Carbonated water production device

Abstract

To provide a carbonated water production device capable of efficiently producing carbonated water without making whole device large.SOLUTION: A carbonated water production device includes: a carbonated water generation means generating carbonated water by agitating and mixing carbon dioxide into permeated water generated by the filtration of raw water; and a carbonated water-pouring means pouring the carbonated water generated in the carbonated water generation means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carbonated water producing apparatus that produces carbonated water based on a purchase instruction for carbonated water and provides the produced carbonated water to a purchaser. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, demand for sugar-free carbonated water (hereinafter referred to as "carbonated water") has increased due to its refreshing effects and health-conscious nature. Carbonated water is used in a wide range of applications, including as a beverage, for washing your face, and when bathing. Accordingly, various types of carbonated water makers for home use, as well as commercial use, are now available.

[0003] Methods for producing carbonated water in a carbonated water production device include, for example, a spray method, an underwater injection method, a circulation method, etc. A method for producing carbonated water using a spray method is, for example, a method in which cold water (drinking water) is sprayed into an atmosphere of pressurized carbon dioxide gas (carbon dioxide) in a pressure vessel, and the carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in the fine water droplets sprayed into the pressure vessel (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] In addition, a method for producing carbonated water using an underwater injection system is a method in which carbon dioxide gas is injected into water while the pressure-resistant container containing water is kept airtight, thereby dissolving the carbon dioxide gas in the water (see Patent Document 2). Furthermore, a method for producing carbonated water using a circulation system is a method in which carbon dioxide gas is injected into water circulating in a circulation path, thereby dissolving the carbon dioxide gas in the circulating water (see Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-23979 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6097986 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-297476 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The carbonated water production device employing the spray method shown in Patent Document 1 has the advantages of being able to produce large quantities of carbonated water with a constant gas volume (GV), and of minimizing the loss of carbon dioxide gas used because the cold water is sprayed while the pressure vessel is filled with carbon dioxide gas. However, it has the disadvantages of being large and expensive, and of being difficult to produce carbonated water with different gas volumes (GV).

[0007] The carbonated water production device employing the underwater injection method shown in Patent Document 2 has the advantages of being able to make the production device smaller and less expensive, and being able to produce carbonated water with different gas strengths (GV).On the other hand, it has the disadvantage that it cannot produce large amounts of carbonated water because the carbon dioxide gas is easily consumed.

[0008] Patent Document 3 has the drawback that, because carbon dioxide gas is injected into water flowing through a circulation path, the resulting carbonated water tends to have a low gas strength (GV), and it takes time for the carbon dioxide gas to be absorbed into the circulating water.

[0009] The present invention was made in consideration of such problems, and its purpose is to provide a carbonated water production device that can efficiently produce carbonated water without increasing the size of the entire device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carbonated water generating means for generating carbonated water by stirring and mixing carbon dioxide gas with permeate generated by filtering raw water, and a water injection means for injecting the carbonated water generated by the carbonated water generating means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, carbonated water can be produced efficiently without increasing the size of the entire apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the front side of a carbonated water production device. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the carbonated water producing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the front door open. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a carbonated water production device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the electrical configuration of a carbonated water production device. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow for producing carbonated water in a carbonated water production device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of RO water in the water storage process. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of RO water in the rinsing step. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the flow of RO water in the water supply process. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of carbon dioxide gas in the gas supply process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the gas flow in a decompression step. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of carbonated water and carbon dioxide gas in the water injection step. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of RO water during the entire drainage process and the flow of gas remaining in the pressure tank. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of carbon dioxide gas in the antifreeze process. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration from a cylinder unit to an air supply / exhaust unit when two cylinder units are used by manually switching between them. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration from a cylinder unit to an air supply / exhaust unit when two cylinder units are used by automatically switching between them. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The carbonated water production device of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] The carbonated water production apparatus 10 of this embodiment is connected to an RO water production apparatus 200 (see FIG. 3), produces carbonated water using RO water produced by the RO water production apparatus 200, and pours the produced carbonated water into, for example, a pressure-resistant bottle 210 (see FIG. 3). The RO water production apparatus 200 is an apparatus that produces pure water (RO water) by filtering, for example, tap water or natural water through an RO (reverse osmosis) membrane.

[0015] The following describes a case where the volume (amount of water) of carbonated water produced by the carbonated water producing apparatus 10 and the gas strength (GV) of the carbonated water are fixed.

[0016] 1 and 2, carbonated water production device 10 has a front door 11 and device body 12. Front door 11 rotates around one end side in the width direction of device body 12 (the right side in FIG. 1) between a closed position that shields the inside of device body 12 and an open position that exposes the inside of device body 12.

[0017] The front door 11 has a touch panel 21, a QR (Quick Response) code reader 22, an IC (Integrated Circuit) card reader 23, and a water filling box 24. The QR code reader 22 and the IC card reader 23 correspond to the reception means described in the claims.

[0018] The touch panel 21 displays information based on the operating status of the carbonated water production device 10 and information read by the QR code reader 22 or the IC card reader 23. The touch panel 21 also displays selection buttons (not shown) for selecting the gas strength (GV) and amount of carbonated water available for purchase, as needed.

[0019] The QR code reader 22 reads a QR code (registered trademark) displayed on a portable terminal device owned by a purchaser or a QR code printed on a receipt, etc. The QR code indicates, for example, information about the carbon dioxide gas purchased by the purchaser (the amount of water in the carbonated water and the gas strength).

[0020] The IC card reader 23 reads information stored in an IC chip embedded in an IC card. Instead of the IC card reader 23, a magnetic card reader that reads a magnetic card may be used.

[0021] In this embodiment, the carbonated water production device 10 having the QR code reader 22 and the IC card reader 23 will be described as an example, but the carbonated water production device may have at least one of the QR code reader 22 or the IC card reader 23.

[0022] The water filling box 24 has a box body 25 and a water filling door 26 arranged on the front side of the box body 25. The box body 25 is a hollow, box-shaped member. The box body 25 has an internal space large enough to store a pressure-resistant bottle 210 (see Figure 3). A water filling pipe 112 (see Figure 3) arranged at the bottom of a pressurized tank 28 (described later) passes through the box body 25 from the outside to the inside at its upper part. The box body 25 also has a drainage tray 27 at its lower part. The drainage tray 27 collects carbonated water or RO water spilled from the water filling pipe 112 (see Figure 3) (described later) and drains it to the outside.

[0023] The water filling door 26 is locked in a closed position that blocks the internal space of the box body 25, and is unlocked when the pressure-resistant bottle 210 is set or removed. Releasing the lock allows the water filling door 26 to be rotated to the open position. Although not shown in the figures, the water filling door 26 holds the pressure-resistant bottle 210 while holding the vicinity of the spout of the pressure-resistant bottle 210.

[0024] When the front door 11 is rotated to the open position, a pressurized tank 28 and a sterilizing filter 29 arranged on the back side of the front door 11 are exposed. The pressurized tank 28 stores RO water or generated carbonated water. The sterilizing filter 29 filters the RO water cooled by a cooler 31 (described later) to sterilize the RO water and remove impurities. Details of the sterilizing filter 29 will be described later. The pressurized tank 28 corresponds to the cooling water storage means and pressure tank in the claims. The sterilizing filter 29 corresponds to the filtering means in the claims.

[0025] Furthermore, when the front door 11 is rotated to the open position, the device main body 12 exposes the water storage tank 30, cooler (chiller) 31, etc. The water storage tank 30 stores RO water sent from the outside and sends the stored RO water toward the pressurized tank 28. The cooler 31 exchanges heat with the RO water sent from the water storage tank 30, cooling the RO water flowing toward the pressurized tank 28. The water storage tank 30 corresponds to a water storage means in the claims. The cooler 31 corresponds to a cooling means in the claims.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the carbonated water producing device 10 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the flow of signals is indicated by dotted lines.

[0027] The carbonated water production device 10 includes a cylinder unit 41, an intake / exhaust unit 42, a water supply unit 43, a cooling unit 44, a sterilizing filter 29, a pressurized tank unit 45, and a control unit 46. The cylinder unit 41 and the intake / exhaust unit 42 correspond to the gas supply means described in the claims. The cylinder unit 41, the intake / exhaust unit 42, the water supply unit 43, and the pressurized tank unit 45 correspond to the carbonated water production means described in the claims.

