Powder feeder and beverage dispenser

Abstract

To provide a powder feeder with a plurality of powder containers, which omits a shooter, and the storability of which is inhibited from being deteriorated.SOLUTION: Powder feeders 1, 1a, 1b and 1c comprise: a plurality of powder containers 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 10', 20', 30' and 40'; a plurality of screws 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 11', 21', 31', 41' and 51'; a plurality of motors 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 12', 32' and 42'; and container holding parts 90, 90a, 90b and 90c for holding the plurality of containers. Each of the plurality of powder containers houses powder, and has feed openings 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 102', 202', 302' and 402'. The plurality of powder feeders are held by the container holding parts so that the powder can directly fall into a powder receiver vessel from the plurality of powder containers without moving the powder receiver vessel 500 installed outside the plurality of powder containers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder feeding device and a beverage dispenser. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, powder supplying devices that supply powders of beverages and the like are known. For example, the powder supplying device described in Patent Document 1 supplies powders of multiple supplements, and the beverage manufacturing device described in Patent Document 2 supplies powders of multiple beverage ingredients. In the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, multiple powder containers are used to supply multiple powders, and the powder in each powder container is supplied by a screw disposed in each powder container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6141494 [Patent Document 2] JP 2008-192049 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, as can be seen from Figures 4 and 5 of Patent Document 1 and Figures 2 and 7 of Patent Document 2, the multiple powder containers are aligned in a horizontal line. In this case, as the number of powder containers increases, the distance between the powder supply ports of the powder containers at both ends increases. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the width of the powder supply device in order to increase the number of powder containers, which reduces the storage capacity of the powder supply device.

[0005] In addition, in the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, because the distance between the powder supply ports is long, a chute for collecting the powder supplied from the multiple powder containers into a powder receiving container is placed under the multiple powder containers. In this case, since it is unhygienic to leave the chute with powder attached thereto, it is troublesome to periodically clean the chute.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a powder supplying device equipped with multiple powder containers that does not require a chute and prevents the storage capacity of the powder supplying device from decreasing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The gist of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0008] (1) A powder supplying device comprising: a plurality of powder containers; a plurality of screws; a plurality of motors; and a container holding portion that holds the plurality of containers, wherein each of the plurality of powder containers contains powder and has a supply port, each of the plurality of screws is disposed within the powder container and supplies the powder to the outside of the powder container through the supply port, each of the plurality of motors drives and rotates the screws, and the plurality of powder containers are held in the container holding portion such that the powder falls directly from the plurality of powder containers into a powder receiving container installed outside the plurality of powder containers without moving the powder receiving container.

[0009] (2) The powder supplying device described in (1) above, further comprising a motor holding portion that holds the motor and connects the motor to the screw, the motor holding portion being rotatably or slidably attached to the container holding portion so as to release the connection between the motor and the screw.

[0010] (3) The powder supplying device according to (1) or (2) above, wherein each of the plurality of powder containers comprises a powder storage section for storing the powder and a screw holding section for holding the screw, and the powder storage section is detachable from the screw holding section.

[0011] (4) The powder supplying device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the plurality of powder containers include a first powder container that accommodates a first powder and has a first supply port, and a second powder container that accommodates a second powder and has a second supply port, and the first powder container and the second powder container are held in the container holding portion such that the first supply port and the second supply port face each other in a horizontal direction.

[0012] (5) The powder feeding device according to (4) above, wherein the plurality of powder containers include a third powder container which accommodates a third powder and has a third supply port, and a fourth powder container which accommodates a fourth powder and has a fourth supply port, wherein the third powder container is held by the container holding part such that the third supply port is adjacent to the first supply port in the horizontal direction, the fourth powder container is held by the container holding part such that the fourth supply port is adjacent to the second supply port in the horizontal direction, and the third powder container and the fourth powder container are held by the container holding part such that the third supply port and the fourth supply port face each other in the horizontal direction.

[0013] (6) The powder supplying device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the plurality of powder containers are held in the container holding portion such that the supply ports of the plurality of powder containers are positioned on the circumference of a virtual circle in a horizontal plane.

[0014] (7) The powder supplying device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the plurality of powder containers are held in the container holding portion such that the plurality of powder containers and the supply ports of the plurality of powder containers are aligned in the vertical direction.

[0015] (8) A beverage dispenser comprising a powder supplying device described in any one of (1) to (7) above, and a water supplying device for supplying heated water, wherein the water supplying device is configured to supply heated water to the powder receiving container so that the powder supplied from the multiple powder containers and the heated water are mixed in the powder receiving container. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, in a powder supplying device equipped with a plurality of powder containers, it is possible to omit the chute and prevent the storage capacity of the powder supplying device from being reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a powder feeding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a first powder supply including the first powder container of FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view of the powder feeding apparatus of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a powder feeding apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5 is a perspective view of the first powder container and first screw of FIG. 4; [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the first screw holding portion and the first screw taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a beverage dispenser according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view of a powder feeding apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a powder feeding apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, like components are designated by like reference numerals.

[0019] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0020] 1 is a schematic front view of a powder supplying device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The powder supplying device 1 supplies powder, such as tea, coffee, cocoa, milk, corn potage, supplements, etc. When a beverage is produced by mixing the powder with heated water, the powder supplying device 1 is provided in a beverage dispenser together with a water supplying device that supplies heated water.

