Cleaning device

Abstract

When the cleaning unit (cleaning device) (60) is applied to a beverage supply device (1) that supplies beverages to a cup (C) through a beverage supply path (27) and the like, and a cleaning instruction is provided, the cleaning unit (60) supplies the alkaline cleaning solution and the acidic cleaning solution stored in the cleaning solution storage unit (65, 66) to the beverage supply path (27) and the like separately together with hot water for cleaning, and the cleaning unit (60) comprises: a common cleaning solution supply pipe (62) for supplying the alkaline cleaning solution and the acidic cleaning solution; liquid; a switching valve (62a) that allows either an alkaline cleaning solution or an acidic cleaning solution to pass through the cleaning solution supply pipe (62); a cleaning solution supply pump (62b) that, when driven, supplies the cleaning solution selected by the switching valve (62a) to the beverage supply path (27) and the like; and a control unit (100) that, when provided with a cleaning instruction, controls the opening and closing state of the switching valve (62a) to limit the alkaline cleaning solution from remaining in the cleaning solution supply pump (62b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device, and more particularly to a cleaning device used in a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage to a container through a beverage supply path and that cleans the beverage supply path. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a cleaning device that is applied to a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage to a container through a beverage supply path and cleans the beverage supply path.

[0003] In the cleaning device, when a cleaning instruction is given, first, the first cleaning stock solution supply pump is driven to mix the alkaline cleaning stock solution stored in the cleaning stock solution storage part with the hot water supplied from the hot water storage part, that is, the cleaning hot water, in the mixing container to generate an alkaline cleaning liquid, and the hot water stored in the hot water storage part is used to generate pressurized steam constituting a beverage. Then, the mixing container is connected to the beverage supply path, and the alkaline cleaning liquid is supplied to the beverage supply path, and then the hot water supplied from the hot water storage part is supplied to the beverage supply path as flushing hot water.

[0004] Next, the cleaning device drives the second cleaning stock solution supply pump to mix the acidic cleaning stock solution stored in the cleaning stock solution storage part with the cleaning hot water in the mixing container to generate an acidic cleaning solution. Then, the mixing container is connected to the beverage supply path, the acidic cleaning solution is supplied to the beverage supply path, and then the hot water supplied from the hot water storage part is supplied to the beverage supply path as the flushing hot water.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-105489 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] In addition, in the above-mentioned cleaning device, the first cleaning stock solution supply pump is driven to supply the alkaline cleaning stock solution, and the second cleaning stock solution supply pump is driven to supply the acidic cleaning stock solution, so the supply of the alkaline cleaning stock solution and the supply of the acidic cleaning stock solution are performed in separate paths. Therefore, the alkaline cleaning stock solution will remain in the first cleaning stock solution supply pump.

[0010] Generally speaking, alkaline cleaning solution is more corrosive than acidic cleaning solution. In the first cleaning solution supply pump where the alkaline cleaning solution remains, rubber materials such as fluorine-based rubber will deteriorate early, resulting in a possibility of shortening the service life.

[0011] The present invention has been completed in view of the above-mentioned actual situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device capable of suppressing a decrease in service life.

[0012] Solutions for solving problems

[0013] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the cleaning device involved in the present invention is applied to a beverage supply device that supplies beverages to a container through a beverage supply path, and when a cleaning instruction is provided, the cleaning device supplies the alkaline cleaning solution and the acidic cleaning solution stored in the cleaning solution storage part to the beverage supply path separately together with the hot water stored in the hot water storage part, thereby cleaning the beverage supply path. The cleaning device is characterized in that it has: a common cleaning solution supply path, which is used to supply the alkaline cleaning solution and the acidic cleaning solution; a switching valve, which is arranged in the cleaning solution supply path and allows either the alkaline cleaning solution and the acidic cleaning solution to pass through the cleaning solution supply path; a supply pump, which is arranged in the cleaning solution supply path and, when driven, supplies the cleaning solution selected by the switching valve to the beverage supply path; a control unit, when the cleaning instruction is provided, the control unit controls the opening and closing state of the switching valve to limit the alkaline cleaning solution from remaining in the supply pump.

[0014] In addition, the above-mentioned cleaning device of the present invention is characterized in that, when the cleaning instruction is provided, the control unit controls the opening and closing state of the switching valve so that the acidic cleaning solution is supplied after the alkaline cleaning solution is supplied, thereby limiting the alkaline cleaning solution from remaining in the supply pump.

