Tap and foamed beverage providing device

Abstract

To provide a tap and a foamed beverage providing device capable of suppressing or preventing the leakage of a foamed beverage and maintaining the flavor of the foamed beverage.SOLUTION: A tap 100 comprises: a tap body 104 which has a main flow pipe 106 formed therein; a slide valve assembly 112 which comprises a valve element 114 slidably arranged in the main flow pipe 106 and configured so as to allow opening and closing a proximal end side of the main flow pipe 106, a valve rod 116 connected with the valve element 114, and an outer cylinder 118 connected with a distal end side of the valve rod 116, and has an in-valve flow passage 122 formed so as to penetrate from the valve element 114 to the distal end side of the valve rod 116; a sealing member 130 for covering the distal end of the in-valve flow passage 122; sealing means 132 for maintaining the sealing member 130 on the distal end side of the in-valve flow passage 122; and return means 140 attached to the distal end of the tap body 104, having the inside connected to the outer cylinder 118, and returning the slide valve assembly 112 to the distal end side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to a tap and a sparkling beverage providing device. [Background technology]

[0002] It is well known that a tap capable of dispensing beer and foam separately is attached to a beer server. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a beer dispensing faucet having a valve mechanism built into the faucet body capable of dispensing beer and foam separately, in which the flow path for beer and / or foam in the faucet body has a mirror-finished inner wall surface.

[0003] However, in such a beer dispensing cock, although the valve for dispensing foam is always biased to close the end opening of the flow path for dispensing foam, the valve for dispensing beer is not always biased. For this reason, the valve is used while accepting a certain degree of risk of beer leakage. In addition, in a state where leakage occurs, the risk of the beer coming into contact with air increases, which may lead to a deterioration in flavor. In a large-scale restaurant, the consumption cycle of one draft beer barrel is short, so beer leakage can be accepted, but in a relatively small-scale restaurant, the number of customers per hour is low, so it takes a relatively long time to consume one draft beer barrel, and beer leakage may not be accepted. In addition, when a beer server with a smaller beverage capacity is installed to be installed at a customer's seat in a relatively small-scale restaurant or restaurant, the capacity of the draft beer barrel is also reduced to match the beer server, so the ratio of beer leakage to the capacity of the draft beer barrel may not be negligible.

[0004] Therefore, it is possible to apply a beverage dispensing cock that constantly activates both the foam dispensing valve and the beer dispensing valve as disclosed in Patent Document 2, but since the activating means is provided in the flow path through which the beer passes, this may lead to a deterioration in the flavor of the beer. This also has a large impact on beer servers with a small beverage capacity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-059486 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2002-211692 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In consideration of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a tap and a sparkling beverage providing device that can suppress or prevent leakage of the sparkling beverage while maintaining the flavor of the sparkling beverage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a tap configured to be connected to a beverage container and to dispense a sparkling beverage in the beverage container by tilting a lever to a first side, and to dispense foam from the sparkling beverage in the beverage container by tilting the lever to a second side, the tap comprising: a main body extending from a proximal end connected to the beverage container to a distal end and having a mainstream pipe formed therein through which the sparkling beverage passes; a first dispensing nozzle fluidly connected to the main body and having a first flow path; a second dispensing nozzle fluidly connected to the main body and having a second flow path; a valve body slidably disposed within the mainstream pipe and configured to be able to open and close the proximal end side of the mainstream pipe; a sliding valve assembly including an extending valve stem and a cylindrical outer tube having a through hole connected to the distal end side of the valve stem and into which a connecting rod attached to a lower end of a lever can be inserted, the sliding valve assembly including an intra-valve flow passage formed penetrating from the valve body to the distal end side of the valve stem; a sealing member arranged in the outer tube so as to cover the distal end of the intra-valve flow passage; sealing means arranged in the outer tube on the distal end side of the connecting rod and configured to maintain the sealing member at the distal end side of the intra-valve flow passage; and returning means attached to the distal end of the main body, the inside of which is connected to the outer tube, and configured to return the sliding valve assembly to the distal end side.

[0008] In addition, in one aspect of the present disclosure, the sealing means and the returning means may be disposed along the axial direction of the main pipe.

