the beverage introduction pipe 31 is connected to the tap 32. The beverage transferred from the beverage storage container 20 reaches the tap 32 through the beverage introduction pipe 31. At this time, when the handle 321 of the tap 32 is operated by the user (for example, the handle 321 is pulled toward the front), the tap 32 is opened and the beverage is poured from the tap 32 into the container (mug, glass, etc.) installed by the user. It comes off.

The user supplies water to the cooling water tank 33 in advance, and the cooling water tank 33 is filled with water. The cooling device 34 includes a refrigerator (not shown), a coiled refrigerant flow pipe 35, and a stirrer 36. The cooling device 34 generates ice around the refrigerant flow pipe 35 by the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerator to the refrigerant flow pipe 35, and cools the water in the cooling water tank 33 by the ice. The stirrer 36 stirs the water in the cooling water tank 33 so that the temperature of the water in the cooling water tank 33 becomes uniform. The beverage transferred to the beverage dispenser 30 is cooled by the cooling water in the cooling water tank 33 when passing through the beverage introduction pipe 31. Therefore, the beverage supply system 1 can supply a desired cold beverage from the beverage dispenser 30 to the outside even if the beverage in the beverage storage container 20 is at room temperature.

<Composition of dispense head>
FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the dispense head 50 and the spear valve 21. FIG. 2 shows the dispense head 50 mounted on the spear valve 21.

The spear valve 21 includes a valve case 22, a gas flow path closing portion 23, and a beverage flow path closing portion 24. A male screw portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve case 22, and the male screw portion is screwed with the female screw portion formed in the beverage storage container 20. As a result, the spear valve 21 is attached to the beverage storage container 20.

The gas flow path closing portion 23 is arranged in the valve case 22. The gas flow path closing portion 23 has a flange portion 231 at its upper end. The beverage flow path closing portion 24 is arranged in the gas flow path closing portion 23. The beverage flow path closing portion 24 has a flange portion 241 on its upper portion. The space between the valve case 22 and the gas flow path closing portion 23 and the space between the gas flow path closing portion 23 and the beverage flow path closing portion 24 communicate with the inside of the beverage storage container 20, respectively.

The dispense head 50 includes a housing 51 and a plunger 52 arranged in the housing 51. The housing 51 includes a main body portion 511, a flange portion 512, a first fluid inflow portion 513, and a second fluid inflow portion 514.

The main body 511 has a substantially cylindrical shape and extends vertically upward from the spear valve 21. The main body 511 has a first through hole 515. The first through hole 515 extends in the axial direction of the main body portion 511 and communicates with the inside of the spear valve 21.

The flange portion 512 is connected to the lower end portion of the main body portion 511 and extends radially outward from the main body portion 511. The flange portion 512 is inserted into the engagement groove 221 formed on the upper portion of the valve case 22 of the spear valve 21 and engages with the engagement groove 221. As a result, the dispense head 50 is attached to the spear valve 21. For example, the user inserts the flange portion 512 into the engaging groove 221 by rotating the housing 51 in the circumferential direction.

The first fluid inflow portion 513 and the second fluid inflow portion 514 are each connected to the side surface of the main body portion 511 and extend radially outward from the main body portion 511. The first fluid inflow portion 513 and the second fluid inflow portion 514 are arranged at the same position in the circumferential direction of the main body portion 511, and are separated in the axial direction of the main body portion 511. The first fluid inflow section 513 is arranged above the second fluid inflow section 514 in the vertical direction and is located farther from the spear valve 21 than the second fluid inflow section 514. The first fluid inflow portion 513 and the second fluid inflow portion 514 may be separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the main body portion 511.

The first fluid inflow section 513 has a first fluid inflow port 516. The first fluid inflow port 516 extends horizontally and communicates with the first through hole 515. The first fluid inflow section 513 is connected to a water supply path 90 for supplying water. Therefore, the first fluid inflow port 516 communicates with the water supply path 90. The first fluid inflow portion 513 may be connected to the water supply path 90 via a joint or the like.

The second fluid inflow section 514 has a second fluid inflow port 517. The second fluid inflow port 517 extends horizontally and communicates with the first through hole 515. The second fluid inflow section 514 is connected to a gas supply path 60 for supplying gas. Therefore, the second fluid inflow port 517 communicates with the gas supply path 60. The second fluid inflow portion 514 may be connected to the gas supply path 60 via a joint or the like.

The first fluid inflow port 516 and the second fluid inflow port 517 communicate with each other through the first through hole 515. The second fluid inflow port 517 is arranged on the downstream side of the first fluid inflow port 516 in the flow direction of the fluid into the spear valve 21.

The plunger 52 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is arranged in the main body portion 511 of the housing 51. The plunger 52 has a fluid outlet 521. The fluid outlet 521 extends in the axial direction of the plunger 52 and communicates with the inside of the spear valve 21. The upper end of the main body 511 is connected to the beverage transfer path 70. Therefore, the fluid outlet 521 communicates with the beverage transfer path 70. The upper end of the main body 511 may be connected to the beverage transfer path 70 via a joint or the like.

The plunger 52 has a first recess 522 and a second recess 523. The first recess 522 and the second recess 523 are each formed on the outer surface of the plunger 52 and extend in the circumferential direction of the plunger 52. The first recess 522 and the second recess 523 are separated in the axial direction of the plunger 52. The second recess 523 is arranged below the first recess 522 in the vertical direction and closer to the spear valve 21 than the first recess 522. Further, the axial length of the second recess 523 is longer than the axial length of the first recess 522.

Further, the plunger 52 has a spherical member 524, a protrusion 525, and a step portion 526. The protrusion 525 and the step 526 are separated in the axial direction of the plunger 52. The protrusion 525 is arranged above the step 526 in the vertical direction and farther from the spear valve 21 than the step 526. The spherical member 524 moves between the protrusion 525 and the step 526.

The protrusion 525 prevents the spherical member 524 from falling off while allowing the fluid to flow through the protrusion 525. When the fluid flows back toward the inside of the spear valve 21, the spherical member 524 abuts on the step 526 and closes the inlet of the step 526. This prevents backflow of fluid from the fluid outlet 521 into the spear valve 21. Therefore, the spherical member 524, the protrusion 525, and the step portion 526 function as a backflow prevention mechanism for preventing the backflow of the fluid from the fluid outflow port 521 to the inside of the spear valve 21.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the dispense head 50 includes an operation unit 53. The operation unit 53 slides the plunger 52 in the housing 51 by manual operation. The operation unit 53 is rotatably attached to the housing 51, for example, and is connected to the plunger 52 so that the rotation of the operation unit 53 is converted into a linear motion of the plunger 52. The operation unit 53 is configured as, for example, an operation lever.

In the present embodiment, when the operation unit 53 is rotated from the upper position to the lower position, the plunger 52 moves downward in the vertical direction and approaches the spear valve 21. On the other hand, when the operation unit 53 is rotated from the lower position to the upper position, the plunger 52 moves upward in the vertical direction and separates from the spear valve 21. Therefore, the plunger 52 is slidable between the upper position and the lower position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the dispense head 50 includes an on-off valve 54. The on-off valve 54 is arranged inside the second fluid inflow portion 514, that is, at the second fluid inflow port 517, and opens and closes the second fluid inflow port 517.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the on-off valve 54 of FIG. The on-off valve 54 includes a tubular portion 541, a spindle 542, a seal member 543, and a spring 544. The tubular portion 541 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The tubular portion 541 is fixed to the first fluid inflow portion 513.

