Cleaning equipment

Abstract

To wash excellently the inside of a container without selecting a user.SOLUTION: A washing apparatus 1 for washing the inside of a container C by discharging washing liquid to the inside of the container C through an opening C1, to the bottomed cylindrical container C arranged in such an inverted attitude that the opening C1 faces downward, on a container washing part 10 provided on an apparatus body 1a, includes a container detector 33 for detecting that the container C is arranged on the container washing part 10, and a control part 40 for washing the container C by discharging washing liquid to the container C, on condition that arrangement of the container C is detected by the container detector 33, when an input operation is performed by an input operation part 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device, and more particularly to a cleaning device for cleaning the inside of a cylindrical container with a bottom, such as a cup or a bottle. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional cleaning device for cleaning the inside of a cylindrical container with a bottom, such as a cup or bottle, is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the cleaning device proposed in Patent Document 1, the container is placed in an inverted position with the opening facing downward, and by pressing the container downward, a brush member that relatively advances into the inside of the container through the opening is driven to clean the inside of the container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. 3-38059 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in the cleaning device proposed in the above Patent Document 1, although the inner surface of the container can be cleaned well by driving the brush member, the brush member itself must be replaced as needed for cleaning, etc., which is inconvenient.

[0005] Therefore, a cleaning device is used in which a container placed in an inverted position is pressed downward, causing water to be ejected from a nozzle whose tip is relatively inserted into the inside of the container beyond the opening, thereby cleaning the inside of the container.

[0006] Pressing the container downward in this way and cleaning the inside of the container with water ejected from the nozzle is easy for experienced users, such as store employees, but difficult for inexperienced end users, such as store customers. Furthermore, since the container needs to be pressed downward and the user touches the container with their hands, the cleaning liquid is limited to water to prevent burns, and there is a risk that the inside of the container will not be cleaned properly.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device that can effectively clean the inside of a container regardless of the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the cleaning device of the present invention is a cleaning device that cleans the inside of a bottomed cylindrical container placed in an inverted position with its opening facing downward in a container cleaning section provided in an apparatus main body by discharging cleaning liquid into the inside of the container through the opening, and includes a container detection section that detects that the container has been placed in the container cleaning section, a control section that, when an input operation is performed on an input operation section, dispenses the cleaning liquid into the container to clean the container on the condition that the placement of the container has been detected by the container detection section, an opening / closing door that opens and closes an inlet formed in the container cleaning section, a door opening / closing detection section that detects the opening and closing of the inlet by the opening / closing door, a cleaning water discharge section that is provided in the container cleaning section and discharges cleaning water into a placement section in which the container is placed in an inverted position, and a front The device is equipped with a door opening / closing locking mechanism that can be switched between a locked state in which the opening / closing door that closes the fill port is kept closed, and an unlocked state in which the opening / closing door allows the entrance to be opened by the opening / closing door, and an opening operation unit for switching the door opening / closing locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the control unit washes the container on the condition that the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance has been closed, and when the door opening / closing locking mechanism is in the locked state and the opening operation unit is operated, the control unit performs a pre-wash in which cleaning water is discharged from the cleaning water discharge unit to clean the placement unit on the condition that the placement of the container is not detected by the container detection unit, and after the pre-wash, switches the door opening / closing locking mechanism to the unlocked state.

[0009] Furthermore, a cleaning device according to the present invention is a cleaning device that cleans the inside of a bottomed cylindrical container placed in an inverted position with its opening facing downward in a container cleaning section provided in an apparatus body by discharging a cleaning liquid into the container through the opening, and includes a container detection section that detects that the container has been placed in the container cleaning section, a control section that, when an input operation is performed on an input operation section, discharges the cleaning liquid into the container to clean the container on the condition that the placement of the container has been detected by the container detection section, an opening / closing door that opens and closes an entrance formed in the container cleaning section, a door opening / closing detection section that detects the opening and closing of the entrance by the opening / closing door, and a control section that is provided in the container cleaning section and detects that the container is placed in an inverted position in the placement section. and a door opening / closing lock mechanism that can be switched between a locked state in which the opening / closing door that closes the entrance is kept closed and an unlocked state in which the opening / closing door is allowed to open the entrance, and the control unit washes the container on the condition that the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance is closed, and the control unit discharges the cleaning water from the cleaning water discharge unit to wash the placement section on the condition that the door opening / closing lock mechanism has been set to the locked state when the container detection unit detects that the container is not placed.

