Carbonic acid gas injection device and program

Abstract

To provide a carbonic acid gas injection device which does not allow injection of a carbonic acid gas into a container which should not be used.SOLUTION: A carbonic acid gas injection device 100 for injecting a carbonic acid gas into a bottle 1 includes: an injection part 180 which injects the carbonic acid gas into the bottle; a reading part 132 which reads information from an information holding part 130 attached to the bottle; and a control unit 120 which allows the injection part to inject the carbonic acid gas into the bottle when the information read by the reading part is appropriate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide gas injection device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Carbonation devices are known that carbonate beverages, such as water, by injecting carbon dioxide gas into the beverage in a container. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a carbonation device that carbonates water in a container. The carbonation device described in Patent Document 1 has a carbonation head assembly for holding the container, and the carbonation head assembly has a clamping device. The clamping device has a plurality of radially arranged prongs to hold the mouth of the container, and a clamping ring that clamps the prongs so that the mouth of the container is held by the prongs when a user positions the container in an upright position on the carbonation head assembly and moves the container to an upright position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6049031 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional carbon dioxide gas injectors, if the shape of the container conforms to the specifications of the carbon dioxide gas injector, carbon dioxide gas can be injected into the container when the container is attached to the carbon dioxide gas injector. However, if a container that should not be used, such as a container that has passed its expiration date, is attached to the carbon dioxide gas injector, the injection of carbon dioxide gas should be prohibited.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a carbon dioxide injection device that will not allow carbon dioxide to be injected into containers that should not be used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a carbon dioxide gas injection device that injects carbon dioxide gas into a bottle, the carbon dioxide gas injection device comprising an injection unit that injects carbon dioxide gas into the bottle, a reading unit that reads information from an information storage unit attached to the bottle, and a control unit that allows the injection unit to inject carbon dioxide gas into the bottle if the information read by the reading unit is correct.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a program for controlling a carbon dioxide injection device that injects carbon dioxide into a bottle, the carbon dioxide injection device comprising an injection unit that injects carbon dioxide into the bottle, a reading unit that reads information from an information storage unit attached to the bottle, and a processor, and the program operates the processor to allow the injection unit to inject carbon dioxide into the bottle if the information read by the reading unit is correct. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a carbonator is provided that will not allow carbonation of containers that should not be used. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a carbon dioxide gas injection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the carbon dioxide gas injection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the carbon dioxide gas injection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the bottle holding mechanism in an unlocked state. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the bottle holding mechanism in an unlocked state. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the bottle holding mechanism in an unlocked state. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the bottle holding mechanism in a locked state. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the bottle holding mechanism in a locked state. [Figure 9] 1A is a diagram showing a bottle holding mechanism in a locked state, FIG. 1C is a diagram showing a bottle holding mechanism in an unlocked state, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing a bottle holding mechanism in a lockable state (waiting for lock). [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system in the carbon dioxide gas injection device of one embodiment. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of a carbon dioxide gas injection device or a bottle holding mechanism according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of a carbon dioxide gas injection device or a bottle holding mechanism according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of a carbon dioxide gas injection device or a bottle holding mechanism according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of a carbon dioxide gas injection device or a bottle holding mechanism according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of a carbon dioxide gas injection device or a bottle holding mechanism according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of a carbon dioxide gas injection device or a bottle holding mechanism according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of a carbon dioxide gas injection device or a bottle holding mechanism according to an embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a carbon dioxide gas injection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a carbon dioxide gas injection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 20] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a carbon dioxide gas injector in an embodiment in which a reading unit is provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar components, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a carbon dioxide gas injection device 100 according to one embodiment. FIGS. 2 and 3 show enlarged views of a portion of the carbon dioxide gas injection device 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which a bottle 1 is being attached to the carbon dioxide gas injection device 100 or a state in which a bottle 1 is being removed from the carbon dioxide gas injection device 100. FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which the carbon dioxide gas injection device 100 is ready to inject carbon dioxide gas into the bottle 1, a state in which the carbon dioxide gas injection device 100 is in the process of injecting carbon dioxide gas into the bottle 1, or a state in which the carbon dioxide gas injection device 100 has completed injecting carbon dioxide gas into the bottle 1. In the following description, a first rotation direction R1 and a second rotation direction R2 indicate directions of rotation (roll directions) around the central axis of the bottle 1 as the rotation axis, and a third rotation direction R3 and a fourth rotation direction R4 indicate directions of rotation (pitching directions) around the central axis of the bottle 1.

