Raw material tank of beverage supply device

Abstract

The present invention provides a can comprising: a can main body part, which is a container that is disposed at the upper part of a coffee machine, has an opening, and stores a raw material; and a lid body (11) that covers the opening, the tank has a lock unit (20) that is removably held by the lid body (11), the lock unit (20) is held so as to be able to change the attachment direction with respect to the lid body (11), and when the opening of the tank body is covered by the lid body (11), the lock unit (20) is locked by the lock unit (20). A mounting direction of a first specification in which the tank main body part and the lid body (11) can be locked and a mounting direction of a second specification in which the tank main body part and the lid body (11) cannot be locked can be changed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a lock mechanism of a lid of a tank that stores raw materials and the like of a beverage supply device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a beverage supply device such as a coffee machine provided in a convenience store and the like, a tank that stores raw materials such as coffee beans and coffee powder in advance is provided.

[0003] The tank is provided, for example, in an upper portion of the coffee machine, and a lid is provided in an upper portion thereof. The lid can be opened to replenish the raw materials into the tank.

[0004] For example, in Patent Literature 1, a tank that stores coffee powder as raw materials of a beverage is provided in a cup-type beverage vending machine. An upper portion of the tank has an opening portion, and a lid body is provided to cover the opening portion. The opening portion of the tank and the lid body are rectangular, and one side of the lid body is swingably supported to a main body portion (a box body) of the tank in the up-down direction via a hinge. On the opposite side of the hinge, a peripheral portion of the opening portion of the tank and the lid body can be fastened by a magnet.

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0006] PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 7-160944 SUMMARY

[0008] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009] However, in a case where the beverage supply device that exposes the upper portion of the tank including the lid body to the outside is provided in a place where most people can operate, in order to prevent mischief, it is sometimes required to provide a lock mechanism in the lid body of the tank.

[0010] Further, for example, in a case where the place where the beverage supply device is provided is a place where only a store clerk can operate like a counter in a convenience store, a lock mechanism is not required in most cases.

[0011] Therefore, the specifications of the beverage supply device differ depending on the presence or absence of the lock function, and for a manufacturer of the beverage supply device, there is a problem that the types of components increase. Further, among users who provide the beverage supply device, for example, in a case where the place where the device is provided is changed from a place where the lid body of the tank does not require a lock mechanism to a place where a lock mechanism is required after the device is provided, there is a problem that the tank must be replaced or the entire device must be replaced with a beverage supply device of a different specification.

[0012] The present application has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a raw material tank of a beverage supply device that can easily change the presence or absence of a lock function of a lid body in the same component.

[0013] Technical solutions adopted to solve technical problems

[0014] To solve the above problems, the raw material tank of the beverage dispensing device of the present invention includes a tank body and a lid. The tank body is a container disposed on the upper part of the beverage dispensing device, having an opening for storing raw materials. The lid covers the opening. The device is characterized by having a locking unit that is detachably held in the lid. The locking unit is held in a manner that allows for changing the installation direction relative to the lid. When the opening is covered by the lid, a first-specification installation direction in which the tank body and the lid can be locked and a second-specification installation direction in which the tank body and the lid cannot be locked can be changed.

[0015] Alternatively, the raw material tank of the beverage dispensing device of the present invention includes a tank body and a lid. The tank body is a container disposed on the upper part of the beverage dispensing device and having an opening for storing raw materials. The lid covers the opening. The device is characterized by having a locking unit that is detachably held in the tank body. The locking unit is held in a manner that allows for changing the installation direction relative to the tank body. When the opening is covered by the lid, the device can change the installation direction of the tank body and the lid to a first specification that allows locking and a second specification that prevents locking.

[0016] Invention Effects

[0017] According to the present invention, in the raw material tank of the beverage dispensing device, the locking unit can be installed and removed relative to the lid or the main body of the tank, and the presence or absence of the locking function can be changed by changing the installation direction of the locking unit relative to the lid or the main body of the tank. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the schematic external shape of a coffee machine including a can according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the shape of the can according to this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the structure of the can with the lid removed, and it includes a locking unit.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the structure of the mounting part of the locking unit in a cover with a locking function.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional view showing the structure of the locking unit.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional view showing the structure of the locking unit.

