Refilling device and refilling method

Abstract

To provide a refilling device or the like that prevents a change in quality when refilling a content of a large container to a small container.SOLUTION: A refilling device 10 comprises: a dispensing tube that is inserted from a mouth of a bottle 71 into the bottle 71; a gas injection pipe that is inserted from the mouth of the bottle 71 into the bottle, even deeper than the dispensing tube; a bottle holding part 36 that holds an outer face of the dispensing tube, an outer face of the gas injection pipe, and the mouth of the bottle 71 in a liquid-tight manner; and an inversion part that unifies and inverts the dispensing tube, the gas injection pipe, and the bottle holding part 36.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refilling device and a refilling method. [Background technology]

[0002] A dispensing valve device has been proposed that connects an original container and a dispensing container, and supplies the contents of the original container to the dispensing container while supplying air into the original container (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-8476 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The device in Patent Document 1 can subdivide the contents of the original container without first transferring them to a dedicated container, etc. Since there is no need to wash the dedicated container, the subdivision work can be carried out efficiently.

[0005] However, with the device of Patent Document 1, the contents come into contact with air during the dividing process, making it unsuitable for dividing contents whose quality changes when exposed to air, such as wine.

[0006] In one aspect, an object is to provide a refilling device or the like that prevents quality changes when the contents of a large container are refilled into a smaller container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The refilling device includes a dispensing tube that is inserted into the bottle from the bottle's mouth, a gas injection tube that is inserted into the bottle from the bottle's mouth deeper than the dispensing tube, a bottle holding part that keeps the outer surface of the dispensing tube, the outer surface of the gas injection tube, and the bottle mouth liquid-tight, and an inversion part that inverts the dispensing tube, the gas injection tube, and the bottle holding part together. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In one aspect, it is possible to provide a refilling device or the like that prevents quality changes when the contents of a large container are refilled into a smaller container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the refill device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a bottle handler. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a dispensing tube. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a gas supply pipe. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a refilling procedure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a refilling procedure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a refilling procedure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a refilling procedure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the X portion in FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a view taken along the arrow XI in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a refilling procedure. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a refilling procedure. [Figure 14] 14 is a view taken along the arrow XIV in FIG. 13. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a refilling procedure. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing of a program. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of an unsealing subroutine. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing in a dispensing subroutine. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a refilling device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Embodiment 1] 1 is a perspective view of a refill device 10. The refill device 10 has a refill chamber 11 covered by a housing 111. A touch panel 25 is attached to the side of the housing 111. A ventilation device 15 is disposed on the top surface of the housing 111. The housing 111 has an opening and closing door (not shown).

[0011] Two shelves are arranged below the refilling chamber 11, and the floor height of the refilling chamber 11 is set to about 80 centimeters. A gas cylinder 19 is arranged next to the shelves. The gas cylinder 19 is filled with an inert gas. It is desirable that the gas cylinder 19 be filled with an inert gas having a higher specific gravity than air, such as carbon dioxide gas or argon gas. In the following explanation, an example will be described in which the gas cylinder 19 is filled with argon gas.

[0012] In FIG. 1, the housing 111 is transparent, allowing the user to see the inside of the refill chamber 11. The housing 111 may be partially or entirely light-blocking. By using a light-blocking housing 111, it is possible to provide a refill device 10 that prevents deterioration of the contents due to light. The devices arranged inside the refill chamber 11 will be described later.

[0013] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the refilling device 10. The refilling device 10 includes the refilling chamber 11, ventilation device 15, gas cylinder 19, and touch panel 25, as well as a control device 20.

[0014] The control device 20 includes a control unit 21, a main memory device 22, an auxiliary memory device 23, a communication unit 24, and a bus. The control unit 21 is an arithmetic and control device that executes the program of this embodiment. The control unit 21 uses one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), multi-core CPUs, or the like. The control unit 21 is connected to each hardware unit that constitutes the control device 20 via the bus.

[0015] The main memory device 22 is a storage device such as an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), a flash memory, etc. The main memory device 22 temporarily stores information required during processing performed by the control unit 21 and programs currently being executed by the control unit 21.

[0016] The auxiliary storage device 23 is a storage device such as an SRAM, a flash memory, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape. The auxiliary storage device 23 stores programs to be executed by the control unit 21 and various data required for executing the programs. The communication unit 24 is an interface for communication between the control device 20 and a network or other devices.

[0017] The control device 20 is a general-purpose information device such as a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone. The control device 20 may be a one-board computer or a one-chip computer that integrates the control unit 21, memory, and various input / output interfaces. The control device 20 may be a mainframe computer, a virtual machine running on a mainframe computer, multiple personal computers performing distributed processing, or a cloud computing system.

