Beverage supply device

Abstract

A beverage dispensing device 1 comprises a control unit 14, a recording holder 24, and a reading unit 28. The control unit 14 is configured to execute a liquid dispensing mode for supplying liquid for beverages from a container 2 to a flow channel 4. The container 2 is filled with the liquid. The recording holder 24 is configured to be attached to the container 2. The reading unit 28 is configured to read information from the recording holder 24 and transmit the information to the control unit 14. The recording holder 24 contains unique information B1 about the container 2 and information about a use-by date C1 of the liquid with which the container 2 is filled. The unique information B1 includes a serial number B1a, a batch number B1b, and a manufacturer's number B1c of the liquid.The control unit 14 determines, based on one or more of the serial number B1a, batch number B1b and manufacturer number B1c read by the reading unit 28, whether the liquid is a permissible product or not, and does not allow the liquid supply mode to be executed if the liquid is not a permissible product.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage supply device and in particular a beverage supply device in which a container which is to be filled with a liquid for beverages is installed. Technical background

[0002] A container, i.e., a milk carton, which stores a liquid for beverages, for example, milk to be mixed with liquid coffee, is installed in a beverage supply device, for example, a coffee machine. Patent document 1 discloses a coffee machine with a milk carton arranged in a milk cooler. The milk cooler contains a cooling chamber for storing milk at a low temperature and is provided on a milk supply section formed in the coffee machine.

[0003] Standard milk cartons are used. The refrigerated chamber is filled with the appropriate number of milk cartons. A milk intake tube is inserted into a milk carton, and a specific quantity of milk is drawn from it using a pump section. Furthermore, milk does not necessarily have to be stored in a standard milk carton. An operator can open a milk carton and transfer the milk from it to a large-capacity milk tank for storage. State-of-the-art document Patent document

[0004] Patent document 1: Japanese patent no. 5730042 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] According to patent document 1, an operator manually installs a milk carton and refills a milk tank in the beverage dispensing device with milk at any time. The operator can therefore use a different type of milk for refilling than the permitted milk. Furthermore, a milk carton can be installed after its use-by date, or a milk tank can be refilled with milk from a milk carton past its use-by date.

[0006] Furthermore, even if the use-by date has not yet arrived at the time of refilling, milk that will be past its use-by date after refilling can still be used. Traditionally, there was no way to acknowledge these types of actions or omissions, and therefore it is not possible to precisely control the quality of the liquid for beverages.

[0007] The present invention was developed with such a problem in mind. One object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispensing device that, by precisely managing the quality of the beverage liquid, enables the user to be provided with a reliable and safe beverage. Means of solving the problems

[0008] To solve the above problem, a beverage dispensing device according to the present invention is a beverage dispensing device in which a container configured to be filled with a beverage liquid is installed. The beverage dispensing device includes: a control unit; a recording holder; and a reading unit. The control unit is configured to execute a liquid supply mode for supplying the liquid from the container to a flow channel. The recording holder is configured to be attached to the container. The reading unit is configured to read information from the recording holder and transmit the information to the control unit. The recording holder contains individual information about the container and information about the expiration date of the liquid with which the container is filled.The individual information contains a serial number, a batch number, and a manufacturer's number for the liquid. Based on one or more of the serial numbers, batch numbers, and manufacturer's numbers read by the reading unit, the control unit determines whether the liquid is a permissible product or not, and prevents the liquid supply mode from being executed if the liquid is not a permissible product.

[0009] Additionally, a recording table containing individual information and information about the consumption date read by the reading unit is stored in the control unit, and the control unit executes the liquid supply mode based on the information recorded in the recording table.

[0010] Furthermore, the control unit determines whether the individual information newly read by the reading unit matches the individual information recorded in the recording table or not, and does not allow the liquid supply mode to be executed if the individual information pieces match.

[0011] Furthermore, the control unit determines whether a read date of the record holder by the reading unit is the consumption date recorded in the record table or earlier, and does not allow the liquid supply mode to be executed if the read date is not the consumption date or earlier.

