Raw material container of a beverage preparation device

Abstract

A container comprises a main container body, which is a receptacle located in the upper section of a coffee machine, has an opening, and stores raw materials, and a lid body 11 that covers the opening. The container includes a locking unit 20, which is releasably held by the lid body 11. The locking unit 20 is held such that its mounting direction relative to the lid body 11 is variable, and it is changeable between a mounting direction of a first specification, in which the main container body and the lid body 11 are lockable, and a mounting direction of a second specification, in which the main container body and the lid body are unlockable when the opening of the main container body is covered by the lid body 11.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking mechanism for a lid of a container in which a raw material or the like for a beverage dispensing device is stored. State of the art

[0002] A beverage dispensing device, such as a coffee machine provided in a convenience store or the like, includes a container that serves as a receptacle for storing raw materials such as coffee beans and powder.

[0003] The container is located, for example, in the upper section of a coffee machine, and a lid is attached to the upper section of the container. In many cases, the container can be refilled with raw material by opening the lid.

[0004] For example, in patent document 1, a cup-dispensing beverage machine includes a container in which coffee powder is stored as the raw material for a beverage. The upper section of the container has an opening, and a lid is provided to cover the opening. The opening of the container and the lid are rectangular, and one side of the lid is held by a hinge to the main body (box) of the container so that it can pivot in an up-down direction. An edge area of ​​the opening of the container and the lid can be locked by a magnet on the side opposite the hinge. State of the art document (patent document)

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Disclosure No. 7-160944 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] However, if the beverage dispensing device, where the upper section of the container including the lid body is open to the outside, is installed in a location where many people can operate the beverage dispensing device, it may be necessary to provide a locking mechanism on the lid body of the container to prevent misuse and the like.

[0007] For example, if the beverage dispensing device is installed in a location where only a store employee can operate it, such as at a counter in a convenience store, there are many cases where the locking mechanism is not required.

[0008] Therefore, the specification of the beverage dispensing device varies depending on the presence or absence of a locking mechanism, and this increases the number of part types for the beverage dispensing device manufacturer. Furthermore, the user who installed the beverage dispensing device faces the problem that, for example, if the installation location changes from one where a locking mechanism for the container lid is not required to one where it is necessary after installation, the container must be replaced or the entire device replaced with one that has a different specification.

[0009] The present invention was developed in view of the problems mentioned above, and one object of the present invention is to provide a raw material container for a beverage dispensing device which makes it possible to easily change the presence or absence of a locking function of a lid body using the same components. Means to solve the problems

[0010] To solve the aforementioned problems, a raw material container of a beverage dispensing device of the present invention is a raw material container comprising: a container main body, which is a receptacle arranged on an upper section of the beverage dispensing device, has an opening and stores raw material, and a lid body that covers the opening, wherein the raw material container includes a locking unit which is removably held by the lid body, and the locking unit is held such that a fastening direction with respect to the lid body is changeable, and is changeable between a fastening direction of a first specification in which the container main body and the lid body are lockable, and a fastening direction of a second specification in which the container main body and the lid body are unlockable when the opening is covered with the lid body. Alternatively, a raw material container is a

[0011] The beverage dispensing device of the present invention comprises a raw material container, comprising: a container body, which is a receptacle arranged on an upper section of the beverage dispensing device, has an opening and stores a raw material, and a lid body, which covers the opening, wherein the raw material container includes a locking unit, which is detachably held by the container body, and the locking unit is held such that a fastening direction with respect to the container body is changeable, and is changeable between a fastening direction of a first specification in which the container body and the lid body are lockable, and a fastening direction of a second specification in which the container body and the lid body are unlockable when the opening is covered with the lid body. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0012] According to the present invention, in the raw material container of the beverage dispensing device, the locking unit is removable from the lid body or the main container body, and the presence or absence of the locking function can be changed by changing the mounting direction of the locking unit in relation to the lid body or the main container body. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic outer shape of a coffee machine which includes a container according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external shape of the container according to the present embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the container in a state where a lid body has been removed, and is a view that additionally includes a locking unit. Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of a fastening section of the locking unit in a lid body with a locking function. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of the locking unit. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of the locking unit. Fig. Figure 7 is an explanatory view showing a mounting direction of the locking unit on the lid body in the lid body with the locking function. Fig. Figure 8 is a longitudinal section view showing the structure of a fastening section of the locking unit in the cover body with the locking function. Fig. Figure 9 is an explanatory view showing the mounting direction of the locking unit in relation to the cover body in a case where the locking function is not required. Fig. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the structure of the fastening section of the locking unit in the lid body, which does not require a locking function. Fig. Figure 11 is a longitudinal section view showing the structure of the fastening section of the locking unit in the cover body, which does not require a locking function. embodiment of the invention

