Effervescent beverage dispensing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a carbonated beverage dispenser capable of dispensing both cold and hot carbonated beverages. [Solution] The effervescent beverage dispensing device 100 includes a water tank 12 for storing water W for adjusting the temperature of the effervescent beverage, a heat exchange unit 15 provided in the beverage supply path between the beverage inlet 10i and the beverage outlet 10o and housed in the water tank 12, a cooling device 16 for cooling the water W stored in the water tank 12, a heater 22 for heating the water W stored in the water tank 12, and an opening 20 communicating with the water tank 12. Using the cooling device 16 and the heater 22, both cooling and heating of the effervescent beverage are possible, and additional cooling or heating of the effervescent beverage is possible by introducing a cooling or heating source into the water tank 12 through the opening 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a foaming beverage dispensing device, and more particularly to a foaming beverage dispensing device capable of dispensing a foaming beverage such as beer after adjusting its temperature.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in restaurants and the like, a foaming beverage dispensing device has been used to provide beer and carbonated beverages. The foaming beverage dispensing device is connected by a beverage tank such as a beer keg and a tube. Further, a gas supply source such as a carbon dioxide gas cylinder is connected to the beverage tank. The beverage in the beverage tank is pumped from the tank to the dispensing device by opening the beverage outlet of the dispensing device while pressurizing the inside of the tank with the gas from the gas supply source, and is dispensed from the beverage outlet (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] As a foaming beverage dispensing device, there is known one configured to perform temperature adjustment in the beverage supply path. Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a heat exchanger is connected to a beverage supply pipe extending from a beverage tank, and this heat exchanger is immersed in a cooling water tank to cool the beverage from the outside with cooling water.

[0004] Such a beverage dispensing device includes a refrigerator, and the water in the cooling tank can be cooled using the refrigerator. Therefore, it is possible to provide beer cooled to a low temperature in a relatively short time in the beverage dispensing device without being affected by the outside air temperature and without the need for pre-cooling of the beverage in the beverage tank or the like.

[0005] Further, Patent Document 2 also discloses a mode in which hot water is generated in the water tank by using a heater instead of a refrigerator, and warm beverages are provided by passing the beverages through the hot water. Examples of the beverages to be heated include coffee, Japanese sake, soup, and beer for hot beer. In the device described in Patent Document 2, these beverages are heated to, for example, 50°C to 80°C by a heat exchanger.

Prior Art Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-133397 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-138699 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 5246797 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 2, hot and cold beverages were provided using different apparatus configurations, although temperature control was performed using the same heat exchanger. More specifically, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 2, when providing cold beverages, a refrigerator was provided to cool the water in the water tank, and when providing hot beverages, a heater was provided to heat the water in the water tank.

[0008] Furthermore, as a beverage supply device equipped with a heater, Patent Document 3 discloses a beer dispensing device configured to preferentially heat the inside of a cooling water tank by placing a partition sleeve inside the tank. However, in the beer dispensing device described in Patent Document 3, the heater is provided to more quickly heat the antifreeze in the cooling water tank used to cool the beverage during cleaning, etc., in order to prevent the cleaning solution flowing through the beverage supply path from freezing. In other words, the heater provided in the beer dispensing device described in Patent Document 3 is not used to heat the beverage to provide a hot beverage.

[0009] As explained above, traditionally, hot and cold beverages were served using equipment with different configurations. Therefore, it would have been convenient if a single device could serve both hot and cold beverages, especially sparkling beverages. In recent years, with the increase in small-scale craft breweries, opportunities to serve not only chilled beer but also hot beer have been gradually increasing.

[0010] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main objective is to provide a convenient effervescent beverage dispensing device that can appropriately dispense both cold and hot effervescent beverages with a single unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention provides a sparkling beverage dispensing device comprising: a water tank for storing water to adjust the temperature of the sparkling beverage; a heat exchange unit provided in the beverage supply path of the sparkling beverage between the beverage inlet and the beverage outlet of the sparkling beverage and housed inside the water tank; a cooling device for cooling the water stored in the water tank; a heater for heating the water stored in the water tank; and an opening communicating with the water tank, formed to allow a heat source, which is either a cold source or a hot source, to be introduced into the water tank from above. The device is configured such that both cooling and heating of the sparkling beverage are possible in the heat exchange unit using the cooling device and the heater, and additional cooling or heating of the sparkling beverage is possible by introducing the heat source into the water tank through the opening.