[0010] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above-mentioned cleaning device, the control unit ejects at least one of room temperature water, hot water, cooled water, and steam as cleaning liquid into the container depending on the content of the input operation on the input operation unit.

[0011] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above-mentioned cleaning device, the control unit discharges at least one of room temperature water, hot water, and cooled water into the container as a cleaning liquid, and then performs a sterilization process by supplying steam to the container.

[0012] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above-mentioned cleaning device, the input operation unit is provided in a higher-level device that supplies beverages, and the control unit, when cleaning the container, gives a response to the higher-level device indicating that cleaning is complete. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, when an input operation is performed on the input operation unit, the control unit dispenses cleaning liquid into the container to clean the inside of the container, provided that the container detection unit detects that a container has been placed in the container cleaning unit. Therefore, the user simply places the container in an inverted position in the container cleaning unit and operates the input operation unit. Moreover, since the user does not touch the container during cleaning, various cleaning liquids can be used. Therefore, the effect of being able to clean the inside of the container effectively is achieved regardless of the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the piping configuration of the cleaning device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the cleaning process performed by the control unit shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of the pre-washing shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of the main cleaning shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the post-cleaning shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of a modification of the cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a cleaning device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the piping configuration of the cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the control system of the cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning device 1 shown here is installed in a store such as a convenience store or supermarket, and includes a device main body 1a.

[0017] The apparatus main body 1a is in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and includes a container washing section 10 and an opening / closing door 18. The container washing section 10 is a rectangular section provided in the upper portion of the apparatus main body 1a. The front wall, left side wall, and right side wall of the container washing section 10 are formed of translucent plate-like members such as transparent heat-resistant glass plates or transparent resin plates, making the interior visible. A rectangular entrance 11 is formed in the front wall of the container washing section 10.

[0018] Although not shown in the drawing, a drain tray is provided at the bottom of the container cleaning section 10, and a first nozzle 12 is provided so as to protrude upward from this drain tray.

[0019] The first nozzle 12 is a cleaning liquid ejection portion that ejects the cleaning liquid (described later) radially upward from its upper end portion, which is its tip portion. At a predetermined height position of the first nozzle 12, a placement portion 14 is formed by radially extending members 13 that extend radially from the central axis of the first nozzle 12.

[0020] In such a container cleaning unit 10, a container C is introduced through the entrance 11 in an inverted position with the opening C1 facing downward, and is placed in the placement unit 14 with the tip of the first nozzle 12 relatively inserted through the opening C1. Such a container C was previously purchased at a store or the like and is owned by the user.

[0021] In addition, the rear wall that constitutes the container cleaning section 10 is provided with a bifurcated gripping section 15 that protrudes forward, and the gripping section 15 can grip an inverted container C placed in the placement section 14 by clamping it.

[0022] Furthermore, the container washing section 10 is provided with a second nozzle 16. The second nozzle 16 is provided in a manner that it protrudes downward from the portion of the ceiling wall directly above the first nozzle 12. This second nozzle 16 is a washing water discharge section that discharges washing water (described later) radially from its lower end portion, which is its tip portion, toward the arrangement section 14.

[0023] The first nozzle 12 is connected to a cleaning liquid supply line 20 formed by connecting multiple cleaning liquid supply pipes, and this cleaning liquid supply line 20 is connected to a hot water supply line 21, a water supply line 22, a cooling water supply line 23, and a steam supply line 24.

[0024] The hot water supply line 21 is made up of multiple pipes connected together and is connected to a hot water tank 25. The hot water tank 25 heats water supplied by a supply means (not shown) to, for example, 95°C or higher using a built-in heater (not shown) and stores the water as hot water. The hot water supply line 21 is provided with a hot water supply pump P1 and a hot water supply valve V1.

[0025] The hot water supply pump P1 is driven by commands given from the control unit 40, which will be described later, and when driven, discharges hot water stored in the hot water tank 25 into the hot water supply line 21. The hot water supply valve V1 is provided downstream of the hot water supply pump P1, and opens and closes by commands given from the control unit 40. When this hot water supply valve V1 is in a closed state, it restricts the flow of fluid (hot water, etc.) between the hot water supply line 21 and the cleaning liquid supply line 20, but when it is in an open state, it allows the flow of hot water from the hot water supply line 21 to the cleaning liquid supply line 20.

