Drink server

Abstract

To provide a drink server capable of improving removal performance for a residual material in a milk supply passage such as a milk pipe as compared to a conventional drink server.SOLUTION: A drink server 1 includes: a drink supply unit 3 for generating a drink using hot water supplied from a hot water tank 31, and supplying the generated drink from a drink nozzle 35 to a cup C; a milk supply unit 5 for conveying milk in a milk container 51 to the milk nozzle 53 by a milk supply passage 55, and supplying the milk from the milk nozzle 53 to the cup C; and a washing liquid supply part 7 for, when a washing command is given, mixing a washing agent supplied from a washing agent container 71 to a mixing tank 77 and hot water supplied from a hot water tank 31 of the drink supply unit 3 to the mixing tank 77 in the mixing tank 77 to generate washing liquid, and supplying the generated washing liquid to the milk supply passage 55 of the milk supply unit 5 by a supply pipe 79.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage server having a milk supply line. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional beverage server is described in Patent Document 1. The beverage server described in Patent Document 1 has a milk pipe through which milk flows. In the beverage server described in Patent Document 1, during the cleaning process, a cleaning medium liquid is prepared in a mixing tank to which a milk cleaning agent or tablet and cold water are supplied, and the prepared cleaning medium liquid flows through the milk pipe to clean the milk pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-94499 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the beverage server described in Patent Document 1, the cleaning liquid is prepared using cold water, and the temperature of the cleaning liquid is low. Therefore, the cleaning liquid is not able to fully remove the residues in the milk line, and there is room for improvement in this respect.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage server that can improve the performance of removing residues from a milk supply passage such as a milk pipe compared to conventional methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage server including a beverage supply unit which prepares a beverage using hot water supplied from a hot water tank and supplies the prepared beverage to a beverage container from a beverage nozzle, a milk supply unit which transports milk in a milk container to a milk nozzle through a milk supply path and supplies the milk from the milk nozzle to the beverage container, and a cleaning liquid supply section which, when a cleaning command is given, mixes in the mixing tank a cleaning agent supplied from a cleaning agent container to a mixing tank and hot water supplied from the hot water tank of the beverage supply unit to the mixing tank to prepare a cleaning liquid, and supplies the prepared cleaning liquid to the milk supply path of the milk supply unit through a supply pipe. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a beverage server can be provided that can improve the performance of removing residues from milk supply passages such as milk pipes compared to conventional methods. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a beverage server according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a control system of the beverage server according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the beverage server according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the beverage server according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the beverage server according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the beverage server according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the beverage server according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the beverage server according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the beverage server according to the embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the beverage server according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the beverage server according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the beverage server according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the terms "first", "second", ..., etc. are used simply to distinguish similar elements and are not intended to limit the elements to which they are attached.

[0010] 1 is a schematic diagram of a beverage server 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The beverage server 1 according to the embodiment is configured to be able to supply a beverage prepared using hot water, milk, or the beverage to which milk has been added, to a cup C as a beverage container.

[0011] The beverage server 1 according to the embodiment includes a beverage supplying unit 3, a milk supplying unit 5, and a cleaning liquid supplying section 7.

[0012] The beverage supply unit 3 is a so-called coffee maker. The beverage supply unit 3 is configured to prepare coffee as a beverage and supply the prepared coffee to a cup C. Note that the expression "supplying coffee to cup C" includes not only directly supplying coffee to cup C, but also indirectly supplying coffee to cup C (for example, after milk supplied from the milk supply unit 5 has been added).

[0013] The beverage supply unit 3 includes a hot water tank 31, a beverage preparation section 33, and a beverage nozzle 35.

[0014] The hot water tank 31 stores a predetermined amount of hot water. The shape and size of the hot water tank 31 are not important as long as it can store the predetermined amount of hot water. In this embodiment, the hot water tank 31 has an electric heater 32 for heating the water or hot water stored inside. The hot water stored in the hot water tank 31 may be hot water supplied from a hot water supply source (not shown), or hot water generated by heating water supplied to the hot water tank 31 from a water supply source (not shown) by the heater 32 inside the hot water tank 31.

[0015] The beverage production unit 33 is connected to the hot water tank 31 via hot water piping 34 provided with a normally closed on-off valve (not shown). The beverage production unit 33 is configured to produce a beverage using hot water supplied from the hot water tank 31 via the hot water piping 34. In this embodiment, the beverage production unit 33 is supplied with beverage ingredients, such as ground coffee beans, coffee powder, or coffee concentrate, from an ingredient supply unit (not shown). In addition, an appropriate amount of hot water is supplied from the hot water tank 31 to the beverage production unit 33 via the hot water piping 34. The beverage production unit 33 produces a beverage (coffee) by extracting a beverage (coffee) from the beverage ingredients using hot water, by dissolving the beverage ingredients with the hot water, or by diluting the beverage ingredients with the hot water.

[0016] The beverage nozzle 35 is connected to the beverage preparation unit 33 via the beverage pipe 36. The beverage nozzle 35 supplies the beverage (coffee) prepared in the beverage preparation unit 33 and supplied by the beverage pipe 36 to the cup C. The cup C is placed on the cup mounting unit 37 before the beverage (coffee) is supplied, and can be moved from the cup mounting unit 37 after the beverage (coffee) is supplied. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the beverage nozzle 35 is configured to wait in a retracted position off the top of the cup mounting unit 37, and to move from the retracted position to a supply position above the cup C placed on the cup mounting unit 37 by a nozzle movement mechanism (not shown) when supplying a beverage to the cup C placed on the cup mounting unit 37.