[0021] The powder supplying device 1 includes a plurality of powder containers, a container holding part 90 that holds the plurality of powder containers, and a housing 80 that supports the container holding part 90. Each of the plurality of powder containers contains powder and has a supply port. In this embodiment, the plurality of powder containers includes four powder containers (first to fourth powder containers), and each powder container is arranged such that its longitudinal direction extends in the vertical direction. A first powder container 10 and a second powder container 20 are shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] The powder supplying device 1 also includes a plurality of screws and a plurality of motors. The plurality of screws are each disposed in a powder container and supply powder to the outside of the powder container through a supply port. The screws are made of metal, resin, or other known materials. The plurality of motors each drive and rotate the screws. In this embodiment, the plurality of screws includes four screws (first screw to fourth screw), and the plurality of motors includes four motors (first motor to fourth motor).

[0023] Fig. 2 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of a first powder supplying part including the first powder container 10 of Fig. 1. The powder supplying device 1 includes the first powder container 10, a first screw 11, and a first motor 12 as the first powder supplying part.

[0024] The first powder container 10 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape and contains a first powder. The first powder container 10 has a first opening / closing part 101 that opens and closes the top of the first powder container 10 in a hinged manner. A user opens the top of the first powder container 10 with the first opening / closing part 101 and pours the first powder into the first powder container 10 from the top. After pouring the first powder, the user closes the top of the first powder container 10 with the first opening / closing part 101.

[0025] The first powder container 10 also has a first supply port 102. In this embodiment, the first supply port 102 is formed on a side surface of the first powder container 10. The first supply port 102 has a circular cross section and opens to the outside of the first powder container 10. The first supply port 102 communicates between the inside of the first powder container 10 and the outside of the first powder container 10.

[0026] The first screw 11 is disposed in the first powder container 10. Specifically, the first screw 11 is disposed at the bottom of the first powder container 10 and extends horizontally within the first powder container 10. The first screw 11 has a spiral blade formed around a rotation shaft. The first screw 11 supplies the first powder to the outside of the first powder container 10 through the first supply port 102. Specifically, the first screw 11 transfers the first powder in the first powder container 10 to the first supply port 102 by rotation of the rotation shaft.

[0027] The first screw 11 extends horizontally from near the first supply port 102 to the outside of the first powder container 10. The end of the first screw 11 opposite to the first supply port 102 is connected to a first motor 12 outside the first powder container 10.

[0028] The first motor 12 rotates the first screw 11. The first motor 12 is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) such as a microcomputer and is controlled by the control device. The control device controls the amount of the first powder supplied from the first powder container 10 by changing the amount of rotation of the first motor 12.

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic plan cross-sectional view of the powder feeding apparatus 1 of Figure 1. Note that the housing 80 of the powder feeding apparatus 1 is omitted in Figure 3. Also, in Figure 3, a powder receiving container 500 for receiving powder fed by the powder feeding apparatus 1 is shown by a dashed line.

[0030] The powder supplying device 1 includes a second powder container 20, a second screw 21, and a second motor 22 as a second powder supplying section. The second powder container 20 accommodates the second powder and has a second supply port 202. The second powder container 20 has a similar configuration to the first powder container 10 and functions in the same manner as the first powder container 10. The second screw 21 has a similar configuration to the first screw 11 and functions in the same manner as the first screw 11. The second motor 22 has a similar configuration to the first motor 12 and functions in the same manner as the first motor 12.

[0031] The powder supplying device 1 includes a third powder supplying unit, which includes a third powder container 30, a third screw 31, and a third motor 32. The third powder container 30 contains the third powder and has a third supply port 302. The third powder container 30 has a similar configuration to the first powder container 10 and functions in the same manner as the first powder container 10. The third screw 31 has a similar configuration to the first screw 11 and functions in the same manner as the first screw 11. The third motor 32 has a similar configuration to the first motor 12 and functions in the same manner as the first motor 12.

[0032] The powder supplying device 1 includes a fourth powder supplying unit, which includes a fourth powder container 40, a fourth screw 41, and a fourth motor 42. The fourth powder container 40 contains a fourth powder and has a fourth supply port 402. The fourth powder container 40 has a similar configuration to the first powder container 10 and functions in the same manner as the first powder container 10. The fourth screw 41 has a similar configuration to the first screw 11 and functions in the same manner as the first screw 11. The fourth motor 42 has a similar configuration to the first motor 12 and functions in the same manner as the first motor 12.

[0033] Different types of powder are selected as the first to fourth powders contained in the first to fourth powder containers 10 to 40. For example, powders of tea, coffee, or the like, which have different flavors, aromas, etc., are selected as the first to fourth powders. This allows the user to enjoy various blends according to their preferences using the powder supplying device 1.

[0034] 1 and 3, a powder receiving container 500 is installed by a user outside the multiple powder containers (first powder container 10 to fourth powder container 40). In this embodiment, the powder receiving container 500 is placed on the housing 80 below the container holding part 90. Powder is supplied to the powder receiving container 500 from the multiple powder containers. The powder receiving container 500 is, for example, a cup, a plastic cup, a ceramic cup, or the like.

[0035] In this embodiment, the multiple powder containers are held in the container holding part 90 such that powder falls directly from the multiple powder containers into the powder receiving container 500 without moving the powder receiving container 500. In other words, the multiple powder containers are held in the container holding part 90 such that powder falls vertically from the multiple powder containers into the powder receiving container 500 held in a predetermined position without passing through a chute.

