Seasoning Liquid Temperature Measuring Device and Supply Device

Abstract

According to the present invention, a seasoning liquid heated and retained in a retention tank is supplied to a container holding food or drink, at an appropriate temperature and in an appropriate amount. A temperature measurement device (1) according to the present invention is for measuring the temperature of a seasoning liquid heated and retained in a retention tank (7), and comprises: a temperature sensor (11) that is disposed inside the retention tank and that measures the temperature of the seasoning liquid retained in the retention tank; a holding unit (12) that holds the temperature sensor; and a position adjustment unit (15) that allows adjustment of the position of the temperature sensor relative to the retention tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature measuring device for a seasoning liquid and a supply device for a seasoning liquid.

Background Art

[0002] Cooking robots for cooking and serving food and drink are being introduced in restaurants and the like against the backdrop of a declining working population. The applicant of the present application has made an invention related to a device for supplying soup such as ramen from a barrel in which the soup is stored to a bowl served to customers who come to the store (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Ramen is composed of ingredients such as noodles and a seasoning liquid such as soup. The deliciousness of ramen depends on the temperature and amount of the seasoning liquid. Therefore, a device for supplying the seasoning liquid from the barrel in which the seasoning liquid is stored to the bowl needs to accurately control the temperature and amount of the seasoning liquid supplied to the bowl using a temperature sensor, a flow rate sensor, or the like. Here, if the seasoning liquid inside the barrel is heated and bubbles are generated, the measurement result of the flow rate by the flow rate sensor will be distorted. As a result, the temperature and amount of the seasoning liquid supplied to the bowl deviate from the target values, and the taste of the ramen does not become the desired taste.

[0004] Heretofore, inventions related to a cooking heater equipped with a temperature sensor have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a temperature measuring device and a supply device for a seasoning liquid that can supply the seasoning liquid stored and heated in a storage tank to a container containing food or drink at an appropriate temperature and in an appropriate amount.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The temperature measuring device for a seasoning liquid according to the present invention is a device for measuring the temperature of the seasoning liquid stored and heated in a storage tank, and includes a temperature sensor that is disposed inside the storage tank and measures the temperature of the seasoning liquid stored in the storage tank, a holding portion that holds the temperature sensor, and a position adjusting portion that enables adjustment of the position of the temperature sensor with respect to the storage tank.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] The present invention can supply the seasoning liquid stored and heated in a storage tank to a container containing food or drink at an appropriate temperature and in an appropriate amount.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Embodiments of a temperature measuring device for a seasoning liquid and a supply device for a seasoning liquid according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] The following description uses a temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the ramen soup stored and heated in a soup pot, and a supply device that supplies the soup stored in the soup pot from the soup pot to a bowl in which ramen is contained. That is, the temperature measuring device and the supply device are installed in the kitchen inside a ramen shop. Here, ramen is an example of food and drink in the present invention. The ramen soup is an example of the seasoning liquid in the present invention. The soup pot is an example of a storage tank in which the seasoning liquid in the present invention is stored. The bowl is an example of a container for containing food and drink.

[0012] Note that the seasoning liquid in the present invention is not limited to ramen soup.

[0013] ●Configuration of the Seasoning Liquid Supply Device and the Temperature Measuring Device (1)● FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a seasoning liquid supply device and a temperature measuring device according to the present invention.

[0014] The supply device 100 (hereinafter referred to as "device 100") is an example of a seasoning liquid supply device according to the present invention. The device 100 supplies the soup stored in the soup pot to the bowl in a predetermined amount at a predetermined timing.

[0015] Here, the device 100 supplies the soup from the soup pot to the bowl based on a control signal from a control system (not shown) installed inside the ramen shop. That is, the timing at which the device 100 supplies the soup to the bowl is determined by the control system. The control system receives, for example, order information from customers who come to the store and controls the operation of the device 100 based on the order information.

[0016] The device 100 includes a temperature measuring device 1, a liquid feeding unit 2, a flow sensor 3, a supply control unit 4, a pipe 5, and a heating device 6.

[0017] The temperature measuring device 1 (hereinafter referred to as "device 1") included in the device 100 is an example of the temperature measuring device for the seasoning liquid according to the present invention.