[0013] In the following, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic external form of a coffee machine 1 (beverage dispensing device) including a container 10 (raw material container) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an external shape of container 10. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of container 10 in a state where a lid body 11 is removed. Fig. 3 is a locking unit 20, which is included in the cover body 11, additionally provided at a position where the cover body 11 is closed. To simplify the description of the Fig. 1 to 3 and the Fig. In Figure 4 and the following drawings, the front-back, left-right, and top-down directions of the installed coffee machine 1 are used, and the container 10 and the lid body 11, which are described later, are also described using the directions in a state in which they are installed in the coffee machine. In particular, the Fig. 4, Fig. 7, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 described using the front-back, left-right and up-down directions in a state in which the lid body 11 is closed.

[0015] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the coffee machine 1 is installed in a convenience store and includes a rectangular, box-shaped main body 2 that can be opened at the front, as well as a main door 2a that closes the opening.

[0016] A shelf 3, on which a cup is placed, a cover 4 that covers the front of the shelf 3 and can be opened, and a main door lock 2b are provided in the lower section of the front of the main door 2a. A control panel 5 is provided on the front of the main door 2a above the shelf 3. Furthermore, a plurality of containers 10 for storing raw materials for a beverage, such as coffee, to be dispensed into the cup are provided in the upper section of the main body 2. The raw materials stored in the containers 10 include a variety of types of coffee beans, sugar, milk powder, and the like. In the present embodiment, three containers 10 are provided.

[0017] The coffee machine 1, using the control panel 5, produces a beverage such as coffee from the raw material stored in the container 10 and dispenses the beverage into the cup placed on the shelf 3.

[0018] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the container 10 has a main body 12, which is a substantially rectangular, box-shaped container elongated in the front-to-back direction, and has an opening 13 for feeding raw material into an upper section of the main body 12. An outlet 15 for the raw material stored in the container 10 is provided in a front lower section of the main body 12. A motor-driven spiral (not shown) is provided in a lower section of the container 10, and the motor is driven, based on the operation of the control panel 5, to discharge the raw material from the outlet 15.

[0019] The lid body 11, which covers the opening 13, is provided on the upper section of the container 10. The lid body 11 is a substantially rectangular, plate-like element that corresponds to the opening 13 in the upper section of the main container body 12. The main container body 12 and the lid body 11 are, for example, made of plastic.

[0020] The lid body 11 is detachably attached to the container main body 12 and is configured to be placed on an edge section of the opening 13 of the container main body 12 to close the opening 13. Furthermore, the locking unit 20 is attached to each front and rear section of a bottom surface of the lid body 11, which forms an interior surface of the container 10. Although the locking unit 20 is shown and the lid body 11 is in Fig. Figure 3 is not shown, this serves to describe the position of the locking unit 20 when the opening 13 is closed by the cover body 11, i.e. the locking position of the cover body 11 by the locking unit 20.

[0021] Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of a fastening section of the locking unit 20 in the cover body 11 with a locking function. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a structure of the locking unit 20. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of the locking unit 20, and shows the locking unit 20 from Fig. 5 in a state where the front-back direction is reversed.

[0022] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, a thin, plate-shaped flange section 21 is provided on the underside of the lid body 11, projecting downwards by approximately 1 cm to 2 cm around its entire circumference near the outer peripheral end section. The flange section 21 is inserted into the opening 13 of the main container body 12 essentially without a gap, and the lid body 11 is configured to move substantially in the front-back and left-right directions when the opening 13 is closed by the lid body 11.

