Beverage supply device

Abstract

The present invention provides a beverage supply device that responds to the diversified demands for supplied beverages and suppresses the reduction in the quality of the supplied beverages. The beverage supply device supplies a beverage to a cup (C), and comprises: a nozzle unit (24), which has a first nozzle (241) and a second nozzle (242), the first nozzle (241) having a main nozzle (241a) for spraying drip coffee downward toward the cup (C), and the second nozzle (242) having a sub-spout (242a) for spraying foam milk downward toward the cup (C); and a gate mechanism (34), which, under normal conditions, arranges a shielding portion (341) in a region below the sub-spout (242a) to allow drip coffee to be sprayed from the main nozzle to the cup, and in the case of supplying latte coffee, arranges the shielding portion in a position retreated from the region below the sub-spout, to allow drip coffee to be sprayed from the main nozzle to the cup and to allow foam milk to be sprayed from the sub-spout to the cup.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a beverage supply device. Background Art

[0002] In the past, beverage supply devices such as coffee machines were installed in stores such as convenience stores. When a user selects a beverage, the beverage supply device extracts coffee bean powder and dripping liquid to produce coffee, and supplies the coffee to a container such as a cup disposed in the beverage supply unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6702379 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In such beverage supply devices, there is also known a beverage supply device that supplies coffee containing a foamed milk beverage such as latte to a container in response to a demand for diversification of the beverages to be supplied.

[0008] In such a beverage supply device for supplying coffee containing a foamed milk drink, coffee is sprayed downward from the first spray port, and the foamed milk drink is sprayed downward from the second spray port adjacent to the first spray port, thereby supplying coffee containing a milk drink to the container.

[0009] However, in this beverage supply device, the first and second outlets are adjacent to each other. When only coffee is supplied to the container, there is a concern that the milk beverage remaining near the second outlet may drip into the container and mix with the coffee, causing a decrease in beverage quality.

[0010] In view of the above-mentioned actual situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a beverage supply device that can respond to diverse demands for supplied beverages and suppress degradation in the quality of the supplied beverages.

[0011] Solutions for solving problems

[0012] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a beverage supply device, which supplies a beverage to a container, characterized in that the beverage supply device comprises: a nozzle unit, which has a first nozzle and a second nozzle, the first nozzle having a main nozzle for spraying a main beverage element that can constitute the entire beverage by itself downward toward the container, and the second nozzle having a secondary nozzle for spraying a secondary beverage element that cannot constitute the entire beverage by itself and is to be mixed with the main beverage element downward toward the container; and a gate mechanism, which under normal conditions arranges a shielding portion in a lower area of ​​the secondary nozzle, allowing the main beverage element to be sprayed from the main nozzle to the container, and on the other hand, when supplying the beverage containing the secondary beverage element, the gate mechanism arranges the shielding portion in a position retreated from the lower area of ​​the secondary nozzle, allowing the main beverage element to be sprayed from the main nozzle to the container, and allowing the secondary beverage element to be sprayed from the secondary nozzle to the container.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned beverage supply device, the sub-beverage element is a foamed milk beverage.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, the nozzle unit comprises a first nozzle and a second nozzle, the first nozzle comprising a main nozzle for spraying a main beverage element that can constitute the entire beverage by itself downward toward a container, and the second nozzle comprising a secondary nozzle for spraying a secondary beverage element that cannot constitute the entire beverage by itself and is to be mixed with the main beverage element downward toward the container, the gate mechanism under normal conditions arranges the shielding portion in an area below the secondary nozzle, allowing the main beverage element to be sprayed from the main nozzle toward the container, and on the other hand, in the case of supplying a beverage containing the secondary beverage element, the gate mechanism arranges the shielding portion in a position retreated from the area below the secondary nozzle, allowing the main beverage element to be sprayed from the main nozzle toward the container and allowing the secondary beverage element to be sprayed from the secondary nozzle toward the container, therefore, when supplying a beverage consisting only of the main beverage element, the secondary beverage element remaining in the second nozzle can be prevented from being supplied to the container, thereby achieving the effect of being able to cope with diverse requirements for the supplied beverage and suppressing a reduction in the quality of the supplied beverage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the appearance structure of the beverage server according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the beverage server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 Yes means Figure 1The illustrated perspective view shows the front door when the opening and closing door is swung in the opening direction.

[0019] Figure 4 Yes means Figure 1 The illustrated perspective view shows the front door when the opening and closing door is swung in the opening direction.