[0009] Furthermore, in one aspect of the present disclosure, the return means may be configured to be detachable from the main body.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure may be a sparkling beverage providing device including one of the taps according to the above aspects. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the tap includes a sealing means disposed in the outer tubular portion on the distal end side of the connecting rod and configured to maintain the sealing member at the distal end side of the in-valve flow path, and a return means attached to the distal end of the body and connected to the outer tubular portion at the inside and configured to return the slide valve assembly to the distal end side. Therefore, when the lever is not tilted to the first side or the second side, the sealing means can maintain the sealing member, and the return means can return the slide valve assembly to the distal end side. This can block the flow path of the sparkling beverage and foam, and prevent or suppress the sparkling beverage and foam from leaking from the tap. Furthermore, the sealing means is disposed on the distal end side of the connecting rod, which is distal to the main pipe, and the return means is attached to the distal end of the body. Therefore, the sparkling beverage and foam can be dispensed from the first dispensing nozzle and the second dispensing nozzle without passing through the sealing means and the return means. This can prevent or suppress the flavor deterioration of the sparkling beverage and foam.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sealing means and the return means of the tap are arranged along the axial direction of the main pipe. Therefore, the force for maintaining the sealing member and the force for returning the slide valve assembly to the distal end side can be efficiently applied along the axial direction of the main pipe. This allows the sealing means and the return means to be configured compactly, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0013] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the tap return means is configured to be detachable from the main body, which simplifies disassembly and assembly of the tap return means, the main body, and the slide valve assembly, thereby reducing the number of steps required for assembly and maintenance of the tap.

[0014] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a sparkling beverage providing device including one of the taps according to each of the above aspects can achieve the same effects as each of the above aspects. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a canned beverage server equipped with a tap according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the tap taken along line 2-2 of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the tap. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the canned beverage server taken along line 4-4 in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the canned beverage server taken along line 5-5 in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the dispensing mechanism and the pressurizing mechanism. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a side perspective view showing a state in which a beverage can is placed on the stand. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a side perspective view showing the state in which the lid cover is attached to the beverage can. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is a side perspective view showing a state in which the beverage can is stored in the storage cylinder. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a scooping tube is inserted into a beverage can. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 of a canned beverage server according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, a tap according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. For ease of understanding, the scale of the drawings may be changed.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a canned beverage server 10 as a sparkling beverage providing device including a tap 100 as an example. The canned beverage server 10 has a main body 12 for pouring a beverage poured (sealed) into a beverage can C as a beverage container, and a glass holder 14 formed on the outer and lower side thereof for placing a glass (not shown) into which the beverage is poured and capable of containing the beverage so as not to drop any spilled beverage. The main body 12 has a tap 100 having a lever 102 and beverage dispensing nozzles 108, 110 that can be tilted to a distal end side D1 away from the canned beverage server 10 or a proximal end side D2 approaching the canned beverage server 10 (see FIG. 2 for both). Therefore, by tilting the lever 102, the beverage poured into the beverage can C can be drawn and dispensed from the beverage dispensing nozzles 108, 110 into a glass.

[0018] The beverages referred to here include both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and alcoholic beverages include various beverages such as beer, alcoholic carbonated beverages other than beer, i.e., happoshu, beer-flavored sparkling alcoholic beverages infused with another alcoholic beverage produced from a raw material other than malt (so-called third beer), chuhai, cocktail sours, plum wine soda, spirits soda, sparkling sake, sparkling wine, or highballs. Non-alcoholic beverages include non-alcoholic carbonated beverages, i.e., non-alcoholic beer, non-alcoholic spirits, non-alcoholic wine, non-alcoholic sours, non-alcoholic cocktails, or carbonated juices. These beverages also include concentrated beverages (undiluted liquids).

[0019] The main body 12 includes a stand 20 (see FIG. 4) on which the beverage can C is placed on the lower side, a scooping pipe 22 on the upper side of the stand 20 for insertion into the beverage can C, and a pouring mechanism 24 for scooping and dispensing the beverage injected (enclosed) in the beverage can C through the scooping pipe 22. The main body 12 also includes a pressurizing mechanism 26 for pressurizing the beverage to scoop the beverage from the beverage can C, that is, for pressing the liquid level of the beverage. The scooping pipe 22 has a length that allows it to reach the lowest part inside the beverage can C when inserted into the beverage can C, and is configured to be capable of pressing the can lid of the beverage can C and to have a predetermined hardness that does not cause it to come into contact with the can lid due to deformation or deflection even after it is inserted inside the beverage can C. Specifically, the scooping pipe 22 is formed of, for example, metal, synthetic resin, or the like, so as to have a predetermined hardness. This eliminates the need for the user to manually assist the scooping tube 22 when inserting it into the beverage can C, and eliminates the need to manually adjust the position of the scooping tube 22 after it has been inserted into the beverage can C, thereby reducing the amount of work required during pouring.

[0020] A door 28 is attached to the lower side of the main body 12, the lower end of which is hinged (not shown), and the door 28 can be rotated about the lower end, i.e., tilted, and opened by pulling a handle 28a attached to the upper side. Here, the stand 20 is configured to tilt in conjunction with the rotation of the door 28, with its upper surface facing the side where the door 28 opens. This allows the user to easily place the beverage can C on the stand 20. In addition, an operation unit 30 having a button 32 for starting the dispensing of the beverage and for operating the opening and closing of a discharge valve 48, which will be described later, is arranged on the front side and upper side of the canned beverage server 10.