[0015] In addition, the above-mentioned cleaning device of the present invention is characterized in that the switching valve allows any one of the alkaline cleaning solution, the acidic cleaning solution and water to pass through the cleaning solution supply path, and when the cleaning instruction is provided, the control unit controls the opening and closing state of the switching valve so that the acidic cleaning solution is supplied after the alkaline cleaning solution is supplied, and the water is supplied thereafter, thereby limiting the alkaline cleaning solution from remaining in the supply pump.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, a switching valve arranged in a common cleaning stock solution supply path for supplying alkaline cleaning stock solution and acidic cleaning stock solution allows either the alkaline cleaning stock solution or the acidic cleaning stock solution to pass through the cleaning stock solution supply path, and a supply pump arranged in the cleaning stock solution supply path supplies the cleaning stock solution selected by the switching valve to the beverage supply path when being driven, and a control unit controls the opening and closing state of the switching valve when a cleaning instruction is provided to limit the alkaline cleaning stock solution from remaining in the supply pump, thereby achieving the following effects: early deterioration of rubber materials such as fluorine-based rubber constituting the supply pump can be prevented, and a decrease in service life can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram schematically showing the structure of a beverage supply device to which the cleaning device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0019] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the diffuser is shown.

[0020] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the cleaning solution one-way valve is shown.

[0021] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the cleaning solution one-way valve is shown.

[0022] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 Flowchart showing the processing contents of the cleaning control process performed by the control unit shown.

[0023] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 5 A flowchart showing the processing contents of the pre-rinsing process is shown.

[0024] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 5 Flow chart showing the processing contents of the alkaline cleaning process.

[0025] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 5 Flow chart showing the processing contents of the alkaline cleaning and rinsing process.

[0026] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 5 Flow chart showing the processing contents of the acid cleaning process.

[0027] Fig.10 It is shown Figure 5 Flow chart showing the processing contents of the acid cleaning and rinsing process.

[0028] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram schematically showing a main part of a modified example of the cleaning device as an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the cleaning device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the structure of a beverage supply device to which a cleaning device as an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The beverage supply device 1 illustrated here supplies milk as a milk beverage in a frothy state to a cup C as a container, and the beverage supply device 1 is configured to include a steam supply unit 20, a raw liquid supply unit 30, an air supply unit 40, a stirring unit 50, a forming unit 52, a nozzle unit 54, and a cleaning unit (cleaning device) 60.

[0031] The steam supply unit 20 is configured to include a steam tank 21, a first steam supply pipe 22, and a second steam supply pipe 23. The steam tank 21 is connected to a hot water tank 25 via a hot water supply pipe 24. Here, the hot water tank 25 is a hot water storage unit for storing hot water, and the hot water tank 25 heats water supplied from a water supply unit not shown in the figure and stores the hot water. One end of the hot water supply pipe 24 is connected to the hot water tank 25, and the other end is connected to the steam tank 21, so that the hot water tank 25 is connected to the steam tank 21. A hot water supply pump 24a is provided in the middle of the hot water supply pipe 24. The hot water supply pump 24a is driven according to an instruction provided from the control unit 100, and when driven, hot water is supplied from the hot water tank 25 to the steam tank 21. Here, the control unit 100 uniformly controls the operation of each part of the beverage supply device 1 including the cleaning unit 60 according to the program and data stored in the memory not shown in the figure.

[0032] The steam tank 21 generates pressurized steam by heating hot water supplied from the hot water tank 25 through the hot water supply pipe 24. Thus, the hot water tank 25 stores hot water for generating pressurized steam.

[0033] One end of the first steam supply pipe 22 is connected to the steam tank 21, and the other end is connected to the stirring part 50, thereby connecting the steam tank 21 to the stirring part 50. A first steam supply valve 22a and a first steam check valve 22b are arranged in the middle of the first steam supply pipe 22. The first steam supply valve 22a is opened and closed according to the command provided by the control unit 100. When the first steam supply valve 22a is opened, pressurized steam is allowed to pass through the first steam supply pipe 22. In addition, when the first steam supply valve 22a is closed, the pressurized steam is restricted from passing through the first steam supply pipe 22. The first steam check valve 22b allows the fluid (pressurized steam) to pass from the steam tank 21 to the stirring part 50, and on the other hand, restricts the fluid from passing from the stirring part to the steam tank 21.

[0034] One end of the second steam supply pipe 23 is connected to the steam tank 21, and the other end is connected to the first connection part 26, so that the steam tank 21 is connected to the first connection part 26, and the first connection part 26 can be connected to the raw liquid supply part 30 and the cleaning part 60. Here, the first connection part 26 is installed at one end of the liquid supply pipe 27 connected to the stirring part 50. A liquid check valve 27a is provided on the liquid supply pipe 27. The liquid check valve 27a allows the fluid to pass from the first connection part 26 to the stirring part 50, and on the other hand, restricts the fluid from passing from the stirring part 50 to the first connection part 26.