[0023] A rectangular, box-shaped retaining section 23, into which the locking unit 20 is inserted, is provided on the undersides of the front and rear sections of the cover body 11. The flange section 21 is cut out in a rectangular shape on the front left and right central sections and the rear left and right central sections of the cover body 11 to provide an insertion opening 24. The retaining section 23 is arranged inside the insertion opening 24 in a front-to-back direction. The locking unit 20 is inserted from the outside in the front-to-back direction into the insertion opening 24, which is provided in the flange section 21 of the cover body 11, and is held by the retaining section 23 such that its vertical position overlaps with the flange section 21. Although in Fig. 4 where the front section of the cover body 11 is shown, the retaining section 23 and the insertion opening 24 are also provided on the rear section of the cover body 11, and similarly to the front section, the locking unit 20 is configured to be inserted from the outside (from the side of the rear section) and supported by the retaining section 23.

[0024] The locking unit 20, for example, is made from an elastic element, such as plastic. As in the Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the locking unit 20 has an essentially rectangular box shape, a lateral width slightly smaller than that of the insertion opening 24, a first surface section 20a and a second surface section 20b which are parallel to each other in the front-back direction, and a spring section 20c (preload section) which connects the first surface section 20a and the second surface section 20b and is spring-shaped. The spring section 20c serves to preload the first surface section 20a and the second surface section 20b away from each other in the front-back direction. The first surface section 20a is provided with a claw section 27 projecting outwards in the front-back direction. The second surface section 20b does not have a claw section 27 and is a flat surface.

[0025] A pair of locking sections 20d is provided, extending from both left and right ends of the first surface section 20a towards the second surface section 20b on both left and right sides of the spring section 20c. The locking section 20d has retaining projections 28, which project outwards in the left-right direction, essentially in the central position in the front-back direction of the locking unit 20. The locking section 20d is slightly movable in the left-right direction, with the rear end section of the locking section pivoting elastically with the front end section of the locking section as its essentially central point.

[0026] The retaining section 23 of the locking unit 20, which is provided on the underside of the cover body 11, is box-shaped together with the underside 11a of the cover body 11, so that the locking unit 20 can be inserted and held.

[0027] The retaining section 23 includes a pair of side plate sections 23a extending inwards from the left and right edge sections of the insertion opening 24 of the flange section 21, a lower plate section 23b extending between the lower ends of the side plate sections 23a parallel to the underside 11a of the cover body 11, and an inner plate section 23c extending vertically downwards from the underside of the cover body 11 and connecting the rear end sections of the pair of side plate sections 23a and the lower plate section 23b.

[0028] Each pair of side plate sections 23a is provided with a retaining opening 25 to receive the retaining projection 28 of the locking unit 20 inserted into the retaining section 23. The inner plate section 23c is also provided with an opening section 26.

[0029] Both the retaining opening 25 and the opening section 26 are cut out around the lower plate section 23b and are of a size that is set so that a finger of an operator (for example, an administrator of the coffee machine 1) can press the locking unit 20 held by the retaining section 23.

[0030] Fig. Figure 7 is an explanatory view illustrating a mounting direction of the locking unit on the lid body for the lid body with the locking function. Fig. Figure 8 is a longitudinal section view illustrating the structure of a fastening section of the locking unit on the cover body with the locking function.

[0031] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, when the locking unit 20 is inserted into the insertion opening 24 from the side of the second surface section 20b and is inserted until it abuts the inner plate section 23c in the retaining section 23, the pair of retaining projections 28 are supported by the retaining openings 25 and the locking unit 20 is held by the retaining section 23 of the cover body 11, as shown in Figure 7. Fig. 4 shown. At this point, the first surface section 20a of the locking unit 20 is positioned substantially flush with an outer surface 21a of the flange section 21 in the front-back direction or slightly offset inwards to the outer surface 21a, and the claw section 27 of the first surface section 20a is positioned such that it projects outwards from the outer surface 21a of the flange section 21.

[0032] As in the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 8, a locking opening 16 for the claw section 27 of the locking unit 20 is provided in the upper area of ​​a front wall 12a of the main container body 12, and when the opening 13 of the main container body 12 is closed by the lid body 11, the claw section 27 of the locking unit 20 is locked to the locking opening 16 of the main container body 12, thereby locking the lid body 11 and the main container body 12.