[0028] The cylinder unit 41 vaporizes liquefied carbon dioxide gas stored in a gas cylinder 51 and supplies the vapor toward the supply / exhaust unit 42. The cylinder unit 41 has a gas cylinder 51 and a pressure reducing valve unit 52. The gas cylinder 51 stores liquefied carbon dioxide gas therein. The gas cylinder 51 has a cylinder valve 53 and is connected to the pressure reducing valve unit 52 via the cylinder valve 53.

[0029] The pressure reducing valve unit 52 sends the carbon dioxide gas sent from the gas cylinder 51 to the supply and exhaust unit 42. The pressure reducing valve unit 52 has pressure gauges 55 and 56, a pressure reducing valve 57, and a manual valve 58 on the gas path 54. When the gas cylinder 51 side of the pressure reducing valve unit 52 is considered to be the upstream side, the pressure gauge 55, pressure reducing valve 57, pressure gauge 56, and manual valve 58 are arranged in this order from the upstream side. The pressure gauge 55 measures the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas sent to the pressure reducing valve 57. The pressure gauge 56 measures the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas sent from the pressure reducing valve 57.

[0030] The pressure reducing valve 57 adjusts the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas to be supplied to the supply / exhaust unit 42 so that the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas is, for example, 1 MPa. The pressure reduction adjustment of the carbon dioxide gas is performed, for example, by an operator visually checking the measurement value of the pressure gauge 56. Furthermore, the manual valve 58 is connected to a gas path 60 that is arranged between the cylinder unit 41 and the supply / exhaust unit 42. Furthermore, the manual valve 58 is normally kept in an open state.

[0031] The air supply and exhaust unit 42 supplies carbon dioxide gas supplied from the pressure reducing valve unit 52 to the pressurized tank unit 45 when producing or pouring carbonated water. The air supply and exhaust unit 42 also supplies carbon dioxide gas discharged from the pressurized tank unit 45 to the cooling unit 44 when producing carbonated water. The air supply and exhaust unit 42 also discharges carbon dioxide gas discharged from the pressurized tank unit 45 when the pressure in the pressurized tank unit 45 is reduced or when a total discharge is performed, which will be described later. A total discharge refers to the discharge of all of the RO water stored in the water storage tank 30, which will be described later.

[0032] The supply and exhaust unit 42 is disposed between the cylinder unit 41 and the pressurized tank unit 45. The supply and exhaust unit 42 has gas paths 61, 62, and 63 and exhaust paths 64 and 65.

[0033] When the cylinder unit 41 side is considered to be upstream, the gas path 61 is connected at its upstream end to the gas path 60, and at its downstream end to the one-way valve 103 of the pressurized tank unit 45. The gas path 61 is arranged, from the upstream side, with a manual valve 67, a gas filter 68, a pressure switch (PS) 69, and a control valve 70 in this order.

[0034] The manual valve 67 is disposed at the upstream end of the gas passage 61. The manual valve 67 is connected to the pressure reducing valve unit 52 via the gas passage 60. The manual valve 67 is normally held in an open state. The gas filter 68 removes impurities contained in the carbon dioxide gas flowing through the gas passage 61. The pressure switch 69 turns on when the pressure in the gas passage 61 reaches or exceeds a certain pressure (e.g., 0.8 MPa), and outputs an on signal to the control unit 46. The control valve 70 is open, for example, when producing carbonated water.

[0035] The gas line 62 has an upstream end connected to the gas line 61 and a downstream end connected to the one-way valve 105 of the pressurized tank unit 45. The gas line 62 is connected to the gas line 61 between the pressure switch 69 and the control valve 70, for example.

[0036] The gas passage 62 is arranged with, from the upstream side, a control valve 71 and a pressure reducing valve 72. The control valve 71 is opened when, for example, carbonated water is poured. The pressure reducing valve 72 reduces the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied toward the pressurized tank unit 45.

[0037] The upstream end of the gas line 63 is connected to the gas line 61. The downstream end of the gas line 63 is inserted into the water tank of the cooler of the cooling unit 44. Like the gas line 62, the gas line 63 is connected to the gas line 61, for example, between the pressure switch 69 and the control valve 70.

[0038] A control valve 73 and an orifice valve 74 are arranged in the gas passage 63 from the upstream side. The control valve 73 opens, for example, when the cooling water stored in the cooling tank of the cooler 31 becomes supercooled. The orifice valve 74 adjusts the flow rate of carbon dioxide gas supplied to the cooler 31.

[0039] In the exhaust path 64, when the pressurized tank unit side is defined as the upstream side, the water separator 75, the control valve 76, and the silencer 77 are arranged in this order from the upstream side.

[0040] The water separator 75 separates the liquid contained in the carbon dioxide gas discharged from the pressurized tank 28. The separated liquid is drained via a drainage channel 78 connected to the water separator 75. The drainage channel 78 is connected on the downstream side to an overflow drainage channel 94 connected to the cooler 31. Therefore, the liquid drained from the water separator 75 flows into the overflow drainage channel 94 and then is drained to the outside.

[0041] The control valve 76 is opened, for example, when the pressure in the pressurized tank 28 is reduced or the pressurized tank 28 is completely drained. The silencer 77 silences noise that is generated when carbon dioxide gas is discharged from the pressurized tank 28.

[0042] The exhaust passage 65 has an upstream end connected to the exhaust passage 64 between the water separator 75 and the control valve 76. The exhaust passage 65 has a downstream end connected to the gas passage 63 downstream of the orifice valve 74.

[0043] A relief valve 79 is disposed in the exhaust path 65. The relief valve 79 opens when the pressure in the exhaust path 65 reaches, for example, 0.5 MPa during the production of carbonated water. By opening the relief valve 79, the internal pressure of the pressurized tank 28 is maintained at a constant pressure.

[0044] The water supply unit 43 receives RO water to be supplied to the carbonated water production apparatus 10 and supplies the received water to the pressurized tank unit 45 as needed. The received RO water is supplied downstream, for example, when producing carbonated water, when rinsing, or when draining all the water. Rinsing refers to washing the inside of the pressurized tank 28 with RO water stored in a water storage tank, for example.

[0045] Water supply unit 43 has a water passage 80 connected to RO water production apparatus 200. When the RO water production apparatus 200 side is considered to be upstream, water passage 80 has a control valve 81, a one-way valve 82, a flow meter 83, a pressure switch (PS) 84, and a control valve 85 arranged in this order from the upstream side.

[0046] Control valve 81 is open when RO water is supplied from RO water production device 200. One-way valve 82 prevents RO water from flowing back into RO water production device 200. Flow meter 83 measures the flow rate of RO water flowing through water passage 80 and outputs a measurement signal to control unit 46. Pressure switch 84 turns on when the pressure value of RO water flowing through water passage 80 reaches or exceeds a preset pressure value (e.g., 0.2 MPa), and outputs an ON signal to control unit 46. Note that the preset pressure value is the pressure value of RO water when the RO water is supplied at a rate sufficient to be directed toward pressurized tank 28. Control valve 85 is open, for example, when producing carbonated water, rinsing, and draining all water.

[0047] Water passage 80 connects water passages 86 and 87 between one-way valve 82 and flow meter 83. Water passage 86 is connected to water storage tank 30. Water passage 86 has a manual valve 88. Manual valve 88 is normally in an open state and is closed when, for example, water storage tank 30 is replaced.

[0048] Although not shown, the water storage tank 30 has a balloon inside that functions as a diaphragm. The water storage tank 30 functions as a carbonated water generating means as recited in the claims. The water storage tank 30 stores RO water by contracting the balloon under the pressure of water sent into the water storage tank 30. The water storage tank 30 also discharges the stored RO water at a predetermined timing by expanding the deflated balloon. The predetermined timing may be, for example, when carbonated water is produced, when rinsing, or when the water is completely drained. The flow rate of the RO water when it is discharged from the water storage tank 30 is, for example, 1 to 2 L / min.

[0049] The water passage 87 is a drainage passage for draining, for example, the RO water in the water passage 80 or the RO water stored in the water storage tank 30. The water passage 87 has a manual valve 89. The manual valve 89 is normally kept in a closed state.

[0050] The cooling unit 44 is disposed between the water supply unit 43 and the pressurized tank unit 45. The cooling unit 44 has a cooler 31. The cooler 31 cools the cooling water stored in a water tank using a compressor 31a (see FIG. 4) and performs heat exchange with the RO water flowing inside a water passage 91 inserted inside the cooler 31 to cool the RO water. The RO water is cooled by the cooler 31 from 25°C to 4°C, for example. The cooler 31 has a water thermometer 31b. The water thermometer 31b outputs a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the stored cooling water to the control unit 46. The water passage 91 is connected to a control valve 85 of the water supply unit 43 on the upstream side and to a sterilizing filter 29 on the downstream side.