[0035] A second steam supply valve 23a and a second steam check valve 23b are disposed in the middle of the second steam supply pipe 23. The second steam supply valve 23a is opened and closed according to a command provided from the control unit 100. When the second steam supply valve 23a is opened, the pressurized steam is allowed to pass through the second steam supply pipe 23. When the second steam supply valve 23a is closed, the pressurized steam is restricted from passing through the second steam supply pipe 23. The second steam check valve 23b allows the fluid (pressurized steam) to pass from the steam tank 21 to the first connection portion 26, and restricts the fluid from passing from the first connection portion 26 to the steam tank 21.

[0036] The stock solution supply unit 30 is configured to include a bag-in-box (hereinafter also referred to as a BIB) 31 , a tube pump 32 , and a second connection unit 33 .

[0037] The BIB 31 is configured by accommodating a bag-shaped container containing a raw liquid (hereinafter also referred to as milk raw liquid) of a milk beverage (foamed milk) to be supplied to the cup C in a box-shaped container. The BIB 31 is arranged in a cold storage box (not shown) of the beverage supply device 1. Here, the cold storage box is a room with a heat-insulating structure provided inside the device body 10a of the beverage supply device 1.

[0038] The tube pump 32 is provided inside the cold storage box at the lower side of the BIB 31. The tube pump 32 is driven according to the command provided by the control unit 100. When driven, the tube 34 connected to the BIB 31 is flattened by a plurality of rollers, etc., so as to pump out the milk solution of the BIB 31. The second connection part 33 is attached to the front end of the tube 34 connected to the BIB 31, and is a connector that can be connected to the first connection part 26.

[0039] The air supply unit 40 is configured to include an air supply pipe 41. One end of the air supply pipe 41 is connected to the air pump 42, and the other end is connected to the stirring unit 50, thereby connecting the air pump 42 to the stirring unit 50. The air pump 42 is driven according to a command provided from the control unit 100, and when driven, the compressed air is compressed and then sent out through the air supply pipe 41.

[0040] An air check valve 41 a is disposed in the middle of the air supply pipe 41 . The air check valve 41 a allows the fluid (compressed air) to pass from the air pump 42 to the stirring unit 50 , while restricting the fluid from passing from the stirring unit 50 to the air pump 42 .

[0041] The stirring unit 50 mixes the pressurized steam supplied through the first steam supply pipe 22 with the milk liquid supplied through the liquid supply pipe 27 to heat the milk liquid, and mixes with the compressed air supplied through the air supply pipe 41 to produce a slightly foamed milk drink.

[0042] The shaping|molding part 52 is connected to the stirring part 50 via the beverage delivery tube 51. This shaping|molding part 52 makes the milk beverage delivered from the stirring part 50 through the beverage delivery tube 51 foam.

[0043] The nozzle unit 54 is connected to the forming unit 52 via a beverage delivery passage (not shown). The nozzle unit 54 supplies the milk beverage (foamed milk beverage) delivered from the forming unit 52 through the beverage delivery passage to the cup C.

[0044] Thus, in this embodiment, the first connection portion 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the stirring portion 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the shaping portion 52, the beverage delivery passage, and the nozzle portion 54 constitute a beverage supply path for supplying a milk beverage.

[0045] The cleaning unit 60 includes a diffuser 61, a cleaning stock solution supply pipe 62, a cleaning supply pipe 63, and a cleaning hot water supply pipe 64, and some of these are provided in a storage 10b different from the apparatus main body 10a.

[0046] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the diffuser 61 shown in FIG. Figure 2 The diffuser 61 is described below. The diffuser 61 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and has a cylindrical side portion 611 and a bottom portion, and the bottom portion is formed in a conical shape with the central portion being the lowest position in a manner that its cross-sectional area gradually decreases as it goes downward. In addition, the upper surface opening 611a of the diffuser 61 is blocked by a cover 613.

[0047] One end of the cleaning solution supply pipe 62 is branched into two, one of which is connected to the first cleaning solution storage part 65 that stores alkaline cleaning solution (hereinafter also referred to as alkaline cleaning solution), and the other is connected to the second cleaning solution storage part 66 that stores acidic cleaning solution (hereinafter also referred to as acidic cleaning solution).

[0048] In addition, the other end of the cleaning liquid supply pipe 62, on which the cleaning liquid check valve 70 called a so-called duckbill valve is installed, is connected to the side portion 611 of the diffuser 61. More specifically, the other end of the cleaning liquid supply pipe 62 is connected to the side portion 611 in such a manner that the cleaning liquid check valve 70 installed at the other end protrudes toward the central axis L of the diffuser 61 through the side portion 611 of the diffuser 61. Here, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, under normal conditions, the elastic restoring force of the component 72 constituting the ejection opening 71 is used to close the cleaning liquid one-way valve 70, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, when the cleaning solution flows through the cleaning solution supply pipe 62, the component 72 constituting the discharge opening 71 is elastically deformed to open the discharge opening 71, thereby discharging the cleaning solution.

