Beverage supply device

Abstract

To favorably perform cleaning of an extractor.SOLUTION: A beverage supply device 1 includes a control unit 12 for supplying pressurized air to an extractor 30 into which crushed ingredients and hot water are fed, and extracting a beverage by stirring the ingredients and hot water, and dispenses and supplies the beverage extracted by the extractor 30 into a cup C from a nozzle 22a through a beverage supply line (48). On the condition that the chemical Y is fed into the extractor 30 and prescribed cleaning requirements are satisfied, the control unit 12 executes: a stirring / mixing step of stirring and mixing a chemical Y and hot water by feeding the hot water into the extractor 30 and supplying pressurized air; a mixed liquid discharging step of discharging the mixed liquid KL of the chemical Y and the hot water from the nozzle 22a; and a rinsing step of stirring the hot water as rinsing hot water RL by driving an air pump 72 while supplying the hot water to the extractor 30 to supply the pressurized air through the stirring air line, and then discharging the rinsing hot water RL from the nozzle 22a through the beverage supply line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage supply device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a beverage supply device has been proposed in Patent Document 1 that extracts a beverage from a raw material pulverized by an extractor provided inside a device main body and hot water, and supplies the extracted beverage to a cup, which is a container placed on a beverage supply unit, by discharging the beverage from a nozzle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, although not particularly mentioned in the above Patent Document 1, in the above beverage supply device, cleaning of an extractor and the like is performed according to a predetermined time schedule. This cleaning of the extractor supplies hot water to the extractor as rinse water, and discharges the rinse water used for cleaning the extractor from the nozzle.

[0005] However, the above beverage supply device has the following problems because it cleans the extractor only with rinse water. That is, when the raw material is coffee beans or the like, oil may adhere to the inner wall of the extractor, and even if it is cleaned only with rinse water, the cleaning may be insufficient as a result.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage supply device capable of satisfactorily cleaning an extractor in view of the above circumstances.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a beverage supply device according to the present invention includes an extractor into which crushed raw materials and hot water are introduced, and a control unit that drives an air pump to supply pressurized air through a stirring air line to stir the raw materials and the hot water, while driving the air pump to supply pressurized air through an extraction air line to extract a beverage. The beverage supply device discharges and supplies the beverage extracted by the extractor from a nozzle into a cup through a beverage supply line. The control unit includes: a stirring and mixing step of driving the air pump while introducing hot water into the extractor to supply the pressurized air through the stirring air line to stir and mix the chemical agent and the hot water on the condition that the chemical agent is introduced into the extractor and predetermined cleaning requirements are met; a mixed liquid discharging step of discharging the mixed liquid of the chemical agent and the hot water from the nozzle through the beverage supply line; and a rinsing step of driving the air pump while introducing hot water into the extractor to supply the pressurized air through the stirring air line to stir the hot water as rinsing water, and then discharging the rinsing water from the nozzle through the beverage supply line.

[0008] Further, in the present invention, in the above beverage supply device, the mixed liquid discharging step is characterized in that the control unit supplies the pressurized air to the extractor through the extraction air line to discharge the mixed liquid of the chemical agent and the hot water from the nozzle through the beverage supply line.

[0009] Further, in the present invention, in the above beverage supply device, the rinsing step is characterized in that the control unit drives the air pump while introducing hot water into the extractor to supply the pressurized air through the stirring air line to stir the hot water as rinsing water, and then supplies the pressurized air to the extractor through the extraction air line to discharge the rinsing water from the nozzle through the beverage supply line.

[0010] Also, the present invention is characterized in that, in the beverage supply device, the control unit performs a mixed liquid standing step of stopping the drive of the air pump after the stirring and mixing step and allowing the mixed liquid to stand in the extractor.

[0011] Also, the present invention is characterized in that, in the beverage supply device, the control unit performs a filling step of driving the air pump for a predetermined time after the mixed liquid standing step to send the mixed liquid to the nozzle and fill the beverage supply line.

[0012] Also, the present invention is characterized in that, in the beverage supply device, the control unit repeats the rinsing step a plurality of times.

[0013] Also, the present invention is characterized in that, in the beverage supply device, the extractor includes a brewer unit having a cylindrical cylinder, a top seal portion that closes the upper surface opening of the cylinder, and a filter block that opens and closes the lower surface opening of the cylinder, and the control unit sets the condition that the filter block on which the drug is placed closes the lower surface opening of the cylinder and a cleaning command is given as the cleaning requirement.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the control unit supplies pressurized air through the stirring air line by driving the air pump while injecting hot water into the extractor on the condition that the drug is put into the extractor and the predetermined cleaning requirements are met, thereby stirring and mixing the drug and hot water in a stirring and mixing step, discharging the mixed liquid of the drug and hot water from the nozzle through the beverage supply line in a mixed liquid discharging step, driving the air pump while injecting hot water into the extractor and supplying pressurized air through the stirring air line to stir the hot water as rinsing hot water, and then discharging the rinsing hot water from the nozzle through the beverage supply line in a rinsing step. Therefore, it is possible to remove oil and the like adhering to the extractor, and the effect of being able to clean the extractor well is achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

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BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the beverage supply device according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0017] <Schematic Configuration of Beverage Supply Device> FIGS. 1 to 3 each show a beverage supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the beverage supply device, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the beverage supply device, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the main components of the beverage supply device.