[0017] In other words, the beverage supply unit 3 is configured to prepare a beverage (coffee) in the beverage preparation section 33 using hot water supplied from the hot water tank 31, and to supply the prepared beverage (coffee) from the beverage nozzle 35 to a beverage container (cup C).

[0018] The milk supply unit 5 is configured to supply milk to the cup C. Note that the expression "supplying milk to the cup C" includes not only direct supply of milk to the cup C, but also indirect supply of milk to the cup C (e.g., after being added to a beverage supplied from the beverage supply unit 3).

[0019] The milk supply unit 5 comprises a milk container 51 , a milk nozzle 53 and a milk supply passage 55 .

[0020] The milk container 51 is placed in the cold storage chamber 52. The milk container 51 stores a predetermined amount of milk. The milk container 51 may have any shape or size as long as it can store a predetermined amount of milk. For example, a bag-in-box (BIB) that stores milk may be used as the milk container 51.

[0021] The milk nozzle 53 is disposed on the beverage supply unit 3 side. The milk nozzle 53 supplies milk supplied through the milk supply passage 55 to the cup C placed on the cup mounting part 37. In this embodiment, the milk nozzle 53 waits in a retracted position (solid line) away from above the cup mounting part 37, and is configured to move from the retracted position (solid line) to a supply position (dashed line) above the cup C placed on the cup mounting part 37 by an electric nozzle moving mechanism 54 when supplying milk to the cup C placed on the cup mounting part 37.

[0022] The milk supply passage 55 connects the milk container 51 and the milk nozzle 53. The milk supply passage 55 includes an electric first liquid feed pump 57, and is configured to transport and supply milk in the milk container 51 to the milk nozzle 53 by operation of the first liquid feed pump 57.

[0023] That is, the milk supply unit 5 is configured to transport milk in the milk container 51 to the milk nozzle 53 through the milk supply path 55 and supply the milk from the milk nozzle 53 to the beverage container (cup C).

[0024] In this embodiment, the milk supply passage 55 includes, in addition to the above-mentioned first liquid supply pump 57, an electric milk heater 59 and first to third three-way valves 61 to 63, which are connected by first to seventh pipes 551 to 557. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the first liquid supply pump 57 is, for example, a bidirectional pump that can convey liquid in both forward and reverse directions by being driven to rotate forward and backward. In addition, the first three-way valve 61 is a manual three-way valve, and the second three-way valve 62 and the third three-way valve 63 are electromagnetic three-way valves. Hereinafter, the configuration of the milk supply passage 55 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0025] The first pipe 551 connects the milk container 51 and the first port 61a of the first three-way valve 61. The first pipe 551 is formed so as to be detachable from each of the milk container 51 and the first port 61a of the first three-way valve 61 for replacement, cleaning, etc. The second pipe 552 connects the second port 61b of the first three-way valve 61 and the first suction / discharge port 57a of the first liquid supply pump 57. In other words, the first three-way valve 61 is provided between the milk container 51 and the first liquid supply pump 57, which is the upstream side of the milk supply passage 55.

[0026] The third pipe 553 connects the second suction / discharge port 57b of the first liquid feed pump 57 and the first port 62a of the second three-way valve 62. The fourth pipe 554 connects the second port 62b of the second three-way valve 62 and the first port 59a of the milk heater 59. In other words, the second three-way valve 62 is provided in the milk supply passage 55 between the first liquid feed pump 57 and the milk heater 59.

[0027] The fifth pipe 555 connects the second port 59b of the milk heater 59 and the first port 63a of the third three-way valve 63. The sixth pipe 556 connects the second port 63b of the third three-way valve 63 and the milk nozzle 53. In other words, the third three-way valve 63 is provided in the milk supply passage 55 between the milk heater 59 and the milk nozzle 53.

[0028] In addition, the seventh pipe 557 connects the third port 62c of the second three-way valve 62 and the third port 63c of the third three-way valve 63 together.

[0029] In other words, in the milk supply path 55 of this embodiment, a route from the milk container 51 to the milk nozzle 53 via the milk heater 59 is mainly formed by the first to sixth pipes 551 to 556, and a bypass path that bypasses the milk heater 59 is formed by the seventh pipe 557.

[0030] In this embodiment, a normally closed first on-off valve V1 is provided in the second pipe 552 in the milk supply passage 55. A water supply passage 65 extending from a water supply source (not shown) is connected to the second pipe 552 on the first liquid feed pump 57 side of the first on-off valve V1, and a normally closed second on-off valve V2 is provided in the water supply passage 65. Both the first on-off valve V1 and the second on-off valve V2 are electromagnetic valves.

[0031] The cleaning liquid supply unit 7 is configured to generate cleaning liquid and supply the generated cleaning liquid to the milk supply path 55 when cleaning the milk path through which milk flows, i.e., the milk supply path 55 and the milk nozzle 53.

[0032] The cleaning liquid supply unit 7 has a cleaning agent container 71 , a cleaning agent supply passage 73 , a hot water supply passage 75 , a mixing tank 77 , and a supply pipe 79 .

[0033] The detergent container 71 stores a detergent. The detergent container 71 may have any shape, size, etc. as long as it can store a predetermined amount of detergent. In this embodiment, the detergent container 71 stores a predetermined amount of a high-concentration cleaning liquid (including undiluted solution) as a detergent.

[0034] The cleaning agent supply path 73 connects the cleaning agent container 71 and the mixing tank 77. The cleaning agent supply path 73 includes an electric second liquid feed pump 74, and is configured to supply the cleaning agent in the cleaning agent container 71 (i.e., a high-concentration cleaning liquid) to the mixing tank 77 by operation of the second liquid feed pump 74.