[0012] Furthermore, the control unit calculates an expiration date of the liquid by adding a number of days that allow the use of the liquid to the reading date, determines whether the expiration date is the use-by date or earlier, and allows the liquid supply mode to run until the use-by date if the expiration date is not the use-by date or earlier, while it allows the liquid supply mode to run until the expiration date if the expiration date is the use-by date or earlier.

[0013] Furthermore, the control unit issues an instruction to replace the container with the new one if executing the liquid supply mode is not permitted.

[0014] Furthermore, a large number of beverage supply devices are used, and the information parts in a large number of the recording tables stored in the control units of the respective beverage supply devices are divided between the respective beverage supply devices. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0015] A beverage supply device according to the present invention makes it possible to provide a user with a reliable and safe beverage by managing the quality of the liquid most precisely. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a representation of an internal configuration of a beverage supply device. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a container. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of an inner bag contained within the container. Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view from the front of a container stored in a storage chamber. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective side view of a container stored in a storage chamber, as shown from one side, according to a modification example. Fig. Figure 6 is a conceptual representation that illustrates information held by a barcode. Fig. Figure 7 is a conceptual representation illustrating a type table and recording table stored in a control unit and the pieces of information recorded in those respective tables. Fig. Figure 8 is a flowchart that describes an execution feasibility sequence of a milk feeding mode. Fig. 9(a) is a time diagram showing a state from step S6 in Fig. 8 illustrates, and Fig. 9(b) is a time diagram showing a state from step S8 in Fig. 8 illustrates. Fig. Figure 10 is an exterior view of a beverage supply device according to a modification example. Method of carrying out the invention

[0016] A beverage supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 is a representation of an internal configuration of a beverage supply device. The in Fig. The beverage supply device shown in Figure 1 is a milk unit that supplies milk to a coffee machine (not shown). Milk is added from the milk unit to the liquid coffee prepared by the coffee machine, thus providing a user with coffee containing milk as a beverage.

[0017] A container 2 filled with milk is installed in the beverage supply device 1. A milk flow channel 4 is connected to the container 2. A pump 6, a diverter valve 8, and a warmer 10 are interposed in the flow channel 4 in the order of the milk flow direction. When hot milk is being produced, milk drawn from the container 2 by the pump 6 is fed to the warmer 10 by switching the diverter valve 8 to the warmer 10, and then dispensed from a nozzle (not shown) of the coffee machine into a cup (not shown).

[0018] In contrast, when cold milk is produced, the diverter valve 8 is switched to bypass the warmer 10, i.e., it switches to the point where the flow channel 4 enters, thus supplying unheated milk from the coffee machine nozzle to a cup. The beverage supply device 1 also includes a control unit 14. The control unit 14 operates a milk supply mode (liquid supply mode) to supply milk from the container 2 to the flow channel 4. Specifically, the pump 6, the diverter valve 8, and the warmer 10 described above are electrically connected to the control unit 14. In the milk supply mode, they are each actuated as needed by a command from the control unit 14.

[0019] This delivers a predetermined quantity of milk at a predetermined temperature to a cup from the side of the coffee machine's nozzle at a predetermined time. It should be noted that the beverage dispensing device 1 may be equipped with a flow channel cleaning system (not shown) for the regular automatic cleaning of the flow channel 4. In this case, the control unit 14 executes a cleaning mode to clean the flow channel 4 by supplying a cleaning agent to the flow channel 4.

[0020] Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of container 2 and Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of an inner bag 18 contained in the container 2. The container 2, according to the present embodiment, has a shape known as a bag-in-box (BIB). The container 2 contains the inner bag 18, made of plastic or the like, which is housed in an outer packaging 16 formed from a ribbed container or the like. An opening 22 is formed in the inner bag 18, which can be opened and closed using a cap 20. The milk with which the inner bag 18 is filled is fed through the opening 22 to the flow channel 4. Additionally, a sticker bearing a barcode (record holder) 24 is affixed to the outer packaging 16 of the container 2. The barcode 24 is, for example, as shown in Fig. Figure 2 shows a two-dimensional code. It should be noted that the barcode 24 may be printed directly onto the outer packaging 16.