[0033] The claw section 27 has a flat surface 27a, where one surface is perpendicular to the top-bottom direction, and an inclined surface 27b, where the other surface is inclined so that the vertical width decreases outwards. When the locking mechanism for the lid body 11 of the container 10 is required, the flat surface 27a faces upwards and the inclined surface 27b faces downwards when the locking unit 20 is attached to the lid body 11. Consequently, when the lid body 11 is closed, the upper end of the front wall 12a comes into contact with the inclined surface 27b and the spring section 20c is compressed, so that the front section of the locking unit 20 is pushed inwards and the lid body 11 can be easily closed.

[0034] By attaching the cover body 11 in such a way that the flat surface 27a faces upwards, it is also possible, even if the cover body 11 is lifted upwards from the closed state, to firmly lock the flat surface 27a of the claw section and the locking opening 16 and to prevent the cover body from being lifted.

[0035] It should be noted that a groove section 29 is provided on the side of the locking unit 20 and a projection section 30 is provided on the side of the cover body 11, so that the flat surface 27a always faces upwards when the locking unit 20 is attached to the cover body 11.

[0036] The locking opening 16 is preferably smaller than the tip of the finger. This makes it difficult to easily release the lock. By pressing the claw section 27 of the locking unit 20, which is locked to the locking opening 16, inwards with a rod-shaped element that is thinner than the fingertip, the claw section 27 is released from the locking opening 16, the lock between the container main body 12 and the lid body 11 is released, and the lid body 11 can be lifted upwards and opened.

[0037] Furthermore, the dimension of the locking opening 16 can be slightly larger than the dimension of the cross-section orthogonal to the insertion direction of the key insertion section for locking and unlocking the main door lock of the coffee machine 1. This allows the lock to be released with the key for the main door lock without the need for a special rod-shaped body for unlocking the lid body 11, thus facilitating the maintenance of the coffee machine 1 and the supply of raw material to the container.

[0038] When the rod-shaped body is inserted into the locking opening 16 to unlock the cover body 11, the tip of the rod-shaped body abuts the inclined surface 27b of the claw section 27. As the rod-shaped body is pushed further, the spring section 20c bends and the front section of the flexible locking unit 20 retracts, and as the flat surface 27a of the claw section 27 is moved away from the locking opening 16, the tip of the rod-shaped body presses against the inclined surface 27b, generating an upward vector force with respect to the claw section 27.This raises the lid body 11 upwards, and even when the rod-shaped body is pulled out, the claw section 27 is pushed forward again by the restoring force of the spring section 20c and held in the raised position by the friction between the tip of the claw section 27 and the inside of the upper edge of the front wall 12a. This allows the fingers to be easily placed on the end section of the lid body 11, and the lid body 11 can be easily opened.

[0039] Furthermore, with regard to the locking unit 20 held by the cover body 11, the locking unit 20 can be easily removed from the retaining section 23 of the cover body 11 by pressing the pair of retaining projections 28 inwards to release the locking between the retaining projection 28 and the retaining opening 25, and by pushing the second surface section 20b of the locking unit 20, as seen from the locking opening 16, forward from the opening section 26.

[0040] Fig. Figure 9 is an explanatory view showing the mounting direction of the locking unit 20 in relation to the cover body 11 in the case of the cover body 11 where the locking function is not required. Fig. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the structure of the fastening section of the locking unit on the cover body 11 where the locking function is not required. Fig. Figure 11 is a longitudinal section view showing the structure of the fastening section of the locking unit on the cover body 11 where the locking function is not required.

[0041] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the pair of retaining projections 28 is carried by the retaining opening 25 even when the locking unit 20 is inserted into the insertion opening 24 from the side of the first surface section 20a and is inserted until the locking unit abuts the inner plate section 23c in the retaining section 23, and the locking unit 20 is held by the retaining section 23 of the cover body 11, as shown in Fig. Figure 10 shows the claw section 27 of the first surface section 20a of the locking unit 20 being located at this time inside (on the side of the inner plate section 23c) the retaining section 23 of the cover body 11, and the second surface section 20b without the claw section 27 being located substantially flush with the outer surface 21a of the flange section 21 in the front-back direction or slightly offset inwards from the outer surface 21a.