[0036] As can be seen from Fig. 3, the multiple powder containers (first powder container 10 to fourth powder container 40) are held by the container holding part 90 such that the supply ports (first supply port 102 to fourth supply port 402) of the multiple powder containers are positioned within the powder receiving container 500 in a horizontal plane (the plane shown in Fig. 3). For example, the multiple powder containers are held by the container holding part 90 such that the supply ports of the multiple powder containers are positioned within a circle having a diameter of several centimeters in the horizontal plane.

[0037] In this embodiment, specifically, the first powder container 10 to the fourth powder container 40 are arranged in the powder supplying device 1 as follows. As shown in Fig. 3, the first powder container 10 and the second powder container 20 are held by the container holding part 90 so that the first supply port 102 and the second supply port 202 face each other in the horizontal direction. This makes it possible to shorten the distance between the first supply port 102 and the second supply port 202.

[0038] 3, the first powder container 10 and the second powder container 20 are held in the container holder 90 such that the axes of the first screw 11 and the second screw 21 are aligned. That is, the first powder container 10 and the second powder container 20 are aligned in a straight line. Note that, as long as the first supply port 102 and the second supply port 202 are close to each other, the axes of the first screw 11 and the second screw 21 do not need to be aligned.

[0039] The container holding part 90 has a passage hole through which the powder supplied from the multiple powder containers passes. In this embodiment, the container holding part 90 has a first passage hole 91 formed below the first supply port 102 and the second supply port 202, and a second passage hole 92 formed below the third supply port 302 and the fourth supply port 402. The first passage hole 91 and the second passage hole 92 have a rectangular cross section. The powder receiving container 500 is installed below the first passage hole 91 and the second passage hole 92 so as to receive the powder supplied from the multiple powder containers. The first passage hole 91 and the second passage hole 92 may have other shapes (for example, a circular cross section, etc.).

[0040] When the first screw 11 is rotated by the first motor 12, the first powder is supplied to the outside of the first powder container 10 by the first screw 11 and falls by gravity through the first passing hole 91 into the powder receiving container 500. Therefore, the first powder falls directly from the first powder container 10 into the powder receiving container 500. Similarly, when the second screw 21 is rotated by the second motor 22, the second powder is supplied to the outside of the second powder container 20 by the second screw 21 and falls by gravity through the first passing hole 91 into the powder receiving container 500. Therefore, the second powder falls directly from the second powder container 20 into the powder receiving container 500. The first powder in the first powder container 10 and the second powder in the second powder container 20 are supplied to the powder receiving container 500 through the same first passing hole 91.

[0041] The third powder container 30 is held by the container holder 90 so that the third supply port 302 is adjacent to the first supply port 102 in the horizontal direction. This makes it possible to shorten the distance between the first supply port 102 and the third supply port 302. In the example of Fig. 3, the third powder container 30 is held by the container holder 90 so as to be parallel to the first powder container 10.

[0042] The fourth powder container 40 is held by the container holding part 90 so that the fourth supply port 402 is adjacent to the second supply port 202 in the horizontal direction. This makes it possible to shorten the distance between the second supply port 202 and the fourth supply port 402. In the example of Fig. 3, the fourth powder container 40 is held by the container holding part 90 so as to be parallel to the second powder container 20.

[0043] Moreover, the third powder container 30 and the fourth powder container 40 are held by the container holding part 90 so that the third supply port 302 and the fourth supply port 402 face each other in the horizontal direction. This makes it possible to shorten the distance between the third supply port 302 and the fourth supply port 402.

[0044] 3, the third powder container 30 and the fourth powder container 40 are held in the container holder 90 such that the axes of the third screw 31 and the fourth screw 41 are aligned. That is, the third powder container 30 and the fourth powder container 40 are aligned in a straight line. Note that, as long as the third supply port 302 and the fourth supply port 402 are close to each other, the axes of the third screw 31 and the fourth screw 41 do not need to be aligned.

[0045] When the third screw 31 is rotated by the third motor 32, the third powder is supplied to the outside of the third powder container 30 by the third screw 31 and falls by gravity through the second passing hole 92 into the powder receiving container 500. Therefore, the third powder falls directly from the third powder container 30 into the powder receiving container 500. Similarly, when the fourth screw 41 is rotated by the fourth motor 42, the fourth powder is supplied to the outside of the fourth powder container 40 by the fourth screw 41 and falls by gravity through the second passing hole 92 into the powder receiving container 500. Therefore, the fourth powder falls directly from the fourth powder container 40 into the powder receiving container 500. The third powder in the third powder container 30 and the fourth powder in the fourth powder container 40 are supplied to the powder receiving container 500 through the same second passing hole 92.

[0046] The container holding part 90 may have one passage hole formed below the first supply port 102, the second supply port 202, the third supply port 302, and the fourth supply port 402. That is, the first powder, the second powder, the third powder, and the fourth powder may be supplied to the powder receiving container 500 through the same passage hole.

[0047] By arranging the first powder container 10 to the fourth powder container 40 as described above, the arrangement of the powder containers is optimized, and the range of the first supply port 102 to the fourth supply port 402 can be narrowed. Specifically, the distance between the first supply port 102 and the fourth supply port 402 can be reduced to half compared to the case where the first powder container 10 to the fourth powder container 40 are aligned in a row in the horizontal direction. This can prevent the storage capacity of the powder supplying device 1 from being deteriorated. In addition, it is not necessary to provide the powder supplying device 1 with a chute for collecting the first powder to the fourth powder in the powder receiving container 500. This can avoid problems such as contamination of the powder left in the chute.