[0021] 2 and 3 show a cross-sectional view and an exploded perspective view of the tap 100. Here, the tap 100 connected to the canned beverage server 10 is configured to dispense the beverage in the canned beverage server 10 by tilting the lever 102 to the distal end side D1 as the first side, and to dispense the foam of the beverage if the beverage is a sparkling beverage by tilting the lever to the proximal end side D2 as the second side. For this reason, the tap 100 includes a tap body 104 as a cylindrical body that extends from the proximal end PE side connected to the canned beverage server 10 to the distal end DE side and has a main pipe 106 through which the beverage passes formed therein. The tap 100 also includes a first pipe-shaped dispensing nozzle 108 that extends downward from the proximal end PE side of the tap body 104, and a second pipe-shaped dispensing nozzle 110 that extends downward from the distal end DE side of the tap body 104. The first dispensing nozzle 108 is formed with a first flow path FP1 that is fluidly connected to the main pipe 106 of the tap body 104 and that distributes the beverage. The second dispensing nozzle 110 is formed with a second flow path FP2 that is fluidly connected to the canned beverage server 10 via a slide valve assembly 112 disposed in the tap body 104 and that distributes the foam of the beverage.

[0022] A slide valve assembly 112 configured to be able to slide between a distal end side and a proximal end side along the axial direction, i.e., the longitudinal direction, of the mainstream pipe 106 is disposed within the mainstream pipe 106. The slide valve assembly 112 includes a conical valve body 114 whose outer circumferential shape becomes larger toward the distal end side, a rod-shaped valve stem 116 connected to the distal end side of the valve body 114 and extending along the longitudinal direction of the mainstream pipe 106 toward the distal end side, and a cylindrical outer tube portion 118 connected to the distal end side of the valve stem 116.

[0023] The valve body 114 is formed so that the outer diameter on the distal end side is larger than the inner diameter of the proximal end of the mainstream pipe 106. Therefore, when the slide valve assembly 112 is moved, i.e. slid, toward the distal end side, the valve body 114 engages with the proximal end of the mainstream pipe 106, so that the valve body 114 can close the mainstream pipe 106 so that the beverage in the canned beverage server 10 does not leak out. In addition, a resin seal 115 is disposed on the distal end of the valve body 114 along its outer circumferential shape. Therefore, when the valve body 114 engages with the proximal end of the mainstream pipe 106, the seal 115 comes into close contact with the mainstream pipe 106 to stably close the mainstream pipe 106. The outer diameter of the valve rod 116 is formed smaller than the inner diameter of the mainstream pipe 106 and the outer diameter on the distal end side of the valve body 114. Therefore, when the slide valve assembly 112 is slid toward the proximal end, the beverage in the canned beverage server 10 can flow into the mainstream pipe 106 through a gap between the proximal end of the mainstream pipe 106 and the valve body 114. The beverage that has flowed into the mainstream pipe 106 in this manner can be dispensed from the first flow path FP1 of the first dispensing nozzle 108.

[0024] The slide valve assembly 112 has an in-valve flow passage 122 formed through the valve body 114 from the proximal end to the part connected to the outer tubular portion 118 at the distal end side of the valve rod 116. Therefore, when the beverage is a sparkling beverage such as beer, the beverage can generate foam by passing through the in-valve flow passage 122. The foam generated in the in-valve flow passage 122 flows out from the distal end of the in-valve flow passage 122 and flows downward, and can be poured from the second flow passage FP2 of the second dispensing nozzle 110. A sealing member 130 configured to cover the distal end of the in-valve flow passage 122 is disposed on the distal end side of the in-valve flow passage 122 in the outer tubular portion 118. The sealing member 130 is maintained at the distal end of the in-valve flow passage 122 by the sealing means 132 described later biasing, i.e., pressing, the distal end side, and can block the in-valve flow passage 122. Therefore, when the lever 102 is not tilted toward the proximal end side D2, the sealing member 130 can prevent or suppress leakage of beverage containing bubbles.

[0025] The outer tube 118 has a cylindrical connector 138 at its distal end, and the connecting portion between the connector 138 and other portions of the outer tube 118, i.e., the boundary portion, is closed. Therefore, a hollow portion is formed in the outer tube 118 between the closed boundary portion and the distal end side of the sealing member 130. A cylindrical internal member 136 that is movable in the hollow portion is disposed in the hollow portion of the outer tube 118. A through hole 120 is formed through the outer tube 118 and the internal member 136 along the radial direction of the outer tube 118 and the internal member 136. The inner diameter of the through hole 120 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the spherical connecting rod 124 attached to the lower end of the lever 102 so that there is some play, i.e., a slight gap, when the connecting rod 124 is inserted into the through hole 120. The lever 102 is attached to the tap body 104 by inserting the connecting rod 124 into the through hole 120 through a lever attachment portion 128 formed in the tap body 104. Furthermore, the lever 102 can be fixed to the tap body 104 by screwing a cap 126 on the lower side of the lever 102 , which has a thread formed on its inner circumferential surface, into a threaded portion on the outer periphery of the lever attachment portion 128 .

