Fresh ground coffee vending machine

Abstract

The utility model discloses a freshly ground coffee vending machine in the field of beverage processing equipment, which comprises a box body, and a water supply system, an ice making and discharging system, a grinding and brewing system, a feeding system and a cup cover control system are arranged in the box body; the water supply system is provided with a plurality of water outlet ends; a plurality of water outlet ends of the water supply system are respectively communicated with the ice making and discharging system, the grinding and brewing system and the material supply system; the cup cover control system comprises a cup conveying mechanism. The cup conveying mechanism comprises a cup falling station, an ice receiving station, a juice receiving station, a cover falling station, a cover pressing station and a movable clamping module. The ice outlet end of the ice making and discharging system corresponds to the position of the ice receiving station, the positions of liquid outlets of the grinding and brewing system and the feeding system correspond to the position of the juice receiving station, and through the arrangement of the cup falling station, the ice receiving station, the juice receiving station, the cover falling station and the cover pressing station, the integrated automatic working process of ice adding and material adding can be achieved in a combined mode. The inaccuracy of manual feeding is avoided, and the coffee beverage making efficiency and the automation level are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of beverage processing equipment, and in particular to a freshly ground coffee vending machine. Background Technology

[0002] As people's living standards improve, coffee drinks are becoming increasingly popular and are a staple in people's daily lives and work. To make it easier for users to purchase their favorite and affordable coffee drinks anytime and anywhere, more and more self-service coffee vending machines have appeared in places such as parks, hospitals, schools, and office buildings.

[0003] Currently, self-service coffee machines in the industry generally automatically process coffee raw materials into hot or cold drinks. However, the subsequent steps of adding flavoring agents or ice to adjust the taste require manual addition. The amount added is difficult to control, and the manual operation is quite complicated. Moreover, the final lid closing of the coffee drink also requires manual operation. The level of automation needs to be further improved. Utility Model Content

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, the technical problem to be solved by this utility model is: how to improve work efficiency and accuracy while ensuring that the coffee machine can output coffee drinks with multiple flavors and tastes.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is:

[0006] A freshly ground coffee vending machine includes a housing, which houses a water supply system, an ice-making and ice-dispensing system, a grinding and brewing system, a material feeding system, and a cup lid control system; the water supply system has multiple water outlets.

[0007] The multiple water outlets of the aforementioned water supply system are respectively connected to the aforementioned ice-making and ice-discharging system, grinding and brewing system, and material supply system;

[0008] The aforementioned cup lid control system includes a cup-carrying mechanism, which includes a cup-dropping station, an ice-receiving station, a juice-receiving station, a lid-dropping station, a lid-pressing station, and a moving clamping module. The moving clamping module is used to move the beverage cup to different stations. The ice-dispensing end of the aforementioned ice-making and ice-dispensing system corresponds to the position of the aforementioned ice-receiving station. The liquid outlet positions of the aforementioned grinding and brewing system and the aforementioned feeding system both correspond to the position of the aforementioned juice-receiving station.

[0009] It also includes a sensing system, which is used to detect and control the output of the water supply system, the ice making and ice dispensing system, the grinding and brewing system and the feeding system, as well as to detect and control the position signals of the cup transport mechanism, the lid dropping station and the lid pressing station.

[0010] Furthermore, the aforementioned grinding and brewing system includes a grinder and a brewer. The grinder is used to grind coffee raw materials into powder and let it fall into the brewer. The corresponding water outlet of the aforementioned water supply system is connected to the brewer.

[0011] Furthermore, the aforementioned feeding system includes a mixer and multiple feeding containers, all of which are connected to the mixer, and the water supply system is connected to the mixer at the outlet of the aforementioned feeding system.

[0012] Furthermore, a cold water control mechanism and a hot water control mechanism are provided on the outside of the agitator. The water supply system is connected to the cold water control mechanism and the hot water control mechanism at the outlet of the feeding system. The cold water control mechanism is used to cool the water at the outlet and then input it into the agitator. The hot water control mechanism is used to heat the water at the outlet and then input it into the agitator.