[0051] The cooler 31 is connected to a drainage channel 92. The drainage channel 92 has a manual valve 93. The manual valve 93 is normally kept in a closed state, and is switched to an open state, for example, when the cooling water stored in the water tank of the cooler 31 is to be discharged.

[0052] The cooler 31 is connected to an overflow drain channel 94. The overflow drain channel 94 drains the cooling water stored in the water tank of the cooler 31 when the amount of cooling water stored in the water tank of the cooler 31 reaches a predetermined amount or more. The overflow drain channel 94 has a drain trap 95. The drain trap 95 blocks unpleasant odors from the downstream side of the drain path. The drain trap 95 may also be configured to prevent gas from leaking from inside the drain channel 94. The drain channel 94 is connected to an air vent channel 96 upstream of the drain trap 95. The air vent channel 96 smooths the flow of wastewater in the drain channel 94 and protects the water seal of the drain trap 95. The air vent channel 96 may be provided to allow fresh air to circulate through the drain channel 94, thereby ventilating the drain channel 94. Moreover, the overflow drainage channel 94 connects to the drainage channel 78 connected to the water separator 75 on the upstream side of the position where the air passage 96 is connected.

[0053] The upstream end of the sterilization filter 29 is connected to the water channel 91, and the downstream end is connected to the water channel 97. The sterilization filter 29 filters the RO water cooled by the cooler 31 to remove bacteria and the like contained in the RO water. The sterilization filter 29 is a filter having a hollow fiber membrane bundle formed by bundling hollow fiber membranes having a plurality of openings, each with a diameter of, for example, 0.2 μm, into a cylindrical shape. The size of the openings provided in the hollow fiber membranes does not need to be limited to 0.2 μm, and may be, for example, 0.45 μm or less, which is generally considered to have a sterilization effect.

[0054] The pressurized tank unit 45 produces carbonated water from the RO water and carbon dioxide gas supplied to the pressurized tank 28. The pressurized tank unit 45 has air supply passages 99 and 100, a water supply passage 101, and an exhaust passage 102.

[0055] The air supply path 99 is connected to a one-way valve 103 on the upstream side and to an ejection nozzle 104 installed inside the pressurized tank 28 on the downstream side. The one-way valve 103 is connected to the gas path 61 of the air supply / exhaust unit 42 and prevents the carbon dioxide gas flowing through the air supply path 99 from flowing back.

[0056] The air supply path 100 is connected to a one-way valve 105 on its upstream side and to the pressurized tank 28 on its downstream side. The one-way valve 105 is connected to the gas path 62 of the air supply / exhaust unit 42 and prevents backflow of the carbon dioxide gas flowing through the air supply path 100. The air supply path 100 is provided with an orifice valve 106. The orifice valve 106 adjusts the flow rate of the carbon dioxide gas flowing through the air supply path 100.

[0057] The water supply line 101 is connected to a one-way valve 107 on the upstream side and to a jet nozzle 108 installed at the bottom of the pressure tank 28 on the downstream side. The one-way valve 107 is connected to the water line 97.

[0058] When the pressurized tank 28 side is considered to be the upstream side, the exhaust path 102 connects the upper part of the pressurized tank 28 to the upstream side, and connects a one-way valve 109 to the downstream side. The one-way valve 109 prevents backflow of carbon dioxide gas toward the air supply / exhaust unit 42. The one-way valve 109 is connected to the water separator 75 of the air supply / exhaust unit 42 via an exhaust path 110.

[0059] The pressurized tank 28 has ejection nozzles 104, 108 therein. The ejection nozzle 104 is disposed on top of the pressurized tank 28. The position at which the ejection nozzle 104 is installed may be, for example, a position where the ejection outlet of the ejection nozzle 104 is submerged in the RO water stored inside the pressurized tank 28. The ejection nozzle 104 ejects carbon dioxide gas supplied from the cylinder unit 41 into the RO water stored inside the pressurized tank 28. Here, the ejection nozzle 104 functions as a carbonated water generating means and a nozzle as recited in the claims.

[0060] The ejection nozzle 108 is disposed at the bottom of the pressurized tank 28. The ejection nozzle 108 ejects the RO water supplied from the water supply unit 43 from inside the pressurized tank 28 toward the top of the pressurized tank 28. Here, the flow rate of the RO water fed into the pressurized tank 28 is, for example, 1 to 2 L / min.

[0061] In addition to the ejection nozzle 104 and the ejection nozzle 108, the pressurized tank 28 has a pressure switch (PS) 111. The pressure switch 111 turns on when the pressure in the pressurized tank 28 reaches a certain value or more, and outputs an on signal to the control unit 46.

[0062] A water injection pipe 112 is connected to the bottom of the pressurized tank 28. The water injection pipe 112 discharges RO water or carbonated water stored in the pressurized tank 28. The water injection pipe 112 has a control valve 113. The control valve 113 is open, for example, during rinsing, when draining all the water, or when carbonated water is being injected. When the control valve 113 is open, the RO water or carbonated water stored in the pressurized tank 28 flows out from the water injection pipe 112. Here, when a pressure-resistant bottle 210 is set in the water injection door 26 of the water injection box 24 when carbonated water is being injected, the carbonated water is injected into the pressure-resistant bottle 210 via the water injection pipe 112. When the control valve 113 is open during rinsing or draining all the water, the RO water flowing out from the water injection pipe 112 is received in a drainage tray 27 arranged at the bottom of the water injection box 24 and is then drained to the outside. Here, the water injection pipe 112 and the control valve 113 correspond to the water injection means recited in the claims.

[0063] Next, the electrical configuration of the carbonated water production device 10 will be described using the functional block diagram of Figure 4. Note that only units that are electrically connected to other units are shown in Figure 4. Therefore, the configuration of the cylinder unit 41 is omitted in Figure 4.

[0064] As shown in Figure 4, the carbonated water production device 10 has a touch panel 21, a QR code reader 22, an IC card reader 23, an air supply / exhaust unit 42, a water supply unit 43, a cooling unit 44, a pressurized tank unit 45, and a control unit 46 electrically connected to these.

[0065] The control unit 46 executes a control program not shown in the figure to perform the functions of a main control unit 131, a time control unit 132, a water supply control unit 133, an air supply / exhaust control unit 134, a cooling control unit 135, a water injection control unit 136, a display control unit 137, and a communication control unit 138.

[0066] The main control unit 131 comprehensively controls the water supply control unit 133, the supply and exhaust control unit 134, the cooling control unit 135, the water injection control unit 136, the display control unit 137, and the communication control unit 138, based on information from the QR code read by the QR code reader 22, information recorded on the IC card read by the IC card reader 23, and information controlled by the time control unit 132. The main control unit 131 also transmits and receives signals to and from the RO water production apparatus 200.

[0067] The time control unit 132 manages the current date and time. When a preset time arrives, the time control unit 132 outputs a signal indicating that the preset time has been reached to the main control unit 131. In response to this, the main control unit 131 controls each part of the control unit 46 to execute the entire drainage process. The preset time is set to a time outside the business hours of the store, such as a supermarket, where the carbonated water production device 10 is installed.

[0068] Furthermore, the time control unit 132 measures the elapsed time from when a sales command is output to each unit in the carbonated water production device 10. Then, when a certain time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed, the time control unit 132 outputs a signal indicating that the certain time has elapsed to the main control unit 131. In response to this, the main control unit 131 controls each unit of the control unit 46 to start the rinsing process.

[0069] The water supply control unit 133 controls the opening and closing of the control valve 81 upon receiving instructions from the main control unit 131 to start and stop receiving RO water. The instruction to start receiving RO water is output from the main control unit 131 to the water supply control unit 133, for example, when the pressure switch 84 stops outputting a signal to the water supply control unit 133, the main control unit 131 sends a signal to the RO water production apparatus 200 instructing it to supply RO water (a water supply signal), and receives a signal from the RO water production apparatus 200 instructing it to supply RO water (a water supply operation signal). The instruction to stop receiving water is output from the main control unit 131 to the water supply control unit 133, for example, when the pressure switch 84 again outputs a signal to the water supply control unit 133, the main control unit 131 sends a signal to the RO water production apparatus 200 instructing it to stop supplying RO water (a water supply stop signal), and receives a signal from the RO water production apparatus 200 instructing it to stop supplying RO water (a stop operation signal).