[0049] A switching valve 62a and a cleaning solution supply pump 62b are disposed in the middle of the cleaning solution supply pipe 62. The switching valve 62a is provided at a branch point of the cleaning solution supply pipe 62, and is a selection unit that allows either the alkaline cleaning solution or the acidic cleaning solution to pass through the cleaning solution supply pipe 62 according to an instruction provided from the control unit 100.

[0050] The cleaning solution supply pump 62b is driven according to the instruction provided by the control unit 100, and when driven, supplies the cleaning solution selected by the switching valve 62a to the diffuser 61. In this way, the cleaning solution supply pipe 62 constitutes a common cleaning solution supply path for supplying the alkaline cleaning solution and the acidic cleaning solution.

[0051] One end of the cleaning supply pipe 63 is connected to the diffuser 61, and the other end is connected to the third connection portion 68, thereby connecting the diffuser 61 and the third connection portion 68. Figure 2 As shown, one end of the cleaning supply pipe 63 is connected to the diffuser 61 so as to communicate with a discharge port 612a provided in the bottom 612 of the diffuser 61. The third connection portion 68 is a connector that can be connected to the first connection portion 26.

[0052] A cleaning check valve 63 a is disposed in the middle of the cleaning supply pipe 63 . The cleaning check valve 63 a allows the fluid to pass from the diffuser 61 to the third connection portion 68 , while restricting the fluid from passing from the third connection portion 68 to the diffuser 61 .

[0053] One end of the hot water supply pipe 64 for washing is connected to the hot water supply pipe 24 upstream of the hot water supply pump 24a. In addition, the other end of the hot water supply pipe 64 for washing is connected to the diffuser 61 in a manner communicating with a hot water supply port 613a provided on the cover 613 of the diffuser 61. In addition, the hot water supply port 613a is provided on the central axis L of the diffuser 61 in the same manner as the above-mentioned ejection port 612a.

[0054] A washing hot water pump 64a is disposed in the middle of the washing hot water supply pipe 64. The washing hot water pump 64a is driven by a command given from the control unit 100, and supplies hot water from the hot water tank 25 to the diffuser 61 when driven.

[0055] In the beverage supply device 1 having the above-described configuration, milk can be supplied to the cup C in a frothy state as follows.

[0056] The first steam supply valve 22a is opened by the control unit 100, and the tube pump 32 and the air pump 42 are driven. In addition, the second steam supply valve 23a is closed. In addition, the first connection part 26 is connected to the second connection part 33, and the third connection part 68 is disconnected from the first connection part 26.

[0057] Thus, by driving the tube pump 32, the milk liquid of the BIB 31 is pumped out in the liquid supply unit 30. The milk liquid pumped out from the BIB 31 passes through the tube 34 and then passes through the liquid supply pipe 27. The milk liquid passing through the liquid supply pipe 27 reaches the stirring unit 50.

[0058] Furthermore, by opening the first steam supply valve 22a, the pressurized steam generated in the steam tank 21 reaches the stirring unit 50 through the first steam supply pipe 22. Furthermore, by driving the air pump 42, compressed air reaches the stirring unit 50 through the air supply pipe 41.

[0059] In the stirring section 50, the milk solution is heated by the pressurized steam. In addition, in the stirring section 50, the compressed air is introduced to mix with the milk solution heated by the pressurized steam to produce a milk drink. Here, the produced milk drink is slightly foamed by the compressed air. The milk drink produced in the stirring section 50 in this way reaches the forming section 52 through the drink delivery pipe 51.

[0060] In the forming section 52, the milk beverage contacts the wall surface, etc., thereby increasing the amount of foaming of the milk beverage and causing foaming. Thus, the foamed milk beverage is sent to the nozzle section 54 through the beverage outlet passage and ejected into the cup C by the nozzle section 54, thereby supplying the milk beverage.

[0061] Then, if Figure 2 As shown, in a state where the second connection part 33 is disconnected from the first connection part 26 and the third connection part 68 is connected to the first connection part 26, the user performs an input operation through a predetermined input unit (not shown), and as a result, when the control part 100 is provided with a cleaning instruction, the control part 100 implements the cleaning control process. In addition, in the following, it is assumed that each valve is closed and each pump is stopped.

[0062] Figure 52 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the cleaning control process performed by the control unit 100. In the cleaning control process, the control unit 100 performs a pre-rinsing process (step S100).

[0063] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 5 In the pre-rinsing process, the control unit 100 drives the hot water cleaning pump 64a by sending a drive instruction to the hot water cleaning pump 64a (step S101), starts measuring time through a built-in timing unit (not shown), and waits for a preset drive time to pass (step S102).

[0064] Thus, hot water is supplied from the hot water tank 25 to the diffuser 61 as washing hot water through the washing hot water supply pipe 64. The hot water supplied to the diffuser 61 flows from top to bottom along the central axis L of the diffuser 61 inside the diffuser 61, is ejected from the ejection port 612a to the washing supply pipe 63, and passes through the washing supply pipe 63. The hot water that has passed through the washing supply pipe 63 passes through the first connection portion 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the stirring portion 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the shaping portion 52, the beverage outlet passage, and the nozzle portion 54 as washing hot water that constitute the beverage supply path.

