Beverage dispensing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a beverage feeder capable of securing sanitation by a simple operation.SOLUTION: The beverage feeder 100 includes a plug 11 attached to the tip part of a tube La extending from a beverage storage vessel, a socket 13 into which the plug 11 is inserted, a connector 12 attached to a beverage feed pipe L1, an operation part 20, and a switch 30. The switch 30 includes the first switching unit 40 that switches between the extraction allowing state in which the plug 11 is allowed to be extracted and the extraction preventing state, and the second switching unit 50 that switches between the opening allowing state in which the plug 11 is allowed to be opened and displaced from the closed posture to the opened posture and the opening preventing state. A first state in which the first switching part 40 is in the extraction preventing state, the second switching part 50 is in the opening allowing state, and the connector 12 is connected to the tube La, and a second state in which the first switching part 40 is in the extraction allowing state and the second switching part 50 is in the opening preventing state are switched.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser for dispensing beverages. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an add-on device for supplying milk to a coffee maker, the add-on device having a milk container, a milk supply pipe that guides milk supplied from the milk container to the coffee maker, and a cleaning system for cleaning the milk supply pipe. In this add-on device, a tube coupling is provided at the tip of a suction conduit extending from the milk container, and joints are provided at the tip of a branch conduit extending from a cleaning container of the cleaning system and at the upstream end of the milk supply pipe. In this add-on device, when supplying milk to the coffee maker, the tube coupling of the suction conduit extending from the milk container and the joint of the milk supply pipe are manually connected to each other, and when cleaning the milk supply pipe, the joint of the branch conduit extending from the cleaning container and the joint of the milk supply pipe are manually connected by a telescopic bridge-type connecting part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6771028 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the additional device described in Patent Document 1, when the milk supply pipe is cleaned, the tube coupling at the tip of the suction conduit extending from the milk container is disconnected from the joint at the upstream end of the milk supply pipe, which can leave the milk container open to the atmosphere through the suction conduit. As a result, there is a risk that air containing germs will flow back into the milk container through the suction conduit, leaving room for improvement from a hygiene perspective. Note that the milk container may be a so-called bag-in-box, consisting of a box-shaped container made of cardboard or the like and a bag-shaped container that is placed inside the box-shaped container and contains the beverage. Ensuring hygiene is particularly important when replacing the bag-in-box.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a beverage supply device that can easily ensure hygiene. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage supply device for supplying a beverage from a beverage storage container to a predetermined destination via a beverage supply pipe. The beverage supply device includes a plug attached to a distal end of a flexible tube extending from the beverage storage container and movable between a closed position in which the tube is clamped and a closed position in which the tube is opened, a socket into which the plug is inserted together with the tube, a connector attached to an upstream end of the beverage supply pipe and connectable to the tube inserted into the socket, an operating unit to which an external force is applied, and a switch actuated by the external force, the switch having a state in which the plug is allowed to be removed from the socket and a state in which the plug is allowed to be removed from the socket. The socket has a first switching unit that switches between a first state in which the first switching unit is in the removal preventing state and a second state in which the first switching unit is in the removal allowing state and the second switching unit is in the opening allowing state, and a second state in which the first switching unit is in the removal allowing state and the second switching unit is in the opening preventing state.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage in a beverage storage container to a predetermined destination via a beverage supply pipe, the beverage supply device including: a plug attached to the tip of a flexible tube extending from the beverage storage container, the plug being movable between a closed position in which it clamps the tube and a closed position in which it opens the tube; a socket into which the plug is inserted together with the tube; a connector attached to the upstream end of the beverage supply pipe and connectable to the tube inserted into the socket; and a switch having a first switching unit that switches between an extraction allowance state that allows the plug to be removed from the socket and an extraction prevention state that prevents said removal; and the plug inserted into the socket takes the closed position when the first switching unit is in the extraction allowance state, and takes the open position when the first switching unit is in the extraction prevention state and the connector is connected to the tube.

[0008] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage in a beverage storage container to a predetermined destination via a beverage supply pipe, the beverage supply device including: a plug attached to the tip of a flexible tube extending from the beverage storage container, the plug being displaceable between a closed position in which it clamps the tube and an open position in which it opens the tube; a socket into which the plug is inserted together with the tube; a connector attached to the upstream end of the beverage supply pipe and connectable to the tube inserted into the socket; and a switch having a first switching unit that switches between an extraction allowance state that allows the plug to be removed from the socket and an extraction prevention state that prevents the plug from being removed; and when the first switching unit is in the extraction prevention state and the connector is connected to the tube, the beverage supply device causes the plug inserted in the socket to assume the open position, and when the first switching unit is in the extraction allowance state, causes the plug inserted in the socket to assume the closed position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the one aspect, the other aspect, and the still further aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a beverage dispenser that can easily ensure hygiene. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a beverage supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the beverage dispenser with the door open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic piping circuit diagram of the beverage supply device. [Figure 4] 10 is a perspective view illustrating the tip of a tube and a plug of the beverage supply device. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the closed position of the plug. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the main parts of the beverage supply device, including the tube, plug, socket, and switch. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the main part of the beverage dispenser after the plug is inserted. [Figure 8] 4 is a perspective view for explaining the function and operation of a first switching unit of a switcher. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view of the main part of the beverage supply device. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a right side view of a main part of the beverage supply device. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a left side view of a main part of the beverage supply device. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the beverage supply device. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the overall function and operation of a switch; [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the overall function and operation of a switch; [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining how the position of the connector changes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the general configuration of a beverage dispenser 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view of the beverage dispenser 100 with the door 1a open, and Fig. 3 is a general piping circuit diagram of the beverage dispenser 100. Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the tip of a tube La and a plug 11, which will be described later, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the closed position of the plug 11. For convenience, in the following description, when viewed from the front of the beverage dispenser 100 (the surface facing the door 1a) (front view shown in Fig. 2), one widthwise side of the beverage dispenser 100 is referred to as the right side, and the other widthwise side is referred to as the left side. Furthermore, for convenience, the front-rear direction will be described with the door 1a side (front side) of the beverage dispenser 100 as the front side, and the door 1a side (rear side) of the beverage dispenser 100 as the rear side.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, in this embodiment, beverage dispenser 100 is provided adjacent to coffee server 200. Coffee server 200 is a device that extracts coffee using coffee powder or the like and dispenses the extracted coffee into a cup C. Coffee server 200 is configured to be able to add liquid milk (milk) or milk foam (a mixed drink of milk and air) as a liquid beverage to coffee in response to a customer's request, and serve coffee.

[0013] The beverage dispenser 100 is a device that dispenses a beverage in a beverage storage container 4 (described later) to a predetermined destination via a beverage dispense pipe L1. The predetermined destination is a cup C provided in a coffee server 200. The beverage dispenser 100 is configured to dispense a beverage containing milk into the cup C in response to a request from the coffee server 200 (in other words, a customer). The beverage dispenser 100 is configured to be able to dispense milk or a mixed beverage of milk and air in a warmed or cooled state.

[0014] The beverage dispenser 100 has a housing 1 that forms the outer shell of the device, a control unit 2, and a device main body 3. The housing 1 is, for example, a box-shaped body that is generally vertically elongated and has a rectangular parallelepiped frame and multiple exterior covers. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the control unit 2 and the device main body 3 are arranged inside the housing 1. A portion of the front of the housing 1 is open. A door 1a that can open and close the opening is attached to the front of the housing 1. An administrator of the beverage dispenser 100 can open the door 1a to perform tasks such as replacing the beverage storage container 4, which will be described later.

[0015] The control unit 2 controls the operation of each device in the device main body 3, for example, based on a supply command (S1, S2, S3, S4) from the coffee server 200, so that milk or mixed beverages are supplied in a warm or cold state, respectively.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the device main body 3 includes a beverage storage container 4, a cooling device 5, a heating device 6, a pump 7, a cleaning liquid supply source 8, and an air supply device 9.

[0017] The beverage storage container 4 is a container of any suitable shape for storing, for example, milk as a beverage. In the illustrated example, a so-called bag-in-box is used as the beverage storage container 4, although it is not particularly limited thereto. The bag-in-box comprises a bag-shaped container 4a in which the beverage is sealed and a box-shaped container 4b in which the bag-shaped container 4a is housed. The beverage storage container 4 is housed in a chamber 5a (described later) of the cooling device 5, and is configured to store milk at an appropriate low temperature. For example, the bag-shaped container 4a of the beverage storage container 4 (bag-in-box) is made of a transparent resin material and formed into a bag shape by blow molding or the like, and the box-shaped container 4b is made of a cardboard member and formed into a box shape. A flexible tube La is connected to the bottom of the beverage storage container 4 (bag-shaped container 4a in the illustrated example), and the tube La extends from the bottom of the beverage storage container 4 (bag-shaped container 4a).

[0018] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, a plug 11 is attached to the tip of the tube La extending from the beverage storage container 4 (i.e., the end of the tube La downstream in the direction of liquid flow, or more specifically, the end of the tube La on the beverage supply destination side). The plug 11 is a component (clamper) that clamps and closes a portion of the tube La near its tip. Before use, the tip of the tube La is subjected to a closing treatment S, for example, by welding, as shown in Figure 4, and the sealing state of the bag-shaped container 4a before use is maintained by the closing treatment S. Then, the portion of the tube La that has been closed off by the closing treatment S is cut off by a caretaker or the like just before use, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 5. In order to prevent air from flowing back into the bag-shaped container 4a after this cutting, the plug 11 that closes off a portion of the tube La is provided at the tip of the tube La. With a portion of the tube La near its tip closed by the plug 11, the portion of the tube La that has been closed off by the closing treatment S is cut off. Therefore, after cutting, the sealed state of the bag-shaped container 4a is ensured by the plug 11. The detailed shape of the plug 11 will be described later.