[0018] The device 1 measures the temperature of the soup stored and heated in the barrel. The measured temperature is used for the heating control of the soup in the barrel.

[0019] The liquid feeding unit 2 sends the soup stored in the barrel to the ladle from the barrel. The liquid feeding unit 2 is a tubing pump.

[0020] The flow sensor 3 measures the flow rate of the soup sent from the barrel to the ladle. The flow sensor 3 is a Coriolis flowmeter.

[0021] In addition, the flow sensor in the present invention may be an ultrasonic flowmeter.

[0022] The supply control unit 4 controls the supply of the soup from the barrel to the ladle based on the flow rate measured by the flow sensor 3. The supply control unit 4 controls the opening and closing of a valve 54 described later based on the flow rate measured by the flow sensor 3, thereby controlling the supply of the soup from the barrel to the ladle. The supply control unit 4 is realized by a control program operating on a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).

[0023] In addition, the supply control unit in the present invention is not limited to a control program operating on a PLC. That is, the supply control unit may be any device that can realize the control of the opening and closing of the valve 54 described later. For example, it may be realized by a control program operating on a microcomputer (microcontroller) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0024] The pipe 5 allows the soup supplied from the barrel to the ladle to pass through. The pipe 5 includes a suction pipe 51, a discharge pipe 52, a return pipe 53, and a valve 54.

[0025] The suction pipe 51 is a pipe through which the soup in the barrel sucked up by the liquid delivery unit 2 passes. One end of the suction pipe 51 is disposed inside the barrel. The other end of the suction pipe 51 is connected to the valve 54. The flow rate of the soup passing through the suction pipe 51 is measured by the flow rate sensor 3.

[0026] The discharge pipe 52 is a pipe through which the soup that has passed through the valve 54 passes. One end of the discharge pipe 52 is connected to the valve 54. The other end of the discharge pipe 52 is disposed near the ladle. The soup that has passed through the discharge pipe 52 is supplied to the ladle.

[0027] The return pipe 53 is a pipe through which the soup that has passed through the suction pipe 51 and does not pass through the valve 54 passes. One end of the return pipe 53 is connected to the valve 54. The other end of the return pipe 53 is disposed inside the barrel. The soup that has passed through the return pipe 53 is supplied (returned) to the barrel.

[0028] The valve 54 switches the connection between the suction pipe 51 and the discharge pipe 52 or the return pipe 53. That is, the valve 54 switches the connection between the suction pipe 51 and the discharge pipe 52 or the connection between the suction pipe 51 and the return pipe 53. The valve 54 is a pinch valve.

[0029] The heating device 6 heats the soup stored in the barrel. The heating device 6 is an IH (Induction Heating) heater. The heating device 6 includes a heating unit 61, a heating control unit 62, a storage unit 63, and an operation unit 64.

[0030] The heating unit 61 inductively heats the soup stored in the barrel. The heating unit 61 includes a heating coil that heats the bottom surface of the barrel (made of metal), which is a magnetic body. That is, when the bottom surface of the barrel is heated by the heating coil, the soup stored in the barrel is heated.

[0031] The heating control unit 62 controls the heating output of the heating unit 61 so that the temperature of the soup stored in the cylinder converges to a predetermined temperature (target temperature: for example, 95°C) without exceeding a predetermined temperature (upper limit temperature: for example, 100°C). That is, the heating control unit 62 controls (PID control) the supply of current to the heating coil of the heating unit 61. In other words, the heating control unit 62 determines the on / off of the supply of current to the heating coil, the current value of the supplied current, and the like. The heating control unit 62 is realized by a computer program that operates on a microcomputer. The heating control unit 62 controls the heating output of the heating unit 61 based on the temperature measured by the device 1, the target temperature stored in the storage unit 63, the adjustment parameters of the PID control, and the like.

[0032] Here, the target temperature is set by the user based on, for example, the boiling point of the soup, the type of soup, the amount of soup stored in the cylinder, the change in the room temperature in the kitchen where the device 100 is installed, and the like. The target temperature is lower than the boiling point (upper limit temperature) of the soup.

