Beverage feeder

Abstract

To retard moisture absorption by a dry beverage material in a beverage material container, in a beverage feeder that uses the dry beverage material such as tea leaves or a powdered beverage material.SOLUTION: A beverage feeder 10 comprises: a partition plate 14 that is disposed in a middle part in a front-back direction of a housing 11 and partitions the housing 11 into a front side part for a beverage producing room 15 that produces a beverage and a rear side part for a machine room 16; a beverage producing part 31 that is disposed in the beverage producing room 15 and produces the beverage using a beverage material in a beverage material container 32 that stores a dry beverage material; a hot water storage tank 41 that is disposed in the machine room 16 and stores hot water which is raw water for the beverage to be produced in the beverage producing part 31; and a heater 43 that heats the raw water in the hot water storage tank 41, the heater 43 being disposed in a front face part of the hot water storage tank 41 positioned on a rear side of the partition plate 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser for dispensing beverages. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an invention for a tea dispenser. This tea dispenser has a panel in the middle of the main body in the front-to-rear direction, and the area behind the panel on the main body is a machine compartment. A canister for storing tea leaves is provided in front of the panel on the main body, and a drum is provided below the canister to drop tea leaves in predetermined amounts. A tea strainer is rotatably attached to a funnel below the canister, and a stand for placing a teacup or other container is provided below the funnel. A hot water tank is provided in the machine compartment, and the hot water tank is equipped with a heater for heating water to hot water. A hot water supply pipe with an electromagnetic valve is connected to the hot water tank, and the tip of the hot water supply pipe protrudes from the front of the panel and is connected to a shower-type hot water outlet. When dispensing tea with this tea dispenser, the drum is rotated from the canister to dispense hot water from the hot water outlet into the tea strainer containing tea leaves, and tea is dispensed from the funnel's outlet into a container such as a teacup. In this tea dispenser, the motor that rotates the funnel and drum to which the tea strainer is attached is located close to the canister, and when the motor is operated, heat is transferred to the canister. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-14553 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the tea dispenser of Patent Document 1, the motor that rotates the funnel or drum with the tea strainer attached is located close to the canister (beverage ingredient container), and heat is transferred to the canister when the motor is operating. While the tea leaves in the canister are somewhat protected from moisture by the heat generated when the motor is operating, the heat generated when the motor is operating is not sufficient to protect the tea leaves in the canister from moisture. Some tea dispensers of this type store powdered beverage ingredients in the canister and dispense beverages such as tea by stirring and mixing the powdered beverage ingredients with hot water. In those that store powdered beverage ingredients in the canister, the beverage ingredient powders are more likely to absorb moisture and solidify than tea leaves, making it difficult to remove the powdered beverage ingredients from the canister. The present invention aims to prevent moisture from being absorbed by the dry beverage ingredients in the beverage ingredient container in a beverage dispenser that uses dry beverage ingredients such as tea leaves or powdered beverage ingredients. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a beverage supply device that includes a partition plate arranged in the middle of the housing in the front-to-back direction, separating the front part of the housing into a beverage production chamber that produces a beverage and the rear part into a machine chamber, a beverage production section arranged in the beverage production chamber that produces a beverage using beverage ingredients in a beverage ingredient container that stores dried beverage ingredients, a hot water storage tank arranged in the machine chamber that stores hot water that will be used as raw water for the beverage produced in the beverage production section, and a heater that heats the raw water in the hot water storage tank, wherein the heater is arranged on the front part of the hot water storage tank, behind the partition plate.

[0006] In the beverage supply device configured as described above, the heater is positioned on the front part of the hot water storage tank, behind the partition plate, so that the heat from the heater when heating the raw water in the hot water storage tank is easily transferred to the beverage ingredient container in the beverage preparation chamber via the front partition plate, and the dried beverage ingredients in the beverage ingredient container are protected from moisture by the heat transferred to the beverage ingredient container.

[0007] In the beverage dispenser configured as described above, a protrusion is formed in the vertical middle of the partition plate so as to protrude forward to form a recessed space behind it, and it is preferable that the heater is disposed behind the recessed space formed by the protrusion, and the beverage ingredient container is disposed in a position where heat can be transferred from the protrusion. In this way, the heat of the heater when heating the raw water in the hot water storage tank is stored in the recessed space formed by the protrusion, and the heat stored in this recessed space is transferred to the dried beverage ingredients in the beverage ingredient container, thereby improving the moisture-proof effect of the beverage ingredients in the beverage ingredient container.

[0008] In the beverage dispenser configured as described above, it is preferable to provide the protruding portion with a moisture-proof heater for moisture-proofing the beverage ingredients in the beverage ingredient container. In this case, the dried beverage ingredients stored in the beverage ingredient container are heated not only by heat from the heater in the hot water storage tank but also by heat from the moisture-proof heater, thereby enhancing the moisture-proofing effect of the dried beverage ingredients stored in the beverage ingredient container. Furthermore, the protruding portion can be heated by the moisture-proof heater even when the hot water storage tank is not being heated by the heater, thereby reliably moisture-proofing the beverage ingredients in the beverage ingredient container. Furthermore, since the protruding portion is heated by the moisture-proof heater while heat is being transferred from the heater in the hot water storage tank, the power-on time of the moisture-proof heater can be shortened, thereby reducing running costs.