[0018] The touch panel 25 attached to the side surface of the housing 111 is an input / output device connected wirelessly or by wire to the control device 20. The touch panel 25 includes a display unit 251 and an input unit 252 stacked on the display unit 251.

[0019] The refilling chamber 11 accommodates a bottle handler 30, a small container handler 40, a small container conveyor 49, and a sealing device 18. A lifting mechanism 121 and a rotation mechanism 122 are connected to the bottle handler 30.

[0020] Ventilation device 15 includes filter 151. Filter 151 is, for example, a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) filter. Filter 151 may also be a ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air Filter) filter. Ventilation device 15 sends air that has passed through filter 151 into refill chamber 11, and maintains the inside of casing 111 at a positive pressure compared to the outside of casing 111 with the clean air.

[0021] 1 and 2, the interior of the refill chamber 11 will be described further. As shown in FIG. 1, a bottle handler 30 is disposed in the center of the refill chamber 11. The bottle handler 30 can be moved up and down by a lifting mechanism 121. The bottle handler 30 can be rotated by a rotation mechanism 122. The configuration of the bottle handler 30 will be described in detail below.

[0022] In FIG. 1, two bottles 71 and a small container handler 40 are arranged below a bottle handler 30. The bottles 71 contain a liquid to be refilled. The quality of the liquid to be refilled is easily affected by exposure to air. In the following explanation, the bottles 71 are wine bottles with a capacity of 750 milliliters, and the liquid to be refilled is wine. The detailed configuration of the small container handler 40 will be described later.

[0023] The liquid to be refilled is not limited to wine. For example, it may be brewed alcohol such as sake, distilled alcohol such as brandy, or non-alcoholic beverages such as juice. The liquid to be refilled may also be a seasoning such as soy sauce or olive oil. The liquid to be refilled may also be a non-edible liquid such as eau de toilette. The refill device 10 can be used to refill any liquid that needs to be protected from deterioration due to exposure to air.

[0024] A plurality of empty small containers 76 are arranged on the right side of the bottle handler 30. In this embodiment, the small containers 76 are cylindrical containers with a capacity of 100 milliliters. A lid 77 is placed on each small container 76. The capacity and shape of the small containers 76 can be changed as desired.

[0025] The small container 76 and the lid 77 are cleaned to a level appropriate for the use and properties of the liquid to be refilled. In this embodiment, the liquid to be refilled is wine, so the small container 76 and the lid 77 are thoroughly washed and dried to remove any foreign matter, and then sterilized in a high-pressure steam sterilizer.

[0026] A sealing device 18 is disposed on the left side of the bottle handler 30. The sealing device 18 is a device that secures and tightly seals the small container 76 and the lid 77. Since the sealing device 18 has been used for a long time, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0027] A small container conveyor 49 is arranged to the left and right of the refill chamber 11 to move empty small containers 76 below the bottle handler 30 to the sealing device 18. The small container conveyor 49 is, for example, a belt conveyor.

[0028] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of bottle handler 30. Bottle handler 30 includes support plate 31, dispensing tube 33, pump 34, gas injection tube 51, bottle holder 36, type detection unit 371, seal removal unit 372, cork removal unit 373, and screw cap removal unit 374. Detailed structures of type detection unit 371, seal removal unit 372, cork removal unit 373, and screw cap removal unit 374 are not shown in the figures. The configurations of dispensing tube 33 and gas injection tube 51 will be described later.

[0029] The support plate 31 is in the shape of a substantially hexagonal plate. The support plate 31 is connected to the above-mentioned up-down mechanism 121 and rotation mechanism 122, and moves up and down and in rotational directions under the control of the control unit 21. A type detection unit 371 and a screw cap removal unit 374 are arranged on the edges of two consecutive sides of the support plate 31. A sticker removal unit 372 is arranged on the side opposite to the side on which the type detection unit 371 is arranged. A cork removal unit 373 is arranged on the side opposite to the side on which the screw cap removal unit 374 is arranged. The support plate 31 is an example of a turntable in this embodiment.

[0030] The type detection unit 371 includes a sensor that detects the type of lid 72 (see FIG. 6) that seals the mouths of two bottles 71 placed under the bottle handler 30. The types of lid 72 include, for example, cork, screw cap, glass lid, and crown cap. The type of sensor is, for example, an electromagnetic induction sensor, a proximity sensor, or a camera.