[0018] The beverage supply device 1 exemplified here is, for example, a coffee machine installed in a store such as a convenience store, and supplies beverages such as coffee to a cup C, which is a container, by performing, for example, bean grinding and extraction processes. Such a beverage supply device 1 includes a main body cabinet 10 and a front door 20.

[0019] The main body cabinet 10 is an apparatus main body having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a front opening (not shown) on the front surface, and a generation unit 11 for generating a beverage (e.g., coffee) and a control unit 12 are provided inside thereof.

[0020] The front door 20 is a door body having a size sufficient to close the front opening of the main body cabinet 10. This front door 20 is provided so as to be swingable around the central axis of a shaft portion (not shown) extending in the vertical direction at the left edge portion on the front side of the main body cabinet 10, and can open and close the front opening of the main body cabinet 10. Such a front door 20 has a front surface that constitutes a customer-facing surface, and a display unit 21, a beverage supply unit 22, and an opening / closing door 23 are provided thereon.

[0021] The display unit 21 is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel, and displays various information in accordance with a command given from the control unit 12, and input operations such as touch operations are possible. When an input operation such as a touch operation is performed on such a display unit 21, a sales signal is sent to the control unit 12.

[0022] The beverage supply unit 22 is provided below the display unit 21, and has a nozzle 22a and a stage 22b. The nozzle 22a discharges the beverage generated by the generation unit 11 downward. The stage 22b is provided in the lower region of the nozzle 22a. This stage 22b is for placing the cup C thereon. A drainage tray 24 is installed below such a stage 22b.

[0023] The opening / closing door 23 is made of a light-transmitting material such as, for example, transparent resin, and has a size sufficient to cover the inlet 22c of the beverage supply unit 22. The left end of this opening / closing door 23 is pivotally supported by the front door 20 and is swingable along the front-rear direction. That is, the opening / closing door 23 is swingable along the front-rear direction in a manner of approaching and separating from the beverage supply unit 22, and when it swings backward in a manner of approaching the beverage supply unit 22, it can close the inlet 22c of the beverage supply unit 22, and when it swings forward in a manner of separating from the beverage supply unit 22, it can open the inlet 22c of the beverage supply unit 22.

[0024] The generation unit 11, together with the extractor 30, is configured to include a raw material supply unit 50, a hot water supply unit 60, an air supply unit 70, and a storage bucket 80.

[0025] The extractor 30 extracts coffee, which is a beverage, from the raw material supplied from the raw material supply unit 50 and the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 60, and supplies it to the beverage supply unit 22.

[0026] The extractor 30 is configured to include a grinder 32, a brewer unit 34, a pinch mechanism 36, a scraper 38, and a valve group 40.

[0027] The grinder 32 is what is so-called a mill. This grinder 32 drives when a drive command is given to the grinder drive unit 32a, which is an actuator. This grinder 32 is installed in the lower region of the raw material box 51 and is connected to the raw material box 51 via a raw material supply chute 52.

[0028] When the above grinder 32 drives, it grinds the coffee beans guided by the raw material supply chute 52 and is for putting the ground coffee beans (hereinafter also referred to as coffee ground beans) through the raw material chute portion 33 into the brewer unit 34. This raw material chute portion 33 has a raw material passage for dropping the coffee ground beans.

[0029] The brewer unit 34 is configured to include a cylinder 341, a top seal portion 342, and a filter block 343. The cylinder 341 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The top seal portion 342 opens and closes the upper surface opening of the cylinder 341. Such a top seal portion 342 is formed in a manner in which a cylindrical passage forming member 35 whose interior communicates with the upper surface opening extends upward.

[0030] This passage forming member 35 is made of a resin material such as silicone, for example, and has an elliptical cross section. A part of the upper raw material chute portion 33 is inserted into the hollow portion of such a passage forming member 35 from above. As a result, the hollow portion forms a passage through which coffee ground beans and mixed hot water (hot water) pass, although details will be described later, and its inner wall surface has water repellency.

[0031] Also, a part of the upper end portion of the hollow portion of the passage forming member 35 is connected to an exhaust duct 49 in a manner partitioned from the raw material chute portion 33. The exhaust duct 49 communicates not only with the passage forming member 35 but also with the inside of the cylinder 341 via the passage forming member 35. Such an exhaust duct 49 is provided with an exhaust fan 46. This exhaust fan 46 is driven in response to a command given from the control unit 12 by an exhaust fan drive portion 46a which is an actuator, and when driven, discharges the internal air of the cylinder 341 to the outside through the exhaust duct 49.

[0032] The filter block 343 has a substantially box shape provided so as to be movable along the vertical direction in the lower region of the cylinder 341, and its upper surface has a size sufficient to close the lower surface opening of the cylinder 341. The filter block 343 is provided with a disk-shaped metal mesh member (not shown) in which a plurality of holes are formed, and a beverage supply path 48 communicating with these holes is connected thereto. This beverage supply path 48 is configured by connecting a beverage supply pipe, and connects the filter block 343 and the nozzle 22a.

[0033] When this filter block 343 is driven in accordance with a command given from the control unit 12 by a filter block driving unit 343b which is an actuator, it moves along the vertical direction. And when the filter block 343 ascends, it presses and closes the lower surface opening of the cylinder 341.