Spindle 542 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The spindle 542 is arranged in the tubular portion 541 and extends in the axial direction of the tubular portion 541. The tip of the spindle 542 extends beyond the tip of the tubular portion 541. That is, the spindle 542 protrudes from the tubular portion 541.

The seal member 543 is arranged in a groove formed in the spindle 542 and extends around the spindle 542 inside the tubular portion 541. The seal member 543 moves integrally with the spindle 542.

The spring 544 is arranged in the tubular portion 541 so as to press the rear end portion of the spindle 542. The spring 544 urges the seal member 543 toward the step portion formed on the inner surface of the tubular portion 541 via the spindle 542.

By the urging force of the spring 544, the sealing member 543 comes into contact with the step portion of the tubular portion 541 and seals the space between the tubular portion 541 and the spindle 542. That is, the on-off valve 54 closes the second fluid inflow port 517. This makes it possible to prevent the gas supplied to the second fluid inflow port 517 from flowing into the space between the housing 51 and the plunger 52.

On the other hand, when the spindle 542 is moved into the cylinder portion 541 against the urging force of the spring 544, the seal member 543 is separated from the step portion of the cylinder portion 541. That is, the on-off valve 54 opens the second fluid inflow port 517. As a result, a space is created between the cylinder portion 541 and the spindle 542, and the gas supplied to the second fluid inflow port 517 flows into the space between the housing 51 and the plunger 52 through this space.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the dispense head 50 includes a first seal member 301, a second seal member 302, a third seal member 303, and a fourth seal member 304. The first seal member 301 and the second seal member 302 are respectively arranged in a circumferential groove formed on the inner surface of the main body portion 511 of the housing 51 and extend around the plunger 52. The first seal member 301 is arranged above the first fluid inflow portion 513 in the vertical direction. The second seal member 302 is arranged between the first fluid inflow portion 513 and the second fluid inflow portion 514 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the first seal member 301 is arranged above the second seal member 302 in the vertical direction, and is arranged farther from the spear valve 21 than the second seal member 302.

The third seal member 303 is arranged in a circumferential groove formed on the lower surface of the flange portion 512 of the housing 51. The third sealing member 303 abuts on the valve case 22 of the spear valve 21 and seals the space between the flange portion 512 and the valve case 22. This makes it possible to prevent the fluid flowing into the spear valve 21 from flowing out to the outside through between the flange portion 512 and the valve case 22.

The fourth seal member 304 is arranged on the outer surface of the plunger 52 and extends around the plunger 52. The fourth seal member 304 is arranged below the second recess 523 in the vertical direction and closer to the spear valve 21 than the second recess 523.

The spear valve 21 includes a fifth seal member 305, a sixth seal member 306, a first spring 401, and a second spring 402. The fifth seal member 305 is arranged around a step portion formed on the upper portion of the flange portion 231 of the gas flow path closing portion 23. The sixth seal member 306 is arranged inside the gas flow path closing portion 23 so as to abut the flange portion 231 of the gas flow path closing portion 23.

The first spring 401 is arranged around the gas flow path closing portion 23 so as to press the flange portion 231 of the gas flow path closing portion 23. The first spring 401 urges the gas flow path closing portion 23 upward toward the valve case 22 via the flange portion 231.

The second spring 402 is arranged around the beverage flow path closing portion 24 so as to press the flange portion 241 of the beverage flow path closing portion 24. The second spring 402 urges the beverage flow path closing portion 24 upward toward the gas flow path closing portion 23 via the flange portion 241.

The dispense head 50 is configured to switch the communication state between the first fluid inlet 516 and the second fluid inlet 517 and the fluid outlet 521. Specifically, the dispense head 50 switches these communication states by sliding the plunger 52 in the housing 51.

The plunger 52 has a first position for directly communicating the first fluid inlet 516 and the fluid outlet 521 and blocking the second fluid inlet 517 from the inside of the beverage container 20 and the fluid outlet 521, and a first fluid. Between the inside of the beverage container 20 and the second position where the inflow port 516 is blocked from the fluid outlet 521 and the second fluid inlet 517 and the fluid outlet 521 are communicated with each other through the inside of the beverage container 20. Sliding. In the present embodiment, the upper position of the plunger 52 corresponds to the first position, and the lower position of the plunger 52 corresponds to the second position.

By the way, after the supply of the beverage by the beverage supply system 1 is completed, the beverage is left in the flow path of the beverage. The remaining beverage causes deterioration of the beverage, propagation of microorganisms, and the like. Therefore, in order to prevent the taste of the beverage from deteriorating, it is necessary to wash the beverage supply system 1 on a regular basis.

In the present embodiment, when cleaning the beverage supply system 1, the user sets the position of the operation unit 53 to the upper position and opens the main plug of the water supply source 100. As a result, the plunger 52 is located at an upper position, and water is supplied to the first fluid inflow port 516. FIG. 2 shows the dispense head 50 when the plunger 52 is located in the upper position.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the plunger 52 is located in the upper position, the first seal member 301 is located above the first recess 522 and the second recess 523 in the vertical direction (axial direction). As a result, the first sealing member 301 comes into contact with the outer surface of the plunger 52 and seals the space between the housing 51 and the plunger 52. This makes it possible to prevent the water supplied to the first fluid inflow port 516 from flowing upward through between the housing 51 and the plunger 52.

On the other hand, when the plunger 52 is located at the upper position, the positions of the first recess 522 and the second seal member 302 in the vertical direction coincide with each other, and the second seal member 302 faces the first recess 522. As a result, a space is created between the second seal member 302 and the plunger 52, and the water supplied to the first fluid inflow port 516 moves downward toward the inside of the valve case 22 through this space.

Further, when the plunger 52 is located at the upper position, the positions of the second recess 523 and the second fluid inflow port 517 in the vertical direction (axial direction) coincide with each other, and the on-off valve 54 faces the second recess 523. As a result, a space is created between the spindle 542 of the on-off valve 54 and the plunger 52, and no force is generated to resist the urging force of the spring 544 of the on-off valve 54. Therefore, the on-off valve 54 closes the second fluid inflow port 517, and the gas supplied to the second fluid inflow port 517 cannot flow into the space between the housing 51 and the plunger 52.

Further, when the plunger 52 is located at the upper position, the fourth seal member 304 arranged on the outer surface of the plunger 52 does not come into contact with the gas flow path closing portion 23. Therefore, the fifth seal member 305 arranged at the upper end of the gas flow path closing portion 23 comes into contact with the valve case 22 by the urging force of the first spring 401, and the valve case 22 and the gas flow path closing portion 23 come into contact with each other. Seal the space between them. This makes it possible to prevent the water that has flowed into the valve case 22 through the space between the housing 51 and the plunger 52 from flowing between the valve case 22 and the gas flow path closing portion 23.

Further, when the plunger 52 is located at the upper position, the lower end portion of the plunger 52 does not come into contact with the beverage flow path closing portion 24. Therefore, the beverage flow path closing portion 24 comes into contact with the sixth seal member 306 by the urging force of the second spring 402, and the sixth seal member 306 is between the gas flow path closing portion 23 and the beverage flow path closing portion 24. Seal the space. This prevents the water that has flowed into the valve case 22 through the space between the housing 51 and the plunger 52 from flowing between the gas flow path closing portion 23 and the beverage flow path closing portion 24. Can be done.

