Beverage supply device

Abstract

To provide a beverage supply device capable of providing a hygienically safe beverage to a user by thoroughly administering quality management of beverage liquid.SOLUTION: A beverage supply device 1 comprises: a control unit 14 that executes a liquid supply mode of supplying beverage liquid to a flow channel 4 from a container 2 filled with the liquid; a record holder 24 attached to the container 2; and a read-out unit 28 that reads out information from the record holder 24 and transmits the information to the control unit 14. The record holder 24 holds individual information B1 of the container 2 and information of a consumption expiration date C1 of the liquid to be filled into the container 2, the individual information B1 including a serial number B1a, a lot number B1b, and a producer's number B1c of the liquid. The control unit 14 determines whether the liquid is a normal product or not based on one or plural items among the serial number B1a, the lot number B1b, and the producer's number B1c read out by the read-out unit 28 and does not allow the liquid supply mode to be executed in a case where the liquid is not the normal product.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage supplying apparatus, and more particularly to a beverage supplying apparatus having a container filled with a beverage liquid installed therein. [Background technology]

[0002] A beverage supplying device, for example a coffee machine, is provided with a container, i.e. a milk pack, for containing a beverage liquid, for example milk to be mixed with coffee liquid. Patent Document 1 discloses a coffee machine in which a milk pack is arranged in a milk cooler. The milk cooler includes a refrigerating chamber for storing milk at low temperature, and is provided in a milk supplying section formed in the coffee machine.

[0003] The milk cartons are commercially available products, and an appropriate number are stocked in the refrigerator. A milk pumping tube is inserted into the milk carton, and a fixed amount of milk is taken out from here by the action of the pump. Also, the milk does not necessarily have to be stored in the commercially available milk cartons, and workers may open the milk cartons and transfer the milk from the milk cartons to a large-capacity milk tank for storage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5730042 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the beverage supply device of Patent Document 1, the installation of the milk pack and the refilling of milk into the milk tank are performed manually by an operator at any time. Therefore, the operator may refill the tank with milk other than the regular milk. In addition, there is a possibility that a milk pack that has passed its expiration date may be installed, or milk may be refilled into the milk tank from a milk pack that has passed its expiration date.

[0006] In addition, even if the expiration date has not yet arrived at the time of refilling the milk, there is a possibility that milk with an expiration date will be used after refilling the milk. Conventionally, there has been no means of checking these acts or omissions, and therefore it has not been possible to thoroughly control the quality of beverage liquids.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a beverage supply device that can provide users with safe and secure beverages by thoroughly controlling the quality of beverage liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the beverage supply device of the present invention is a beverage supply device having a container filled with beverage liquid installed therein, and is equipped with a control unit that executes a liquid supply mode in which the liquid is supplied from the container to a flow path, a record holder that is attached to the container, and a reading unit that reads information from the record holder and transmits the information to the control unit, wherein the record holder holds individual information of the container and information on the expiration date of the liquid filled in the container, and the individual information includes the serial number, lot number, and manufacturer number of the liquid, and the control unit determines whether the liquid is genuine based on one or more of the serial number, lot number, and manufacturer number read by the reading unit, and does not allow the liquid supply mode to be executed if the liquid is not genuine.

[0009] The control unit also stores a record table in which the individual information read by the reading unit and the expiration date information are recorded, and executes the liquid supply mode based on the information recorded in the record table. Furthermore, the control unit determines whether or not the individual information newly read by the reading unit matches the individual information recorded in the recording table, and when the two pieces of individual information match, does not permit execution of the liquid supply mode.

[0010] Furthermore, the control unit determines whether the date on which the record carrier is read by the reading unit is before the expiration date recorded in the record table, and if the read date is not before the expiration date, does not allow the liquid supply mode to be executed. Furthermore, the control unit calculates the expiration date of the liquid by adding the number of days the liquid can be used to the reading date, determines whether the expiration date is before the expiration date, and if the expiration date is before the expiration date, allows the liquid supply mode to be executed until the expiration date, whereas if the expiration date is not before the expiration date, allows the liquid supply mode to be executed until the expiration date.