[0012] In one embodiment, the heat exchange section is arranged in a spiral shape, and the heater is erected from the bottom surface of the water tank in the area inside the heat exchange section.

[0013] In one embodiment, when viewed from above, the center of the heat exchanger and the center of the heater are aligned in the central region of the water tank, while the center of the opening is offset from them.

[0014] In one embodiment, the heater is provided so as to extend inward from the side of the water tank.

[0015] In one embodiment, the foaming beverage dispensing device further includes a heat insulating sheet material that covers at least the outer wall surface of the water tank, and an air layer is provided between the outer wall surface of the water tank and the heat insulating sheet material.

[0016] In one embodiment, the cooling device is configured to directly cool the water stored in the water tank by circulating the water.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the foaming beverage dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide both a cold foaming beverage and a warm foaming beverage with a single device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a foaming beverage dispensing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a top view. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a foaming beverage dispensing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1(b), and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 1(b). [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of a foaming beverage dispensing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a foaming beverage dispensing device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, where (a) corresponds to the cross-section of FIG. 2(a) and (b) corresponds to the cross-section of FIG. 2(b). [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a foaming beverage dispensing device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, where (a) corresponds to the cross-section of FIG. 2(a) and (b) corresponds to the cross-section of FIG. 2(b). [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a foaming beverage dispensing device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, where (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a transparent top view. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a foaming beverage dispensing device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, where (a) corresponds to the cross-section of FIG. 2(a) and (b) corresponds to the cross-section of FIG. 2(b). [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2(b), showing the configuration of the foaming beverage dispensing device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the foaming beverage dispensing device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. (a) is a perspective view showing a partial configuration, and (b) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-section of FIG. 2(b). [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the foaming beverage dispensing device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. (a) is a perspective view showing a partial configuration, (b) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-section of FIG. 2(b), and (c) is a top view in transmission.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. [[ID=I7]]

[0020] FIGS. 1(a), (b), FIGS. 2(a), (b) and FIG. 3 show a foaming beverage dispensing device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) shows the side of the foaming beverage dispensing device 100, and FIG. 1(b) shows the top. Further, FIG. 2(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 1(b), and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B shown in FIG. 1(b). Also, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of the foaming beverage dispensing device 100.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the foaming beverage dispensing device I00 is a beer server, which is connected to a beer keg (beverage tank) not shown by pipes, tubes, etc. Further, a high-pressure gas supply source such as a carbon dioxide gas cylinder is connected to the beer keg, and typically, beer at room temperature is pumped into the foaming beverage dispensing device 100 by a so-called siphon method.

[0022] In the following description, the effervescent beverage dispensing device 100 will be used as a beer server, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. The effervescent beverage dispensing device 100 can be used not only for dispensing beer but also for dispensing various other effervescent beverages (for example, low-malt beer, sparkling wine, non-alcoholic effervescent beverages, etc.).

[0023] As shown in Figure 1(a), in the effervescent beverage dispensing device 100, beer supplied from a beer keg is drawn into the casing 10 through a beverage inlet 10i that protrudes from the outside of the casing 10. When a tap or faucet is opened, beer is dispensed from a beverage outlet 10o located on the outside of the casing 10. By bringing a container such as a glass or mug below the beverage outlet 10o, the beer can be poured into the container, and any excess beer is collected in a tray 11.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1(b), 2(a) and (b), and 3, a metal or resin water tank 12 is located inside the casing 10. As shown in Figure 2(b), this water tank 12 can store water W as a heat transfer medium to regulate the temperature of the beer flowing through the supply pipe from the outside.

[0025] Inside the water tank 12 is a heat exchange section 15 formed by winding a metal or resin beverage supply pipe 14 in multiple spirals. In this embodiment, the heat exchange section 15 is provided as part of the beverage supply pipe 14 in the beverage supply path between the beverage inlet 10i and the beverage outlet 10o. The heat exchange section 15 exchanges heat with the water W stored in the water tank 12, and can adjust the temperature of the beer inside the heat exchange section 15.