The water flowing into the valve case 22 flows into the fluid outlet 521 through the space between the gas flow path closing portion 23 and the plunger 52 and the space between the drinking flow path closing portion 24 and the plunger 52. Therefore, when the plunger 52 is located in the upper position, the first fluid inlet 516 communicates directly with the fluid outlet 521, and the second fluid inlet 517 is blocked from the inside of the beverage container 20 and the fluid outlet 521. .. When the tap 32 is opened in this state, the water supplied from the water supply source 100 cleans the beverage flow path, that is, the dispense head 50, the beverage transfer path 70, and the beverage dispenser 30 (beverage introduction pipe 31 and tap 32). Then, it is discharged from the tap 32. The water discharged from the tap 32 is stored in a drainage container 200 pre-installed by the user.

Further, when the beverage contained in the beverage storage container 20 is exhausted and the beverage storage container 20 is replaced with a new beverage storage container, the position of the operation unit 53 is set to the upper position by the user. This makes it possible to prevent gas leakage when the beverage container 20 is replaced. When the beverage container 20 is replaced, the main plug of the water supply source 100 remains closed.

On the other hand, when the beverage in the beverage storage container 20 is supplied to the beverage transfer path 70 by gas, that is, when the beverage is supplied from the beverage dispenser 30, the position of the operation unit 53 is set to the lower position by the user. As a result, the plunger 52 is located in the lower position. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispense head 50 and the spear valve 21 when the plunger 52 is located at a lower position.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the plunger 52 is located in the lower position, the first seal member 301 is located above the first recess 522 and the second recess 523 in the vertical direction. As a result, the first sealing member 301 comes into contact with the outer surface of the plunger 52 and seals the space between the housing 51 and the plunger 52. As a result, even if water is supplied to the first fluid inflow port 516, it is possible to prevent the water from flowing upward through between the housing 51 and the plunger 52. The first seal member 301 comes into contact with the outer surface of the plunger 52 regardless of the sliding position of the plunger 52.

Further, when the plunger 52 is located in the lower position, the second seal member 302 is located above the first recess 522 and the second recess 523 in the vertical direction. As a result, the second seal member 302 comes into contact with the outer surface of the plunger 52 and seals the space between the housing 51 and the plunger 52. As a result, even if water is supplied to the first fluid inflow port 516, it is possible to prevent the water from flowing into the spear valve 21 through between the housing 51 and the plunger 52.

Further, when the plunger 52 moves from the upper position to the lower position, the spindle 542 of the on-off valve 54 is pressed by the slope of the second recess 523. As a result, the spindle 542 moves against the urging force of the spring 544, and the on-off valve 54 opens the second fluid inflow port 517. The valve open state of the on-off valve 54 is maintained by the outer surface of the plunger 52 pressing the spindle 542. Further, the movement of the fluid upward from the second fluid inflow port 517 is hindered by the second seal member 302. Therefore, the gas supplied to the second fluid inflow port 517 passes through the on-off valve 54 and flows into the inside of the spear valve 21 through the space between the housing 51 and the plunger 52.

Further, when the plunger 52 moves from the upper position to the lower position, the lower end portion of the plunger 52 presses the beverage flow path closing portion 24, and then the fourth seal member 304 arranged on the outer surface of the plunger 52 presses the gas flow path. Press the closure 23. As a result, the beverage flow path closing portion 24 moves against the urging force of the second spring 402, and a space is created between the sixth seal member 306 and the beverage flow path closing portion 24. After that, the gas flow path closing portion 23 moves against the urging force of the first spring 401, and a space is created between the fifth seal member 305 and the valve case 22.

Therefore, the gas that has flowed into the valve case 22 passes between the valve case 22 and the gas flow path closing portion 23 and flows into the inside of the beverage container 20. As a result, the liquid level of the beverage is pushed down by the gas, and the beverage rises through between the gas flow path closing portion 23 and the beverage flow path closing portion 24. The raised beverage flows into the fluid outlet 521 through the passage hole 527 formed at the lower end of the plunger 52.

Therefore, when the plunger 52 is located in the lower position, the first fluid inflow port 516 is blocked from the inside of the beverage storage container 20 and the fluid outflow port 521, and the second fluid inflow port 517 is passed through the inside of the beverage storage container 20. It communicates with the fluid outlet 521. When the tap 32 is opened in this state, the beverage supplied from the beverage container 20 by the gas is discharged from the tap 32 through the beverage transfer path 70.

As described above, the user sets the position of the operation unit 53 to the upper position when cleaning the beverage supply system 1. However, there is a risk that the user forgets to switch the operation unit 53 and water is supplied from the water supply source 100 to the dispense head 50 when the operation unit 53 is located at a lower position. Even in this case, in the present embodiment, the plunger 52 and the second seal member 302 prevent the inflow of water into the valve case 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the washing water from being mixed into the beverage in the beverage storage container 20 at the time of cleaning the beverage supply system 1 without detecting the position of the operation unit 53.

Further, in the present embodiment, the on-off valve 54 is arranged at the second fluid inflow port 517. As a result, it is possible to avoid a pressure loss when the water passes through the on-off valve 54, and it is possible to avoid a decrease in the detergency of the water.

<Second embodiment>
The beverage supply system according to the second embodiment is basically the same as the beverage supply system according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below focusing on parts different from the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the beverage supply system 1a according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The beverage supply system 1a includes one gas supply source 10, two beverage storage containers 20, two beverage dispensers 30, two gas supply channels 60, and two beverage transfer channels 70. In the second embodiment, the beverage is supplied from the two beverage dispensers 30 using one gas supply source 10. The beverages contained in the two beverage storage containers 20 may be different.

The gas supply source 10 has a first gas pressure reducing valve 11a and a second gas pressure reducing valve 11b. The first gas pressure reducing valve 11a is connected to one gas supply path 60, and the second gas pressure reducing valve 11b is connected to the other gas supply path 60. As a result, gas having different pressures can be supplied to the two beverage storage containers 20, and gas having a pressure suitable for the temperature of the beverage in the beverage storage container 20 can be supplied.

Further, the beverage supply system 1a includes one water supply source 100, one water pressure reducing valve 110, one water supply passage 90, and one branched water supply passage 120 branched from the water supply passage 90. The water supply channel 90 is connected to one dispense head 50, and the branch water supply channel 120 is connected to the other dispense head 50. The branched water supply path 120 branches from the water supply path 90 on the downstream side of the water pressure reducing valve 110. As a result, water having substantially the same water pressure can be supplied to the two dispense heads 50. The branch water supply path 120 may be connected to the water supply path 90 via a joint or the like. Further, the water pressure reducing valve 110 may be omitted.

In the second embodiment, one water supply source 100 can be used to simultaneously clean the two channels of the beverage of the beverage supply system 1a. When cleaning the two flow paths of the beverage at the same time, the user sets the position of the operation unit 53 of the two dispense heads 50 to the upper position and opens the main plug of the water supply source 100. Then, when the taps 32 of the two beverage dispensers 30 are opened, the two channels of the beverage are washed with water.

However, there is a risk that the user forgets to switch at least one of the operation units 53. Even in this case, the above-described configuration of the dispense head 50 prevents water from entering the inside of the beverage container 20. Further, when the user sets the position of the operation unit 53 of one dispense head 50 to the upper position and the position of the operation unit 53 of the other dispense head 50 to the lower position, water is set in the one beverage transfer path 70. Is supplied, and the beverage is supplied to the other beverage transfer channel 70. Therefore, it is possible to supply beverages from the other beverage dispenser 30 while cleaning one beverage dispenser 30. This makes it possible to periodically clean the flow path of the beverage without interrupting the supply of the beverage.

In the second embodiment, the two gas supply paths 60 may be connected to one gas pressure reducing valve. That is, the pressure of the gas supplied to the two gas supply passages 60 may be adjusted by one gas pressure reducing valve. Further, the number of beverage dispensers 30 and the like may be 3 or more. When the number of beverage dispensers 30 is N, the beverage supply system 1a includes N-1 branched water supply channels 120.