[0070] Furthermore, the water supply control unit 133 controls the opening and closing of the control valve 85 in response to instructions from the main control unit 131 to start and stop rinsing, to start and stop water supply, or to start and stop total drainage. At this time, the water supply control unit 133 calculates the supply amount of RO water supplied to the pressurized tank 28 based on the measurement signal from the flow meter 83, and switches the control valve 85 to a closed state when the calculated supply amount of RO water reaches a predetermined supply amount.

[0071] The air intake and exhaust control unit 134 receives instructions from the main control unit 131 to start and stop air supply, and controls the opening and closing of the control valve 70. The air intake and exhaust control unit 134 also receives instructions from the main control unit 131 to start and stop water supply, and controls the opening and closing of the control valve 71. The air intake and exhaust control unit 134 also controls the opening and closing of the control valve 73 based on a measurement signal from the water temperature gauge 31b of the cooler 31. The air intake and exhaust control unit 134 also notifies the main control unit 131 that an error has occurred when the on signal from the pressure switch 69 has stopped. At this time, the main control unit 131 instructs each unit to stop selling carbonated water.

[0072] The cooling control unit 135 constantly drives the compressor 31a. Based on a measurement signal from a water thermometer 31b disposed in the cooler 31, the cooling control unit 135 determines whether the temperature of the cooling water stored in the water tank of the cooler 31 is suitable for cooling the RO water to be supplied to the pressurized tank. If the temperature of the cooling water stored in the water tank of the cooler 31 is not suitable for cooling the RO water to be supplied to the pressurized tank 28 (i.e., if the temperature of the cooling water stored in the water tank is high), the cooling control unit 135 outputs an error signal to the main control unit 131. In response to this, the main control unit 131 outputs a sales stop command to each unit.

[0073] The water injection control unit 136 controls the opening and closing of the control valve 113 upon receiving instructions from the main control unit 131 to start and stop rinsing, to start and stop water injection, or to start and stop all drainage.

[0074] The display control unit 137 controls the display based on the operation of the touch panel 21, the display based on the reading by the QR code reader 22 or the IC card reader 23, and also controls the display for various operations in the carbonated water production device 10.

[0075] The communication control unit 138 is connected to an information management terminal 140, such as a server, via, for example, the communication unit 139. The communication control unit 138 transmits information related to the operation of the carbonated water production device 10, such as the production history of carbonated water in the carbonated water production device 10 and the history of errors that have occurred, to the information management terminal 140.

[0076] The flow of processing in the carbonated water producing device 10 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0077] In step S101, the water supply control unit 133 determines whether an ON signal is being output from the pressure switch 84. As described above, the pressure switch 84 turns ON when the pressure value of the RO water flowing through the water passage 80 is equal to or greater than a preset pressure value (e.g., 0.2 MPa), and outputs an ON signal to the control unit 46. The pressure value when the pressure switch 84 turns ON is 0.2 MPa.

[0078] For example, if the output of an ON signal from the pressure switch 84 has stopped (if step S101 is Yes), the water supply control unit 133 determines that the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 30 is equal to or less than a certain value, and proceeds to the processing of step S102. On the other hand, if the ON signal is being output from the pressure switch 84 (if step S101 is No), the water supply control unit 133 determines that the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 30 has exceeded a certain value. In this case, the processing proceeds to step S103.

[0079] Step S102: Water storage process In step S102, the main control unit 131 checks whether an error signal is being output from each unit constituting the carbonated water production device 10. If the main control unit 131 determines that an error signal has not been received, the main control unit 131 transmits a water supply signal to the RO water production device 200.

[0080] Upon receiving the water supply signal, the RO water production device 200 determines whether or not water can be supplied to the carbonated water production device 10. If it is determined that water can be supplied to the carbonated water production device 10, the RO water production device 200 performs the water supply operation and simultaneously transmits a water supply operation signal to the carbonated water production device 10. Upon receiving the water supply operation signal, the main control unit 131 instructs the water supply control unit 114 to start storing water.

[0081] When the main control unit 131 issues a command to start storing water, the water supply control unit 133 switches the control valve 81 from a closed state to an open state. This causes RO water to be supplied from the RO water production device 200. As shown in FIG. 6 , the control valve 85 of water passage 80 and the manual valve 89 of water passage 87 are closed. Meanwhile, the manual valve 88 of water passage 86 is open. Therefore, when the control valve 81 is switched to the open state, the RO water supplied from the RO water production device 200 flows through water passage 80 and water passage 86 in this order, and is supplied to the water storage tank 30. A balloon inside the water storage tank 30 is deflated by the pressure of the RO water supplied to the water storage tank 30. As the balloon is deflated, the RO water is stored in the water storage tank 30.

[0082] When the amount of RO water stored in the water storage tank 30 increases, the pressure switch 84 turns on and outputs an ON signal. The water supply control unit 133 notifies the main control unit 131 that the ON signal has been output from the pressure switch 84. In response to this, the main control unit 131 sends a water supply stop signal to the RO water production apparatus 200. In response to the water supply stop signal from the main control unit 131, the RO water production apparatus 200 stops supplying the RO water. The RO water production apparatus 200 then sends a stop operation signal to the main control unit 131. Upon receiving the stop operation signal from the RO water production apparatus 200, the main control unit 131 instructs the water supply control unit 133 to stop water storage. In response to the instruction to stop water storage, the water supply control unit 133 switches the control valve 81 from an open state to a closed state.

[0083] In step S103, the main control unit 131 determines whether or not a sales command has been received. For example, when a purchaser who wishes to purchase carbonated water holds the QR code over the QR code reader 22, the QR code is read by the QR code reader 22. The information of the read QR code is input to the main control unit 131. The main control unit 131 receives the information of the QR code and determines whether or not a sales command has been received. For example, if it is determined that a sales command has been received (if step S103 is Yes), the main control unit 131 proceeds to the processing of step S104. On the other hand, if the information in the QR code is not information related to the purchase of carbonated water or if QR code information is not input from the QR code reader 22, the main control unit 131 determines that a sales command has not been received (if step S103 is No). In this case, the main control unit 131 executes the processing of step S112, which will be described later.

[0084] When a purchaser uses an IC card to purchase carbonated water, the main control unit 131 determines whether or not a sales command has been received based on the information on the IC card read by the IC card reader 23. When a purchaser operates the touch panel 21 to purchase carbonated water, the main control unit 131 determines whether or not a sales command has been received based on the input signal input by operating the touch panel 21.

[0085] Step S104: Rinse process In step S104, the main control unit 131 displays a comment such as "Rinsing" on the touch panel 21 via the display control unit 137. The main control unit 131 also instructs the water supply control unit 133 to start rinsing. The water supply control unit 133 switches the control valve 85 from a closed state to an open state. As shown in FIG. 7 , when the control valve 85 switches to the open state, the pressure in the water passage 80 is released, causing the balloon in the water storage tank 30 to expand and send the RO water in the water storage tank 30 from the water storage tank 30 to the water passage 86. The RO water sent from the water storage tank 30 flows from the water passage 86 to the water passage 80 and then to the water passage 91 of the cooling unit 44. The RO water flowing through the water passage 91 is cooled by the cooler 31 and then flows to the sterilizing filter 29.

[0086] After passing through sterilizing filter 29, the RO water flows through water passage 97. Then, the RO water passes through one-way valve 107 and passes through water supply passage 101, where it is sprayed into the pressurized tank 28 from a spray nozzle 108 inside the pressurized tank 28. The RO water is sprayed from spray nozzle 108, thereby cleaning the inside of the pressurized tank 28. When a certain time T1 has elapsed since issuing a command to start rinsing, the water supply control unit 133 switches the control valve 85 from an open state to a closed state.

[0087] Thereafter, the main control unit 131 instructs the air intake / exhaust control unit 134 and the water injection control unit 136 to start draining water. The air intake / exhaust control unit 134 switches the control valve 71 from a closed state to an open state. At the same time, the water injection control unit 136 switches the control valve 113 from a closed state to an open state. As a result, the RO water that has cleaned the inside of the pressurized tank 28 is pushed into the water injection pipe 112 by the carbon dioxide gas sent into the pressurized tank 28. The RO water pushed into the water injection pipe 112 flows into the drainage tray 27 and is then drained to the outside.