[0021] Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view from the front of the container 2 stored in a storage chamber 26. The storage chamber 26 for the container 2 is formed in the beverage supply device 1, and a reading unit 28 is installed on a side wall 26a of the storage chamber 26. The reading unit 28 is electrically connected to the control unit 14. The reading unit 28 reads information from the barcode 24 and transmits the information read from the barcode 24 to the control unit 14.

[0022] Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective side view of container 2 stored in storage chamber 26, according to a modification example. It is even possible to change the position of the reading unit 28 depending on the position of the barcode 24 at the time when container 2 is stored in storage chamber 26. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the reading unit 28 can be installed on a rear wall 26b of the storage chamber 26. In the Fig. 4 and Fig. In the case shown in Figure 5, the reading unit 28 is a barcode reader. The reading unit 28 and the barcode 24 are secured at a suitable distance from each other by simply placing the container 2 on a rack provided in the storage chamber 26. It is possible to read the barcode 24 automatically.

[0023] Fig. Figure 6 illustrates a conceptual representation depicting information provided by barcode 24. Barcode 24 records and contains information such as type information A1 about the milk containing container 2, unique information B1 about container 2, a use-by date C1 for the milk containing container 2, and a net content D1 of the milk containing container 2. Unique information B1 includes a milk serial number B1a, a batch number B1b, and a manufacturer's number B1c.

[0024] These pieces of information are read by the reading unit 28 for transmission to the control unit 14. It should be noted that it is preferable to encrypt these pieces of information and retain them in the barcode 24, decrypting them when they are read by the reading unit 28. This prevents the information in the barcode 24 from being corrupted.

[0025] Fig. Figure 7 illustrates a conceptual representation showing a type table TB1 and a recording table TB2 stored in the control unit 14, and the information recorded in these respective tables TB1 and TB2. Type table TB1 records type information A0 about milk that can be used for the beverage dispensing device 1 in advance. Recording table TB2 records the information read by the reading unit 28 as individual information B0 about the container 2, a milk expiration date C0, and a milk net content D0. Individual information B0 includes a milk serial number B0a, batch number B0b, and manufacturer number B0c.

[0026] Based on the information recorded in the recording table TB2, the control unit 14 executes the milk supply mode. Additionally, the control unit 14 calculates a milk expiration date E by adding the number of days the milk remains usable after opening container 2 to the opening date of container 2—in other words, the date the barcode 24 was read by the reading unit 28. The recording table TB2 also records this expiration date E.

[0027] Furthermore, in a case where multiple beverage dispensing devices 1 are used, the information components in the multiple recording tables TB2 stored in the control units 14 of the respective beverage dispensing devices 1 are distributed between the respective beverage dispensing devices 1 via wireless or wired communication. It should be noted that it is possible to distribute the information components in the multiple recording tables TB2 regardless of whether the respective beverage dispensing devices 1 are installed in the same store or in different stores.

[0028] Fig. Figure 8 illustrates a flowchart describing the execution feasibility sequence of a milk feeding mode. When the reading unit 28 starts reading the barcode 24, a predetermined algorithm determines whether milk is a permissible product or not, based on the individual information B1 read by the reading unit 28, i.e., one or more of the serial number B1a, the batch number B1b, and the manufacturer number B1c (step S1). If the result of the determination is "No" and the milk is not a permissible product, the execution of the milk feeding mode is not permitted (step S2).

[0029] It should be noted that the algorithm described above can use a validity determination for milk to check whether the type information A1 read by reading unit 28 matches the type information A0 recorded in type table TB1. In contrast, if the result of the determination is "yes" and the milk is a valid product, the algorithm determines whether the newly read individual information B1 by reading unit 28 matches the individual information B0 recorded in record table TB2 (step S3).