[0012] The carbon dioxide injection device 100 may include a bottle holding mechanism BHM. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mouth of the bottle 1 is inserted obliquely upward in a direction U into the insertion hole 11 of the bottle holding mechanism BHM with the axial direction of the bottle 1 tilted relative to the vertical (tilted state), and then rotated in a first rotation direction R1, thereby being held by the bottle holding mechanism BHM or the carbon dioxide injection device 100. In this state, even if the bottle 1 is pulled obliquely downward in a direction D, the bottle 1 will not come out of the insertion hole 11 of the bottle holding mechanism BHM. Therefore, with this configuration, it is easy for the user to know that the bottle 1 is being held by the bottle holding mechanism BHM. Furthermore, the operation until the bottle 1 is held by the bottle holding mechanism BHM is simple.

[0013] The bottle 1 can then be rotated in a third rotation direction R3 as shown in FIG. 3 to a vertically parallel state (vertical state). This state is a locked state in which the bottle 1 is held by the bottle holding mechanism BHM and locked by a locking mechanism (described below). The locked state can be released only by an unlock signal (described below). When the locked state is released in response to the unlock signal, the bottle 1 becomes operable. The bottle 1 can be rotated in a fourth rotation direction R4, which is the opposite direction of the third rotation direction R3, and then in a second rotation direction R2, which is the opposite direction of the first rotation direction R1, thereby removing the bottle 1 from the insertion hole 11 of the bottle holding mechanism BHM. This configuration allows the mouth of the bottle 1 to be locked by a simple and easy-to-understand operation: inserting the mouth of the bottle 1 into the insertion hole 11 of the bottle holding mechanism BHM, rotating it in the first rotation direction R1, and then rotating it in the third rotation direction R3. Furthermore, with a configuration in which the locked state is only released in response to an unlocking signal, it is possible to prevent the bottle 1 from being pulled out of the insertion hole 11 of the bottle holding mechanism BHM while a high carbon dioxide pressure is being applied to the bottle 1. This makes it possible to prevent the carbon dioxide gas and / or carbonated beverage from spraying out of the bottle 1.

[0014] Figures 4, 5, and 6 are diagrams illustrating the bottle holding mechanism BHM in an unlocked state where the locked state has been released. Here, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, Figure 5 is a perspective view with a portion of the housing 10 of the bottle holding mechanism BHM in a see-through state, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bottle holding mechanism BHM. Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating the bottle holding mechanism BHM in a locked state where Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view and Figure 8 is a perspective view of the bottle holding mechanism BHM. Figure 9(a) shows the bottle holding mechanism BHM in a locked state, Figure 9(b) shows the bottle holding mechanism BHM in an unlocked state where the lock state has been released, and Figure 9(c) shows the bottle holding mechanism BHM in a lockable state. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control system in the carbon dioxide injection device 100.

[0015] The bottle holding mechanism BHM has a housing 10, and the insertion hole 11 can be provided in the housing 10. The bottle holding mechanism BHM holds the bottle 1 in the following state: the mouth portion 2 of the bottle 1 is inserted obliquely upward in the insertion hole 11 in a direction U, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the bottle 1 is rotated about its axial direction in a first rotation direction R1, and the bottle 1 is rotated in a third rotation direction R3 so that the bottle 1 is in a vertical position, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The state illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is a locked state in which the bottle 1 is held by the bottle holding mechanism BHM and cannot be released without an unlock signal.

[0016] The carbon dioxide injection device 100 includes a locking mechanism 110 for realizing a locked state. The locking mechanism 110 can lock the bottle holding mechanism BHM while the bottle holding mechanism BHM holds the mouth portion 2 of the bottle 1, and can release the locked state in response to an unlock signal ULS. The bottle holding mechanism BHM can include a holder 20 that rotatably holds the housing 10 so that the housing 10 is in a vertical or inclined state. The locking mechanism 110 can be configured to lock the bottle holding mechanism BHM by restricting the rotation of the housing 10 while the bottle 1 is rotated together with the housing 10 so that the bottle 1 is in a vertical state.