[0020] Figure 5 Yes means Figure 2 and Figure 4 A three-dimensional diagram of the appearance structure of the gate mechanism shown.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The gate mechanism is shown in a top view when it is in a normal state.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 The gate mechanism is shown in a bottom view when it is in a normal state.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 The gate mechanism shown is a top view of the case where the cam member rotates half a turn from the normal state.

[0024] Fig. 9 yes Figure 5 The gate mechanism shown is a bottom view of the case where the cam member rotates half a turn from the normal state.

[0025] Fig.10 Yes means Figure 2 Flowchart showing the processing contents of the beverage supply control process performed by the control unit shown.

[0026] Fig.11 Yes means Figure 1 A perspective view of the main parts of the rear surface side of the front surface door shown.

[0027] Fig.12 This is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow of drain liquid when the front door closes the opening on the front surface of the main cabinet.

[0028] Description of Reference Numerals

[0029] 1. Device body; 10. Main cabinet; 11. Beverage generating section; 11a. Coffee extracting section; 11b. Milk generating section; 20. Front surface door; 21. Display section; 21a. Input section; 22. Opening and closing door; 23. Beverage supply section; 24. Nozzle unit; 241. 1st nozzle; 241a. Main ejection port; 242. 2nd nozzle; 242a. Sub ejection port; 25. Loading table; 26. Rear wall; 27. Side wall; 28. Loading section; 31. Cup detecting section; 32. Door opening and closing detecting section; 33. Door opening and closing locking mechanism; 34. Gate mechanism; 341. Shielding section; 342. Arm member; 343. Gate driving section; 344. Cam member; 40. Control section; C. Cup. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the beverage supply device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Each of the beverage supply devices according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram showing the appearance structure. Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system.

[0032] The beverage supply device illustrated here is a coffee machine installed in a store such as a convenience store, which extracts coffee bean powder and dripping liquid and supplies coffee such as drip coffee or latte containing milk beverage to a bottomed cylindrical cup C as a container. Such a beverage supply device includes a device body 1.

[0033] The device body 1 includes a main cabinet 10 and a front door 20. The main cabinet 10 is in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening on the front surface. A beverage production unit 11 is provided inside the main cabinet 10.

[0034] The beverage production unit 11 includes a coffee extraction unit 11a and a milk production unit 11b. In the coffee extraction unit 11a, ground raw materials such as coffee beans and hot water are put into an extraction cylinder of the extractor and stirred on filter paper, and then the upper surface opening of the extraction cylinder is closed with a cylinder cap and pressurized to extract coffee through the filter paper.

[0035] The milk production unit 11b mixes steam and air with milk supplied from the milk tank to produce foamed milk as a frothed milk drink. The milk production unit 11b may be a milk production unit that produces steamed milk, etc., but in this embodiment, the case of producing foamed milk is described.

[0036] Here, the coffee extracted by the coffee extraction unit 11a of the beverage production unit 11 is a main beverage element that can constitute the entire beverage (drip coffee) by itself. On the other hand, the foamed milk produced by the milk production unit 11b of the beverage production unit 11 is a secondary beverage element that cannot constitute the entire beverage (latte) by itself and must be mixed with the main beverage element.

[0037] The front surface door 20 is a door body having a size sufficient to close the opening of the front surface of the main cabinet 10. The front surface door 20 is provided at a side edge portion of the front side of the main cabinet 10 in a manner capable of swinging around the central axis of an unillustrated shaft portion extending in the up-down direction, and can open or close the opening of the front surface of the main cabinet 10.

[0038] The front surface of the front door 20 constitutes a reception surface and is provided with a display unit 21 and an opening and closing door 22. The display unit 21 is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel, displays various information, and has an input unit 21a that enables input operations such as touch operations.

[0039] The opening and closing door 22 is made of a light-transmitting material such as a transparent resin. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the front surface door 20 has a size sufficient to cover the entrance of the beverage supply portion 23 provided on the front surface door 20.

[0040] The left end of the opening and closing door 22 is pivotally supported on the front surface door 20, and the opening and closing door 22 can swing in the front-back direction. In other words, the opening and closing door 22 can swing in the front-back direction in a state of approaching and moving away from the beverage supply part 23, and can close the entrance of the beverage supply part 23 when swinging backward in a state of approaching the beverage supply part 23, and can open the entrance of the beverage supply part 23 when swinging forward in a state of moving away from the beverage supply part 23.