[0034] The pinch mechanism 36 is provided above the top seal portion 342. In this pinch mechanism 36, a first pinch component portion 361 and a second pinch component portion 362 which extend along the left - right direction are arranged with a space therebetween in the front - rear direction, and a passage component member 35 is arranged between the first pinch component portion 361 and the second pinch component portion 362.

[0035] In such a pinch mechanism 36, in a normal state, the first pinch component portion 361 and the second pinch component portion 362 are arranged with the maximum distance therebetween and do not act on the passage component member 35 at all. On the other hand, when the first pinch component portion 361 and the second pinch component portion 362 are closest to each other by driving of the pinch motor 36a, the pinch mechanism 36 elastically deforms the lower part of the passage component member 35 to make a part of the passage in a closed state. By closing a part of the passage in this way, passage of ground coffee beans and the like through the passage is restricted. Note that the location where the pinch mechanism 36 clamps the passage component member 35 to close a part of the passage is the lower part of the passage component member 35, that is, the part below the region where the raw material chute portion 33 is inserted.

[0036] The scraper 38 is moved along the front - rear direction by power being transmitted when a scraper driving unit 382 which is an actuator is driven by a command given from the control unit 12. More specifically, the scraper 38 is installed so as to be able to move forward and backward along the front - rear direction between a standby position behind the filter block 343 and an advanced position in front of the filter block 343, and is arranged at the standby position in a normal state.

[0037] And, when the scraper 38 moves forward from the standby position to the advancing position and moves backward from the advancing position to the standby position, it can slidably contact the upper surface of the mesh member of the filter block 343 that has moved to the lowest position, and when moving forward from the standby position to the advancing position, it removes the extracted residue K (see FIG. 8) placed on the mesh member.

[0038] The valve group 40 is configured to include an air valve 41, a hot water valve 42, and a coffee valve 43.

[0039] The air valve 41 is a switching valve configured such that an air valve shaft is displaceably provided inside an air valve case, and it switches the communication state of four ports formed in the air valve case as the air valve shaft is displaced. The four ports formed in this air valve case are an air introduction port 411a, a stirring air discharge port 411b, an extraction air discharge port 411c, and an open port 411d.

[0040] The air introduction port 411a is connected to an air supply path 71 that constitutes an air supply unit 70. The stirring air discharge port 411b is connected to a stirring air supply path 401. This stirring air supply path 401 is constituted by a stirring air supply pipe and is connected to the coffee valve 43.

[0041] The extraction air discharge port 411c is connected to an extraction air line 402. This extraction air line 402 is constituted by an extraction air supply pipe and is connected to the top seal portion 342. The open port 411d is an opening for opening the inside of the air valve case.

[0042] The air valve shaft is arranged at a reference position in its normal state and is displaced to a tip position when it is pressed.

[0043] In such an air valve 41, when the air valve shaft is disposed at the reference position, the air introduction port 411a communicates with the agitation air discharge port 411b, and the extraction air discharge port 411c communicates with the open port 411d. On the other hand, when the air valve shaft is disposed at the tip position, the air introduction port 411a communicates with the extraction air discharge port 411c, and the agitation air discharge port 411b and the open port 411d are not in communication with each other, i.e., they are in a non - communicating state.

[0044] Incidentally, the air valve shaft in the air valve 41 can also be disposed at an intermediate position between the above - mentioned reference position and the tip position. When the air valve shaft is disposed at the intermediate position in this way, the air introduction port 411a, the agitation air discharge port 411b, the extraction air discharge port 411c, and the open port 411d are all in a communicating state.

[0045] The hot water valve 42 is a switching valve configured such that a hot water valve shaft is displaceably provided inside a hot water valve case, and switches the communication state of three ports formed in the hot water valve case as the hot water valve shaft is displaced. The three ports formed in this hot water valve case are a hot water introduction port 421a, a first hot water discharge port 421b, and a second hot water discharge port 421c.

[0046] The hot water introduction port 421a is connected to a hot water supply path 65 that constitutes the hot water supply unit 60. The first hot water discharge port 421b is connected to the mixed hot water supply path 403. This mixed hot water supply path 403 is constituted by a mixed hot water supply pipe and is connected to a mixed hot water nozzle (not shown) formed in the raw material chute unit 33. Here, the mixed hot water nozzle is provided in a manner facing the raw material passage in the raw material chute unit 33 and discharges the mixed hot water in a fan - shaped manner obliquely downward. More specifically, the mixed hot water nozzle discharges the mixed hot water in a manner that closes a part of the raw material passage in the raw material chute unit 33.

[0047] As a result, the extractor 30 mixes the ground coffee beans and the mixed hot water in the air in the raw material chute section 33, collides this mixture with the inner wall surface of the raw material passage, and then allows it to fall downward along the inner wall surface without contacting the inner wall surface of the passage component 35.

[0048] The second hot water discharge port 421c is connected to the hot water supply path 405. This hot water supply path 405 is constituted by a hot water supply pipe and is connected to a hot water nozzle (not shown) formed in the top seal portion 342. Here, the hot water nozzle discharges the hot water supplied through the hot water supply path 405 downward in a shower form.

[0049] The hot water valve shaft is arranged at the reference position under normal conditions and is displaced to the tip position when it is pressed.

[0050] In such a hot water valve 42, when the hot water valve shaft is arranged at the reference position, the hot water introduction port 421a and the first hot water discharge port 421b are in communication. On the other hand, when the hot water valve shaft is arranged at the tip position, the hot water introduction port 421a and the second hot water discharge port 421c are in communication.