[0088] After a certain time T2 has elapsed since the main control unit 131 issued a command to start drainage, it commands the air intake and exhaust control unit 134 and the water injection control unit 136 to stop drainage. The air intake and exhaust control unit 134 switches the control valve 71 from an open state to a closed state. At the same time, the water injection control unit 136 switches the control valve 113 from an open state to a closed state. This stops the drainage of RO water from the pressurized tank 28 via the water injection pipe 112. The certain time T2 is the time required for all of the RO water supplied to the pressurized tank 28 to be discharged. Note that the certain time T2 is set based on the supply amount of RO water calculated based on the measurement signal from the flow meter 83.

[0089] Step S105: Water supply process In step S105, the main control unit 131 displays a comment such as "Water supplying" on the touch panel 21 via the display control unit 137. The main control unit 131 also instructs the water supply control unit 133 and the air intake / exhaust control unit 134 to start water supply. The water supply control unit 133 switches the control valve 85 from a closed state to an open state. The air intake / exhaust control unit 134 switches the control valve 76 from a closed state to an open state. As shown in FIG. 8 , when the control valve 85 switches to the open state, the RO water stored in the water storage tank 30 flows through the water passage 86, the water passage 80, and the water passage 91 in this order. As the RO water flows through the water passage 91, it is cooled by the cooler 31. Then, after being filtered by the sterilizing filter 29, it flows through the water passage 97 and the water supply passage 101 and is sprayed into the pressurized tank 28 from the spray nozzle 108. The RO water sprayed into the pressurized tank 28 is stored inside the pressurized tank 28. At this time, the control valve 76 is switched to an open state, and the carbon dioxide gas remaining in the pressurized tank 28 is pushed out into the exhaust path 102 by the RO water stored inside the pressurized tank 28. The carbon dioxide gas pushed out into the exhaust path 102 flows through the exhaust path 110 and then the exhaust path 64, and is exhausted to the outside. This prevents the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas remaining inside the pressurized tank 28 from increasing when RO water is supplied into the pressurized tank 28. As a result, the RO water can be smoothly supplied to the pressurized tank 28.

[0090] The water supply control unit 133 calculates the amount of RO water to be supplied based on the measurement signal measured by the flow meter 83. When the calculated amount of RO water to be supplied reaches the amount of RO water required to produce carbonated water once, the water supply control unit 133 switches the control valve 85 from an open state to a closed state. This stops the supply of RO water to the pressurized tank 28. After stopping the supply of RO water, the water supply control unit 133 outputs a signal to the main control unit 131 indicating the end of water supply.

[0091] In step S106, main control unit 131 determines whether the water filling door is closed with the pressure-resistant bottle set in place. When the processing of step S105 begins, main control unit 131 unlocks water filling door 26 of water filling box 24. At the same time, main control unit 131 displays an instruction comment for the purchaser on touch panel 21 via display control unit 137, such as "Please open the water filling door and set the bottle." In response to this, the purchaser opens water filling door 26 of water filling box 24 and sets pressure-resistant bottle 210 in water filling door 26. The purchaser then closes water filling door 26 with pressure-resistant bottle 210 set in it.

[0092] For example, when the pressure-resistant bottle 210 is set in the water filling door 26 and the water filling door 26 is closed, a bottle sensor (not shown) detects the pressure-resistant bottle 210. At the same time, a door sensor (not shown) detects the water filling door 26. Detection signals from these sensors are output to the main control unit 131. For example, if detection signals from these sensors are each input to the main control unit 131 (Yes in step S106), the main control unit 131 executes the process of step S107. On the other hand, if only one of the detection signals from these sensors is input, or if detection signals are not input from both of these sensors (No in step S106), the main control unit 131 executes the process of step S110.

[0093] Step S107: Air supply process In step S107, the main control unit 131 instructs the air intake and exhaust control unit 134 to start air intake. The air intake and exhaust control unit 134 switches the control valve 70 from the closed state to the open state. As shown in FIG. 9, carbon dioxide gas stored in the gas cylinder 51 flows through the gas path 54, the gas path 60, and the gas path 61 in this order. The carbon dioxide gas flowing from the gas path 60 to the gas path 61 has impurities removed by the gas filter 68, then passes through the control valve 70 and is supplied to the pressurized tank unit 45. The carbon dioxide gas that reaches the pressurized tank unit 45 passes through the one-way valve 103 and is ejected into the pressurized tank 28 from the ejection nozzle 104 inside the pressurized tank 28. Then, after a certain time T3 has elapsed, the air intake and exhaust control unit 134 switches the control valve 70 from the open state to the closed state. Here, the certain time T3 is a time that is set based on the gas strength (GV) of the carbonated water to be produced.

[0094] As described above, the ejection nozzle 104 has an ejection outlet submerged in the RO water stored in the pressurized tank 28. When carbon dioxide gas is supplied into the pressurized tank 28, the carbon dioxide gas is ejected into the RO water stored in the pressurized tank 28. As a result, the carbon dioxide gas ejected into the RO water is mixed with the RO water while being stirred. As the carbon dioxide gas and RO water are stirred and mixed, the pressure in the pressurized tank 28 increases. When the pressure value of the pressurized tank 28 exceeds a certain pressure value (e.g., 0.5 MPa), the relief valve 79 of the supply and exhaust unit 42 opens. When the relief valve 79 opens, the pressure in the pressurized tank 28 decreases, and new carbon dioxide gas is ejected from the ejection nozzle 104, promoting mixing and stirring with the RO water in the pressurized tank 28, and the pressure in the pressurized tank 28 increases again. The relief valve 79 opens every time the pressure exceeds a certain pressure value. Therefore, each time the relief valve 79 opens, the RO water and carbon dioxide gas are mixed and stirred while maintaining a constant pressure value inside the pressurized tank 28. As a result, after a certain time T3 has elapsed, carbonated water of a predetermined gas strength (GV) is produced. The certain time T3 is a time that is set based on the gas strength (GV).

[0095] Meanwhile, the carbon dioxide gas flowing through the exhaust passage 65 as the relief valve 79 opens is sprayed into the water tank of the cooler 31 via the gas passage 63. The carbon dioxide gas is sprayed into or onto the surface of the cooling water stored in the water tank of the cooler 31, causing an impact on the cooling water stored in the water tank of the cooler 31. This prevents the cooling water stored in the water tank from being overcooled or from freezing due to overcooling. At the same time, noise that occurs when the carbon dioxide gas is exhausted is prevented.

[0096] Step S108: Decompression process In step S108, the main control unit 131 instructs the air intake / exhaust control unit 134 to start depressurizing. The air intake / exhaust control unit 134 switches the control valve 76 from a closed state to an open state. As shown in Fig. 10, the carbon dioxide gas inside the pressurized tank 28 is discharged to the outside via the exhaust path 102, the exhaust path 110, and the exhaust path 64. The depressurizing process is performed until the output of the ON signal from the pressure switch 111 is stopped.

[0097] Step S109: Water injection process In step S109, the main control unit 131 instructs the air intake / exhaust control unit 134 and the water injection control unit 136 to start water injection. The water injection control unit 136 switches the control valve 113 from a closed state to an open state. The air intake / exhaust control unit 134 also switches the control valve 71 from a closed state to an open state. As shown in FIG. 11 , carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the inside of the pressurized tank 28 via the gas path 61 and the air intake path 99. As the carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the inside of the pressurized tank 28, the carbonated water stored inside the pressurized tank 28 flows out of the water injection pipe 112 while being pressed by the carbon dioxide gas. In other words, the carbonated water inside the pressurized tank 28 is injected at a constant rate. Furthermore, the carbonated water injected from the water injection pipe 112 is prevented from spraying out. Then, after a certain time T4 has elapsed, the main control unit 131 instructs the air intake / exhaust control unit 134 and the water injection control unit 136 to stop water injection. The fixed time T4 is the time from when the carbonated water starts to be poured until all of the carbonated water inside the pressurized tank 28 is poured.

[0098] In response to the notification that water injection has stopped, the intake / exhaust control unit 134 switches the control valve 71 from open to closed. At the same time, the water injection control unit 136 switches the control valve 113 from open to closed. The main control unit 131 then unlocks the water injection door 26 of the water injection box 24. At the same time, the main control unit 131 displays a message on the touch panel 21 via the display control unit 137, such as "Water injection completed. Please remove the bottle." In response to this, the purchaser opens the water injection door 26 and removes the pressure-resistant bottle 210. Then, after attaching a cap to the water injection opening of the pressure-resistant bottle 210, the purchaser closes the water injection door 26. When the water injection door 26 is closed, the door sensor described above turns on, and the main control unit 131 locks the water injection door 26. This allows carbonated water, which is made by dissolving carbon dioxide gas in cooled RO water, to be easily obtained.