[0035] The hot water supply passage 75 connects the hot water tank 31 and the mixing tank 77 of the beverage supply unit 3. The hot water supply passage 75 includes an electric third liquid feed pump 76, and is configured to supply hot water in the hot water tank 31 to the mixing tank 77 by operation of the third liquid feed pump 76.

[0036] The mixing tank 77 generates a cleaning liquid by internally mixing the cleaning agent (high-concentration cleaning liquid) supplied from the cleaning agent container 71 via the cleaning agent supply path 73 with hot water supplied from the hot water tank 31 via the hot water supply path 75. More specifically, the mixing tank 77 dilutes the cleaning agent (high-concentration cleaning liquid) supplied from the cleaning agent container 71 with the hot water supplied from the hot water tank 31 to generate a high-temperature cleaning liquid containing the cleaning agent at an appropriate concentration.

[0037] The supply pipe 79 is a pipe for supplying the cleaning liquid produced in the mixing tank 77 to the milk supply passage 55. One end of the supply pipe 79 is connected to the mixing tank 77, and the other end of the supply pipe 79 is connected to the third port 61c of the first three-way valve 61 provided between the milk container 51, which is the upstream side of the milk supply passage 55, and the first liquid feed pump 57. In other words, the supply pipe 79 extends from the mixing tank 77, and its tip is connected via the first three-way valve 61 to the milk supply passage 55, which is the upstream side, between the milk container 51 and the first liquid feed pump 57. The supply pipe 79 is provided with a normally closed third on-off valve V3. The third on-off valve V3 is an electromagnetic valve, similar to the first on-off valve V1 and the second on-off valve V2.

[0038] The first three-way valve 61 has a switching lever (not shown). The first three-way valve 61 is usually in a first state in which the first port 61a and the second port 61b communicate with each other. In this first state, the milk container 51 communicates with the first liquid feed pump 57, while the supply pipe 79 does not communicate with the milk feed passage 55. When the milk path (milk feed passage 55, milk nozzle 53) is cleaned, the first three-way valve 61 is switched from the first state to a second state in which the second port 61b and the third port 61c communicate with each other by the operation of the switching lever by an operator. By switching the first three-way valve 61, the supply pipe 79 communicates between the milk container 51 and the first liquid feed pump 57, which are upstream of the milk feed passage 55, while the communication between the milk container 51 and the first liquid feed pump 57 is blocked. In this state, the third on-off valve V3 opens and the first liquid feed pump 57 operates, whereby the supply pipe 79 supplies the cleaning liquid in the mixing tank 77 to the milk supply path 55.

[0039] In other words, the cleaning liquid supply unit 7 includes a mixing tank 77 that generates cleaning liquid by mixing the cleaning agent supplied from the cleaning agent container 71 with hot water supplied from the hot water tank 31 when cleaning the milk supply passage 55 and the milk nozzle 53, and a supply pipe 79 that connects between the milk container 51, which is upstream in the milk supply passage 55, and the first liquid supply pump 57 when cleaning the milk supply passage 55 and the milk nozzle 53, and is configured to supply the cleaning liquid in the mixing tank 77 to the milk supply passage 55 via the supply pipe 79 by operating the first liquid supply pump 57.

[0040] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a control system of the beverage server 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the beverage server 1 according to the embodiment includes a control unit 10 that controls the operation of the beverage server 1. Various commands are input from a command input unit 12 to the control unit 10, and detection signals from various sensors are also input. The various sensors include a first temperature sensor 91 that detects the temperature of hot water in the hot water tank 31, a second temperature sensor 92 that detects the temperature of the hot water or cleaning liquid in the mixing tank 77, a cup sensor 93 that detects the presence or absence of a cup C on the cup mounting unit 37, a flow rate sensor 94 arranged in the supply pipe 79, and the like.

[0041] The control unit 10 is configured to appropriately control the heater 32, nozzle moving mechanism 54, first liquid supply pump 57, milk heater 59, second three-way valve 62, third three-way valve 63, second liquid supply pump 74, third liquid supply pump 76, first on-off valve V1, second on-off valve V2, and third on-off valve V3, etc., in response to commands input from the command input unit 12 and / or detection signals from various sensors.

[0042] Next, an example of the operation of the beverage server 1 will be described. In this embodiment, it is assumed that (most of) the milk supply passage 55 is filled with water during standby to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter. As described above, the (manual) first three-way valve 61 normally communicates the first port 61a and the second port 61b, and the milk nozzle 53 waits in the retracted position.

[0043] [Control of heater 32] The beverage server 1 controls the heater 32 so as to maintain the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank 31 at a set temperature. Specifically, the control unit 10 controls the heater 32 based on the difference between the set temperature and the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank 31 detected by the first temperature sensor 91. The set temperature can be set appropriately depending on the beverage produced by the beverage supply unit 3, but in this embodiment, the set temperature is set to 80°C or higher, preferably 90°C or higher. The set temperature can also be changed by the operator as necessary.

[0044] [Providing warm milk] 3 to 5 show a case where beverage server 1 dispenses hot milk into cup C placed on cup placement unit 37. In this case, a command to dispense hot milk is input to control unit 10 via command input unit 12. The command to dispense hot milk includes a correlation value of the amount of hot milk to be dispensed (hereinafter referred to as the "first supply amount correlation value").