[0031] The seal removal unit 372 is equipped with a metal claw or the like that removes cap seals from the two bottles 71. The cork removal unit 373 removes corks from the two bottles 71. The cork removal unit 373 is equipped with two injection needles 379. After the cork removal unit 373 pierces the cork with the injection needle 379, it sprays inert gas from the tip of the injection needle 379. As the internal pressure of the bottle 71 increases, the cork is removed from the bottle 71.

[0032] The screw cap removal unit 374 removes the screw caps from the two bottles 71. The screw cap removal unit 374 removes the screw caps from the bottles 71 by, for example, rotating the bottles 71 relative to a metal band tightly wrapped around the screw caps.

[0033] The bottle handler 30 of this embodiment does not have a configuration for removing the glass stopper-type and crown cap-type closures 72. The bottle handler 30 may have a configuration for removing the glass stopper-type or crown cap-type closures 72. The refilling device 10 may have a robot or the like in the refilling chamber 11 that autonomously opens the bottles 71, instead of the type detection unit 371, seal removal unit 372, cork removal unit 373, and screw cap removal unit 374 attached to the bottle handler 30.

[0034] 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the dispensing tube 33. Piping joints that connect the tubes and pipes that make up the dispensing tube 33, and solenoid valves that control the flow of liquid, etc. are not shown. The dispensing tube 33 has a structure in which a rigid filling nozzle 333 that extends linearly is split into two bottle insertion tubes 332 at a branching section 335. The side of the bottle insertion tube 332 facing the branching section 335 is flexible, and the tip of the bottle insertion tube 332 is rigid.

[0035] Dispensing tube 33 has a structure in which a rigid pipe constituting filling nozzle 333 and a rigid pipe constituting the tip of bottle insertion tube 332 are connected by a flexible portion such as a bifurcated flexible tube. Pumps 34 are attached to each of the bifurcated portions of the flexible portion. Pumps 34 are tube pumps and do not come into contact with the fluid flowing inside dispensing tube 33.

[0036] The bottle holding portion 36 has a shape that allows it to be attached to the bottle 71 in place of the lid 72 after the lid 72 has been removed from the bottle 71. For example, FIG. 4 shows the bottle holding portion 36 having a cylindrical shape with a bottom like a cap. The bottle holding portion 36 may also have a cylindrical shape like a cork stopper. The bottle holding portion 36 covers the opening of the bottle 71 in a liquid-tight manner. The bottle insertion tube 332 passes through the bottle holding portion 36. There is also a liquid-tight seal between the outer surface of the bottle insertion tube 332 and the bottle holding portion 36.

[0037] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the gas injection pipe 51. For the sake of explanation, the portion where the gas injection pipes 51 intersect three-dimensionally in Figure 3 is shown expanded on a plane in Figure 5. Piping joints that connect the tubes and pipes that make up the gas injection pipe 51, and solenoid valves that control the flow of gas, etc. are not shown.

[0038] The gas injection pipe 51 is a pipe that supplies inert gas to the bottle handler 30, the small container handler 40, and the cork removal unit 373. The gas injection pipe 51 includes a connecting pipe 55, a second nozzle pipe 552, a first gas nozzle 531, a second gas nozzle 532, a third gas nozzle 533, a bottle pipe 529, a bottle insertion pipe 52, and a buffer tank 57.

[0039] A switching unit 58 is disposed between the buffer tank 57 and the bottle pipe 529. The switching unit 58 is a switching valve having two inlets and one outlet. The buffer tank 57 is connected to one of the inlets of the switching unit 58. The bottle pipe 529 is connected to the outlet of the switching unit 58. An air intake 59 is connected to the other inlet of the switching unit 58.

[0040] Two bottle insertion pipes 52 are connected to the bottle pipe 529. The bottle insertion pipes 52 are rigid pipes. The bottle insertion pipes 52 pass through the bottle holding portion 36. The gap between the outer surfaces of the bottle insertion pipes 52 and the bottle holding portion 36 is also liquid-tight.

[0041] 3, the bottle insertion tube 52 and the bottle insertion tube 332 pass through one bottle holding portion 36. The tip of the bottle insertion tube 332 is located closer to the bottle holding portion 36 than the tip of the bottle insertion tube 52. It is desirable that the tip of the bottle insertion tube 332 be flush with the inner surface of the top surface of the bottle holding portion 36 so that the liquid inside the bottle 71 can be used without waste.

[0042] Returning to FIG. 5, the explanation will continue. Connecting pipe 55 is a tube for piping gas, and gas cylinder 19 is connected to the left end in FIG. 5. The right end of connecting pipe 55 in FIG. 5 is connected to the side of first gas nozzle 531. First gas nozzle 531 is a rigid pipe. One end of first gas nozzle 531 is connected to buffer tank 57.