[0017] The locking mechanism 110 may include a restricting member 111. When the bottle 1 is rotated together with the housing 10 so that the bottle 1 is in a vertical position (i.e., the locked position shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9(a)), the restricting member 111 restricts the bottle 1 from rotating together with the housing 10 (in the fourth rotation direction R4) so that the bottle 1 becomes inclined from the vertical position unless an unlock signal ULS is supplied. The locking mechanism 110 may include an actuator 115 for changing the state of the restricting member 111 so that the locked position is released in response to the unlock signal ULS. The restricting member 111 may be pivotally supported by the pivot shaft 113 so as to be rotatable about the pivot shaft 113. When the bottle holding mechanism BHM is not in a locked position and the unlock signal ULS is not supplied to the actuator 115, the restricting member 111 becomes in a lockable position as shown in FIG. 9(c). The lockable state is a lock-waiting state in which the regulating member 111 rotates in response to the bottle 1 being rotated together with the housing 10 so that the bottle 1 is in a vertical position, thereby enabling the locking mechanism 110 to be placed in a locked state.

[0018] As shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9(a), when the bottle holding mechanism BHM is in a locked state and no unlock signal ULS is supplied to the actuator 115, the rotation of the regulating member 111 is restricted, thereby restricting the rotation of the housing 10, and when the unlock signal ULS is supplied to the actuator 115, the restriction on the rotation of the housing 10 by the regulating member 111 is released, as shown in Figure 9(b).

[0019] The actuator 115 is, for example, a solenoid actuator. In the locked state, the locking mechanism 110 can maintain the locked state even if the supply of power (to the carbon dioxide injector 100 or the locking mechanism 110) is stopped. The actuator 115 is configured to drive the movable piece 112, and the restricting member 111 and the movable piece 112 can be rotatably connected to each other by a link pin 114. The actuator 115 can drive the movable piece 112 to release the locked state in response to an unlock signal ULS. As shown in FIG. 9(a), in the locked state, the movable piece 112 restricts the rotation of the restricting member 111. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the actuator 115 raises the movable piece 112 in response to the supply of the unlock signal ULS, thereby rotating the restricting member 111 to release the locked state. In other words, the locked state can be released only when the movable piece 112 is raised in response to the supply of the unlock signal ULS.

[0020] The carbon dioxide injector 100 may include a carbon dioxide gas supply unit 90. The carbon dioxide gas supply unit 90 supplies carbon dioxide gas to the bottle 1 in the locked state shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9(a), and then reduces the pressure inside the bottle. The carbon dioxide injector 100 may include a control unit 120. The control unit 120 includes a processor such as a CPU or MCU and a memory storing a program, and can perform its functions by the processor executing the program. After the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 90 reduces the pressure inside the bottle 1, the control unit 120 sends an unlock signal ULS to the lock mechanism 110 (actuator 115 thereof). The unlock signal ULS may be a drive signal for driving the actuator 115 or a command signal for the actuator 115.

[0021] When the bottle 1 is in a locked state in which it is held vertically by the bottle holding mechanism BHM, the control unit 120 operates the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 90 in accordance with a predetermined pressure control profile, thereby supplying carbon dioxide gas to the bottle 1 through the tube 85. The pressure control profile may include, for example, a pressure increase period in which the pressure inside the bottle 1 is increased to a first pressure, and a pressure decrease period in which the pressure is decreased to atmospheric pressure. The pressure control profile may also include a pressure fluctuation step in which the pressure is repeatedly increased and decreased between the pressure increase period and the pressure decrease period.

[0022] After the pressure reduction period, i.e., after reducing the pressure inside the bottle, the control unit 120 supplies an unlock signal ULS to the lock mechanism 110 (actuator 115) to release the locked state. The operator then rotates the bottle 1 in a fourth rotation direction R4 to return it to the tilted state, and then further rotates it in a second rotation direction R2, which is the opposite direction to the first rotation direction R1, so that the bottle 1 can be removed from the bottle holding mechanism BHM. In this state, the bottle 1 can be removed from the bottle holding mechanism BHM or the carbon dioxide injection device 100 by being pulled out of the bottle holding mechanism BHM in a diagonally downward direction D.

[0023] Figures 18 and 19 show schematic diagrams of the configuration of carbon dioxide injection device 100. Here, Figure 18 shows a state in which bottle 1 is being attached to carbon dioxide injection device 100, or a state in which bottle 1 is being removed from carbon dioxide injection device 100. Figure 19 shows a state in which carbon dioxide injection device 100 is ready to inject carbon dioxide into bottle 1, a state in which carbon dioxide injection device 100 is in the process of injecting carbon dioxide into bottle 1, or a state in which carbon dioxide injection device 100 has completed the operation of injecting carbon dioxide into bottle 1.