[0045] When a command to supply warm milk is input to the control unit 10 via the command input unit 12, the control unit 10 controls the milk supply unit 5. Specifically, the control unit 10 opens the first on-off valve V1, communicates the first port 62a and the second port 62b of the second three-way valve 62, and communicates the first port 63a and the second port 63b of the third three-way valve 63. The control unit 10 also operates the first liquid supply pump 57 for a first predetermined time. The milk heater 59 is always controlled to a set temperature.

[0046] 3, the milk in the milk container 51 flows from the first pipe 551 to the first three-way valve 61 to the second pipe 552 to the first liquid supply pump 57 to the third pipe 553 to the second three-way valve 62 to the fourth pipe 554 to the milk heater 59 to the fifth pipe 555 to the third three-way valve 63 to the sixth pipe 556 to the milk nozzle 53 in the retracted position, and the water and a small amount of milk filled in that portion of the milk supply passage 55 flow out from the milk nozzle 53. The water and a small amount of milk flowing out from the milk nozzle 53 are discharged through a discharge port (not shown) provided adjacent to the cup placement portion 37.

[0047] Next, the control unit 10 moves the milk nozzle 53 to the supply position by the nozzle movement mechanism 54, and operates the first liquid supply pump 57 for a time period corresponding to the first supply amount correlation value. The first opening and closing valve V1 remains open. As a result, as shown by the thick line in FIG. 4, the milk in the milk container 51 flows from the first pipe 551 to the first three-way valve 61 to the second pipe 552 to the first liquid supply pump 57 to the third pipe 553 to the second three-way valve 61 to the fourth pipe 554 to the milk heater 59 to the fifth pipe 555 to the third three-way valve 63 to the sixth pipe 556 to the milk nozzle 53 at the supply position, and is supplied from the milk nozzle 53 to the cup C placed on the cup placement unit 37.

[0048] That is, the milk supply unit 5 heats the milk in the milk container 51 via the milk heater 59, transports the milk to the milk nozzle 53, and supplies it from the milk nozzle 53 to the cup C. When the time corresponding to the first supply amount correlation value has elapsed (in other words, when the first liquid supply pump 57 is stopped), the control unit 10 closes the first on-off valve V1.

[0049] Thereafter, when the cup sensor 93 detects that the cup C has been moved from the cup placement part 37, the control unit 10 moves the milk nozzle 53 to the retracted position by the nozzle moving mechanism 54, opens the second on-off valve V2, and operates the first liquid supply pump 57 for a second predetermined time. As a result, as shown by the thick line in FIG. 5, water is supplied to the milk supply path 55 by the water supply path 65, and the milk and water remaining in the milk supply path 55 flow out from the milk nozzle 53 in the retracted position and are discharged through the outlet. The milk supply path 55 is filled with water again. Note that, when the second predetermined time has elapsed (when the first liquid supply pump 57 has been stopped), the control unit 10 closes the second on-off valve V2. Note that, instead of detection by the cup sensor 93, the control unit 10 may perform the above operation after the milk has been supplied to the cup C, that is, after the first liquid supply pump 57 has been operated for a time according to the first supply amount correlation value, and a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0050] [Cold milk supply] 6 to 8 show a case where beverage server 1 dispenses cold milk into cup C placed on cup placement unit 37. In this case, a command to dispense cold milk is input to control unit 10 via command input unit 12. The command to dispense cold milk includes a correlation value of the amount of cold milk to be dispensed (hereinafter referred to as the "second supply amount correlation value").

[0051] When a command to supply cold milk is input to the control unit 10 via the command input unit 12, the control unit 10 controls the milk supply unit 5. Specifically, the control unit 10 opens the first on-off valve V1 to communicate the first port 62a and the third port 62c of the second three-way valve 62, and to communicate the second port 63b and the third port 63c of the third three-way valve 63. The control unit 10 also operates the first liquid supply pump 57 for a third predetermined time.

[0052] 6, the milk in the milk container 51 flows from the first pipe 551 to the first three-way valve 61 to the second pipe 552 to the first liquid supply pump P1 to the third pipe 553 to the second three-way valve 62 to the seventh pipe 557 to the third three-way valve 63 to the sixth pipe 556 to the milk nozzle 53 in the retracted position, and the water and a small amount of milk filled in that portion of the milk supply passage 55 flow out from the milk nozzle 53. The water and the small amount of milk flowing out from the milk nozzle 53 are discharged via the outlet.

[0053] Next, the control unit 10 moves the milk nozzle 53 to the supply position by the nozzle movement mechanism 54, and operates the first liquid supply pump 57 for a time period corresponding to the second supply amount correlation value. The first opening and closing valve V1 remains open. As a result, as shown by the thick line in Fig. 7, the milk in the milk container 51 flows from the first pipe 551 to the first three-way valve 61 to the second pipe 552 to the first liquid supply pump 57 to the third pipe 553 to the second three-way valve 61 to the seventh pipe 557 to the third three-way valve 63 to the sixth pipe 556 to the milk nozzle 53 at the supply position, and is supplied from the milk nozzle 53 to the cup C placed on the cup placement unit 37.

[0054] That is, the milk supply unit 5 transports the milk in the milk container 51 to the milk nozzle 53 without heating it, bypassing the milk heater 59, and supplies the milk from the milk nozzle 53 to the cup C. When the time corresponding to the second supply amount correlation value has elapsed (when the first liquid supply pump 57 is stopped), the control unit 10 closes the first on-off valve V1.