[0030] If the result of the determination is "Yes" and the individual information parts B1 and B0 match, it is determined that the barcode 24 can be reused or that milk other than the specified milk can be injected back into the used container 2, and the execution of the milk feed mode is not permitted (step S2). In contrast, if the result of the determination is "No" and the individual information parts B1 and B0 do not match, it is determined whether a read date t1 of the barcode 24 by the reading unit 28 is the use-by date C0 recorded in the recording table TB2 or earlier, or not (step S4).

[0031] If the result of the determination is "No" and the read date t1 is not the use-by date C0 or earlier, the use-by date C0 of the milk has already passed at or before the time barcode 24 is read, i.e., the time container 2 is opened. It is not possible to use such milk, and therefore the milk feeding mode is not permitted (step S2). In contrast, if the result of the determination is "Yes" and the read date t1 is the use-by date C0 or earlier, it is determined whether the expiry date E of the milk is the use-by date C0 or earlier recorded in the record table TB2 (step S5).

[0032] Fig. Figure 9 illustrates (a) a time diagram showing a state from step S6 in Fig. 8 illustrates, and (b) a time diagram showing a state of step S8 in Fig. Figure 8 illustrates this. If the result of determining step S5 indicates "yes", then, as shown in Fig. 9(a) shows the milk expiry date E, which is obtained by adding a number of days N that allow the milk to be used after opening container 2 to the date t1 of the barcode reading 24, the use-by date C0 or earlier.

[0033] In this case, the expiration date E arrives at or before the use-by date C0. An execution deadline t2 of the milk feeding mode is thus set to the expiration date E (step S6), the execution of the milk feeding mode until the expiration date E is permitted (step S7), and this sequence is brought to a conclusion. In contrast, if a result of the determination in step S5 indicates no, as in Fig. 9(b) shows the milk expiry date E, which is obtained by adding the number of days N that allow the milk to be used after opening container 2 to the reading date t1 of the barcode 24, which is later than the use-by date C0.

[0034] In this case, the use-by date C0 arrives at or before the expiration date E. The execution deadline t2 of the milk supply mode is thus set to the use-by date C0 (step S8), the execution of the milk supply mode up to the use-by date C0 is permitted (step S7), and this sequence is completed. If the execution of the milk supply mode is permitted, the milk supply mode is executed in response to a request from the coffee machine by an instruction from the control unit 14.

[0035] Subsequently, in a case where executing the milk feed mode in step S2 is not permitted, an instruction to exchange with the new container 2 is issued (step S9). This initiates the exchange with the new container 2, which is filled with milk that is a permitted product and has not exceeded its use-by date C0, and then brings this sequence to a conclusion. It should be noted that, depending on the net milk content D0, the number of times milk is fed, and similar factors recorded in the log table TB2, it is possible to estimate whether the milk in container 2 has been used up or not.

[0036] The instruction from step S9 can therefore be issued when it is estimated that the milk in container 2 has run out. Furthermore, when the reading unit 28 reads the barcode 24, it is preferable, in addition to issuing the instruction from step S9, to issue the instruction from step S9 periodically, for example, every day at the scheduled time, until container 2 is replaced. Moreover, instead of ending this sequence immediately after issuing the instruction from step S9, the instruction from step S9 can be issued several times, for example, every few hours, until container 2 is replaced, and the sequence can be ended if container 2 has not yet been replaced.

[0037] As described above, the barcode 24 is affixed to the milk-filled container 2 in the beverage dispensing device 1 according to the present embodiment, and the information in the barcode 24 is read by the reading unit 28 and transmitted to the control unit 14. The barcode 24 contains the individual information B1 about the container 2 and the information about the milk's expiration date C1. The individual information B1 includes the milk serial number B1a, batch number B1b, and manufacturer's number B1c.

[0038] The control unit 14 then determines how in Fig. Figure 8 illustrates whether the milk is a permissible product or not, based on one or more of the serial number B1a, batch number B1b, and manufacturer number B1c read by reading unit 28 (step S1). If the milk is not a permissible product, the milk supply mode cannot be executed (step S2). This allows the milk supply mode to be executed using permissible milk. It is therefore possible to precisely manage milk quality and provide a user with a reliable and safe beverage.