[0099] If the result of the judgment process in step S106 described above is No, that is, if the water filling door 26 is open (including the case where the pressure-resistant bottle 210 is set but the water filling door 26 is open), the process in step S110 is executed.

[0100] In step S110, if main control unit 131 determines that a certain amount of time has passed since water filling door 26 of water filling box 24 was unlocked (if the answer is Yes in step S110), main control unit 131 proceeds to the processing of step S111. On the other hand, if main control unit 131 determines that the certain amount of time has not passed (if the answer is No in step S110), main control unit 131 returns to step S106.

[0101] Step S111: Drainage process In step S111, the main control unit 131 instructs the water injection control unit 136 to start draining water. The water injection control unit 136 switches the control valve 113 from a closed state to an open state. When the control valve 113 is switched from a closed state to an open state, the RO water stored inside the pressurized tank 28 flows from the water injection pipe 112 to the drainage tray 27 and is drained to the outside. Then, after a certain time T5 has elapsed, the main control unit 131 instructs the water injection control unit 136 to stop draining water. In response to the drainage stop instruction, the water injection control unit 136 switches the control valve 113 from an open state to a closed state. The certain time T5 is the time during which the RO water in the pressurized tank 28 is drained.

[0102] In the drainage process in step S111, the main control unit 131 can not only instruct the water injection control unit 136 to start drainage, but also instruct the air intake and exhaust control unit 134 to start drainage. For example, if the main control unit 131 also instructs the air intake and exhaust control unit 134 to start drainage, the air intake and exhaust control unit 134 switches the control valve 71 from a closed state to an open state. When the control valve 71 opens, carbon dioxide gas is supplied into the pressurized tank 28 via the gas path 62 and the air intake path 100. When carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the pressurized tank 28, the pressure inside the pressurized tank 28 increases, and the RO water stored in the pressurized tank 28 is pushed toward the water injection pipe 112. As a result, the RO water stored in the pressurized tank 28 is drained via the water injection pipe 112.

[0103] Here, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas inside the pressurized tank 28 is approximately atmospheric pressure. For example, if only the control valve 113 is switched to the open state, that is, if carbon dioxide gas is discharged without being supplied to the pressurized tank 28, there is a risk that the carbon dioxide gas inside the pressurized tank 28 alone will not be enough to discharge all of the RO water stored in the pressurized tank 28, and some of the RO water may remain inside the pressurized tank 28. Therefore, by supplying carbon dioxide gas to the pressurized tank 28, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas inside the pressurized tank 28 presses the RO water stored in the pressurized tank 28 toward the water injection pipe 112, and all of the RO water stored in the pressurized tank 28 is discharged to the outside via the water injection pipe 112. This makes it possible to prevent the RO water stored inside the pressurized tank 28 from remaining.

[0104] In the process of step S103 described above, if a sales command has not been received (No in step S103), the process of step S112 is executed.

[0105] In step S112, the main control unit 131 determines whether a certain time has elapsed. If the main control unit 131 determines that a certain time (e.g., 30 minutes) has elapsed since receiving the sales command (if step S112 is Yes), the main control unit 131 executes the process of step S113. On the other hand, if the certain time has not elapsed (if step S112 is No), the main control unit 131 executes the process of step S116.

[0106] In step S113, the main control unit 131 determines whether it is the drainage time that has been set in advance. The main control unit 131 determines whether it is the drainage time by determining whether the time set by the time control unit 132 has been reached. If it is the drainage time (if step S113 is Yes), the main control unit 131 executes the process of step S114. On the other hand, if it is not the drainage time (if step S113 is No), the main control unit 131 executes the process of step S115.

[0107] Step S114: Total drainage process In step S114, the main control unit 131 instructs the water supply control unit 133 and the water injection control unit 136 to start full drainage. The water supply control unit 133 switches the control valve 85 from a closed state to an open state. As shown in FIG. 12, the RO water stored in the water storage tank 30 is supplied toward the pressurized tank 28. At the same time, the water injection control unit 136 switches the control valve 113 from a closed state to an open state.

[0108] At this time, the control valve 76 is maintained in a closed state. Maintaining the control valve 76 in a closed state blocks the exhaust path for carbon dioxide remaining in the pressurized tank 28. Therefore, when RO water is fed into the pressurized tank 28, the carbon dioxide remaining in the pressurized tank 28 causes a pressure increase, forcing the RO water fed into the water storage tank 30 toward the water injection pipe 112 provided at the bottom of the water storage tank 20. In other words, all of the RO water supplied to the pressurized tank 28 flows out of the water injection pipe 112 due to the carbon dioxide remaining in the pressurized tank 28 and is discharged to the outside. Note that when the control valve 76 is switched to an open state, when RO water is fed into the pressurized tank 28, the carbon dioxide remaining in the pressurized tank 28 is discharged to the outside via the exhaust path 102, the exhaust path 110, and the exhaust path 64. Therefore, the RO water is discharged from the water injection pipe 112 without being subjected to the pressure of the carbon dioxide inside the pressurized tank 28. As a result, there is a possibility that the RO water stored in the pressurized tank 28 will remain. Therefore, during the entire draining process, the control valve 76 is not switched to the open state but is kept in the closed state.

[0109] After that, when a certain time T6 has elapsed, the main control unit 131 instructs the water supply control unit 133 and the water injection control unit 136 to stop all drainage. In response to this, the water supply control unit 133 switches the control valve 85 from an open state to a closed state. In addition, the water injection control unit 136 switches the control valve 113 from an open state to a closed state. After performing these processes, the main control unit 131 returns to the process of step S101. As a result, all of the RO water stored in the water storage tank 30 is drained. After performing this process, the process returns to the process of step S101.

[0110] If it is determined in step S113 that it is not time to drain water (if the result in step S113 is No), the process proceeds to step S115. The main control unit 131 performs a rinsing process. Note that the rinsing process in step S115 is the same as the rinsing process in step S104, and therefore details thereof will be omitted here.

[0111] In the above-described step S112, if it is determined that the certain time has not elapsed (if the result of step S112 is No), the process of step S116 is executed.

[0112] In step S116, if the measurement value of the water thermometer 31b of the cooler 31 is equal to or lower than the certain temperature (if the result of step S116 is Yes), the main control unit 131 executes the process of step S117. On the other hand, if the measurement value of the water thermometer 31b of the cooler 31 exceeds the certain temperature (if the result of step S116 is No), the main control unit 131 returns to the process of step S101.

[0113] Step S117: Supercooling prevention process In step S117, the main control unit 131 instructs the air intake and exhaust control unit 134 to start air intake. In response to this, the air intake and exhaust control unit 134 switches the control valve 73 from a closed state to an open state. As shown in FIG. 13 , when the control valve 73 is switched to an open state, carbon dioxide gas flows through gas path 60, gas path 61, and then gas path 63. Gas path 63 is inserted inside the water tank of the cooler 31. Therefore, the carbon dioxide gas flowing through gas path 63 is sprayed into the cooling water stored in the water tank of the cooler 31. When the carbon dioxide gas is sprayed into the cooling water stored in the water tank of the cooler 31, an impact is applied to the cooling water stored in the water tank of the cooler 31, and the cooling water stored in the water tank is prevented from being supercooled.

[0114] In the embodiment described above, the amount of water to be produced is fixed, but it may be possible to select from a plurality of water amounts. The same applies to the gas strength (GV) of the produced carbonated water, and it may be possible to select from a plurality of gas strengths (GV).

[0115] When the volume of carbonated water and the gas strength (GV) of the carbonated water can be selected, the selection can be made on the touch panel 21. Alternatively, a QR code indicating the volume of carbonated water and the gas strength (GV) of the carbonated water to be purchased can be acquired in advance using a portable terminal owned by the purchaser and read by the QR code reader 22 of the carbonated water production device 10. Also, selection buttons for selecting the volume of carbonated water and the gas strength (GV) can be provided separately from the touch panel 21. Regarding the gas strength (GV) of the carbon dioxide gas to be produced, data correlating the gas strength (GV) with the supply time of the carbon dioxide gas to the pressurized tank can be stored in the control unit in advance, and the supply time of the carbon dioxide gas can be set by referring to this data. The gas strength (GV) can be calculated from the carbon dioxide absorption coefficient, which is calculated by measuring the pressure and temperature of the water sealed in the container.