[0026] The water supply line 22 is configured by connecting multiple pipes and is connected to a water tank 26. The water tank 26 stores water at room temperature, for example, about 20°C, supplied by a supply means (not shown). The water supply line 22 is provided with a water supply pump P2 and a water supply valve V2.

[0027] The water supply pump P2 is driven by a command given from the control unit 40, and when driven, discharges room-temperature water stored in the water tank 26 into the water supply line 22. The water supply valve V2 is provided downstream of the water supply pump P2, and opens and closes by a command given from the control unit 40. When the water supply valve V2 is in a closed state, it restricts the flow of fluid (room-temperature water, etc.) between the water supply line 22 and the cleaning liquid supply line 20, but when it is in an open state, it allows the flow of room-temperature water from the water supply line 22 to the cleaning liquid supply line 20.

[0028] The cooling water supply line 23 is configured by connecting a plurality of pipes, and is connected to a cooling water tank 27. The cooling water tank 27 cools water supplied by a supply means (not shown) using a cooling means and stores the cooled water at a temperature of, for example, 1° C. or less. The cooling water supply line 23 is provided with a pump P3 for supplying cooling water and a valve V3 for supplying cooling water.

[0029] The cooling water supply pump P3 is driven by a command given from the control unit 40, and when driven, discharges the cooling water stored in the cooling water tank 27 into the cooling water supply line 23. The cooling water supply valve V3 is provided downstream of the cooling water supply pump P3, and opens and closes by a command given from the control unit 40. When the cooling water supply valve V3 is in a closed state, it restricts the flow of fluid (cooling water, etc.) between the cooling water supply line 23 and the cleaning liquid supply line 20, but when it is in an open state, it allows the flow of cooling water from the cooling water supply line 23 to the cleaning liquid supply line 20.

[0030] The steam supply line 24 is configured by connecting a plurality of pipes, and is connected to a boiler 28. The boiler 28 heats water supplied by a supply means (not shown) using a heating means to generate steam at a temperature of, for example, 120°C or higher. A steam supply valve V4 is provided on the steam supply line 24. The steam supply valve V4 opens and closes in response to commands given from the control unit 40. When the steam supply valve V4 is closed, it restricts the flow of fluid (steam, etc.) between the steam supply line 24 and the cleaning liquid supply line 20, whereas when it is open, it allows the flow of steam from the steam supply line 24 to the cleaning liquid supply line 20.

[0031] The second nozzle 16 is connected to a flush water supply line 29 formed by connecting a plurality of flush water supply pipes, and the flush water supply line 29 is connected in such a manner that it joins with the hot water supply line 21 between the hot water supply pump P1 and the hot water supply valve V1. A flush water supply valve V5 is provided on this flush water supply line 29.

[0032] The cleaning water supply valve V5 opens and closes in response to commands given from the control unit 40. When this cleaning water supply valve V5 is in a closed state, it restricts the flow of fluid (cleaning water such as hot water) between the hot water supply line 21 and the cleaning water supply line 29, while when it is in an open state, it allows the flow of hot water as cleaning water from the hot water supply line 21 to the cleaning liquid supply line 20.

[0033] The opening / closing door 18 is made of a light-transmitting material such as a transparent resin, and is large enough to cover the entrance 11 of the container washing section 10. The left end of this opening / closing door 18 is pivotally supported on the front wall of the container washing section 10, and the door can swing in the front-to-rear direction. That is, the opening / closing door 18 can swing in the front-to-rear direction toward and away from the container washing section 10, and can close the entrance 11 when swinging backward toward the container washing section 10, and can open the entrance 11 when swinging forward away from the container washing section 10.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the above configuration, the cleaning device 1 is equipped with an input operation unit 31, an opening operation unit 32, a container detection unit 33, a door opening / closing detection unit 34, a door opening / closing lock mechanism 35, a door opening motor 36, and a control unit 40.

[0035] The input operation unit 31 is provided on the front surface of the device main body 1a, for example, on the front surface below the container cleaning unit 10 in FIG. 1. The input operation unit 31 is composed of a plurality of operation buttons, and sends the results of input operations by the user (operator) to the control unit 40.