[0026] In the hollow portion of the outer cylinder portion 118, a first spring 134 is disposed on the outer end side of the internal member 136, which biases the internal member 136 toward the proximal end side. The internal member 136 and the first spring 134 constitute a sealing means 132 for pressing the sealing member 130 toward the proximal end side. Therefore, the first spring 134 presses the internal member 136 toward the proximal end side, thereby pressing the sealing member 130 disposed on the proximal end side of the internal member 136. This allows the sealing member 130 to block the distal end of the in-valve flow path 122, thereby preventing or suppressing the foam of the beverage from leaking out. On the other hand, when the user tilts the lever 102 toward the proximal end side D2, the connecting rod 124 moves toward the distal end side and biases the internal member 136 toward the distal end side against the biasing force of the first spring 134. As a result, a gap is created between the sealing member 130, which is no longer pressed against the internal member 136, and the distal end of the intra-valve flow path 122, allowing the bubbles of the carbonated beverage to flow out from the distal end of the intra-valve flow path 122.

[0027] A return means 140 is attached to the distal end DE of the tap body 104 for returning, i.e., sliding, the sliding valve assembly 112 toward the distal end. The return means 140 includes a second spring 148, a connecting member 142 for connecting the second spring 148 to the connector portion 138 of the outer tubular portion 118, and a cap 150 for housing them. The connecting member 142 includes a protrusion 144 on the proximal end side for fitting into a spiral groove 138a formed along the outer periphery of the connector portion 138 of the outer tubular portion 118, and an engagement plate 146 on the distal end side for engaging with the second spring 148. The connecting member 142 engaged with the second spring 148 is fixed to the cap 150 via a screw 152. The second spring 148 is housed in the cap 150 in a contracted state so as to bias the connecting member 142 and the outer tubular portion 118 toward the distal end. This allows the connector portion 138 of the outer cylinder portion 118 to pull, i.e., return, the slide valve assembly 112 connected to the connecting member 142 toward the distal end. On the other hand, when the user tilts the lever 102 toward the distal end side D1, the connecting rod 124 moves toward the proximal end side and presses the slide valve assembly 112 toward the proximal end side against the biasing force of the second spring 134. This creates a gap between the valve body 114 that has slid toward the proximal end side and the proximal end of the main pipe 106, allowing the beverage in the canned beverage server 10 to flow out from here.

[0028] Figures 4 and 5 show cross-sectional views of the canned beverage server 10. As shown in Figure 4, a freezer chamber 34 is disposed on the lower side and a cooling water tank 36 is disposed on the upper side of the rear side (left side in the figure) of the main body 12. Also, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a stand 20 on which a beverage can C can be placed is disposed on the front and lower side of the main body 12, and above the stand 20, a scooping pipe 22 and a storage cylinder 38 formed to be able to store the beverage can C disposed on the stand 20 are disposed.

[0029] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the dispensing mechanism 24 and the pressurizing mechanism 26. The pressurizing mechanism 26 is a mechanism for introducing gas into the storage cylinder 38 to pressurize the beverage in order to draw the beverage from the beverage can C, and is configured to include a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 40 arranged on the outside of the canned beverage server 10, and a gas pipe PP1 connecting the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 40 and the storage cylinder 38. The pressurizing mechanism 26 further includes an opening / closing valve 44 attached to the gas pipe PP1 connecting the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 40 and the storage cylinder 38, and a relief valve 46 attached to the gas pipe PP1 in parallel with the opening / closing valve 44. The dispensing mechanism 24 is specifically a mechanism for drawing the pressed beverage from the beverage can C and pouring the drawn beverage from the beverage dispensing nozzles 108 and 110. For this reason, the pressurizing mechanism 26 and the dispensing mechanism 24 are configured as a continuous mechanism. The canned beverage server 10 also includes a control unit 42 for controlling the up and down movement of the stand 20 and the opening and closing of an opening / closing valve 44, a relief valve 46, and a discharge valve 48 described below. The control unit 42 includes a timer 42a for counting the opening times of the opening / closing valve 44, the relief valve 46, and the discharge valve 48.

[0030] The scooping pipe 22 is attached to the storage cylinder 38 and is connected to the beverage dispensing nozzles 108, 110 via the pipe PP2. The pipe PP2 connected to the scooping pipe 22 is formed in a coil shape (not shown) in the cooling water tank 36 and is configured to exchange heat with the cooling water in the cooling water tank 36. A cooling heat exchanger (not shown) connected to the refrigeration cycle in the refrigerator room 34 (see FIG. 2) is installed in the cooling water tank 36 and is configured to circulate a low-temperature refrigerant below the freezing temperature of water. Therefore, when the refrigeration cycle is operated, the area around the cooling heat exchanger freezes and the water temperature drops to the freezing temperature. In addition, a discharge part 50 having a discharge valve 48 is connected to the pipe PP2 between the cooling water tank 36 and the tap 100 and the beverage dispensing nozzles 108, 110. The discharge valve 48 has a pressure sensor 48a for detecting the pressure of the pipe PP2 at the position where the discharge valve 48 and the discharge part 50 are attached.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the storage cylinder 38 and the stand 20. The stand 20 is formed in a quadrangular shape in a plan view, and has a cylindrical stand 52 in the center for placing a beverage can C. The stand 52 is configured to have an inner diameter equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the beverage can C. In addition, feed screws 54 constituting a feed screw mechanism extending in the vertical direction from the lower side of the canned beverage server 10 toward the storage cylinder 38 side are screwed into the four corners of the stand 20. The feed screw mechanism has a gear 56 arranged on the lower side of the stand 20 and a motor 58 (see FIG. 5A) connected to the feed screw 54 via the gear 56. Therefore, the feed screw 54 can be rotated by operating the motor 58 to rotate the gear 56. This allows the stand 20 into which the feed screw 54 is screwed to move up and down.