[0043] A third gas nozzle 533 and a second nozzle pipe 552 are connected to the side of the connection pipe 55. The third gas nozzle 533 is connected to the cork removal unit 373 and supplies inert gas to the injection needle 379 described with reference to FIG. 3. The second nozzle pipe 552 is connected to the small container handler 40. The second nozzle pipe 552 is a flexible tube with a bifurcated tip. The rigid second gas nozzles 532 are connected to the tips of the second nozzle pipes 552. The function of the second gas nozzles 532 will be described later.

[0044] Gas supplied from gas cylinder 19 is sprayed from third gas nozzle 533, second gas nozzle 532, and first gas nozzle 531. Inert gas or air taken in from air intake port 59 is sprayed from bottle insertion tube 52 depending on the operating state of switching unit 58. The timing of spraying inert gas or air is controlled by a solenoid valve or the like (not shown).

[0045] Returning to Figure 3, the explanation will continue. Bottle insertion pipe 52 extends below support plate 31 in Figure 3. Bottle insertion pipe 332 extends to just below bottle holder 36 in Figure 3. First gas nozzle 531 and filling nozzle 333 extend above support plate 31 in Figure 3. The tip of filling nozzle 333 is located higher than the tip of first gas nozzle 531. Pump 34 is fixed to support plate 31.

[0046] 6 to 9 are explanatory diagrams illustrating the refilling procedure. FIG. 6 shows the first stage of the refilling process. The bottle handler 30 is in a state where the bottle insertion tube 52 faces downward. The user places two bottles 71 under the bottle insertion tube 52. The two bottles 71 are the same product. The user closes the door to the refilling chamber 11. Operation of the ventilation device 15 creates a positive pressure inside the refilling chamber 11 compared to the outside of the refilling chamber 11.

[0047] The subsequent processing will be described taking as an example a case where the control unit 21 controls each device in the refilling chamber 11. Note that some or all of the processing may be performed manually by the user by operating a switch or touch panel 25 provided on each device.

[0048] 7 shows the stage of opening the bottle 71. The control unit 21 operates the rotation mechanism 122 to rotate the bottle handler 30 clockwise by 60 degrees. The control unit 21 lowers the bottle handler 30 and brings the type detection unit 371 closer to the lid 72 as shown in FIG. 7. The control unit 21 acquires the type of lid 72 detected by the type detection unit 371.

[0049] If the controller 21 detects that the lid 72 is of a type that cannot be automatically removed by the bottle handler 30, such as a glass stopper, the controller 21 displays a message on the touch panel 25 indicating that the lid 72 cannot be automatically removed. The controller 21 raises the bottle handler 30 and then rotates it 60 degrees counterclockwise to return it to the state shown in Figure 6. The user manually removes the lid 72 from the bottle 71 and then returns it to below the bottle insertion tube 52.

[0050] If the lid 72 is detected to be a cork, the control unit 21 raises the bottle handler 30 and then rotates it 180 degrees. The control unit 21 then lowers the bottle handler 30 to bring the seal removal unit 372 closer to the lid 72. The control unit 21 then causes the seal removal unit 372 to remove the seal cap, which is a member covering the surface of the lid 72.

[0051] The control unit 21 raises the bottle handler 30 again and then rotates it 60 degrees clockwise. The control unit 21 then lowers the bottle handler 30, bringing the cork removal unit 373 closer to the lid 72. The control unit 21 further lowers the bottle handler 30, causing the injection needle 379 to pierce the cork stopper.

[0052] The control unit 21 controls an electromagnetic valve or the like provided in the gas injection pipe 51 to inject inert gas from the injection needle 379 via the third gas nozzle 533. The internal pressure of the bottle 71 increases, and the cork is removed from the bottle 71.

[0053] The control unit 21 raises the bottle handler 30 again, and then rotates it 60 degrees clockwise to return it to the state shown in Figure 6. As a result, the bottle 71 from which the lid 72 has been removed is now positioned below the bottle insertion tube 52.

[0054] If the lid 72 is detected to be a screw cap, the control unit 21 raises the bottle handler 30 and then rotates it 180 degrees. The control unit 21 then lowers the bottle handler 30 to bring the seal removal unit 372 closer to the lid 72. The control unit 21 causes the seal removal unit 372 to remove the seal cap, which is a member covering the surface of the lid 72.

[0055] The control unit 21 raises the bottle handler 30 again and then rotates it counterclockwise by 120 degrees. Thereafter, the control unit 21 lowers the bottle handler 30 to bring the screw cap removal unit 374 closer to the lid 72. The control unit 21 controls the screw cap removal unit 374 to remove the screw cap from the bottle 71.