[0019] The cooling device 5 has a compartment 5a separated by a partition wall 5a1 including a door 1a with a thermal insulation structure, and cools the air within the compartment 5a. The beverage storage container 4 is housed within the compartment 5a, and the cooling device 5 is configured to maintain the compartment temperature at an appropriate low set temperature. As shown in Figure 2, an annular sealing member 1b is attached to the inside surface of the door 1a to prevent cool air from leaking when the door is closed.

[0020] The heating device 6 is a device for warming milk or a mixed beverage. The heating device 6 is arranged to surround a predetermined portion of the beverage supply pipe L1 that guides the beverage (milk or a mixed beverage) to a predetermined supply destination (here, a cup C provided in the coffee server 200).

[0021] Although not shown, the heating device 6 has a heat source that heats the milk or mixed beverage flowing through the beverage supply pipe L1, and a bypass pipe that bypasses the heat source. The heating device 6 is configured to be able to switch between an operation of discharging the inflowing milk or mixed beverage directly through the bypass pipe without heating it, and an operation of heating the inflowing milk or mixed beverage through the heat source and discharging it, based on a signal from the control unit 2. In addition, the discharge pipe L2 is connected to a predetermined portion of the beverage supply pipe L1 between the heating device 6 and the beverage discharge outlet 10 (a portion in FIG. 3 where a switching valve V2, described later, is connected). The beverage discharge outlet 10 is, for example, a nozzle portion from which the milk or mixed beverage is discharged, and is located above the cup C.

[0022] The pump 7 is a device that mainly sucks and discharges milk from the beverage storage container 4, and is provided at a predetermined portion of the beverage supply pipe L1 upstream of the heating device 6 in the flow direction (on the beverage storage container 4 side).

[0023] The cleaning liquid supply source 8 is a device that supplies cleaning liquid (rinse water) such as a detergent or water to the beverage supply pipe L1 after supplying, for example, milk or a mixed beverage. The cleaning liquid supply source 8 includes a cleaning liquid storage tank that stores the detergent or water as the cleaning liquid, a pump that is driven based on a signal from the control unit 2, and an electromagnetically driven on-off valve.

[0024] The air supply device 9 is a device for supplying air used for preparing a mixed beverage, purging the beverage supply pipe L1, and the like, via an air flow path L3. The air supply device 9 includes an air supply pump with a variable discharge flow rate and an electromagnetically driven on-off valve. One end of the air flow path L3 is connected to the air supply device 9, and the other end of the air flow path L3 is connected to a predetermined portion of the beverage supply pipe L1 that is upstream of the pump 7 in the flow direction (hereinafter referred to as the junction Z). Air from the air supply device 9 is supplied into the beverage supply pipe L1 via the air flow path L3 and the junction Z. A check valve C1 that prevents backflow into the air supply device 9 is provided in the air flow path L3.

[0025] Here, a connector 12 is attached to the upstream end, which is the end on the upstream side in the flow direction of the beverage supply pipe L1 (i.e., the end of the beverage supply pipe L1 opposite the beverage supply destination (cup C) of the beverage supply pipe L1). A beverage discharge port 10 for dispensing the beverage into cup C is provided at the downstream end, which is the end on the downstream side in the flow direction of the beverage supply pipe L1 (i.e., the end of the beverage supply pipe L1 on the cup C side, or more specifically, the tip of the beverage supply pipe L1). At least a portion of the beverage supply pipe L1 having a predetermined length including the upstream end is flexible. The detailed shape of the connector 12 will be described later.

[0026] The beverage supply pipe L1 is provided with a flow meter 15, an on-off valve V1, a pump 7, an expansion section 16, a heating device 6, and a switching valve V2, in that order from the connector 12 toward the beverage outlet 10. The confluence section Z is located in the beverage supply pipe L1 between the on-off valve V1 and the pump 7. The on-off valve V1 is, for example, a solenoid valve that is closed in the initial state (power OFF). The switching valve V2 is a valve that selectively switches the destination of a liquid such as milk flowing through the beverage supply pipe L1 between the beverage outlet 10 and the discharge pipe L2, and is, for example, an electromagnetically driven three-way valve. For example, in the initial state (power OFF), the switching valve V2 allows flow to the discharge pipe L2 side and blocks flow to the beverage outlet 10 side. In the energized state (power ON), the switching valve V2 operates to block flow to the discharge pipe L2 side and allow flow to the beverage outlet 10 side.

[0027] A socket 13 is disposed above the beverage storage container 4 (above the compartment 5a in the illustrated example). The socket 13 is a portion into which the plug 11 is inserted together with the tube La. The plug 11 is attached to the socket 13 by being inserted into the socket 13 by a caretaker or the like, and is removed from the socket 13 by being pulled out from the socket 13 by the caretaker or the like; the plug 11 is a coupling that can be freely attached to and detached from the socket 13 (inserted and removed).

[0028] In this embodiment, the socket 13 has an entrance hole 131 at the end opposite to the plug insertion side of the socket 13, into which the end of the connector 12 can enter. The end of the connector 12 is formed so as to be able to enter the interior of the socket 13 through the entrance hole 131 of the socket 13. With the end of the connector 12 inserted into the socket 13, the connector 12 can be connected to the end of the tube La inserted into the socket 13. The detailed shape of the socket 13 will be described later.

[0029] In this embodiment, a cleaning liquid joint 14 is disposed near the socket 13 above the beverage storage container 4. The cleaning liquid joint 14 is provided at the tip of the cleaning liquid supply pipe Lb extending from the cleaning liquid supply source 8 (i.e., the downstream end of the cleaning liquid supply pipe Lb that is the end on the downstream side in the direction of liquid flow, or more specifically, the end of the cleaning liquid supply pipe Lb on the supply destination side of the cleaning liquid), and is formed so as to be connectable to the connector 12 by fitting. Specifically, the cleaning liquid supply pipe Lb is a pipe that extends from the cleaning liquid supply source 8 to the cleaning liquid joint 14. The cleaning liquid supply pipe Lb is flexible. The cleaning liquid joint 14 has a fitting portion 14a that can be fitted with the connector 12 provided at the upstream end of the beverage supply pipe L1. The fitting portion 14a is formed as a fitting hole with an inner diameter that matches the outer diameter of the end of the connector 12. The detailed shape of the cleaning liquid joint 14 will be described later.

[0030] The connector 12 can be fitted and connected to the end of the tube La or the cleaning liquid joint 14 (more specifically, the fitting portion 14a). When the tube is connected, the beverage supply device 100 is in a state where it can supply a beverage to the cup C via the tube La and the beverage supply pipe L1, and when the cleaning liquid joint is connected, it is in a state where it can supply cleaning liquid to the beverage supply pipe L1 via the cleaning liquid supply pipe Lb. In this embodiment, with the connector 12 connected to the tube La, the beverage supply device 100 operates the air supply device 9, opens the on-off valve V1, supplies air into the beverage supply pipe L1, and drives the pump 7. As a result, the beverage supply device 100 is configured to produce a mixed beverage of milk and air, and discharge the mixed beverage from the beverage discharge outlet 10 into the cup C.

[0031] Next, the plug 11 and socket 13 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The portion of the tube La that has been subjected to the blocking treatment S (see Figure 4) is cut off immediately before use, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 5. For this reason, a plug 11 for blocking the tube La is attached to the tip of the tube La. The plug 11 is a member (clamper) that can be displaced between a blocked position (Figure 5) in which a portion of the tube La is clamped and blocked, and an open position (Figure 4) in which the tube La is opened.

[0032] In this embodiment, the plug 11 has a first member 11a and a second member 11b that face each other in the closed position and sandwich the tube La. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first member 11a and the second member 11b are coupled to each other so as to be swingable about a swing shaft 11c provided at a portion of the plug 11 on the tip side in the insertion direction into the socket 13 (i.e., the tip end of the plug 11 in the insertion direction). In the illustrated example, the swing shaft 11c extends in the left-right width direction of the plug 11, and the first member 11a and the second member 11b are coupled to each other so as to be swingable up and down about the swing shaft 11c. In the illustrated example, the first member 11a is positioned above the second member 11b. A support piece 111 that protrudes upward is formed on a portion of the top surface of the second member 11b on the tip side in the insertion direction into the socket 13. A portion of the first member 11a on the tip side in the insertion direction is rotatably supported by the swing shaft 11c supported by the support piece 111. The first member 11a and the second member 11b face each other in the closed position, and each of the first member 11a and the second member 11b has approximately the same size and a generally rectangular outer shape when viewed in a plan view from either the top or bottom direction.