[0041] The beverage supply unit 23 is configured by providing a recessed portion below the display unit 21. The beverage supply unit 23 includes a nozzle unit 24, a mounting table 25, a rear wall 26, a side wall 27, and a mounting portion 28.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the nozzle unit 24 includes a first nozzle 241 and a second nozzle 242. The first nozzle 241 includes a main nozzle 241a opening downward, and the first nozzle 241 ejects coffee extracted by the coffee extraction unit 11a of the beverage production unit 11 vertically downward from the main nozzle 241a.

[0043] The second nozzle 242 is disposed obliquely to the right and rear of the first nozzle 241 and has a sub-dispensing port 242a opening downward. The second nozzle 242 dispenses the foamed milk produced by the milk producing unit 11b of the beverage producing unit 11 vertically downward from the sub-dispensing port 242a.

[0044] The placing table 25 is provided in the lower area of ​​the nozzle unit 24. The placing table 25 is formed with a through hole through which the beverage (coffee, foamed milk) ejected from the first nozzle 241 and the second nozzle 242 but not supplied to the cup C passes, and a tray 25a for storing beverages is provided below the placing table 25 (see Fig.11 and Fig.12 The rear wall 26 covers the rear surface of the mounting platform 25. The side walls 27 cover the two side surfaces of the mounting platform 25. Figure 3 As shown, the placement portion 28 is formed of, for example, a resin material, and is used to place the cup C. Although detailed description of the placement portion 28 is omitted, the placement portion 28 can swing according to the weight of the cup C and the like.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the beverage supply device includes a cup detector 31 , a door opening / closing detector 32 , a door opening / closing locking mechanism 33 , a shutter mechanism 34 , and a control unit 40 .

[0046] The cup detector 31 is composed of, for example, a photosensor, and detects whether a cup C is placed in the beverage supply unit 23, that is, whether a cup is placed on the placement unit 28. The cup detector 31 provides the control unit 40 with the detection result of the presence or absence of the cup C.

[0047] The door opening and closing detection unit 32 is provided near the entrance of the beverage supply unit 23, and is composed of, for example, a light sensor. The door opening and closing detection unit 32 detects the opening and closing of the entrance by the opening and closing door 22, and more specifically, detects whether the entrance is closed, that is, whether the opening and closing door 22 is closed. The door opening and closing detection unit 32 provides the control unit 40 with the detection result of whether the opening and closing door 22 is closed.

[0048] The door opening and closing locking mechanism 33 is provided near the entrance of the beverage supply unit 23. The door opening and closing locking mechanism 33 can be switched between a locked state and a released state. In the locked state, the door opening and closing locking mechanism 33 keeps the opening and closing door 22 closing the entrance closed and restricts the opening and closing door 22 from swinging forward. In the released state, the door opening and closing locking mechanism 33 allows the opening and closing door 22 to swing forward. The door opening and closing locking mechanism 33 is switched according to the command provided by the control unit 40.

[0049] like Figure 4 As shown, the gate mechanism 34 is provided in the beverage supply portion 23. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the shutter mechanism 34 includes a shielding portion 341, an arm member 342, and a shutter driving portion 343. The shielding portion 341 is a disc-shaped body having a drainage hole 341a for drainage formed in a portion thereof.

[0050] The arm member 342 is a longitudinal member, and the central portion of the arm member in the longitudinal direction is supported by an axis. The arm member can swing around the axis support portion, and the top end portion is connected to the shielding portion 341, and a long hole 342a is formed at the base end portion. The protrusion 344a of the cam member 344 that is configured to rotate freely around its own central axis enters the long hole 342a from below.

[0051] The gate drive unit 343 is a drive source such as a motor that is driven according to a command from the control unit 40, and the gate drive unit 343 drives to rotate the cam member 344 around the central axis. In this embodiment, according to the command from the control unit 40, the cam member 344 rotates half a circle around the central axis in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from above.

[0052] In such a shutter mechanism 34, by rotating the cam member 344 half a turn around the central axis, the arm member 342 swings around the shaft support portion, and the shielding portion 341 is displaced. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the shutter mechanism 34 normally places the protrusion 344a of the cam member 344 at the rear. Figure 7 As shown, the shutter mechanism 34 arranges the shielding portion 341 in the area below the sub-dispensing port 242a of the second nozzle 242. As a result, the shutter mechanism 34 allows the coffee to be dispensed from the main dispensing port 241a of the first nozzle 241 to the cup C placed on the placement portion 28.