[0024] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram showing the mounting direction of the locking unit in a cover with a locking function relative to the cover.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the locking unit mounting part in the cover with locking function.

[0026] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing the mounting direction of the locking unit relative to the cover when the locking function is not required.

[0027] Figure 10 This is a perspective view showing the structure of the mounting portion of the locking unit in a cover that does not require a locking function.

[0028] Figure 11 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the locking unit mounting part in a cover that does not require a locking function. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the schematic external shape of a coffee machine 1 (beverage supply device) including a can 10 (raw material can) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the shape of tank 10. Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the structure of the can 10 with the lid 11 removed. Additionally, in Figure 3 In this case, a locking unit 20, which is provided on the cover 11, is added to the position when the cover 11 is closed. Additionally, for Figures 1 to 3 and the following explanation Figure 4 For ease of explanation, the directions of the coffee machine 1 after it has been set up will be used for the front, back, left, right, up, and down directions. The directions of the canister 10 and lid 11, which will be described later, will also be used for the coffee machine in its set-up state. This is especially important for... Figure 4 , 7 9, 10, 11, use the front, back, left, right, up, and down directions with the cover 11 closed.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the coffee machine 1 has, for example, a rectangular box-shaped main body 2, which is disposed in a convenience store and has an opening at the front; and a main door that blocks the opening.

[0032] A cup-holding platform 3, a cover 4 that can be opened and closed to cover the front surface of the platform 3, and a main door lock 2b are provided on the lower part of the front surface of the main door 2a. An operation panel 5 is provided on the front surface of the main door 2a above the holding strip 3. Furthermore, multiple tanks 10 are provided on the upper part of the main body 2 to store raw materials for beverages such as coffee supplied to the cups. The raw materials stored in the tanks 10 include various coffee beans, sugar, milk powder, etc. In this embodiment, three tanks 10 are provided.

[0033] The coffee machine 1, based on the operation of the control panel 5, produces beverages such as coffee from raw materials stored in the tank 10 and serves the beverages into cups placed on the platform 3.

[0034] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown, the tank 10 has a main body 12 that is a generally rectangular box-shaped container that is elongated in the front-to-back direction. An opening 13 for supplying raw materials is located at the upper part of the main body 12. An outlet 15 for discharging the raw materials stored inside the tank 10 is provided at the lower front part of the main body 12. A motor-driven screw (not shown) is provided at the lower part of the tank 10, and the motor is driven by the operation of the control panel 5 to discharge the raw materials from the outlet 15.

[0035] A cover 11 is provided on the upper part of the can 10 to cover the opening 13. The cover 11 is a generally rectangular plate-shaped component corresponding to the opening 13 on the upper part of the can body 12. In addition, the can body 12 and the cover 11 are formed of resin, for example.

[0036] The lid 11 is configured to be detachable from the can body 12 and positioned at the edge of the opening 13 of the can body 12 to close the opening 13. Furthermore, locking units 20 are installed at the front and rear of the lower surface of the lid 11, which is the inner side of the can 10. Additionally, although in Figure 3 The diagram shows the locking unit 20 but not the cover 11. This is to illustrate the position of the locking unit 20 when the opening 13 is closed by the cover 11, that is, the locking position of the cover 11 locked by the locking unit 20.

[0037] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the structure of the mounting portion of the locking unit 20 in the cover 11 with a locking function. Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the structure of the locking unit 20. Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the structure of the locking unit 20, which in the front-rear direction... Figure 5 The locking unit 20 is shown in reverse.

[0038] like Figure 4As shown, on the lower surface side of the lid 11, a thin plate-shaped flange 21 protruding downwards by approximately 1 cm to 2 cm is provided around the entire circumference near the outer periphery. The flange 21 is configured to insert into the opening 13 of the can body 12 with almost no gap, and the lid 11 hardly moves in the front, back, left, and right directions when the opening 13 is closed by the lid 11.