[0009] In the beverage supply device configured as described above, the beverage preparation unit includes a mixing container that stirs and mixes the beverage ingredients and raw water delivered from the beverage ingredient container, and an exhaust structure is provided in the machine chamber that sucks air from within the mixing container to prevent the beverage ingredients from adhering to the mixing container, and it is preferable that the heater be located behind the exhaust structure. In this way, the heat from the heater when heating the raw water in the hot water storage tank is also transferred to the exhaust structure, warming the humid air sucked into the exhaust structure from the mixing container and reducing the humidity, thereby preventing the beverage ingredients passing through the exhaust structure from adhering to the exhaust structure.

[0010] In the beverage dispenser configured as described above, a cooler equipped with a refrigeration device for cooling the raw water for the beverage is disposed below the hot water storage tank, a rear exhaust port is formed in the rear wall of the housing for discharging exhaust air from the refrigeration device to the rear, and a guide is preferably provided within the housing for guiding the exhaust air from the refrigeration device to the rear exhaust port so that it does not flow toward the heater. Because the guide prevents the exhaust air from the refrigeration device from flowing toward the heater and causes it to be discharged rearward from the rear exhaust port in the rear wall of the housing, the heater in the hot water storage tank is less affected by the exhaust air from the refrigeration device, and the moisture-proof effect of the heater in the hot water storage tank on the beverage ingredients stored in the beverage ingredient containers can be maintained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a beverage dispensing device according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the state in which the front panel of FIG. 1 is opened. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cross section BB of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the hot water storage tank. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hot water storage tank as seen from the rear. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the housing with the left panel removed. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a water supply piping section that delivers water to the hot water storage tank and the cooling tank. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device. [Figure 11] 1 is a perspective view showing the interior of a beverage preparation chamber of a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage prepared using tea leaves as a beverage ingredient. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the rear side of the partition plate in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An embodiment of a beverage dispenser of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The beverage dispenser 10 of the present invention is also called a tea dispenser or beverage dispenser, and is capable of dispensing beverages such as tea using dried beverage ingredients. The beverage dispenser 10 of this embodiment dispenses beverages such as tea by mixing powdered beverage ingredients as the dried beverage ingredients with water or hot water. The beverage dispenser 10 includes a hot water storage tank 41 for storing hot water for dispensing hot beverages in a machine chamber 16 within a housing 11. The beverage dispenser 10 is installed at a height suitable for use and can be installed above a sub-housing 18 (also called a cabinet) in which a cooler 70 is installed for cooling drinking water, including the beverage ingredient water, to dispense cold beverages.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the beverage dispenser 10 includes a housing 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 11 includes a housing main body 12 having an opening 12a on the front surface thereof, and a front panel 13 that opens and closes the opening 12a on the front surface of the housing main body 12. The front panel 13 is pivotally supported on the right side of the housing main body 12 about a vertical axis, and the opening 12a on the front surface of the housing main body 12 can be opened by rotating the front panel 13. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a partition plate 14 is provided in the middle of the housing 11 in the front-to-rear direction. A beverage preparation chamber 15 for preparing a beverage such as tea is formed in the front portion of the housing 11 separated by the partition plate 14, and a machine chamber 16 is formed in the rear portion of the housing 11 separated by the partition plate 14.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, a protrusion 17 that protrudes forward is provided at the vertical middle of the partition plate 14, and a recessed space 17a is formed behind the protrusion 17. This protrusion 17 is used to attach a powdered beverage ingredient container 32 and a mixing container 34 that constitute a beverage preparation unit 31, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 3, a moisture-proof heater 17b is provided on the lower surface of the upper part of the protrusion 17, and the powdered beverage ingredient container 32 installed above the protrusion 17 and the recessed space 17a of the protrusion 17 are heated by the moisture-proof heater 17b. A moisture-proof temperature sensor (not shown) is provided on the lower surface of the upper part of the protrusion 17, and the moisture-proof heater 17b is controlled to a moisture-proof temperature suitable for moisture prevention based on the temperature detected by this moisture-proof temperature sensor. In this embodiment, the partition plate 14 and the protrusion 17 are made of sheet metal members with high thermal conductivity.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an opening 13a is formed in the left-right center of the lower portion of the front panel 13, and a container mounting stand 20 for mounting a container such as a cup or small water bottle for receiving a beverage is removably provided at the position of this opening 13a in the lower portion of the beverage preparation chamber 15. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the container mounting stand 20 is for mounting a container such as a cup or small water bottle, and the container mounting stand 20 in this embodiment has a height sufficient to mount a small water bottle. The container mounting stand 20 includes a mounting portion 21 for mounting a container, a cover portion 22 covering the rear, left and right sides, and upper side of the mounting portion 21, and a receiving tray portion 23 on the mounting portion 21. The mounting portion 21 is formed in a lattice shape (like a bamboo sieve) so that multiple water passage holes are formed, and beverage overflowing from a container mounted on the mounting portion 21 is received in the receiving tray portion 23 through the water passage holes of the lattice-shaped mounting portion 21. A drain pipe 24 is connected to the receiving tray 23, and the beverage received in the receiving tray 23 is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 24. The cover 22 is tall enough to hold a small water bottle, and the placing portion 21 is provided with a removable platform 25 for bringing low containers such as cups closer to the beverage dispensing portions 36a and 36b (described later) provided above the cover 22.

[0016] 2 and 3, the beverage preparation chamber 15 is provided with a beverage supply unit 30 that supplies beverages into containers placed on the placement portion 21 of the container placement stand 20. The beverage supply unit 30 includes a beverage preparation unit 31 that prepares beverages from raw water and powdered beverage ingredients, and a beverage guide 36 that guides the beverage prepared in the beverage preparation unit 31 into the container on the placement portion 21. The beverage preparation unit 31 includes a powdered beverage ingredient container 32 that stores powdered beverage ingredients for preparing the beverage, a mixing container 34 that mixes the powdered beverage ingredients with the raw water, and an agitation device 35 that agitates and mixes the powdered beverage ingredients with the raw water in the mixing container 34.