[0053] On the other hand, the shutter mechanism 34 drives the shutter driving unit 343 according to the command received from the control unit 40 so that the cam member 344 rotates half a circle in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from above, thereby Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the protrusion 344a of the cam member 344 is arranged at the front. Fig. 9 As shown, the shutter mechanism 34 disposes the shielding portion 341 at a position away from the area below the sub-dispensing port 242a, allowing coffee to be dispensed from the main dispensing port 241a into the cup C and allowing foamed milk to be dispensed from the sub-dispensing port 242a into the cup C.

[0054] The control unit 40 is electrically connected to the beverage generating unit 11, the display unit 21, the cup detecting unit 31, the door opening and closing detecting unit 32, the door opening and closing locking mechanism 33, and the gate mechanism 34, respectively. The control unit 40 controls the actions of these various parts in a unified manner according to the program and data stored in the storage unit 41 which is also electrically connected to the control unit 40.

[0055] The control unit 40 may realize control by, for example, causing a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a program, that is, by software, or by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or by both software and hardware.

[0056] Fig.10 Yes means Figure 2 Flowchart showing the processing contents of the beverage supply control process executed by the control unit 40 shown.

[0057] The operation of the beverage supply device will be described while describing the processing contents of the beverage supply control process. In addition, as a premise for the description, the shutter mechanism 34 is in a state where the shielding portion 341 is arranged in the area below the secondary discharge port 242a of the second nozzle 242 and the coffee is allowed to be discharged from the primary discharge port 241a of the first nozzle 241 to the cup C.

[0058] In the beverage supply control process, the control unit 40 determines whether the cup C is placed on the placement unit 28 by the cup detection unit 31 (step S101 ). That is, it determines whether the presence of the cup C in the beverage supply unit 23 is detected.

[0059] If the presence of cup C is detected (step S101: Yes), control unit 40 determines whether door 22 is closed (step S102) based on the detection result of door opening and closing detection unit 32. If door 22 is not closed (step S102: No), the determination process of step S102 is repeated.

[0060] On the other hand, when the door 22 is closed (step S102: Yes), the control unit 40 causes the display unit 21 to display the supplied beverage (drip coffee or latte, etc.) and to guide the input unit 21a to be touched as a guide display of selection intention (step S103).

[0061] After that, the control unit 40 determines whether the input unit 21a is touched (step S104). If the input unit 21a is not touched (step S104: No), the control unit 40 repeats the determination process of step S104. On the other hand, if the input unit 21a is touched (step S104: Yes), the control unit 40 uses the door opening and closing locking mechanism 33 to lock the opening and closing door 22 in the closed state (step S105).

[0062] After locking the opening and closing door 22 in the closed state, the control unit 40 determines whether milk is produced in the milk producing unit 11b by the process of step S104 (step S106). If it is determined that milk is produced (step S106: Yes), the control unit 40 drives the shutter drive unit 343 to rotate the cam member 344 half a turn in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from above (step S107). As a result, the shutter mechanism 34 arranges the shielding portion 341 at a position away from the area below the auxiliary ejection port 242a, allowing coffee to be ejected from the main ejection port 241a to the cup C and allowing foamed milk to be ejected from the auxiliary ejection port 242a to the cup C.

[0063] Then, the control unit 40 causes the beverage production unit 11 to perform a process of producing and supplying the beverage (latte) to be supplied (step S108 ).

[0064] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S106 that milk is not produced (step S106: No), the control unit 40 causes the beverage production unit 11 to produce and supply the beverage (drip coffee) to be supplied without performing the process of step S107. That is, the shutter mechanism 34 performs the process of step S108 in a state in which the main discharge port 241a of the first nozzle 241 is allowed to discharge coffee into the cup C.

[0065] Thereafter, the control unit 40 determines whether the beverage supply of the beverage production unit 11 has ended (step S109). If the beverage supply has not ended (step S109: No), the control unit 40 returns to step S108 to continue the process of producing and supplying the beverage.

[0066] When the beverage supply is finished (step S109: Yes), the control unit 40 determines whether milk is supplied (step S110). If it is determined that milk is supplied (step S110: Yes), the gate drive unit 343 is driven to rotate the cam member 344 half a turn in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from above (step S111). Thus, the gate mechanism 34 returns to normal.

[0067] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S110 that milk is not being supplied (step S110 : NO), the control unit 40 does not perform the process of step S111 .

[0068] Then, the control unit 40 releases the lock of the closed state of the opening and closing door 22 by the door opening and closing lock mechanism 33 (step S112 ), and then returns the step to end the current processing.