[0039] Rectangular box-shaped retaining portions 23 for inserting locking units 20 are provided on the lower surfaces of the front and rear portions of the cover 11. At the left and right center portions of the front and rear portions of the cover 11, flange portions 21 are cut into rectangles to provide insertion holes 24. Retaining portions 23 are positioned inside the insertion holes 24 in the front-rear direction. Locking units 20 are inserted from the outside in the front-rear direction into the insertion holes 24 provided on the flange portions 21 of the cover 11, and are held in the retaining portions 23 in a manner that overlaps with the flange portions 21 in an upper-lower position. Furthermore, although in Figure 4 The front of the cover 11 is shown, but a retaining part 23 and an insertion hole 24 are also provided at the rear of the cover 11. The locking unit 20 is inserted from the outside (rear side) and supported by the retaining part 23 in the same way as the front.

[0040] The locking unit 20 is formed, for example, from a component that is elastic, such as resin. Figure 5 , 6 As shown, the locking unit 20 is generally rectangular box-shaped, with its width slightly smaller than that of the insertion hole 24. It has two parallel surfaces, a first surface 20a and a second surface 20b, and a spring portion 20c (force-applying portion) that connects the first surface 20a and the inner surface 20b and forms a spring shape. The spring portion 20c applies force in a direction that moves the first surface 20a and the second surface 20b away from each other in the front-rear direction. A claw portion 27 protruding outwards in the front-rear direction is provided on the first surface 20a. The second surface 20b is a flat surface without the claw portion 27.

[0041] A pair of locking portions 20d are provided from both ends of the first face 20a toward the second face 20b, extending along the left and right sides of the spring portion 20c. Each locking portion 20d has a retaining protrusion 28 protruding outwards in the left and right directions at a position approximately at the center of the locking unit 20 in the front-rear direction. The locking portion 20d can be elastically oscillated with its front end approximately at its center, allowing it to move slightly in the left-right direction.

[0042] The retaining part 23 of the locking unit 20 provided on the lower surface of the cover 11 is box-shaped so as to allow the locking unit 20 to be inserted and held therein.

[0043] The retaining part 23 has: a pair of side plate portions 23a that extend inward from the left and right edges of the insertion hole 24 of the flange portion 21; a lower plate portion 23b that extends parallel to the lower surface 11a of the cover 11 between the lower ends of the side plate portions 23a; and an inner side plate portion 23c that extends vertically downward from the lower surface of the cover 11 and connects the rear ends of the pair of side plate portions 23a to the rear ends of the lower plate portion 23b.

[0044] Each of the pair of side plate portions 23a is provided with a retaining hole 25, which is supported by a retaining protrusion 28 for inserting into the retaining portion 23. In addition, a hole 26 is also provided in the inner side plate portion 23c.

[0045] The retaining hole 25 and the hole portion 26 are respectively cut around the lower plate portion 23b, and their sizes are set so that the operator's (the manager of the coffee machine 1, etc.) fingers can press the locking unit 20 held in the retaining portion 23.

[0046] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram showing the mounting direction of the locking unit in a cover with a locking function relative to the cover. Figure 8 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the locking unit mounting part in the cover with locking function.

[0047] like Figure 7 As shown, after the locking unit 20 is inserted from the second face 20b side into the insertion hole 24 and inserted into the inner side plate portion 23c that abuts against the retaining portion 23, as Figure 4 As shown, a pair of retaining protrusions 28 are supported in retaining holes 25 to hold the retaining unit 20 in the retaining portion 23 of the cover 11. At this time, the first facet 20a of the locking unit 20 is approximately coplanar with the outer surface 21a of the flange portion 21 in the front-rear direction, or is located slightly inside the outer surface 21a. The claw portion 27a of the first facet 20a is located at a position that protrudes slightly outward from the outer surface 21a of the flange portion 21.