[0033] Also, the temperature of the soup stored in the cylinder converges to the target temperature by PID control by the heating control unit 62. The mode in which the temperature of the soup stored in the cylinder converges to the target temperature is, for example, a mode in which it converges to the target temperature so as not to exceed the target temperature (so-called not overshooting), or a mode in which it converges to the target temperature so that even if it exceeds the target temperature, it does not exceed the upper limit temperature.

[0034] The storage unit 63 stores information necessary for the operation of the heating device 6. The information stored in the storage unit 63 includes the target temperature and the adjustment parameters of the PID control by the heating control unit 62.

[0035] Note that the storage unit in the present invention is, for example, a portable storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory, or other non-temporary recording media, or a temporary recording medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.

[0036] The operation unit 64 receives operation information necessary for the operation of the heating device 6 from the user (the clerk at the ramen shop) of the apparatus 100. The user operates the operation unit 64 to operate the apparatus 100. For example, when the user wants to change the target temperature stored in the storage unit 63, the user inputs the changed target temperature from the operation unit 64. The operation unit 64 is configured by a touch panel.

[0037] ● Configuration of the Temperature Measuring Device for the Seasoning Liquid

[0038] The apparatus 1 includes a temperature sensor 11, a holding unit 12, a housing 13, a shielding plate 14, and a position adjustment unit 15.

[0039] The temperature sensor 11 is disposed inside the cylinder body and measures the temperature of the soup stored in the cylinder body. The temperature sensor 11 is a sheathed thermocouple (for example, a K-type thermocouple or a T-type thermocouple) in which a pair of thermocouple wires is accommodated in a metal sheath.

[0040] The holding unit 12 holds the temperature sensor 11. Details of the configuration of the holding unit 12 will be described later.

[0041] The housing 13 houses a heating device 6 that heats the soup stored in the cylinder body.

[0042] The shielding plate 14 is disposed above the cylinder body. Details of the shielding plate 14 will be described later.

[0043] The position adjustment unit 15 enables adjustment of the position of the temperature sensor 11 with respect to the cylinder body. The position adjustment unit 15 includes a rail unit 16, a position fixing unit 17, and a stopper 18.

[0044] The rail unit 16 (for example, the aluminum frame FSL-L type manufactured by Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.) moves the holding unit 12 so that the temperature sensor 11 can move forward and backward between the inside and the outside of the storage tank.

[0045] The position fixing part 17 (for example, the free slide lock FSL-V36 manufactured by Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.) fixes the position of the holding part 12 with respect to the rail part 16. The position fixing part 17 includes a slide part disposed within the rail of the rail part 16 and a regulation operation part that operates to regulate the movement of the slide part within the rail. When the user operates the regulation operation part and the movement of the slide part within the rail becomes possible, the position fixing part 17 becomes movable along the rail of the rail part 16. When the user operates the regulation operation part and the movement of the slide part within the rail becomes impossible, the position fixing part 17 becomes immovable along the rail of the rail part 16.

[0046] Here, the position fixing part 17 is connected to the holding part 12. That is, when the regulation operation part of the position fixing part 17 is operated and the position fixing part 17 moves along the rail of the rail part 16, the holding part also moves along the rail of the rail part 16. Also, as described above, the holding part 12 holds the temperature sensor 11. That is, when the regulation operation part of the position fixing part 17 is operated and the position fixing part 17 moves along the rail of the rail part 16, the temperature sensor 11 also moves along the rail of the rail part 16.

[0047] The stopper 18 (for example, the stopper FSL-S4 manufactured by Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.) is disposed within the rail of the rail part 16 so that the slide part of the position fixing part 17 can come into contact therewith. The stopper 18 is disposed at each of both ends of the rail. That is, the stopper 18 defines the movement range of the position fixing part 17 movable along the rail.

[0048] Here, the moving direction of the position fixing part 17 that can move along the rail of the rail part 16 is the vertical direction (the vertical direction of the drawing of FIG. 3 described later). That is, the stopper 18 arranged at one end (upper end) of the rail defines the upper limit position of the position fixing part 17, and the stopper 18 arranged at the other end (lower end) of the rail defines the lower limit position of the position fixing part 17. That is, the stopper 18 defines the upper limit position and the lower limit position of the temperature sensor 11 and the suction pipe 51 connected to the position fixing part 17. In other words, the user can position the temperature sensor 11 and the suction pipe 51 connected to the position fixing part 17 at a predetermined position in the vertical direction by moving the position fixing part 17 until it abuts against the stopper 18.