[0011] Furthermore, the control unit commands the replacement of a new container when execution of the liquid dispensing mode is not permitted. Furthermore, a plurality of beverage dispensers are operated, and information in a plurality of record tables stored in the control units of the beverage dispensers are shared among them. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the beverage supply device of the present invention, thorough quality control of the beverage liquid can be performed, thereby providing users with safe and secure beverages. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the beverage supply device. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inner bag that constitutes the container. [Figure 4] 1 is a front perspective view of a container stored in a storage chamber. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a side perspective view of a container stored in a storage chamber according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing information held by a barcode. [Figure 7] 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a product type table and a record table stored in a control unit, and information recorded in each of these tables. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence for determining whether or not a milk supply mode can be executed. [Figure 9] 9A is a time chart showing a state of step S6 in FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B is a time chart showing a state of step S8 in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 13 is an external view of a beverage dispenser according to a modified example. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A beverage supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows an internal configuration diagram of a beverage supplying device 1. The beverage supplying device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a milk unit that supplies milk to a coffee machine (not shown). Milk as a beverage liquid is supplied from the milk unit to a coffee liquid formed by the coffee machine, thereby providing a user with coffee with milk as a beverage.

[0015] In the beverage supply device 1, a container 2 filled with milk is installed, and a milk flow path 4 is connected to the container 2. A pump 6, a switching valve 8, and a warmer 10 are interposed in the flow path 4 in this order in the flow direction of the milk. When producing hot milk, milk sucked from the container 2 by the pump 6 is supplied to the warmer 10 by switching the switching valve 8 to the warmer 10 side, and is supplied to a cup (not shown) from a nozzle (not shown) of the coffee machine.

[0016] On the other hand, when producing cold milk, the switching valve 8 is switched to the bypass side of the warmer 10, i.e., the junction side of the flow path 4, so that unheated milk is supplied from the nozzle of the coffee machine to the cup. The beverage supply device 1 also includes a control unit 14, which executes a milk supply mode (liquid supply mode) in which milk is supplied from the container 2 to the flow path 4. Specifically, the pump 6, switching valve 8, and warmer 10 described above are electrically connected to the control unit 14, and these are appropriately operated by commands from the control unit 14 in the milk supply mode.

[0017] As a result, milk at a predetermined temperature and in a predetermined amount is supplied to the cup from a nozzle on the coffee machine side at a predetermined timing. The beverage supply device 1 may be provided with a flow path cleaning system (not shown) for automatically cleaning the flow path 4 periodically. In this case, the control unit 14 executes a cleaning mode in which the flow path 4 is cleaned by supplying a cleaning agent to the flow path 4.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the container 2, and FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an inner bag 18 constituting the container 2. The container 2 of this embodiment has a form called a bag in box (BIB for short), and is configured by housing an inner bag 18 made of plastic or the like in an exterior 16 formed of a cardboard case or the like. An opening 22 that can be opened and closed by a cap 20 is formed in the inner bag 18, and milk filled in the inner bag 18 is supplied to the flow path 4 through the opening 22. In addition, a sticker on which a barcode (record carrier) 24 is printed is attached to the exterior 16 of the container 2. The barcode 24 is, for example, a two-dimensional code as shown in FIG. 2. The barcode 24 may be directly printed on the exterior 16.

[0019] 4 shows a front see-through view of the container 2 stored in the storage chamber 26. The beverage dispenser 1 is formed with the storage chamber 26 for storing the container 2, and a reading unit 28 is installed on a side wall 26a of the storage chamber 26. The reading unit 28 is electrically connected to the control unit 14, reads information from the barcode 24, and transmits the read information of the barcode 24 to the control unit 14.

[0020] Fig. 5 shows a side perspective view of a container 2 stored in a storage chamber 26 according to a modified example. The position of the reading unit 28 can be changed depending on the position of the barcode 24 when the container 2 is stored in the storage chamber 26, and the reading unit 28 may be installed on the rear wall 26b of the storage chamber 26 as shown in Fig. 5. In the case shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the reading unit 28 is a barcode reader, and by simply placing the container 2 on a stand provided in the storage chamber 26, an appropriate distance is ensured between the reading unit 28 and the barcode 24, making it possible to automatically read the barcode 24.

[0021] 6 is a conceptual diagram showing information held by the barcode 24. Information such as type information A1 of the milk filled in the container 2, individual information B1 of the container 2, expiration date C1 of the milk filled in the container 2, and amount D1 of the milk filled in the container 2 is recorded and held in the barcode 24. The individual information B1 includes the milk's serial number B1a, lot number B1b, and manufacturer number B1c.