[0026] The effervescent beverage dispensing device 100 further includes a cooling device 16 for cooling the stored water W in the water tank 12, and a cooling pipe 17 connected thereto. The cooling device 16 and the cooling pipe 17 form a cooling circuit through which a heat transfer medium (such as a refrigerant or cooling water) circulates. The heat transfer medium cooled by the cooling device 16 is transported to the object to be cooled through the cooling pipe 17, and after heat exchange, returns to the cooling device 16. The cooling device 16, for example, includes a compressor and a refrigerant circuit, and can cool the heat transfer medium flowing through the cooling pipe 17 by heat exchange with the refrigerant, which has been depressurized and made cold. However, the cooling pipe 17 only needs to function as a heat transfer part of the cooling device 16, and the cooling device 16 may be configured to cool the cooling pipe 17 itself, or a metal rod or the like with high thermal conductivity may be used as the heat transfer part of the cooling device 16 instead of the cooling pipe 17.

[0027] In this embodiment, the cooling device 16 and cooling pipe 17 are configured to cool the outer wall of the water tank 12, and consequently, the stored water W inside the water tank 12. As shown in Figure 2(a), in order to improve cooling efficiency, the cooling pipe 17 may be arranged to wrap around the outer wall of the water tank 12. By using the cooling device 16 and cooling pipe 17, the stored water W in the water tank 12 is cooled to, for example, 1°C to 15°C. Then, using the cooled stored water W, the beer can be cooled in the heat exchange section 15 in a relatively short time.

[0028] Furthermore, the effervescent beverage dispensing device 100 of this embodiment has a heater 22 installed inside the water tank 12. As shown in Figure 3, the heater 22 is composed of an inverted U-shaped sheath heater erected from the bottom surface of the water tank 12 in the central part of the inside of the spiral heat exchange section 15.

[0029] In this way, the heater 22 can be used to heat the water W stored inside the water tank 12, and the stored water W is heated to, for example, 50°C to 80°C. As a result, in the heat exchange section 15, the heated outer water can heat the beer inside the supply pipe in a relatively short time.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1(b), 2(a) and (b), and 3, the top surface of the effervescent beverage dispensing device 100 of this embodiment is provided with an opening 20 that communicates with the water tank 12. In this configuration, a cold or hot source, such as ice, cold water, or hot water, used to adjust the temperature of the beverage, can be directly supplied to the water tank 12 through the opening 20.

[0031] Cold water refers to water with a temperature lower than the temperature of the beverage at the entrance, while hot water refers to water with a temperature higher than the temperature of the beverage at the entrance. Although Figures 1(b) and 3 show the opening 20 in an exposed state for convenience, in reality, the opening 20 may be closed under normal conditions by a lid that can be opened and closed.

[0032] Here, the heater 22 installed inside the water tank 12 is preferably positioned away from the center of the upper opening 20, or in a position that does not overlap with the opening 20, as shown in Figure 1(b). When viewed from above, the heater 22 is positioned so that its center and the center of the opening 20 are offset in the central region of the water tank 12.

[0033] Since an opening 20 is provided on the top surface, it is preferable for the heater 22 to be erected from the bottom surface of the water tank 12. However, by positioning the heater 22 in this way, offset from the center of the opening 20, the possibility of a heat source such as ice falling directly onto the heater 22 when it is introduced through the opening 20 can be reduced. This prevents damage to the heater 22 from the introduced material.

[0034] Furthermore, when the water level in the tank 12 exceeds the height of the heater 22, there is little possibility that heat sources such as ice or hot water will come into direct contact with the heater 22 when they are added. For this reason, it is preferable to add the heat source through the opening 20 when the water level is approximately the height of the heater 22.

[0035] Furthermore, if the height of the heater 22 is too high, there is a higher possibility of contact occurring when the heat source is introduced through the opening 20. On the other hand, if the height of the heater 22 is too low, it may be difficult to efficiently heat the entire volume of water W stored in the tank 12. From these viewpoints, it is preferable to set the height of the heater 22 to, for example, 30-80%, or more specifically, 40-60%, of the height of the tank 12.

[0036] Furthermore, if the heat exchange section 15 is arranged in a spiral shape with width in the height direction, it is preferable that the heater 22 has a height that allows it to be inserted to, for example, 50% to 90% of the height direction width of the heat exchange section 15. By setting it in this way, the water heated by the heater 22 can be used more effectively for heat exchange with the effervescent beverage in the heat exchange section 15.