[0048] 3, the second powder supplying unit and the fourth powder supplying unit are disposed symmetrically to the first powder supplying unit and the third powder supplying unit with respect to a vertical plane VS (see FIGS. 1 and 3) that bisects the powder supplying device 1 into left and right halves. This allows the first to fourth powders to be supplied to the powder receiving container 500 at the center in the width direction of the powder supplying device 1.

[0049] The number of powder supplying parts (powder container, screw, and motor) may be two or more. In this case, the multiple powder supplying parts have the same configuration, and the arrangement of the multiple powder containers is generalized as follows. The nth powder container and the n+1th powder container are held by the container holding part 90 so that the nth supply port of the nth powder container and the n+1th supply port of the n+1th powder container face each other in the horizontal direction, where n is an odd natural number. The n+2th powder container is held by the container holding part 90 so that the n+2th supply port of the n+2th powder container is adjacent to the nth supply port of the nth powder container in the horizontal direction, where n is a natural number.

[0050] Second Embodiment The powder supplying device according to the second embodiment is basically the same as the powder supplying device according to the first embodiment, so the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0051] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a powder supplying device 1a according to the second embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the powder supplying device 1a includes a plurality of powder containers (a first powder container 10' to a fourth powder container 40'), a container holder 90a that holds the plurality of powder containers, and a housing that supports the container holder 90a. Note that the housing of the powder supplying device 1a is omitted in Fig. 4.

[0052] The powder supplying device 1a includes a first powder supplying unit including a first powder container 10', a first screw 11', and a first motor 12'. The first motor 12' has a similar configuration to the first motor 12 in the first embodiment, and functions in a similar manner to the first motor 12.

[0053] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the first powder container 10' and the first screw 11' of Fig. 4. In the second embodiment, the first powder container 10' comprises a first screw holding portion 110 and a first powder receiving portion 120.

[0054] The first screw holding portion 110 holds the first screw 11'. FIG. 7 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the first screw holding portion 110 and the first screw 11' taken along line AA in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the first screw holding portion 110 has a first supply port 102'. In this embodiment, the first supply port 102' is formed on the side surface of the first screw holding portion 110. The first supply port 102' has a circular cross section and opens to the outside of the first screw holding portion 110. The first supply port 102' connects the inside of the first screw holding portion 110 to the outside of the first screw holding portion 110.

[0055] The first screw 11′ is disposed in the first screw holding portion 110 and extends horizontally within the first screw holding portion 110. The first screw 11′ has a similar configuration to the first screw 11 in the first embodiment and functions in the same manner as the first screw 11.

[0056] The first screw 11' extends from near the first supply port 102' to the outside of the first screw holding part 110. An end of the first screw 11' opposite to the first supply port 102' is disposed outside the first screw holding part 110 and is configured to be connected to a first motor connecting part described later.

[0057] 5 and 6, the first screw holding portion 110 has four first engagement holes 111 arranged on both sides of the axis of the first screw 11' (line AA in FIG. 5). Each of the four first engagement holes 111 has a rectangular cross section.

[0058] The first powder containing portion 120 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape and contains the first powder. The first powder containing portion 120 has a first opening / closing portion 101' that opens and closes an upper portion of the first powder containing portion 120 in a hinged manner. The first powder containing portion 120 also has four first engaging protrusions 121 that correspond to the four first engaging holes 111 of the first screw holding portion 110. The four first engaging protrusions 121 respectively engage with the four first engaging holes 111 of the first screw holding portion 110.

[0059] The lower part of the first powder containing part 120 is open, and the upper part of the first screw holding part 110 is open. As shown in Fig. 5, the first powder containing part 120 is inserted into the upper part of the first screw holding part 110 so that the first engagement protrusion 121 engages with the first engagement hole 111. As a result, the first powder containing part 120 is connected to the first screw holding part 110, and is attached to the container holding part 90a via the first screw holding part 110.

[0060] On the other hand, when the engagement between the first engagement protrusion 121 and the first engagement hole 111 is released, the first powder containing portion 120 is removed from the first screw holding portion 110. Therefore, the first powder containing portion 120 is detachable from the first screw holding portion 110.

[0061] With the first powder receiving portion 120 connected to the first screw holding portion 110, the user opens the top of the first powder receiving portion 120 with the first opening / closing portion 101' and pours the first powder into the first powder receiving portion 120 from the top. After pouring the first powder, the user seals the top of the first powder receiving portion 120 with the first opening / closing portion 101'.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, the powder supplying device 1a includes a second powder supplying section including a second powder container 20', a second screw 21', and a second motor 22'. The second powder container 20' includes a second screw holder 210 and a second powder storage section 220. The second powder container 20' has a similar configuration to the first powder container 10' and functions in the same manner as the first powder container 10'. The second screw 21' has a similar configuration to the first screw 11' and functions in the same manner as the first screw 11'. The second motor 22' has a similar configuration to the first motor 12' and functions in the same manner as the first motor 12'.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 4, the powder supplying device 1a includes a third powder supplying unit including a third powder container 30', a third screw 31', and a third motor 32'. The third powder container 30' includes a third screw holder 310 and a third powder storage unit 320. The third powder container 30' has a similar configuration to the first powder container 10' and functions in the same manner as the first powder container 10'. The third screw 31' has a similar configuration to the first screw 11' and functions in the same manner as the first screw 11'. The third motor 32' has a similar configuration to the first motor 12' and functions in the same manner as the first motor 12'.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4, the powder supplying device 1a includes a fourth powder supplying unit, which includes a fourth powder container 40', a fourth screw 41', and a fourth motor 42'. The fourth powder container 40' includes a fourth screw holder 410 and a fourth powder storage unit 420. The fourth powder container 40' has a similar configuration to the first powder container 10' and functions in the same manner as the first powder container 10'. The fourth screw 41' has a similar configuration to the first screw 11' and functions in the same manner as the first screw 11'. The fourth motor 42' has a similar configuration to the first motor 12' and functions in the same manner as the first motor 12'.