[0116] In the embodiment described above, the carbonated water maker is connected to an RO water maker, and the RO water produced in the RO water maker is supplied to the carbonated water maker. However, it is also possible to use tap water, for example, instead of RO water, to produce carbonated water.

[0117] In the embodiment described above, an example is shown in which a cylinder unit 41 having one gas cylinder 51 is used. However, it is also possible to use a cylinder unit having two or more gas cylinders 51. As shown in FIG. 14, for example, it is also possible to connect two cylinder units in parallel and manually operate a selector valve to switch the cylinder unit that supplies carbon dioxide gas. Since the two cylinder units have the same configuration, in FIG. 14, one cylinder unit will be labeled "A" and the other cylinder unit will be labeled "B" for explanation.

[0118] Cylinder unit 144A has gas cylinder 145A, container valve 146A, and pressure reducing valve unit 147A. Pressure reducing valve unit 147A has pressure gauges 148A and 149A, pressure reducing valve 150A, heater 151A, and manual valve 152A. Pressure reducing valve unit 147A is arranged in this order from the upstream side of gas path 153A: pressure gauge 148A, pressure reducing valve 150A, pressure gauge 149A, heater 151A, and manual valve 152A.

[0119] Manual valve 152A of cylinder unit 144A is connected to gas path 153. Similarly, manual valve 152B of cylinder unit 144B is connected to gas path 154. Gas paths 153 and 154 are connected to switching valve 155 which is connected to supply and exhaust unit 42. Switching valve 155 is connected to supply and exhaust unit 42 via gas path 156. In this case, the user can manually switch switching valve 155 to switch the cylinder unit to be used.

[0120] In addition, when multiple gas cylinder units are used, it is also possible to electrically connect each gas cylinder unit to a control unit so that the gas cylinder unit to be used can be automatically switched. As shown in Figure 15, two cylinder units are connected in parallel, and the control unit switches between the cylinder units that supply carbon dioxide gas. In this case, too, since the configuration of the two cylinder units is the same, in Figure 15, one cylinder unit will be labeled "A" and the other cylinder unit will be labeled "B" for explanation.

[0121] The cylinder unit 161A includes a gas cylinder 145A, a container valve 146A, a pressure reducing valve unit 147A, and a valve unit 162A. Note that the gas cylinder 145A, the container valve 146A, and the pressure reducing valve unit 147A are omitted.

[0122] The valve unit 162A has a pressure switch 163A, a control valve 164A, and a one-way valve 165A. In the valve unit 162A, the pressure switch 163A, the control valve 164A, and the one-way valve 165A are arranged in a gas path 166A connected to the manual valve 152A of the pressure reducing valve unit 147A. The one-way valve 165A is connected to a gas path 167. The gas path 167 merges with a gas path 168 from the cylinder unit 161B on the downstream side and is then connected to the supply and exhaust unit 42. The pressure switch 163A outputs an ON signal to the control unit 170 when the pressure reaches a predetermined value (e.g., 0.8 MPa) or higher. The control valve 164A is controlled to open and close by the control unit 170. For example, the control valve 164A is switched from a closed state to an open state when an ON signal is output from the pressure switch 163A, and is switched from an open state to a closed state when the output of the ON signal from the pressure switch 163A is stopped.

[0123] The control unit 170 controls the switching between the two cylinder units 161A and 161B in the following procedure.

[0124] For example, when the pressure switches 163A and 163B do not output an ON signal, the control unit 170 keeps the control valves 164A and 164B closed.

[0125] After the carbonated water maker is powered on, when an ON signal is output from each of pressure switches 163A and 163B, control unit 170 switches control valve 164A to an open state and keeps control valve 164B in a closed state.

[0126] When the control valve 164A is in an open state and the pressure switches 163A and 163B each output an ON signal, the control unit 170 keeps the control valve 164A in an open state and the control valve 164B in a closed state.

[0127] Similarly, when the control valve 164B is in an open state and the pressure switches 163A and 163B each output an ON signal, the control unit 170 keeps the control valve 164A in a closed state and the control valve 164B in an open state.

[0128] When control valve 164A is in the open state and the output of the ON signal from pressure switch 163A is stopped, control unit 170 switches control valve 164A from the open state to the closed state. At this time, when the ON signal is being output from pressure switch 163B, control unit 170 switches control valve 164B from the closed state to the open state.

[0129] Similarly, when control valve 164B is in the open state and the output of the ON signal from pressure switch 163B is stopped, control unit 170 switches control valve 164B from the open state to the closed state. At this time, when the ON signal is being output from pressure switch 163A, control unit 170 switches control valve 164A from the closed state to the open state.

[0130] This makes it possible to automatically switch to supplying carbon dioxide gas from a different gas cylinder when the remaining amount of carbon dioxide gas in the gas cylinder that supplies carbon dioxide gas runs out, thereby enabling efficient replacement of gas cylinders.

[0131] <Summary of the embodiment> The present invention relates to a carbonated water producing apparatus that produces carbonated water based on a purchase instruction for carbonated water and provides the produced carbonated water to a purchaser.

[0132] Carbonated water makers that use the spray method have the advantage of being able to produce large quantities of carbonated water with a consistent gas strength (GV), and because the cold water is sprayed into a pressure vessel filled with carbon dioxide, there is little loss of the carbon dioxide gas used.However, they have the disadvantages that the production equipment becomes large and expensive, and that it is difficult to produce carbonated water with different gas strengths (GV).

[0133] In addition, carbonated water makers that use the underwater injection method have the advantages of being small and inexpensive, and being able to produce carbonated water with different gas strengths (GV).However, they have the disadvantage that they cannot produce large quantities of carbonated water because they tend to consume carbon dioxide gas.

[0134] Furthermore, since carbon dioxide gas is injected into the water flowing through the circulation path, the carbonated water tends to have a low gas strength (GV), and there is the disadvantage that it takes time for the carbon dioxide gas to be absorbed into the circulating water.

[0135] The present invention aims to efficiently produce carbonated water without increasing the size of the entire apparatus.

[0136] One aspect of the present invention is characterized by having a cylinder unit 41, an air supply / exhaust unit 42, a water supply unit 43, a pressurized tank unit 45, which produces carbonated water by stirring and mixing carbon dioxide gas with the permeate produced by filtering raw water, a water injection pipe 112 for injecting the produced carbonated water, and a control valve 113.

[0137] According to the above configuration, for example, carbon dioxide gas is stirred and mixed with RO water produced by an external RO water production device 200 to produce carbonated water, and the produced carbonated water is injected into a pressure-resistant bottle 210 via a water injection pipe 112.Therefore, for example, carbonated water can be produced by receiving a supply of RO water from an external RO water production device 200, and the produced carbonated water can be bottled and sold.

[0138] The apparatus also has a cooler 31 for cooling the permeated water, and is characterized in that carbon dioxide gas is stirred and mixed with the permeated water cooled by the cooler 31 to produce carbonated water.

[0139] According to the above configuration, when RO water is supplied to the pressurized tank unit 45, the RO water is cooled by the cooler 31, so that carbon dioxide gas can be efficiently stirred and mixed into the RO water supplied to the pressurized tank unit 45.

[0140] The system also has a water storage tank 30 for storing permeate, and the water storage tank 30 has a balloon inside, and the permeate stored in the water storage tank 30 is supplied to the pressurized tank unit 45 by the expansion force of the balloon.

[0141] According to the above configuration, a diaphragm balloon is provided inside the water storage tank 30, and the water stored in the water storage tank 30 is supplied to the pressurized tank 28 of the pressurized tank unit 45 by the expansion force of the balloon. Therefore, the water stored in the water storage tank 30 can be supplied to the pressurized tank unit 45 without using power equipment such as a pump.

[0142] It is also characterized by being connected to an RO water production device 200 that filters raw water to produce the permeate, and producing carbonated water using the permeate supplied from the RO water production device 200.

[0143] According to the above configuration, after RO water supplied from the external RO water production device 200 is stored in the pressurized tank unit 45, carbonated water can be produced by stirring and mixing the RO water.