[0032] A piston 60 is attached to the inside of the cylindrical storage tube 38 as a lid cover formed in a disk shape so as to be in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical storage tube 38. The piston 60 is usually lowered to the lower end side of the storage tube 38 by its own weight. A scoop pipe 22 is disposed in the center of the upper end of the storage tube 38, penetrating the storage tube 38 and extending in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the scoop pipe 22 extends to a position penetrating the center of the piston 60 that has been lowered to the lower end of the storage tube 38, that is, to the lower end of the storage tube 38. The scoop pipe 22 is formed thick so that it can press the mouthpiece LD formed on the can lid of the beverage can C when the beverage can C placed on the stand 20 rises, and its outer peripheral shape is formed to be located inside the mouthpiece LD in a plan view. This allows the scooping pipe 22 to press only against the nozzle LD, and as shown in Figure 8, passes through the opening OP of the beverage can C created when the nozzle LD is opened, and allows its tip, i.e., the bottom end, to reach the inner bottom of the beverage can C.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7A, a cutter 62 for cutting open the beverage can C is disposed at the center of the lower end of the piston 60. The cutter 62 is formed radially outward of the scooping pipe 22, and its outer peripheral shape is formed so as to be located inside the mouthpiece LD in plan view, that is, inside the portion surrounded by the score SC formed to have a thin wall thickness along the outer periphery of the mouthpiece LD. In addition, a sharpened portion 64 is formed at the tip, i.e., the lower end, of the cutter 62 so as to be able to pierce and cut open the score SC. Therefore, the beverage can C that has risen together with the stand 20 can be cut open by the cutter 62, and the cutter 62 can be inserted into the opening OP of the beverage can C that continues to rise.

[0034] A spherical ball lock 66 is disposed on the side of the piston 60, and is configured to fit into an engagement hole 68 formed at a corresponding position on the inner periphery of the storage cylinder 38 when the piston 60 is lowered to the lower end of the storage cylinder 38. Therefore, when the piston 60 is lowered to the lower end side of the storage cylinder 38, it is locked in this position.

[0035] The mouth LD (score SC) of the beverage can C, which has risen together with the stand 20, is cut open by the cutter 62, and when the cutter 62 enters the inside of the opening OP of the beverage can C, the beverage can C rises further and abuts against the bottom surface of the piston 60 and presses it, as shown in FIG. 7B. The ball lock 66 is configured to be unlocked by the beverage can C pressing the bottom surface of the piston 60 in this manner, and the piston 60 is configured to rise to the upper end of the storage cylinder 38 together with the beverage can C while sliding the unlocked ball lock 66 inside the ball groove 70 formed in the vertical direction on the inner periphery side of the storage cylinder 38. In addition, the mouth LD portion of the beverage can C that has risen abuts against the lower surface of the scooping pipe 22. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the mouth LD portion is pressed by the scooping pipe 22 and pushed into the beverage can C, and the scooping pipe 22 is inserted into the beverage can C through the opening OP formed in the mouth LD portion.

[0036] When the piston 60 pressed against the beverage can C rises to the top end of the cylindrical storage 38, the stand 20 comes into close contact with the bottom of the cylindrical storage 38 and stops rising, as shown in Figures 7C and 8. This forms a closed space between the cylindrical storage 38 and the stand 20, and the beverage can C is arranged in this closed space with its top side having an opening OP in close contact with the piston 60.

[0037] The canned beverage server 10 may include a detection unit that detects the position of the beverage can C placed on the stand 20, and a correction unit that corrects the position of the beverage can C relative to the scooping pipe 22. Specifically, the detection unit is configured to detect the position of the beverage can C and / or the score SC using any position detection means such as a camera or a position sensor. The correction unit is configured to include, for example, a disk unit that is horizontally arranged on the part of the stand 20 where the bottom surface of the beverage can C is placed and is formed to be rotatable around an axis along the vertical direction, and a drive unit such as a motor that is electrically connected to the control unit 42 and drives (rotates) the disk unit. Therefore, based on the position information of the beverage can C acquired by the detection unit, the correction unit can rotate the beverage can C placed on the disk unit (stand 20) to correct the position of the beverage can C so that the mouthpiece LD (score SC) of the beverage can C is located directly below the scooping pipe 22 and the cutter 62. This eliminates the need for the user to manually correct the position of the beverage can C relative to the scooping pipe 22 and the cutter 62, thereby reducing the number of steps required for pouring.