[0065] As can be seen from FIG. 5, the first powder container 10' to the fourth powder container 40' are held in the container holding part 90a in the same arrangement as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 3).

[0066] In the powder supplying device 1a, when each powder container becomes empty, the user refills each powder container with powder. That is, the first powder container 10' to the fourth powder container 40' and the first screw 11' to the fourth screw 41' are used repeatedly. In this case, it is desirable to periodically wash the powder containers and the screws to keep the powder supplying device 1a clean. In order to wash the powder containers and the screws, they need to be removed from the container holding part 90a. However, since wiring for power supply is connected to the motor, in order to remove the powder containers and the screws from the container holding part 90a, the connection between the motor and the screws needs to be released. 90a

[0067] 4, the powder supplying device 1a includes a first motor holding part 60 and a second motor holding part 70. The first motor holding part 60 holds the first motor 12' and the third motor 32', and connects the first motor 12' and the third motor 32' to the first screw 11' and the third screw 31', respectively. The first motor holding part 60 is rotatably attached to the container holding part 90a so that the connection between the first motor 12' and the first screw 11' is released and the connection between the third motor 32' and the third screw 31' is released.

[0068] The first motor holding portion 60 has a first main body portion 65, a first motor connecting portion 61, a third motor connecting portion 63, and a first shaft portion 66. The first main body portion 65 has a generally flat plate shape. The first motor 12' and the third motor 32' are fixed to one surface of the first main body portion 65, and the first motor connecting portion 61 and the third motor connecting portion 63 protrude from the other surface of the first main body portion 65.

[0069] The first motor connecting portion 61 is connected to the rotor of the first motor 12'. The first motor connecting portion 61 has a shape complementary to an end of the first screw 11' and engages with the end of the first screw 11'. That is, the first motor 12' is connected to the first screw 11' via the first motor connecting portion 61. The third motor connecting portion 63 is connected to the rotor of the third motor 32'. The third motor connecting portion 63 has a shape complementary to an end of the third screw 31' and engages with the end of the third screw 31'. That is, the third motor 32' is connected to the third screw 31' via the third motor connecting portion 63.

[0070] The first shaft portion 66 is inserted into the container holding portion 90a, and the first main body portion 65 is rotatably attached to the container holding portion 90a. The first main body portion 65, the first motor 12′, the third motor 32′, the first motor connecting portion 61, and the third motor connecting portion 63 are rotatable together around the first shaft portion 66.

[0071] When the first powder container 10' and the third powder container 30' are attached to the container holding part 90a by a user, the first motor holding part 60 is maintained in the uncoupled position shown in Fig. 4. In the uncoupled position, the first body part 65 extends in a substantially horizontal direction, and the first motor 12' and the first screw 11' are disconnected from each other, and the third motor 32' and the third screw 31' are disconnected from each other.

[0072] As in the first embodiment, the container holding part 90a is formed with a first through hole 91 and a second through hole 92 (see FIG. 3). Also, the container holding part 90a is formed with a first slide groove for engaging with the first powder container 10', a second slide groove for engaging with the second powder container 20', a third slide groove for engaging with the third powder container 30', and a fourth slide groove for engaging with the fourth powder container 40'.

[0073] When the first motor holding part 60 is in the uncoupled position, the user moves the first powder container 10' and the first screw 11' horizontally from the first motor 12' side toward the first passing hole 91, and accommodates the first screw holding part 110 of the first powder container 10' in the first slide groove. Similarly, when the first motor holding part 60 is in the uncoupled position, the user moves the third powder container 30' and the third screw 31' horizontally from the third motor 32' side toward the second passing hole 92, and accommodates the third screw holding part 310 of the third powder container 30' in the third slide groove.

[0074] Next, the user rotates the first motor holding part 60 from the uncoupled position to the coupled position. In this embodiment, the first motor holding part 60 rotates 90 degrees between the uncoupled position and the coupled position. In the coupled position, the first body part 65 extends in a substantially vertical direction, the first motor 12' is coupled to the first screw 11' via the first motor coupling part 61, and the third motor 32' is coupled to the third screw 31' via the third motor coupling part 63. Note that FIG. 4 shows the second motor holding part 70 in the coupled position.

[0075] When the first motor holder 60 is rotated to the coupled position, the first powder container 10' and the third powder container 30' are prevented from moving, and the first powder container 10' and the third powder container 30' are fixed to the container holder 90a. In addition, the first screw 11' can be rotated by the first motor 12', and the third screw 31' can be rotated by the third motor 32'.

[0076] 4, the container holding part 90a has two first engagement parts 55 that engage with the first motor holding part 60 and two second engagement parts 56 that engage with the second motor holding part 70. When the first motor holding part 60 is rotated to the coupled position, the first motor holding part 60 and the first engagement parts 55 engage with each other, and the first motor holding part 60 is held in the coupled position by the first engagement parts 55.

[0077] When removing at least one of the first powder container 10' and the third powder container 30' from the container holding part 90a, the user releases the engagement between the first motor holding part 60 and the first engagement part 55 and rotates the first motor holding part 60 from the coupled position to the uncoupled position. This makes it possible to create a space for pulling out the first powder container 10' and the third powder container 30' without moving the first motor 12' and the third motor 32' significantly.