[0144] The device also has a QR code reader 22 and an IC card reader 23 that receive an instruction to pour carbonated water, and to produce carbonated water, a pressurized tank 28 that stores permeated water cooled by a cooler 31, an ejection nozzle 104 that ejects carbon dioxide gas into the permeated water in the pressurized tank 28, and a cylinder unit 41 and an air supply and exhaust unit 42 that supply carbon dioxide gas to the ejection nozzle 104.When an instruction to pour carbonated water is received by the QR code reader 22 and the IC card reader 23, the permeated water cooled by the cooler 31 is supplied to the pressurized tank 28, and carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the ejection nozzle 104 by the cylinder unit 41 and the air supply and exhaust unit 42, and the carbon dioxide gas is ejected from the ejection nozzle 104.

[0145] According to the above configuration, when a purchase of carbonated water is received, water cooled by the cooler 31 is supplied to the pressurized tank 28 to start producing carbonated water, so that carbonated water can be produced using water that has been cooled to just before the production of carbonated water.

[0146] The apparatus is also characterized by further comprising a sterilization filter 29 for filtering the permeated water cooled by the cooler 31 .

[0147] According to the above configuration, the permeated water temporarily retained inside the cooler 31 can be filtered immediately before being used to produce carbonated water.

[0148] It also has a touch panel 21 for selecting the carbonation strength of the carbonated water, and to produce carbonated water, it has a pressurized tank 28 for storing the permeated water cooled by a cooler 31, an ejection nozzle 104 for ejecting carbon dioxide gas into the permeated water in the pressurized tank 28, and a cylinder unit 41 and an air supply / exhaust unit 42 for supplying carbon dioxide gas to the ejection nozzle 104, and the cylinder unit 41 and the air supply / exhaust unit 42 supply carbon dioxide gas to the ejection nozzle 104 for a time corresponding to the selected carbonation strength, and the ejection nozzle 104 ejects the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the cylinder unit 41 and the air supply / exhaust unit 42 into the permeated water in the pressurized tank 28.

[0149] According to the above configuration, carbon dioxide gas is ejected from the ejection nozzle 104 into the RO water inside the pressurized tank 28 for a period of time according to the gas strength (GV) selected by the purchaser, and during that period, the carbon dioxide gas is stirred and mixed into the RO water inside the pressurized tank 28. As a result, carbon dioxide gas of the strength desired by the purchaser can be generated.

[0150] In addition, in order to produce carbonated water, the system includes a pressurized tank 28 that stores the permeated water cooled by a cooler 31 in a sealed state, an ejection nozzle 104 that ejects carbon dioxide gas into the permeated water in the pressurized tank 28, and a cylinder unit 41 and an air supply / exhaust unit 42 that supply carbon dioxide gas to the ejection nozzle 104.When the carbon dioxide gas supplied by the cylinder unit 41 and the air supply / exhaust unit 42 is ejected from the ejection nozzle 104 to produce carbonated water, the pressure in the pressurized tank 28 is adjusted so that the agitating force of the carbon dioxide gas on the permeated water can be maintained.

[0151] According to the above configuration, when carbon dioxide gas is stirred into the permeated water stored in the pressurized tank 28 to produce carbonated water, the pressure inside the pressurized tank 28 is adjusted so that the stirring force of the carbon dioxide gas on the permeated water can be maintained, so that the carbon dioxide gas is continuously stirred into the permeated water.

[0152] In addition, in order to produce carbonated water, the system includes a pressurized tank 28 that stores permeated water cooled by a cooler 31 in a sealed state, an ejection nozzle 104 that ejects carbon dioxide gas into the permeated water in the pressurized tank 28, a cylinder unit 41 that supplies carbon dioxide gas to the ejection nozzle 104, and an air supply / exhaust unit 42, and is characterized in that the pressure in the pressurized tank 28 is reduced by a water injection pipe 112 and a control valve 113 before water injection into the pressure-resistant bottle 210 begins.

[0153] According to the above configuration, the pressure inside the pressurized tank 28 is reduced before water starts to be poured from the water filling pipe 112 into the pressure-resistant bottle 210, thereby preventing carbonated water from explosively spraying out from the water filling pipe 112.

[0154] In addition, to produce carbonated water, the system includes a pressurized tank 28 that stores cooled water cooled by a cooler 31 in a sealed state, a cylinder unit 41 that supplies carbon dioxide gas to the pressurized tank 28, and an air supply / exhaust unit 42. A water supply pipe 112 and a control valve 113 are connected to the pressurized tank 28, and the water is poured into the pressure-resistant bottle 210 by the water supply pipe 112 and the control valve 113 as the carbonated water is sent to the water supply pipe 112 and the control valve 113 by the pressure inside the pressurized tank 28. The cylinder unit 41 and the air supply / exhaust unit 42 supply the pressurized tank 28 with the carbon dioxide gas necessary to supply carbonated water from the water supply pipe 112 and the control valve 113 to the pressure-resistant bottle 210 at a constant rate.

[0155] According to the above configuration, water is poured into pressure bottle 210 from water filling pipe 112 by the pressure inside pressurized tank 28, which sends carbonated water to water filling pipe 112, and carbon dioxide gas is supplied from gas cylinder 51 to pressurized tank 28 so that carbonated water is poured into pressure bottle 210 from water filling pipe 112 at a constant rate, so carbonated water can be supplied to pressure bottle 210 without using a power device such as a pump. In addition, carbon dioxide gas is supplied to pressurized tank 28 when carbonated water is produced, so it is not wasted.

[0156] The device is also characterized by further comprising a communication unit 139 for communicating information relating to the operation of the device itself to an information management terminal 140 .

[0157] According to the above configuration, the communication unit 139 transmits information related to the operation of the carbonated water production device 10 to the information management terminal 140, such as information on the production history of carbonated water in the carbonated water production device 10, the history of errors that have occurred, and information on the amount of RO water stored in the water storage tank 30, so that the carbonated water production device 10 can be managed using the information management terminal 140.

[0158] In addition, the method for producing carbonated water is characterized by including a step of producing carbonated water by stirring and mixing carbon dioxide gas with the permeate produced by filtering raw water (water supply step, air supply step), and a step of pouring the produced carbonated water (water pouring step).

[0159] According to the above configuration, for example, carbon dioxide gas is stirred and mixed with RO water produced by an external RO water production device 200 to produce carbonated water, and the produced carbonated water is poured into a pressure-resistant bottle 210.Therefore, for example, carbonated water can be produced by receiving a supply of RO water from the external RO water production device 200, and this can be bottled and sold. [Explanation of symbols]

[0160] 10... Carbonated water maker 21...Touch panel 22...QR code reader 23...IC card reader 24...Water injection box 28...Pressurized tank 29...Sterilizing filter 30...Water tank 31...Chiller 41...Cylinder unit 42...Air intake and exhaust unit 43...Water supply unit 44...Cooling unit 45...Pressurized tank unit 46...Control unit 51...Gas cylinder 52...Reducing valve unit 104...Ejection nozzle 112…Water injection pipe 113...Control valve 139…Communications Department 140...Information management terminal 200...RO water production equipment 210...Pressure-resistant bottle

Claims

1. A cooling means for cooling water, A carbonated water generating means for generating carbonated water by stirring and mixing carbon dioxide gas with the water, A water supply means for pouring the carbonated water produced by the carbonated water generating means, A receiving means for receiving the carbonation level of the carbonated water desired by the user from multiple carbonation levels displayed on a touch panel, Equipped with, The carbonated water generating means is A cooling water storage means for storing the water cooled by the cooling means, A gas supply means for supplying carbon dioxide gas to the water stored in the cooling water storage means, It has, The cooling means cools the water after the carbon dioxide strength is received by the receiving means and supplies it to the cooling water storage means. The carbonated water generating means generates the carbonated water received by the receiving means. A carbonated water production apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. When the carbonation intensity is received by the receiving means, the carbonated water generating means mixes the carbon dioxide gas with the water in the cooling water storage means for a time corresponding to the carbonation intensity to generate the carbonated water. The carbonated water production apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The time from when the carbonation strength is received by the receiving means until the pouring of the carbonated water is completed varies according to the carbonation strength. The carbonated water production apparatus according to feature 2.

4. The cooling water storage means further comprises an internal cleaning means for cleaning the inside of the means, The internal cleaning means cleans the inside of the cooling water storage means before the water, which has been received by the receiving means and cooled by the cooling means, is supplied to the cooling water storage means. The carbonated water production apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a carbonated water production apparatus.

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