[0017] The powdered beverage ingredient container 32 stores powdered beverage ingredients such as tea powder as dried beverage ingredients, and is detachably attached to the upper side of a protruding portion 17 provided in the beverage preparation chamber 15. The powdered beverage ingredients in the powdered beverage ingredient container 32 are carried out by an internal carrying-out device 33 into a mixing container 34 disposed below. The mixing container 34 is a container for mixing the powdered beverage ingredients with raw water, and is detachably attached to the lower side of the protruding portion 17 that protrudes into the beverage preparation chamber 15. A discharge port 34a is formed at the bottom of the mixing container 34, and the beverage stirred and mixed in the mixing container 34 by a stirring device 35 is discharged from the discharge port 34a into a beverage guide 36 provided below.

[0018] The beverage guide 36 guides the beverage produced in the beverage production section 31 to a container placed on the mounting section 21. The beverage guide 36 has a shallow box shape extending from below the discharge port 34a of the mixing container 34 to the center in the left-right direction at the front of the mounting section 21, and is supported on the upper side of the cover section 22 of the mounting section 21. The beverage guide 36 is provided with a cylindrical beverage extraction section 36a extending downward above the center in the left-right direction at the front of the mounting section 21, and the beverage discharged from the mixing container 34 to the beverage guide 36 is poured from the beverage extraction section 36a into a container on the mounting section 21. In addition, a beverage extraction section 36b (shown in Figures 5 and 9) is provided at the rear of the beverage extraction section 36a, to which the outlet end of a second hot water delivery pipe 58b (described later) is connected, for pouring drinking water.

[0019] 3 and 4, the beverage supply unit 30 is equipped with an exhaust structure 37 that sucks air from within the mixing container 34 to prevent the adhesion of beverage ingredients within the mixing container 34. The exhaust structure 37 sucks air from within the mixing container 34, sucking in and discharging air containing powdered beverage ingredients along with moisture. The exhaust structure 37 is equipped with a first exhaust duct 37a that is provided below the protruding portion 17 on the beverage preparation chamber 15 side and allows air to pass through the mixing container 34, a second exhaust duct 37b that is provided on the machine chamber 16 side and allows air sent through the first exhaust duct 37a to pass through, an exhaust fan 37c provided in the second exhaust duct 37b, and a filter (not shown) provided in the second exhaust duct 37b. When the exhaust fan 37c is operated, a negative pressure is created within the second exhaust duct 37b, and the air from within the mixing container 34 is sucked through the first exhaust duct 37a into the second exhaust duct 37b and discharged into the machine chamber 16.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, a heater 40 for heating water is provided in the machine room 16. The heater 40 heats (adjusts the temperature of) the drinking water or raw water for drinking water dispensed from the beverage dispensers 36a, 36b. The heater 40 includes a hot water storage tank 41 for storing hot water used as hot drinking water or raw water for hot beverages (hot beverages), legs 42 for positioning the hot water storage tank 41 at a predetermined height below the hot water storage tank 41, and a heater 43 provided at the lower front of the hot water storage tank 41.

[0021] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the hot water storage tank 41 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is provided with substantially T-shaped reinforcing members 41a on its front and rear surfaces. The cross section of the reinforcing member 41a perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is shaped like the Greek letter ohm (hat), and the space formed inside the reinforcing member 41a functions as an insulating space. A sheet-like insulating material 41b made of an insulating resin material is attached to the outer periphery of the hot water storage tank 41. The insulating material 41b attached to the outer periphery of the hot water storage tank 41 covers substantially the entire surface except for the area where the heater 43 is located. The insulating material 41b attached to the front and rear surfaces of the hot water storage tank 41 is attached to the outer periphery of the hot water storage tank 41 so as to cover the substantially T-shaped reinforcing member 41a, and the space formed between the insulating material 41b and the outer corners of the reinforcing member 41a functions as an insulating space. Additionally, the insulating materials 41b attached to both the left and right side surfaces cover the outer ends of the horizontal portion extending horizontally of the reinforcing member 41a provided on the front surface of the hot water storage tank 41. The insulating space inside the horizontal portion of the reinforcing member 41a and the insulating spaces formed between the insulating materials 41b and the upper and lower corners on the outside of the horizontal portion are filled by the insulating materials 41b on the left and right, so the insulating performance of these insulating spaces is maintained at a high level.

[0022] 3 and 5, legs 42 are provided at the bottom of hot water storage tank 41 to allow it to be positioned at a predetermined height. As shown in Fig. 3 and 5 to 7, legs 42 have plate-like portions 42a extending forward and backward on both left and right sides, and leg 42 positioned on the left has a rear wall portion 42b at the rear end of plate-like portion 42a and a front wall portion 42c at the front end, forming a U-shaped horizontal cross section that opens inward, while leg 42 positioned on the right has a rear wall portion 42b at the rear end of plate-like portion 42a and an L-shaped horizontal cross section.

[0023] 4 and 5, a vent hole 12b is formed in the bottom wall of the housing main body 12, and exhaust gas discharged from the refrigeration device 72 of the cooler 70 in the sub-housing 18 flows into the housing 11 through the vent hole 12b. As shown in Figures 4 and 8, a rear exhaust hole 12c is formed in the rear wall of the housing main body 12, which discharges exhaust gas that flows in from the sub-housing 18 through the vent hole 12b to the rear side, and exhaust gas from the refrigeration device 72 that flows into the housing 11 is discharged to the rear side of the housing 11 through the rear exhaust hole 12c.