[0069] In the shutter mechanism 34, the shielding portion 341 is provided in such a manner that the drain hole 341a is arranged on the rear side of the rear wall 26 of the beverage supply portion 23. Fig.11As shown, a drainage gutter 35 is provided in a state connected to the rear surface of the rear wall 26 , and the drainage gutter 35 is used to guide the drainage dripping from the drainage hole 341 a to the tray 25 a .

[0070] Therefore, when the milk as the drain received by the shielding portion 341 of the shutter mechanism 34 still drips from the drain hole 341a in a state where the front surface door 20 opens the opening of the front surface of the main cabinet 10, the milk is guided to the tray 25a through the drain gutter 35. Therefore, there is no worry that the milk received by the shielding portion 341 drips to the outside of the device main body 1, and it is hygienic.

[0071] In addition, if Fig.12 As shown, when the front surface door 20 closes the opening of the front surface of the main cabinet 10, a portion of the storage barrel 29 placed inside the main cabinet 10 is arranged in the area below the drainage hole 341a of the shielding portion 341, between the shielding portion 341 and the drainage flow channel 35.

[0072] Thus, when the milk, which is the drain received by the shielding portion 341 of the shutter mechanism 34, drips from the drain hole 341a in a state where the front surface door 20 closes the opening of the front surface of the main cabinet 10, the milk is guided to the storage tub 29. Therefore, there is no worry that the milk received by the shielding portion 341 will drip toward the equipment constituting the beverage production unit 11 inside the main cabinet 10, and it is hygienic.

[0073] As described above, in the beverage supply device which is an embodiment of the present invention, the gate mechanism 34 normally arranges the shielding portion 341 in the lower area of ​​the secondary nozzle 242a, allowing drip coffee to be sprayed from the main nozzle 241a to the cup C. On the other hand, in the case of supplying latte containing foamed milk, the gate mechanism 34 arranges the shielding portion 341 in a position withdrawn from the lower area of ​​the secondary nozzle 242a, allowing drip coffee to be sprayed from the main nozzle 241a to the cup C and allowing foamed milk to be sprayed from the secondary nozzle 242a to the cup C. Therefore, when supplying drip coffee, it is possible to prevent the milk remaining in the second nozzle 242 from being supplied to the cup C, thereby being able to cope with the diversified requirements for the supplied beverages and suppress the reduction in the quality of the supplied beverages.

[0074] As mentioned above, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention was described, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the main beverage element is drip coffee and the sub-beverage element is foamed milk. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various beverages may be used as the main beverage element and the sub-beverage element.

Claims

1. A beverage supply device for supplying a beverage to a container, characterized in that: The beverage supply device comprises: Main cabinet; A front surface door capable of opening or closing an opening of the front surface of the main body cabinet; a nozzle unit having a first nozzle and a second nozzle, the first nozzle having a main nozzle for ejecting a main beverage element that can constitute the entire beverage by itself downward toward the container, and the second nozzle having a secondary nozzle for ejecting a secondary beverage element that cannot constitute the entire beverage by itself and is to be mixed with the main beverage element downward toward the container; as well as a shutter mechanism, wherein in a normal state, the shielding portion is disposed in a region below the secondary spray port, allowing the main beverage element to be sprayed from the main spray port into the container; and, on the other hand, when the beverage containing the secondary beverage element is supplied, the shutter mechanism disposes the shielding portion at a position withdrawn from the region below the secondary spray port, allowing the main beverage element to be sprayed from the main spray port into the container and allowing the secondary beverage element to be sprayed from the secondary spray port into the container. The nozzle unit, the shutter mechanism, and a mounting table provided in a lower area of ​​the nozzle unit are provided on the front surface door. A drain hole for draining liquid is provided in a part of the shielding portion, and the shielding portion is provided in such a manner that the drain hole is arranged on the rear side of a rear wall covering the rear surface of the mounting table. In the area below the drainage hole, a drainage flow groove is provided in a state connected to the rear surface of the rear wall, and the drainage flow groove is used to guide the drainage dripping from the drainage hole to the tray provided below the mounting table. A storage bucket is placed inside the main cabinet. When the front surface door closes the opening of the front surface of the main cabinet, a portion of the storage bucket is arranged between the shielding portion and the drainage channel in the area below the drainage hole of the shielding portion. The beverage supply device is configured such that, when the front surface door closes the opening on the front surface of the main cabinet, the drainage liquid dripping from the drainage hole is guided to the storage bucket, and when the front surface door opens the opening on the front surface of the main cabinet, the drainage liquid dripping from the drainage hole is guided to the tray via the drainage flow groove.

2. The beverage supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sub-beverage element is a foamed milk beverage.

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