[0049] In the following description, the stopper 18 arranged at the upper end of the rail is an end cap of the rail (for example, the end cap FSL-EC manufactured by Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.).

[0050] ●Supply path of the flavor liquid supply device● FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the supply path of the soup by the device 100. This figure shows that the soup stored in the barrel 7 is sucked by the liquid feeding part 2, passes through the suction pipe 51, the valve 54, and the discharge pipe 52, and is supplied to the donburi 8.

[0051] This figure shows that the flow rate sensor 3 measures the flow rate of the soup passing through the suction pipe 51, and the measurement result (a signal indicating the flow rate) is output to the supply control part 4. This figure shows that the supply control part 4 controls the opening and closing of the valve 54 based on the flow rate measured by the flow rate sensor 3. When the valve 54 opens, the soup from the suction pipe 51 passes through the discharge pipe 52. When the valve 54 closes, the soup from the suction pipe 51 passes through the return pipe 53 and returns to the barrel 7.

[0052] The figure shows that the measurement result (signal indicating temperature) of the temperature of the soup stored in the barrel 7 measured by the temperature sensor 11 is output to the heating control unit 62. The figure shows that the heating control unit 62 controls the heating output of the heating unit 61 based on the measurement result from the temperature sensor 11 and the information (upper limit temperature and target temperature) stored in the storage unit 63. The figure shows that the heating unit 61 heats the outside of the bottom (bottom surface) of the barrel 7 to heat the soup inside the barrel 7.

[0053] Here, the upper limit temperature is the boiling point of the soup. The target temperature is a temperature lower than the upper limit temperature and is the temperature at which the ramen contained in the donburi and provided to the customers who come to the store has the desired taste.

[0054] The heating control unit 62 controls the heating output of the heating unit 61 based on the change in the temperature of the soup in the barrel 7 measured by the temperature sensor 11 and stored in the storage unit 63, so that the temperature of the soup in the barrel 7 does not exceed the upper limit temperature. Here, as will be described later, the temperature sensor 11 measures the temperature at the position where the temperature is the highest in the barrel 7. That is, the heating control unit 62 realizes the heating of the soup in the barrel 7 so that the soup in the barrel 7 does not boil and bubbles do not occur. As a result, the flow sensor 3 can measure the accurate flow rate.

[0055] The heating control unit 62 controls the heating output of the heating unit 61 based on the change in the temperature of the soup in the barrel 7 measured by the temperature sensor 11 and stored in the storage unit 63, so that the temperature of the soup in the barrel 7 reaches the target temperature. That is, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 11 is lower than the target temperature, the heating control unit 62 increases the heating output of the heating unit 61 so that the temperature of the soup in the barrel 7 rises. On the other hand, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 11 is higher than the target temperature, or when it is predicted that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 11 will be higher than the target temperature if heating is continued with the current heating output of the heating unit 61, the heating control unit 62 reduces the heating output of the heating unit 61 so that the temperature of the soup in the barrel 7 drops or the rate of increase slows down.

[0056] In this way, even if there are factors that cause fluctuations in the temperature of the soup in the cylinder 7, such as the temperature of the air in the kitchen where the cylinder 7 is placed or the replenishment of the soup to the cylinder 7, the heating control unit 62 controls the heating output of the heating unit 61 so that the temperature of the soup in the cylinder 7 converges to the target temperature without exceeding the upper limit temperature.

[0057] ● Example of Use of the Seasoning Liquid Supply Device ● FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus 100.

[0058] This figure shows that the cylinder 7 is disposed in the heating unit 61 of the heating device 6 housed in the housing 13. The housing 13 includes a heat-resistant glass (for example, Fairlite (registered trademark) manufactured by Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.) (not shown) that covers the surface of the heating unit 61. The bottom surface of the cylinder 7 is placed on the surface of the heat-resistant glass.