[0065] When the driving time has passed (step S102: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a stop driving instruction to the hot water cleaning pump 64a to stop driving the hot water cleaning pump 64a (step S103), and sends an opening instruction to the second steam supply valve 23a to open the second steam supply valve 23a (step S104). In this way, the control unit 100 that opens the second steam supply valve 23a starts measuring time through the timing unit and waits for the preset opening time to pass (step S105).

[0066] Thus, by opening the second steam supply valve 23a until the opening time has passed, the pressurized steam passing through the second steam supply pipe 23 can pass through the first connecting part 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the stirring part 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the forming part 52, the beverage delivery passage and the nozzle part 54 to blow away the hot water supplied in the above step S101.

[0067] When the open time has elapsed (step S105: YES), the control unit 100 sends a closing command to the second steam supply valve 23a to close the second steam supply valve 23a (step S106), and then returns to the process to end the current pre-rinsing process.

[0068] After performing the pre-rinsing process in this manner, the control unit 100 performs the alkaline cleaning process (step S200 ).

[0069] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 5 In the alkaline cleaning process, the control unit 100 controls the switching valve 62a by sending a command to the switching valve 62a so that the alkaline cleaning stock solution passes through the cleaning stock solution supply pipe 62 (step S201), and sends a driving command to the cleaning hot water pump 64a to drive the cleaning hot water pump 64a (step S202).

[0070] Thus, hot water is supplied from the hot water tank 25 to the diffuser 61 as washing hot water through the washing hot water supply pipe 64. The hot water supplied to the diffuser 61 flows from top to bottom along the central axis L of the diffuser 61 inside the diffuser 61, and is ejected from the ejection port 612a to the washing supply pipe 63, and passes through the washing supply pipe 63.

[0071] After that, the control unit 100 intermittently drives the cleaning solution supply pump 62b by intermittently sending a drive command to the cleaning solution supply pump 62b (step S203), starts measuring time through the timing unit, and waits for a preset drive time to elapse (step S204).

[0072] Thus, the alkaline cleaning stock solution is intermittently sprayed into the diffuser 61 by the spray opening 71 of the cleaning stock solution check valve 70 after passing through the cleaning stock solution supply pipe 62, and thus the alkaline cleaning stock solution is intermittently supplied to the diffuser 61. The alkaline cleaning stock solution intermittently supplied to the diffuser 61 in this way collides with the hot water flowing from top to bottom inside the diffuser 61 and diffuses into the hot water. Thus, the alkaline cleaning stock solution is sprayed into the cleaning supply pipe 63 by the spray opening 612a in a state of being diffused into the hot water, and after passing through the cleaning supply pipe 63, passes through the first connecting portion 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the stirring portion 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the shaping portion 52, the beverage outlet passage, and the nozzle portion 54 that constitute the beverage supply path.

[0073] When the driving time has passed (step S204: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a stop driving instruction to the cleaning liquid supply pump 62b to stop driving the cleaning liquid supply pump 62b (step S205), sends a stop driving instruction to the cleaning hot water pump 64a to stop driving the cleaning hot water pump 64a (step S206), and provides an opening instruction to the second steam supply valve 23a to open the second steam supply valve 23a (step S207). In this way, the control unit 100 that opens the second steam supply valve 23a starts measuring time through the timing unit and waits for the preset opening time to pass (step S208).

[0074] Thus, by opening the second steam supply valve 23a until the opening time has passed, the pressurized steam passing through the second steam supply pipe 23 can pass through the first connecting part 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the stirring part 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the forming part 52, the beverage outlet passage and the nozzle part 54 to blow away the hot water diffused with the alkaline cleaning solution supplied in the above-mentioned steps S201 to S206.

[0075] When the open time has elapsed (step S208: YES), the control unit 100 sends a closing command to the second steam supply valve 23a to close the second steam supply valve 23a (step S209), and then returns to the process to end the current alkali cleaning process.

[0076] After performing the alkaline cleaning process in this manner, the control unit 100 performs the alkaline cleaning and rinsing process (step S300 ).

[0077] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 5 In the alkaline cleaning and rinsing process, the control unit 100 drives the hot water cleaning pump 64a by sending a drive instruction to the hot water cleaning pump 64a (step S301), starts measuring time through the built-in internal timing unit, and waits for a preset drive time to pass (step S302).