[0033] Specifically, in the illustrated example, the plug 11 has an upper tube guide groove 112, a lower tube guide groove 113, and a blocking protrusion 114. The upper tube guide groove 112 is a groove extending parallel to the insertion direction (in other words, the plug front-rear direction) at the center of the left-right width direction on the underside of the first member 11a, extending from one end of the first member 11a in the plug front-rear direction to the other end. The lower tube guide groove 113 is a groove extending parallel to the insertion direction (the plug front-rear direction) at the center of the left-right width direction on the upper surface of the second member 11b, extending from one end of the second member 11b in the plug front-rear direction to the other end. In the illustrated example, the blocking protrusion 114 is provided in each of the upper tube guide groove 112 and the lower tube guide groove 113. The upper blocking protrusion 114 is provided at a position corresponding to the lower blocking protrusion 114 in the front-rear direction and faces the lower blocking protrusion 114 in the closed position. 5, the protrusion length of each blocking protrusion 114 is set so that in the closed position, the gap between the lower end of the upper blocking protrusion 114 and the upper end of the lower blocking protrusion 114 is narrower than the thickness of the tube La in the vertical direction. As a result, in the closed position, the upper and lower blocking protrusions 114 compress the tube La, thereby tightly adhering the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the tube La and blocking the tube La. Although not particularly limited, in the illustrated example, the protrusion length of the upper blocking protrusion 114 is longer than the protrusion length of the lower blocking protrusion 114. Note that the protrusion length of each blocking protrusion 114 may be any length as long as the gap is narrower than the thickness of the tube La in the closed position. For example, the protrusion length of the upper blocking protrusion 114 may be shorter than the protrusion length of the lower blocking protrusion 114 or may be the same as the protrusion length of the lower blocking protrusion 114.

[0034] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the tube La is fitted by the administrator into the tube lower guide groove 113 of the second member 11b with the portion subjected to the blocking treatment S protruding from the end face of the second member 11b. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, when the administrator swings the first member 11a toward the second member 11b, the tube upper guide groove 112 overlaps with the tube lower guide groove 113, and a portion of the tube La near its tip is crushed by the upper and lower blocking protrusions 114 and sandwiched between the lower end of the upper blocking protrusion 114 and the upper end of the lower blocking protrusion 114. At this time, the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the tube La come into contact (close contact) with each other, and as a result, a portion of the tube La near its tip is pressed and compressed by the upper and lower blocking protrusions 114 and blocked, and the plug 11 assumes the blocked position. With the plug 11 in the blocked position, the administrator cuts off the portion of the tube La that has been subjected to the blocking treatment S, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 5. After cutting the tube, the administrator inserts the plug 11 together with the tip of the tube La into the socket 13 (see FIG. 7 described later).

[0035] In the illustrated example, the plug 11 further has an anti-slip protrusion 115. The anti-slip protrusion 115 is a protrusion for preventing the tube La from slipping in the direction (front-rear direction) along the guide grooves (112, 113). In the illustrated example, the anti-slip protrusion 115 is provided on the swing shaft 11c side (tube tip side) of the tube lower guide groove 113 in the front-rear direction. With the anti-slip protrusion 115 preventing the tip of the tube La from slipping, the end of the connector 12 is moved toward the tip of the tube La by the switch 30, which will be described later, and inserted and pushed into the tip of the tube La. As a result, the end of the connector 12 is securely connected to the tip of the tube La.

[0036] In this embodiment, the plug 11 has a locking portion 116 that maintains the closed position. In the illustrated example, the locking portion 116 has two upper locking claws 116a and two lower locking claws 116b. An upper locking groove 116c that opens downward and in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is formed at each of the left and right ends in the left-right width direction of the end of the first member 11a opposite the leading end in the insertion direction. A lower locking groove 116d that opens up and down and in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is formed at each of the left and right ends in the left-right width direction of the end of the second member 11b opposite the leading end in the insertion direction. The upper locking claws 116a protrude inward from the outer sidewall of the upper locking groove 116c in the width direction, and the lower locking claws 116b protrude inward from the outer sidewall of the lower locking groove 116d in the width direction and then bend upward. The upper locking claw 116a and the lower locking claw 116b are engaged with each other, thereby maintaining the closed position of the plug 11. For example, if the locking by the locking portion 116 is released while the plug 11 is outside the socket 13, the plug 11 will autonomously displace from the closed position to the open position due to the restoring force of the compressed tube La, and the tube La will be released.

[0037] In this embodiment, when the plug 11 is inserted into the socket 13, the locking portion 116 is displaced in a direction that releases the closed position. Because the lower locking groove 116d of the second member 11b is open in the vertical direction and in the direction opposite to the insertion direction as described above, the outer sidewalls of the lower locking groove 116d of the second member 11b in the left-right width direction are easily displaced (elastically deformed) in the left-right width direction. Furthermore, multiple protrusions 117 are formed on the outer surfaces of the outer sidewalls of the lower locking groove 116d of the second member 11b in the left-right width direction. When the plug 11 is inserted into the socket 13, the multiple protrusions 117 (three in the illustrated example) come into contact with the inner surfaces of the sidewalls (a left side wall 13c and a right side wall 13d, which will be described later) of the socket 13 and are pressed inward in the width direction. As a result, the outer sidewalls of the lower locking groove 116d of the second member 11b in the width direction are displaced inward in the width direction together with the lower locking claws 116b. At this time, the lower locking claw 116b releases the lock with the upper locking claw 116a. That is, the lower locking claw 116b of the locking portion 116 is displaced in a direction (the direction indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 4) that releases the plug 11 from the closed position. In the illustrated example, an abutting piece 118 that can abut against the outer circumferential edge of a second cam portion 51 of the second switching portion 50 (described later) is formed on the portion of the upper surface of the first member 11a opposite to the leading end in the insertion direction.

[0038] 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the beverage dispenser 100 has a switching unit 70 in addition to the above-mentioned elements. The switching unit 70 is provided above the chamber 5a in the device main body 3. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6 to 8, the switching unit 70 is attached to a front panel 3a that constitutes a part of the front wall of the device main body 3 above the chamber 5a. During the beverage dispense operation, the beverage dispenser 100 is in a state in which the tube La and the connector 12 are fitted and connected to each other (i.e., a beverage dispenseable state), and during the cleaning liquid dispense operation, the cleaning liquid joint 14 and the connector 12 are fitted and connected to each other (i.e., a washable state). The manager of the beverage dispenser 100 can switch the beverage dispenser 100 from a beverage dispenseable state to a washable state, and can also switch the beverage dispenser 100 from a washable state to a beverage dispenseable state, simply by operating an operation unit 20 (described later) of the switching unit 70.

[0039] The following mainly describes the socket 13, the connector 12, the cleaning liquid joint 14, and the switching unit 70. Figures 6 to 12 are diagrams illustrating the main parts of the beverage dispenser 100, including the tube La, the plug 11, the connector 12, the socket 13, and the switching unit 70. Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the main parts of the beverage dispenser 100 before the plug is inserted, Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the main parts of the beverage dispenser 100 after the plug is inserted, Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the function and operation of a first switching section 40 (described later) of the switching unit 70, Figure 9 is a front view of the main parts, Figure 10 is a right side view of the main parts, Figure 11 is a left side view of the main parts, and Figure 12 is a perspective view of the main parts. For ease of explanation, the front panel 3a and the support plate 61 of the switching unit 70 are omitted from Figures 9 to 11, and the socket 13 is shown in schematic cross-section in Figures 10 and 11, but is omitted from Figure 12.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 6, the socket 13 is provided, for example, above the storage compartment 5a and at the bottom of the front panel 3a. The portion of the front panel 3a corresponding to the socket 13 is open. The socket 13 has a plug insertion recess 132 that is open on the front panel 3a side (the plug insertion side). In the illustrated example, the plug insertion recess 132 of the socket 13 is also open downward. By opening the door 1a, the manager can view the inside of the plug insertion recess 132 of the socket 13. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the manager can insert the plug 11 into the plug insertion recess 132 of the socket 13.

[0041] 6 to 9, the socket 13 is disposed immediately below the switching unit 70, near the bottom of the switching unit 70. The socket 13 has an upper wall 13a, an end wall 13b, a left side wall 13c, and a right side wall 13d. The plug insertion recess 132 is formed by the upper wall 13a, the end wall 13b, the left side wall 13c, and the right side wall 13d. The open end of the plug insertion recess 132 on the front panel 3a side forms a plug insertion opening 132a. A portion of the upper wall 13a is open, and the abutting piece 118 of the first member 11a can abut against the outer peripheral edge of a second cam portion 51 of the second switching portion 50, which will be described later, through an opening 133 in the upper wall 13a (see FIG. 9). End wall 13b forms the end of socket 13 opposite the plug insertion side (front panel 3a side), and end wall 13b has an access hole 131 (see FIG. 3) for connector 12. Insertion guide protrusions 134 are formed on the lower portions of the widthwise inner wall surfaces of left wall 13c and right wall 13d. When plug 11 is inserted into socket 13, it slides along the upper surfaces of insertion guide protrusions 134, and after insertion, it is supported from below by insertion guide protrusions 134.

[0042] The connector 12 and the cleaning liquid joint 14 each have an internal flow path. The internal flow path of the connector 12 always communicates with the beverage supply pipe L1, and the internal flow path of the cleaning liquid joint 14 always communicates with the cleaning liquid supply pipe Lb. The connector 12 is fitted to the tube La or the cleaning liquid joint 14 by inserting the end of the connector 12 into the tube La or the cleaning liquid joint 14, and as a result, is connected to the tube La or the cleaning liquid joint 14. The connector 12 is detached from the tube La or the cleaning liquid joint 14 by removing the end of the connector 12 from the tube La or the cleaning liquid joint 14.