[0059] This figure shows that the shielding plate 14 has a hole 14h. The hole 14h is a hole that enables the replenishing soup to be replenished into the cylinder 7 while the cylinder 7 is placed on the apparatus 100. That is, the user removes the lid (the lid 71 among the two-part lids 71 and 72) that covers the opening of the cylinder 7 from the cylinder 7. The hole 14h is located above a part of the opening of the cylinder 7 from which the lid 71 has been removed. Next, the user inserts a funnel into the hole 14h. The funnel is disposed in the hole 14h. Next, the user pours the replenishing soup (stored in the replenishing cylinder) from above the funnel inserted into the hole 14h into the funnel. The replenishing soup poured into the funnel passes through the funnel and the opening of the cylinder 7 and is supplied into the cylinder 7. Next, when the replenishment of the soup is completed, the user covers the opening of the cylinder 7 with the lid 71 and removes the funnel from the hole 14h.

[0060] In the present invention, the shielding plate may not have a hole into which the funnel is inserted. In this case, for example, the user removes the lid 71 from the opening of the cylinder 7 and directly pours the replenishing soup into the cylinder 7 from a part of the opening of the cylinder 7 that was covered by the lid 71.

[0061] The figure shows that the joint 51C and the joint 53C are arranged on the shielding plate 14. The joint 51C forms a part of the suction pipe 51. One end of the suction pipe 51 arranged inside the barrel 7 is connected to the joint 51C. One end of a suction pipe (not shown) connected to the liquid delivery part 2 housed in the holding part 12 is connected to the joint 51C. The joint 53C forms a part of the return pipe 53. One end of the return pipe 53 arranged inside the barrel 7 is connected to the joint 53C. One end of a return pipe (not shown) connected to the valve 54 is connected to the joint 53C.

[0062] The figure shows that the signal line 11L is inserted inside the rail part 16. The signal line 11L transmits a signal corresponding to the temperature of the soup stored in the barrel 7 measured by the temperature sensor 11 to the heating control part 62. One end of the signal line 11L is connected to the temperature sensor 11 arranged inside the barrel 7. The other end of the signal line 11L is connected to the heating control part 62 housed in the housing 13. That is, the temperature of the soup stored inside the barrel 7 is measured based on the magnitude of the thermoelectromotive force generated according to the temperature difference (T1 - T2) between the temperature (T1) on one end side of the signal line 11L arranged inside the barrel 7 and the temperature (T2) on the other end side of the signal line 11L connected to the heating control part 62.

[0063] The figure shows that the attachment location P1 (the area surrounded by the broken line in the figure) is arranged on the side surface S1 of the housing 13. The attachment location P1 is the location where the rail part 16 is attached to the housing 13. The figure shows that six bolts for attaching the rail part 16 to the housing 13 are arranged at the attachment location P1 on the side surface S1. The housing 13 has two locations as the locations where the rail part 16 can be attached. The attachment location P1 is the first attachment location in the present invention. The user selects either one of the two locations (P1, P2) of the housing 13 as the location where the rail part 16 is to be attached according to the layout of the kitchen where the device 100 is installed (including the orientation and shape of the facilities in the kitchen, the movement route of the store employees in the kitchen, etc.). Note that the figure shows the case where the rail part 16 is attached to the second attachment location (P2 in FIG. 8) of the housing 13.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship inside the reduced-diameter cylinder 7 between the temperature-measuring part of the temperature sensor 11 and the suction port of the suction pipe 51.

[0065] The figure shows that the positions of the lower ends of the temperature sensor 11 and the suction pipe 51 in the height direction (vertical direction on the paper surface) coincide with the position indicated by the broken line L1. The temperature sensor 11 measures the temperature in the vicinity of the lower end of the temperature sensor 11. That is, the temperature-measuring part of the temperature sensor 11 is arranged at the lower end of the temperature sensor 11. The suction pipe 51 sucks the soup from the lower end of the suction pipe 51. That is, the suction port of the suction pipe 51 is arranged at the lower end of the suction pipe 51.

[0066] The temperature of the soup stored in the reduced-diameter cylinder 7 is higher for the soup closer to the bottom surface 7B of the reduced-diameter cylinder 7 near the heating part 61. That is, the temperature sensor 11 measures the temperature close to the temperature of the soup stored in the reduced-diameter cylinder 7 that is sucked from the suction pipe 51 and supplied to the donburi.

