Beverage supply device

Abstract

To suppress the occurrence of contamination. [Solution] A beverage supply device 1 has a beverage production unit 10A which includes a plurality of raw material storage units 31 each containing different types of beverage raw materials, a crusher 33 for crushing beverage raw materials dispensed from any of the plurality of raw material storage units 31, and an extractor 37 for extracting a beverage from the beverage raw materials crushed by the crusher 33 and hot water supplied to it, and supplies the beverage produced by the beverage production unit 10A to a cup C placed in a beverage supply unit 22, and a control unit 10B which, when the type of selected beverage raw material for a beverage selected via input unit 21a is different from the beverage raw material for the beverage supplied immediately before, causes a predetermined amount of selected beverage raw material to be dispensed from the corresponding raw material storage unit 31 to the crusher 33 and performs a co-washing operation to guide the selected beverage raw material crushed by the crusher 33 to the extractor 37.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage supply device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in stores such as convenience stores, beverage supply devices such as coffee machines are installed. When a beverage is selected by a user, this beverage supply device generates a beverage by performing, for example, coffee bean grinding and dripping extraction processing in a beverage generation unit, and discharges and supplies the beverage to a cup disposed in the beverage supply unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the above beverage supply device, it is known that caffeinated coffee beans (hereinafter also referred to as normal coffee beans) and decaffeinated coffee beans (hereinafter also referred to as decaffeinated coffee beans) are separately stored in a raw material storage unit.

[0005] In such a beverage supply device, when decaffeinated coffee is selected, after the decaffeinated coffee beans are ground by a grinder, the ground decaffeinated coffee beans and hot water are mixed and extracted by an extractor, and then supplied to a cup.

[0006] On the other hand, in the beverage supply device described above, when caffeinated coffee (hereinafter also referred to as regular coffee) is selected, the regular coffee beans are first ground in a grinder, then the ground regular coffee beans and hot water are mixed in an extraction machine and extracted, and then supplied to a cup.

[0007] In such beverage dispensing systems, the dispenser is cleaned with hot water after the beverage is dispensed into the cup, but the grinder and the powder chute that guides the beverage ingredients ground by the grinder to the dispenser are not cleaned.

[0008] Therefore, if decaffeinated coffee was selected after regular coffee had been produced and supplied to the cup, there was a risk of contamination between regular coffee beans and decaffeinated coffee beans in the grinder or other equipment.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a beverage supply device that can suppress the occurrence of contamination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, the beverage supply device according to the present invention has a beverage production unit comprising a plurality of raw material storage units each containing different types of beverage raw materials, a crusher for crushing beverage raw materials dispensed from any of the plurality of raw material storage units, and an extractor for extracting a beverage from the beverage raw materials crushed by the crusher and hot water supplied to it, and supplies the beverage produced in the beverage production unit to cups placed in the beverage supply unit, and is characterized in that, when the type of selected beverage raw material, which is the beverage raw material of a beverage selected via an input unit, differs from the beverage raw material of the beverage supplied immediately before, it causes a predetermined amount of the selected beverage raw material to be dispensed from the corresponding raw material storage unit to the crusher, and performs a co-washing operation to guide the selected beverage raw material crushed by the crusher to the extractor.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the beverage supply device described above, when the control unit performs the co-washing operation, it discharges the selected beverage raw material guided to the extractor into a storage bucket for containing the extracted residue.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the beverage supply device described above, the control unit performs the co-washing operation when the selected beverage raw material is caffeine-free and the immediately supplied beverage raw material contains caffeine. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, when the type of selected beverage raw material selected via the input unit differs from the previously supplied beverage raw material of the beverage supplied immediately before, the control unit causes a predetermined amount of the selected beverage raw material to be discharged from the corresponding raw material storage unit to the crusher, and performs a co-washing operation to guide the crushed selected beverage raw material to the extractor, thereby suppressing the occurrence of contamination. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a beverage supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the characteristic control system of the beverage supply device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the various components of the beverage supply device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the front door shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing details of the beverage supply control process performed by the control unit shown in Figure 2, etc. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the beverage extraction procedure in the beverage production and supply process shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the beverage extraction procedure in the beverage production and supply process shown in Figure 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a beverage extraction procedure in the beverage generation and supply process in FIG. 5. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation procedure of the beverage generation unit after the beverage supply control process shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation procedure of the beverage generation unit after the beverage supply control process shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the beverage generation unit in the co-washing operation in FIG. 5. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the beverage generation unit in the co-washing operation in FIG. 5. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the beverage supply device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a beverage supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a characteristic control system of the beverage supply device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing each component of the beverage supply device shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] The beverage supply device 1 exemplified here is, for example, a coffee machine installed in a store such as a convenience store, and performs, for example, coffee bean grinding and dripping extraction processing to supply a beverage such as coffee to a cup C as a container. Such a beverage supply device 1 is configured to include a main body cabinet 10 and a front door 20. [[ID=3o]]