[0055] Thereafter, when the cup sensor 93 detects that the cup C has been moved from the cup placement unit 37, the control unit 10 moves the milk nozzle 53 to the retracted position by the nozzle movement mechanism 54, opens the second on-off valve V2, and operates the first liquid supply pump 57 for a fourth predetermined time. As a result, as shown by the thick line in FIG. 8, water is supplied to the milk supply path 55 by the water supply path 65, and the milk and water remaining in the milk supply path 55 flow out from the milk nozzle 53 in the retracted position and are discharged through the outlet. The milk supply path 55 is filled with water again. Note that, when the fourth predetermined time has elapsed (when the first liquid supply pump 57 has been stopped), the control unit 10 closes the second on-off valve V2. Note that, instead of detection by the cup sensor 93, the control unit 10 may perform the above operation after the milk has been supplied to the cup C, that is, after the first liquid supply pump 57 has been operated for a time corresponding to the second supply amount correlation value, and then, when a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0056] [Cleaning of the milk path (milk supply path 55 and milk nozzle 53)] 9 to 12 show the case where the beverage server 1 cleans the milk supply passage 55 and the milk nozzle 53. In this case, the operator first operates the switching lever of the first three-way valve 61 to communicate the second port 61b and the third port 61c of the first three-way valve 61. That is, the operator switches the first three-way valve 61 from the first state to the second state. By switching the first three-way valve 61, the supply pipe 79 is communicated between the milk container 51, which is on the upstream side of the milk supply passage 55, and the first liquid supply pump 57, while the communication between the milk container 51 and the first liquid supply pump 57 is blocked. After switching the first three-way valve 61, the operator gives a cleaning command to the beverage server 1. The given cleaning command is input to the control unit 10 via the command input unit 12.

[0057] When a cleaning command is input to the control unit 10 via the command input unit 12, the control unit 10 controls the cleaning liquid supply unit 7. Specifically, the control unit 10 operates the second liquid supply pump 74 for a fifth predetermined time, and operates the third liquid supply pump 76 for a sixth predetermined time.

[0058] 9, a cleaning agent (high-concentration cleaning liquid) is supplied from the cleaning agent container 71 to the mixing tank 77 through the cleaning agent supply path 73, hot water is supplied from the hot water tank 31 to the mixing tank 77 through the hot water supply path 75, and the two are mixed in the mixing tank 77. As a result, a high-temperature cleaning liquid having an appropriate cleaning agent concentration is generated in the mixing tank 77, and a first predetermined amount of the cleaning liquid is stored in the mixing tank 77. Although not particularly limited, the temperature of the generated cleaning liquid is 70° C. or higher, and preferably 75° C. or higher.

[0059] In other words, the cleaning liquid supply unit 7 mixes the cleaning agent (high concentration cleaning liquid) supplied from the cleaning agent container 71 to the mixing tank 77 with hot water supplied from the hot water tank 31 to the mixing tank 77 in the mixing tank 77 to produce the cleaning liquid.

[0060] The first predetermined amount is the amount of cleaning liquid to be produced in the mixing tank 77, and is set in advance. The fifth predetermined time and the sixth predetermined time are set in consideration of the first predetermined amount, the cleaning agent concentration of the cleaning liquid to be produced, the performance of the second liquid-feed pump 74, and the performance of the third liquid-feed pump 76. Therefore, the fifth predetermined time may be equal to or greater than the sixth predetermined time, or the fifth predetermined time may be smaller than the sixth predetermined time. A flow rate sensor may be disposed in each of the cleaning agent supply path 73 and the hot water supply path 75, and a preset amount may be supplied from each of the cleaning agent supply path 73 and the hot water supply path 75.

[0061] Here, the control unit 10 may operate the second liquid feed pump 74 and the third liquid feed pump 76 simultaneously, or may operate either one of them first. In addition, the control unit 10 does not necessarily have to operate the second liquid feed pump 74 and the third liquid feed pump 76 continuously, and may operate either one or both of them intermittently. For example, when the cleaning command is input to the control unit 10, the control unit 10 may first operate the third liquid feed pump 76 to start supplying hot water from the hot water tank 31 to the mixing tank 77, and then operate the second liquid feed pump 74 after a delay (including intermittent operation) to supply the cleaning agent from the cleaning agent container 71 to the mixing tank 77 (including intermittent supply). In this way, the cleaning agent and hot water in the mixing tank 77 can be mixed more uniformly, which is convenient.

[0062] Furthermore, for example, if a water supply passage (not shown) configured to be able to supply water into the mixing tank 77 is provided, the control unit 10 may detect the temperature of the hot water or cleaning liquid in the mixing tank 77 using the second temperature sensor 92, and supply water into the mixing tank 77 via the water supply passage as necessary so that the temperature of the cleaning liquid in the mixing tank 77 becomes an appropriate temperature (e.g., 75°C).

[0063] When the first predetermined amount of cleaning liquid is stored in the mixing tank 77, the control unit 10 then opens the first on-off valve V1, opens the third on-off valve V3, communicates the first port 62a and the second port 62b of the second three-way valve 62, and communicates the first port 63a and the second port 63b of the third three-way valve 63. The control unit 10 also operates the first liquid supply pump 57 for only a seventh predetermined time.

[0064] Then, as shown by the thick line in Fig. 10, the cleaning liquid in the mixing tank 77 flows from the supply pipe 79 to the first three-way valve 61 to the second pipe 552 to the first liquid supply pump 57 to the third pipe 553 to the second three-way valve 62 to the fourth pipe 554 to the milk heater 59 to the fifth pipe 555 to the third three-way valve 63 to the sixth pipe 556 to the milk nozzle 53 in the retracted position, and the water and cleaning liquid filled in the relevant part of the milk supply passage 55 flows out from the milk nozzle 53. The water and cleaning liquid flowing out from the milk nozzle 53 are discharged through the outlet. As a result, most of the passages in the milk supply passage 55 that are used when supplying warm milk and the milk nozzle 53 are cleaned.