[0036] In this embodiment, the operation buttons constituting the input operation unit 31 are composed of a button for selecting the container type (container type: stainless steel, resin, glass), a button for selecting the container size (container size: 150 mL, 300 mL, 500 mL), a button for selecting the finishing temperature (finishing temperature: HOT temperature, COLD temperature, room temperature), a start button for instructing the start of cleaning, etc.

[0037] The user performs input operations by pressing a button to select a container type, by pressing a button to select a container size, by pressing a button to select a container size, by pressing a button to select a finishing temperature, and finally by pressing the start button.

[0038] The opening operation unit 32 is configured by an opening operation button provided on the right side of the input operation unit 31. When the opening operation button is pressed, the opening operation unit 32 outputs a signal to that effect to the control unit 40.

[0039] The container detection unit 33 is configured, for example, by an optical sensor, and detects whether a container C is placed in the container cleaning unit 10, i.e., whether a container C is placed in the placement unit 14. The container detection unit 33 provides the control unit 40 with the detection result of whether a container C is placed or not.

[0040] The door open / close detection unit 34 is provided near the entrance 11 of the container cleaning unit 10 and is composed of, for example, an optical sensor. This door open / close detection unit 34 detects whether the entrance 11 is opened or closed by the opening / closing door 18, and more specifically, detects whether the entrance 11 is closed, i.e., whether the opening / closing door 18 is closed or not. The door open / close detection unit 34 provides the control unit 40 with the detection result as to whether the entrance 11 is closed or not.

[0041] The door lock mechanism 35 is provided near the entrance 11 of the container washing unit 10. The door lock mechanism 35 is capable of selectively switching between a locked state in which the door 18 that closes the entrance 11 is kept closed and the door 18 is prevented from swinging forward, and an unlocked state in which the door 18 is allowed to swing forward. The door lock mechanism 35 is switched in response to a command given from the control unit 40.

[0042] The door-opening motor 36 is driven by a command given from the control unit 40. When driven, the door-opening motor 36 swings the opening / closing door 18 in the opening direction.

[0043] The control unit 40 is electrically connected to the above-mentioned valves V1 to V5, pumps P1 to P3, input operation unit 31, opening operation unit 32, container detection unit 33, door opening / closing detection unit 34, door opening / closing lock mechanism 35, and door opening motor 36, and controls the overall operation of each of these units in accordance with the programs and data stored in a memory unit 41 that is also electrically connected.

[0044] The control unit 40 may be realized, for example, by having a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a program, i.e., by software, or by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0045] Next, the operation of the cleaning device 1 having the above configuration will be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the cleaning process performed by the control unit 40 shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 40 performs pre-cleaning (step S100), and then performs main cleaning (step S200). Then, after performing main cleaning, it performs post-cleaning (step S300), and then ends the cleaning process. The process contents of pre-cleaning, main cleaning, and post-cleaning will be described below.

[0046] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of pre-cleaning shown in Fig. 4. It is assumed that the valves V1 to V5 are closed, the pumps P1 to P3 are stopped, and the door lock mechanism 35 is locked.

[0047] In this pre-washing, the control unit 40 waits for an operation at the opening operation unit 32 (step S101). That is, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the opening operation button has been operated.

[0048] If the control unit 40 determines that the open operation button has not been operated (step S101: No), it repeats this process. If the control unit 40 determines that the open operation button has been operated because the open operation unit 32 outputs information indicating that the open operation button has been operated (step S101: Yes), the control unit 40 determines whether the container detection unit 33 has detected that the container C is not present in the container cleaning unit 10 (arrangement unit 14) (step S102). If the control unit 40 detects that the container C is present (step S102: No), it ends the pre-cleaning process without performing the process described below. On the other hand, if the control unit 40 detects that the container C is not present (step S102: Yes), it drives the hot water supply pump P1 for a predetermined time and opens the cleaning water supply valve V5 while the hot water supply pump P1 is being driven, thereby discharging a predetermined amount of hot water stored in the hot water tank 25 from the second nozzle 16 via the hot water supply line 21 and the cleaning water supply line 29 (step S103). As a result, cleaning water is radially ejected from the tip portion (lower end portion) of the second nozzle 16 toward the placement portion 14, and the placement portion 14 can be cleaned.