[0048] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown in Figure 8, a locking hole 16 for the claw portion 27 of the locking unit 20 is provided on the upper part of the front side wall 12a of the can body 12. When the opening 13 of the can body 12 is closed by the cover 11, the claw portion 27 of the locking unit 20 is locked in the locking hole 16 of the can body 12 so that the cover 11 and the can body 12 are locked.

[0049] The claw portion 27 has a plane 27a perpendicular to the vertical direction on one side and an inclined surface 27b that slopes outwards on the other side in the vertical direction. Next, when a locking mechanism is required for the lid 11 of the can 10, when the locking unit 20 is installed on the lid 11, the plane 27a faces upwards and the inclined surface 27b faces downwards. Therefore, when the lid 11 is closed, the upper end of the front sidewall 12a contacts the inclined surface 27b, compressing the spring portion 20c, thereby pressing the front portion of the locking unit 20 inwards, easily closing the lid 11.

[0050] Furthermore, by mounting the plane 27a facing upwards, even if you want to lift the cover 11 from the closed state, you can securely lock it in place by using the locking of the plane 27a of the claw 27 and the locking hole 16 to prevent it from being lifted.

[0051] In addition, in order to ensure that the plane 27a always faces upward when the locking unit 20 is installed on the cover 11, a groove 29 is provided on the locking unit 20 side and a protrusion 30 is provided on the cover 11 side.

[0052] Furthermore, the locking hole 16 can be smaller than the tip of a finger. Therefore, it is not easy to easily unlock. By pressing the claw 27 of the locking unit 20, which is locked in the locking hole 16, inward with a rod-shaped component thinner than a fingertip, the claw 27 disengages from the locking hole 16, thereby releasing the lock between the can body 12 and the lid 11, allowing the lid 11 to be lifted upward and opened.

[0053] Alternatively, the size of the locking hole 16 can be set to be slightly larger than, for example, the size of the cross section orthogonal to the insertion direction of the key used to lock or unlock the main door of the coffee machine 1. This eliminates the need for a special rod-shaped component to unlock the cover 11, allowing the lock to be disengaged using the key for the main door lock. Therefore, maintenance of the coffee machine 1 and replenishment of raw materials to the container become easier.

[0054] Furthermore, when the rod is inserted into the locking hole 16 to release the lock of the cover 11, the tip of the rod abuts against the inclined surface 27b of the claw portion 27. As the rod is pressed further in, the spring portion 20c flexes, causing the front portion of the locking unit 20 to retract. After the plane 27a of the claw portion 27 disengages from the locking hole 16, the tip of the rod presses against the inclined surface 27b, generating an upward vector force relative to the claw portion 27. As a result, the cover 11 floats upwards. Even if the rod is pulled out, the claw portion 27 is pressed forward by the restoring force of the spring portion 20c and held in the floated position by the friction between the tip of the claw portion 27 and the inner side of the upper edge of the front sidewall 12a. This allows for easy opening of the cover 11 by placing a finger at its end.

[0055] Furthermore, regarding the locking unit 20 held in the cover 11, the locking unit 20 can be easily removed from the holding portion 23 of the cover 11 by pressing the holding protrusion 28 inward to release the locking protrusion 28 from the holding hole 25, and by pressing the second face 20b of the locking unit 20, which can be seen from the locking hole 16, forward from the hole 26.

[0056] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing the mounting direction of the locking unit 20 in the cover 11 (which does not require a locking function) relative to the cover 11. Figure 10 This is a perspective view showing the structure of the locking unit mounting part in the cover 11 that does not require a locking function. Figure 11 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the locking unit mounting part in the cover 11 that does not require a locking function.

[0057] like Figure 9 As shown, even when the locking unit 20 is inserted from the first face 20a side into the insertion hole 24 and into contact with the inner side plate 23c inside the retaining part 23, as Figure 10 As shown, a pair of retaining protrusions 28 are respectively supported by retaining holes 25 so that the retaining unit 20 is held in the retaining portion 23 of the cover 11. At this time, the claw portion 27 of the first facet 20a of the locking unit 20 is located inside the retaining portion 23 of the cover 11 (on the side of the inner plate portion 23c), and the second facet 20b without the claw portion 27 is approximately coplanar with the outer surface 21a in the front-rear direction of the flange portion 21, or is located slightly inside the outer surface 21a.