[0024] 5 to 7, the left and right legs 42 extend front to back inside the left and right panels of the housing body 12, and function as guides that prevent the exhaust air from the refrigeration device 72 that flows in through the vent port 12b from flowing between the side surface of the hot water storage tank 41 and the left and right panels of the housing body 12, and guide it to the rear exhaust port 12c in the rear wall of the housing body 12. In addition, the rear wall portion 42b at the rear ends of the left and right legs 42 and the front wall portion 42c of the left leg 42 function as guides that guide the exhaust air from the refrigeration device 72 that flows in through the vent port 12b upward. In particular, the housing 11 is formed with a rear exhaust port 12c that exhausts air only to the rear wall of the housing main body 12, and the front wall portion 42c of the left leg 42 prevents the exhaust air of the refrigeration device 72 that flows in through the vent port 12b from flowing into the front side of the hot water storage tank 41, so that the exhaust air of the refrigeration device 72 that flows in through the vent port 12b is less likely to flow into the heater 43 provided below the front surface of the hot water storage tank 41. In addition, the left leg 42 is disposed behind the exhaust fan 37c of the exhaust structure 37, so the exhaust air of the exhaust fan 37c rises between the left and right legs 42 together with the exhaust air of the refrigeration device 72 and is discharged from the rear exhaust port 12c in the rear wall of the housing main body 12. Furthermore, an electrical box 19 (shown in Figure 5) is provided inside the right leg 42, so the exhaust air from the refrigeration unit 72 that flows in through the ventilation port 12b is prevented by the electrical box 19 (shown in Figure 5) from flowing between the side of the hot water storage tank 41 and the left and right panels of the housing main body 12, and is instead guided to the rear exhaust port 12c on the rear wall of the housing main body 12.

[0025] As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 9, a heater 43 is provided at the lower front of the hot water storage tank 41, and the hot water (water) in the hot water storage tank 41 is heated by the heater 43. As shown in Figure 9, a temperature sensor 44 is provided in the hot water storage tank 41, and the temperature sensor 44 detects the temperature of the hot water (water) in the hot water storage tank 41. A water level sensor 45 is provided in the hot water storage tank 41, and the water level sensor 45 detects the upper and lower limits of the predetermined water level at which the hot water (water) in the hot water storage tank 41 is suitable for hot water supply.

[0026] In this embodiment, a cast-in heater is used as the heater 43, and is disposed on the left side of the lower front surface of the hot water storage tank 41. A flexible, highly thermally conductive silicone sheet is interposed between the heater 43 and the front surface of the hot water storage tank 41, and the heat of the heater 43 is transferred to the hot water storage tank 41 via the silicone sheet.

[0027] By interposing a silicone sheet between the heater 43 and the front surface of the hot water storage tank 41, the silicone sheet is less fluid than when a thermal diffusion compound is interposed, reducing unevenness in the heat conduction of the heater 43 and ensuring uniform heat conduction. Because the silicone sheet interposed between the heater 43 and the front surface of the hot water storage tank 41 is non-fluid, the heat from the heater 43 is not blocked from being conducted to the hot water storage tank 41, reducing localized heating by the heater 43 and reducing the risk of the fuse built into the heater 43 being blown. The silicone sheet interposed between the heater 43 and the front surface of the hot water storage tank 41 has a hardness of 10°, which improves the adhesion of the heater 43 to the hot water storage tank 41 and increases thermal conductivity. The silicone sheet interposed between the heater 43 and the front surface of the hot water storage tank 41 has a heat resistance temperature of 140°C, which can withstand the high temperatures generated by the heater 43 and ensure stable thermal conductivity. In addition, the silicone sheet interposed between the heater 43 and the front of the hot water storage tank 41 has a high thermal conductivity of 1.8 W / mK and is thin, measuring 1 mm, so that the fuse can be prevented from being blown due to poor heat conduction from the heater 43.

[0028] 4, the heater 43 is disposed behind the partition plate 14 and not only heats the hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 but also functions to protect the powdered beverage ingredients in the powdered beverage ingredient container 32 from moisture via the partition plate 14. The heater 43 is also disposed behind the recessed space 17a formed by the protruding portion 17 of the partition plate 14 and has the function of heating the air in the recessed space 17a. The heater 43 is also disposed behind the second exhaust duct 37b of the exhaust structure 37 and has the function of heating the air in the second exhaust duct 37b.

[0029] As shown in Figures 5 and 9, a water supply piping section 50 is provided within the machine room 16, which circulates water supplied from a water supply source such as a tap as drinking water or raw water for drinking water to be dispensed from the beverage dispensing sections 36a, 36b. The water supply piping section 50 includes a first water supply pipe section 51 that delivers water supplied from a water supply source to the hot water storage tank 41, a hot water delivery pipe 55 and first and second hot water delivery pipes 58a, 58b for delivering hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 to the beverage extraction sections 36a, 36b, an outlet pipe section 59 for guiding the water delivered from the first water supply pipe section 51 to the cooler 70 in the sub-housing 18, an inlet pipe section 60 that introduces water (cold water) cooled in the cooler 70 in the sub-housing 18, and first and second cold water delivery pipes 64a, 64b that deliver the water (cold water) introduced from the inlet pipe section 60 to the beverage extraction sections 36a, 36b via the first and second hot water delivery pipes 58a, 58b.