<Third Embodiment>
The beverage supply system according to the third embodiment is basically the same as the beverage supply system according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below focusing on parts different from the first embodiment.

6 and 7 are diagrams schematically showing the configuration of the beverage supply system 1b according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The beverage supply system 1b includes a gas supply source 10, a beverage storage container 20, a beverage dispenser 30, a control box 40, a dispense head 50, a first gas supply path 61, a second gas supply path 62, and a beverage transfer path 70. FIG. 7 includes a water supply path 90, a water supply source 100, and a water pressure reducing valve 110 showing the inside of the control box 40.

The first gas supply path 61 connects the gas supply source 10 and the second fluid inflow portion 514 of the dispense head 50. Therefore, the second fluid inflow port 517 communicates with the first gas supply path 61. The first gas supply path 61 functions in the same manner as the gas supply path 60 in the first embodiment.

The second gas supply path 62 is connected to the gas supply source 10. The first gas supply path 61 and the second gas supply path 62 are connected to the same gas pressure reducing valve 11 of the gas supply source 10, and the second gas supply path 62 branches from the first gas supply path 61. In the present embodiment, the second gas supply path 62 branches from the first gas supply path 61 between the gas pressure reducing valve 11 and the control box 40. The gas supply source may have two gas pressure reducing valves, and the first gas supply path 61 and the second gas supply path 62 may be connected to different gas pressure reducing valves of the gas supply source 10.

Similar to the first embodiment, the water supply path 90 connects the water supply source 100 and the first fluid inflow portion 513 of the dispense head 50. Further, the second gas supply path 62 connects the gas supply source 10 and the first fluid inflow portion 513 of the dispense head 50. Therefore, the first fluid inflow port 516 communicates with the water supply path 90 and the second gas supply path 62.

A part of the water supply path 90 and a part of the second gas supply path 62 are arranged in the control box 40 and hidden from the outside by the control box 40. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the water supply path 90 and the second gas supply path 62 are integrated into one shared flow path in the control box 40, and the shared flow path is the first of the dispense head 50. It is connected to the fluid inflow section 513. Therefore, the first fluid inflow portion 513 communicates with the common flow path.

The second gas supply path 62 is connected to the control box 40 via the first joint 41. The first joint 41 functions as a gas inlet of the control box 40. The water supply path 90 is connected to the control box 40 via the second joint 42. The second joint 42 functions as a water inlet of the control box 40. The shared flow path of the second gas supply path 62 and the water supply path 90 is connected to the control box 40 via the third joint 43. The third joint 43 functions as a fluid outlet of the control box 40. The second gas supply path 62 and the water supply path 90 may be separately connected to the first fluid inflow section 513 of the control box 40 and the dispense head 50.

The beverage supply system 1b further includes a control device 80. The control device 80 is arranged in the control box 40 and is hidden from the outside by the control box 40.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the control device 80 of FIG. 7. The control device 80 includes a memory 81, a peripheral circuit 82, and a processor 83. The memory 81 and the peripheral circuit 82 are connected to the processor 83 via a signal line. The control device 80 is configured as, for example, a microcomputer or a sequencer.

The memory 81 has, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory (for example, RAM) and a non-volatile semiconductor memory (for example, ROM). The memory 81 stores a program executed by the processor 83, various data used when various processes are executed by the processor 83, and the like.

The peripheral circuit 82 includes additional elements (for example, a timer, etc.) necessary for the processor 83 to execute various processes. The processor 83 has one or a plurality of CPUs (Central Processing Units) and executes various processes.

As shown in FIG. 7, the beverage supply system 1b further includes a gas on-off valve 63, a gas check valve 64, a water on-off valve 91, a water check valve 92, a flow rate sensor 44, and a warning device 45. These are arranged in the control box 40 and hidden from the outside by the control box 40. At least one of the gas check valve 64, the water check valve 92, and the water pressure reducing valve 110 may be omitted.

The gas on-off valve 63 is arranged in the second gas supply path 62 and opens and closes the second gas supply path 62. The gas on-off valve 63 is electrically connected to the control device 80, and the control device 80 controls the gas on-off valve 63. The gas on-off valve 63 is, for example, a solenoid valve.

The gas check valve 64 is arranged in the second gas supply path 62 to prevent backflow of gas (flow to the gas supply source 10). In the present embodiment, the gas check valve 64 is arranged in the second gas supply path 62 on the downstream side of the gas on-off valve 63.

The water on-off valve 91 is arranged in the water supply path 90 and opens and closes the water supply path 90. The water on-off valve 91 is electrically connected to the control device 80, and the control device 80 controls the water on-off valve 91. The water on-off valve 91 is, for example, a solenoid valve. The water on-off valve 91 is configured to close the water supply path 90 when the power is off and open the water supply path 90 when the power is on.

The water check valve 92 is arranged in the water supply path 90 to prevent backflow of water (flow to the water supply source 100). In the present embodiment, the water check valve 92 is arranged in the water supply path 90 on the downstream side of the water on-off valve 91. The water supply path 90 and the second gas supply path 62 are integrated into one common flow path on the downstream side of the gas check valve 64 and the water check valve 92.

The flow rate sensor 44 is arranged in the water supply path 90 and detects the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply path 90. In the present embodiment, the flow rate sensor 44 is arranged in the water supply path 90 on the upstream side of the water on-off valve 91. The flow rate sensor 44 is electrically connected to the control device 80, and the output of the flow rate sensor 44 is input to the control device 80. The flow rate sensor 44 may be arranged in the water supply path 90 on the downstream side of the water on-off valve 91 and the water check valve 92.

The warning device 45 outputs a warning. For example, the warning device 45 is configured as a sounding component such as a piezoelectric sounding component, and outputs a warning sound as a warning. The warning device 45 is electrically connected to the control device 80, and the control device 80 controls the warning device 45.

Conventionally, in the cleaning of the beverage supply system 1b, it has been considered that the cleaning power is enhanced by supplying a large amount of water at one time. On the other hand, as a result of diligent studies, the inventor of the present application has found that the detergency is enhanced by increasing the linear velocity of water to increase the energy of water. In order to increase the linear velocity of water, it is necessary to reduce the amount of water supplied at one time. However, when the amount of water is small, water cannot flow into the beverage transfer path 70 due to the resistance in the beverage transfer path 70.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control device 80 controls the water on-off valve 91 and the gas on-off valve 63 so that water and gas are alternately supplied to the beverage transfer path 70. Specifically, the control device 80 closes the gas on-off valve 63 and opens the water on-off valve 91 so that a reference amount of water is supplied from the water supply path 90 to the beverage transfer path 70, and gas for a predetermined time. Water bullet control is performed by alternately repeating opening the on-off valve 63 and closing the water on-off valve 91.

In the water bullet control, water and gas are intermittently supplied to the beverage transfer path 70, and so-called water bullet cleaning is performed. At this time, since the gas functions to push out water, a small amount of water can flow into the beverage transfer path 70. Therefore, the linear velocity of water can be increased, and the flow path of the beverage of the beverage supply system 1b can be efficiently cleaned with high detergency.