[0037] In the sparkling beverage dispensing device 100 configured as described above, beer supplied at room temperature from a beer keg is cooled by water W in a water tank cooled using a cooling device 16, and the beer is then served chilled in the heat exchange unit 15. Alternatively, instead of operating the cooling device 16, the heater 22 can be operated to heat the water W in the water tank, allowing the beer heated in the heat exchange unit 15 to be served as hot beer.

[0038] However, simply cooling the water W using the cooling device 16 as described above may result in insufficient cooling performance when serving large quantities of beer, making it impossible to serve cold beer. Similarly, simply heating the water W using the heater 22 may result in insufficient heating performance when serving large quantities of beer, making it impossible to serve hot beer.

[0039] Even in such cases, the effervescent beverage dispensing device 100 allows for the introduction of a cooling source such as ice or cold water, or a heating source such as hot water, through the opening 20. This enables both additional cooling and heating, making it easy to continuously provide cold or hot beer without interruption. Furthermore, because the device is configured to allow for additional cooling and heating, it is possible to use relatively small and low-power cooling devices 16 and heaters 22, thus enabling the device to be made more compact.

[0040] The timing and amount of cooling or heating sources introduced through the opening 20 may be determined by the user as appropriate, or may be automatically determined based on the output of a temperature sensor (not shown) installed to measure the temperature of the stored water W. Furthermore, the system may be configured to issue an alarm if the cooling or heating performance appears insufficient based on the output of the temperature sensor, allowing the user to add the necessary components as needed. The temperature sensor used may also be capable of directly measuring the temperature of the beverage outlet rather than the temperature of the stored water W.

[0041] As explained above, the effervescent beverage dispensing device 100 can dispense both cold and hot effervescent beverages with just one unit, allowing it to operate year-round. This eliminates the need to switch equipment between seasons, such as summer and winter, thereby improving convenience.

[0042] Furthermore, by installing the effervescent beverage dispensing device 100, it becomes possible to serve hot beer in the same locations where cold beer was previously served by conventional beer servers. Therefore, it becomes easier to attract the interest of people who have never tried hot beer and offer them a sample, thus enabling the acquisition of new customers.

[0043] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) show cross-sections of a carbonated beverage dispensing device 120 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show cross-sections of a carbonated beverage dispensing device 130 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0044] Figures 4(a) and 5(a) correspond to the cross-sectional view of Figure 2(a) (a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1(b)), and Figures 4(b) and 5(b) correspond to the cross-sectional view of Figure 2(b) (a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 1(b)). Note that components similar to those in the effervescent beverage dispensing device 100 of Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

[0045] The difference between the effervescent beverage dispensing devices 120 and 130 shown in Figures 4 and 5 and the effervescent beverage dispensing device 100 of Embodiment 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is that the cooling pipes 17a and 17b connected to the cooling device 16 pass through the inside of the water tank 12. In the effervescent beverage dispensing devices 120 and 130, the cooling pipes 17a and 17b do not circumfer the outer wall of the water tank 12, but are drawn into the water tank through through holes provided in the water tank 12, and drawn out of the water tank through another through hole provided in the water tank 12 (similar to the configuration shown in Figure 6(b)).

[0046] The through-holes in the water tank 12 are provided in such a way that no gaps are formed between them and the cooling pipes 17a and 17b, or the gaps are filled with sealing members, thereby maintaining the watertightness of the water tank 12.

[0047] In the effervescent beverage dispensing device 120 of Embodiment 2 shown in Figure 4, the cooling pipe 17a extends along the inner wall of the water tank 12 at a height near the bottom surface of the water tank 12. In the effervescent beverage dispensing device 130 of Embodiment 3 shown in Figure 5, the cooling pipe 17b extends along the inner wall of the water tank 12 at a height near the top surface of the water tank 12.

[0048] As in the effervescent beverage dispensing devices 120 and 130, a configuration can also be adopted in which the cooling pipes are placed inside the water tank 12 and the stored water W is directly cooled by the cooling pipes 17a and 17b. In particular, as in the effervescent beverage dispensing device 130 of Embodiment 3, if the cooling pipe 17b is placed above the water tank 12, the effect of convection caused by the cooled stored water W can be expected, so the stored water W can be cooled efficiently. In addition to the illustrated configuration, the cooling pipes may also have a shape in which they are wound spirally in multiple stages along the inner wall of the water tank 12.