[0024] In one aspect, carbon dioxide gas injection device 100 may include injection unit 180 that injects carbon dioxide gas into bottle 1, reading unit 132 that reads information from information storage unit 130 attached to bottle 1, and control unit 120 that permits injection unit 180 to inject carbon dioxide gas into bottle 1. If the information read from information storage unit 130 by reading unit 132 is correct, control unit 120 may operate to permit injection of carbon dioxide gas into bottle 1 by injection unit 180. This makes it possible to prevent or prohibit injection of carbon dioxide gas into bottle 1 that does not store correct information. Injection unit 180 may be composed of, for example, the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 90, bottle holding mechanism BHM, tube 85, etc., described above.

[0025] The carbon dioxide gas injection device 100 may include an operation unit 190 as an interface operated by an operator. The operation unit 190 may include a start button that the operator presses to request the start of injection of carbon dioxide gas into the bottle 1. When the injection of carbon dioxide gas into the bottle 1 by the injection unit 180 is permitted and a request to inject carbon dioxide gas is received by operating the start button, the control unit 120 operates the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 90 (injection unit 180) in accordance with the pressure control profile described above. This causes carbon dioxide gas to be injected into the bottle 1. The control unit 120 may be configured, for example, with at least one of an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0026] 18, the mouth of the tilted bottle 1 is inserted obliquely upward in a direction U into the insertion hole of the bottle holding mechanism BHM, and the bottle 1 is rotated in a first rotation direction R1, thereby being held by the bottle holding mechanism BHM. Thereafter, the bottle 1 is rotated in a third rotation direction R3, and is brought into a vertical state as shown in FIG. 19, thereby entering a locked state in which the bottle 1 is held by the bottle holding mechanism BHM.

[0027] The reading unit 132 may be positioned so as to be able to read information from the information storage unit 130 of the bottle 1 when the bottle 1 is placed in a predetermined position and in a predetermined orientation (in the example of FIG. 18 , the bottle 1 is placed vertically above the reading unit 132). The reading unit 132 may include an optical sensor that optically reads information from the information storage unit 130. In one example, the information storage unit 130 may include a two-dimensional barcode, and the optical sensor may be configured to be able to read the two-dimensional barcode. In another example, the information storage unit 130 may include an IC tag.

[0028] The reading unit 132 may be activated in response to the bottle 1 being placed at a predetermined position in a predetermined orientation. Alternatively, the reading unit 132 may be controlled so as to be able to read information from the information storage unit 130 at all times. The reading unit 132 may be arranged or configured so as to be able to read information from the information storage unit 130 provided at the bottom of the bottle 1 when the bottle 1 is placed at a predetermined position in a predetermined orientation (in the example of FIG. 18, the bottle 1 is placed vertically above the reading unit 132).

[0029] In one example, the information storage unit 130 may include expiration date information regarding the expiration date of the bottle 1. In this case, the control unit 120 may operate to permit the injection unit 180 to inject carbon dioxide gas into the bottle 1 if the expiration date information read by the reading unit 132 is correct. In this configuration, it is possible to prevent a bottle 1 that has passed its expiration date from being used to inject carbon dioxide gas into a beverage. The expiration date may be, for example, the end of a period for which use is guaranteed, or the end of a period for which use is permitted by contract or the like.

[0030] In another example, the information storage unit 130 may include identification information for identifying the bottle 1 or the user of the bottle 1. In this case, the control unit 120 may operate to permit the injection unit 180 to inject carbon dioxide gas into the bottle 1 if the identification information read by the reading unit 132 is valid. In such a configuration, it is possible to limit the bottles that can be used, or the individuals or organizations that can be used. The control unit 120 may generate billing information based on the identification information, for example. The billing information may include, for example, the date and time when carbon dioxide gas was injected into the bottle 1. The control unit 120 may transmit the billing information to a server (not shown).

[0031] In yet another example, the information storage unit 130 may include connection information for connecting to the user's mobile terminal, and in this case, the control unit 120 may connect to the user's mobile terminal based on the connection information read by the reading unit 132. The billing information as described above may be transmitted to the server via the user's mobile terminal.