[0049] After discharging a predetermined amount of flush water (hot water) in step S103, the control unit 40 stops driving the hot water supply pump P1 and closes the flush water supply valve V5, and then releases the door opening / closing lock mechanism 35 (step S104). With the door opening / closing lock mechanism 35 thus released, the control unit 40 drives the door opening motor 36 (step S105), and then returns the procedure to end the current processing.

[0050] This allows the user to pre-clean the placement section 14 of the container washing section 10 before placing the container C in the container washing section 10, and then the door opening motor 36 is driven to swing the opening door 18 in the opening direction, opening the entrance 11, allowing the user to place the container C through the entrance 11.

[0051] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of the main cleaning shown in Fig. 4. It is assumed that the inlet 11 has been opened by the post-cleaning.

[0052] In this main cleaning, the control unit 40 waits for an input operation on the input operation unit 31 (step S201). That is, the control unit 40 determines whether or not any of the operation buttons constituting the input operation unit 31 (a button for selecting a container type, a button for selecting a container size, a button for selecting a finishing temperature, and a start button for instructing the start of cleaning) has been pressed.

[0053] If an input operation is performed on the input operation unit 31 in step S201 (step S201: Yes), the control unit 40 determines whether the container detection unit 33 has detected that a container C is present in the container cleaning unit 10 (placement unit 14) (step S202).

[0054] If the container cleaning unit 10 detects the presence of a container C in step S202 (step S202: Yes), that is, if a user places a container C in the placement unit 14 in an inverted position through the entrance 11, the control unit 40 determines whether the entrance 11 is closed by the opening / closing door 18 based on the detection result of the door open / close detection unit 34 (step S203). If the entrance 11 is not closed (step S203, No), the control unit 40 repeats the determination process of step S203. On the other hand, if the entrance 11 is closed (step S203, Yes), the control unit 40 locks the door open / close lock mechanism 35 (step S204). As a result, the container C is placed in an inverted position in the container cleaning unit 10, and the opening / closing door 18 maintains the entrance 11 in a closed state.

[0055] Having thus locked the door open / close lock mechanism 35, the control unit 40 performs rough cleaning (step S205). This rough cleaning is performed by the control unit 40 driving the water supply pump P2 for a predetermined time and opening the water supply valve V2 while the water supply pump P2 is being driven, thereby discharging a predetermined amount of room-temperature water stored in the water tank 26 as cleaning liquid from the first nozzle 12 via the water supply line 22 and the cleaning liquid supply line 20. This allows the interior of the inverted container C to be cleaned with room-temperature water.

[0056] After discharging a predetermined amount of room temperature water in step S205, the control unit 40 stops driving the water supply pump P2 and closes the water supply valve V2, and then performs hot water washing (step S206).

[0057] When the stainless steel container type is selected as a result of the input operation in step S201, the control unit 40 drives the hot water supply pump P1 for a predetermined time and opens the hot water supply valve V1 while the hot water supply pump P1 is running, thereby discharging a predetermined amount of hot water stored in the hot water tank 25 as cleaning liquid from the first nozzle 12 via the hot water supply line 21 and the cleaning liquid supply line 20. This allows the interior of the inverted container C to be cleaned with cleaning liquid (hot water). Note that the operating time of the hot water supply pump P1 varies depending on the container size selected by the input operation in step S201. In other words, the larger the container size, the longer the operating time of the pump P1. After discharging the predetermined amount of cleaning liquid in this manner, the control unit 40 stops operating the hot water supply pump P1 and closes the hot water supply valve V1.

[0058] In this hot water cleaning, if the container type selected in step S201 is resin or glass, the control unit 40 drives the hot water pump P1 and the water pump P2 for a predetermined time, opens the hot water valve V1 while the hot water pump P1 is running, and opens the water valve V2 while the water pump P2 is running. This causes the hot water stored in the hot water tank 25 and the water stored in the water tank 26 to mix in the cleaning liquid supply line 20 and be discharged as cleaning liquid from the first nozzle 12. This allows the interior of the inverted container C to be cleaned with the cleaning liquid (a mixture of hot water and water). The drive times of the hot water pump P1 and the water pump P2 vary depending on the container size selected in step S201. That is, the larger the container size, the longer the drive times of the pumps P1 and P2. After discharging a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid in this manner, the control unit 40 stops the operation of the hot water supply pump P1 and the cold water supply pump P2, and closes the hot water supply valve V1 and the cold water supply valve V2.