[0030] The first water supply pipe 51 supplies water delivered from the water supply source to the hot water storage tank 41. The first water supply pipe 51 is provided with a water supply connection pipe 51a at the rear of the machine room 16 that can be connected to a water supply hose (not shown) extending from the water supply source, and the water inlet end of the water supply connection pipe 51a protrudes rearward so as to be connectable to the outside of the rear wall of the housing 11. The water outlet end of the first water supply pipe 51 is connected to the hot water storage tank 41, and water from the water supply source is supplied to the hot water storage tank 41 through the first water supply pipe 51. A first water supply valve 52 and a flow sensor 53 are disposed in the first water supply pipe 51 immediately downstream of the water supply connection pipe 51a, and a second water supply valve 54 is disposed immediately upstream of the hot water storage tank 41. Water from the water supply source, supplied under pressure, is supplied to the hot water storage tank 41 by opening the first and second water supply valves 52, 54.

[0031] 5 and 9, one end of a hot water supply pipe 55 for supplying hot water is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 41, and the other end of the hot water supply pipe 55 is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 41. A hot water supply pump 56 is installed in the hot water supply pipe 55, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 is supplied to the hot water supply pipe 55 by the hot water supply pump 56 and then returned to the hot water storage tank 41. First and second hot water supply valves 57a and 57b, each consisting of a three-way valve, are installed in the hot water supply pipe 55, and first and second hot water supply pipes 58a and 58b are connected to the first and second hot water supply valves 57a and 57b. The outlet end of the first hot water delivery pipe 58a is connected to a raw water supply port (not shown) provided in a position opposite the mixing container 34 of the protrusion 17, and by operating the hot water pump 56 and opening the first hot water delivery valve 57a, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 is delivered from the raw water supply port through the hot water delivery pipe 55 and the first hot water delivery pipe 58a into the mixing container 34. The outlet end of the second hot water delivery pipe 58b is connected to the beverage dispensing portion 36b of the beverage guide 36, and by operating the hot water pump 56 and opening the second hot water delivery valve 57b, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 is delivered from the beverage dispensing portion 36b through the hot water delivery pipe 55 and the second hot water delivery pipe 58b into a container on the container mounting base 20.

[0032] A branch 51b is provided in the first water supply pipe 51 between the flow sensor 53 and the second water supply valve 54, and an outlet pipe 59 is connected to the branch 51b of the first water supply pipe 51 for delivering water to a cooler 70 in the sub-housing 18. An outlet-side connecting end 59a for connecting to the cooler 70 is provided at the end of the water outlet side of the outlet pipe 59, and the outlet-side connecting end 59a protrudes downward from the bottom wall of the housing 11 facing the sub-housing 18, and is detachably connected to the cooler 70 in the sub-housing 18. An inlet pipe 60 is provided in the machine chamber 16 for introducing cooled water (chilled water) from the cooler 70 in the sub-housing 18. An inlet-side connecting end 60a for connecting to a cooler 70 is provided at the end of the water inlet side of the inlet pipe section 60, and the inlet-side connecting end 60a of the inlet pipe section 60 protrudes downward from the bottom wall of the housing 11 facing the sub-housing 18, and is detachably connected to the cooler 70 inside the sub-housing 18.

[0033] As shown in Figures 5 and 9, the end of the water outlet side of the inlet pipe 60 is provided with three branched sections 60b-60d, and first to third cold water delivery valves 63a-63c are installed in the branched sections 60b-60d. The first to third cold water delivery valves 63a-63c are connected to first to third cold water delivery pipes 64a-64c, and the outlet ends of the first and second cold water delivery pipes 64a, 64b are connected to the middle sections of the first and second hot water delivery pipes 58a, 58b, respectively. The outlet end of the third cold water delivery pipe 64c is connected to a drainage path. When the first water supply valve 52 and the first cold water delivery valve 63a are opened, water from the water supply source is cooled as it passes through the cooling pipe 76 and becomes cold water. This cold water is then delivered into the mixing vessel 34 through the inlet pipe 60, the first cold water delivery pipe 64a, and the first hot water delivery pipe 58a. When the first water supply valve 52 and the second cold water delivery valve 63b are opened, water from the water supply source is cooled as it passes through the cooling pipe 76 to become cold water, and is delivered from the beverage extraction unit 36b through the inlet pipe 60, the second cold water delivery pipe 64b, and the second hot water delivery pipe 58b. When the first water supply valve 52 and the third cold water delivery valve 63c are opened, water from the water supply source is cooled as it passes through the cooling pipe 76 to become cold water, and is delivered to the drainage path through the inlet pipe 60 and the third cold water delivery pipe 64c.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a cooler 70 for cooling water is provided within the sub-housing 18. The cooler 70 cools (adjusts the temperature of) the drinking water or raw water for the drinking water dispensed from the beverage dispensers 36a, 36b. As shown in Figures 3 and 9, the cooler 70 includes a cooling tank 71 that stores cooling water for cooling water delivered from a water supply source, and a refrigeration device 72 that cools the cooling water in the cooling tank 71. An evaporation pipe (evaporator) 73 of the refrigeration device 72 is spirally provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cooling tank 71, and the cooling water in the cooling tank 71 is cooled by the refrigerant circulating through the evaporation pipe 73. The refrigeration device 72 liquefies and condenses the refrigerant pumped from the compressor 74 in a condenser 75, and then vaporizes the refrigerant liquefied in the condenser 75 in the evaporation pipe 73 within the cooling tank 71, thereby cooling the surroundings of the evaporation pipe 73 by the heat of vaporization. The cooling water in the cooling tank 71 is cooled by the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant circulating through the evaporator pipe 73 of the refrigeration device 72, and freezes around the evaporator pipe 73 to form an ice layer.