[0013] Furthermore, the aforementioned ice-making and ice-discharging system includes an ice maker and an ice flow channel, wherein the ice flow channel is used to guide the ice particles produced by the ice maker to the top of the ice receiving station.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0015] By setting up cup-dropping, ice-receiving, juice-receiving, lid-dropping, and lid-pressing stations, combined with an automated workflow that integrates ice and ingredient addition, a water supply system, an ice-making and dispensing system, a grinding and brewing system, an ingredient supply system, and a cup-carrying mechanism, the system can automatically configure and output different flavored coffee drinks by selecting different coffee drink flavors. The cup-carrying mechanism will then stop the coffee drink container sequentially at each station or select a few stations, and finally automatically press the lid, directly eliminating manual operation steps, avoiding inaccuracies in manual ingredient addition, and improving the efficiency and automation level of coffee drink preparation. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model. Figure 1 ;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model. Figure 2 ;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model. Figure 3 ;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cup-carrying mechanism of this utility model;

[0020] The diagram is labeled as follows: 1-box body, 2-water supply system, 3-ice maker, 4-ice flow channel, 5-feeding container, 6-stirrer, 7-grinder, 8-brewing device, 9-cup dropping station, 10-ice receiving station, 11-juice receiving station, 12-cap dropping station, 13-cap pressing station. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] like Figures 1-4 As shown in the figure, this application proposes a freshly ground coffee vending machine, including a housing 1. The housing 1 is equipped with a water supply system 2, an ice-making and ice-dispensing system, a grinding and brewing system, a material supply system, and a cup lid control system. The water supply system 2 has multiple water outlets, which are respectively connected to the ice-making and ice-dispensing system, the grinding and brewing system, and the material supply system. The cup lid control system includes a cup-carrying mechanism, which includes a cup-dropping station 9, an ice-receiving station 10, a juice-receiving station 11, a lid-dropping station 12, a lid-pressing station 13, and a moving clamping mold. The assembly includes a movable clamping module for moving beverage cups to different workstations; the ice outlet of the ice-making and ice-dispensing system corresponds to the position of the ice-receiving workstation 10, and the liquid outlet positions of the grinding and brewing system and the feeding system correspond to the positions of the juice-receiving workstation 11; it also includes a sensing system for detecting and controlling the output of the water supply system 2, the ice-making and ice-dispensing system, the grinding and brewing system and the feeding system, as well as the position signals of the cup-carrying mechanism, the lid-dropping workstation 12 and the lid-pressing workstation 13.

[0023] It should be noted that the setup of the cup-dropping station 9, ice-receiving station 10, juice-receiving station 11, lid-dropping station 12, and lid-pressing station 13 enables an automated workflow integrating ice and ingredient addition. Combined with the automatic and orderly operation of the water supply system 2, ice-making and ice-dispensing system, grinding and brewing system, and ingredient supply system, the cup-carrying mechanism can automatically configure and output different flavored coffee drinks by selecting different coffee drink flavors and having the cup-carrying mechanism work sequentially at each station or select several stations. Finally, the lid is automatically pressed, directly eliminating manual operation steps, avoiding inaccuracies in manual ingredient addition, improving the efficiency and automation level of coffee drink preparation, and achieving the effect of unmanned coffee drink vending and preparation.

[0024] The outer wall of the aforementioned box 1 is equipped with a display screen and touch buttons, and the display screen and touch buttons are electrically connected to a central control system. The central control system uses the existing control system of an automatic vending machine. By selecting instructions, it drives the water supply system 2, ice making and dispensing system, grinding and brewing system, material supply system and cup lid control system to operate in an orderly manner to realize the production and output process of coffee beverages.