[0065] Next, the control unit 10 temporarily stops the first liquid feed pump 57, communicates the first port 62a and the third port 62c of the second three-way valve 62, and communicates the second port 63b and the third port 63c of the third three-way valve 63. Thereafter, the control unit 10 operates the first liquid feed pump 57 for an eighth predetermined time. The first on-off valve V1 and the third on-off valve V3 remain open.

[0066] 11, the cleaning liquid in the mixing tank 77 flows from the supply pipe 79 to the first three-way valve 61, the second pipe 552, the first liquid feed pump 57, the third pipe 553, the second three-way valve 62, the seventh pipe 557, the third three-way valve 63, the sixth pipe 556, and the milk nozzle 53 in the retracted position, and the water and cleaning liquid filled in the seventh pipe 557 flow out from the milk nozzle 53. The water and cleaning liquid flowing out from the milk nozzle 53 are discharged through the outlet. As a result, most of the passages in the milk supply passage 55 that are used when supplying cold milk and the milk nozzle 53 are cleaned.

[0067] That is, the cleaning liquid supply unit 7 supplies the cleaning liquid in the mixing tank 77 to the upstream side of the milk supply path 55 through the supply pipe 79 by operation of the first liquid feed pump 57. Also, the cleaning liquid supplied to the milk supply path 55 is transported to the milk nozzle 53 by operation of the first liquid feed pump 57 and flows out from the milk nozzle 53. Then, the cleaning liquid supplied to the milk supply path 55 is transported to the milk nozzle 53 and flows out from the milk nozzle 53, so that the milk supply path 55 and the milk nozzle 53 are cleaned with the cleaning liquid.

[0068] Here, for example, the first liquid supply pump 57 may be temporarily stopped midway to allow the cleaning liquid to stand for a predetermined time in most of the passages used when supplying hot milk and / or in most of the passages used when supplying cold milk in the milk supply passage 55. In this way, the cleaning liquid can penetrate into the deposits on the surface of the milk supply passage 55, improving the cleaning effect and also reducing the amount of cleaning liquid.

[0069] The control unit 10 may temporarily drive the first liquid pump 57 to rotate forward and backward. As a result, the cleaning liquid supplied to the milk supply path 55 is transported in the forward and reverse directions within the milk supply path 55, and then transported to the milk nozzle 53 and flows out from the milk nozzle 53. In this way, the milk supply path 55 can be cleaned more effectively with the cleaning liquid, and the amount of cleaning liquid can be reduced.

[0070] In order to effectively rinse the cleaning liquid, which will be described later, the control unit 10 operates the first liquid supply pump 57 until the cleaning liquid in the mixing tank 77 is finally exhausted, that is, until the detection value of the flow rate sensor 94 becomes zero (this does not have to be exactly zero, as long as it is approximately zero). For example, the control unit 10 operates the first liquid supply pump 57 after leaving the cleaning liquid to stand for a predetermined period of time and / or after transporting the cleaning liquid in the forward and reverse directions, until the detection value of the flow rate sensor 94 becomes approximately zero.

[0071] Next, the control unit 10 closes the third on-off valve V3 and operates the third liquid feed pump 76 for a ninth predetermined time period. The first on-off valve V1 remains open.

[0072] 12, hot water is supplied from the hot water tank 31 to the mixing tank 77 by the hot water supply path 75, and a second predetermined amount of hot water is stored in the mixing tank 77. The second predetermined amount is set in advance as an amount of hot water that can cause the cleaning liquid remaining in the milk supply path 55 to flow out from the milk nozzle 53 and can rinse the cleaning liquid from the milk supply path 55 and the milk nozzle 53. The ninth predetermined time is set as a time that allows the second predetermined amount of hot water to be stored in the mixing tank 77.

[0073] Next, the control unit 10 opens the third on-off valve V3 and appropriately controls the first liquid supply pump 57, the second three-way valve 62, and the third three-way valve 63 to allow the hot water in the mixing tank 77 to flow through the milk supply passage 55 and the milk nozzle 53 in the same manner as the cleaning liquid (see Figs. 10 and 11). As a result, the cleaning liquid is removed from the milk supply passage 55 and the milk nozzle 53.

[0074] In order to more reliably remove the cleaning liquid from the milk supply passage 55 and the milk nozzle 53, the control unit 10 may, if necessary, further cause water supplied by the water supply passage 65 to flow through the milk supply passage 55 and the milk nozzle 53. Alternatively, instead of causing hot water supplied from the hot water tank 31 to the mixing tank 77 and stored therein to flow through the milk supply passage 55 and the milk nozzle 53 (see FIG. 12), the control unit 10 may cause water supplied by the water supply passage 65 to flow through the milk supply passage 55 and the milk nozzle 53. In this case, the control unit 10 closes the first on-off valve V1 and the third on-off valve V3, opens the second on-off valve V2, and appropriately controls the first liquid feed pump 57, the second three-way valve 62, and the third three-way valve 63.

[0075] As a result, the cleaning of the milk supply passage 55 and the milk nozzle 53 with the cleaning liquid is completed, and the first on-off valve V1, the second on-off valve V2, and the third on-off valve V3 are closed. The first pipe 551 that is not cleaned with the cleaning liquid is removed from the first three-way valve 61 (the first port 61a of the first three-way valve 61) and the milk container 51 by the operator, and is either cleaned separately and returned to its original state or replaced with a new one. The same applies to the milk container 51. When a bag-in-box (BIB) that stores milk is used as the milk container 51, a tube corresponding to the first pipe 551 is integrally formed in the bag-in-box (BIB). Therefore, when the bag-in-box (BIB) is replaced, the tube corresponding to the first pipe 551 is also replaced. Then, the operator operates the switching lever of the first three-way valve 61 to return the first three-way valve 61 from the second state to the first state, and the cleaning of the milk path (the milk supply passage 55 and the milk nozzle 53) is completed.