[0035] 3 and 9, a cooling pipe 76 for cooling water delivered from the outlet pipe 59 of the water supply pipe 50 is provided within the cooling tank 71, and the cooling pipe 76 is wound in a coil shape around the inside of the spiral evaporation pipe 73 within the cooling tank 71. An inlet end 76a of the cooling pipe 76 is detachably connected to the outlet connection end 59a of the outlet pipe 59, and an outlet end 76b of the cooling pipe 76 is detachably connected to the inlet connection end 60a of the introduction pipe 60. Water supplied from a water source to the water supply pipe 50 is delivered from the outlet pipe 59 to the cooling pipe 76, and as it passes through the cooling pipe 76, it becomes cold drinking water or raw water for a beverage and is delivered to the introduction pipe 60.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 3, the cooling tank 71 is provided with an agitator 77 that agitates the cooling water. The agitator 77 has an agitator blade 77a inside the coiled cooling pipe 76, and generates a downward water current in the cooling water by rotating the agitator blade 77a. The cooling water in the cooling tank 71 is cooled as it circulates between the inside and outside of the coiled cooling pipe 76 by the agitator 77 and passes around the evaporation pipe 73, and the water passing through the cooling pipe 76 is cooled by the cooling water circulating inside and outside the cooling pipe 76 within the cooling tank 71.

[0037] 9, an ice detection sensor 78 is provided inside an evaporation pipe 73 that is spirally provided inside a cooling tank 71, and the ice detection sensor 78 is used to detect the thickness of the ice layer that freezes and forms around the evaporation pipe 73. A temperature sensor 79 is provided inside the cooling tank 71, and the temperature sensor 79 is used to detect the temperature of the cooling water inside the cooling tank 71.

[0038] As shown in Figure 10, the beverage supply device 10 is equipped with a control device 80, which is connected to a moisture-proof heater 17b, a discharge device 33, a stirring device 35, an exhaust fan 37c, a heater 43, a temperature sensor 44, a water level sensor 45, a first water supply valve 52, a flow sensor 53, a second water supply valve 54, a hot water pump 56, first and second hot water delivery valves 57a, 57b, first to third cold water delivery valves 63a to 63c, and an operation panel 81.

[0039] The control device 80 is equipped with a water level maintaining means for controlling to maintain the level of hot water in the hot water storage tank 41. By executing the water level maintaining means, the control device 80 controls the first and second water supply valves 52, 54 to open when the water level sensor 45 detects a lower limit water level of the set water level of the hot water storage tank 41, and to close the first and second water supply valves 52, 54 when the water level sensor 45 detects an upper limit water level of the set water level of the hot water storage tank 41. By executing this water level maintaining means, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 is maintained at a water level between the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level of the set water level.

[0040] The control device 80 is equipped with a hot water generating means that generates hot water so that the hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 reaches a set temperature that is suitable for drinking (in this embodiment, the temperature is set in the range of 60°C to 80°C). By executing the hot water generating means, the control device 80 controls the heater 43 to be energized when the temperature sensor 44 detects the lower limit of the set temperature, and to stop the heater 43 from being energized when the temperature sensor 44 detects the upper limit of the set temperature. By executing this hot water generating means, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 is heated to and maintained at the set temperature that is suitable for drinking.

[0041] The control device 80 is equipped with a beverage supply means for supplying beverages, which includes a hot beverage supply means for supplying hot beverages such as hot tea, a hot water supply means for supplying hot drinking water (hot water), a cold beverage supply means for supplying cold beverages such as cold tea, and a cold water supply means for supplying cold drinking water (cold water).

[0042] When the hot beverage supply means is executed, the discharge device 33 of the beverage supply unit 30 is operated, the hot water pump 56 is operated, and the first hot water delivery valve 57a is opened. The powdered beverage ingredients in the powdered beverage ingredient container 32 are delivered into the mixing container 34, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 is supplied into the mixing container 34 through the hot water delivery pipe 55 and the first hot water delivery pipe 58a. Furthermore, by operating the stirring device 35, the powdered beverage ingredients and hot water supplied into the mixing container 34 are stirred and mixed to become a hot beverage, and the produced hot beverage is poured through the beverage guide 36 from the beverage pouring unit 36a into a container such as a cup on the container mounting stand 20, and the hot beverage is provided to the user.

[0043] When the hot water supply means is executed, the hot water pump 56 is operated and the second hot water delivery valve 57b is opened according to the time that the operation button on the operation panel 81 is pressed. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 is delivered through the hot water delivery pipe 55 and the second hot water delivery pipe 58b and is delivered from the beverage delivery section 36b to a container such as a cup on the container mounting stand 20, and the user is provided with hot drinking water (hot water).

[0044] When the cold beverage supply means is executed, the discharge device 33 of the beverage supply unit 30 is operated to open the first water supply valve 52 and the first cold water delivery valve 63a. The powdered beverage ingredients in the powdered beverage ingredient container 32 are delivered into the mixing container 34, and water cooled by the cooling pipe 76 in the cooling tank 71 is supplied into the mixing container 34 through the inlet pipe 60, the first cold water delivery pipe 64a, and the first hot water delivery pipe 58a. Furthermore, by operating the stirring device 35, the powdered beverage ingredients and cold water supplied into the mixing container 34 are stirred and mixed to produce a cold beverage. The produced cold beverage is then passed through the beverage guide 36 and dispensed from the beverage dispensing unit 36a into a container such as a cup on the container mounting table 20, and the cold beverage is provided to the user.

[0045] When the cold water supply means is executed, the first water supply valve 52 and the second cold water delivery valve 63b are opened according to the time that the operation button on the operation panel 81 is pressed. The cold water cooled in the cooling tank 71 passes through the inlet pipe 60, the second cold water delivery pipe 64b, and the second hot water delivery pipe 58b and is delivered from the beverage delivery section 36b to a container such as a cup on the container mounting base 20, and cold water (cold beverage) is supplied to the user.