[0022] This information is read by the reading unit 28 and transmitted to the control unit 14. It is preferable that this information is encrypted and stored in the barcode 24, and decrypted when read by the reading unit 28. This makes it possible to prevent the information in the barcode 24 from being counterfeited.

[0023] 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a variety table TB1 and a record table TB2 stored in the control unit 14, and the information recorded in each of these tables TB1 and TB2. The variety table TB1 has pre-recorded therein variety information A0 of milk usable in the beverage dispenser 1. The record table TB2 records information read by the reading unit 28 as individual information B0 of the container 2, the expiration date C0 of the milk, and the amount of milk D0. The individual information B0 includes the milk's serial number B0a, lot number B0b, and manufacturer number B0c.

[0024] The control unit 14 executes the milk supply mode based on this information recorded in the record table TB2. The control unit 14 also calculates the expiration date E of the milk by adding the number of days the milk can be used after the container 2 is opened to the date of opening of the container 2, in other words, the date of reading of the barcode 24 by the reading unit 28. The information on this expiration date E is also recorded in the record table TB2.

[0025] Furthermore, when multiple beverage dispensers 1 are in operation, the information in the multiple record tables TB2 stored in the control unit 14 of each beverage dispenser 1 is shared with each other by wireless or wired communication. Note that the information in the multiple record tables TB2 can be shared regardless of whether each beverage dispenser 1 is installed in the same store or in different stores.

[0026] 8 shows a flow chart for explaining the sequence for determining whether or not the milk supply mode can be executed. When the reading unit 28 starts reading the barcode 24, a predetermined algorithm is used to determine whether or not the milk is genuine based on the individual information B1 read by the reading unit 28, that is, one or more of the serial number B1a, the lot number B1b, and the manufacturer number B1c (step S1). If the determination result is No, that is, the milk is not genuine, execution of the milk supply mode is not permitted (step S2).

[0027] In the above algorithm, whether or not the variety information A1 read by the reading unit 28 matches the variety information A0 recorded in the variety table TB1 may be used to determine whether the milk is genuine. On the other hand, when the determination result is Yes, that is, the milk is genuine, it is determined whether or not the individual information B1 newly read by the reading unit 28 matches the individual information B0 recorded in the record table TB2 (step S3).

[0028] If the determination result is Yes and the individual information B1 and B0 match, it is determined that the barcode 24 may have been reused or the empty container 2 may have been refilled with milk other than that specified, and execution of the milk supply mode is not permitted (step S2).On the other hand, if the determination result is No and the individual information B1 and B0 do not match, it is determined whether the reading date t1 of the barcode 24 by the reading unit 28 is before the expiration date C0 recorded in the record table TB2 (step S4).

[0029] If the result of the determination is No and the read date t1 is not before the expiration date C0, then the milk's expiration date C0 has already arrived at the time the barcode 24 is read, i.e., the time the container 2 is opened. Since such milk cannot be used, execution of the milk supply mode is not permitted (step S2). On the other hand, if the result of the determination is Yes and the read date t1 is before the expiration date C0, then it is determined whether the milk's expiration date E is before the expiration date C0 recorded in the record table TB2 (step S5).

[0030] Fig. 9(a) shows a time chart illustrating the state of step S6 in Fig. 8, and (b) shows a time chart illustrating the state of step S8 in Fig. 8. When the determination result in step S5 is Yes, as shown in Fig. 9(a), the expiration date E of the milk, which is obtained by adding the number of days N during which the milk can be used after the container 2 is opened to the reading date t1 of the barcode 24, is before the expiration date C0.

[0031] In this case, the expiration date E arrives before the expiration date C0, so the execution expiration date t2 of the milk supply mode is set to the expiration date E (step S6), execution of the milk supply mode is permitted until the expiration date E (step S7), and this sequence ends. On the other hand, when the determination result in step S5 is No, as shown in Fig. 9(b), the expiration date E of the milk, which is obtained by adding the number of days N during which the milk can be used after the container 2 is opened to the reading date t1 of the barcode 24, is later than the expiration date C0.

[0032] In this case, since the expiration date C0 arrives before the use-by date E, the execution deadline date t2 of the milk supply mode is set to the expiration date C0 (step S8), execution of the milk supply mode is permitted until the expiration date C0 (step S7), and this sequence ends. When execution of the milk supply mode is permitted, the milk supply mode is executed by command of the control unit 14 in response to a request from the coffee machine.