[0058] Therefore, as Figure 11 As shown, when the opening 13 of the can body 12 is closed using the lid 11, the lid 11 and the can body 12 are not locked, and the lid 11 can be lifted from the can body 12 and easily removed, thereby allowing the opening 13 of the can 10 to open.

[0059] As described above, the can 10 of this embodiment includes a can body 12 and a cover 11 that covers the opening 13 on its upper part. A locking unit 20 is detachably provided on the cover 11. The locking unit 20 can be installed in reverse on the cover 11 and can change the first mounting direction in which the claw 27 is installed outward and the second mounting direction in which the claw 27 is installed inward.

[0060] When the opening 13 is covered by the first-sized lid 11, the claw 27 engages with the locking hole 16 of the can body 12, thereby locking the can body 12 and the lid 11 together. Therefore, the lid 11 cannot be easily removed from the can body 12. Thus, for example, when the coffee machine 1 is placed in a location accessible to most people, it prevents foreign objects from being inserted into the can 10 or raw materials from being removed from the can 10.

[0061] When the opening 13 is covered by the second-sized lid 11, the claw 27 is not engaged with the locking hole 16 of the can body 12, and the can body 12 and the lid 11 are not locked. Therefore, the lid 11 can be easily removed from the can body 12 to open the opening 13, thereby allowing raw materials to be supplied into the can body 12. For example, if the coffee machine 1 is installed in a place where only a store clerk can operate it, such as inside a convenience store counter, the lid 11 can be opened without a locking / unlocking operation, thereby allowing raw materials to be easily supplied into the can 10.

[0062] By changing the installation direction of the locking unit 20, the canister 10 for the coffee machine 1 can be easily changed from the first specification of the locking cover 11 to the second specification of the unlocked cover 11, as described above.

[0063] Therefore, for the manufacturer of coffee machine 1, the components can be standardized through the first and second specifications, and the specifications at the time of shipment can be standardized.

[0064] Furthermore, for users who have installed coffee machines 1 in shops or other locations, after installation, if the installation location changes from a place where the lid 11 of the can 10 does not require a locking mechanism to a place where a locking mechanism is required, it can be easily and cost-free without replacing the can 10 or replacing the entire device with a beverage dispensing device of a different specification.

[0065] The locking unit 20 includes: a first face 20a having an outwardly protruding claw 27; and a second face 20b opposite to the first face 20a and being planar. Furthermore, by positioning the first face 20a outwardly and holding it in the retaining portion 23 of the lid 11, the claw 27 protrudes outwardly from the insertion hole 24 of the lid 11, thus enabling the claw 27 to engage with the locking hole 16 provided in the can body 12.

[0066] Furthermore, by having the second face 20b face outward and held in the retaining portion 23 of the lid 11, the claw portion 27 can be prevented from protruding outward from the insertion hole 24 of the lid 11, thus forming a second specification in which the claw portion 27 cannot be engaged with the locking hole 16 provided in the can body portion 12.

[0067] Furthermore, the locking unit 20 is formed of resin and is integrally constructed with the spring portion 20c, the first facet 20a, and the second facet 20b, wherein the spring portion 20c applies force to the first facet 20a and the second facet 20b in a direction away from each other. Thus, the locking unit 20 can be constructed with a simple structure and at low cost. Moreover, by simply constructing the cover 11, including the retaining portion 23, and the locking unit 20 using resin, excellent hygienic performance can be achieved.

[0068] Furthermore, since it has a spring portion 20c, when the first face portion 20a is set to face outward, force can be applied in the direction that causes the claw portion 27 to extend outward, so that when the claw portion 27 is locked in the locking hole 16, the claw portion 27 is not easy to disengage from the locking hole 16, thereby improving the locking performance of the cover 11.