[0059] After washing with hot water in this manner, if the container type is selected as stainless steel or glass as a result of the input operation in step S201, the control unit 40 performs a sterilization process (step S207).

[0060] This sterilization process is performed by the control unit 40 opening the steam supply valve V4 for a predetermined time, causing the steam generated in the boiler 28 to be discharged from the first nozzle 12 via the steam supply line 24 and the cleaning liquid supply line 20. This allows the sterilization process to be performed inside the inverted container C. Note that if a resin container type is selected as a result of the input operation in step S201, it is preferable not to perform the sterilization process in step S207 in order to prevent deformation of the container C, and it is preferable to proceed to step S208, which will be described later.

[0061] After discharging the steam in step S207, the control unit 40 closes the steam supply valve V4 and then performs the finishing process (step S208).

[0062] When the HOT temperature is selected as the finishing temperature as a result of the input operation in step S201, this finishing process is performed by the control unit 40 driving the hot water supply pump P1 for a predetermined time while opening the hot water supply valve V1 while the hot water supply pump P1 is driving, thereby discharging a predetermined amount of hot water stored in the hot water tank 25 from the first nozzle 12 via the hot water supply line 21 and the cleaning liquid supply line 20. This makes it possible to heat the inside of the inverted container C. After discharging the predetermined amount of hot water in this manner, the control unit 40 stops driving the hot water supply pump P1 and closes the hot water supply valve V1.

[0063] In this finishing process, if the COLD temperature is selected as the finishing temperature as a result of the input operation in step S201, the control unit 40 drives the cooling water supply pump P3 for a predetermined time and opens the cooling water supply valve V3 while the cooling water supply pump P3 is running, thereby discharging a predetermined amount of cooling water stored in the cooling water tank 27 from the first nozzle 12 via the cooling water supply line 23 and the cleaning liquid supply line 20. This allows the interior of the inverted container C to be cooled. After discharging the predetermined amount of cooling water in this manner, the control unit 40 stops driving the cooling water supply pump P3 and closes the cooling water supply valve V3.

[0064] If room temperature is selected as the finishing temperature as a result of the input operation in step S201, it is preferable to skip the process in step S207 and proceed to step S209, which will be described later.

[0065] After completing the finishing process in this manner, the control unit 40 releases the door opening / closing lock mechanism 35 (step S209) and drives the door opening motor 36 (step S210), and then returns the procedure to end the current main cleaning process.

[0066] In this way, when the door-opening motor 36 is driven, the opening / closing door 18 swings in the opening direction, opening the entrance 11, and the user can remove the container C after cleaning through the entrance 11.

[0067] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the post-cleaning shown in Fig. 4. It is assumed that the inlet 11 has been opened by the main cleaning.

[0068] In this post-cleaning, the control unit 40 determines whether the container detection unit 33 has detected that the container C is not present in the container cleaning unit 10 (arrangement unit 14) (step S301). If the control unit 40 detects that the container C is present (step S301: No), the control unit 40 repeats this process.

[0069] If it is detected that the container C is not present (step S301: Yes), the control unit 40 determines whether the entrance 11 is closed by the opening / closing door 18 based on the detection result of the door opening / closing detection unit 34 (step S302). If the entrance 11 is not closed (step S302, No), the control unit 40 repeats the determination process of step S302. On the other hand, if the entrance 11 is closed (step S302, Yes), the control unit 40 locks the door opening / closing lock mechanism 35 (step S303). This causes the opening / closing door 18 to maintain the entrance 11 in a closed state.

[0070] Having thus locked the door opening / closing lock mechanism 35, the control unit 40 drives the hot water supply pump P1 for a predetermined time, and opens the flush water supply valve V5 while the hot water supply pump P1 is running, thereby causing a predetermined amount of hot water stored in the hot water tank 25 to be discharged as flush water from the second nozzle 16 via the hot water supply line 21 and the flush water supply line 29 (step S304). As a result, flush water is discharged radially from the tip (lower end) of the second nozzle 16 towards the arrangement section 14, thereby cleaning the arrangement section 14.

[0071] After discharging a predetermined amount of cleaning water (hot water) in step S304, the control unit 40 stops the operation of the hot water supply pump P1 and closes the cleaning water supply valve V5, then returns the procedure and ends this processing.