[0018] The main body cabinet 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening (not shown) formed on the front surface. Inside this main body cabinet 10, a beverage generation unit 10A for generating a beverage (for example, coffee) and a control unit 10B are provided.

[0019] The front door 20 is a door body large enough to close the opening on the front of the main cabinet 10. This front door 20 is pivotably mounted on the left front edge of the main cabinet 10, around the central axis of a shaft (not shown) that extends vertically, and is capable of opening and closing the opening on the front of the main cabinet 10.

[0020] The front door 20 has a front surface that serves as the customer service area, and as shown in Figure 4, it is equipped with a display unit 21, a beverage supply unit 22, and an opening / closing door 23.

[0021] The display unit 21 is configured, for example, as a liquid crystal touch panel, and displays various information in response to commands from the control unit 10B, and also has an input unit 21a for input operations such as touch operations.

[0022] The beverage supply unit 22 is located below the display unit 21 and has a nozzle 22a and a stage 22b. The nozzle 22a discharges the beverage produced in the beverage generation unit 10A downwards. The stage 22b is located below the nozzle 22a. This stage 22b is for placing the cup C and is equipped with an arc-shaped stopper 22c.

[0023] The opening / closing door 23 is made of a light-transmitting material such as transparent resin, and is large enough to cover the entrance 22d of the beverage supply unit 22. The left end of this opening / closing door 23 is pivotally supported on the front door 20 and is capable of swinging along the front-to-back direction.

[0024] In other words, the opening / closing door 23 can swing along the front-rear direction in a manner that moves it closer to and away from the beverage supply unit 22. When it swings backward in a manner that moves it closer to the beverage supply unit 22, it is possible to close the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22. When it swings forward in a manner that moves it away from the beverage supply unit 22, it is possible to open the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22.

[0025] The beverage production unit 10A described above will now be explained. The beverage production unit 10A is composed of a raw material storage unit 31, a crusher 33, a hot water supply unit 35, an extractor 37, a storage bucket 39, a pressurized air supply unit 41, and a drainage unit 43.

[0026] The raw material storage section 31 stores roasted coffee beans, which are the raw material for the beverage, and is provided in such a manner that a portion of it protrudes upward from the rectangular hole 12a in the top plate 12 of the main cabinet 10. A raw material supply drive unit 311 is provided in this raw material storage section 31. The raw material supply drive unit 311 is driven when a drive command is given from the control unit 10B and dispenses a predetermined amount of coffee beans included in the drive command.

[0027] In this embodiment, there are two raw material storage sections 31, one of which stores regular coffee beans and the other which stores decaffeinated coffee beans.

[0028] The crusher 33 is what is commonly referred to as a mill, and it is driven when a drive command is given from the control unit 10B. This crusher 33 is installed in the area below the raw material storage section 31 and is connected to each raw material storage section 31 via a common raw material chute 32.

[0029] When the grinder 33 is driven, it grinds the coffee beans (regular coffee beans or decaffeinated coffee beans) that are discharged from one of the raw material storage sections 31 and guided by the raw material chute 32, and feeds the ground coffee beans (hereinafter also referred to as ground coffee beans) through the powder chute 34 to the extraction machine 37.

[0030] The hot water supply section 35 is for supplying hot water to the extraction machine 37, and consists of a hot water tank 351, a metering pump 352, a sub-tank 353, a hot water supply pump 354, and a check valve 355, which are sequentially connected to a hot water supply pipeline 356 made up of hot water piping.

[0031] The hot water tank 351 stores water, such as tap water supplied from a water supply means (not shown), heated by a heater 351a. The metering pump 352 is driven in response to commands from the control unit 10B, and when driven, it sends a fixed amount of hot water from the hot water tank 351 to the sub-tank 353. The sub-tank 353 has a smaller volume than the hot water tank 351 and temporarily stores the hot water sent by the metering pump 352.

[0032] The hot water supply pump 354 is driven in response to commands from the control unit 10B. When driven, it pressurizes the hot water in the sub-tank 353 and sends it to the extraction machine 37. The hot water supply pump 354 is configured so that its output is greater than that of the metering pump 352.