[0056] The control unit 21 raises the bottle handler 30 again, and then rotates it counterclockwise by 120 degrees to return it to the state shown in Figure 6. As a result, the bottle 71 from which the lid 72 has been removed is now positioned below the bottle insertion tube 52.

[0057] 8 shows the stage after the lid 72 has been removed from the bottle 71. The control unit 21 lowers the bottle handler 30 and causes the bottle holding unit 36 ​​to hold the mouth of the bottle 71. As shown in FIG. 8, the tip of the bottle insertion tube 52 is located near the bottom of the bottle 71, and the tip of the bottle insertion tube 332 is located near the mouth of the bottle 71. In other words, the bottle insertion tube 52, which is part of the gas injection tube 51, is inserted deeper into the bottle 71 than the bottle insertion tube 332, which is part of the dispensing tube 33.

[0058] Figure 9 shows the next step after Figure 8. After raising the bottle handler 30, the control unit 21 rotates it half to three and a half times so that the mouths of the bottles 71 face downward. In the following explanation, the action of turning the mouths of the bottles 71 downward may be referred to as "inverting." The bottle handler 30 is an example of an inverting unit that inverts the bottles 71.

[0059] The appropriate number of rotations of the bottle handler 30 varies depending on the characteristics of the wine contained in the bottle 71. It is recommended that the user research the characteristics of the wine in advance and determine the appropriate number of rotations. By rotating the bottle 71, the inside of the bottle 71 is stirred and made uniform.

[0060] The control unit 21 operates the small container conveyor 49 to convey the small containers 76 with lids 77 placed thereon in a line below the bottle handler 30. The control unit 21 controls the small container handler 40 to move it directly below the bottle handler 30.

[0061] Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of part X in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a view seen from the arrow XI in Fig. 10. The configuration of small container handler 40 will be described using Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. In addition to the two second gas nozzles 532 described above, small container handler 40 includes a handler frame 41, a lid holding unit 42, and two nozzle driving units 43.

[0062] Furthermore, the small container handler 40 is provided with a mechanism for moving in the horizontal direction (not shown). Note that in the figures from Fig. 9 onwards, the second nozzle pipe 552 for supplying inert gas to the second gas nozzle 532 is not shown. The connection pipe 55 is connected to the lower end of the second gas nozzle 532.

[0063] The handler frame 41 is shaped like a generally U-shaped plate with its opening facing downward. The lid holder 42 is disposed on top of the handler frame 41. The lid holder 42 is an actuator that clamps the lid 77 and moves it up and down, as shown in FIG. 10. The nozzle driver 43 is an actuator that moves the second gas nozzle 532 in the longitudinal direction.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the small container handler 40 lifts the lid 77 from the small container 76 and moves it back to the right side in FIG.

[0065] Figures 12 and 13 are explanatory diagrams illustrating the refilling procedure. Figure 13 is a view of small container 76 and small container handler 40 as seen from the right side in Figure 12, similar to Figure 11. However, in Figure 13, small container 76 is shown in vertical cross section.

[0066] The control unit 21 lowers the bottle handler 30 and inserts the filling nozzle 333 and the first gas nozzle 531 into the small container 76. The tip of the filling nozzle 333 is close to the bottom of the small container 76. The tip of the first gas nozzle 531 is positioned slightly higher than the tip of the filling nozzle 333.

[0067] The control unit 21 controls an electromagnetic valve or the like provided in the gas injection pipe 51 to eject an inert gas from the first gas nozzle 531. As described above, in this embodiment, an inert gas that is heavier than air, such as argon, is used. The inert gas accumulates from the bottom of the small container 76, and the entire small container 76 is filled with the inert gas. The control unit 21 operates the electromagnetic valve or the like to stop the ejection of the inert gas.

[0068] The control unit 21 operates the pump 34 to dispense a predetermined amount of liquid from the bottle 71 into the small container 76. At this time, since the tip of the filling nozzle 333 is close to the bottom of the small container 76, the liquid is filled into the small container 76 without entraining the inert gas.

[0069] As the liquid is drawn out by the pump 34, a negative pressure is created inside the bottle 71. For example, while the liquid is being poured into two or three small containers 76 immediately after the bottle 71 is inverted so that its mouth faces downward, the control unit 21 controls the switching unit 58 to communicate between the buffer tank 57 and the bottle pipe 529. An inert gas is poured into the bottle 71 from the buffer tank 57 via the bottle pipe 529 and the bottle insertion pipe 52. The inert gas accumulates so as to cover the liquid surface, forming an inert gas layer 73 (see FIG. 15 ).