[0033] Going back to step S2, if execution of the milk supply mode is not permitted, a command to replace with a new container 2 is issued (step S9). This prompts replacement with a new container 2 filled with milk that is genuine and whose expiration date C0 has not yet arrived, and then this sequence ends. It is possible to estimate whether the milk filled in the container 2 has been used up, depending on the amount of milk D0 recorded in the record table TB2 and the number of times milk has been supplied.

[0034] Therefore, the command in step S9 may be issued when it is estimated that the milk in the container 2 has been used up. Also, it is preferable to issue the command in step S9 not only when the reading unit 28 reads the barcode 24, but also periodically, for example, at a fixed time every day, until the container 2 is replaced. Also, instead of ending this sequence immediately after issuing the command in step S9, the command in step S9 may be issued multiple times, for example, every few hours, until the container 2 is replaced, and then end this sequence if the container 2 is still not replaced.

[0035] As described above, in the beverage dispenser 1 of this embodiment, the barcode 24 is affixed to the container 2 filled with milk, and the information in the barcode 24 is read by the reading unit 28 and transmitted to the control unit 14. The barcode 24 holds individual information B1 of the container 2 and information on the expiration date C1 of the milk, and the individual information B1 includes the milk's serial number B1a, lot number B1b, and manufacturer number B1c.

[0036] 8, the control unit 14 determines whether the milk is genuine based on one or more of the serial number B1a, lot number B1b, and manufacturer number B1c read by the reading unit 28 (step S1), and does not permit execution of the milk supply mode if the milk is not genuine (step S2). This allows the milk supply mode to be executed using genuine milk, thereby enabling thorough quality control of the milk and providing the user with a safe and secure drink.

[0037] The control unit 14 also stores a record table TB2 in which information such as individual information B1 of the container 2 and expiration date C1 of the milk read by the reading unit 28 is recorded, and executes the milk supply mode based on the information recorded in the record table TB2 (steps S3 to S8). By managing such information on the individual containers 2 and milk in the record table TB2, it is possible to reliably execute a predetermined milk supply mode at a predetermined timing as requested, using a predetermined milk filled in a predetermined container 2. This eliminates the possibility of an operator performing work due to action or omission, and ensures thorough quality control of the milk, so that a safe and secure beverage can be reliably provided to the user.

[0038] Furthermore, the control unit 14 determines whether the individual information B1 newly read by the reading unit 28 matches the individual information B0 recorded in the record table TB2 (step S3), and when the individual information B1 and B0 match, does not permit execution of the milk supply mode (step S2). Normally, it is difficult to imagine that after opening the container 2 and placing it in the beverage supplying device 1, the container 2 would be removed before all the milk is used up, and then the same container 2 would be placed in the beverage supplying device 1 again.

[0039] In such a situation, there is a concern that the sticker of the barcode 24 may be peeled off from the container 2 and the barcode 24 may be reused, or milk other than that designated may be refilled into an empty container 2. Therefore, by not allowing the milk supply mode to be executed using a barcode 24 that has already been used, it is possible to thoroughly control the quality of milk.

[0040] The control unit 14 also determines whether the reading date t1 of the barcode 24 by the reading unit 28 is before the expiration date C0 recorded in the record table TB2 (step S4), and if the reading date t1 is not before the expiration date C0, does not permit the execution of the milk supply mode (step S2). This makes it possible to prevent the use of milk that has passed its expiration date C0, thereby enabling more thorough quality control of the milk.

[0041] The control unit 14 also determines whether the expiration date E of the milk is before the expiration date C0 recorded in the record table TB2 (step S5), and if the expiration date E is before the expiration date C0, sets the execution deadline t2 of the milk supply mode to the expiration date E (step S6), and allows the milk supply mode to be executed until the expiration date E (step S7).

[0042] On the other hand, if the use-by date E is not before the expiration date C0, the execution deadline date t2 of the milk supply mode is set to the expiration date C0 (step S8), and execution of the milk supply mode is permitted until the expiration date C0 (step S7). This makes it possible to prevent both the use of milk that has passed the use-by date E and the use of milk that has passed the expiration date C0, thereby enabling more thorough quality control of the milk.

[0043] Furthermore, when execution of the milk supply mode is not permitted (step S2), the control unit 14 commands replacement with a new container 2 (step S9). This encourages replacement with a container 2 that is permitted to execute the milk supply mode, and is expected to ensure that the container 2 is replaced in a timely manner. This prevents the milk supply stop period from becoming redundant, and reduces loss of sales opportunities for products.