[0046] This beverage supply device 10 comprises a partition plate 14 arranged in the middle of the housing 11 in the front-to-rear direction, dividing the front part of the housing 11 into a beverage production chamber 15 for producing the beverage and a machine chamber 16 for producing the beverage, a beverage production section 31 arranged in the beverage production chamber 15 and producing a beverage using powdered beverage ingredients in a powdered beverage ingredient container (beverage ingredient container) 32 that stores dried powdered beverage ingredients (beverage ingredients), a hot water storage tank 41 arranged in the machine chamber 16 and storing hot water that will be used as raw water for the beverage produced in the beverage production section 31, and a heater 43 that heats the raw water in the hot water storage tank 41.

[0047] In this beverage dispenser 10, heater 43 is located at the front of hot water storage tank 41, behind partition plate 14. When the hot water producing means is operated to heat the water in hot water storage tank 41, heat from heater 43 is transferred via front partition plate 14 to powdered beverage ingredient container 32 in beverage preparation chamber 15, and the dried powdered beverage ingredients in powdered beverage ingredient container 32 provided in beverage preparation chamber 15 are protected from moisture by the heat transferred to powdered beverage ingredient container 32. The beverage preparation section 31 of beverage dispenser 10 in this embodiment is adapted to produce a beverage by stirring and mixing powdered beverage ingredients stored in powdered beverage ingredient container 32 with ingredient water, but is not limited to this. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, a tea beverage may be produced by pouring ingredient water such as hot water over dried tea leaves as beverage ingredients. Beverage preparation unit 31A shown in Figure 11 includes tea leaf container 32A for storing tea leaves (dried beverage ingredients), tea leaf delivery unit 33A for delivering the tea leaves from tea leaf container 32A, tea strainer 34A for receiving the tea leaves delivered from tea leaf delivery unit 33A, and funnel 35A having beverage delivery unit 35Aa for receiving the tea prepared in tea strainer 34A and dispensing the tea into a container such as a cup placed on container mounting table 20. As shown in Figure 12, hot water tank 41A is provided in machine chamber 16, and heater 43A is located below the front of hot water tank 41A behind partition plate 14A. In this way, even when tea leaves are stored as dried beverage ingredients in tea leaf container 32A, the same effects as those described above can be obtained.

[0048] In the beverage dispenser 10 of this embodiment, a protrusion 17 is formed in the vertical middle of the partition plate 14, protruding forward so as to form a recessed space 17a on the rear side, and the heater 43 is arranged behind the recessed space 17a formed by the protrusion 17. The powdered beverage ingredient container 32 is also arranged above the protrusion 17 so as to be able to transfer heat from the protrusion 17. When heating water in the hot water storage tank 41, the heat from the heater 43 is stored in the recessed space 17a formed by the protrusion 17, and the heat stored in this recessed space 17a is transferred to the dried powdered beverage ingredients in the powdered beverage ingredient container 32, thereby improving the moisture-proofing effect of the powdered beverage ingredients in the powdered beverage ingredient container 32. Furthermore, because the heat stored in the recessed space 17a is transferred from the heater 43 to the powdered beverage ingredient container 32, the powdered beverage ingredient container 32 is sufficiently moisture-proof even if it is arranged at a position offset to the left or right of the heater 43. In the beverage dispenser 10 of this embodiment, a protrusion 17 is formed in the vertical middle of the partition plate 14, protruding forward so as to form a recessed space 17a on the rear side, and the heater 43 is arranged behind the recessed space 17a formed by the protrusion 17, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the partition plate 14 may not have a protrusion, as shown in Figure 11, although the advantageous effects of forming the protrusion 17 would not be obtained. Also, the powdered beverage ingredient container 32 is arranged above the protrusion 17 so as to be able to transfer heat from the protrusion 17, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the powdered beverage ingredient container 32 may be arranged in a position close to the protrusion 17 where heat can be transferred, such as on the front side of the protrusion 17.

[0049] In the beverage dispenser 10 of this embodiment, the protruding portion 17 is provided with a moisture-proof heater 17b for moisture-proofing the powdered beverage ingredients in the powdered beverage ingredient container 32. The dried powdered beverage ingredients stored in the powdered beverage ingredient container 32 receive heat not only from the heater 43 of the hot water storage tank 41 but also from the moisture-proof heater 17b, thereby improving the moisture-proofing effect of the dried powdered beverage ingredients stored in the powdered beverage ingredient container 32. Furthermore, even when the hot water storage tank 41 is not being heated by the heater 43, the moisture-proof heater 17b warms the protruding portion 17, thereby reliably moisture-proofing the powdered beverage ingredients in the powdered beverage ingredient container 32. Furthermore, because heat is transmitted to the protruding portion 17 from the heater 43 of the hot water storage tank 41, the power-on time of the moisture-proof heater 17b can be shortened, thereby keeping running costs low.

[0050] In the beverage supply device 10 of this embodiment, the beverage production section 31 includes a mixing container 34 that stirs and mixes powdered beverage ingredients and ingredient water delivered from a powdered beverage ingredient container 32, and an exhaust structure 37 is provided within the machine chamber 16 to suck in air from within the mixing container 34 and prevent the beverage ingredients from adhering within the mixing container 34. The exhaust structure 37 sucks in air from the mixing container 34, sucking in air containing powdered beverage ingredients together with moisture, and exhausts it, and includes a first exhaust duct 37a on the beverage production chamber 15 side through which air from the mixing container 34 passes, a second exhaust duct 37b on the machine chamber 16 side through which air sent through the first exhaust duct 37a passes, an exhaust fan 37c provided in the second exhaust duct 37b, and a filter (not shown) provided within the second exhaust duct 37b. In this beverage supply device 10, when the hot beverage supply means and the cold beverage supply means are operated, the exhaust fan 37c is controlled to operate for a predetermined period of time to exhaust air containing moisture and powdered beverage ingredients from the mixing container 34.