[0038] The canned beverage server 10 shown in Figs. 4 to 8 can be operated as follows. Prior to using the canned beverage server 10, the user can set the pressure threshold value for opening the relief valve 46 and the discharge valve 48 through the operation unit 30. First, the user opens the door 28 and places the beverage can C on the stand 20. Next, when the user presses the button 32 on the operation unit 30 to start the canned beverage server 10, the feed screw 54 rotates and the stand 20 starts to rise. When the top surface of the rising beverage can C reaches the sharp tip 64 of the cutter 62, i.e., when it abuts against the sharp tip 64 of the cutter 62, the cutter 62 cuts open the mouth LD (score SC) of the beverage can C and enters the opening OP of the rising beverage can C. Also, the scooping pipe 22 presses the mouth LD portion with its lower surface to push it into the interior of the beverage can C. The beverage can C and the stand 20 continue to rise, and the top surface of the beverage can C presses the bottom surface of the piston 60, thereby releasing the ball lock 66. As a result, the beverage can C rises to the top end of the cylindrical storage 38 together with the piston 60, with its top surface in close contact with the can. As a result, the scooping pipe 22 arranged inside the cylindrical storage 38 is inserted into the beverage can C.

[0039] The stand 20, which has risen and reached the bottom of the cylindrical storage 38, comes into close contact with the cylindrical storage 38 to form a closed space. As a result, the inside of the cylindrical storage 38 becomes airtight. When the stand 20 stops rising, the on-off valve 44 is opened and carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide cylinder 40 is introduced into the cylindrical storage 38 through the gas piping PP1. As a result, the pressure inside the cylindrical storage 38 rises, and the carbon dioxide gas flows into the beverage can C from the opening OP and presses the liquid level of the beverage, forcing the beverage out into the scooping pipe 22.

[0040] When the tap 100 is closed, the carbon dioxide gas introduced from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder also increases the pressure in the pipe PP2 connecting the storage cylinder 38 and the beverage dispensing nozzles 108, 110. When the pressure sensor 48a detects the increase in pressure, the discharge valve 48 is configured to operate and open. Therefore, the beverage, water, and gas remaining in the pipe PP2 due to the previous beverage dispensing or water washing are discharged (discharged) to the discharge part 50 through the opened discharge valve 48.

[0041] Further, the new beverage is pushed into the scooping pipe 22, that is, the new beverage scooped from the scooping pipe 22 is cooled in the pipe PP2 passing through the cooling water tank 36, and then pushed to the side of the discharge part 50. The discharge valve 48 is open, and a part of the beverage immediately after reaching the side of the discharge part 50 is discharged to the discharge part 50 through the discharge valve 48. Here, the discharge valve 48 is configured so that the timing of closing can be adjusted by the control unit 42 in order to minimize the discharge amount of the new beverage. Specifically, the discharge valve 48 is configured so that the opening time of the discharge valve 48 can be set by the timer 42a of the control unit 42. Therefore, when the set opening time has elapsed, the discharge valve 48 is closed. When the discharge valve 48 is closed, the beverage scooped from the scooping pipe 22 reaches the tap 100, that is, immediately before the beverage dispensing nozzles 108, 110. The discharge valve 48 may be opened and closed manually by the user without using the timer 42a.

[0042] The relief valve 46 is configured to open when the discharge valve 48 is closed and the beverage reaches just before the beverage dispensing nozzles 108, 110. The relief valve 46 opens to reduce the pressure in the gas pipes PP1 and PP2. When the pressure in the pipe PP2 is reduced and the beverage is ready to be dispensed, the user can pour the beverage into the glass by placing the glass on the glass holder 14 and tilting the tap 100. By reducing the pressure in the gas pipes PP1 and PP2 in this way, the beverage can be dispensed while suppressing or preventing the beverage from suddenly gushing out at the moment the beverage dispensing nozzles 108, 110 are opened. When dispensing is completed, the relief valve 46 is closed.

[0043] When the beverage is beer, a device for converting beer liquid into foam (for example, a device for converting beer liquid into foam by ultrasonic waves, etc.) may be built in immediately before the beverage dispensing nozzle, and a foam button for switching the beer liquid into foam may be provided on the operation section. In this way, in the process of pouring beer into a glass, when the foam button is pressed after most of the beer liquid in the beer can has been poured, the remaining beer turns into fine foam and covers the top of the beer liquid in the glass, improving the taste of the beer.