[0051] The coffee valve 43 is disposed in the middle of the beverage supply path 48. This coffee valve 43 is a switching valve similar to the air valve 41 and the hot water valve 42, and switches the communication state of the three ports.

[0052] The three ports in the coffee valve 43 are a coffee introduction port 431a, a stirring air introduction port 431b, and a coffee discharge port 431c. The coffee introduction port 431a is connected to the filter block 343 (brewer unit 34) through a part of the beverage supply path 48. The stirring air introduction port 431b is connected to the stirring air supply path 401. The coffee discharge port 431c is connected to the nozzle 22a of the beverage supply unit 22 through a part of the beverage supply path 48.

[0053] Such a coffee valve 43 switches between a first communication state in which a coffee introduction port 431a and a coffee discharge port 431c communicate with each other and a second communication state in which a stirring air introduction port 431b and the coffee introduction port 431a communicate with each other.

[0054] Such a valve group 40 is configured such that an air valve 41, a hot water valve 42, and a coffee valve 43 are linked to a common valve actuator 40b, and the communication states of the ports of the air valve 41, the hot water valve 42, and the coffee valve 43 are switched by the rotation of a cam or a gear due to the drive of the valve actuator 40b.

[0055] By the way, as shown in FIG. 3, a drain valve 44 is provided in a beverage supply path 48 that connects the filter block 343 and the coffee valve 43.

[0056] The drain valve 44 is a switching valve similar to the air valve 41, the hot water valve 42, and the coffee valve 43, and switches the communication states of three ports.

[0057] The three ports of the drain valve 44 are an introduction port 441a, a first discharge port 441b, and a second discharge port 441c. The introduction port 441a is connected to the filter block 343 (brewer unit 34) through a part of the beverage supply path 48. The first discharge port 441b is connected to a drainage path 471 provided in a manner extending to the storage bucket 80. The second discharge port 441c is connected to a beverage supply pipe connected to the coffee valve 43.

[0058] Such a drain valve 44 switches between a first delivery state in which the introduction port 441a and the first discharge port 441b communicate with each other and a second delivery state in which the introduction port 441a and the second discharge port 441c communicate with each other.

[0059] The raw material supply unit 50 supplies coffee beans, which are beverage raw materials, to the extractor 30, and is provided with a raw material box 51. The raw material box 51 stores roasted coffee beans, and is provided in a manner such that a part thereof protrudes upward from the top plate portion 13 of the main body cabinet 10. A raw material supply drive unit 51a is provided in the raw material box 51. The raw material supply drive unit 51a is driven when a drive command is given from the control unit 12 to the raw material supply motor 51b, which is a drive source, and discharges a predetermined amount of coffee beans included in the drive command through the raw material supply chute 52.

[0060] The hot water supply unit 60 supplies hot water to the extractor 30, and is configured by sequentially connecting a hot water tank 61, a first hot water pump 62, a sub-tank 63, and a second hot water pump 64 to a hot water supply path 65 constituted by a hot water supply pipe.

[0061] The hot water tank 61 heats the supplied water such as tap water with a heater (not shown) and stores it as hot water. The first hot water pump 62 is constituted by, for example, a centrifugal pump or the like, and sends a fixed amount of hot water from the hot water tank 61 to the sub-tank 63 when driven according to a command given from the control unit 12. The sub-tank 63 has a smaller volume than the hot water tank 61 and temporarily stores the hot water sent by the first hot water pump 62. The second hot water pump 64 is constituted by, for example, a gear pump or the like, and sends out the hot water in the sub-tank 63 when driven according to a command given from the control unit 12.

[0062] The air supply unit 70 supplies pressurized air to the extractor 30. The air supply unit 70 is constituted by providing an air pump 72 in an air supply path 71 constituted by an air supply pipe. The air pump 72 is driven according to a command given from the control unit 12, and compresses air and sends it out as pressurized air.

[0063] The storage bucket 80 is installed in the lower area of the extractor 30, and stores the extraction residue K and the like generated by the extraction of the beverage by the extractor 30.

[0064] The control unit 12 comprehensively controls the operations of each part of the beverage supply device 1 according to programs and data stored in a memory unit (not shown). Note that the control unit 12 may be realized by, for example, causing a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a program, that is, by software, or by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0065] <Beverage supply operation> In the above-described beverage supply device 1, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, coffee, which is a beverage, is supplied to a cup C placed on the stage 22b of the beverage supply unit 22. As a premise, hot water is stored in the hot water tank 61, and in the air valve 41, the air valve shaft is disposed at the reference position, the air introduction port 411a and the agitation air discharge port 411b communicate with each other, and the extraction air discharge port 411c and the open port 411d communicate with each other. Also, in the hot water valve 42, the hot water introduction port 421a and the first hot water discharge port 421b communicate with each other, and in the coffee valve 43, the agitation air introduction port 431b and the coffee introduction port 431a communicate with each other.

[0066] When the display unit 21 is touch-operated by the user and a sales signal for the selected beverage is given, the control unit 12 gives a command to the filter block drive unit 343b to move the filter block 343 upward as shown in FIG. 4. Also, the control unit 12 sets the drain valve 44 to the first delivery state and communicates the introduction port 441a and the second discharge port 441c.