[0078] Thus, hot water is supplied from the hot water tank 25 to the diffuser 61 as flushing hot water through the flushing hot water supply pipe 64. The hot water supplied to the diffuser 61 flows from top to bottom along the central axis L of the diffuser 61 inside the diffuser 61, is ejected from the ejection port 612a to the flushing supply pipe 63, and passes through the flushing supply pipe 63. The hot water that has passed through the flushing supply pipe 63 passes through the first connection portion 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the stirring portion 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the shaping portion 52, the beverage outlet passage, and the nozzle portion 54 that constitute the beverage supply path as flushing hot water.

[0079] When the driving time has passed (step S302: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a stop driving instruction to the hot water cleaning pump 64a to stop driving the hot water cleaning pump 64a (step S303), and sends an opening instruction to the second steam supply valve 23a to open the second steam supply valve 23a (step S304). In this way, the control unit 100 that opens the second steam supply valve 23a starts measuring time through the timing unit and waits for the preset opening time to pass (step S305).

[0080] Thus, by opening the second steam supply valve 23a until the opening time has passed, the pressurized steam passing through the second steam supply pipe 23 can pass through the first connecting part 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the stirring part 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the forming part 52, the beverage delivery passage and the nozzle part 54 to blow away the hot water (flushing hot water) supplied in the above step S301.

[0081] When the open time has elapsed (step S305: YES), the control unit 100 sends a closing command to the second steam supply valve 23a to close the second steam supply valve 23a (step S306), and then returns to the process to end the current alkali cleaning and rinsing process.

[0082] After performing the alkaline cleaning and rinsing process, the control unit 100 performs the acid cleaning process (step S400 ).

[0083] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 5 In the acid cleaning process, the control unit 100 controls the switching valve 62a by sending a command to the switching valve 62a so that the acidic cleaning stock solution passes through the cleaning stock solution supply pipe 62 (step S401), and sends a driving command to the cleaning hot water pump 64a to drive the cleaning hot water pump 64a (step S402).

[0084] Thus, hot water is supplied from the hot water tank 25 to the diffuser 61 as washing hot water through the washing hot water supply pipe 64. The hot water supplied to the diffuser 61 flows from top to bottom along the central axis L of the diffuser 61 inside the diffuser 61, and is ejected from the ejection port 612a to the washing supply pipe 63, and passes through the washing supply pipe 63.

[0085] After that, the control unit 100 drives the cleaning solution supply pump 62b intermittently by intermittently sending a drive command to the cleaning solution supply pump 62b (step S403), starts measuring time through the timing unit, and waits for a preset drive time to elapse (step S404).

[0086] Thus, the acidic cleaning stock solution is intermittently sprayed into the diffuser 61 by the spray opening 71 of the cleaning stock solution check valve 70 after passing through the cleaning stock solution supply pipe 62, and is thus intermittently supplied to the diffuser 61. The acidic cleaning stock solution intermittently supplied to the diffuser 61 in this way collides with the hot water flowing from top to bottom inside the diffuser 61 and diffuses into the hot water. Thus, the acidic cleaning stock solution is sprayed into the cleaning supply pipe 63 by the spray opening 612a in a state of being diffused into the hot water, and after passing through the cleaning supply pipe 63, passes through the first connecting portion 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the stirring portion 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the shaping portion 52, the beverage outlet passage, and the nozzle portion 54 that constitute the beverage supply path.

[0087] When the driving time has passed (step S404: "Yes"), the control unit 100 sends a stop driving instruction to the cleaning liquid supply pump 62b to stop driving the cleaning liquid supply pump 62b (step S405), sends a stop driving instruction to the cleaning hot water pump 64a to stop driving the cleaning hot water pump 64a (step S406), and provides an opening instruction to the second steam supply valve 23a to open the second steam supply valve 23a (step S407). In this way, the control unit 100 that opens the second steam supply valve 23a starts measuring time through the timing unit and waits for the preset opening time to pass (step S408).

[0088] Thus, by opening the second steam supply valve 23a until the opening time has passed, the pressurized steam passing through the second steam supply pipe 23 can pass through the first connecting part 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the stirring part 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the forming part 52, the beverage outlet passage and the nozzle part 54 to blow away the hot water diffused with the acidic cleaning solution supplied in the above-mentioned steps S401 to S406.

[0089] When the open time has elapsed (step S408: YES), the control unit 100 sends a closing command to the second steam supply valve 23a to close the second steam supply valve 23a (step S409), and then returns to the process to end the current acid cleaning process.

[0090] After performing the acid cleaning process in this manner, the control unit 100 performs the acid cleaning and rinsing process (step S500 ).

[0091] Fig.10 It is shown Figure 5 In the acid cleaning and rinsing process, the control unit 100 drives the hot water cleaning pump 64a by sending a drive instruction to the hot water cleaning pump 64a (step S501), starts measuring time through the built-in internal timing unit, and waits for the preset drive time to pass (step S502).