[0044] When the dispensing of the beverage is completed, the on-off valve 44 communicating with the carbon dioxide gas cylinder is closed to return the pressure inside the storage cylinder 38 to atmospheric pressure, and the exhaust valve 48 is opened to discharge the remaining beverage and gas. The feed screw 54 also rotates to lower the table 20. This returns the canned beverage server 10 to its initial state, and the user removes the emptied beverage can C to complete the dispensing operation. The user can press the button 32 on the operation unit 30 to start dispensing beverage from a new beverage can C or to end the dispensing of beverage.

[0045] Next, the operation and effects of the tap 100 and the canned beverage server 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0046] According to the tap 100 of this embodiment, the tap 100 includes a sealing means 132 disposed inside the outer tubular portion 118 on the distal end side of the connecting rod 124 to maintain the sealing member 130 on the distal end side of the intra-valve flow path 122, and a return means 140 attached to the distal end of the tap body 104 and connected to the outer tubular portion 118 at its inside, configured to return the sliding valve assembly 112 to the distal end side. Therefore, when a user tilts the lever 102 toward the distal end side D1, the connecting rod 124 moves toward the proximal end side and presses the sliding valve assembly 112 toward the proximal end side against the biasing force of the second spring 134. Therefore, a gap is generated between the valve body 114 that has slid toward the proximal end side and the proximal end of the main pipe 106, from which the beverage in the canned beverage server 10 can flow out. Furthermore, when the user tilts the lever 102 towards the proximal end side D2, the connecting rod 124 moves towards the distal end side and presses the internal member 136 towards the distal end side against the biasing force of the first spring 134. This creates a gap between the sealing member 130, which is no longer pressed by the internal member 136, and the distal end of the in-valve flow path 122, allowing the bubbles of the sparkling beverage to flow out from the distal end of the in-valve flow path 122.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the tap 100 of this embodiment, when the sparkling beverage or foam in the canned beverage server 10 is not dispensed, the sealing member 130 pressed by the sealing means 132 can block the distal end side of the in-valve flow path 122. In addition, the slide valve assembly 112, in which the connector portion 138 of the outer tube portion 118 is connected to the connecting member 142, can be pulled toward the distal end side, i.e., returned, by the return means 140. This can block the flow path of the sparkling beverage and foam, and prevent or suppress leakage of the sparkling beverage and foam. In a beverage server with a small beverage capacity for installation at customer seats in a relatively small store or restaurant, the proportion of the beverage leakage that accounts for the entire beverage in the container cannot be ignored. Therefore, by using the tap 100 of this embodiment to prevent or suppress leakage of the sparkling beverage and foam, the increase in the cost of the beverage can be appropriately suppressed.

[0048] Furthermore, in the tap 100 according to this embodiment, the sealing means 132 is disposed on the distal end side of the connecting rod 124, which is distal to the main pipe 106, and the returning means 140 is attached to the distal end DE of the tap body 104. As a result, the sparkling beverage and foam do not pass through the sealing means 132 and the returning means 140, and deterioration of the flavor of the sparkling beverage and foam due to these can be prevented or suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the tap 100 of this embodiment, the first spring 134 of the sealing means 132 and the second spring 148 of the returning means 140 of the tap 100 are arranged along the axial direction of the main pipe 106. Therefore, the force for sealing the sealing member 130 and the force for returning the slide valve assembly 112 to the distal end side can be efficiently applied along the axial direction of the main pipe 106. This allows the sealing means 132 and the returning means 140 to be configured compactly, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the tap 100 of this embodiment, the resetting means 140 of the tap 100 is configured to be detachable from the tap body 104. This simplifies the disassembly and assembly of the resetting means 140 of the tap 100, the tap body 104, and the slide valve assembly 112. This reduces the number of steps required for assembly and maintenance of the tap 100.

[0051] As described above, the tap 100 and the canned beverage server 10 according to this embodiment can suppress or prevent leakage of the sparkling beverage and maintain the flavor of the sparkling beverage.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the canned beverage server 10 connected to the tap 100 of this embodiment, a scooping pipe 22 is inserted into a beverage can C that has been placed on the stand 20 and raised. Furthermore, the beverage in the beverage can C is scooped through the scooping pipe 22 by the dispensing mechanism 24 and dispensed from beverage dispensing nozzles 108, 110 of the canned beverage server 10. This allows a user to dispense a beverage from the canned beverage server 10 simply by placing the beverage can C on the stand 20, thereby reducing the number of steps required for dispensing.

[0053] According to the canned beverage server 10 connected to the tap 100 of this embodiment, the canned beverage server 10 includes a storage cylinder 38 formed above the stand 20 with the lower side open and capable of housing the stand 20 inside, and a piston 60 arranged inside the storage cylinder 38 and configured to cover the opening OP of the beverage can C and to be in close contact with the upper surface of the beverage can C. Therefore, when the stand 20 and the storage cylinder 38 are in close contact with each other so as to cover the opening OP, or when the beverage can C is in close contact with the piston 60, the inside of the beverage can C is pressurized by the pouring mechanism 24, so that the beverage can be pumped out through the pumping pipe 22. This allows the beverage to be reliably poured out from the beverage can C placed on the stand 20, and reduces the amount of work required for the user to pour the beverage.