Further, the control device 80 calculates an estimated value of the amount of water supplied from the water supply path 90 to the beverage transfer path 70 in the water bullet control based on the output of the flow rate sensor 44, so that the estimated value reaches the reference amount. Controls the gas on-off valve 63 and the water on-off valve 91. That is, the control device 80 closes the gas on-off valve 63 and opens the water on-off valve 91 until the estimated value of the amount of water supplied from the water supply path 90 to the beverage transfer path 70 reaches the reference amount in the water bullet control. In other words, the control device 80 closes the water on-off valve 91 and the gas on-off valve 63 when the estimated value of the amount of water supplied from the water supply path 90 to the beverage transfer path 70 reaches the reference amount in the water bullet control. open. As a result, it is possible to suppress the amount of water supplied to the beverage transfer path 70 in the water bullet control from fluctuating due to a change in water pressure or the like, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in detergency in the water bullet control. Can be done.

However, when cleaning the beverage supply system 1b, the user may mistakenly set the position of the operation unit 53 of the dispense head 50 to the lower position. In this case, even if the water on-off valve 91 is opened and water is supplied to the dispense head 50, the above-described configuration of the dispense head 50 prevents water from entering the inside of the beverage storage container 20.

When the position of the operation unit 53 is set to the lower position during the water bullet control, the flow of water is blocked by the dispense head 50, and the amount of water supplied does not reach the reference amount. Further, if the tap 32 is closed due to an erroneous operation by the user during the water bullet control, the flow of water is blocked by the tap 32, and the water supply amount does not reach the reference amount. Therefore, the control device 80 warns when the time required for the estimated value of the amount of water supplied from the water supply path 90 to the beverage transfer path 70 to reach the reference amount in the water bullet control is longer than a predetermined time. Cause the device 45 to output a warning. As a result, the user can be made aware of the erroneous operation, and the user can be urged to perform cleaning in the correct procedure.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first gas supply path 61 for supplying the gas for supplying the beverage and the second gas supply path 62 for supplying the gas for cleaning the beverage supply system 1b are separately provided. ing. In this case, gas may be supplied to the dispense head 50 from the second gas supply path 62 only when the beverage supply system 1b is washed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the gas on-off valve 63 is configured to close the second gas supply path 62 when the power is off and open the second gas supply path 62 when the power is on.

<Washing process>
Hereinafter, the above-mentioned control will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control routine of the cleaning process according to the third embodiment. This control routine is repeatedly executed by the control device 80 (specifically, the processor 83).

First, in step S101, the control device 80 determines whether or not the cleaning mode has been selected by the user. When requesting cleaning of the beverage supply system 1, the user selects a cleaning mode via an input device. The input device is electrically connected to the control device 80 and is configured as, for example, a button 49 (see FIG. 6) provided on the outer surface of the control box 40. The control device 80 determines whether or not the cleaning mode is selected based on the output signal of the input device. If it is determined in step S101 that the cleaning mode has not been selected, the control routine ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that the cleaning mode has been selected, the control routine proceeds to step S102. In step S102, the water bullet control shown in FIG. 10 is executed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control routine for water bullet control. First, in step S201, the control device 80 opens the water on-off valve 91 and closes the gas on-off valve 63. Specifically, the control device 80 supplies electric power to the water on-off valve 91.

Next, in step S202, the control device 80 acquires the output of the flow rate sensor 44.

Next, in step S203, the control device 80 calculates an estimated value EA of the amount of water supplied from the water supply path 90 to the beverage transfer path 70 in the water bullet control based on the output of the flow rate sensor 44. Specifically, the control device 80 calculates the estimated value EA of the amount of water by integrating the flow rate of water detected by the flow rate sensor 44.

Next, in step S204, the control device 80 determines whether or not the estimated value EA of the amount of water is equal to or greater than the reference amount A. The reference amount A is predetermined based on the experimental results and the like so as to increase the detergency. If it is determined that the estimated water amount EA is less than the reference amount A, the control routine proceeds to step S208.

In step S208, the control device 80 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the water on-off valve 91 was opened and the gas on-off valve 63 was closed in step S201. The predetermined time is predetermined in consideration of the time required for the water supply amount to reach the reference amount A when the water pressure is low. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the control routine returns to step S202.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S208 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the control routine proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the control device 80 causes the warning device 45 to output a warning. For example, the control device 80 causes the warning device 45 to output a warning sound for a predetermined time. This notifies the user that an erroneous operation has been performed. After step S209, the control routine ends.

If it is determined in step S204 that the estimated value EA of the amount of water is equal to or greater than the reference amount A, the control routine proceeds to step S205. In step S205, the control device 80 closes the water on-off valve 91 and opens the gas on-off valve 63 for a predetermined time. Specifically, the control device 80 supplies electric power to the gas on-off valve 63 for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is predetermined based on the experimental results and the like so as to increase the detergency.

Next, in step S206, the control device 80 updates the number of executions N. Specifically, the control device 80 calculates a new number of executions N by adding 1 to the current number of executions N. The initial value of the number of executions N when this control routine is started is zero.

Next, in step S207, the control device 80 determines whether or not the number of executions N is equal to or greater than the threshold number of times Nth. The threshold number Nth is predetermined. If it is determined in step S207 that the number of executions N is less than the threshold number Nth, the control routine returns to step S201. That is, water bullet control is continued.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S207 that the number of executions N is equal to or greater than the threshold number of times Nth, the water bullet control ends, and the control routine proceeds to step S103 shown in FIG.

In step S103, the control device 80 executes water discharge control in order to quickly discharge the water left in the flow path of the beverage by the water bullet control. In the water discharge control, the control device 80 closes the water on-off valve 91 and opens the gas on-off valve 63 for a predetermined time. Specifically, the control device 80 supplies electric power to the gas on-off valve 63 for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is predetermined in consideration of the time required for discharging water by gas.

Next, in step S104, the control device 80 closes the gas on-off valve 63. Specifically, the control device 80 stops the power supply to the gas on-off valve 63.

Next, in step S105, the control device 80 causes the warning device 45 to output a termination alarm sound. At this time, even if the user forgets to close the tap 32, the gas on-off valve 63 is closed, so that gas leakage is prevented. After step S105, the control routine ends.

The warning device 45 may be configured as a display such as a liquid crystal panel and output a warning message as a warning. In this case, the warning device 45 is arranged on the outer surface of the control box 40, and in step S209 of FIG. 10, the control device 80 causes, for example, the warning device 45 to output a warning message for a predetermined time.

Further, the warning device 45 may be configured as a light emitting body such as a light emitting diode (LED) and output light as a warning. In this case, the warning device 45 is arranged on the outer surface of the control box 40, and in step S209 of FIG. 10, the control device 80 causes, for example, the warning device 45 to output light for a predetermined time.

<Fourth Embodiment>
The beverage supply system according to the fourth embodiment is basically the same as the beverage supply system according to the third embodiment. Therefore, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below focusing on the parts different from the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the beverage supply system 1c according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The beverage supply system 1c includes one gas supply source 10, two beverage storage containers 20, two beverage dispensers 30, two gas supply channels 60, and two beverage transfer channels 70. In the fourth embodiment, the beverage is supplied from the two beverage dispensers 30 using one gas supply source 10. The beverages contained in the two beverage storage containers 20 may be different.

The gas supply source 10 has a first gas pressure reducing valve 11a and a second gas pressure reducing valve 11b. The first gas pressure reducing valve 11a is connected to one first gas supply path 61, and the second gas pressure reducing valve 11b is connected to the other first gas supply path 61. As a result, gas having different pressures can be supplied to the two beverage storage containers 20, and gas having a pressure suitable for the temperature of the beverage in the beverage storage container 20 can be supplied.

Further, the beverage supply system 1c includes one control box 40, one second gas supply path 62, one water supply source 100, one water pressure reducing valve 110, and one water supply path 90. .. Similar to the third embodiment, the water supply path 90 and the second gas supply path 62 are integrated into one common flow path in the control box 40, and the common flow path is integrated into the first fluid inflow portion 513 of the dispense head 50. Be connected.