[0072] This allows the user to remove the washed container C from the container washing unit 10 and then wash the placement unit 14 of the container washing unit 10 afterwards.

[0073] As described above, according to the cleaning device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, when an input operation is performed on the input operation unit 31, the control unit 40 dispenses cleaning liquid into the container C to clean the inside of the container C, provided that the container detection unit 33 detects that the container C has been placed in the container cleaning unit 10. Therefore, the user simply places the container C in an inverted position in the container cleaning unit 10 and operates the input operation unit 31. Moreover, because the user does not touch the container C during cleaning, various cleaning liquids can be used. Therefore, the inside of the container C can be cleaned satisfactorily regardless of the user.

[0074] According to the above-described washing device 1, the control unit 40 performs rough washing and hot water washing on the containers C placed in an inverted position in the container washing unit 10 in accordance with the content of the input operation on the input operation unit 31, so washing can be performed according to the type of container C. Moreover, since a sterilization process is performed as needed after the rough washing and hot water washing, the inside of the container C can be made hygienic, and since a finishing process is performed as needed, the temperature of the container C can be made close to the temperature of the beverage to be poured into the container C after washing, and heat loss caused by pouring the beverage can be suppressed.

[0075] According to the above-mentioned cleaning device 1, the control unit 40 cleans the container C on the condition that the door opening / closing detection unit 34 detects that the entrance 11 of the container cleaning unit 10 has been closed, so there is no risk of the user being burned, etc., and safety can be improved.

[0076] According to the above-described washing device 1, when the control unit 40 operates the opening operation unit 32 in a locked state in which the door opening / closing lock mechanism 35 keeps the opening / closing door 18, which closes the entrance 11 of the container washing unit 10, in a closed state, the control unit 40 performs a pre-wash by discharging hot water as wash water from the second nozzle 16 to wash the placement unit 14, provided that the placement of a container C is not detected by the container detection unit 33. This allows the placement unit 14 to be well washed before the container C is placed in the container washing unit 10. In particular, because the interior of the container washing unit 10 is visible, the cleaning of the placement unit 14 can be seen by the user, thereby emphasizing cleanliness to the user.

[0077] According to the above-described washing device 1, when the door open / close detection unit 34 detects that the entrance 11 of the container washing unit 10 has been closed while the container detection unit 33 has not detected the placement of a container C, the control unit 40 performs post-washing by discharging hot water as wash water from the second nozzle 16 to wash the placement unit 14, provided that the door open / close lock mechanism 35 has been locked, so that the placement unit 14 can be well washed after the washed container C is removed from the container washing unit 10. In particular, because the interior of the container washing unit 10 is visible, the cleaning of the placement unit 14 can be shown to the user, thereby emphasizing cleanliness to the user.

[0078] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications can be made as follows.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, input operation unit 31 is provided in device main body 1a, but in the present invention, washing device 1 is a subordinate device of beverage supply device 2, and as shown in FIG. 8, input operation unit 31' may be provided in beverage supply device 2, which is a superior device of washing device 1'. This beverage supply device 2 supplies prepared beverage to containers C washed by washing device 1'. Control unit 40' of washing device 1' is capable of communicating with supply control unit 2a, which controls the overall operation of beverage supply device 2.

[0080] In this configuration, when a user performs an input operation on the input operation unit 31', the supply control unit 2a provides the result of the input operation to the control unit 40' of the cleaning device 1', and the control unit 40' can then clean the container C according to the result of the input operation. When the control unit 40' has cleaned the container C, it sends a response to the supply control unit 2a indicating that cleaning is complete, allowing the beverage supply device 2 to supply a beverage to the cleaned container C.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the operation buttons constituting the input operation unit 31 were configured as buttons for selecting the container type (container type: stainless steel, resin, glass), buttons for selecting the container size (container size: 150 mL, 300 mL, 500 mL), buttons for selecting the finishing temperature (finishing temperature: HOT temperature, COLD temperature, room temperature), a start button for instructing the start of cleaning, etc. However, in the present invention, without selecting the container type, etc., each operation button may be associated with a container type, container size, and finishing temperature.