[0032] 20 illustrates an example of the operation of carbon dioxide injection device 100 provided with reading unit 132. The operation of carbon dioxide injection device 100 is controlled by control unit 120. In step 301, control unit 120 determines whether information can be read from information storage unit 130 of bottle 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, if bottle 1 is held in a vertical position by bottle holding mechanism BHM and information storage unit 130 contains information that can be read by reading unit 132, control unit 120 can determine that information can be read from information storage unit 130 of bottle 1.

[0033] If the control unit 120 determines that it is possible to read information from the information storage unit 130 of the bottle 1, then in step 302 it determines whether the information is appropriate, more specifically, whether the information indicates that the conditions for injecting carbon dioxide gas into the bottle 1 are met.

[0034] If the control unit 120 determines that the information is valid, in step S303, the control unit 120 permits the injection of carbon dioxide gas into the bottle 1 held by the bottle holding mechanism BHM, and in step S304, the control unit 120 waits for a request for injection of carbon dioxide gas via operation of the start button on the operation unit 190. Then, upon receiving the injection request, in step S305, the control unit 120 causes the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 90 (injection unit 180) to start the operation of injecting carbon dioxide gas into the bottle 1 in accordance with the pressure control profile. Thereafter, in step S306, the control unit 120 waits for the injection of carbon dioxide gas in accordance with the pressure control profile to be completed, and in step S307, the control unit 120 may generate billing information. Thereafter, in step S308, the control unit 120 sends an unlock signal ULS to the bottle holding mechanism BHM (actuator 115) to release the locked state. This allows the operator to rotate the bottle 1 in the fourth rotation direction R4 and then in the second rotation direction R2, and then pull out the bottle 1 from the bottle holding mechanism BHM.

[0035] If it is determined in step S302 that the information is not correct, the control unit 120 may execute error processing in step S309. The error processing may include, for example, displaying an error on a display unit (not shown).

[0036] Detailed configuration examples of other parts of the bottle holding mechanism BHM will be described below, but the following description provides only one example and does not limit the present invention. Figure 11(a) schematically shows a state in which the carbon dioxide gas injection device 100 or the bottle holding mechanism BHM is waiting for the bottle 1 to be attached (inserted), or a state in which the bottle 1 has been removed from the carbon dioxide gas injection device 100 or the bottle holding mechanism BHM. Figure 11(b) schematically shows a state in which the bottle 1 has been attached to the carbon dioxide gas injection device 100 or the bottle holding mechanism BHM and is in a vertical position (locked state). The bottle holding mechanism BHM can receive the bottle 1 with its axial direction tilted relative to the vertical.

[0037] As shown schematically in FIG. 11(a), the bottle 1 may have a mouth 2 provided with a protrusion 3. The carbon dioxide gas injection device 100 or the bottle holding mechanism BHM may hold the bottle 1 or the mouth 2 of the bottle 1 using the protrusion 3. When the bottle 1 is held in a vertical state by the bottle holding mechanism BHM, i.e., in a locked state, the bottle holding mechanism BHM may also be in a vertical state with its axial direction parallel to the vertical direction.

[0038] The configurations and operations of the bottle holding mechanism BHM and the carbon dioxide gas injector 100 will be described below with reference to Figures 12 to 17 as well as Figure 11. Note that Figures 13 to 17 show the state in which the housing 10 and its peripheral members have been removed for improved visibility. Figure 17 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 13.

[0039] The bottle holding mechanism BHM may include a housing 10 and a holder 20 that holds the housing 10 rotatably in a third rotation direction R3 and a fourth rotation direction R4 that are opposite to each other. The bottle holding mechanism BHM may also include a first annular member 30 and a second annular member 40. The first annular member 30 and the second annular member 40 may be held by the housing 10.

[0040] The first annular member 30 may be arranged translatably in a first translation direction T1 and a second translation direction T2 that are opposite to each other within the housing 10. The first annular member 30 may have a first opposing surface 31. The first opposing surface 31 may be a sawtooth engagement surface.

[0041] The second annular member 40 can be arranged within the housing 10 to be rotatable in a first rotation direction R1 and a second rotation direction R2, which are opposite to each other. As illustrated in FIG. 17 , the second annular member 40 can have a second opposing surface 41 facing the first opposing surface 31 and an end surface 42 opposite the second opposing surface 41. The second opposing surface 41 can be a sawtooth-shaped engagement surface. When the mouth portion 2 of the bottle 1 is held or locked by the bottle holding mechanism BHM, the first engagement surface serving as the first opposing surface 31 can engage with the second engagement surface serving as the second opposing surface 41.