[0033] The check valve 355 is a valve body that allows hot water supplied from the hot water pump 354 to pass towards the extraction unit 37, while restricting the passage of hot water from the extraction unit 37 towards the sub-tank 353. Although not explicitly shown in the figure, this check valve 355 is positioned in a state where it is thermally connected to the hot water tank 351.

[0034] The extraction unit 37 is what is known as a brewing unit, and it extracts coffee from ground coffee beans fed from the grinder 33 via the powder chute 34 and hot water supplied by the hot water supply unit 35.

[0035] A beverage supply pipeline 38 is connected to such an extraction machine 37. The beverage supply pipeline 38 is composed of a single beverage supply pipe or multiple beverage supply pipes connected together, and supplies the coffee extracted by the extraction machine 37 to the nozzle 22a.

[0036] A first pinch valve 381 is provided along the beverage supply pipeline 38. This first pinch valve 381 opens and closes in response to commands from the control unit 10B. When it is open, it allows the passage of fluid, while when it is closed, it restricts the passage of fluid.

[0037] The extraction machine 37 described above comprises a cylinder 371, a lid 372, and a filter block 373. The cylinder 371 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is detachably mounted to the main cabinet 10.

[0038] The lid 372 moves in a manner that moves toward and away from the upper opening of the cylinder 371, driven by a lid drive mechanism 372a, such as a motor, in accordance with a command given by the control unit 10B, thereby opening and closing the upper opening of the cylinder 371. The lid 372 has holes formed in it, although not shown in the figure, that allow coffee grounds supplied through the powder chute 34 to be fed into the cylinder 371, and that allow hot water supplied by the hot water supply unit 35 to be fed into the cylinder 371.

[0039] The filter block 373 is located in the area below the cylinder 371 and is connected to the beverage supply pipeline 38. The filter block 373 moves vertically in a manner that moves closer to and away from the cylinder 371 when a block drive unit 373a, such as a motor, is driven in response to a command given by the control unit 10B.

[0040] The extraction machine 37 is provided with a paper roller section 50. The paper roller section 50 grips the paper filter 56 that has been pulled out from the filter roll 55 which is rotatably supported and stored in the filter storage section 47. This paper roller section 50 is composed of a drive roller 51 and a driven roller 52.

[0041] The drive roller 51 rotates around its own central axis when the roller drive unit 51a, which is the drive source, is driven by a command given by the control unit 10B.

[0042] The driven roller 52 rotates around its own central axis as the drive roller 51 rotates, by sandwiching the paper filter 56 between a portion of the outer circumference of the corresponding drive roller 51 and the paper filter 56 with a portion of the outer circumference of the drive roller 51.

[0043] The storage bucket 39 is located below the extraction machine 37 and contains the extraction residue K (see Figure 10) generated by the extraction of beverages in the extraction machine 37, along with the paper filter 56.

[0044] The pressurized air supply unit 41 is comprised of a pressurized air supply pipeline 411, an air pump 412, a second pinch valve 413, and a third pinch valve 414.

[0045] The pressurized air supply pipeline 411 is constructed by connecting multiple pressurized air supply pipes, with one end connected to the cover 372 and the other end connected to the middle of the beverage supply pipeline 38.

[0046] The air pump 412 is installed in the pressurized air supply pipeline 411. This air pump 412 is driven in response to commands given by the control unit 10B and compresses and delivers air.

[0047] The second pinch valve 413 is located in the pressurized air supply pipeline 411, on one end (the side with the cover 372) of the air pump 412. This second pinch valve 413 opens and closes in response to commands from the control unit 10B. When it is open, it allows the passage of fluid, while when it is closed, it restricts the passage of fluid.

[0048] The third pinch valve 414 is located in the pressurized air supply pipeline 411 on the other end (towards the beverage supply pipeline 38) from the air pump 412. This third pinch valve 414 opens and closes in response to commands from the control unit 10B. When it is open, it allows the passage of fluid, while when it is closed, it restricts the passage of fluid.

[0049] The drainage section 43 is comprised of a drainage pipe 431 and a fourth pinch valve 432. The drainage pipe 431 is formed by connecting one or more drainage pipes and is provided in such a manner that it branches off from the middle of the drinking water supply pipe 38 and extends to the area above the storage bucket 39.