[0067] Here, as described above, the positions of the temperature sensor 11 and the suction pipe 51 in the vertical direction (the up-and-down direction of the paper in FIG. 3) can be positioned by the operation of the position adjustment unit 15 by the user. That is, when the soup stored in the barrel body 7 can be poured into the ladle 8 and is being heated, the user operates the position fixing part 17 until the position fixing part 17 abuts against the stopper 18 arranged at the lower end of the rail part 16, and moves the position fixing part 17 downward to fix the position of the position fixing part 17 with respect to the rail part 16. As a result, the lower ends of the temperature sensor 11 and the suction pipe 51 are positioned in the vicinity (for example, 5 mm above the inner surface of the bottom surface 7B) of the inner surface of the bottom surface 7B of the barrel body 7 (the inner surface of the barrel body 7) where the temperature is the highest inside the barrel body 7.

[0068] The figure shows that the temperature sensor 11 is arranged at a position in the middle of the radius r of the bottom surface 7B of the bottomed cylindrical barrel body 7 (a position of r / 2 from the center point of the bottom surface 7B). The position of the temperature sensor 11 in the radial direction of the bottom surface 7B is positioned by the position adjustment unit 15 in the same manner as the vertical position of the temperature sensor 11 described above. In other words, the temperature sensor 11 is attached to the shielding plate 14 so as to be positioned at a predetermined position in the radial direction of the bottom surface 7B.

[0069] Here, the position in the middle of the radius r of the bottom surface 7B is the position where the temperature is the highest inside the barrel body 7. The position where the temperature is the highest inside the barrel body 7 in the radial direction of the bottom surface 7B is determined based on the configuration of the heating part 61 (such as the arrangement of the coil) and the placement position of the barrel body 7 on the heating part 61.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the inclination of the shielding plate 14. The figure shows that the shielding plate 14 is arranged obliquely with respect to the horizontal (the direction indicated by the dashed line L2 in the figure). The shielding plate 14 is arranged above the barrel 7 when the temperature sensor 11 is arranged inside the barrel 7. A part of the soup stored in the barrel 7 is heated by the heating unit 61 to become steam. The steam rises above the barrel 7 and hits the back surface (the surface on the lower side of the paper) of the shielding plate 14. The steam hitting the shielding plate 14 becomes condensed water. Since the shielding plate 14 is arranged obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction, the condensed water moves along the lower surface of the shielding plate 14 (in the right direction of the paper) and drops outside the barrel 7.

[0071] In this way, when the steam of the soup in the barrel 7 hits the shielding plate 14 and condenses, the shielding plate 14 prevents the condensed water from mixing into the barrel 7. The inclination angle of the shielding plate 14 with respect to the horizontal and the size of the shielding plate 14 are set so that the condensed water does not mix into the barrel 7.

[0072] In addition, the shielding plate 14 also prevents the oil of the motor (which drives the stirrer described later) housed in the holding part 12 arranged above the shielding plate 14 from leaking out of the holding part 12 and mixing into the inside of the barrel 7. That is, the shielding plate 14 prevents foreign substances from mixing into the inside of the barrel 7.

[0073] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus 100. The figure shows the state where the holding part 12 moves upward along the rail part 16. When the user replaces the barrel 7 that has been heated by the apparatus 100, for example, after moving the temperature sensor 11, the suction pipe 51, the return pipe 53, and the stirrer SB arranged inside the barrel 7 to the outside of the barrel 7, the user takes out the barrel 7 in the housing 13 from the apparatus 100. The stirrer SB is arranged inside the barrel 7 and is provided with propeller blades for stirring the soup stored in the barrel 7. The propeller blades are arranged at the lower end of the stirrer SB.

[0074] Here, as described above, until the position fixing part 17 (not shown) abuts against a stopper 18 (not shown) disposed at the upper end of the rail part 16, the user operates the position fixing part 17 to move the position fixing part 17 upward, thereby fixing the position of the position fixing part 17 with respect to the rail part 16. As a result, the temperature sensor 11, the suction pipe 51, the return pipe 53, and the stirrer SB, which were disposed inside the cylinder body 7, are retracted outside the cylinder body 7. Thereafter, it becomes easier for the user to take out the cylinder body 7 from the apparatus 100.