[0042] The second annular member 40 may also have an opening 43 into which the mouth 2 of the bottle 1 is inserted, and a groove 44 extending from the end face 42 so as to engage with a protrusion 3 provided on the mouth 2 of the bottle 1. The groove 44 may include a vertical groove portion 441 extending from the end face 42 of the second annular member 40 in the axial direction of the second annular member 40 (second translation direction T2), and a horizontal groove portion 442 extending from the vertical groove portion 441 in the circumferential direction of the second annular member 40 (first rotation direction R1).

[0043] 11 and 12, the holder 20 holds the housing 10 rotatably in a third rotation direction R3 and a fourth rotation direction R4 that are opposite to each other. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the bottle holding mechanism BHM may include a limiting portion 70 that limits movement of the protrusion 3 of the mouth portion 2 within the groove 44. The limiting portion 70 may be fixed to the first annular member 30. Alternatively, the limiting portion 70 may be configured as a part of the first annular member 30.

[0044] Rotation of the housing 10 in the third rotation direction R3 is converted into translation of the first annular member 30 in the first translation direction T1, and rotation of the housing 10 in the fourth rotation direction R4 is converted into translation of the first annular member 30 in the second translation direction T2. After the protrusion 3 of the mouth portion 2 engages with the vertical groove 441, the bottle 1 is rotated so that it rotates in the first rotation direction R1 along the horizontal groove 442. Then, by rotating the bottle 1 in the third rotation direction R3, the first annular member 30 can move in the first translation direction T1. In this state, the movement of the protrusion 3 in the groove 44 is limited by the limiting member 70, locking the mouth portion 2 or the bottle 1 and establishing a locked state. The locked state in which the mouth portion 2 is locked can be maintained unless the bottle 1 is rotated in the fourth rotation direction R4. Furthermore, the bottle 1 cannot be pulled out from the opening 43 or the insertion hole 11 simply by rotating the bottle 1 in the fourth rotation direction R4 from a state in which the mouth portion 2 is locked.

[0045] When the housing 10 and the bottle 1 are inclined, the first translation direction T1 and the second translation direction T2 may be parallel to the diagonally upward direction U and the diagonally downward direction D. When the housing 10 and the bottle 1 are in a vertical state, the first translation direction T1 and the second translation direction T2 may be parallel to the vertical direction.

[0046] Insertion of the neck portion 2 of the bottle 1 into the insertion hole 11 of the bottle holding mechanism BHM can also be understood as insertion of the neck portion 2 into the opening 43 of the second annular member 40. The neck portion 2 is inserted into the opening 43 of the second annular member 40 so that the protrusion 3 engages with the groove 44. As described above, the groove 44 may include a vertical groove 441 and a horizontal groove 442. Insertion of the neck portion 2 of the bottle 1 into the opening 43 or the insertion hole 11 involves insertion of the protrusion 3 into the vertical groove 441, and subsequent rotation of the bottle 1 in the first rotation direction R1 involves rotation of the protrusion 3 in the horizontal groove 442 in the first rotation direction R1. Rotation of the bottle 1 in the first rotation direction R1 causes the protrusion 3 to abut against the deepest portion 443 of the horizontal groove 442, causing the second annular member 40 to rotate in the first rotation direction R1. The rotatable range of the second annular member 40 in the first rotation direction R1 can be limited, for example, by the limiting portion 70 coming into contact with a second limiting portion (not shown) provided on the second annular member 40.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 11(a), the housing 10 may include a bottom surface portion 12 and a side surface portion 13 extending from the bottom surface portion 12 (in a direction parallel to the first translational direction T1). The bottom surface portion 12 may have an insertion hole 11 into which the mouth portion 2 of the bottle 1 is inserted, and may be configured to restrict the second annular member 40 with respect to the first translational direction T1. The side surface portion 13 may be configured to at least partially surround the first annular member 30 and the second annular member 40. The side surface portion 13 may have, for example, a rectangular cylindrical shape.

[0048] The bottle holding mechanism BHM may further include a holding member 50 that holds the first annular member 30 inside the housing 10. A slot extending in the axial direction of the housing 10 may be provided in the side surface portion 13 of the housing 10. The holding member 50 may have a protrusion 52 that protrudes through the slot provided in the side surface portion 13 of the housing 10. As schematically shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), the holder 20 may have a pivotal support portion 22 that pivotally supports the housing 10 to enable rotation of the housing 10 in a first rotational direction R1 and a second rotational direction R2, and a guide groove 24 that guides the protrusion 52.