[0050] The fourth pinch valve 432 is installed in the drainage pipe 431. This fourth pinch valve 432 opens and closes in response to commands from the control unit 10B. When it is open, it allows the passage of fluids such as waste liquid, while when it is closed, it restricts the passage of fluids such as waste liquid. As a result, the storage bucket 39 contains the extraction residue K generated by the extraction of beverages by the extraction machine 37, the paper filter 56 used for the extraction of the beverages, and the waste liquid generated by cleaning the extraction machine 37.

[0051] As shown in Figure 2, the beverage supply device 1 includes a container detection unit 24, a door opening / closing detection unit 25, and a door opening / closing locking mechanism 26.

[0052] The container detection unit 24 is composed of, for example, an optical sensor, and detects whether or not a cup C is placed in the beverage supply unit 22, that is, whether or not a cup C is placed on the stage 22b. The container detection unit 24 provides the control unit 10B with the result of detecting the presence or absence of the cup C.

[0053] The door opening / closing detection unit 25 is located near the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22 and is composed of, for example, an optical sensor. This door opening / closing detection unit 25 detects the opening and closing of the inlet 22d by the opening / closing door 23, and more specifically, it detects whether the inlet 22d is closed, that is, whether the opening / closing door 23 is closed or not. The door opening / closing detection unit 25 provides the control unit 10B with the detection result of whether the opening / closing door 23 is closed or not.

[0054] The door opening / closing lock mechanism 26 is located near the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22. This door opening / closing lock mechanism 26 can selectively switch between a locked state, which holds the opening / closing door 23 that closes the inlet 22d closed and restricts the opening / closing door 23 from swinging forward, and an unlocked state, which allows the opening / closing door 23 to swing forward. The switching of this door opening / closing lock mechanism 26 is performed in accordance with a command given by the control unit 10B.

[0055] The control unit 10B is communicatively connected to the beverage generation unit 10A, display unit 21, container detection unit 24, door opening / closing detection unit 25, and door opening / closing lock mechanism 26 described above. It comprehensively controls the operation of each of these units according to the programs and data stored in the storage unit 10C, which is also communicatively connected. The storage unit 10C also stores recipe data for beverages that can be supplied.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 10B may be implemented, for example, by causing a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a program, i.e., by software; by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit); or by using a combination of software and hardware.

[0057] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing details of the beverage supply control process performed by the control unit 10B shown in Figure 2, etc. The operation of the beverage supply device 1 will be explained while describing the processing details of this beverage supply control process.

[0058] In this beverage supply control process, the control unit 10B determines whether the container detection unit 24 has detected that cup C is in the beverage supply unit 22 (step S101). That is, the container detection unit 24 detects whether cup C is placed on the stage 22b. If cup C is not detected (step S101: No), the control unit 10B repeats the determination process in step S101.

[0059] If cup C is detected to be present (step S101: Yes), the control unit 10B determines whether the door 23 is closed or not based on the detection result of the door opening / closing detection unit 25 (step S102). If the door 23 is not closed (step S102: No), the determination process in step S102 is repeated.

[0060] On the other hand, if the opening / closing door 23 is closed (step S102: Yes), the control unit 10B uses the door opening / closing lock mechanism 26 to lock the opening / closing door 23 in the closed position (step S103).

[0061] The control unit 10B then displays to the display unit 21 the beverages that can be supplied and provides guidance on touching the input unit 21a (step S104).

[0062] Subsequently, the control unit 10B determines whether or not the input unit 21a has been touched (step S105). If the input unit 21a is not touched (step S105: No), the control unit 10B repeats the determination process in step S105.

[0063] On the other hand, if the input unit 21a is touched (step S105: Yes), the control unit 10B determines whether decaffeinated coffee has been selected and whether the beverage supplied last time was regular coffee (steps S106, S107).

[0064] If decaffeinated coffee is not selected in steps S106 and S107 (step S106: No), or if decaffeinated coffee is selected but the previously supplied beverage was decaffeinated coffee (step S106: Yes, step S107: No), the control unit 10B instructs the beverage generation unit 10A to perform the process of generating and supplying the beverage selected in step S105 (step S109).

[0065] Here, we will explain the production and supply of beverages in step S109. Figures 6 to 8 are explanatory diagrams showing the beverage extraction procedure in the beverage production and supply process in Figure 5. Using these Figures 6 to 8, we will explain the beverage supply operation by the beverage supply device 1.