[0078] A user can remove the first powder container 10' and the first screw 11' from the container holding part 90a by moving the first powder container 10' in the horizontal direction away from the first passing hole 91 and the second powder container 20'. Similarly, a user can remove the third powder container 30' and the third screw 31' from the container holding part 90a by moving the third powder container 30' in the horizontal direction away from the second passing hole 92 and the fourth powder container 40'.

[0079] The second motor holding part 70 holds the second motor 22' and the fourth motor 42' and connects the second motor 22' and the fourth motor 42' to the second screw 21' and the fourth screw 41', respectively. The second motor holding part 70 is rotatably attached to the container holding part 90a so that the connection between the second motor 22' and the second screw 21' is released and the connection between the fourth motor 42' and the fourth screw 41' is released.

[0080] The second motor holding part 70 has a second main body part 75, a second motor connecting part 72, a fourth motor connecting part 74, and a second shaft part. The second motor holding part 70 has a similar configuration to the first motor holding part 60 and functions similarly to the first motor holding part 60. When the second motor holding part 70 is in the uncoupled position, the second powder container 20' and the second screw 21' can be removed from the container holding part 90a, and the fourth powder container 40' and the fourth screw 41' can be removed from the container holding part 90a.

[0081] Therefore, according to the powder supplying device 1a equipped with the first motor holding part 60 and the second motor holding part 70, it is possible to optimize the arrangement of the multiple powder containers while facilitating attachment and detachment of the powder containers.

[0082] As described above, the powder container can be detached from the screw holder of the powder container. After removing the powder container from the container holder 90a, the user removes the powder container from the screw holder. This exposes the screw held by the screw holder, making it easy to clean the screw.

[0083] Note that the user may move the multiple powder containers (the first powder container 10′ to the fourth powder container 40′) vertically downward when attaching them to the container holding part 90a, and may move the multiple powder containers vertically upward when removing them from the container holding part 90a.

[0084] The first motor holder 60 may be slidably attached to the container holder 90a such that the first motor 12' is decoupled from the first screw 11' and the third motor 32' is decoupled from the third screw 31'. Similarly, the second motor holder 70 may be slidably attached to the container holder 90a such that the second motor 22' is decoupled from the second screw 21' and the fourth motor 42' is decoupled from the fourth screw 41'.

[0085] In this case, for example, a rail portion is provided on the container holding part 90a, and the first motor holding part 60 and the second motor holding part 70 slide horizontally along the rail portion. When removing at least one of the first powder container 10' and the third powder container 30' from the container holding part 90a, the user moves the first motor holding part 60 in the horizontal direction so that the first motor 12' and the third motor 32' move away from the first screw 11' and the third screw 31'. Similarly, when removing at least one of the second powder container 20' and the fourth powder container 40' from the container holding part 90a, the user moves the second motor holding part 70 in the horizontal direction so that the second motor 22' and the fourth motor 42' move away from the second screw 21' and the fourth screw 41'.

[0086] In addition, the powder supplying device 1a includes a first motor holding portion that holds the first motor 12', a second motor holding portion that holds the second motor 22', a third motor holding portion that holds the third motor 32', and a fourth motor holding portion that holds the fourth motor 42', and these motor holding portions may be capable of rotating or sliding independently.

[0087] Furthermore, in the powder supplying device 1a, the powder containing portion and the screw holding portion of the powder supplying container may be integrally formed, as in the first embodiment.

[0088] <Third embodiment> The powder supplying device provided in the beverage dispenser according to the third embodiment is basically the same as the powder supplying device in the first embodiment, so the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0089] 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a beverage dispenser according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The beverage dispenser 800 includes a powder supplying device 1 and a water supplying device 700, and supplies a beverage. The powder supplying device 1 and the water supplying device 700 are housed in the same housing.

[0090] The powder supplying device 1 has the configuration described in relation to the first embodiment and supplies powders that are ingredients for beverages, such as coffee, cocoa, tea, milk, corn potage, etc.

[0091] When the user instructs to supply a beverage, the powder supplying device 1 supplies the first to fourth powders to the powder receiving container 500 installed by the user. At this time, the first screw 11 is rotationally driven by the first motor 12, and the first screw 11 directly supplies the first powder from the first powder container 10 to the powder receiving container 500. The second screw 21 is rotationally driven by the second motor 22, and the second screw 21 directly supplies the second powder from the second powder container 20 to the powder receiving container 500. The third screw 31 is rotationally driven by the third motor 32, and the third screw 31 directly supplies the third powder from the third powder container 30 to the powder receiving container 500. The fourth screw 41 is rotationally driven by the fourth motor 42, and the fourth screw 41 directly supplies the fourth powder from the fourth powder container 40 to the powder receiving container 500.

[0092] Meanwhile, the water supplying device 700 heats water and supplies heated water to dissolve the powder supplied by the powder supplying device 1. The beverage dispenser 800 mixes the powder supplied by the powder supplying device 1 with the heated water supplied by the water supplying device 700 to produce a beverage.

[0093] In this embodiment, the water supplying device 700 is configured to supply heated water to the powder receiving container 500 so that the powders supplied from the multiple powder containers and the heated water are mixed in the powder receiving container 500. Specifically, the water supplying device 700 includes a water tank 701, a water supply path 702, a water pump 703, and a water heating device 704.