[0049] Rotation of the housing 10 in the third rotation direction R3 and the fourth rotation direction R4 can be converted into movement of the first annular member 30 in the first translation direction T1 and the second translation direction T2 by the protrusion 52 moving in the guide groove 24. More specifically, rotation of the housing 10 in the third rotation direction R3 can be converted into translation of the first annular member 30 in the first translation direction T1, and rotation of the housing 10 in the fourth rotation direction R4 can be converted into translation of the first annular member 30 in the second translation direction.

[0050] The holding member 50 has a first engagement portion 55, and the second annular member 40 has a second engagement portion 45, and when the mouth portion 2 of the bottle 1 is in a locked state, the second engagement portion 45 can be engaged with the first engagement portion 55.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 11( b), the bottle holding mechanism BHM may further include an indicator DS that indicates a state in which the bottle 1 has been rotated so that the protrusion 3 of the mouth portion 2 engages with the vertical groove 441 and then rotates along the horizontal groove 442 in the first rotation direction R1. The indicator DS may include, for example, a mark 48 provided on the second annular member 40 that is rotatable in the first rotation direction R1 and the second rotation direction R2, and a window 18 provided in the housing 10. In one example, when the bottle 1 is rotated so that the protrusion 3 is inserted into the vertical groove 441 and then rotates along the horizontal groove 442 in the first rotation direction R1, the mark 48 having the first collar appears in the window 18. On the other hand, when the bottle 1 is rotated from that state so that the protrusion 3 rotates along the horizontal groove 442 in the second rotation direction R2, a portion having the second collar (e.g., a part of the second annular member 40) appears in the window 18.

[0052] The bottle holding mechanism BHM may further include a coil spring 60 that applies a force to the first annular member 30 and the second annular member 40 in a direction separating the first annular member 30 and the second annular member 40 from each other. The coil spring 60 may be arranged to generate a resistance force against rotation of the second annular member 40 in the first rotation direction R1.

[0053] 17 , the bottle holding mechanism BHM may include a sealing unit 80 that seals the mouth 2 of the bottle 1 when the mouth 2 is inserted to a predetermined depth into the opening 43 of the second annular member 40. The bottle holding mechanism BHM may further include a tube 85 that passes through the first annular member 30 and the second annular member 40. The carbon dioxide gas supply unit 90 of the carbon dioxide gas injection device 100 may be configured to inject carbon dioxide gas into the bottle 1 (the beverage in the bottle 1) through the tube 85. The sealing unit 80 may be attached to the tube 85.

[0054] Attachment of the bottle 1 to the carbon dioxide gas injector 100 or the bottle holding mechanism BHM and removal of the bottle 1 from the carbon dioxide gas injector 100 or the bottle holding mechanism BHM will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0055] 12, 13, and 17 show how the mouth portion 2 of the bottle 1 is inserted obliquely upward in the direction U into the opening 43 of the second annular member 40 (the insertion hole 11 of the housing 10), and the protrusion 3 of the mouth portion 2 is engaged with the groove 44 (the vertical groove portion 441) of the second annular member 40. Note that the housing 10 is not shown in FIGS. 13 to 17.

[0056] Figure 14 shows the state in which the bottle 1 is rotated in the first rotation direction R1 from the state shown in Figures 12, 13, and 17, thereby moving the protrusion 3 in the first rotation direction R1 within the lateral groove portion 442.

[0057] 15 shows a state in which the bottle 1 is rotated in the third rotation direction R3 from the state shown in Fig. 14, thereby translating the first annular member 30 in the first translation direction T1, the bottle 1 or the mouth portion 2 is held by the bottle holding mechanism BHM, and the bottle holding mechanism BHM is locked. In this state, carbon dioxide gas is injected into the bottle 1 (the beverage in the bottle 1) through the tube 85 by the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 90.

[0058] After the injection of carbon dioxide gas into the bottle 1 (the beverage in the bottle 1) has finished and the pressure inside the bottle 1 has dropped, the locked state is released in response to the unlock signal ULS. Figure 16 shows the state in which the bottle 1 has been rotated in the fourth rotation direction R4 after the locked state has been released. In this state, the protrusion 3 is still engaged with the lateral groove 442. Therefore, the bottle 1 cannot be pulled out.