[0075] Also, as described above, the user installs (places on the housing 13) a new cylinder body 7 in the apparatus 100. Thereafter, until the position fixing part 17 abuts against a stopper 18 disposed at the lower end of the rail part 16, the user operates the position fixing part 17 to move the position fixing part 17 downward, thereby fixing the position of the position fixing part 17 with respect to the rail part 16. As a result, the lower ends of the temperature sensor 11 and the suction pipe 51 are positioned at predetermined positions inside the cylinder body 7.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the supply apparatus according to the present invention. As described above, this figure shows that the rail part 16 is attached to the first attachment position (P1, see FIG. 3) on the side surface S1 of the housing 13.

[0077] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the housing 13 showing the attachment position of the rail part 16 in the housing 13.

[0078] This figure shows that the housing 13 includes a first surface S1 and a second surface S2, the first attachment location P1 is disposed on the first surface S1, and the second attachment location P2 is disposed on the second surface S2. This figure shows that the first attachment location P1 and the second attachment location P2 are disposed at positions facing each other via the arrangement of the heating part 61 (heating device 6) in the plan view of the housing. In this figure, the first attachment location P1 and the second attachment location P2 are indicated by black circles for convenience of explanation.

[0079] This figure shows that the arrangement position of the heating part 61 (heating device 6) in the housing is on a virtual line L3 connecting the first attachment position P1 and the second attachment position P2.

[0080] ●Configuration of the flavoring liquid supply device and the temperature measuring device (2)● FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a supply device showing another embodiment of the flavoring liquid supply device and the temperature measuring device according to the present invention.

[0081] The supply device 200 (hereinafter referred to as "device 200") is an example of another embodiment of the flavoring liquid supply device according to the present invention. The device 200 is different from the device 100 in that the holding part 120 constituting the temperature measuring device is different from the holding part 12 constituting the device 1.

[0082] This figure shows that the holding part 120 holding the temperature sensor 11 is connected to the position fixing part 17. This figure shows that the holding part 120 is plate-shaped, different from the holding part 12. This figure shows that the holding part 120 holds only the temperature sensor 11. In other words, the holding part 120 does not hold the joints (joints 51C and 53C in FIG. 3) constituting a part of the piping or the stirrer (stirrer SB in FIG. 6), unlike the aforementioned holding part 12.

[0083] Thus, the temperature measuring device for the flavoring liquid according to the present invention may include a holding part that holds the temperature sensor 11 so that the temperature sensor 11 can move forward and backward between the inside and the outside of the shaft 7, and a position adjusting part that can adjust the position of the temperature sensor 11 with respect to the shaft 7. The holding part may or may not hold another member (for example, the aforementioned joints or stirrer) in addition to the temperature sensor 11.

[0084] ●Summary● According to the embodiment described above, the position adjusting part 15 can position the temperature measuring part of the temperature sensor 11 at the position where the temperature is the highest inside the shaft 7. The temperature measuring part of the temperature sensor 11 is positioned at a desired position by the user moving the position fixing part 17 downward until the position fixing part 17 abuts against the stopper 18. That is, the positioning of the temperature sensor 11 is easily realized.

[0085] Therefore, the heating control unit 62 realizes the heating of the soup in the barrel 7 so that the temperature of the soup in the barrel 7 converges to the target temperature without exceeding the upper limit temperature. As a result, the flow rate sensor 3 can measure the accurate flow rate. Also, the temperature measuring part of the temperature sensor 11 is arranged at the same height position as the suction port of the suction pipe 51 in the barrel 7. That is, the temperature sensor 11 measures a temperature close to the temperature of the soup that is sucked from the suction pipe 51 and supplied to the ladle among the soup stored in the barrel 7. Therefore, the apparatuses 1, 100, and 200 can supply the soup stored and heated in the barrel 7 to the ladle at an appropriate temperature and in an appropriate amount.