[0076] Thereafter, for example, when the operator restarts the beverage server 1 or issues a standby command to the beverage server 1, the control unit 10 opens the second on-off valve V2 and appropriately controls the first liquid feed pump 57, the second three-way valve 62 and the third three-way valve 63 to fill (the majority of) the milk supply path 55 with water supplied by the water supply path 65. Then, when (the majority of) the milk supply path 55 is filled with water, the control unit 10 closes the second on-off valve V2.

[0077] As described above, the beverage server 1 according to the embodiment includes a cleaning liquid supply unit 7. When a cleaning command is given, the cleaning liquid supply unit 7 is configured to mix the cleaning agent (high-concentration cleaning liquid) supplied from the cleaning agent container 71 to the mixing tank 77 with hot water supplied from the hot water tank 31 of the beverage supply unit 3 to the mixing tank 77 in the mixing tank 77 to generate a cleaning liquid, and to supply the generated cleaning liquid to the milk supply path 55 through the supply pipe 79. Therefore, a high-temperature cleaning liquid can be supplied to the milk supply path 55 when cleaning the milk supply path 55. Therefore, according to the beverage server 1 according to the embodiment, the performance of removing residues in the milk supply path 55 can be improved compared to the conventional art.

[0078] The cleaning liquid produced in the mixing tank 77 is supplied to the milk supply path 55 between the milk container 51 and the first liquid supply pump 57, which is upstream of the milk supply path 55, by the operation of the first liquid supply pump 57 of the milk supply path 55. The cleaning liquid supplied to the milk supply path 55 is then transported to the milk nozzle 53 by the operation of the first liquid supply pump 57 and flows out from the milk nozzle 53. Therefore, most of the milk supply path 55 and the milk nozzle 53 can be effectively cleaned with the high-temperature cleaning liquid.

[0079] In the above embodiment, when a cleaning command is given, the cleaning agent is supplied from the cleaning agent container 71 to the mixing tank 77, and hot water is supplied from the hot water tank 31 to the mixing tank 77, and these are mixed in the mixing tank 77 to generate a cleaning liquid. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the mixing tank 77 may be preheated by hot water supplied from the hot water tank 31 before the generation of the cleaning liquid. In this case, when a cleaning command is input, the control unit 10 first operates the third liquid supply pump 76 to store a third predetermined amount of hot water in the hot water tank 31. Next, the control unit 10 opens the third opening / closing valve V3 to discharge the hot water stored in the hot water tank 31 to the supply pipe 79. At this time, the control unit 10 may temporarily operate the first liquid supply pump 57 to further discharge the hot water stored in the hot water tank 31 to the milk supply path 55, and thereby (most of) the milk supply path 55 may also be preheated. Then, after the hot water stored in the hot water tank 31 is discharged, the control unit 10 operates the second liquid supply pump 74 and the third liquid supply pump 76 to supply the cleaning agent and hot water to the mixing tank 77 to generate the cleaning liquid. In this way, a decrease in the temperature of the hot water in the mixing tank 77 is suppressed, and the temperature of the hot water used to generate the cleaning liquid can be maintained high. Therefore, a decrease in the temperature of the generated cleaning liquid can also be suppressed. Also, a decrease in the temperature of the cleaning liquid in the milk supply path 55 can also be suppressed.

[0080] 1, the detergent supply path 73 may be provided with a detergent heating section 80 for heating the detergent supplied to the mixing tank 77. The detergent heating section 80 may be, for example, an electric heater controlled by the control section 10, but is not limited to this. The detergent heating section 80 may be capable of heating the detergent flowing from the detergent container 71 to the mixing tank 77. For example, when the detergent supply path 73 is formed so as to pass near a heat source (for example, a milk warmer 59), the heat source may be the detergent heating section 80. This arrangement also makes it possible to suppress a decrease in temperature of the detergent liquid produced in the mixing tank 77.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, a manual three-way valve is used as the first three-way valve 61. However, this is not limited to this. The first three-way valve 61 may be an electromagnetic three-way valve, similar to the second three-way valve 62 and the third three-way valve 63. In this case, the control unit 10 may switch the first three-way valve 61 from the first state to the second state when a cleaning command is input, and return the first three-way valve 61 from the second state to the first state when cleaning of the milk supply passage 55 and the milk nozzle 53 with the cleaning liquid is completed.

[0082] In the above embodiment, a liquid agent (high-concentration cleaning liquid) is used as the cleaning agent. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cleaning agent may be a tablet or a powder. In this case, the cleaning agent is supplied to the mixing tank 77 by being poured, and is mixed with hot water in the mixing tank 77 and dissolved.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the beverage nozzle 35 and the milk nozzle 53 are formed separately, but they may be integrated. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the beverage supply unit 3 is a coffee maker, but this is not limited thereto, and the beverage supply unit 3 may be any unit that produces a beverage using hot water supplied from a hot water tank, for example, a tea maker that produces black tea.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, a bidirectional pump capable of transporting liquid in both forward and reverse directions is used as the first liquid feed pump 57. However, this is not limited thereto, and the first liquid feed pump 57 may be a one-way pump in which the first suction / discharge port 57a is an suction port and the second suction / discharge port 57b is an discharge port.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the cleaning agent supply path 73 includes the electric second liquid feed pump 74, and the hot water supply path 75 includes the electric third liquid feed pump 76. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the cleaning agent supply path 73 and the hot water supply path 75 may be connected to the mixing tank 77 via a common electromagnetic fourth three-way valve and a common connecting pipe, and an electric fourth liquid feed pump may be provided on the connecting pipe. In this case, the cleaning agent or hot water can be supplied to the mixing tank 77 by switching the fourth three-way valve and operating the fourth liquid feed pump.