[0043] 10 to 12, the connector 12 is a joint having an internal flow path and formed in the shape of an elbow pipe bent at an obtuse angle. One end of the connector 12 is connected to the upstream end of the beverage supply pipe L1. The other end (end) of the connector 12 is connected to the tube La through an entrance hole 131 of the socket 13 or to the fitting portion 14a of the cleaning liquid joint 14. The fitting portion 14a of the cleaning liquid joint 14 is formed continuously with one end of the internal flow path of the cleaning liquid joint 14 and is open on the opposite side from the operating unit 20 in the front-to-rear direction. A nipple 14b is attached to the other end of the internal flow path of the cleaning liquid joint 14. The cleaning liquid joint 14 is connected to the cleaning liquid supply pipe Lb via the nipple 14b.

[0044] The switching unit 70 has an operation unit 20 and a switch 30. The switching unit 70 is a device having a function related to whether or not the plug 11 can be removed from the socket 13, and a function related to whether or not the plug 11 can be displaced from the closed position to the open position. In this embodiment, the switching unit 70 has a function related to the movement of the connector 12 in addition to the above functions.

[0045] The operation unit 20 is a part that is operated by an administrator of the beverage dispenser 100 and to which an external force is applied. For example, a force from the administrator is applied to the operation unit 20 as an external force. The operation unit 20 is provided, for example, on the upper part of the front panel 3a adjacent to the socket 13 (see FIG. 2). The administrator can access and operate the operation unit 20 by opening the front door 1a of the housing 1.

[0046] 6 to 12, in this embodiment, the operating unit 20 is a lever that is rotatably supported about an axis X extending in one direction and is rotated by the external force. The axis X extends parallel to the insertion direction of the plug 11 (in other words, the front-rear direction of the beverage dispenser 100, and further, the normal direction of the front panel 3a). In the illustrated example, the axis X of the operating unit 20, relative to the socket 13, is located directly above a socket-side central axis X1 that passes through the center of the entry hole 131 of the socket 13 and is parallel to the insertion direction (front-rear direction) of the plug 11. Furthermore, relative to the cleaning liquid joint 14, the axis X of the operating unit 20 is located diagonally above and to the right in a front view (see FIG. 9) of the cleaning-side central axis X2 that passes through the hole center of the fitting portion 14a and is parallel to the insertion direction (front-rear direction) of the plug 11. The operating unit 20 is provided on the front panel 3a side so as to be exposed to the outside.

[0047] The switch 30 is a switching device that is actuated by an external force applied to the operation unit 20. In this embodiment, the switch 30 has a first switch unit 40 that has a switching function for determining whether the plug 11 can be removed, a second switch unit 50 that has a switching function for determining whether the plug 11 can be displaced from a closed position to an open position, and a third switch unit 60 that has a switching function for determining the movement of the connector 12 relative to the socket 13. The switch 30 is actuated by an external force applied to the operation unit 20 as a driving force, and the first switch unit 40, the second switch unit 50, and the third switch unit 60 operate in conjunction with one another. In this embodiment, the switching function of the third switch unit 60 includes a function for selectively switching the connection destination of the connector 12 between the tube La (milk side) and the cleaning liquid joint 14 (cleaning liquid side).

[0048] FIGS. 13(A) to 13(D) and 14(A) to 14(D) are conceptual diagrams for explaining the overall function and operation of the switch 30. FIGS. 13(A) to 13(D) show schematic front views of the main parts, and FIGS. 14(A) to 14(D) show schematic right side views of the main parts. FIGS. 15(A) to 15(D) are conceptual diagrams for explaining how the position of the connector 12 changes. The switching units 70 shown in the figures with the same subnumbers ((A), (B), (C), and (D)) are in the same state (posture). Also, FIGS. 8 to 12 show the switching units 70 in the same state. The switching unit 70 shown in Figure 7 is in the same state as the switching unit 70 shown in Figures 13(D), 14(D) and 15(D), and the switching unit 70 shown in Figures 8 to 12 is in the same state as the switching unit 70 shown in Figures 13(A), 14(A) and 15(A).

[0049] The first switching unit 40 selectively switches between an extraction allowable state that allows removal of the plug 11 from the socket 13 and an extraction preventable state that prevents removal of the plug 11 from the socket 13. Figures 6, 7, 13(D), and 14(D) show the first switching unit 40 in the extraction allowable state, in which removal of the plug 11 from the socket 13 is permitted and insertion of the plug 11 into the socket 13 is permitted (see Figure 6). Figures 8 to 12, 13(A) to 13(C), and 14(A) to 14(C) show the first switching unit 40 in the extraction preventable state, in which removal of the plug 11 from the socket 13 is prevented. Note that in the extraction preventable state, insertion of the plug 11 into the socket 13 is also prevented.

[0050] In the illustrated example, the first switching unit 40 has a plate-shaped first cam portion 41 and a switching shaft portion 42 that rotatably supports the first cam portion 41. The first cam portion 41 is formed in a generally circular plate shape with a portion of its periphery cut out, and is provided along the front panel 3a. A lever serving as the operating unit 20 is provided on the front surface of the first cam portion 41. The switching shaft portion 42 protrudes from the back surface of the first cam portion 41 (the surface opposite the operating unit 20 side). The central axis of the switching shaft portion 42 coincides with the axis X of the operating unit 20.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 9 , the periphery of the first cam portion 41 includes a first arc portion 41a centered on the axis X and a first linear portion 41b extending linearly and connecting both ends of the first arc portion 41a. The radius R1 of the first arc portion 41a is longer than a reference distance D0, which is the shortest distance between the center (axis X) of the first arc portion 41a and the underside of the upper wall 13a of the socket 13 (R1>D0), and is also longer than a first notch distance D1, which is the shortest distance from the center (axis X) of the first arc portion 41a to the first linear portion 41b (R1>D1). The first notch distance D1 is equal to or slightly shorter than the reference distance D0. In the following description, the first notch distance D1 is assumed to be equal to the reference distance D0 (i.e., R1>D0=D1).

[0052] 8 to 12, 13(A) to 13(C), and 14(A) to 14(C), rotation of the first cam portion 41 accompanying the rotation operation of the operating unit 20 causes the first arc portion 41a to protrude downward from the lower surface of the upper wall 13a of the socket 13 in a front view. At this time, the first arc portion 41a partially blocks the portion of the upper edge (i.e., the lower surface of the upper wall 13a) of the plug insertion opening 132a of the socket 13 from the front side in a front view. As a result, the first switching unit 40 prevents the plug 11 from being removed from the socket 13 and the plug 11 from being inserted into the socket 13 (in other words, it prevents the plug 11 from being inserted into or removed from the socket 13), and the removal-prevention state is established.

[0053] 6, 7, 13(D), and 14(D), rotation of the first cam portion 41 accompanying the rotation operation of the operating portion 20 positions the first straight portion 41b at a position along the upper edge (the lower surface of the upper wall 13a) of the plug insertion opening 132a of the socket 13 in a front view, thereby opening the entire plug insertion opening 132a. As a result, the first switching portion 40 allows the plug 11 to be removed from the socket 13 and inserted into the socket 13 (allows the plug 11 to be inserted and removed (attached and detached)), and enters the removal-allowed state.

[0054] The second switching unit 50 selectively switches between an open-permitting state, which permits the plug 11 inserted into the socket 13 to move from the closed position toward the open position, and an open-blocking state, which prevents the open displacement. In this embodiment, the open displacement of the plug 11 is a swing movement about the swing axis 11c of the plug 11. The swing movement is caused by the restoring force of the tube La, which has been pressed and compressed. When the plug 11 is inserted into the socket 13, the locking portion 116 of the plug 11 is displaced in a direction that releases the closed position. However, when the second switching unit 50 is in the open-blocking state, the closed position of the plug 11 is maintained by the second switching unit 50 even if the locking by the locking portion 116 is released. In other words, the plug 11 is opened by the restoring force of the tube La, which has been pressed and compressed, only when the second switching unit 50 is in the open-permitting state.

[0055] 7, 13(B) to 13(D), and 14(B) to 14(D) show the second switching unit 50 in the open-preventing state, in which the plug 11 inserted into the socket 13 is prevented from moving from the closed position toward the open position. 8 to 12, 13(A), and 14(A) show the second switching unit 50 in the open-permitting state, in which the plug 11 inserted into the socket 13 is permitted to move from the closed position toward the open position, and the plug 11 is released by the restoring force of the tube La that has been pressed and compressed.

[0056] In the illustrated example, the second switching part 50 is made up of a second cam part 51 that is arranged coaxially with the central axis (axis X) of the switching shaft part 42 of the first switching part 40. The second cam part 51 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with a portion of the outer periphery cut out. The second cam part 51 protrudes from the back surface of the first cam part 41 of the first switching part 40, and is arranged so as to surround the switching shaft part 42 of the first switching part 40. In other words, in the illustrated example, the second switching part 50 is formed integrally with the first switching part 40.

[0057] The second cam portion 51 is arranged so that the lower part of the rotational trajectory of the second cam portion 51 overlaps the area of ​​the opening 133 in the upper wall 13a of the socket 13. When the plug 11 is inserted into the socket 13, the lower part of the outer circumferential edge of the second cam portion 51 can come into contact with the abutment piece 118 of the first member 11a of the plug 11 through the opening 133 in the upper wall 13a of the socket 13.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 9, the outer peripheral edge of the second cam portion 51 includes a second arc portion 51a centered on the axis X and a second linear portion 51b extending linearly and connecting both ends of the second arc portion 51a. The second linear portion 51b is disposed at an angular position offset by 180° from the first linear portion 41b around the axis X. The radius R2 of the second arc portion 51a is shorter than the radius R1 of the first arc portion 41a (R1>R2), longer than a second cutout distance D2, which is the shortest distance between the center (axis X) of the second arc portion 51a and the second linear portion 51b (R2>D2), and is equal to or shorter than the first cutout distance D1. In the illustrated example, the radius R2 of the second arc portion 51a is equal to the first cutout distance D1 (R2=D1). The second cutout distance D2 is shorter than the reference distance D0 (D0>D2). The shorter the second cutout distance D2, the greater the effective flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the tube La in the open position. As described above, the illustrated switch 30 satisfies the relationship R1>R2 (=D1=D0)>D2. When the second cam portion 51 rotates, the second cam portion 51 switches between a state in which a portion of the second arc portion 51a enters the opening 133 from above and a state in which the second arc portion 51a is retracted upward from the opening 133.