Further, the beverage supply system 1c includes a branched shared flow path 130 branched from the shared flow path. The shared flow path is connected to one dispense head 50, and the branch shared flow path 130 is connected to the other dispense head 50. The branch shared flow path 130 branches from the shared flow path on the downstream side of the control box 40. Therefore, by controlling the water on-off valve 91 in the control box 40, it is possible to simultaneously control the supply of water to the water supply path 90 and the branch water supply path 120.

In the fourth embodiment, one water supply source 100 can be used to simultaneously clean the two channels of the beverage of the beverage supply system 1c. When cleaning the two channels of the beverage at the same time, the user sets the position of the operation unit 53 of the two dispense heads 50 to the upper position and opens the two taps 32. Then, when the washing mode is selected, the two channels of the beverage are washed by water bullet washing.

However, there is a risk that the user forgets to switch at least one of the operation units 53. Even in this case, the above-described configuration of the dispense head 50 prevents water from entering the inside of the beverage container 20. Further, when the user sets the position of the operation unit 53 of one dispense head 50 to the upper position and the position of the operation unit 53 of the other dispense head 50 to the lower position, water is set in the one beverage transfer path 70. And gas are supplied, and the beverage is supplied to the other beverage transfer channel 70. Therefore, it is possible to supply beverages from the other beverage dispenser 30 while cleaning one beverage dispenser 30. This makes it possible to periodically clean the flow path of the beverage without interrupting the supply of the beverage.

Note that the two first gas supply paths 61 may be connected to one gas pressure reducing valve. That is, the pressure of the gas supplied to the two first gas supply passages 61 may be adjusted by one gas pressure reducing valve. Further, the number of beverage dispensers 30 and the like may be 3 or more. When the number of beverage dispensers 30 is N, the beverage supply system 1c includes N-1 branch shared channels 130.

<Fifth Embodiment>
The beverage supply system according to the fifth embodiment is basically the same as the beverage supply system according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below focusing on the parts different from the first embodiment.

12 to 14 are schematic partial cross-sectional views of the dispense head 50'and the spear valve 21 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 12 to 14 show a dispense head 50'attached to the spear valve 21.

The spear valve 21 includes a valve case 22, a gas flow path closing portion 23, a beverage flow path closing portion 24, a fifth sealing member 305, a sixth sealing member 306, a first spring 401, and a second spring 402, and is first implemented. It has the same configuration as the form.

The dispense head 50' includes a housing 51'and a plunger 52'arranged in the housing 51'. The housing 51'includes a main body portion 511, a flange portion 512, a first fluid inflow portion 513, and a second fluid inflow portion 514.

The flange portion 512 is connected to the lower end portion of the main body portion 511 and extends radially outward from the main body portion 511. The flange portion 512 is inserted into the engagement groove 221 formed on the upper portion of the valve case 22 of the spear valve 21 and engages with the engagement groove 221. As a result, the dispense head 50'is attached to the spear valve 21. For example, the user inserts the flange portion 512 into the engagement groove 221 by rotating the housing 51'in the circumferential direction.

The first fluid inflow portion 513 and the second fluid inflow portion 514 are each connected to the side surface of the main body portion 511 and extend radially outward from the main body portion 511. The first fluid inflow portion 513 and the second fluid inflow portion 514 are separated from each other in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the main body portion 511. The first fluid inflow section 513 is arranged above the second fluid inflow section 514 in the vertical direction and is located farther from the spear valve 21 than the second fluid inflow section 514. The first fluid inflow portion 513 and the second fluid inflow portion 514 may be arranged at the same position in the circumferential direction of the main body portion 511.

The plunger 52'has a substantially cylindrical shape and is arranged in the main body portion 511 of the housing 51'. The plunger 52'has a fluid outlet 521. The fluid outlet 521 extends in the axial direction of the plunger 52'and communicates with the inside of the spear valve 21. The upper end of the main body 511 is connected to the beverage transfer path 70. Therefore, the fluid outlet 521 communicates with the beverage transfer path 70. The upper end of the main body 511 may be connected to the beverage transfer path 70 via a joint or the like.

The plunger 52'has a recess 522a. The recess 522a is formed on the outer surface of the plunger 52'and extends in the circumferential direction of the plunger 52'.

Further, the plunger 52'has a spherical member 524, a protrusion 525, and a step portion 526. The spherical member 524, the protrusion 525, and the step portion 526 function as a backflow prevention mechanism for preventing the backflow of the fluid from the fluid outlet 521 to the inside of the spear valve 21, as in the first embodiment.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the dispense head 50'includes an operation unit 53. The operation unit 53 slides the plunger 52'in the housing 51'by manual operation. The operation unit 53 is rotatably attached to, for example, the housing 51'and is connected to the plunger 52'so that the rotation of the operation unit 53 is converted into a linear motion of the plunger 52'. The operation unit 53 is configured as, for example, an operation lever.

In the fifth embodiment, the operation unit 53 can rotate between the upper position, the intermediate position, and the lower position. When the operation unit 53 is rotated from the upper position to the lower position via the intermediate position, the plunger 52'moves downward in the vertical direction and approaches the spear valve 21. On the other hand, when the operation unit 53 is rotated from the lower position to the upper position via the intermediate position, the plunger 52'moves upward in the vertical direction and separates from the spear valve 21. Therefore, the plunger 52'is slidable between the upper position, the intermediate position and the lower position.

Further, the dispense head 50'is provided with an on-off valve 54 as in the first embodiment. The on-off valve 54 is arranged inside the second fluid inflow portion 514, that is, at the second fluid inflow port 517, and opens and closes the second fluid inflow port 517.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the dispense head 50'includes a first seal member 301, a second seal member 302, a third seal member 303, a fourth seal member 304, and a seventh seal member 307. .. The first seal member 301, the second seal member 302, and the seventh seal member 307 are respectively arranged in a circumferential groove formed on the inner surface of the main body portion 511 of the housing 51'and extend around the plunger 52'. ..

The first seal member 301 is arranged above the first fluid inflow portion 513 in the vertical direction. The second seal member 302 is arranged between the first fluid inflow portion 513 and the second fluid inflow portion 514 in the vertical direction. The seventh seal member 307 is arranged below the second fluid inflow portion 514 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the first seal member 301 is arranged at the uppermost position in the vertical direction, the second seal member 302 is arranged between the first seal member 301 and the seventh seal member 307 in the vertical direction, and the seventh seal member 307 is arranged. It is placed at the bottom in the vertical direction.

The third seal member 303 is arranged in the circumferential groove formed on the lower surface of the flange portion 512 of the housing 51'. The third sealing member 303 abuts on the valve case 22 of the spear valve 21 and seals the space between the flange portion 512 and the valve case 22. This makes it possible to prevent the fluid flowing into the spear valve 21 from flowing out to the outside through between the flange portion 512 and the valve case 22.

The fourth seal member 304 is arranged on the outer surface of the plunger 52'and extends around the plunger 52'. The fourth seal member 304 is arranged below the recess 522a in the vertical direction and closer to the spear valve 21 than the recess 522a.

The dispense head 50'is configured to switch the communication state between the first fluid inlet 516 and the second fluid inlet 517 and the fluid outlet 521. Specifically, the dispense head 50'switches these communication states by sliding the plunger 52'in the housing 51'.