[0042] Therefore, as in Fig. 11 is shown when the opening 13 of the container main body 12 is closed by the lid body 11, the lid body 11 and the container main body 12 are not locked, and the lid body 11 can be easily lifted and removed from the container main body 12 to open the opening 13 of the container 10.

[0043] As described above, the container 10 of the present embodiment comprises the container main body 12 and the lid body 11, which covers the opening 13 on the upper section of the container main body, and the locking unit 20 is detachably provided on the lid body 11. The locking unit 20 can be attached to the lid body 11 in reverse and can be switched between a mounting direction of a first specification, in which the claw section 27 is attached to the outside, and a mounting direction of a second specification, in which the claw section 27 is attached to the inside.

[0044] When the opening 13 is covered by the lid body 11 of the first specification, the claw section 27 locks onto the locking opening 16 of the container main body 12, and the container main body 12 and the lid body 11 are locked together. Accordingly, the lid body 11 cannot be easily removed from the container main body 12. This prevents, for example, foreign substances from entering the container 10 or raw materials and the like from being removed from the container 10 if the coffee machine 1 is installed in a location used by many people.

[0045] When the opening 13 is covered by the lid body 11 of the second specification, the claw section 27 is not locked to the locking opening 16 of the container main body 12, and the container main body 12 and the lid body 11 are not locked. Therefore, the lid body 11 can be easily removed from the container main body 12 to open the opening 13, and the raw material or the like can be filled into the container main body 12. In a case where, for example, the coffee machine 1 is installed in a location that can only be operated by a shop assistant, such as at a convenience store counter, the lid body 11 is opened without performing the unlocking operation, and the raw material or the like can be easily filled into the container 10.

[0046] In this way, the container 10 for the coffee machine 1 of the first specification, in which the lid body 11 is locked, and of the second specification, in which no locking takes place, can be easily changed by changing the mounting direction of the locking unit 20.

[0047] Therefore, for the manufacturer of coffee machine 1, the first specification and the second specification regarding the parts can be standardized, and the specification can be aligned at the time of delivery.

[0048] Furthermore, in the event that the user who has installed the coffee machine 1 in a shop or the like changes the installation location from a place where the locking mechanism for the lid body 11 of the container 10 is not required to a place where the locking mechanism is required after installation, it is possible to react to the change simply and cost-effectively without replacing the container 10 or replacing the entire device with a beverage dispensing device with different specifications.

[0049] The locking unit 20 comprises the first surface section 20a, from which the claw section 27 projects outwards, and the second surface section 20b, which is opposite the first surface section 20a and is a flat surface. By holding the first surface section 20a outwards by the retaining section 23 of the lid body 11, it is possible to form the first specification in which the claw section 27 projects outwards from the insertion opening 24 of the lid body 11 and the claw section 27 can be locked at the locking opening 16 provided in the main container body 12.

[0050] Furthermore, by holding the second surface section 20b outwards by the retaining section 23 of the lid body 11, it is possible to form the second specification in which the claw section 27 does not protrude outwards from the insertion opening 24 of the lid body 11 and the claw section 27 cannot be locked at the locking opening 16 provided in the main container body 12.

[0051] In the locking unit 20, the spring section 20c, which is made of plastic and biases the first surface section 20a and the second surface section 20b in a mutually opposing direction, is integrally formed with the first surface section 20a and the second surface section 20b. This allows the locking unit 20 to be configured with a simple structure and low cost. Furthermore, the cover body 11 with the retaining section 23 and the locking unit 20 are simply made of plastic, thus ensuring excellent hygiene.

[0052] By including the spring section 20c in a case where the first surface section 20a is installed facing outwards, the claw section 27 can be biased outwards in one direction, and when the claw section 27 is locked at the locking opening 16, the claw section 27 can hardly be released from the locking opening 16, and the locking performance of the cover body 11 can be improved.