[0070] Thereafter, control unit 21 controls switching unit 58 to connect air intake port 59 to air intake port 59. Air taken in from switching unit 58 is injected into bottle 71 via bottle pipe 529 and bottle insertion pipe 52. Because air is lighter than inert gas, it collects at the bottom of bottle 71, forming air portion 74 (see FIG. 15).

[0071] It has been found that the liquid is hardly affected by the air when an inert gas layer 73 of about 20 millimeters thick exists between the air portion 74 and the liquid surface. Therefore, it is possible to provide a refill device 10 that prevents deterioration of the liquid in the bottle 71 due to air while suppressing consumption of expensive inert gas.

[0072] Figure 14 is a view taken along arrow XIV in Figure 13. In Figure 14, small container 76 and the like located at the back of the page are not shown. Control unit 21 operates nozzle driving unit 43 to insert the tip of second gas nozzle 532 into lid 77. Control unit 21 controls an electromagnetic valve or the like provided in gas injection pipe 51 to inject inert gas from second gas nozzle 532. Second gas nozzle 532 is an example of an injection nozzle that injects inert gas onto the inner surface of lid 77.

[0073] Because the tip of the second gas nozzle 532 is inserted deep into the lid 77, the air inside the lid 77 is blown away by the inert gas and removed. The control unit 21 operates a solenoid valve or the like to stop the inert gas from being sprayed. Although the inert gas is heavier than air, it is retained inside the lid 77 because there is no hole at the top of the lid 77 through which air can flow in. The small container handler 40 gently places the lid 77 on the small container 76.

[0074] Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the refilling procedure. The control unit 21 operates the small container conveyor 49 to move the next small container 76 below the bottle handler 30. Thereafter, the process described using Figures 9 to 14 is repeated until the bottle 71 is empty.

[0075] As described above, in this embodiment, the capacity of bottle 71 is 750 milliliters, which is a typical capacity for a wine bottle, and the capacity of small container 76 is 100 milliliters. Therefore, the contents of two bottles 71 can be transferred into 15 small containers 76 without waste.

[0076] 15, the small container 76 into which liquid has been poured is shown retracted to the left side of the drawing. The control unit 21 may quickly send the small container 76 into which liquid has been poured to the sealing device 18. The sealing device 18 tightly seals the small container 76 and the lid 77. A device for attaching a label to the sealed small container 76 may be disposed within the refill chamber 11.

[0077] After the liquid has been refilled into the entire bottle 71 and the small container 76 has been sealed, the user removes the small container 76 and the empty bottle 71 from the refill chamber 11 and places the unopened bottle 71 in a predetermined position.

[0078] 16 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of program processing. In FIG. 16, the processing for controlling the bottle handler 30 is shown on the left side, and the processing for controlling the small container handler 40 or the small container conveyor 49 is shown on the right side.

[0079] The control unit 21 detects the bottle 71 placed in a predetermined position by the user (step S501). The control unit 21 starts an opening subroutine (step S502). The opening subroutine is a subroutine for removing the lid 72 from the bottle 71. The processing flow of the opening subroutine will be described later.

[0080] The control unit 21 inserts the bottle insertion tube 52 into the bottle 71 as described using Fig. 8 (step S503). The control unit 21 causes the bottle holding unit 36 ​​to hold the bottle 71 (step S504). The control unit 21 inverts the bottle 71 as described using Fig. 9 (step S505).

[0081] As described with reference to FIG. 9, the control unit 21 transports the small container 76 below the bottle handler 30 (step S506). As described with reference to FIG. 11, the control unit 21 retracts the lid 77 from above the small container 76 (step S507). The control unit 21 starts a dispensing subroutine (step S508). The dispensing subroutine is a subroutine for injecting liquid from the bottle 71 into the small container 76. The processing flow of the dispensing subroutine will be described later.

[0082] As described with reference to Fig. 14, the control unit 21 injects the inert gas into the inside of the lid 77 (step S509). The control unit 21 moves the lid 77 and places it on the small container 76 (step S510).

[0083] The control unit 21 determines whether the bottle 71 is empty (step S511). For example, the control unit 21 determines whether the bottle 71 is empty based on the number of times step S508 is executed. The control unit 21 may also determine whether the bottle 71 is empty based on the weight of the bottle 71 held in the bottle holding unit 36.

[0084] If it is determined that the container is not empty (NO in step S511), control unit 21 returns to step S506. If it is determined that the container is empty (YES in step S511), control unit 21 controls small container conveyor 49 to convey processed small container 76 to sealing device 18 (step S512). Thereafter, control unit 21 ends the process.

[0085] 17 is a flowchart illustrating the process flow of the opening subroutine, which is a subroutine for removing the lid 72 from the bottle 71.