[0092] Thus, hot water is supplied from the hot water tank 25 to the diffuser 61 as flushing hot water through the flushing hot water supply pipe 64. The hot water supplied to the diffuser 61 flows from top to bottom along the central axis L of the diffuser 61 inside the diffuser 61, is ejected from the ejection port 612a to the flushing supply pipe 63, and passes through the flushing supply pipe 63. The hot water that has passed through the flushing supply pipe 63 passes through the first connection portion 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the stirring portion 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the shaping portion 52, the beverage outlet passage, and the nozzle portion 54 that constitute the beverage supply path as flushing hot water.

[0093] When the driving time has passed (step S502: Yes), the control unit 100 sends a stop driving instruction to the hot water cleaning pump 64a to stop driving the hot water cleaning pump 64a (step S503), and sends an opening instruction to the second steam supply valve 23a to open the second steam supply valve 23a (step S504). In this way, the control unit 100 that opens the second steam supply valve 23a starts measuring time through the timing unit and waits for the preset opening time to pass (step S505).

[0094] Thus, by opening the second steam supply valve 23a until the opening time has passed, the pressurized steam passing through the second steam supply pipe 23 can pass through the first connecting part 26, the liquid supply pipe 27, the stirring part 50, the beverage delivery pipe 51, the forming part 52, the beverage delivery passage and the nozzle part 54 to blow away the hot water (flushing hot water) supplied in the above step S501.

[0095] When the opening time has passed (step S505: "Yes"), the control unit 100 sends a closing command to the second steam supply valve 23a to close the second steam supply valve 23a (step S506), and confirms whether the number of times the cleaning hot water pump 64a has been driven has reached the preset number of times (m) (step S507).

[0096] When the number of times the cleaning hot water pump 64a is driven does not reach m times (step S507: "No"), the control unit 100 repeats the above-mentioned processing of steps S501 to S506. On the other hand, when the number of times the cleaning hot water pump 64a is driven reaches m times (step S507: "Yes"), the control unit 100 sends a cleaning completion signal to a higher-level device (not shown) or a display unit (not shown) (step S508), and then returns to the process and ends the current acid cleaning and rinsing process. By performing the acid cleaning and rinsing process in this way, the processing process of the above-mentioned cleaning control process is returned to and the current cleaning control process is ended.

[0097] As described above, according to the cleaning unit 60 as an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 100 supplies hot water from the hot water tank 25 to the beverage supply path when a cleaning instruction is provided, and intermittently supplies the cleaning stock solution (alkaline cleaning stock solution, acidic cleaning stock solution) stored in the cleaning stock solution storage parts 65 and 66, thereby supplying the cleaning stock solution to the beverage supply path in a state of being diffused in the hot water, so that a container for mixing the cleaning stock solution and the cleaning hot water is not required, and the time for mixing the cleaning stock solution and the cleaning hot water to generate the cleaning liquid is not required. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the cleaning time and suppress the overall enlargement of the device.

[0098] In particular, the diffusion portion 61 has a cylindrical side portion 611 and a bottom 612, and the bottom 612 is formed into a conical shape in which the central portion is the lowest position in such a way that its cross-sectional area gradually decreases downward. Since a spray outlet 612a is provided at the bottom 612, the hot cleaning water can be well diffused into the cleaning stock solution.

[0099] According to the above-mentioned cleaning section 60, the switching valve 62a provided in the cleaning stock solution supply pipe 62, which is a common cleaning stock solution supply path for supplying alkaline cleaning stock solution and acidic cleaning stock solution, allows either the alkaline cleaning stock solution or the acidic cleaning stock solution to pass through the cleaning stock solution supply pipe 62, and the control unit 100, when provided with a cleaning instruction, controls the opening and closing state of the switching valve 62a to supply the acidic cleaning stock solution after supplying the alkaline cleaning stock solution. Therefore, it is possible to limit the alkaline cleaning stock solution to remain in the cleaning stock solution supply pump 62b provided in the cleaning stock solution supply pipe 62, thereby preventing the rubber material such as fluorine-based rubber constituting the cleaning stock solution supply pump 62b from deteriorating early, and can suppress the reduction in service life.

[0100] As mentioned above, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention was described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made.

[0101] In the above-mentioned embodiment, milk is used as an example of a milk beverage, but in the present invention, a milk beverage such as soy milk may also be used.

[0102] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the beverage supply path is cleaned after the first connection part 26 and the second connection part 33 are disconnected and the third connection part 68 is connected to the first connection part 26. However, in the present invention, the beverage supply path may be cleaned in a state where the first connection part 26, the second connection part 33, and the third connection part 68 are connected to each other. Accordingly, it is not necessary to disconnect the second connection part 33 from the first connection part 26 and connect the third connection part 68 to the first connection part 26, and the beverage supply path can be cleaned more simply.