[0086] 2, a lever position detector 95 for detecting the position of the switching lever of the first three-way valve 61 may be further provided, and the detection result of the lever position detector 95 may be input to the control unit 10. Specifically, the lever position detector 95 is configured to be mainly capable of detecting a first lever position at which the first three-way valve 61 is in the first state and a second lever position at which the first three-way valve 61 is in the second state. In other words, the lever position detector 95 is configured to detect whether the first port 61a and the second port 61b of the first three-way valve 61 are in communication with each other, or whether the second port 61b and the third port 61c of the first three-way valve 61 are in communication with each other. In this case, the control unit 10 may be configured to supply milk to the cup C on the condition that the lever position detection unit 95 detects that the first three-way valve 61 is in the first state (the first port 61a and the second port 61b are in communication), and to clean the milk path on the condition that the lever position detection unit 95 detects that the first three-way valve 61 is in the second state (the first port 61a and the second port 61b are in communication). In other words, the beverage server 1 can supply milk to the cup C only when the first three-way valve 61 is in the first state, and can clean the milk path only when the first three-way valve 61 is in the second state. Then, the control unit 10 prohibits both supplying milk to the cup C and cleaning the milk path when the first three-way valve 61 is neither in the first state nor in the second state. In other words, the control unit 10 may be configured to have an interlock function.

[0087] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and it goes without saying that further modifications are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1...beverage server, 3...beverage supply unit, 5...milk supply unit, 7...cleaning liquid supply unit, 10...control unit, 31...hot water tank, 32...heater, 33...beverage preparation unit, 35...beverage nozzle, 37...cup placement unit, 51...milk container, 53...milk nozzle, 54...nozzle movement mechanism, 55...milk supply path, 57...first liquid supply pump, 59...milk heater, 61...first three-way valve, 62...second three-way valve, 63...third three-way valve, 65...water supply path, 71...cleaning agent container, 73...cleaning agent supply path, 74...second liquid supply pump, 75...hot water supply path, 76...third liquid supply pump, 77...mixing tank, 79...supply pipe, 80...cleaning agent heating unit, C...cup

Claims

1. a beverage supply unit that prepares a beverage using hot water supplied from the hot water tank and supplies the prepared beverage to a beverage container through a beverage nozzle; a milk supply unit for conveying milk from a milk container to a milk nozzle through a milk supply passage and supplying the milk from the milk nozzle to the beverage container; a cleaning liquid supply unit that, when a cleaning command is given, mixes the cleaning agent supplied from the cleaning agent container to the mixing tank with hot water supplied from the hot water tank of the beverage supply unit to the mixing tank in the mixing tank to generate a cleaning liquid, and supplies the generated cleaning liquid to the milk supply path of the milk supply unit through a supply pipe; Including beverage dispenser.

2. The milk supply passage connects the milk container and the milk nozzle and includes a first liquid supply pump, and is configured to transport milk in the milk container to the milk nozzle by operation of the first liquid supply pump, The supply pipe is configured to be connected between the milk container, which is upstream of the milk supply path, and the first liquid feed pump when cleaning the milk supply path and the milk nozzle, The cleaning liquid supply unit is configured to supply the cleaning liquid to the milk supply path by operating the first liquid supply pump. The beverage server according to claim 1.

3. 3. The beverage server according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning liquid supplied to the milk supply passage is transported to the milk nozzle by operation of the first liquid supply pump and flows out from the milk nozzle.

4. the first liquid feed pump is a bidirectional pump capable of transporting liquid in both forward and reverse directions, The cleaning liquid supplied to the milk supply passage is transported in forward and reverse directions in the milk supply passage by the operation of the first liquid supply pump, and then transported to the milk nozzle and flows out of the milk nozzle. The beverage server according to claim 3.

5. One end of the supply pipe is connected to the mixing tank, and the other end of the supply pipe is connected to the milk supply passage via a three-way valve provided between the milk container and the first liquid feed pump, which is an upstream side of the milk supply passage; By switching the three-way valve, the supply pipe is connected between the milk container, which is on the upstream side of the milk supply path, and the first liquid supply pump, while the communication between the milk container and the first liquid supply pump is blocked. The beverage server according to claim 2.

6. The cleaning agent container contains a high-concentration cleaning solution as the cleaning agent, The cleaning liquid supply unit includes: a cleaning agent supply path that connects the cleaning agent container and the mixing tank, includes a second liquid feed pump, and is configured to supply the cleaning agent in the cleaning agent container to the mixing tank by operation of the second liquid feed pump; A hot water supply path that connects the hot water tank and the mixing tank and includes a third liquid supply pump, and is configured to supply hot water in the hot water tank to the mixing tank by operating the third liquid supply pump; The beverage server of claim 1 .

7. 7. The beverage server according to claim 6, wherein the detergent supply passage is provided with a detergent heating section for heating the detergent supplied to the mixing tank.

8. The beverage server according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mixing tank and / or the milk supply passage are preheated by hot water supplied from the hot water tank before the generation of the cleaning liquid.

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