[0094] Water tank 701 contains water supplied by water supply device 700. Water supply path 702 has a water outlet 705, and connects water tank 701 to water outlet 705. Water pump 703 supplies water in water tank 701 to water outlet 705 through water heating device 704. Water heating device 704 heats the water supplied by water pump 703. Water heated by water heating device 704 (heated water) is supplied to powder receiving container 500 from water outlet 705.

[0095] The heated water is supplied to the powder receiving container 500 after the powder is supplied to the powder receiving container 500 by the powder supplying device 1. At this time, the powder and the heated water are stirred and mixed in the powder receiving container 500 by the water flow of the heated water supplied to the powder receiving container 500. As a result, a beverage is produced in the powder receiving container 500. Therefore, the powder receiving container 500 functions as a beverage container.

[0096] In the beverage dispenser 800, the powder and heated water are stirred in the powder receiving container 500, so a mixing bowl for pre-stirring and mixing the powder and heated water is not required. Therefore, problems such as contamination of the mixed liquid left in the mixing bowl can be avoided, and the beverage dispenser 800 can be kept clean.

[0097] <Fourth embodiment> The powder supplying device provided in the beverage dispenser according to the fourth embodiment is basically the same as the powder supplying device in the first embodiment, so the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0098] Fig. 8 is a schematic plan cross-sectional view of a powder supplying apparatus 1b according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Note that the housing of the powder supplying apparatus 1b is omitted in Fig. 8. Also, in Fig. 8, a powder receiving container 500 for receiving powder supplied by the powder supplying apparatus 1b is shown by a dashed line.

[0099] The powder supplying device 1b includes a plurality of powder containers (first powder container 10 to fifth powder container 50), a plurality of screws (first screw 11 to fifth screw 51), a plurality of motors (first motor 12 to fifth motor 52), and a container holding unit 90b that holds the plurality of powder containers.

[0100] The first powder container 10 contains a first powder and has a first supply port 102. The second powder container 20 contains a second powder and has a second supply port 202. The third powder container 30 contains a third powder and has a third supply port 302. The fourth powder container 40 contains a fourth powder and has a fourth supply port 402. The fifth powder container 50 contains a fifth powder and has a fifth supply port 502. Each powder container is arranged such that its longitudinal direction extends vertically.

[0101] As can be seen from Fig. 8, in the fourth embodiment, the multiple powder containers are held by the container holding part 90b such that the supply ports of the multiple powder containers are positioned on the circumference of an imaginary circle C in a horizontal plane (the plane shown in Fig. 8). The multiple powder containers extend radially outward from the imaginary circle C. In the example of Fig. 8, the multiple powder containers are held by the container holding part 90b such that the supply ports of the multiple powder containers are positioned at equal intervals on the circumference of the imaginary circle C in a horizontal plane.

[0102] The container holding part 90b has passing holes 91b through which the powder supplied from the multiple powder containers passes. The passing holes 91b are formed below the first supply port 102 to the fifth supply port 502 and have a rectangular cross section. The powder receiving container 500 is placed below the passing holes 91b so as to receive the powder supplied from the multiple powder containers. The diameter of the imaginary circle C is smaller than the diameter of the powder receiving container 500. The shape of the passing hole 91b may be another shape (for example, a circular cross section, etc.).

[0103] When the first screw 11 is rotated, the first powder falls directly from the first powder container 10 through the passage hole 91b into the powder receiving container 500. When the second screw 21 is rotated, the second powder falls directly from the second powder container 20 through the passage hole 91b into the powder receiving container 500. When the third screw 31 is rotated, the third powder falls directly from the third powder container 30 through the passage hole 91b into the powder receiving container 500. When the fourth screw 41 is rotated, the fourth powder falls directly from the fourth powder container 40 through the passage hole 91b into the powder receiving container 500. When the fifth screw 51 is rotated, the fifth powder falls directly from the fifth powder container 50 through the passage hole 91b into the powder receiving container 500.

[0104] 8, the arrangement of the first to fifth powder containers 10 to 50 can be optimized and the range of the first to fifth supply ports 102 to 502 can be narrowed. This can prevent the powder supplying device 1b from being degraded in storability. In addition, there is no need to provide the powder supplying device 1b with a chute for collecting the first to fifth powders in the powder receiving container 500. This can avoid problems such as contamination of the powder left in the chute.

[0105] It should be noted that the number of powder supplying parts (powder container, screw, and motor) in the powder supplying device 1b may be any other number greater than or equal to 2. In this case, the multiple powder supplying parts have the same configuration.

[0106] <Fifth embodiment> The powder supplying device provided in the beverage dispenser according to the fifth embodiment is basically the same as the powder supplying device in the first embodiment, so the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0107] Fig. 9 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of a powder supplying device 1c according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Note that a housing of the powder supplying device 1c is omitted in Fig. 9. The powder supplying device 1c includes a plurality of powder containers (first powder container 10 to third powder container 30), a plurality of screws (first screw 11 to third screw 31), a plurality of motors (first motor 12 to third motor 32), and a container holder 90c that holds the plurality of powder containers.

[0108] The first powder container 10 contains a first powder and has a first supply port 102. The second powder container 20 contains a second powder and has a second supply port 202. The third powder container 30 contains a third powder and has a third supply port 302. In the fifth embodiment, each powder container is arranged such that its longitudinal direction extends horizontally.