[0066] The beverage supply device 1 supplies coffee to the cup C placed on the stage 22b of the beverage supply unit 22 in the following manner. It is assumed that the hot water tank 351 contains hot water at a predetermined temperature, and that the first pinch valve 381, the second pinch valve 413, and the fourth pinch valve 432 are closed, while the third pinch valve 414 is open.

[0067] When the control unit 10B receives a sales signal for the selected beverage, as shown in Figure 6, it moves the filter block 373 upward, then issues a drive command to the raw material supply drive unit 311 of the corresponding raw material storage unit 31 to dispense an amount of coffee beans corresponding to the beverage into the grinder 33, and then issues a drive command to the grinder 33 to grind the coffee beans and feed them into the extraction machine 37. After that, it stops the drive of the raw material supply drive unit 311.

[0068] The control unit 10B drives the metering pump 352 to send a fixed amount of hot water from the hot water tank 351 to the sub-tank 353, while simultaneously driving the hot water supply pump 354 to pressurize the hot water in the sub-tank 353 and send it to the extraction machine 37, thereby supplying hot water to the extraction machine 37. After that, the control unit 10B stops driving the metering pump 352 and the hot water supply pump 354.

[0069] Then, the control unit 10B drives the air pump 412 to supply pressurized air (pressurized air for stirring) to the cylinder 371 using a portion of the beverage supply pipeline 38, as shown in Figure 7, to stir (force stir) the coffee grounds and hot water. After that, the drive of the air pump 412 is stopped.

[0070] Having thus forcibly stirred the coffee grounds and hot water, the control unit 10B moves the cover 372 to close the top opening of the cylinder 371, closes the third pinch valve 414, opens the first pinch valve 381 and the second pinch valve 413, and drives the air pump 412. The fourth pinch valve 432 is kept closed.

[0071] As a result, as shown in Figure 8, by supplying pressurized air (pressurized air for extraction) to the cylinder 371, coffee is extracted, the extracted coffee is supplied to the nozzle 22a via the beverage supply line 38, and discharged from the nozzle 22a into the cup C.

[0072] Subsequently, the control unit 10B determines whether or not the beverage supply by the beverage generation unit 10A has finished (step S110). If the beverage supply has not finished (step S110: No), the control unit 10B returns to step S109 and continues the beverage generation and supply process. On the other hand, if the beverage supply has finished (step S110: Yes), the control unit 10B releases the lock on the door 23 from the closed position by the door opening / closing lock mechanism 26 (step S111), and then returns to the previous step to end the current process.

[0073] In other words, after the coffee extracted by the extraction machine 37 has finished dispensing into cup C, the control unit 10B stops the operation of the air pump 412. This allows the user to swing the opening / closing door 23 in the direction that opens it and remove cup C from the beverage supply unit 22.

[0074] Subsequently, the control unit 10B moves the cover 372 to open the top opening of the cylinder 371, thereby releasing the internal pressure of the cylinder 371. Then, the control unit 10B supplies hot water from the hot water supply unit 35 to the extractor 37 to clean the inside of the cylinder 371, and opens the fourth pinch valve 432, so that the water remaining in the extractor 37 is discharged as waste liquid into the collection bucket 39 via the drainage pipe 431, as shown in Figure 9.

[0075] Having discharged the waste liquid in this manner, the control unit 10B closes the fourth pinch valve 432 and moves the filter block 373 downward, as shown in Figure 10. The control unit 10B then causes the paper roller section 50 to dispense a predetermined amount of paper filter 56, collecting the coffee residue K generated by the coffee extraction along with the paper filter 56 into the collection bucket 39, thus ending the supply of coffee for this time.

[0076] By the way, in steps S106 and S107 above, if decaffeinated coffee is selected and the previously supplied beverage was regular coffee (step S106: Yes, step S107: Yes), that is, if the type of selected beverage ingredient (decaffeinated coffee beans) which is the beverage ingredient of the beverage selected via input unit 21a is different from the previously supplied beverage ingredient (regular coffee beans) which is the beverage ingredient of the beverage supplied immediately before, the control unit 10B causes the beverage production unit 10A to perform a co-washing operation (step S108).

[0077] Here, the co-washing operation in step S108 will be explained. Figures 11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the beverage production unit 10A during the co-washing operation in Figure 5. Using Figures 11 and 12, the co-washing operation by the beverage supply device 1 will be explained.