[0059] 8 to 12, 13(A), and 14(A), when the second cam portion 51 rotates in response to the rotation of the operating unit 20, the second linear portion 51b approaches the opening 133 (see FIG. 9) in the upper wall 13a of the socket 13 and becomes parallel to the upper wall 13a, causing the second arc portion 51a to retract upward from the opening 133 in the upper wall 13a of the socket 13. At this time, the abutting piece 118 of the first member 11a of the plug 11 abuts against or is slightly separated from the second linear portion 51b, and the first member 11a autonomously swings in the opening direction about the swing axis 11c due to the restoring force of the tube La that has been pressed and compressed. In other words, the second switching unit 50 allows the plug 11 inserted into the socket 13 to move from the closed position toward the open position, and the plug 11 is in the open-permitted state.

[0060] 7, 13(B) to 13(D), and 14(B) to 14(D), when the second cam portion 51 rotates in response to the rotation of the operating unit 20, the second arc portion 51a enters the opening 133 (see FIG. 9) in the upper wall 13a of the socket 13 from above. The second arc portion 51a presses down the contact piece 118 of the first member 11a of the plug 11 against the restoring force of the tube La (in other words, by pressing and compressing the tube La). At this time, the first member 11a swings in the closing direction about the swing axis 11c due to the pressing force of the second arc portion 51a, and the swing of the first member 11a in the opening direction is prevented by the second cam portion 51. In other words, the second switching portion 50 prevents the plug 11 inserted into the socket 13 from moving from the closed position toward the open position, and the plug 11 is in the open-prevented state.

[0061] Here, the switch 30 shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, 13(A), and 14(A) is in a state where the first switching unit 40 is in the removal prevention state and the second switching unit 50 is in the open-permitting state, and in this state, the connector 12 is connected to the tube La. That is, the switch 30 shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, 13(A), and 14(A) is in a first state where the first switching unit 40 is in the removal prevention state and the second switching unit 50 is in the open-permitting state, and the connector 12 is connected to the tube La. And the switch 30 shown in FIGS. 7, 13(D), and 14(D) is in a second state where the first switching unit 40 is in the removal permitting state and the second switching unit 50 is in the open-preventing state. That is, the switch 30 is selectively switched between the first state and the second state by an external force applied to the operation unit 20.

[0062] The first state and the second state can be expressed in terms of a configuration mainly made up of the plug 11 or a configuration mainly made up of the beverage dispenser 100, with a focus on the first switching unit 40.

[0063] Specifically, the first state and the second state can be restated as follows: when the first switching unit 40 is in the removal prevention state and the connector 12 is connected to the tube La, the plug 11 inserted into the socket 13 takes the open posture that opens the tube La (corresponding to the first state); when the first switching unit 40 is in the removal permission state, the plug 11 takes the closed posture that closes the tube La by clamping it (corresponding to the second state).

[0064] Furthermore, in terms of the first state and the second state as a configuration mainly composed of the beverage supply device 100, when the first switching unit 40 is in the removal prevention state and the connector 12 is connected to the tube La, the beverage supply device 100 causes the plug 11 inserted into the socket 13 to take the open position (corresponding to the first state), and when the first switching unit 40 is in the removal permission state, causes the plug 11 inserted into the socket 13 to take the closed position (corresponding to the second state).

[0065] In this embodiment, the switch 30 is switched between the first state and the second state by rotating the operation unit 20 by an external force. In the illustrated example, the switch 30 is switched between the first state and the second state simply by rotating the operation unit 20 clockwise when viewed from the front.

[0066] In this embodiment, the switch 30 is in the first state at one end of the operation range (here, the rotation operation range) of the operation unit 20, and in the second state at the other end of the operation range of the operation unit 20. For example, the rotation operation range (rotation angle range) around the axis line X of the lever as the operation range of the operation unit 20 is set to a range of 0° to 180°. In the first state (see FIG. 8), the operation unit (lever) 20 is in a position extending horizontally, and when this horizontal position is taken as the reference (0°), the operation unit 20 can rotate clockwise by 180° when viewed from the front.

[0067] The third switching unit 60 uses an external force applied to the operation unit 20 as a driving force to move the connector 12, switching between an advanced state in which the end of the connector 12 is advanced into the socket 13 through the advance hole 131 and a retreat state in which the end of the connector 12 is retreated from the socket 13. The third switching unit 60 is in the advanced state in the first state (removal prevention, opening permitted, connector connected) and in the retreat state in the second state (removal permitted, opening prohibited). That is, the switch 30 is in the first state when the third switching unit 60 advances the end of the connector 12 into the socket 13 through the advance hole 131 and pushes the end of the connector 12 into the tip of the tube La to connect it to the tip of the tube La (see FIGS. 8 to 12, 13A, and 14A). When the switch 30 is in the second state, the third switching unit 60 withdraws the connector 12 from the tube La.

[0068] In this embodiment, the third switching unit 60 is a conversion mechanism that connects the operation unit 20 and the connector 12, and converts the movement of the operation unit 20 due to an external force applied to the operation unit 20 into a movement that moves the connector 12. The third switching unit 60 converts the movement (here, rotational movement) of the operation unit 20 into at least the forward and backward movement of the connector 12, thereby connecting the connector 12 to the tube La or removing (disconnecting) the connector 12 from the tube La.

[0069] In this embodiment, as described above, the third switching unit 60 has the function of selectively switching the connection destination of the connector 12 between the tube La (milk side) and the cleaning liquid joint 14 (cleaning liquid side). That is, in this embodiment, the movement movement of the third switching unit 60 includes a switching movement that switches the connection destination of the connector 12. The third switching unit 60 connects between the switching shaft 42 of the first switching unit 40 and the connector 12, and is configured to move the connector 12 by the switching movement.

[0070] The switching movement of the third switching unit 60 includes a first movement (i.e., the advancing and retreating movement) for moving the connector 12 forward and backward (advancing or retreating, further, inserting or withdrawing) relative to the socket 13 (tube La), a second movement for movement between the socket 13 and the cleaning fluid joint 14, and a third movement for moving the connector 12 forward and backward (advancing or retreating, further, inserting or withdrawing) relative to the cleaning fluid joint 14. In other words, the first movement is a movement for moving the connector 12 between a first position P1 (see the solid line in FIG. 15(A) and the dashed line in FIG. 15(B)) which is the position of the connector 12 connected to the tube La, and a second position P2 (see the solid line in FIG. 15(B) and the dashed line in FIG. 15(C)) which is the position of the connector 12 removed from the tube La and facing the entrance hole 131 of the socket 13. The second movement is a movement that moves the connector 12 between the second position P2 and a third position P3 (see the solid line in FIG. 15(C) and the dashed line in FIG. 15(D)), which is a position of the connector 12 that is removed from the cleaning fluid joint 14 and faces the fitting portion 14a of the cleaning fluid joint 14. The third movement is a movement that moves the connector 12 between the third position P3 and a fourth position P4 (see the solid line in FIG. 15(D)), which is a position of the connector 12 that is connected to the cleaning fluid joint 14.

[0071] In this embodiment, the third switching unit 60 is configured to connect the connector 12 to the tube La at one end of the operation range (rotation operation range) of the operating unit 20, and to connect the connector 12 to the cleaning liquid joint 14 at the other end of the operation range of the operating unit 20. Specifically, when the connector 12 is located at the first position P1 and the switch 30 is in the first state (see FIGS. 15(A), 8 to 12, 13(A), and 14(A)), the operating unit 20 is in a position extending horizontally. Then, when the operating unit 20 is rotated by 180°, the switch 30 is in the second state (see FIGS. 7, 13(D), and 14(D)).

[0072] The third switching unit 60 is configured to sequentially move the connector 12 in the order of P1 (first state) → P2 → P3 → P4 (second state) when the operating unit 20 is rotated clockwise from 0° to 180°, and sequentially move the connector 12 in the order of P4 → P3 → P2 → P1 when the operating unit 20 is rotated in the reverse direction (counterclockwise) from 180° to 0°. That is, in this embodiment, the third switching unit 60 is configured to convert the rotational movement of the operating unit 20 into the switching movement. The third switching unit 60 completely connects the connector 12 to the tube La when the operating unit 20 is at the 0° angle position, and completely connects the connector 12 to the cleaning liquid joint 14 when the operating unit 20 is at the 180° angle position.

[0073] The first state can also be said to be a state in which a beverage can be dispensed. The second state can also be said to be a state in which the plug can be inserted / removed (detached), or more specifically, a state in which the beverage storage container can be replaced. In this embodiment, the second state can also be said to be a state in which the beverage supply pipe can be cleaned.

[0074] 10 to 12, in more detail, the third switching unit 60 has a support plate 61, an inner movable body 62, an outer movable body 63, and an end movable body 64.