[0067] Thereafter, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the raw material supply drive unit 51a to discharge an amount of coffee beans corresponding to the beverage into the grinder 32. Note that the control unit 12 stops driving the raw material supply drive unit 51a after a predetermined amount of coffee beans has been discharged into the grinder 32.

[0068] Then, while giving drive commands to the first hot water pump 62 and the second hot water pump 64, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the grinder drive unit 32a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the hot water in the hot water tank 61 is supplied to the mixed hot water nozzle through the hot water valve 42 and the mixed hot water supply path 403, discharged as mixed hot water from the mixed hot water nozzle, and at the same time, the coffee beans are ground by the grinder 32 and the ground coffee beans are discharged to the raw material chute unit 33. As a result, in the raw material chute unit 33, the ground coffee beans fall and are mixed with the mixed hot water in the air, and the mixture is put into the cylinder 341 after colliding with the inner wall surface of the raw material passage. Incidentally, the control unit 12 stops driving the grinder drive unit 32a after discharging a predetermined amount of ground coffee beans, and stops driving the first hot water pump 62 and the second hot water pump 64 after discharging a predetermined amount of mixed hot water.

[0069] Thereafter, the control unit 12 drives the air pump 72, and the pressurized air is sent out in the order of the air valve 41 (air introduction port 411a - agitation air discharge port 411b), the agitation air supply path 401, the coffee valve 43, the beverage supply path 48, the drain valve 44 (second discharge port 441c - introduction port 441a), and the brewer unit 34 as shown in FIG. 5 to agitate the mixture. The pressurized air sent to the brewer unit 34 and used for agitating the mixture is sent out in the order of the extraction air line 402 and the air valve 41 (extraction air discharge port 411c - open port 411d), and is discharged from the open port 411d.

[0070] The control unit 12 that has agitated the mixture in this way gives a drive command to the valve actuator 40b to displace the hot water valve shaft of the hot water valve 42 to communicate the hot water introduction port 421a and the second hot water discharge port 421c.

[0071] Then, the control unit 12 gives drive commands to the first hot water pump 62 and the second hot water pump 64. As shown in FIG. 6, the hot water in the hot water tank 61 is supplied to the hot water supply nozzle through the hot water valve 42 and the hot water supply path 405, and is discharged in a shower form from the hot water supply nozzle. Also, the pressurized air is sent out in the order of the air valve 41 (air introduction port 411a - agitation air discharge port 411b), the agitation air supply path 401, the coffee valve 43, the beverage supply path 48, the drain valve 44 (second discharge port 441c - introduction port 441a), and the brewer unit 34 to further agitate the mixture. The pressurized air thus sent to the brewer unit 34 and used for agitating the mixture is sent out in the order of the extraction air line 402 and the air valve 41 (extraction air discharge port 411c - open port 411d), and is discharged from the open port 411d. Note that the control unit 12 stops driving the first hot water pump 62 and the second hot water pump 64 after discharging a predetermined amount of hot water.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 12 that has discharged a predetermined amount of hot water drives the pinch motor 36a to bring the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 closer to each other, thereby elastically deforming the lower part of the passage component 35 to close a part of the passage. As a result, the inside of the cylinder 341 can be sealed.

[0073] Also, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the valve actuator 40b to displace the air valve shaft of the air valve 41 to the tip position, thereby communicating the air introduction port 411a and the extraction air discharge port 411c. Also, the coffee introduction port 431a and the coffee discharge port 431c of the coffee valve 43 are communicated.

[0074] As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressurized air from the air pump 72 is sent out in the order of the air valve 41 (air introduction port 411a - extraction air discharge port 411c), the extraction air line 402, and the brewer unit 34, so that coffee is extracted. The extracted coffee is supplied to the nozzle 22a via the beverage supply path 48 and discharged from the nozzle 22a into the cup C. In this way, the entire beverage supply path 48 constitutes a beverage supply line, and a part of it (the section from the filter block 343 to the coffee valve 43) constitutes a stirring air line together with the stirring air supply path 401.

[0075] When a predetermined amount of coffee is supplied by being discharged into the cup C, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the valve actuator 40b to displace the air valve shaft of the air valve 41 to the reference position, communicate the air introduction port 411a with the stirring air discharge port 411b, communicate the extraction air discharge port 411c with the open port 411d, further communicate the stirring air introduction port 431b of the coffee valve 43 with the coffee introduction port 431a, and then stop driving the air pump 72.

[0076]

[0077] After that, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 12 gives a command to the filter block drive unit 343b to lower the filter block 343. At this time, the extraction residue K is placed on the filter member in the filter block 343.

[0078] ​As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 12 that has lowered the filter block 343 gives a forward rotation drive command to the scraper drive unit 382 to move the scraper 38 forward from the standby position to the advanced position. As a result, the extracted slag K can be detached from the upper region of the filter block 343 and discharged into the storage bucket 80. Thereafter, the control unit 12 gives a reverse rotation drive command to the scraper drive unit 382 to move the scraper 38 backward from the advanced position to the standby position.

[0079] <Cleaning operation of the extractor 30> FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the cleaning control process performed by the control unit 12 shown in FIG. 3. The cleaning operation of the extractor 30 will be described while explaining this cleaning control process.

[0080] As a premise, as shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that after the filter block 343 has descended, the tablet-type drug Y is placed on the mesh member, and the front opening of the main body cabinet 10 is closed by the front door 20. Further, it is assumed that no cup C is placed on the beverage supply unit 22.