[0051] In this beverage dispenser 10, the heater 43 is disposed behind the second exhaust duct 37b that constitutes the exhaust structure 37, so that the heat from the heater 43 when heating the hot water tank 41 is also transferred to the second exhaust duct 37b of the exhaust structure 37. Air containing moisture and powdered beverage ingredients passes through the second exhaust duct 37b from the mixing container 34, and the second exhaust duct 37b is warmed by the heat from the heater 43 when heating the hot water tank 41, thereby reducing the humidity. This prevents powdered beverage ingredients from adhering to the inner surface of the second exhaust duct 37b or to the blades of the exhaust fan 37c. Furthermore, the filter provided in the second exhaust duct 37b is less likely to become clogged due to moisture from powdered beverage ingredients adhering to it, preventing a decrease in the breathability of the filter.

[0052] In this beverage dispenser 10, a cooler 70 equipped with a refrigeration unit 72 that cools the raw water for the beverage is disposed below the hot water storage tank 41, and a rear exhaust port 12c is formed in the rear wall of the housing 11 to discharge exhaust air from the refrigeration unit 72 of the cooler 70 in the sub-housing 18 to the rear, and legs 42 of the hot water storage tank 41 are provided within the housing 11 as guides to guide the exhaust air from the refrigeration unit 72 to the rear exhaust port 12c to prevent it from flowing towards the heater 43. The exhaust air from the refrigeration unit 72 flows into the housing 11 through vent holes 12b in the bottom wall of the housing 11, and the exhaust air that has flowed into the housing 11 is discharged in the direction of the rear exhaust port 12c in the rear wall of the housing 11 by the legs 42 that function as guides. As a result, the exhaust gas from the refrigeration device 72 is guided by the legs 42 and released rearward through the rear exhaust port 12c in the rear wall of the housing 11 without flowing toward the heater 43 at the lower front side of the hot water storage tank 41, so that the heater 43 of the hot water storage tank 41 is less affected by the exhaust gas from the refrigeration device 72, and the moisture-proofing effect of the heater 43 of the hot water storage tank 41 on the powdered beverage ingredients stored in the powdered beverage ingredient container 32 can be maintained. In this embodiment, the refrigeration device 72 is provided within the sub-housing 18 below the housing 11, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the refrigeration device 72 may be disposed below the hot water storage tank 41 within the housing 11. Also, in this embodiment, the exhaust gas from the refrigeration device 72 is guided to the rear exhaust port 12c by the legs 42 so as not to flow toward the heater 43, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the exhaust gas from the refrigeration device 72 may be guided to the rear exhaust port 12c so as not to flow toward the heater 43 by a guide such as a sheet metal member.

[0053] 10...beverage supply device, 11...housing, 14, 14A...partition plate, 15...beverage preparation chamber, 16...machine chamber, 17...protrusion, 17a...recessed space, 17b...moisture-proof heater, 31, 31A...beverage preparation section, 32...beverage ingredient container (powdered beverage ingredient container), 32A...beverage ingredient container (tea leaf beverage ingredient container), 37...exhaust structure, 41, 41A...hot water storage tank, 43, 43A...heater, 70...cooler, 72...refrigeration device.

Claims

1. a partition plate disposed in a middle portion of the housing in a front-rear direction to separate a front portion of the housing into a beverage preparation chamber for preparing a beverage and a rear portion of the housing into a machine chamber; a beverage preparation unit disposed in the beverage preparation chamber and configured to prepare a beverage using the beverage ingredients in a beverage ingredient container storing dried beverage ingredients; A hot water storage tank is disposed in the machine room and stores hot water that is used as raw water for the beverage produced by the beverage production unit; A beverage supply device including a heater for heating the raw water in the hot water storage tank, A beverage supply device, characterized in that the heater is disposed on the front part of the hot water tank, behind the partition plate.

2. 2. The beverage supply device according to claim 1, A protruding portion is formed in the vertical middle portion of the partition plate so as to protrude forward to form a recessed space on the rear side, The heater is disposed on the rear side of the recessed space formed by the protrusion, A beverage supplying device, characterized in that the beverage ingredient container is arranged at a position where heat can be transferred from the protruding portion.

3. 3. The beverage supply device according to claim 2, A beverage supplying apparatus characterized in that a moisture-proof heater is provided on the protruding portion to protect the beverage ingredients in the beverage ingredient container from moisture.

4. 3. The beverage supply device according to claim 1, The beverage preparation unit includes a mixing container for stirring and mixing the beverage ingredients and raw water discharged from the beverage ingredient container, An exhaust structure is provided in the machine chamber to suck air from within the mixing container to prevent adhesion of beverage ingredients within the mixing container; A beverage supply device, characterized in that the heater is disposed behind the exhaust structure.

5. 3. The beverage supply device according to claim 1, A cooler equipped with a refrigeration device for cooling the raw water for beverages is disposed below the hot water storage tank, A rear exhaust port is formed in a rear wall of the housing to exhaust exhaust air from the refrigeration device to the rear side, a guide provided within said housing for guiding exhaust air from said refrigeration unit to said rear exhaust port so as not to flow toward said heater side.

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