[0039] Additionally, the recording table TB2, which contains the individual information B1 about container 2 and information about the milk expiration date C1 read by the reading unit 28, and similar data, is stored in the control unit 14. The control unit 14 executes the milk supply mode based on this information recorded in the recording table TB2 (steps S3 to S8). Managing such information about the individual containers 2 and individual milks using the recording table TB2 makes it possible to reliably execute a predetermined milk supply mode at a requested predetermined time, using a predetermined amount of milk that fills the predetermined container 2. This eliminates any room for operator error and allows for precise management of milk quality.It is therefore possible to reliably provide a user with a dependable and safe beverage.

[0040] Additionally, the control unit 14 determines whether the individual information B1 newly read by the reading unit 28 matches the individual information B0 recorded in the recording table TB2 (step S3), and does not allow the milk dispensing mode to be executed (step S2) if the individual information pieces B1 and B0 match. It is normally difficult to assume that, after container 2 has been opened and installed in the beverage dispensing device 1, container 2 will be removed before the milk is used up and the same container 2 will be reinstalled in the beverage dispensing device 1.

[0041] In such a situation, removing the barcode 24 sticker from container 2 or re-injecting a different type of milk into the used container 2 raises concerns about the reuse of barcode 24. Therefore, by preventing the milk feed mode from being executed using the once-used barcode 24, it is possible to manage milk quality very precisely.

[0042] Additionally, control unit 14 determines whether the read date t1 of barcode 24 by reading unit 28 corresponds to the use-by date C0 or earlier recorded in the recording table TB2 (step S4). If the read date t1 is not the use-by date C0 or earlier, the milk supply mode is not allowed to run (step S2). This prevents the use of milk after the use-by date C0, thus ensuring precise control over milk quality.

[0043] Furthermore, control unit 14 determines whether the milk expiration date E is the consumption date C0 recorded in the recording table TB2 or earlier (step S5). If the expiration date E is the consumption date C0 or earlier, the execution deadline t2 of the milk feed mode is set to the expiration date E (step S6) and the execution of the milk feed mode is permitted until the expiration date E (step S7).

[0044] In contrast, if the expiry date E is not the use-by date C0 or earlier, the execution deadline t2 of the milk feeding mode is set to the use-by date C0 (step S8), and the execution of the milk feeding mode is permitted until the use-by date C0 (step S7). This prevents the use of both milk past the expiry date E and milk past the use-by date C0. Thus, it is possible to continue to manage milk quality very precisely.

[0045] Furthermore, if executing the milk supply mode is not permitted (step S2), control unit 14 issues an instruction to exchange it with the new container 2 (step S9). This is intended to expedite the exchange with container 2, for which executing the milk supply mode is permitted, and to ensure that container 2 is exchanged in a timely and reliable manner. This prevents unnecessarily prolonged milk supply downtime and reduces the loss of product sales opportunities.

[0046] Furthermore, in a case where, for example, multiple beverage dispensers 1 are used in the same store, the information contained in the multiple recording tables TB2 stored in the control units 14 of the respective beverage dispensers 1 is distributed among the respective beverage dispensers 1. This prevents the milk dispensing mode from being executed using a single barcode 24. Thus, it is possible to manage milk quality with utmost precision. Moreover, it is possible to jointly record the execution status of the milk dispensing mode by the respective beverage dispensers 1, the milk usage status, and similar information. This allows for efficient execution of the milk dispensing mode in the respective beverage dispensers 1.

[0047] This concludes the description of the embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. It is possible to make various modifications within the scope that do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment described above, the reading unit 28 is provided in the storage chamber 26 of the container 2 formed within the beverage supply device 1. However, this is not limiting. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the lower section or the like of the outer surface of the coffee machine, which is the beverage supply device 1 separate from the milk unit, can, for example, be a display section (or a display) 30 showing a product sample, equipped with the reading unit 28. Additionally, as shown in Fig. Figure 10 shows that the container 2 has a multitude of barcodes 24 affixed to it. This makes it possible to read information using the other barcodes 24 even if one of the barcodes 24 is damaged.