The plunger 52'is a first position that directly communicates the first fluid inlet 516 and the fluid outlet 521 and shuts off the second fluid inlet 517 from the inside of the beverage storage container 20 and the fluid outlet 521, and a first position. A second position and a second position in which the fluid inlet 516 is blocked from the inside of the beverage storage container 20 and the fluid outlet 521 and the second fluid inlet 517 and the fluid outlet 521 are communicated with each other through the inside of the beverage storage container 20. It slides between the inside of the beverage storage container 20 and the third position that shuts off the first fluid inlet 516 and the second fluid inlet 517 from the fluid outlet 521. In the present embodiment, the upper position of the plunger 52'corresponds to the third position, the intermediate position of the plunger 52'corresponds to the first position, and the lower position of the plunger 52'corresponds to the second position.

In the fifth embodiment, when the beverage contained in the beverage storage container 20 is exhausted and the beverage storage container 20 is replaced with a new beverage storage container, the user sets the position of the operation unit 53 to the upper position. As a result, the plunger 52'is located in the upper position. FIG. 12 shows the dispense head 50'when the plunger'is located in the upper position.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the plunger 52'is located in the upper position, the first seal member 301 is located above the recess 522a in the vertical direction (axial direction). As a result, the first sealing member 301 comes into contact with the outer surface of the plunger 52'and seals the space between the housing 51' and the plunger 52'. As a result, even if water is supplied to the first fluid inflow port 516, it is possible to prevent the water from flowing upward through between the housing 51'and the plunger 52'.

Further, when the plunger 52'is located in the upper position, the seventh seal member 307 is located between the recess 522a and the fourth seal member 304 in the vertical direction. As a result, the seventh sealing member 307 abuts on the outer surface of the plunger 52'and seals the space between the housing 51' and the plunger 52'. As a result, even if water is supplied to the first fluid inflow port 516, it is possible to prevent the water from flowing into the spear valve 21 through between the housing 51'and the plunger 52'. Therefore, the first seal member 301 and the seventh seal member 307 can prevent water leakage when the beverage container 20 is replaced.

Further, when the plunger 52'is located at the upper position, the positions of the recess 522a and the second fluid inflow port 517 in the vertical direction coincide with each other, and the on-off valve 54 faces the recess 522a. As a result, a space is created between the spindle 542 of the on-off valve 54 and the plunger 52', and no force is generated to resist the urging force of the spring 544 of the on-off valve 54. Therefore, the on-off valve 54 closes the second fluid inflow port 517, and the gas supplied to the second fluid inflow port 517 cannot flow into the space between the housing 51'and the plunger 52'. This makes it possible to prevent gas leakage when the beverage container 20 is replaced.

Therefore, when the plunger 52'is located in the upper position, the first fluid inflow port 516 and the second fluid inflow port 517 are blocked from the inside of the beverage container 20 and the fluid outflow port 521. In this state, the dispense head 50'is detached from the spear valve 21 and the beverage container 20 is replaced.

When cleaning the beverage supply system 1, the user sets the position of the operation unit 53 to an intermediate position and opens the main plug of the water supply source 100. As a result, the plunger 52'is located at an intermediate position and water is supplied to the first fluid inflow port 516. FIG. 13 shows the dispense head 50'when the plunger 52'is located in the intermediate position.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the plunger 52'is located at the intermediate position, the first seal member 301 is located above the recess 522a in the vertical direction. As a result, the first sealing member 301 comes into contact with the outer surface of the plunger 52'and seals the space between the housing 51' and the plunger 52'. This makes it possible to prevent the water supplied to the first fluid inflow port 516 from flowing upward through between the housing 51'and the plunger 52'.

On the other hand, when the plunger 52'is located at the intermediate position, the positions of the recess 522a and the second seal member 302 and the seventh seal member 307 in the vertical direction coincide with each other, and the second seal member 302 and the seventh seal member 307 are recessed. Facing 522a. As a result, a space is created between the second seal member 302 and the seventh seal member 307 and the plunger 52', and the water supplied to the first fluid inflow port 516 goes to the inside of the valve case 22 through this space. And move down.

Further, when the plunger 52'is located at the intermediate position, the positions of the recess 522a and the second fluid inflow port 517 in the vertical direction coincide with each other, and the on-off valve 54 faces the recess 522a. As a result, a space is created between the spindle 542 of the on-off valve 54 and the plunger 52', and no force is generated to resist the urging force of the spring 544 of the on-off valve 54. Therefore, the on-off valve 54 closes the second fluid inflow port 517, and the gas supplied to the second fluid inflow port 517 cannot flow into the space between the housing 51'and the plunger 52'.

Further, when the plunger 52'is located at the intermediate position, the fourth seal member 304 arranged on the outer surface of the plunger 52'does not come into contact with the gas flow path closing portion 23. Therefore, the fifth seal member 305 arranged at the upper end of the gas flow path closing portion 23 comes into contact with the valve case 22 by the urging force of the first spring 401, and the valve case 22 and the gas flow path closing portion 23 come into contact with each other. Seal the space between them. This makes it possible to prevent the water that has flowed into the valve case 22 through the space between the housing 51 and the plunger 52 from flowing between the valve case 22 and the gas flow path closing portion 23.

Further, when the plunger 52'is located at the intermediate position, the lower end portion of the plunger 52 does not come into contact with the beverage flow path closing portion 24. Therefore, the beverage flow path closing portion 24 comes into contact with the sixth seal member 306 by the urging force of the second spring 402, and the sixth seal member 306 is between the gas flow path closing portion 23 and the beverage flow path closing portion 24. Seal the space. This prevents the water that has flowed into the valve case 22 through the space between the housing 51'and the plunger 52' from flowing between the gas flow path closing portion 23 and the beverage flow path closing portion 24. can do.

The water flowing into the valve case 22 flows into the fluid outlet 521 through the space between the gas flow path closing portion 23 and the plunger 52'and the space between the drinking flow path closing portion 24 and the plunger 52'. .. Therefore, when the plunger 52'is located in the intermediate position, the first fluid inlet 516 communicates directly with the fluid outlet 521, and the second fluid inlet 517 is blocked from the inside of the beverage container 20 and the fluid outlet 521. The fluid. When the tap 32 is opened in this state, the water supplied from the water supply source 100 passes through the beverage flow path, that is, the dispense head 50', the beverage transfer path 70, and the beverage dispenser 30 (beverage introduction pipe 31 and tap 32). It is washed and discharged from the tap 32. The water discharged from the tap 32 is stored in a drainage container 200 pre-installed by the user.

When the beverage in the beverage storage container 20 is supplied to the beverage transfer path 70 by gas, that is, when the beverage is supplied from the beverage dispenser 30, the position of the operation unit 53 is set to the lower position by the user. As a result, the plunger 52'is located in the lower position. FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispense head 50'and the spear valve 21 when the plunger 52'is located at the lower position.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the plunger 52'is located in the lower position, the first seal member 301 is located above the recess 522a in the vertical direction. As a result, the first sealing member 301 comes into contact with the outer surface of the plunger 52'and seals the space between the housing 51' and the plunger 52'. As a result, even if water is supplied to the first fluid inflow port 516, it is possible to prevent the water from flowing upward through between the housing 51'and the plunger 52'. The first seal member 301 comes into contact with the outer surface of the plunger 52'regardless of the sliding position of the plunger 52'.

Further, when the plunger 52'is located in the lower position, the second seal member 302 is located above the recess 522a in the vertical direction. As a result, the second sealing member 302 comes into contact with the outer surface of the plunger 52'and seals the space between the housing 51' and the plunger 52'. As a result, even if water is supplied to the first fluid inflow port 516, it is possible to prevent the water from flowing into the spear valve 21 through between the housing 51'and the plunger 52'.