[0059] Thereafter, the bottle 1 is rotated in the second rotation direction R2, thereby reaching the state shown in Figures 12, 13, and 17. In this state, the mouth portion 2 of the bottle 1 can be pulled out obliquely downward in the direction D from the opening 43 of the second annular member 40 (the insertion hole 11 of the housing 10).

[0060] 15 as described above, carbon dioxide gas can be injected into the bottle 1 (the beverage filled in the bottle 1) by the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 90 through the tube 85. The injection of carbon dioxide gas into the bottle 1 can be performed in response to the operator operating the start button of the operation unit 190.

[0061] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1: bottle, 2: mouth, 3: protrusion, BHM: bottle holding mechanism, U: diagonally upward, D: diagonally downward, 10: housing, 11: insertion hole, 12: bottom surface, 13: side surface, 18: window, 20: holder, 22: bearing portion, 24: guide groove, 30: first annular member, 31: first opposing surface, 40: second annular member, 41: second opposing surface, 42: end face, 43: opening, 44: groove, 441: vertical groove, 442: horizontal groove, 443: deepest portion, 45: second engagement portion, 48: mark, 50: holding member, 52: protrusion, 55: first engagement Joint portion, 60: coil spring, 70: restriction portion, 80: seal portion, 85: tube, 90: carbon dioxide gas supply portion, 100: carbon dioxide gas injection device, 110: lock mechanism, 111: restriction member, 112: movable piece, 113: rotation shaft, 114: 114, 115: actuator, 130: information storage portion, 132: reading portion, 180: injection portion, ULS: lock release signal, T1: first translation direction, T2: second translation direction, R1: first rotation direction, R2: second rotation direction, R3: third rotation direction, R4: fourth rotation direction, DS: indicator

Claims

1. A carbon dioxide gas injection device for injecting carbon dioxide gas into a bottle, an injection unit that injects carbon dioxide gas into the bottle; a reading unit that reads information from an information storage unit attached to the bottle; a control unit that allows the injection unit to inject carbon dioxide gas into the bottle when the information read by the reading unit is correct; A carbon dioxide gas injection device comprising:

2. the reading unit is arranged so as to be able to read information from the information storage unit when the bottle is placed at a predetermined position in a predetermined posture.

2. The carbon dioxide gas injection device according to claim 1.

3. the reading unit includes an optical sensor that optically reads information from the information storage unit; 3. The carbon dioxide gas injection device according to claim 2.

4. the information storage unit includes a two-dimensional barcode, and the optical sensor is configured to be able to read the two-dimensional barcode.

4. The carbon dioxide gas injection device according to claim 3.

5. the reading unit is activated in response to the bottle being placed at the predetermined position in the predetermined attitude; 4. The carbon dioxide gas injection device according to claim 3.

6. the reading unit is arranged so as to be able to read information from the information storage unit provided on the bottom of the bottle when the bottle is placed at the predetermined position and in the predetermined attitude.

6. The carbon dioxide gas injection device according to claim 5.

7. the information storage unit includes expiration date information relating to the expiration date of the bottle; the control unit permits the injection unit to inject carbon dioxide gas into the bottle when the expiration date information read by the reading unit is correct.

3. The carbon dioxide gas injection device according to claim 2.

8. the information storage unit includes identification information for identifying the bottle or a user of the bottle; the control unit permits the injection unit to inject carbon dioxide gas into the bottle when the identification information read by the reading unit is correct.

3. The carbon dioxide gas injection device according to claim 2.

9. the control unit generates billing information based on the identification information.

9. The carbon dioxide gas injection device according to claim 8.

10. a bottle holding mechanism for holding the mouth of the bottle; the bottle holding mechanism has an insertion hole, and holds the bottle when the mouth portion is inserted obliquely upward into the insertion hole, the bottle is rotated around its axial direction, and the bottle is rotated so that the bottle is in a vertical state.

10. The carbon dioxide gas injection device according to claim 1.

11. A program for controlling a carbon dioxide gas injection device that injects carbon dioxide gas into a bottle, The carbon dioxide gas injection device is an injection unit that injects carbon dioxide gas into the bottle; a reading unit that reads information from an information storage unit attached to the bottle; a processor, the program causes the processor to operate to permit the injection unit to inject carbon dioxide gas into the bottle when the information read by the reading unit is correct; A program characterized by:

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