[0081] In FIG. 10, when the display unit 21 is touched by the administrator, the control unit 12 determines whether there is a cleaning instruction (step S101). If there is no cleaning command (step S101: No), the control unit 12 repeats such processing.

[0082] On the other hand, when there is a cleaning instruction (step S101: Yes), that is, when the drug Y is put into the extractor 30 and the predetermined cleaning requirements are met, the control unit 12 performs a stirring and mixing step (step S102). This stirring and mixing step will be described.

[0083] In the stirring and mixing step, as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 12 gives a command to the filter block drive unit 343b to move the filter block 343 upward. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 12 sets the drain valve 44 to the first delivery state to communicate the introduction port 441a and the second discharge port 441c. Further, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the valve actuator 40b. In the air valve 41, the air introduction port 411a and the stirring air discharge port 411b are communicated, and the extraction air discharge port 411c and the open port 411d are communicated. In the hot water valve 42, the hot water introduction port 421a and the first hot water discharge port 421b are communicated. The coffee valve 43 communicates the stirring air introduction port 431b and the coffee introduction port 431a.

[0084] Then, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the first hot water pump 62 and the second hot water pump 64, so that the hot water in the hot water tank 61 is supplied to the hot water supply nozzle through the hot water valve 42 and the hot water supply path 405, and is discharged in a shower form as a predetermined amount (for example, about 140 to 160 mL) of added hot water from the hot water supply nozzle.

[0085] Thereafter, the control unit 12 drives the air pump 72, and the pressurized air is sent out in the order of the air valve 41 (air introduction port 411a - stirring air discharge port 411b), the stirring air supply path 401, the coffee valve 43, the beverage supply path 48, the drain valve 44 (second discharge port 441c - introduction port 441a), and the brewer unit 34 to stir and mix the chemical Y and the added hot water. As a result, a mixed liquid KL is generated inside the brewer unit 34, and the inner wall is washed by the mixed liquid KL. In this way, the pressurized air sent to the brewer unit 34 and used for mixing and stirring the chemical Y and the added hot water is sent out in the order of the extraction air line 402 and the air valve 41 (extraction air discharge port 411c - open port 411d), and is discharged from the open port 411d.

[0086] The control unit 12 that has performed the stirring and mixing step in this way performs the mixed liquid standing step (step S103). This mixed liquid standing step will be described.

[0087] In the process of allowing the mixed liquid to stand still, the control unit 12 stops driving the first hot water pump 62 and the second hot water pump 64, and also stops driving the air pump 72, and waits for the elapse of the standing time (for example, about 1 minute). As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the mixed liquid KL is allowed to stand still inside the brewer unit 34.

[0088] After the elapse of the standing time, the control unit 12 that has performed the process of allowing the mixed liquid to stand still in this way performs a filling process (step S104). This filling process will be described.

[0089] In the filling process, as shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 12 drives the pinch motor 36a to bring the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 closer to each other, thereby elastically deforming the lower part of the passage component 35 to close a part of the passage. As a result, the inside of the cylinder 341 can be sealed. Further, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the valve actuator 40b to displace the air valve shaft of the air valve 41 to communicate the air introduction port 411a and the extraction air discharge port 411c, and to communicate the coffee introduction port 431a and the coffee discharge port 431c of the coffee valve 43.

[0090] Then, the control unit 12 drives the air pump 72 for a predetermined fillable time, and as shown in FIG. 14, the pressurized air from the air pump 72 is sent out in the order of the air valve 41 (air introduction port 411a - extraction air discharge port 411c), the extraction air line 402, and the brewer unit 34, so that the mixed liquid KL is discharged from the brewer unit 34, and the discharged mixed hot water is sent to the nozzle 22a through the beverage supply path 48.

[0091] Here, the filling time is the necessary and sufficient time for the mixed liquid KL to reach the nozzle 22a, and it is the time during which the beverage supply path 48 can be filled with the mixed liquid KL. In this way, after driving the air pump 72 for the filling time, the control unit 12 stops driving the air pump 72 and waits for the elapse of the standing time. As a result, the beverage supply path 48 is filled with the mixed liquid KL.

[0092] After the elapse of the standing time, the control unit 12 that has performed the filling process in this way performs a mixed liquid discharging process (step S105). The mixed liquid discharging process will be described.

[0093] In the mixed liquid discharging process, the control unit 12 drives the air pump 72, and the pressurized air from the air pump 72 is sent out in the order of the air valve 41 (air introduction port 411a - extraction air discharge port 411c), the extraction air line 402, and the brewer unit 34. As a result, the mixed liquid KL in the brewer unit 34 and the mixed liquid KL filled in the beverage supply path 48 are discharged downward from the nozzle 22a as shown in FIG. 15. The mixed liquid KL discharged from the nozzle 22a in this way is stored in the drain tray 24.

[0094] When the mixed liquid KL is discharged from the nozzle 22a, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the valve actuator 40b to displace the air valve shaft of the air valve 41, causing the air introduction port 411a to communicate with the agitation air discharge port 411b, the extraction air discharge port 411c to communicate with the open port 411d, and the agitation air introduction port 431b of the coffee valve 43 to communicate with the coffee introduction port 431a, and then stops driving the air pump 72.