[0049] Figures 6(a), (b) and 7(a), (b) show the effervescent beverage dispensing device 140 of Embodiment 4. Figure 6(a) is a perspective view of the effervescent beverage dispensing device 140, Figure 6(b) is a see-through top view, Figure 7(a) corresponds to the cross-section in Figure 2(a), and Figure 7(b) corresponds to the cross-section in Figure 2(b). Note that components similar to those in the effervescent beverage dispensing devices 100 and 130 of Embodiments 1 or 3 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

[0050] The difference between the effervescent beverage dispensing device 140 shown in Figures 6 and 7 and the effervescent beverage dispensing device 130 of Embodiment 3 shown in Figure 5 is that the cooling device 16 for cooling the stored water W in the water tank 12 is located outside the casing 10, and an overflow pipe 18 is provided to prevent the stored water W from overflowing from the water tank 12.

[0051] When a cooling device 16 is provided outside the casing 10, as in the effervescent beverage dispensing device 140, the cooling pipe 17b is positioned inside the casing 10 through a through-hole, as shown in Figure 6(b). However, by positioning it externally, the advantage is that a larger, higher-output, or more arbitrary type of device can be used as the cooling device 16.

[0052] Furthermore, since the effervescent beverage dispensing device 140 is provided with an overflow pipe 18, the water W in the water tank 12 is prevented from overflowing. In the effervescent beverage dispensing device 140, ice, cold water, or hot water may be added to the water tank 12 through the opening 20, but since the overflow pipe 18 allows excess water to be discharged, malfunctions caused by excessive addition of an additional heat source can be prevented.

[0053] The connection point between the water tank 12 and the overflow pipe 18, that is, the outlet for excess water provided on the upper side of the water tank 12, may be formed at any position, but it is preferable to provide it at a position higher than the heat exchange section 15 of the beverage supply pipe 14, and if an upper cooling pipe 17b is provided, it is preferable to provide it at a position higher than the cooling pipe 17b. The water discharged by the overflow pipe 18 may be collected in a tray 11, similar to excess beer. In addition, the water tank 12 may be provided with multiple drain outlets and multiple overflow pipes 18.

[0054] Figure 8 shows the effervescent beverage dispensing device 150 of Embodiment 5. Note that components similar to those in other embodiments of effervescent beverage dispensing devices are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

[0055] In the effervescent beverage dispensing device 150, an insulating sheet material 24 is provided that covers at least the outer wall surface of the water tank 12. The insulating sheet material 24 is not in close contact with the outer wall surface of the water tank 12, and an air layer 25 is formed between them. The air layer 25 can be easily formed by spacers 26 placed on the outer wall of the water tank 12.

[0056] The insulating sheet material 24 is made of, for example, glass wool and can improve the heat retention and cold retention of the water W stored in the water tank 12. However, when the effervescent beverage dispensing device 150 stores cold water, condensation may form on the outer wall of the water tank 12, and if the insulating sheet material 24 such as glass wool absorbs moisture, the heat retention may decrease.

[0057] In contrast, in the effervescent beverage dispensing device 150, an air layer 25 is provided between the insulating sheet material 24 and the outer wall of the water tank 12. This gap prevents condensed moisture from being absorbed by the insulating sheet material 24, thus maintaining the high heat retention performance of the insulating sheet material 24.

[0058] The insulating sheet material 24 may be fixed to an outer tank panel that is positioned to cover the outside of the water tank 12 with a gap (an air layer in between). The outer tank panel can be made of a metal or resin plate and may have a number of holes or a number of dimples.

[0059] Figure 9 shows the effervescent beverage dispensing device 160 of Embodiment 6, where Figure 9(a) is a perspective view showing some of the components, and Figure 9(b) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2(b). Note that components similar to those of the effervescent beverage dispensing devices of other embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

[0060] The effervescent beverage dispensing device 160 is configured such that the cooling device 28 is not connected to a cooling pipe that circulates cooling water, but rather directly circulates and cools the water W stored in the water tank 12.