[0086] As described with reference to FIG. 7, the control unit 21 brings the type detection unit 371 close to the lid 72 to detect the type of lid 72 (step S531). The control unit 21 determines whether the lid 72 is of a type that can be opened by the bottle handler 30 (step S532). If it is determined that the lid 72 is not openable (NO in step S532), the control unit 21 notifies the user that the bottle 71 cannot be opened (step S533). The notification is made, for example, by displaying on the touch panel 25.

[0087] The control unit 21 waits for the user to open the bottle 71 (step S534). Specifically, when the control unit 21 detects that the bottle 71 has been taken out and then returned, the control unit 21 determines that the bottle 71 has been opened. The control unit 21 may receive a notification via the touch panel 25, for example, that the user has finished opening the bottle 71.

[0088] If it is determined that the cap can be opened (YES in step S532), the control unit 21 moves the seal removal unit 372 close to the lid 72 and removes the cap seal (step S541). The control unit 21 determines whether the type of lid 72 detected in step S531 is a cork stopper or a screw cap (step S542).

[0089] If it is determined that the stopper is a cork (Cork in step S542), control unit 21 moves cork removal unit 373 closer to lid 72 to open the cork (step S543). If it is determined that the stopper is a screw cap (Screw in step S542), control unit 21 moves screw cap removal unit 374 closer to lid 72 to open the screw cap (step S544).

[0090] After step S534, step S543 or step S544 is completed, the control unit 21 ends the process.

[0091] 18 is a flowchart illustrating the process flow of the dispensing subroutine. The dispensing subroutine is a subroutine for injecting liquid from the bottle 71 into the small container 76.

[0092] As described with reference to FIG. 13, control unit 21 inserts first gas nozzle 531 and filling nozzle 333 into small container 76 (step S551). Control unit 21 injects inert gas into small container 76 from first gas nozzle 531 (step S552). Control unit 21 injects liquid into small container 76 from filling nozzle 333 (step S553). Control unit 21 removes first gas nozzle 531 and filling nozzle 333 from small container 76 (step S554). Thereafter, control unit 21 ends the process.

[0093] When changing the bottle 71 to another product, the parts that come into contact with the liquid are cleaned. For example, the user can perform cleaning by placing the bottle 71 containing sterilized water or pure water in a predetermined location and having the control unit 21 refill the small container 76 with the water.

[0094] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a refilling device 10 that prevents quality deterioration when the contents of the bottle 71 are refilled into the small container 76. According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a refilling device 10 that can reduce the consumption of inert gas and reduce running costs.

[0095] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a refill device 10 that can refill small containers 76 with sediment, such as red wine, by rotating and stirring the small containers 76 before refilling. Therefore, it is possible to provide a refill device 10 that can refill contents into a state equivalent to that of the bottle 71, but with a smaller capacity.

[0096] The refill device 10 may also be equipped with an airlock for inserting and removing the bottle 71 and small container 76, and a robot hand for moving the bottle 71 and small container 76 between the airlock and a predetermined position. A refill device 10 can be provided that can prevent dust and the like from entering the refill chamber 11 when inserting and removing the bottle 71 and small container 76. Since the cleanliness level of the location where the refill device 10 is installed can be lowered, a refill device 10 with low installation costs can be provided.

[0097] The refill device 10 may include storage locations for empty bottles 71 and unopened bottles 71, and an actuator for moving the bottles 71. A refill device 10 can be provided that automatically refills multiple sets of bottles 71 into small containers 76.

[0098] The refilling device 10 is preferably equipped with an air conditioning device that maintains the temperature inside the refilling chamber 11 at an appropriate temperature according to the liquid to be refilled.

[0099] The number of bottles 71 that can be attached to the bottle handler 30 is not limited to two. For example, if the capacity of the small container 76 is 50 milliliters, the liquid in one 750-milliliter bottle 71 can be transferred into exactly 15 small containers 76. Therefore, the number of bottles 71 that can be attached to the bottle handler 30 needs to be one.

[0100] [Embodiment 2] This embodiment relates to an embodiment in which a refilling device 10 is realized by operating a general-purpose computer 90 in combination with a program 97. Explanation of parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0101] 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the refilling device 10 of embodiment 2. The computer 90 includes a reading unit 29 in addition to the control unit 21, main memory device 22, auxiliary memory device 23, communication unit 24, and bus described above.

[0102] The program 97 is recorded on a portable recording medium 96. The control unit 21 reads the program 97 via the reading unit 29 and stores it in the auxiliary storage device 23. The control unit 21 may also read the program 97 stored in a semiconductor memory 98, such as a flash memory, implemented in the computer 90. Furthermore, the program 97 may be downloaded from another server computer (not shown) connected via the control unit 21, the communication unit 24, and a network, and stored in the auxiliary storage device 23.