[0025] The aforementioned sensing system includes multiple flow sensors, weight sensors, temperature sensors, displacement sensors, and optical sensors. Some flow sensors are installed in the water supply system 2, controlling the water output by detecting the output water volume signal to ensure accurate water delivery. The ice-making and dispensing system is equipped with weight sensors and optical sensors. The weight sensors detect the amount of ice particles output and precisely control the output. An optical sensor at the output end of the ice-making and dispensing system detects whether there is a cup at the ice-receiving station 10; ice is dispensed only when a cup is detected. The grinding and brewing system similarly controls the water intake through flow sensors, detects the water temperature through temperature sensors, and uses optical sensors to stably control the coffee beverage dispensing process at the juice-receiving station 11. The feeding system, through flow and weight sensors, precisely controls the output and mixing of various powders and slurries, ensuring accurate coffee beverage proportions. Optical sensors and displacement sensors at the cup-dropping station 9 and the capping station 13 enable the accurate and orderly movement of the cups to different stations, achieving precise coffee beverage processing.

[0026] Specifically, the water supply system 2 includes a water source, a self-priming water pump, and a water tank. It is mainly used to supply water to the ice-making and ice-dispensing system, the grinding and brewing system, and the material supply system. When water is needed, the self-priming water pump will input the stored water in the water tank into the designated location. When the water level in the water tank is insufficient, the water will be automatically replenished through the water source.

[0027] The aforementioned grinding and brewing system includes a grinder 7 and a brewer 8. The grinder 7 is used to grind coffee raw materials into powder and let it fall into the brewer 8. The corresponding water outlet of the water supply system 2 is connected to the brewer 8. Furthermore, it also includes a booster pump, a boiler, and a water injection valve connected to the water supply system 2. During operation, the grinder 7 grinds coffee raw materials into powder and inputs it into the brewer 8. At this time, the booster pump works to pump water from the water tank of the water supply system 2 to the boiler for heating and then delivers it to the brewer 8 to brew coffee beverages. The brewing water temperature is set to a specified temperature to ensure the best brewing effect. The brewer 8 is an existing coffee machine brewer 8. The coffee is brewed and extracted in the brewer 8. The extracted coffee juice flows into the cup at the juice receiving station 11.

[0028] The aforementioned feeding system includes a stirrer 6 and multiple feeding containers 5. The containers 5 contain various powders or slurries such as cocoa powder, matcha powder, white sugar, concentrated fruit puree, and syrup. All containers 5 are connected to the stirrer 6. The water supply system 2, corresponding to the water outlet of the feeding system, is connected to the stirrer 6. During operation, a booster pump introduces water from the water tank of the water supply system 2 into the stirrer 6. According to instructions from the control system, one or more powders or slurries required for the corresponding flavor of coffee beverage are precisely fed into the stirrer 6 for mixing. The mixture is then output to the cup at the juice collection station 11 to mix with the extracted coffee juice, thus preparing the coffee beverage. The powders are conveyed to the stirrer 6 via a spiral conveyor structure, while the slurries are conveyed via a peristaltic pump.

[0029] The stirrer 6 is equipped with a cold water control mechanism and a hot water control mechanism on its outer side. The water supply system 2 is connected to the cold water control mechanism and the hot water control mechanism at the outlet of the feeding system. The cold water control mechanism is used to cool the water at the outlet and then input it into the stirrer 6. The hot water control mechanism is used to heat the water at the outlet and then input it into the stirrer 6. Specifically, the cold water control mechanism directly adds water from the water tank into the stirrer 6 by opening and closing the cold water valve to realize the processing of cold drinks or room temperature drinks. The hot water control mechanism heats the water in the water tank to a specified temperature through a crucible and then adds it into the stirrer 6 by opening and closing the hot water valve to realize the output of hot drinks.

[0030] The ice-making and ice-dispensing system includes an ice maker 3 and an ice flow channel 4. The ice flow channel 4 is used to guide the ice particles made by the ice maker to the top of the ice receiving station 10. The ice maker 3 is a conventional ice maker structure, which is used to make ice from water through a refrigeration system and to dispense ice. The ice flow channel 4 is used to slide the ice particles made by the ice-making module into the beverage cup of the ice receiving station 10.