[0075] The support plate 61 rotatably supports the operation unit 20, the first switching unit 40, and the second switching unit 50, and is fixed to, for example, the front panel 3a. The support plate 61 also has the function of fixing the switch 30 to the front panel 3a.

[0076] The inner movable body 62 is a part to which the rotational motion of the switching shaft 42, which rotates in accordance with the rotational operation of the operating unit 20, is transmitted. The inner movable body 62 is coaxially connected to the switching shaft 42 of the operating unit 20 and can rotate together with the switching shaft 42 about the axis X. Specifically, the inner movable body 62 has a cylindrical inner tube portion 621 with a bottom that extends coaxially with the axis X, a shaft portion 622 that extends coaxially from the inner tube portion 621, a rotation protrusion 623 that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube portion 621, and a rotation piece 624 that is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 622. The switching shaft 42 is fitted inside the inner tube portion 621, and the switching shaft 42 is fixed (coupled) to the inner tube portion 621 by a screw or the like. An end of the shaft portion 622 is rotatably supported by the support plate 61. The rotating body consisting of the operating unit 20, the first switching unit 40, the second switching unit 50, and the inner movable body 62 is rotatably supported by a support plate 61 at two locations, front and rear. The rotating protrusion 623 constitutes part of a mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the operating unit 20 into the first motion and the third motion for advancing and retreating (inserting and uninserting) the connector 12. The rotating piece 624 constitutes part of a mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the operating unit 20 into the second motion for movement between the socket 13 of the connector 12 and the cleaning liquid joint 14. The rotating piece 624 has a fan-shaped cross section and is formed over the entire longitudinal direction of the shaft 622. The fan central angle of the fan cross section of the rotating piece 624 continuously increases from approximately 60° to approximately 180° as it moves away from the operating unit 20.

[0077] The outer movable body 63 cooperates with the rotating protrusion 623 and the like to form a mechanism for converting the rotational movement of the operating unit 20 into the first movement and the third movement. The outer movable body 63 surrounds the inner movable body 62 from the outside and is disposed coaxially with the axis X of the operating unit 20. Relative movement of the outer movable body 63 with respect to the inner movable body 62 in the direction of extension of the axis X (front-rear direction) is permitted, but relative rotation of the outer movable body 63 with respect to the inner movable body 62 about the axis X is prevented. Specifically, the outer movable body 63 has an outer tube portion 631. The outer tube portion 631 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape. The outer tube portion 631 is formed with a conversion groove portion 63a for converting the rotational movement of the switching shaft portion 42 of the operating unit 20 into front-rear movement of the outer tube portion 631 itself, and a rotation range defining groove portion 63b for defining the rotation range of the end movable body 64. The conversion groove 63a receives the rotation protrusion 623 of the inner movable body 62, and the rotation range determining groove 63b receives the rotation range determining protrusion 64a (described later) of the end movable body 64. The conversion groove 63a includes a first motion groove 63a1 on the right side (see FIGS. 10 and 12), a second motion groove 63a2 on the lower side (see FIGS. 10 to 12), and a third motion groove 63a3 on the left side (see FIG. 11). The first motion groove 63a1 and the third motion groove 63a3 each extend twistedly away from the axis X in the up-down direction from a portion overlapping with the axis X toward the operating unit 20. The second motion groove 63a2 extends to connect the lower end of the first motion groove 63a1 and the lower end of the third motion groove 63a3. The rotation range defining grooves 63b extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis X on the right and left sides.

[0078] The end movable body 64 cooperates with the rotating piece 624 and the like to form a mechanism for converting the rotational movement of the operating unit 20 into the second movement. The end movable body 64 is fitted into the outer cylindrical portion 631 of the outer movable body 63 so as to be rotatable about the axis X of the operating unit 20. Relative movement of the end movable body 64 in the front-to-rear direction with respect to the outer movable body 63 is prevented by inserting a rotation range defining protrusion 64a (described later) into a rotation range defining groove 63b, but relative rotation of the end movable body 64 about the axis X with respect to the outer movable body 63 is permitted within the range defined by the rotation range defining groove 63b. Specifically, the end movable body 64 has an end cylindrical portion 641, a cylindrical bottom portion 642, and a connecting piece 643. The end cylindrical portion 641 is formed in a cylindrical shape. A rotation range defining protrusion 64a, which is inserted into the rotation range defining groove 63b, is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the end cylindrical portion 641. The cylindrical bottom portion 642 has a fan-shaped hole 642a (see FIG. 12) through which the rotating piece 624 of the inner movable body 62 can be inserted. The connecting piece 643 is connected to the connector 12. The third switching unit 60 is connected to the first switching unit 40 (switching shaft portion 42) via the inner cylindrical portion 621, and the operation unit 20 is formed integrally with the first switching unit 40. Therefore, the third switching unit 60 is connected via the first switching unit 40. In other words, the third switching unit 60 connects the operation unit 20 and the connector 12.

[0079] Next, the switching operation of the switching unit 70 of the beverage dispenser 100 will be described, starting from the first state, mainly with reference to Figures 8, 13(A) to 13(D), and 14(A) to 14(D). The connector 12 is located at a first position P1 in (A), a second position P2 in (B), a third position P3 in (C), and a fourth position P4 in (D). It is assumed that the beverage storage container 4 is already housed in the chamber 5a, the tip of the tube La is inserted into the socket 13 together with the plug 11, the locking by the locking portion 116 that maintains the closed position of the plug 11 has been released, and the plug 11 is in the open position.

[0080] When the operating unit 20 is in an angle position of 0° (see Figure 13(A)), the connector 12 is in the first position P1, and the switch 30 is in the first state. In the first state, the first switching unit 40 is in an unplugging prevention state that prevents the plug 11 from being unplugged, the second switching unit 50 is in an open-permitting state that allows the plug 11 to be displaced open toward the open position, and the third switching unit 60 is in an intrusion state in which the end of the connector 12 has been inserted into the socket 13, and the connector 12 is connected to the tube La.

[0081] Specifically, when the operating unit 20 is at the 0° angle position, the first arc portion 41a of the first cam portion 41 of the first switching unit 40 protrudes downward from the underside of the upper wall 13a of the socket 13 in a front view, preventing the plug 11 from being removed from the socket 13. Then, the second arc portion 51a of the second cam portion 51 of the second switching unit 50 retracts upward from the opening 133 in the upper wall 13a of the socket 13, and the first member 11a of the plug 11 autonomously swings in the opening direction about the swing axis 11c due to the restoring force of the pressed and compressed tube La, and the plug 11 is in the open position. Furthermore, the third switching unit 60 inserts the end of the connector 12 into the socket 13, pushing the end of the connector 12 into the tip of the tube La and connecting it to the tip of the tube La. At this time, the rotation protrusion 623 of the third switching unit 60 is located at the upper end of the first movement groove 63a1, and the outer movable body 63 has approached to a position near the rear surface of the first switching unit 40. In addition, the right rotation range defining protrusion 64a abuts against the upper end of the inner wall of the right rotation range defining groove 63b, and the left rotation range defining protrusion 64a abuts against the lower groove wall of the left rotation range defining groove 63b. Here, when supply commands S1 to S4 are input to the control unit 2, the control unit 2 starts to control the beverage supply operation to supply a beverage containing milk (milk or a mixed beverage of milk and air) to the cup C in accordance with the supply commands.

[0082] The manager of the beverage supply device 100 performs maintenance such as cleaning the beverage supply pipe L1. When the manager rotates the operation unit 20 from 0° to 60°, the first switching unit 40 maintains the removal prevention state, the second switching unit 50 switches from the open-permitting state to the open-preventing state, the plug 11 is in the closed position, and the third switching unit 60 switches to a retracted state in which the end of the connector 12 is retracted from the socket 13, and the connector 12 is removed (disconnected) from the tube La (see FIGS. 13(B) and 14(B)).

[0083] Specifically, when the operating unit 20 is rotated clockwise from 0° in front view, the first arc portion 41a of the first switching unit 40 protrudes downward below the lower surface of the upper wall 13a of the socket 13 in front view while rotating, preventing the plug 11 from being removed from the socket 13. Then, the second arc portion 51a of the second cam portion 51 of the second switching unit 50 presses downward the contact piece 118 of the first member 11a of the plug 11 against the restoring force of the tube La (in other words, pressing and compressing the tube La), and a portion of the tube La begins to be crushed by the upper and lower blocking protrusions 114. Before the operating unit 20 reaches the 60° angle position, the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the tube La (in other words, the opposing wall surfaces of the inner wall surfaces of the tube La that have been deformed into a flattened shape by being crushed) come into contact with each other, and a portion of the tube La is blocked by the upper and lower blocking protrusions 114. When the operation unit 20 is rotated to the 60° angle position, the tube La is further crushed by the amount of the crushing margin, and the tube La is securely closed as shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, the rotation protrusion 623 of the third switching unit 60 presses downward against the lower groove wall of the first movement groove 63a1, causing the outer movable body 63 to slide toward the opposite side of the operation unit 20 by the rotation protrusion 623. At this time, the end movable body 64 moves together with the outer movable body 63. Then, when the operation unit 20 is rotated to the 60° angle position, the connector 12 retreats from the socket 13 and is removed from the tube La, and is positioned at the second position P2. Then, the rotation protrusion 623 is positioned at the right end of the second movement groove 63a2 (see FIG. 14(B)), and the sliding movements of the outer movable body 63 and the end movable body 64 stop. Then, the rotating piece 624 fits into the fan-shaped hole 642a (see FIG. 12), and the inner movable body 62 is connected to the end movable body 64 so that the rotational movement of the operating part 20 can be transmitted to the end movable body 64.