[0044] Furthermore, when multiple beverage supplying devices 1 are operated in the same store, for example, the information in the multiple record tables TB2 stored in the control unit 14 of each beverage supplying device 1 is shared among them. This allows thorough milk quality control, since execution of the milk supplying mode using a barcode 24 that has been used once is not permitted. Furthermore, since the execution status of the milk supplying mode of each beverage supplying device 1 and the usage status of milk can be grasped collectively, the execution of the milk supplying mode in each beverage supplying device 1 can be efficiently performed.

[0045] The above is the end of the description of the embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the reading unit 28 is provided in the storage chamber 26 of the container 2 formed inside the beverage supply device 1. However, without being limited to this, as shown in FIG. 10, the reading unit 28 may be provided on the outer surface of a coffee machine, which is the beverage supply device 1, different from the milk unit, for example, under an exhibition section (or display) 30 for displaying product samples. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of barcodes 24 may be attached to the container 2. In this way, even if one of the barcodes 24 is damaged, information can be read from the other barcodes 24.

[0046] Also, instead of or in addition to the expiration dates C0 and C1 described above, barcode 24 may hold, read, record and manage information on the expiration date of the milk. Also, as long as barcode 24 can be managed uniquely with each individual container 2, it may be printed on an object other than container 2, for example, a management paper such as a receipt, and inserted into or attached to container 2 for use.

[0047] Furthermore, as long as information can be recorded, stored, and read, a record carrier other than the barcode 24, such as an RFID tag, may be attached to the container 2. Furthermore, the reading unit 28 may be, for example, a camera other than a barcode reader, as long as the information on the record carrier can be read.

[0048] 1 and the sequence of whether or not to execute the milk supply mode shown in Fig. 8 are not limited to a milk unit that supplies milk to coffee liquid, but can be applied to devices that manufacture and supply various other beverages. Also, the configuration of the beverage supply device 1 may differ from that of the above embodiment.

[0049] Furthermore, the container 2 is not limited to the BIB form described above, but may be in the form of, for example, a pouch (a container sealed with a flexible film and having an openable opening) or a paper pack with a cap. In either case, the same effect can be achieved by attaching a barcode 24 to the outer surface of the container. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Beverage dispensing equipment 2 containers 4 Flow Path 14 Control unit 24 Barcode (record holder) 28 Reading unit B0, B1 individual information C0, C1 Expiration date E Expiration date B0a, B1a serial numbers B0b, B1b Lot Number B0c, B1c Manufacturer number TB2 Recording Table t1 Reading date N Number of days available

Claims

1. A beverage supply device having a container filled with a beverage liquid, a control unit that executes a liquid supply mode in which the liquid is supplied from the container to the flow path; a record carrier attached to the container; a reading unit for reading information from the record carrier and transmitting the information to the control unit; Equipped with The record holder holds individual information of the container and information on the expiration date of the liquid filled in the container, The individual information includes a serial number, a lot number, and a manufacturer number of the liquid; A beverage supplying device, wherein the control unit determines whether the liquid is genuine based on one or more of the serial number, the lot number, and the manufacturer number read by the reading unit, and does not allow the liquid supply mode to be executed when the liquid is not genuine.

2. The beverage supply device described in claim 1, wherein the control unit stores a record table in which the individual information read by the reading unit and the expiration date information are recorded, and executes the liquid supply mode based on the information recorded in the record table.

3. The beverage supply device described in claim 2, wherein the control unit determines whether the individual information newly read by the reading unit matches the individual information recorded in the record table, and when the individual information matches, does not allow the liquid supply mode to be executed.

4. The beverage supply device described in claim 3, wherein the control unit determines whether the date on which the record holder is read by the reading unit is before the expiration date recorded in the record table, and does not allow execution of the liquid supply mode when the reading date is not before the expiration date.

5. The beverage supply device described in claim 4, wherein the control unit calculates the expiration date of the liquid by adding the number of days the liquid can be used to the reading date, determines whether the expiration date is before the expiration date, and when the expiration date is before the expiration date, allows the liquid supply mode to be executed until the expiration date, while when the expiration date is not before the expiration date, allows the liquid supply mode to be executed until the expiration date.

6. 6. The beverage dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the control unit commands replacement of the container with a new one when execution of the liquid dispensing mode is not permitted.

7. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the beverage dispensers are operated, and information of the plurality of record tables stored in the control unit of each of the beverage dispensers is shared with each other.

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