[0053] When the opening 13 is covered by the lid body 11, the locking opening 16 of the front wall 12a of the container main body 12 is closed by the first surface section 20a of the locking unit 20 in the first specification and by the second surface section 20b of the locking unit 20 in the second specification. This prevents the ingress of insects or the like into the container main body 12 through the locking opening 16 and the ingress of foreign objects in both the first and second specifications.

[0054] Furthermore, when unlocking the lid body 11, the claw section 27 exposed from the locking opening 16 can be pressed inwards, but the locking opening 16 is smaller than a fingertip. Therefore, it is not possible to unlock the lid body 11 by pressing the claw section 27 inwards with a finger. This makes it difficult to remove the lid body 11 by manipulation or the like. The lid body 11 can be unlocked by pressing the claw section 27 inwards with the thin rod or a similar object, but the administrator can keep the thin rod or similar object separate from the coffee machine 1 to prevent others from unlocking the lid body.

[0055] In the coffee machine 1 of the present embodiment, the locking unit 20 can be attached to either the front or the rear of the lid body 11. For example, if both the front and rear locking units 20 are set to the first specification where locking is possible, and one of the front and rear locking units 20 is unlocked, the other locking unit 20 functions like a hinge, and the released side of the lid body 11 can be lifted to fill the container 10 with raw material or the like from the lifted side.

[0056] In a case where the position of the coffee machine is changed and the raw material or the like is frequently fed from the rear of the container, the rear of the lid body 11 can therefore be raised by releasing the locking mechanism of the locking unit 20 on the rear of the lid body 11, and the raw material or the like can be easily fed into the container 10 from the rear.

[0057] Furthermore, the mounting directions of the locking units 20 on the front and rear of the lid body 11 can differ between the first and second specifications. For example, in the case of an installation in a convenience store, there are situations where a customer is served a beverage at the front of the coffee machine 1, and a store employee fills the container 10 with raw materials from the rear. In such a case, it is advantageous that the lid body 11 cannot be easily opened from the front, while it can be easily opened from the rear. In the present embodiment, the front is set to the first specification and the rear to the second specification, which is easily achievable.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the locking unit 20 can be attached to both the front and the rear of the cover body 11; however, the locking unit 20 can be attached either to the front or the rear of the cover body 11, and the other side can be locked at the locking opening 16 by, for example, providing a fixed claw section (projection section) on the flange section 21 at the position where the claw section 27 is located, so that the locking unit 20 cannot be attached.

[0059] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the above embodiment, the locking unit 20 is configured to be attached to each of the front and rear sections of the lid body 11. However, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the container main body 12 and the lid body 11 are connected to each other, for example by a hinge, in a manner that allows them to be opened and closed, and the lid body 11 is attached to the container main body 12 by a locking unit 20.

[0060] In the foregoing embodiment, the locking unit 20 is configured to be removable from the lid body 11, but the locking unit 20 can also be configured to be removable from the main container body 12. In this case, the main container body 12 includes a section, such as the retaining shoulder 23, that holds the locking unit 20, and the locking unit 20 can be reversed and attached to the retaining shoulder of the main container body 12. Furthermore, the locking opening 16, which can lock the claw section 27 of the locking unit 20, is provided in the lid body 11. For example, when the opening 13 of the main container body 12 is covered by the lid body 11, the flange 21 of the lid body 11 is located outside the edge section of the opening 13 of the main container body 12, and the locking opening 16 can be provided in the flange section 21.Accordingly, similar to the above embodiment, it is possible to easily switch between the first specification, in which the cover body can be locked, and the second specification, in which the cover body 11 cannot be locked, by changing (reversing and attaching) the fastening direction of the locking unit 20.

[0061] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the container 10 used in the coffee machine 1, but the present invention is not limited to the coffee machine, and the present invention can be applied to a container such as a container or a funnel provided with a lid body, which is used in various beverage dispensing devices, machines for various applications and the like.