Further, when the plunger 52'moves from the intermediate position to the lower position, the spindle 542 of the on-off valve 54 is pressed by the slope of the recess 522a. As a result, the spindle 542 moves against the urging force of the spring 544, and the on-off valve 54 opens the second fluid inflow port 517. The valve open state of the on-off valve 54 is maintained by the outer surface of the plunger 52'pressing the spindle 542. Further, the movement of the fluid upward from the second fluid inflow port 517 is hindered by the second seal member 302. Therefore, the gas supplied to the second fluid inflow port 517 passes through the on-off valve 54 and flows into the inside of the spear valve 21 through the space between the housing 51'and the plunger 52'.

Further, when the plunger 52'moves from the intermediate position to the lower position, the lower end portion of the plunger 52 presses the beverage flow path closing portion 24, and then the fourth seal member 304 arranged on the outer surface of the plunger 52'is gas. Press the flow path closing portion 23. As a result, the beverage flow path closing portion 24 moves against the urging force of the second spring 402, and a space is created between the sixth seal member 306 and the beverage flow path closing portion 24. After that, the gas flow path closing portion 23 moves against the urging force of the first spring 401, and a space is created between the fifth seal member 305 and the valve case 22.

Therefore, the gas that has flowed into the valve case 22 passes between the valve case 22 and the gas flow path closing portion 23 and flows into the inside of the beverage container 20. As a result, the liquid level of the beverage is pushed down by the gas, and the beverage rises through between the gas flow path closing portion 23 and the beverage flow path closing portion 24. The raised beverage flows into the fluid outlet 521 through the passage hole 527 formed at the lower end of the plunger 52'.

Therefore, when the plunger 52'is located in the lower position, the first fluid inflow port 516 is blocked from the inside of the beverage storage container 20 and the fluid outflow port 521, and the second fluid inflow port 517 is passed through the inside of the beverage storage container 20. Communicate with the fluid outlet 521. When the tap 32 is opened in this state, the beverage supplied from the beverage container 20 by the gas is discharged from the tap 32 through the beverage transfer path 70.

As described above, the user sets the position of the operation unit 53 to the intermediate position when cleaning the beverage supply system 1. However, there is a possibility that the user forgets to switch the operation unit 53 and water is supplied from the water supply source 100 to the dispense head 50'when the operation unit 53 is located at the upper position or the lower position. Even in this case, in the present embodiment, the plunger 52', the second seal member 302, and the seventh seal member 307 prevent the inflow of water into the valve case 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the washing water from being mixed into the beverage in the beverage storage container 20 at the time of cleaning the beverage supply system 1 without detecting the position of the operation unit 53.

<Other Embodiments>
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, the positional relationship between the first fluid inflow section 513 connected to the water supply path 90 and the second fluid inflow section 514 connected to the gas supply path 60 may be reversed. That is, the first fluid inflow port 516 may be arranged on the downstream side of the second fluid inflow port 517, and the on-off valve 54 may be arranged on the first fluid inflow port 516. In this case, with respect to the dispense head 50 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the user sets the position of the operation unit 53 to the lower position when cleaning the beverage supply system 1 and the position of the operation unit 53 to the upper position when the beverage is supplied. Set to. Further, with respect to the dispense head 50'shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the user sets the position of the operation unit 53 to the lower position when cleaning the beverage supply system 1, and sets the position of the operation unit 53 to the intermediate position when the beverage is supplied. Set to.

Further, in the dispense head 50, the correspondence between the position of the operation unit 53 and the position of the plunger 52 may be different. For example, the dispense head 50 may be configured so that the position of the plunger 52 is in the upper position when the position of the operation unit 53 is in the lower position. The same applies to the dispense head 50'.

Further, in the dispense head 50, the first fluid inflow port 516 and the second fluid inflow port 517 may be arranged at the same position in the axial direction of the main body portion 511 of the housing 51 and may be separated in the circumferential direction of the main body portion 511. .. In this case, for example, two sealing members are arranged on the inner surface of the main body 511, and when the plunger 52 is located in the upper position, one sealing member surrounds the second fluid inflow port 517 and the plunger 52 is in the lower position. The other sealing member surrounds the first fluid inlet 516 when in position. When the first fluid inflow port 516 and the second fluid inflow port 517 are selectively sealed by the sealing member in this way, the on-off valve 54 may be omitted.

Further, the above-described embodiments can be implemented in any combination. That is, the dispense head 50'in the fifth embodiment may be used in the second to fourth embodiments.

1, 1a, 1b, 1c Beverage supply system 10 Gas supply source 20 Beverage storage container 30 Beverage dispenser 50, 50'Dispens head 51, 51'Housing 52, 52' Plunger 53 Operation unit 516 First fluid inlet 517 Second fluid Inlet 521 Fluid outlet 60 Gas supply path 61 1st gas supply path 62 2nd gas supply path 70 Beverage transfer path 80 Controller 90 Water supply path 100 Water supply source

Claims

A dispense head that can be attached to a beverage container.
A housing having a first fluid inlet communicating with a water supply passage for supplying water and a second fluid inlet communicating with a gas supply passage for supplying gas.
A plunger that is located in the housing and has a fluid outlet that communicates with a beverage transfer path that transfers the beverage in the beverage storage container.
It is provided with an operation unit for sliding the plunger in the housing by manual operation.
The plunger has a first position for directly communicating the first fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and blocking the second fluid inlet from the inside of the beverage container and the fluid outlet, and the first position. Between the inside of the beverage container and the second position where the fluid inlet is blocked from the fluid outlet and the second fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are communicated with each other through the inside of the beverage container. Sliding, fluid head.
An on-off valve for opening and closing the second fluid inflow port is further provided.
The on-off valve according to claim 1, wherein the on-off valve closes the second fluid inlet when the plunger is in the first position and opens the second fluid inlet when the plunger is in the second position. Dispensed head.
The plunger is between the first position, the second position, and the third position that shuts off the first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet from the inside of the beverage container and the fluid outlet. The dispens head according to claim 1 or 2, which slides in.
Water supply channels connected to water sources and
The first gas supply path connected to the gas supply source and
Beverage transfer channels connected to beverage dispensers and
Equipped with a dispense head attached to the beverage container,
The dispense head
A housing having a first fluid inlet communicating with the water supply passage and a second fluid inlet communicating with the first gas supply passage.
A plunger that is located in the housing and has a fluid outlet that communicates with the beverage transfer path.
It is provided with an operation unit for sliding the plunger in the housing by manual operation.
The plunger has a first position for directly communicating the first fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and blocking the second fluid inlet from the inside of the beverage container and the fluid outlet, and the first position. Between the inside of the beverage container and the second position where the fluid inlet is blocked from the fluid outlet and the second fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are communicated with each other through the inside of the beverage container. Sliding, beverage supply system.
A water on-off valve that opens and closes the water supply path,
A second gas supply path connected to the gas supply source and
A gas on-off valve that opens and closes the second gas supply path,
A control device for controlling the water on-off valve and the gas on-off valve is further provided.
The first fluid inflow port communicates with the water supply path and the second gas supply path.
The water on-off valve is configured to close the water supply path when de-energized and open the water supply path when energized, and the gas on-off valve closes the second gas supply path when de-energized and the second gas supply path when energized. The beverage supply system according to claim 4, which is configured to open a gas supply channel.
The beverage supply system according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a branched water supply channel branched from the water supply channel.
The beverage supply system according to claim 5, wherein the water supply path and the second gas supply path are integrated into a common flow path, and the first fluid inflow port is connected to the common flow path.
The beverage supply system according to claim 7, further comprising a branched shared flow path branched from the shared flow path.