[0103] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the opening and closing state of the switching valve 62a when a cleaning instruction is provided, and limits the alkaline cleaning solution to remain in the cleaning solution supply pump 62b by supplying the acidic cleaning solution after supplying the alkaline cleaning solution. However, in the present invention, if the control unit can control the opening and closing state of the switching valve when a cleaning instruction is provided to limit the alkaline cleaning solution to remain in the supply pump (cleaning solution supply pump 62b) arranged in the cleaning solution supply path, various structures can be adopted.

[0104] That is, Fig.11As shown in the figure, one end of the cleaning solution supply pipe 62' is branched into three, one of which is connected to the first cleaning solution storage part 65, another one is connected to the second cleaning solution storage part 66, and the last one is connected to the water storage part 67 for storing water. Although not explicitly shown in the figure, the other end of the cleaning solution supply pipe 62' is connected to the side part 611 of the diffusion part 61 in the same way as the above-mentioned cleaning solution supply pipe 62. The switching valve 62c provided in the middle of such a cleaning solution supply pipe 62' is provided at the branch point of the cleaning solution supply pipe 62', and the switching valve 62c is a selection unit that allows any one of the alkaline cleaning solution, the acidic cleaning solution and the water to pass through the cleaning solution supply pipe 62' according to the instruction provided by the control unit 100. Accordingly, when a cleaning instruction is provided, the control unit 100 controls the opening and closing state of the switching valve 62c, and by supplying an acidic cleaning solution after supplying an alkaline cleaning solution and then supplying water, it is possible to limit the alkaline cleaning solution from remaining in the cleaning solution supply pump 62b.

[0105] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the cleaning solution (alkaline cleaning solution, acidic cleaning solution) is diffused into hot water in the diffusion section 61, but in the present invention, the cleaning solution may be mixed with hot water to generate a cleaning solution, and the cleaning solution may be supplied to the beverage supply path for cleaning.

[0106] Description of Reference Numerals

[0107] 1: beverage supply device; 20: steam supply unit; 21: steam tank; 24: hot water supply pipe; 25: hot water tank; 26: first connection unit; 27: liquid supply pipe; 30: raw liquid supply unit; 40: air supply unit; 50: stirring unit; 51: beverage delivery pipe; 52: forming unit; 54: nozzle unit; 60: cleaning unit (cleaning device); 61: diffusion unit; 62: cleaning raw liquid supply pipe; 62a: switching valve; 62b: cleaning raw liquid supply pump; 63: cleaning supply pipe; 63a: cleaning check valve; 64: cleaning hot water supply pipe; 64a: cleaning hot water pump; 65: first cleaning raw liquid storage unit; 66: second cleaning raw liquid storage unit; 100: control unit; C: cup.

Claims

1. A cleaning device, wherein when the cleaning device is applied to a beverage supply device that supplies beverages to a container through a beverage supply path and a cleaning instruction is provided, the cleaning device supplies an alkaline cleaning stock solution and an acidic cleaning stock solution stored in a cleaning stock solution storage portion to the beverage supply path separately together with hot water stored in a hot water storage portion and supplied by a cleaning hot water supply pipe, thereby cleaning the beverage supply path, wherein the cleaning device is characterized in that it comprises: A common cleaning stock solution supply path, which is used to supply the alkaline cleaning stock solution and the acidic cleaning stock solution; a single switching valve provided in the cleaning solution supply path, which selects either the alkaline cleaning solution or the acidic cleaning solution and allows the selected cleaning solution to pass through the cleaning solution supply path; a diffusion unit connected to the common cleaning solution supply path and causing the alkaline cleaning solution or the acidic cleaning solution selected by the switching valve to diffuse into the hot water; a supply pump disposed at a position between the switching valve and the diffuser in the middle of the cleaning liquid supply path, and when driven, supplies the cleaning liquid selected by the switching valve to the beverage supply path toward the diffuser; as well as a control unit, when the cleaning instruction is provided, controlling the opening and closing state of the switching valve so that the acidic cleaning solution is supplied after the alkaline cleaning solution is supplied, The diffuser is configured in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and has a side portion, a bottom portion, and a cover body. The side portion is cylindrical, and the bottom portion is formed into a conical shape with the central portion being the lowest position in a manner that its cross-sectional area gradually decreases as it goes downward. The cover body blocks the upper surface opening of the diffuser. The washing hot water supply pipe is connected to the hot water supply port provided on the cover body. The hot water supply port is arranged on the central axis of the diffuser. The cleaning stock solution supply path is connected to the side portion in a manner that one end thereof protrudes toward the central axis of the diffusion portion. The switching valve allows any one of the alkaline cleaning solution, the acidic cleaning solution, and water to pass through the cleaning solution supply path. When the cleaning instruction is provided, the control unit controls the opening and closing state of the switching valve so that the acidic cleaning solution is supplied after the alkaline cleaning solution and the water is supplied thereafter, thereby limiting the alkaline cleaning solution from remaining in the supply pump.

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