[0084] The angular position of the operating unit 20 when the connector 12 is detached from the open end of the tube La is set to a larger angular position than the angular position of the operating unit 20 when the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the tube La are brought into contact by the pressure of the second switching unit 50 (second cam portion 51). In other words, the connector 12 is detached from the tube La after the tube La is closed. Therefore, when the connector 12 is removed from the tube La by the switch 30, the beverage storage container 4 is prevented from being exposed to the atmosphere through the tube La. In other words, when the connector 12 is removed from the tube La by the switch 30, backflow of atmosphere through the tube La into the beverage storage container 4 (bag-shaped container 4a) is prevented.

[0085] Furthermore, when the operating unit 20 is rotated from 60° to 120°, the first switching unit 40 maintains the removal prevention state, the second switching unit 50 maintains the open prevention state, the plug 11 maintains the closed position, and the third switching unit 60 moves the connector 12 along an arc trajectory centered on the axis X from the second position P2 to the third position P3 (see Figures 13(C) and 14(C)).

[0086] Specifically, when the operating unit 20 is rotated clockwise from 60° in a front view, the first arc portion 41a of the first switching unit 40 rotates, preventing the plug 11 from being removed from the socket 13. The second arc portion 51a of the second cam portion 51 of the second switching unit 50 prevents the first member 11a of the plug 11, which is in the closed position, from swinging in the open direction. The rotation protrusion 623 of the third switching unit 60 moves within the second movement groove 63a2, and the end movable body 64 begins to rotate together with the inner movable body 62 around the axis X. While the rotation protrusion 623 moves within the second movement groove 63a2, the outer movable body 63 remains stationary and does not move in the front-to-rear direction, and the end movable body 64 rotates together with the inner movable body 62 relative to the outer movable body 63. When the operating unit 20 rotates to an angular position of 120°, the connector 12 is located at the third position P3. At this time, the right-side rotation range defining projection 64a abuts against the upper end of the inner wall of the right-side rotation range defining groove 63b, and the left-side rotation range defining projection 64a abuts against the lower end of the inner wall of the left-side rotation range defining groove 63b, preventing further clockwise rotation of the operating part 20. As a result, the connector 12 stops at the third position P3 facing the cleaning liquid joint 14.

[0087] Then, when the operating unit 20 is further rotated from 120° to 180°, the first switching unit 40 switches from the removal prevention state to the removal permission state, the second switching unit 50 maintains the open prevention state, the plug 11 maintains the closed position, and the third switching unit 60 inserts and connects the connector 12 to the cleaning liquid fitting 14 (see Figures 13(D) and 14(D)).

[0088] Specifically, when the operating unit 20 is rotated clockwise from 120°, the first linear portion 41b of the first cam portion 41 of the first switching unit 40 is positioned along the upper edge (upper wall 13a) of the plug insertion opening 132a of the socket 13 in a front view, allowing the plug 11 to be removed from the socket 13. The second arcuate portion 51a of the second cam portion 51 of the second switching unit 50 prevents the plug 11 from swinging toward the open position. The rotation protrusion 623 presses the upper groove wall of the third movement groove 63a3 upward, causing the outer movable body 63 to slide toward the operating unit 20 by the rotation protrusion 623. At this time, the clockwise rotation of the end movable body 64 is prevented by the rotation range determining protrusion 64a, and the engagement between the rotation piece 624 and the fan-shaped hole 642a (see FIG. 12) of the end movable body 64 is released. Therefore, the end movable body 64 rotates relative to the inner movable body 62, but moves together with the outer movable body 63 toward the operation unit 20 without rotating relative to the outer movable body 63. When the operation unit 20 rotates to an angle position of 180° and the outer movable body 63 approaches a position near the rear surface of the first switching unit 40, the connector 12 is inserted into the cleaning liquid joint 14 and is positioned at the fourth position P4. This switches the switch 30 to the second state.

[0089] Furthermore, when the operating unit 20 is rotated from 180° to 0°, the switch 30 switches from the second state to the first state, and the switch 30 operates in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned operation, and the connector 12 moves in the order of the fourth position P4, the third position P3, the second position P2, and the first position P1.

[0090] For example, a touch-screen LCD operation panel is provided on the front of the coffee server 200. The beverage dispenser 100 is configured so that, when cleaning the beverage supply pipe L1, an administrator can select switching from the beverage supply mode to the cleaning liquid supply mode via the LCD operation panel. The cleaning liquid supply mode is permitted when the operation unit 20 is rotated 180° and the connector 12 is connected to the cleaning liquid fitting 14 at the fourth position P4. When a signal indicating switching to the cleaning liquid supply mode is input from the LCD operation panel, the control unit 2 opens the on-off valve V1 and activates the cleaning liquid supply source 8. This causes cleaning liquid to flow into the beverage supply pipe L1, cleaning the beverage supply pipe L1, and then the cleaning liquid is discharged to the outside via the discharge pipe L2.

[0091] When the switch 30 is in the second state, the first switching unit 40 is in the removal-permitting state, and the second switching unit 50 is in the open-blocking state. Therefore, when removing the beverage storage container 4 for changing or replacing the beverage storage container 4, the administrator can remove the plug 11 together with the tube La from the socket 13 in the second state. When the administrator removes the plug 11 from the socket 13, the pressure on the protrusion 117 by the left wall 13c and the right wall 13d of the socket 13 is released, and the closed position of the plug 11 is maintained by the locking portion 116 of the plug 11 itself. As a result, when the administrator removes the plug 11 and the tube La from the socket 13, the beverage storage container 4 is prevented from being released to the atmosphere through the tube La when the administrator removes the tube La from the connector 12.

[0092] In the beverage dispenser 100 according to this embodiment, the switch 30 switches between a first state in which the first switching unit 40 is in the removal prevention state and the second switching unit 50 is in the open-permitting state, with the connector 12 connected to the tube La, and a second state in which the first switching unit 40 is in the removal permitting state and the second switching unit 50 is in the open-preventing state. Therefore, by simply operating the operation unit 20, the manager of the beverage dispenser 100 can switch the switch 30, which is activated by an external force applied to the operation unit 20, between the first state and the second state. In the first state of the switch 30, the first switching unit 40 is in a removal prevention state that prevents removal of the plug 11, and the second switching unit 50 is in an open-permitting state that allows the plug 11 to be displaced open, and the connector 12 is connected to the tube La. In the second state, the first switching unit 40 is in a removal prevention state that allows removal of the plug 11, and the second switching unit 50 is in an open-permitting state that prevents the plug 11 from being displaced open. As a result, when the switch 30 is in the first state, the tube La inserted into the socket 13 is connected to the connector 12 in an open state due to the tube restoring force, and removal from the connector 12 is prevented. Therefore, unintentional removal of the tube La is prevented when a beverage is ready to be dispensed, and ultimately, the beverage storage container 4 is prevented from being exposed to the atmosphere through the tube La. In the second state of the switch 30, removal of the tube La inserted into the socket 13 from the connector 12 is permitted while the connector 12 is closed by the plug 11. Therefore, when the tube La is removed from the connector 12 by a caretaker to remove the beverage storage container 4, the beverage storage container 4 is prevented from being exposed to the atmosphere through the tube La. In other words, when the caretaker removes the connector, backflow of atmosphere through the tube La into the inside of the bag-like container 4a of the beverage storage container 4 is prevented. In this way, the beverage supply device 100 is a device that can easily ensure hygiene with simple operation.

[0093] In the beverage dispenser 100 according to this embodiment, in other words, the plug 11 inserted into the socket 13 is in the open position when the first switching unit 40 is in the removal prevention state and the connector 12 is connected to the tube La, and is in the closed position when the first switching unit 40 is in the removal permission state. In other words, the beverage dispenser 100 causes the plug 11 inserted into the socket 13 to be in the open position when the first switching unit 40 is in the removal prevention state and the connector 12 is connected to the tube La, and causes the plug 11 inserted into the socket 13 to be in the closed position when the first switching unit 40 is in the removal permission state. Therefore, in the open position, the tube La is prevented from being unintentionally removed when the beverage is ready to be dispensed, and ultimately, the beverage storage container 4 is prevented from being exposed to the atmosphere through the tube La. Furthermore, in the closed position, when the tube La is removed from the connector 12 by an administrator, the beverage storage container 4 is prevented from being exposed to the atmosphere through the tube La. Therefore, hygiene of the beverage supply device 100 is easily ensured.

[0094] In this embodiment, the plug 11 has a locking portion 116 that maintains the closed position, and this locking portion 116 is displaced in a direction that releases the maintenance of the closed position when the plug 11 is inserted into the socket 13. Therefore, when the administrator simply inserts the plug 11 in the closed position into the socket 13, the locking of the locking portion 116 is released. As a result, when the plug 11 is inserted into the socket 13, the opening displacement of the plug 11 to the open position is permitted with a simple operation.

[0095] In this embodiment, the plug 11 has a first member 11a and a second member 11b that face each other in the closed position and sandwich the tube La, the first member 11a and the second member 11b being connected to each other so as to be swingable about a swing shaft 11c provided at the tip of the plug 11 in the insertion direction, and the opening displacement of the plug 11 is a swing about the swing shaft 11c. As a result, the administrator can close the tube La with a simple operation, and the plug 11 can close the tube La with a simple structure.