[0078] As shown in Figure 11, the control unit 10B moves the filter block 373 upward, then issues a drive command to the raw material supply drive unit 311 of the raw material storage unit 31 which contains decaffeinated coffee beans, causing a predetermined amount (a small amount less than the amount corresponding to the beverage) of decaffeinated coffee beans to be dispensed to the grinder 33, and then issues a drive command to the grinder 33 to grind the decaffeinated coffee beans and feed them into the extraction machine 37. After that, the drive of the raw material supply drive unit 311 is stopped.

[0079] Then, as shown in Figure 12, the control unit 10B moves the filter block 373 downward, causes the paper roller unit 50 to feed out a predetermined amount of paper filters 56, and collects the aggregate of crushed decaffeinated coffee beans K1 together with the paper filters 56 into the storage bucket 39, thus ending the co-washing operation.

[0080] After performing the co-washing operation in this manner, the control unit 10B executes the processes described in steps S109 to S111 above and terminates the beverage supply control process.

[0081] As described above, according to the beverage supply device 1, which is an embodiment of the present invention, when the type of selected beverage raw material (decaffeinated coffee beans) selected via the input unit 21a is different from the previously supplied beverage raw material (regular coffee beans) supplied immediately before, the control unit 10B causes a predetermined amount of decaffeinated coffee beans to be discharged from the corresponding raw material storage unit 31 to the grinder 33, guides the decaffeinated coffee beans ground in the grinder 33 to the extraction unit 37, and performs a co-washing operation to discharge the decaffeinated coffee beans guided to the extraction unit 37 into a storage bucket 39 for storing extraction residue. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of contamination between decaffeinated coffee beans and regular coffee beans in the grinder 33 and the powder chute 34.

[0082] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made.

[0083] In the embodiments described above, the type of selected beverage ingredient was decaffeinated coffee beans and the immediately supplied beverage ingredient was regular coffee beans. However, the present invention is not limited to decaffeinated coffee beans, and can be applied to various types of selected beverage ingredients and immediately supplied beverage ingredients.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, in steps S106 and S107 of the beverage supply control process, a co-wash operation was performed when decaffeinated coffee was selected and the previously supplied beverage was regular coffee. However, in the present invention, a co-wash operation may be performed when regular coffee is selected and the previously supplied beverage was decaffeinated coffee.

[0085] In the embodiment described above, in the co-washing operation of step S108 in the beverage supply control process, the decaffeinated coffee beans guided to the extraction machine 37 were discharged into the storage bucket 39. However, in the present invention, after guiding the decaffeinated coffee beans to the extraction machine 37, hot water may be added to agitate the decaffeinated coffee beans and hot water, and then discharged into the storage bucket 39 through the drainage section 43 or the like.

[0086] Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiments described above, the grinding time of the selected beverage raw materials in the co-washing operation may be increased or decreased depending on the type of beverage raw materials supplied immediately beforehand, the amount of oil, etc.

[0087] In the embodiment described above, a paper filter 56 was used, but in the present invention, a metal mesh filter may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1...Beverage supply device, 10...Main cabinet, 10A...Beverage generation unit, 10B...Control unit, 10C...Storage unit, 20...Front door, 21...Display unit, 21a...Input unit, 22...Beverage supply unit, 22a...Nozzle, 22b...Stage, 23...Opening / closing door, 31...Raw material storage unit, 311...Raw material supply drive unit, 32...Raw material chute, 33...Grinder, 34...Powder chute, 35...Hot water supply unit, 37...Extractor, 39...Storage bucket, 41...Pressurized air supply unit, 43...Drainage unit, C...Cup.

Claims

1. Multiple ingredient storage compartments, each containing different types of beverage ingredients, A crusher for crushing beverage raw materials dispensed from any of the aforementioned multiple raw material storage sections, An extractor that extracts a beverage from the beverage raw materials crushed by the aforementioned crusher and the hot water supplied to it. A beverage supply device having a beverage generating unit equipped with a beverage generating unit, and supplying the beverage generated by the beverage generating unit to a cup placed in a beverage supply unit, A beverage supply device characterized by comprising a control unit that, when the type of selected beverage raw material selected via an input unit differs from the previously supplied beverage raw material for the beverage supplied immediately before, causes a predetermined amount of the selected beverage raw material to be dispensed from the corresponding raw material storage unit to the crusher, and performs a co-washing operation to guide the selected beverage raw material crushed by the crusher to the extractor.

2. The beverage supply apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the control unit performs the co-washing operation, it discharges the selected beverage raw material guided to the extractor into a container bucket for containing the extracted residue.

3. The beverage supply apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit performs the co-washing operation when the selected beverage raw material is caffeine-free and the immediately supplied beverage raw material contains caffeine.

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