[0095] As a result, the pressurized air used for discharging the liquid mixture KL is sent out in the order of the extraction air line 402 and the air valve 41 (extraction air discharge port 411c - open port 411d), and is discharged from the open port 411d, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the brewer unit 34. Further, the control unit 12 drives the pinch motor 36a to separate the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 from each other, thereby elastically deforming the passage component member 35 to its original state and releasing the closed state.

[0096] Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 12 gives a command to the filter block drive unit 343b to lower the filter block 343. Further, the control unit 12 sets the drain valve 44 to the first delivery state and communicates the introduction port 441a and the first discharge port 441b.

[0097] The control unit 12 that has performed the liquid mixture discharge process in this way drives the scraper 38 (step S106). The drive of this scraper 38 will be described.

[0098] The control unit 12 gives a forward rotation drive command to the scraper drive unit 382, and as shown in FIG. 17, advances and moves the scraper 38 from the standby position to the advanced position. Thereby, the residue (not shown) placed on the mesh member of the filter block 343 can be discharged into the storage bucket 80. Thereafter, the control unit 12 gives a reverse rotation drive command to the scraper drive unit 382 to retract and move the scraper 38 from the advanced position to the standby position.

[0099] The control unit 12 that has driven the scraper 38 in this way performs a rinsing process (step S107). This rinsing process will be described.

[0100] In the rinsing process, as shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 12 gives a command to the filter block drive unit 343b to move the filter block 343 upward. Further, the control unit 12 sets the drain valve 44 to the first discharge state and communicates the introduction port 441a and the second discharge port 441c. Furthermore, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the valve actuator 40b. In the air valve 41, the air introduction port 411a and the agitation air discharge port 411b are communicated, and the extraction air discharge port 411c and the open port 411d are communicated. In the hot water valve 42, the hot water introduction port 421a and the first hot water discharge port 421b are communicated. The coffee valve 43 communicates the agitation air introduction port 431b and the coffee introduction port 431a.

[0101] Then, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the first hot water pump 62 and the second hot water pump 64, so that the hot water in the hot water tank 61 is supplied to the hot water supply nozzle through the hot water valve 42 and the hot water supply path 405, and is discharged in a shower form as a predetermined amount of rinsing hot water RL from the hot water supply nozzle.

[0102] Thereafter, the control unit 12 drives the air pump 72, and the pressurized air is sent out in the order of the air valve 41 (air introduction port 411a - agitation air discharge port 411b), the agitation air supply path 401, the coffee valve 43, the beverage supply path 48, the drain valve 44 (second discharge port 441c - introduction port 441a), and the brewer unit 34 to agitate the rinsing hot water RL. As a result, the inside of the brewer unit 34 is washed with the rinsing hot water RL.

[0103] The pressurized air thus sent to the brewer unit 34 and used for agitating the rinsing hot water RL is sent out in the order of the extraction air line 402 and the air valve 41 (extraction air discharge port 411c - open port 411d), and is released from the open port 411d. Note that the control unit 12 stops driving the first hot water pump 62 and the second hot water pump 64 after discharging a predetermined amount of rinsing hot water RL.

[0104] The control unit 12 that performs stirring of the predetermined amount of rinse water RL, as shown in FIG. 19, drives the pinch motor 36a to bring the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 closer to each other, thereby elastically deforming the lower part of the passage component 35 to close a part of the passage. As a result, the inside of the cylinder 341 can be sealed and sealed off.

[0105] Further, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the valve actuator 40b to displace the air valve shaft of the air valve 41 to communicate the air introduction port 411a and the extracted air discharge port 411c. Also, the coffee introduction port 431a and the coffee discharge port 431c of the coffee valve 43 are communicated with each other.

[0106] As a result, as shown in FIG. 19, the pressurized air from the air pump 72 is sent out in the order of the air valve 41 (air introduction port 411a - extracted air discharge port 411c), the extraction air line 402, and the brewer unit 34, so that the rinse water RL is discharged from the brewer unit 34. The discharged rinse water RL is sent to the nozzle 22a through the beverage supply path 48 and discharged downward from the nozzle 22a. The rinse water RL discharged from the nozzle 22a in this way is stored in the drain tray 24.

[0107] When the predetermined amount of rinse water RL is discharged, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the valve actuator 40b to displace the air valve shaft of the air valve 41, communicate the air introduction port 411a and the stirring air discharge port 411b, communicate the extracted air discharge port 411c and the open port 411d, and communicate the stirring air introduction port 431b and the coffee introduction port 431a of the coffee valve 43, and then stops driving the air pump 72.

[0108] As a result, the pressurized air used for discharging the rinse water RL is sent in the order of the extraction air line 402 and the air valve 41 (extraction air discharge port 411c - open port 411d), and is discharged from the open port 411d, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the brewer unit 34. Further, the control unit 12 drives the pinch motor 36a to separate the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 from each other, thereby elastically deforming the passage component member 35 to its original state and releasing the closed state.

[0109] After that, as shown in FIG. 20, the control unit 12 gives a command to the filter block drive unit 343b to lower the filter block 343. Further, the control unit 12 gives a forward rotation drive command to the scraper drive unit 382, and as shown in FIG. 21, advances the scraper 38 from the standby position to the advanced position. Thereby, the residue (not shown) placed on the mesh member of the filter block 343 can be discharged into the storage bucket 80. After that, the control unit 12 gives a reverse rotation drive command to the scraper drive unit 382 to retract the scraper 38 from the advanced position to the standby position.