[0048] Additionally, barcode 24 can contain information about the milk's best-before date instead of, or in addition to, the consumption dates C0 and C1 described above, and this best-before date information can be read, recorded, and managed. Furthermore, provided it is possible to uniquely manage the barcodes 24 together with the individual containers 2, the barcodes 24 can be printed on objects other than the containers 2, for example, administrative forms such as receipts, and they can be used by inserting, attaching, or affixing them to the containers 2.

[0049] Additionally, as long as it is possible to record, contain, and read information, for example, a recording holder, such as an RFID tag other than the barcode 24, can be attached to the container 2. Additionally, as long as it is possible to read the information in the recording holder, the reading unit 28, other than a barcode reader, can be, for example, a camera or the like.

[0050] Additionally, the in Fig. 1 beverage supply device 1 and the one shown in Fig. The feasibility sequence of the milk supply mode shown in Figure 8 is not limited to the milk unit that supplies liquid coffee with milk and is applicable to a device that produces and supplies other different beverages. Additionally, the configuration of the beverage supply device 1 may differ from that of the embodiment described above.

[0051] Additionally, container 2 is not limited to the BIB form described above and can, for example, take the form of a bag (a container sealed by a flexible film with an opening that can be opened and closed) or a cardboard box with a lid. In each case, a similar effect is achieved by applying barcode 24 to the outer surface of the container. Explanation of reference symbols 1 beverage supply device 2 containers 4 Flow channel 14 Control unit 24 barcode (record holder) 28 Reading Unit B0, B1 individual information C0, C1 Use-by date E Expiry date B0a, B1a Serial number B0b, B1b Batch number B0c, B1c Manufacturer number TB2 Recording Table t1 Read date N number of days that allow use QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 5730042

[0004]

Claims

[1] Beverage supply device in which a container configured to be filled with a liquid for beverages is installed, the beverage supply device comprising: a control unit configured to execute a liquid supply mode for feeding the liquid from the container to a flow channel; a recording holder configured to be attached to the container; and a reading unit configured to read information from the record holder and transmit the information to the control unit, wherein The record holder contains individual information about the container and information about the expiration date of the liquid with which the container is filled. the individual information includes a serial number, a batch number and a manufacturer's number of the liquid, and The control unit determines, based on one or more of the serial number, batch number and manufacturer number read by the reading unit, whether the liquid is a permissible product or not, and does not allow the liquid supply mode to be executed if the liquid is not a permissible product. [2] Beverage supply device according to claim 1, wherein a recording table in which the individual information and the information about the expiry date read by the reading unit are recorded is stored in the control unit, and the control unit executes the liquid supply mode on the basis of the information parts recorded in the recording table. [3] Beverage supply device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines whether the individual information newly read by the reading unit matches the individual information recorded in the recording table or not, and does not allow the execution of the liquid supply mode if the individual information parts match. [4] Beverage supply device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit determines whether a read date of the record holder by the reading unit is the use-up date recorded in the record table or earlier, and does not allow the execution of the liquid supply mode if the read date is not the use-up date or earlier. [5] Beverage supply device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit calculates an expiry date of the liquid by adding a number of days that permit use of the liquid to the reading date, determines whether the expiry date is the use-by date or earlier, and allows the liquid supply mode to run until the use-by date if the expiry date is not the use-by date or earlier, while allowing the liquid supply mode to run until the expiry date if the expiry date is the use-by date or earlier. [6] Beverage supply device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit issues an instruction to exchange with the new container if the execution of the liquid supply mode is not permitted. [7] Beverage supply device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of beverage supply devices is used, and the information parts in a plurality of the recording tables stored in the control units of the respective beverage supply devices are divided between the respective beverage supply devices.

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