[0082] Furthermore, in the present invention, the operation buttons constituting the input operation unit 31 may be for selecting a cleaning liquid regardless of the type of container, etc. That is, a button for selecting hot water as the cleaning liquid, a button for selecting room temperature water as the cleaning liquid, a button for selecting cooling water as the cleaning liquid, and a button for selecting steam as the cleaning liquid may be provided. In this case, the selected cleaning liquid may be dispensed instead of hot water in step S206 above for cleaning. This also allows the inside of the container C to be cleaned satisfactorily without having to choose a specific user.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the main cleaning is performed in the order of rough cleaning → hot water cleaning → sterilization treatment → finishing treatment, but in the present invention, these orders may be adjusted as appropriate. That is, the rough cleaning → hot water cleaning → sterilization treatment sequence may be repeated twice before finishing treatment, or the rough cleaning, sterilization treatment, and finishing treatment may be omitted as necessary.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, the pumps P1 to P3 are driven for a predetermined time to perform rough cleaning, hot water cleaning, and finishing processing, but in the present invention, the operating voltage of the pumps P1 to P3 may be changed to change the pressure of the cleaning liquid, or the mixing ratio of hot water and water (room temperature water or cooling water) may be appropriately changed to change the temperature of the cleaning liquid in stages.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, pre-washing and post-washing were performed, but in the present invention, pre-washing and post-washing may be omitted. Also, instead of pre-washing and post-washing, wash water may be discharged from the wash water discharge section (second nozzle 16) at predetermined timings, such as periodically, in the standby state to wash the placement section 14. Also, in the above-described embodiment, hot water was discharged as wash water, but in the present invention, room temperature water may be discharged as wash water.

[0086] Note that the configurations illustrated in the above embodiments are merely functional schematics and are not necessarily physically configured as shown. In other words, the distribution and integration of each device and component is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various usage situations, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1...cleaning device, 1a...device main body, 10...container cleaning section, 11...inlet, 12...first nozzle, 14...positioning section, 15...gripping section, 16...second nozzle, 18...opening / closing door, 20...cleaning liquid supply line, 21...hot water supply line, 22...water supply line, 23...cooling water supply line, 24...steam supply line, 25...hot water tank, 26...water tank, 27...cooling water tank, 28...boiler, 29...cleaning water supply line, 31...input operation section, 32...opening operation section, 33...container detection section, 34...door opening / closing detection section, 35...door opening / closing lock mechanism, 36...door opening motor, 40...control section, C...container, C1...opening section, P1 to P3...pump, V1 to V5...valve.

Claims

1. A cleaning device that cleans the inside of a cylindrical container with a bottom, which is placed in an inverted position with its opening facing downward, in a container cleaning section provided in a device body whose interior is visible, by discharging a cleaning liquid into the inside of the container through the opening, a container detection unit that detects that the container is placed in the container cleaning unit; a control unit that, when an input operation is performed on the input operation unit, discharges the cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid discharge unit into the container, on condition that the container detection unit detects the placement of the container, to clean the container; an opening / closing door for opening and closing an entrance formed in the container cleaning section; a door opening / closing detection unit that detects the opening and closing of the entrance by the opening / closing door; a cleaning water discharge unit that is provided in the container cleaning unit and discharges cleaning water to a placement unit in which the container is placed in an inverted position; a door opening / closing lock mechanism that can be switched between a locked state in which the opening / closing door that closes the entrance is kept closed and an unlocked state in which the opening / closing door is allowed to open the entrance; an opening operation unit for switching the door opening / closing lock mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state; Equipped with the control unit performs cleaning of the container on the condition that the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance is closed, The control unit is also characterized in that when the door opening / closing lock mechanism is in the locked state and the opening operation unit is operated, it performs a pre-cleaning operation to clean the placement unit by ejecting cleaning water from the cleaning water ejection unit, provided that the container detection unit does not detect the placement of the container, and after the pre-cleaning operation, it releases the door opening / closing lock mechanism from the unlocked state.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes at least one of room temperature water, hot water, cooled water, and steam to be discharged as the cleaning liquid into the container in accordance with the content of the input operation on the input operation unit.

3. The cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs a sterilization process by supplying steam to the container after discharging at least one of room temperature water, hot water, and cooled water as a cleaning liquid into the container.

4. the input operation unit is provided in a host device that supplies beverages, 4. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when cleaning of the container has been completed, sends a response to the host device indicating that cleaning has been completed.

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