[0031] When a user purchases a coffee beverage and selects their desired flavor, the moving clamping module of the aforementioned cup-carrying mechanism will be positioned at the cup-dropping station 9, where the beverage cup will automatically drop. The cup-dropping station 9 uses the existing cup-dropping structure found in beverage equipment. At this time, the moving clamping module holds the cup in place and moves it to the ice-receiving station 10. The ice maker 3, based on the user's selected temperature and under the control of the control system, outputs a specified amount of ice granules that fall into the cup from the ice flow channel 4. The moving clamping module then moves the cup to the juice-receiving station 11. At this point, a screw conveyor or peristaltic pump corresponding to the user-selected feeding container 5 delivers a specified amount of powder. Alternatively, the slurry enters the mixer 6 and is evenly mixed with the metered water input into the mixer 6. The metered water in the mixer 6 is either hot water heated by a crucible or cold water directly input through a cold water valve without a crucible, depending on the user's selection. The mixed liquid in the mixer 6 is poured into the cup. At the same time, the coffee powder ground in the grinder 7 falls into the brewer 8. The brewer 8 introduces water at a certain temperature to complete the coffee brewing and extraction. The extracted coffee juice enters the cup. The moving clamping module then moves the cup to the cap-dropping station 12 to complete the capping, and then moves the cup to the cap-pressing station 13 to complete the capping operation, completing the final coffee beverage preparation.

[0032] It is worth noting that when making hot drinks in the above steps, the step at the ice receiving station 10 is not performed. When making pure coffee drinks without adding any powder or syrup, the step of the stirrer 6 outputting the mixed liquid is not performed, thereby realizing the production and sale of coffee drinks with different flavors.

Claims

1. A freshly ground coffee vending machine, characterized in that, Includes a housing (1), which is equipped with a water supply system (2), an ice-making and ice-dispensing system, a grinding and brewing system, a feeding system, and a cup lid control system; the water supply system (2) is provided with multiple water outlets; The multiple water outlets of the water supply system (2) are respectively connected to the ice-making and ice-discharging system, the grinding and brewing system and the material supply system; The cup lid control system includes a cup-carrying mechanism, which includes a cup-dropping station (9), an ice-receiving station (10), a juice-receiving station (11), a lid-dropping station (12), a lid-pressing station (13), and a moving clamping module. The moving clamping module is used to move the beverage cup to different stations. The ice-dispensing end of the ice-making and ice-dispensing system corresponds to the position of the ice-receiving station (10), and the liquid outlet positions of the grinding and brewing system and the feeding system both correspond to the position of the juice-receiving station (11). It also includes a sensing system, which is used to detect and control the output of the water supply system (2), the ice making and ice dispensing system, the grinding and brewing system and the feeding system, as well as the position signals of the cup transport mechanism, the lid dropping station (12) and the lid pressing station (13).

2. The freshly ground coffee vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The grinding and brewing system includes a grinder (7) and a brewer (8). The grinder (7) is used to grind coffee raw materials into powder and let it fall into the brewer (8). The corresponding water outlet of the water supply system (2) is connected to the brewer (8).

3. The freshly ground coffee vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding system includes a mixer (6) and multiple feeding containers (5), all of which are connected to the mixer (6). The water supply system (2) is connected to the mixer (6) at the outlet of the feeding system.

4. A freshly ground coffee vending machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The agitator (6) is provided with a cold water control mechanism and a hot water control mechanism on its outside. The water supply system (2) is connected to the cold water control mechanism and the hot water control mechanism at the outlet of the feeding system. The cold water control mechanism is used to cool the water at the outlet and then input it into the agitator (6). The hot water control mechanism is used to heat the water at the outlet and then input it into the agitator (6).

5. A freshly ground coffee vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice-making and ice-discharging system includes an ice maker (3) and an ice flow channel (4), the ice flow channel (4) being used to guide the ice particles made by the ice maker (3) above the ice receiving station (10).

Images