[0061] The effervescent beverage dispensing device 160 draws water W from a water inlet pipe 29i connected to the bottom of the water tank 12, cools it, and returns it to the water tank 12 from a water outlet pipe 29o connected to the top of the water tank 12. The cooling device 28 has, for example, a compressor and a refrigerant circuit, and circulates the water W in the water tank 12. Inside the cooling device 28, the water W in the water tank 12 is cooled by heat exchange with a refrigerant that has been depressurized and cooled to a low temperature.

[0062] Figure 10 shows the effervescent beverage dispensing device 170 of Embodiment 7, where Figure 10(a) is a perspective view showing some of the components, Figure 10(b) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2(b), and Figure 10(c) is a see-through top view. Note that components similar to those in effervescent beverage dispensing devices of other embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

[0063] In the effervescent beverage dispensing device 170, the heater 22a for heating the water stored in the water tank 12 is not erected from the bottom surface of the water tank 12, but rather extends horizontally from the side surface of the water tank 12 toward the inner center. More specifically, as shown in Figure 10(c), the heater 22a is a U-shaped sheath heater, with both ends spaced apart horizontally on the inner wall surface of the water tank 12, and is provided in such a manner that it curves back in the area inside the heat exchange section 15 when viewed from above.

[0064] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10(a) and (b), in the effervescent beverage dispensing device 170, the heater 22a extends below the heat exchange section 15, that is, through the space between the heat exchange section 15 and the bottom surface of the water tank 12. On the other hand, the cooling pipe 17b connected to the cooling device 16 is positioned above the heat exchange section 15, similar to embodiments 3 to 5.

[0065] As described above, by using a heater 22a with a low shape that extends into the space below the heat exchange section 15, the stored water in the tank can be efficiently heated even when there is little stored water. Furthermore, in a configuration where the cooling pipe 17b is provided above the heat exchange section 15 and the heater 22a is provided below the heat exchange section 15, the effect of convection of the stored water can be expected during both cooling and heating of the stored water, and in either case, temperature control can be performed more efficiently.

[0066] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the heater for heating the water stored in the tank may include both a heater that is erected from the bottom of the tank and a heater that extends horizontally from the side of the tank. Furthermore, the shape of the heater is not limited to a pipe shape, but may be any shape, as long as it can effectively heat the water in the tank. [Industrial applicability]

[0067] The effervescent beverage dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is suitably used, for example, as a beer server capable of dispensing both cold and hot beer from a single unit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 10 Casing 10i Beverage entrance 10o beverage outlet 11 trays 12 aquariums 14 Beverage supply pipe 15 Heat exchange section 16 Cooling device 17, 17a, 17b cooling pipe 18 Overflow pipe 20 openings 22, 22a Heater 24. Insulation sheet material 25 Air layer 26 Spacers 28 Cooling device 29i water inlet piping 29o Water outlet piping 100, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170 effervescent beverage dispensing device

Claims

1. A water tank for storing water to regulate the temperature of carbonated beverages, A heat exchange unit is provided in the beverage supply path for the effervescent beverage between the beverage inlet and the beverage outlet of the effervescent beverage, and is housed inside the water tank. A cooling device for cooling the water stored in the aforementioned tank, A heater for heating the water stored in the aforementioned tank, An opening communicating with the water tank, formed so that a heat source, which is either a cooling source or a heating source, can be introduced into the water tank from above. Equipped with, A carbonated beverage dispensing device is configured such that, using the cooling device and the heater, both cooling and heating of the carbonated beverage are possible in the heat exchange section, and additional cooling or heating of the carbonated beverage is possible by introducing the heat source into the water tank through the opening.

2. The effervescent beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange section is arranged in a spiral shape, and the heater is erected from the bottom surface of the water tank in the region inside the heat exchange section.

3. The effervescent beverage dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when viewed from above, the center of the heat exchange section and the center of the heater are aligned in the central region of the water tank, while the center of the opening is offset from these.

4. The effervescent beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the heater is provided so as to extend inward from the side of the water tank.

5. The effervescent beverage dispensing device according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 4, further comprising an insulating sheet material covering at least the outer wall surface of the water tank, wherein an air layer is provided between the outer wall surface of the water tank and the insulating sheet material.

6. The effervescent beverage dispensing device according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 4, wherein the cooling device is configured to directly cool the water stored in the water tank by circulating it.

Images