[0062] In the present embodiment, in addition to a configuration in which a rod-shaped object thinner than a fingertip is inserted into the locking opening 16 as described above and the locking is released by pushing the claw section 27 inwards, a configuration can be used in which the locking is released by a cylinder lock that is arranged in substantially the same position as the locking opening 16.For example, the locking opening 16 may be provided in the depth of the cylinder lock (the inside of the container), which is arranged in substantially the same position as the locking opening 16, wherein the locking unit 20 may be configured to be attached to the inside of the flange section 21, such that the claw section 27 is locked to the locking opening 16, and when the cylinder into which the key is inserted is pushed (towards the inside of the container) at the time of unlocking the cylinder lock with the key, or if a cylinder with a shape in which the cylinder is cut obliquely with respect to the rotating shaft is fitted at the rear end of the cylinder and the cylinder rotates, the rear end of the cylinder lock (the inside of the container) can push the claw section 27 inwards to release the lock. Meaning of the reference symbols 1 coffee machine (beverage dispensing device) 10 containers (raw material containers) 11 Lid body 12 main container bodies 13 Opening 16 Locking opening 20 locking unit 20a first area section 20b second area section 20c Spring section (preload section) 23 Stop section 27 Claw section QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 7-160944

[0005]

Claims

[1] A raw material container of a beverage preparation device, comprising: a container main body, which is a container that is arranged on an upper section of the beverage dispensing device, has an opening and stores raw material, and a lid body that covers the opening, wherein the raw material container includes a locking unit which is removably held by the lid body, and the locking unit is held in such a way that a fastening direction with respect to the lid body is changeable, and is changeable between a fastening direction of a first specification in which the main container body and the lid body are lockable, and a fastening direction of a second specification in which the main container body and the lid body are unlockable when the opening is covered with the lid body. [2] The raw material container of a beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the locking unit comprises a first surface section with an outwardly projecting claw section and a second surface section which is opposite the first surface section and is a flat surface, the main body of the container is provided with a locking opening to which the claw section is locked, the lid body includes a retaining section that holds the locking unit, and The locking unit can be converted into the first specification, in which the claw section can be locked in the locking opening, and into the second specification, in which the claw section is not locked in the locking opening when the opening is covered with the cover body, by holding either the first surface section or the second surface section outside the cover body. [3] The raw material container of a beverage dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the locking unit includes a pre-tensioning section which pre-tensions the first surface section and the second surface section in a direction in which the first surface section and the second surface section are separated from each other, and when the opening is covered with the lid body of the first specification, the claw section is locked at the locking opening to lock the container main body and the lid body, and by moving the first surface section against the pre-tensioning of the pre-tensioning section in the direction of the second surface section, the locking between the claw section and the locking opening is released to release the locking between the container main body and the lid body. [4] The raw material container of a beverage dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein, in the main body of the container, when the opening is covered with the lid body of the first specification, a tip of the claw section of the locking unit is exposed outwards from the locking opening, and the tip of the claw section exposed from the locking opening is pressed inwards, so that the locking between the claw section and the locking opening is released, and the locking opening is smaller than the tip of a finger. [5] The raw material container of a beverage dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the retaining section includes the retaining section at each of a pair of opposing end sections of the lid body, and The main body of the container includes a locking opening in which the claw section of the locking unit held by the retaining section is locked, the locking opening being provided in each of the retaining sections. [6] A raw material container of a beverage preparation device, comprising: a container main body, which is a container that is arranged on an upper section of the beverage dispensing device, has an opening and stores raw material, and a lid body that covers the opening, wherein the raw material container includes a locking unit which is removably held by the main container body, and the locking unit is held in such a way that a fastening direction in relation to the main container body is changeable, and is changeable between a fastening direction of a first specification in which the main container body and the lid body are lockable, and a fastening direction of a second specification in which the main container body and the lid body are unlockable when the opening is covered with the lid body. [7] The raw material container of a beverage dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein the locking unit comprises a first surface section with an outwardly projecting claw section and a second surface section which is opposite the first surface section and is a flat surface, the lid body is provided with a locking opening to which the claw heel is locked, the main body of the container includes a retaining section that holds the locking unit, and The locking unit can be converted into the first specification, in which the claw section can be locked in the locking opening, and into the second specification, in which the claw section is not locked in the locking opening when the opening is covered with the lid body, by holding either the first surface section or the second surface section outside the main container body.

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