[0110] The control unit 12 that has performed the rinse process in this way determines whether or not the rinse process has been performed N times (for example, 2 times) (step S108). If the rinse process has not been performed N times (step S108: No), the control unit 12 repeats the rinse process in step S107.

[0111] On the other hand, when the rinse process has been performed N times (step S108: Yes), that is, when the rinse process has been repeated a plurality of times, the control unit 12 transitions to the standby state (step S109), and then returns the procedure to end the current process.

[0112] As described above, according to the beverage supply device 1 which is an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 12 drives the air pump 72 while introducing hot water into the extractor 30 on the condition that the chemical Y is introduced into the extractor 30 and a predetermined cleaning requirement is satisfied, and supplies pressurized air through the stirring air line (the stirring air supply path 401 and the beverage supply path 48) to stir and mix the chemical Y and the hot water. Then, in the mixed liquid discharge step, the mixed liquid KL of the chemical Y and the hot water is discharged from the nozzle 22a through the beverage supply line (the beverage supply path 48). Also, while introducing hot water into the extractor 30, the control unit 12 drives the air pump 72 to supply pressurized air through the stirring air line (the stirring air supply path 401 and the beverage supply path 48) to stir the hot water as the rinsing hot water RL, and then discharges the rinsing hot water RL from the nozzle 22a through the beverage supply line (the beverage supply path 48) in the rinsing step. Therefore, it becomes possible to remove oil and the like adhering to the inner wall of the brewer unit 34 constituting the extractor 30, and the extractor 30 can be cleaned well.

[0113] Also, according to the beverage supply device 1, after the stirring and mixing step, the control unit 12 performs a mixed liquid standing step of stopping the driving of the air pump 72 and allowing the mixed liquid KL to stand in the extractor 30. Therefore, so-called "soaking and washing" can be performed, and the extractor 30 can be cleaned well.

[0114] Furthermore, according to the beverage supply device 1, after the mixed liquid standing step, the control unit 12 drives the air pump 72 for a predetermined time to send the mixed liquid KL to the nozzle 22a and fill the beverage supply path 48 (the beverage supply line). Therefore, so-called "soaking and washing" can be performed not only on the extractor 30 but also on the inside of the beverage supply path 48, and the extractor 30 and the beverage supply path 48 can be cleaned well.

[0115] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made.

[0116] In the above-described embodiment, in the mixed liquid discharging step, the control unit 12 supplies pressurized air to the extractor 30 (brewer unit 34) through the extraction air line 402 and the beverage supply path 48, and discharges the mixed liquid KL from the nozzle 22a through the beverage supply path 48. However, in the present invention, hot water may be supplied to the extractor instead of the pressurized air to discharge the mixed liquid.

Explanation of Signs

[0117] 1... Beverage supply device, 10... Main body cabinet, 11... Generation unit, 12... Control unit, 20... Front door, 22... Beverage supply unit, 30... Extractor, 50... Raw material supply unit, 60... Hot water supply unit, 70... Air supply unit, 80... Storage bucket, C... Cup.

Claims

1. An extractor into which crushed raw materials and hot water are introduced, a control unit that drives an air pump to supply pressurized air through an agitation air line to agitate the raw materials and the hot water, while driving the air pump to supply pressurized air through an extraction air line to extract a beverage and comprising a beverage supply device that discharges and supplies the beverage extracted by the extractor from a nozzle into a cup through a beverage supply line, wherein the control unit, on the condition that a chemical is introduced into the extractor and predetermined cleaning requirements are met, a stirring and mixing step of introducing hot water into the extractor and driving the air pump to supply the pressurized air through the agitation air line to stir and mix the chemical and the hot water, a mixed liquid discharge step of discharging the mixed liquid of the chemical and the hot water from the nozzle through the beverage supply line, and a rinsing step of introducing hot water into the extractor and driving the air pump to supply the pressurized air through the agitation air line to stir the hot water as rinsing water, and then discharging the rinsing water from the nozzle through the beverage supply line are performed. A beverage supply device characterized by this.

2. The mixed liquid discharge step is characterized in that the control unit supplies the pressurized air to the extractor through the extraction air line, so as to discharge the mixed liquid of the chemical and the hot water from the nozzle through the beverage supply line. The beverage supply device according to Claim 1.

3. The rinsing step is characterized in that the control unit introduces hot water into the extractor and drives the air pump to supply the pressurized air through the agitation air line to stir the hot water as rinsing water, and then supplies the pressurized air to the extractor through the extraction air line, so as to discharge the rinsing water from the nozzle through the beverage supply line. The beverage supply device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. The control unit is characterized in that after the stirring and mixing step, a mixed liquid standing step is performed in which the air pump is stopped from driving and the mixed liquid is left standing in the extractor. The beverage supply device according to Claim 3.

5. The control unit performs a filling step of driving the air pump for a predetermined time after the mixed liquid standing step to send the mixed liquid to the nozzle and fill the beverage supply line, according to the beverage supply device described in claim 4.

6. The control unit repeats the rinsing step a plurality of times, according to the beverage supply device described in claim 1.

7. The extractor includes a brewer unit having a cylindrical cylinder, a top seal portion that closes the upper surface opening of the cylinder, and a filter block that opens and closes the lower surface opening of the cylinder. The control unit sets the cleaning requirement as that the filter block on which the chemical agent is placed closes the lower surface opening of the cylinder and a cleaning command is given, according to the beverage supply device described in claim 1.

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