[0069] Furthermore, when the opening 13 is covered by the lid 11, in the first specification, the locking hole 16 of the front side wall 12a of the can body 12 is sealed by the first facet 20a of the locking unit 20, and in the second specification, the locking hole 16 of the front side wall 12a of the can body 12 is sealed by the second facet 20b of the locking unit 20. Thus, in both the first and second specifications, insects and other objects can be prevented from entering the can body 12 through the locking hole 16, or foreign objects can be introduced into the can body 12 through the locking hole 16.

[0070] Furthermore, while the cover 11 can be unlocked by pressing the protruding claw 27 from the locking hole 16 inward, the locking hole 16 is smaller than a fingertip. Therefore, pressing the claw 27 inward with a finger will not unlock the cover 11. This prevents the cover 11 from being disassembled by pranks or other malicious acts. Additionally, while the claw 27 can be pressed inward using a thin rod-like component, the administrator can prevent unauthorized unlocking by storing this component separately from the coffee machine 1.

[0071] Furthermore, in the coffee machine 1 of this embodiment, locking units 20 can be installed at the front and back of the lid 11 respectively. For example, if both the front and back locking units 20 are set to a first specification that can lock, once the locking of either the front or back locking unit 20 is released, the other locking unit 20 will function as a hinge, allowing the released side of the lid 11 to be lifted, and raw materials or the like to be fed into the container 10 from the lifted side.

[0072] Therefore, when there are more instances where the coffee machine's setting position is changed and raw materials are replenished from the rear side of the container, by releasing the locking unit 20 on the rear side of the lid 11, the rear side of the lid 11 can be lifted, thereby allowing raw materials to be easily replenished into the container 10 from the rear side.

[0073] Furthermore, the installation directions of the locking units 20 at the front and rear of the cover 11 can be set to different directions in the first and second specifications. For example, in the case of a convenience store, sometimes beverages are served to consumers at the front of the coffee machine 1, and the staff replenishes the raw materials to the can 10 from the rear. In this case, it is preferable that the cover 11 is not easy to open from the front and can be easily opened from the rear. In this embodiment, this can be easily achieved by setting the front side to the first specification and the rear side to the second specification.

[0074] In this embodiment, the locking unit 20 can be installed on the front and back of the cover 11. However, it can also be configured such that the locking unit 20 can be installed on either the front or back of the cover 11, while the other side is fixed with a claw (protrusion) at the flange 21 where the claw 27 is located and locked in the locking hole 16, forming a structure in which the locking unit 20 cannot be installed.

[0075] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the above embodiments, the locking unit 20 is configured to be installed at the front and rear of the lid 11 respectively, but the present invention can also be applied to structures in which the can body 12 and the lid 11 are connected in an openable and closable manner by means of a hinge, and the lid 11 is fixed to the can body 12 by means of a locking unit 20.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the locking unit 20 is detachably configured on the cover 11, but it can also be detachably configured on the can body 12. In this case, a holding portion 23 for holding the locking unit 20 is provided on the can body 12, and the locking unit 20 can be installed in reverse onto the holding portion of the can body 12. In addition, a locking hole 16 for locking the claw portion 27 of the locking unit 20 is provided on the cover 11. For example, when the cover 11 covers the opening 13 of the can body 12, it is sufficient that the flange portion 21 of the cover 11 is located outside the edge of the opening 13 of the can body 12, and the locking hole 16 is provided on the flange portion 21. Thus, similarly to the above embodiment, by changing the installation direction of the locking unit 20 (reverse installation), it is easy to switch between a first specification that can lock the cover 11 and a second specification that cannot lock the cover 11.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the present invention is applied to the can 10 used in the coffee machine 1, but it is not limited to the coffee machine. The present invention can also be applied to containers such as cans with lids and hoppers used in various beverage dispensing devices, equipment for various purposes, etc.