[0054] Furthermore, the canned beverage server 10 connected to the tap 100 according to this embodiment is provided with a feed screw 54 (feed screw mechanism) that is coupled to the table 20 and rotates to move the table 20 up and down. Therefore, the table 20 on which the beverage can C is placed can be reliably raised in order to insert the scooping tube into the beverage can C, reducing the amount of work required by the user to dispense a beverage.

[0055] In this way, the process from placing the beverage can C to pouring can be automated or simplified, so that the user's work man-hours can be reduced and beverages can be served quickly. This allows beverages to be served efficiently to customers, even in small stores that do not have enough sales to use beverage barrels.

[0056] (Modification) Below, a modified example of the canned beverage server 10 to which the tap 100 according to this embodiment is connected will be described. Elements similar to or corresponding to those in this embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 9, a canned beverage server 80 as a beverage server according to a modified example includes a pantograph device 82 arranged below the stand 20. The pantograph device 82 has upper and lower arm parts 84 connected to the stand 20 and configured to be rotatable. The four corners of the stand 20 are attached to posts 86 extending in the up-down direction from the lower side of the canned beverage server 10 toward the storage cylinder 38 so as to be vertically movable. Therefore, the upper and lower arm parts 84 are configured to be able to extend and retract, thereby allowing the stand 20 to move up and down.

[0058] The canned beverage server 80 according to this modified example includes a pantograph device 82 configured to be able to move the table 20 up and down by extending and retracting upper and lower arm parts 84. Therefore, the table 20 on which the beverage can C is placed can be reliably raised in order to insert the scooping pipe 22 into the beverage can C, thereby reducing the number of steps required for the user to dispense the beverage.

[0059] Here, the beverage can C has been described as a beverage can C with a partial open-end type can lid having a pull tab or stay-on tab with a mouth LD, but this is not limited to this, and other types of beverage cans may be used, such as a fully open-end type can lid with a full panel.

[0060] Further, although the canned beverage server 10 has been described here as being connected to a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 40, this is not limited thereto, and the canned beverage server may be connected to a non-carbonated gas cylinder, such as a nitrogen gas cylinder, for example, when only non-carbonated beverages are dispensed.

[0061] Furthermore, although the beverage container has been described here as a beverage can C, the beverage container is not limited to this, and containers other than cans, such as plastic containers with aluminum covers, glass containers, and paper containers, may also be used as the beverage container.

[0062] Here, the sealing means 132 and the returning means 140 are described as using the first spring 134 and the second spring 148 as the biasing means, but this is not limited thereto, and they may be biased using a magnet, an electromagnetic coil, etc.

[0063] Although the embodiments of the tap 100 and the canned beverage server 10 have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. It is considered that a person skilled in the art would understand that various modifications of the above-mentioned embodiments are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10 Canned drink server (sparkling drink serving device) 100 Taps 102 Lever 104 Tap body (body) 106 Mainstream pipe 108 First dispensing nozzle 110 Second injection nozzle 112 Slide valve assembly 114 Valve body 116 Valve stem 118 Outer cylinder 120 Through hole 122 Valve internal flow path 124 Connecting rod 130 Sealing member 132 Sealing means 140 Recovery Method C Beverage can (beverage container) FP1 First Stream FP2 Second Stream D1 First side D2 Second side

Claims

1. 1. A tap connected to a beverage container, the tap being configured to dispense a sparkling beverage in the beverage container by tilting a lever to a first side, and to dispense foam from the sparkling beverage in the beverage container by tilting the lever to a second side, a main body extending from a proximal end connected to the beverage container to a distal end, the main body having a main pipe formed therein through which the sparkling beverage passes; a first dispensing nozzle fluidly connected to the body and having a first flow path; a second dispensing nozzle fluidly connected to the body and having a second flow path; a valve element slidably disposed within the main pipe and configured to be able to open and close a proximal end side of the main pipe; a valve stem connected to the valve element and extending within the main pipe of the main body towards a distal end side; and a cylindrical outer tube connected to the distal end side of the valve stem and having a through hole into which a connecting rod attached to a lower end of the lever can be inserted, the slide valve assembly having an intra-valve flow path formed through the valve element to the distal end side of the valve stem; a sealing member disposed within the outer casing so as to cover a distal end of the intra-valve flow path; a sealing means disposed within the outer casing on a distal end side of the connecting rod and configured to maintain the sealing member on a distal end side of the in-valve flow path; a return means attached to the distal end of the body and connected to the outer casing at its inner side, the return means being configured to return the slide valve assembly to the distal end; A tap equipped with

2. The tap according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing means and the returning means are arranged along the axial direction of the main pipe.

3. 3. The tap according to claim 1, wherein the return means is detachably attached to the main body.

4. A sparkling beverage serving device equipped with the tap described in claim 1.

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