[0109] 9, in the fifth embodiment, the powder containers are held in the container holder 90c such that the powder containers and the supply ports of the powder containers are aligned in the vertical direction. That is, the powder containers are aligned in a line in the vertical direction. In addition, the second supply port 202 is adjacent to the first supply port 102 in the vertical direction, and the third supply port 302 is adjacent to the second supply port 202 in the vertical direction.

[0110] The container holding part 90c has passing holes 91c through which the powder supplied from the multiple powder containers passes. The passing holes 91c are formed below the first supply port 102 to the third supply port 302 and have a rectangular cross section. The powder receiving container 500 is placed below the passing hole 91c so as to receive the powder supplied from the multiple powder containers. The shape of the passing hole 91c may be other shapes (for example, a circular cross section, etc.).

[0111] When the first screw 11 is rotated, the first powder falls directly from the first powder container 10 through the passage hole 91c into the powder receiving container 500. When the second screw 21 is rotated, the second powder falls directly from the second powder container 20 through the passage hole 91c into the powder receiving container 500. When the third screw 31 is rotated, the third powder falls directly from the third powder container 30 through the passage hole 91c into the powder receiving container 500.

[0112] 9, the arrangement of the first to third powder containers 10 to 30 can be optimized, and the range from the first supply port 102 to the third supply port 302 can be narrowed. This can prevent the storage capacity of the powder supplying device 1c from being deteriorated. In addition, it is not necessary to provide the powder supplying device 1c with a chute for collecting the first to third powders in the powder receiving container 500. This can avoid problems such as contamination of the powder left in the chute.

[0113] It should be noted that in the powder supplying device 1c, the number of powder supplying parts (powder container, screw, and motor) may be any other number equal to or greater than 2. In this case, the multiple powder supplying parts have the same configuration.

[0114] <Other embodiments> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims.

[0115] For example, the shape of the powder container may be other shapes (e.g., cylindrical, convex downward, etc.) Also, the shape of the supply port of the powder container may be other shapes (e.g., rectangular cross section, etc.).

[0116] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined in any manner. For example, when the second, fourth or fifth embodiment is combined with the third embodiment, the powder supplying device 1a, powder supplying device 1b or powder supplying device 1c is used instead of the powder supplying device 1 in the third embodiment.

[0117] Furthermore, when the fourth or fifth embodiment is combined with the second embodiment, in the powder supplying devices 1b and 1c, the powder supplying container is composed of a powder storage portion and a screw holding portion, as in the second embodiment. Also, as in the second embodiment, the powder supplying devices 1b and 1c include a motor holding portion, and the motor holding portion releases the connection between the motor and the screw.

[0118] In the first or second embodiment, each powder container may be disposed such that its longitudinal direction extends horizontally. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c powder feeding device 10, 10' 1st powder container 102, 102' 1st supply port 11, 11' 1st screw 12, 12' First motor 20, 20' 2nd powder container 202, 202' 2nd supply port 21, 21' 2nd screw 22, 22' Second motor 30, 30' 3rd powder container 302, 302' 3rd supply port 31, 31' 3rd screw 32, 32' 3rd motor 40, 40' 4th powder container 402, 402' 4th supply port 41, 41' 4th screw 42, 42' 4th motor 50 5th powder container 502 5th supply port 51 5th screw 52 5th motor 90, 90a, 90b Container holding part 500 Powder Container 700 Water supply equipment

Claims

1. A plurality of powder containers; A plurality of screws; A plurality of motors; a container holding portion for holding the plurality of containers; Equipped with each of the plurality of powder containers contains powder and has a supply port; The plurality of screws are each disposed within the powder container and configured to supply the powder to the outside of the powder container through the supply port; The plurality of motors each rotate the screw, A powder supplying device in which the multiple powder containers are held in the container holding portion such that the powder falls directly from the multiple powder containers into the powder receiving container without moving the powder receiving container installed outside the multiple powder containers.

2. a motor holding portion that holds the motor and connects the motor to the screw; 2. The powder feeding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor holder is rotatably or slidably mounted to the container holder such that the motor and the screw are decoupled.

3. 3. The powder supplying device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of powder containers comprises a powder containing portion for containing the powder and a screw holding portion for holding the screw, and the powder containing portion is detachable from the screw holding portion.

4. the plurality of powder containers include a first powder container containing a first powder and having a first supply port, and a second powder container containing a second powder and having a second supply port; 3. The powder supplying device of claim 1, wherein the first powder container and the second powder container are held by the container holder such that the first supply port and the second supply port face each other in a horizontal direction.

5. the plurality of powder containers include a third powder container containing a third powder and having a third supply port, and a fourth powder container containing a fourth powder and having a fourth supply port, the third powder container is held by the container holder such that the third supply port is adjacent to the first supply port in a horizontal direction; the fourth powder container is held by the container holder such that the fourth supply port is adjacent to the second supply port in a horizontal direction; 5. The powder feeding device of claim 4, wherein the third powder container and the fourth powder container are held by the container holding part such that the third supply port and the fourth supply port face each other in a horizontal direction.

6. 3. The powder supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of powder containers are held by the container holding part such that supply ports of the plurality of powder containers are positioned on the circumference of an imaginary circle in a horizontal plane.

7. The powder supplying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of powder containers are held in the container holding portion such that the plurality of powder containers and the supply ports of the plurality of powder containers are aligned in a vertical direction.

8. A powder feeding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2; A water supply device for supplying heated water; Equipped with A beverage dispenser, wherein the water supplying device is configured to supply heated water to the powder receiving receptacle such that powder supplied from the multiple powder receptacles and the heated water are mixed in the powder receiving receptacle.

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