[0078] In this embodiment, the lock is released by inserting a rod-shaped component thinner than a fingertip into the locking hole 16 and pressing the claw 27 inward, as described above. Alternatively, the lock can be released by using a cylindrical lock positioned approximately at the same location as the locking hole 16. For example, the locking hole 16 is provided deep within the cylindrical lock (inside the can) positioned approximately at the same location as the locking hole 16. The locking unit 20 is designed to be installed in a position closer to the flange 21 so that the claw 27 is engaged in the locking hole 16. When unlocking the cylindrical lock with a key, the lock is released by pressing the cylinder with the key inserted (inside the can), or by pre-installing a component shaped like a cylinder cut at an angle relative to the axis of rotation at the rear end of the cylinder and rotating the cylinder. Thus, the lock can be released simply by pressing the claw 27 inward at the rear end of the cylindrical lock (inside the can).

[0079] Symbol Explanation

[0080] 1. Coffee machine (beverage dispensing device); 10 cans (raw material cans); 11. Cover; 12 tank main body; 13. Opening; 16 locking holes; 20 locking units; 20a First face; 20b Second face; 20c Spring section (force application section); 23. Maintenance section; 27 Claws.

Claims

1. A raw material tank for a beverage dispensing device, comprising a tank body and a lid, wherein the tank body is a container disposed on the upper part of the beverage dispensing device and having an opening for storing raw materials, and the lid covers the opening. Its features are, It has a locking unit that can be detachably held in place of the cover. The locking unit is held in a manner that allows for changing the mounting orientation relative to the lid. When the opening is covered by the lid, it can change the mounting orientation of the can body to lock with the lid in a first specification and the mounting orientation of the can body to not lock with the lid in a second specification.

2. The raw material tank of the beverage supply device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The locking unit has a first face and a second face. The first face has outwardly protruding claws, and the second face is opposite to the first face and is planar. The main body of the can is provided with a locking hole for the claw to lock in place. The cover is provided with a retaining part to hold the locking unit. By holding either the first facet or the second facet outwards from the cover, the first specification in which the claw can engage with the locking hole and the second specification in which the claw cannot engage with the locking hole can be changed when the opening is covered by the cover.

3. The raw material tank of the beverage supply device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The locking unit has a force-applying part that applies force to the first face and the second face in a moving away direction. When the opening is covered by the lid of the first specification, the claw is locked in the locking hole to lock the can body and the lid. By causing the first face to overcome the force of the force-applying part and move toward the direction closer to the second face, the locking of the claw and the locking hole is released, thereby releasing the lock between the can body and the lid.

4. The raw material tank of the beverage supply device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, In the main body of the can, when the opening is covered by the lid of the first specification, the locking unit releases the locking of the claw from the locking hole by causing the front end of the claw to protrude outward from the locking hole and pressing the front end of the claw protruding from the locking hole inward. The locking hole is smaller than the tip of the finger.

5. The raw material tank of the beverage supply device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The retaining portion is included at each of the opposite ends of the cover. The main body of the can is provided with locking holes relative to the retaining part, and the locking holes are used to lock the claw part of the locking unit that is held in the retaining part.

6. A raw material tank for a beverage dispensing device, comprising a tank body and a lid, wherein the tank body is a container disposed on the upper part of the beverage dispensing device and having an opening for storing raw materials, and the lid covers the opening. Its features are, It has a locking unit that is detachably held in place of the tank body. The locking unit is held in a manner that allows for changing the mounting direction relative to the can body. When the opening is covered by the lid, it can change the mounting direction of the can body and the lid to a first specification where they can be locked together and the mounting direction of the can body and the lid to a second specification where they cannot be locked together.

7. The raw material tank of the beverage supply device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The locking unit has a first face and a second face. The first face has outwardly protruding claws, and the second face is opposite to the first face and is planar. The cover is provided with locking holes for the claw portion to engage. A retaining part is provided in the main body of the tank to hold the locking unit. By holding either the first facet or the second facet outward toward the outside of the can body, the first specification in which the claw can engage with the locking hole and the second specification in which the claw cannot engage with the locking hole can be changed when the opening is covered by the lid.

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