[0103] The program 97 is installed as a control program in the computer 90, and is loaded into and executed in the main storage device 22. In this way, the refill device 10 described in embodiment 1 is realized. The program 97 in this embodiment is an example of a program product.

[0104] A computer program can be deployed to be executed on a single computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0105] The technical features (constituent elements) described in each embodiment can be combined with each other, and by combining them, new technical features can be formed. The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0106] Independent and dependent claims may be combined with each other in any combination, regardless of the reference format. Furthermore, while the claims may be written in a format in which a claim references two or more other claims (multiple claim format), this is not a limitation. Multiple claims that reference at least one other claim (multiple multiple claim format) may also be written. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 10 Refilling device 11 Refill room 111 Cabinet 121 Vertical mechanism 122 Rotation mechanism 15 Ventilation equipment 151 filters 18 Sealing device 19 Gas Cylinder 20 Control device 21 Control section 22 Main storage 23 Auxiliary storage device 24 Communications Department 25 Touch Panel 251 Display section 252 Input section 29 Reading unit 30 Bottle Handler 31 Support plate 33 Aliquot tube 332 Bottle insertion tube 333 Filling Nozzle 335 Branch 34 Pump 36 Bottle holder 371 Type detection unit 372 Seal removal section 373 Cork Removal Department 374 Screw cap removal section 379 Syringe needle 40 Small Container Handler 41 Handler slots 42 Lid holding part 43 Nozzle drive unit 49 Small container conveyor 51 Gas injection pipe 52 Bottle insertion tube 529 Bottle Tube 531 First Gas Nozzle 532 Second Gas Nozzle 533 Third Gas Nozzle 55 Connecting pipe 552 No. 2 nozzle pipe 57 Buffer Tank 58 Switching section 59 Air intake 71 bottles 72 Lid 73 Inert Gas Layer 74 Air Section 76 Small container 77 Lid 90 Computer 96 Portable recording media 97 Programs 98 Semiconductor Memory

Claims

1. a dispensing tube inserted into the bottle through the bottle's opening; a gas injection tube inserted into the bottle from the mouth of the bottle to a depth deeper than the dispensing tube; a bottle holding portion that holds the outer surface of the dispensing tube, the outer surface of the gas injection tube, and the mouth of the bottle in a liquid-tight manner; a reversing unit that reverses the dispensing tube, the gas injection tube, and the bottle holding unit as a unit; Refill device.

2. the dispensing tube has a soft portion that is not inserted into the bottle; A tube pump attached to the flexible portion is provided. The refill device of claim 1.

3. The gas injection tube supplies an inert gas to the bottle. The refill device of claim 1.

4. a switching unit that switches the gas injected into the bottle from the gas injection pipe between air and an inert gas having a specific gravity greater than that of air; The switching unit injects an inert gas into the bottle after the bottle is held with its mouth facing downward, and switches the gas to be injected into the bottle to air after a predetermined amount of the inert gas has been injected. The refill device of claim 1.

5. a lid holder that holds the lid of the small container into which the liquid is poured from the dispensing tube in the same orientation as when the lid is attached to the small container; an injection nozzle that injects an inert gas onto the inner surface of the lid held by the lid holding part, The lid holder places the lid on the small container into which liquid has been poured. The refill device of claim 1.

6. a type detection unit that detects the type of the bottle cap; a seal removal unit that removes a cap seal from the bottle; a cork removal unit that, if the lid is a cork, removes the lid from the bottle by injecting an inert gas into the bottle from a needle that has penetrated the lid; a screw cap removal unit that, if the lid is a screw cap, removes the lid by rotating the lid relative to the bottle; The type detection unit, the seal removal unit, the cork removal unit, the screw cap removal unit, and the bottle holding unit are attached to a single rotating table. The refill device of claim 1.

7. a housing that covers the bottle holding portion and the inverting portion; and a ventilation device that maintains the inside of the housing at a positive pressure compared to the outside of the housing by using air that has passed through a HEPA filter. A refilling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. a bottle holder that holds an outer surface of the dispensing tube, an outer surface of the gas injection tube, and the bottle mouth in a liquid-tight state; the dispensing tube, the gas injection tube, and the bottle holding portion are inverted together; transferring the liquid from the bottle to a small container via the dispensing tube and injecting argon gas into the bottle via the gas injection tube; After a predetermined amount of argon gas has been supplied, air is injected into the bottle through the gas injection pipe. How to refill.

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