[0096] In this embodiment, the operating unit 20 is a lever that is rotatably supported about an axis X extending parallel to the insertion direction of the plug 11 and that is rotated by the external force, and the switch 30 is switched between a first state and a second state by rotating the operating unit 20 by the external force. Therefore, for example, when it is necessary to remove the beverage storage container 4, the administrator can easily switch the switch 30 from the first state (a state in which beverage can be dispensed) to the second state (a state in which the plug can be inserted and removed (detached), a state in which the beverage storage container can be replaced, and a state in which the beverage supply pipe can be cleaned) by simply performing a simple operation such as rotating the operating unit 20. Then, after the beverage storage container 4 is installed, the administrator can return the switch 30 from the second state to the first state (a state in which beverage can be dispensed) by simply performing a simple operation such as rotating the operating unit 20.

[0097] In this embodiment, the switch 30 is in the first state at one end of the operation range of the operating unit 20, and in the second state at the other end of the operation range of the operating unit 20. Therefore, simply operating the operating unit 20 from one end of the operation range to the other switches the operating unit 20 from the first state to the second state, and simply operating the operating unit 20 from the other end of the operation range to the first end switches the operating unit 20 from the second state to the first state. As a result, the beverage dispenser 100 can be quickly switched between the first and second states.

[0098] In this embodiment, the socket 13 has an entrance hole 131 at the end opposite the plug insertion side of the socket 13, through which the end of the connector 12 can enter, and the switch 30 has a third switching unit 60 that moves the connector 12 and switches between an entrance state in which the end of the connector 12 enters the interior of the socket 13 through the entrance hole 131 and a retracted state in which the end of the connector 12 is retracted from the socket 13, the third switching unit 60 being in the entrance state in a first state and in the retracted state in a second state. Therefore, simply by switching the switch 30 between the first state and the second state, the third switching unit 60 can insert or remove (attach) the connector 12 to or from the tube La.

[0099] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0100] For example, the rotation range of the operation unit 20 is set to 180°, but is not limited to this and may be smaller or larger than 180°. The rotation direction of the operation unit 20 from the first position P1 to the fourth position P4 is clockwise, but may also be counterclockwise.

[0101] Furthermore, the swing shaft 11c of the plug 11 extends in a width direction perpendicular to the plug insertion direction, and the first member 11a and the second member 11b swing vertically and are supported so as to be freely opened vertically. However, this is not limiting, and the swing shaft 11c may extend vertically, and the first member 11a and the second member 11b may be supported so as to be freely opened horizontally in the width direction. In this case, it is sufficient that the entire socket 13 and the switching unit 70 are positioned, for example, rotated 90° about the axis X. Furthermore, the blocking protrusion 114 is not limited to being provided on both the upper and lower sides, and may be provided only on either the upper or lower side.

[0102] Although one operation unit 20 is provided, this is not limiting, and separate operation units 20 may be provided for each of the switching units (40, 50, 60). Furthermore, the operation unit 20 is directly operated by an administrator of the beverage dispenser 100, and human force (human power) is applied to the operation unit 20 as an external force, but this is not limiting. For example, the external force may be power generated by a drive unit such as a motor or solenoid. In this case, for example, a touch-panel type liquid crystal operation panel may be provided on the front of the coffee server 200, and the beverage dispenser 100 may be configured to operate the drive unit in response to an instruction from the administrator via the liquid crystal operation panel. In this case, the beverage dispenser 100 (switching unit 70) may not have the operation unit 20 to which an external force is applied, and may be configured so that the first switching unit 40, the second switching unit 50, and the third switching unit 60 are directly operated by the drive unit.

[0103] In the illustrated example, the operation unit 20, the first switching unit 40, and the second switching unit 50 are physically formed as one unit, so that the first switching unit 40 and the second switching unit 50 operate in conjunction with each other, but this is not limiting. For example, the second switching unit 50 may be formed as a separate unit that is physically separated from the first switching unit 40 and the operation unit 20, a detection unit that detects the state of the first switching unit 40 is provided, and a drive unit that operates the second switching unit 50 based on the detection result by the detection unit is provided, so that the first switching unit 40 is directly operated by the operation unit 20, and the second switching unit 50 is operated in synchronization with the first switching unit 40 by the drive unit, so that the first switching unit 40 and the second switching unit 50 operate in conjunction with each other.

[0104] In the illustrated example, the operation unit 20, the first switching unit 40, and the second switching unit 50 are physically formed as one unit, and the third switching unit 60 is connected to the operation unit 20 via the first switching unit 40, so that the first switching unit 40, the second switching unit 50, and the third switching unit 60 operate in conjunction with one another, but this is not limiting. For example, the third switching unit 60 may be formed as a separate unit that is physically separated from the first switching unit 40 and the operation unit 20, a detector that detects the states of the first switching unit 40 and the second switching unit 50 is provided, and a driver that operates the third switching unit 60 based on the detection result by the detector is provided, and the first switching unit 40 and the second switching unit 50 are directly operated by the operation unit 20, and the third switching unit 60 is operated in synchronization with the first switching unit 40 and the second switching unit 50 by the driver, so that the first switching unit 40, the second switching unit 50, and the third switching unit 60 operate in conjunction with one another. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 4. Beverage storage containers 11 Plug 116 Locking part 11a First member 11b Second member 11c Oscillating shaft 13 sockets 131 Entry hole 12 Connectors 20 Control section 30 Switch 40 First switching section 50 Second switching section 60 Third Switching Section 100 Beverage dispensing equipment L1 Beverage supply pipe La Tube X axis

Claims

1. A beverage supply device that supplies a beverage in a beverage storage container to a predetermined supply destination via a beverage supply pipe, a plug attached to a distal end of a flexible tube extending from the beverage storage container, the plug being displaceable between a closed position in which the tube is clamped and closed and an open position in which the tube is opened; a socket into which the plug is inserted together with the tube; a connector attached to an upstream end of the beverage supply pipe and connectable to the tube inserted into the socket; an operating unit to which an external force is applied; a switch that is actuated by the external force; Including, The switch is a first switching unit that switches between an unplugging allowable state that allows the plug to be unplugged from the socket and an unplugging preventable state that prevents the plug from being unplugged; a second switching unit that switches between an open-permitting state that permits the plug inserted into the socket to move from the closed position toward the open position and an open-blocking state that blocks the open displacement; and a first state in which the first switching unit is in the removal prevention state, the second switching unit is in the open-permitting state, and the connector is connected to the tube; and a second state in which the first switching unit is in the removal permitting state, and the second switching unit is in the open-preventing state. A beverage supply device comprising:

2. the plug has a locking portion that maintains the closed position, The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the engaging portion is displaced in a direction to release the closed position when the plug is inserted into the socket.

3. the plug includes a first member and a second member that face each other and sandwich the tube in the closed position, the first member and the second member being connected to each other so as to be swingable about a swing axis provided at a tip end of the plug in the insertion direction, The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the opening displacement of the plug is a swing movement around the swing axis.

4. the operating portion is a lever that is supported rotatably about an axis extending parallel to an insertion direction of the plug and is rotated by the external force, The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the switch switches between the first state and the second state when the operating portion is rotated by the external force.

5. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the switch is in the first state at one end of an operating range of the operating unit, and in the second state at the other end of the operating range of the operating unit.

6. the socket has an entrance hole at an end opposite to the plug insertion side of the socket, through which the end of the connector can enter; the switch has a third switching unit that moves the connector and switches between an advanced state in which the end of the connector is advanced into the socket through the entrance hole and a retracted state in which the end of the connector is retracted from the socket, The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the third switching unit is in the advanced state in the first state and in the retracted state in the second state.

7. The beverage supply device according to claim 6, wherein the third switching unit is a conversion mechanism that connects the operating unit and the connector and converts the movement of the operating unit caused by the external force into a movement that moves the connector.

8. A beverage supply device that supplies a beverage in a beverage storage container to a predetermined supply destination via a beverage supply pipe, a plug attached to a distal end of a flexible tube extending from the beverage storage container, the plug being displaceable between a closed position in which the tube is clamped and closed and an open position in which the tube is opened; a socket into which the plug is inserted together with the tube; a connector attached to an upstream end of the beverage supply pipe and connectable to the tube inserted into the socket; a switch having a first switch unit that switches between an unpluggable state that allows the plug to be unplugged from the socket and an unpluggable state that prevents the plug from being unplugged; Including, The plug inserted into the socket When the first switching unit is in the removal prevention state and the connector is connected to the tube, the connector takes the open position; When the first switching unit is in the removal allowing state, the first switching unit takes the closed position. A beverage supply device comprising:

9. A beverage supply device that supplies a beverage in a beverage storage container to a predetermined supply destination via a beverage supply pipe, a plug attached to a distal end of a flexible tube extending from the beverage storage container, the plug being displaceable between a closed position in which the tube is clamped and closed and an open position in which the tube is opened; a socket into which the plug is inserted together with the tube; a connector attached to an upstream end of the beverage supply pipe and connectable to the tube inserted into the socket; a switch having a first switch unit that switches between an unpluggable state that allows the plug to be unplugged from the socket and an unpluggable state that prevents the plug from being unplugged; Including, The beverage supply device includes: When the first switching unit is in the removal prevention state and the connector is connected to the tube, the plug inserted in the socket is caused to take the open position; When the first switching unit is in the removal allowing state, the plug inserted into the socket is caused to take the closed position. A beverage supply device comprising:

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