[0086] Furthermore, the temperature sensor 11 and the like arranged inside the barrel 7 are positioned at a desired position, that is, a position where the temperature sensor 11 and the like do not get in the way when replacing the barrel 7, by the user moving the position fixing part 17 upward until the position fixing part 17 abuts against the stopper 18. Therefore, the apparatuses 1, 100, and 200 facilitate the use by the user, such as replacing the barrel 7 and cleaning the apparatuses 1, 100, and 200.

[0087] Furthermore, the temperature sensor 11 is arranged inside the barrel 7 instead of outside the barrel 7. By arranging the temperature sensor 11 inside the barrel 7, the temperature sensor 11 can directly measure the temperature of the soup stored inside the barrel 7. Here, if the temperature sensor 11 is arranged outside the barrel 7, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 11 is different from the temperature of the soup stored inside the barrel 7. That is, the responsiveness of the measurement of the soup temperature by the temperature sensor 11 arranged inside the barrel 7 is better than the responsiveness of the measurement of the soup temperature by the temperature sensor 11 arranged outside the barrel 7. In other words, the accuracy of the temperature control of the soup by the heating control unit 62 using the temperature sensor 11 arranged inside the barrel 7 is higher than the accuracy of the temperature control of the soup by the heating control unit 62 using the temperature sensor 11 arranged outside the barrel 7.

[0088] ●Features of this measuring device and this supply device● The main features of the seasoning liquid temperature measuring and supply device according to the present invention described so far are summarized below.

[0089] ●Features of the seasoning liquid temperature measuring device

[0090] The seasoning liquid temperature measuring device according to the present invention is a device (for example, devices 100·200) that measures the temperature of a seasoning liquid (for example, ramen soup) stored and heated in a storage tank (for example, a 7-inch cylinder), a temperature sensor (for example, temperature sensor 11) disposed inside the storage tank to measure the temperature of the seasoning liquid stored in the storage tank, a holding part (for example, holding parts 12·120) that holds the temperature sensor, a position adjusting part (for example, position adjusting part 15) that enables adjustment of the position of the temperature sensor with respect to the storage tank, and is characterized by being so.

[0091] In the seasoning liquid temperature measuring device according to the present invention, the position adjusting part may include a rail part (for example, rail part 16) that moves the holding part so that the temperature sensor can move forward and backward between the inside and outside of the storage tank, and a position fixing part (for example, position fixing part 17) that fixes the position of the holding part with respect to the rail part. and may be provided.

[0092] In the seasoning liquid temperature measuring device according to the present invention, the rail part may include a stopper (for example, stopper 18) that positions the temperature sensor with respect to the storage tank, and may be provided.

[0093] The seasoning liquid temperature measuring device according to the present invention is a housing (for example, housing 13) to which the rail part is attached, comprises The housing includes an attachment location to which the rail portion is attached. The attachment location includes a first attachment location (for example, the first attachment location P1), and a second attachment location (for example, the second attachment location P2). It may also include.

[0094] The flavor liquid temperature measuring device according to the present invention The housing houses a heating device (for example, the heating device 6) that heats the flavor liquid inside the storage tank. The first attachment location and the second attachment location may be arranged at positions (for example, the first surface S1 and the second surface S2) facing each other via the arrangement position of the heating device in a plan view of the housing.

[0095] In the flavor liquid temperature measuring device according to the present invention, The arrangement position of the heating device in the housing may be on a virtual line (for example, the virtual line L3) connecting the first attachment location and the second attachment location.

[0096] The flavor liquid temperature measuring device according to the present invention has a shielding plate (for example, the shielding plate 14) arranged above the storage tank. comprises When the temperature sensor is arranged inside the storage tank, the shielding plate may be arranged obliquely with respect to the horizontal.

[0097] In the flavor liquid temperature measuring device according to the present invention, When the temperature sensor is arranged inside the storage tank, the holding portion is arranged above the shielding plate, and the temperature sensor may be arranged below the shielding plate.

[0098] In the flavor liquid temperature measuring device according to the present invention, the shielding plate has a hole (for example, the hole 14h) through which a funnel through which a replenishing liquid replenished to the storage tank passes is arranged. may be provided.

[0099] ● Features of the seasoning liquid supply device

[0100] The seasoning liquid supply device according to the present invention is a device for supplying a seasoning liquid (e.g., soup) contained in food and drink (e.g., ramen) to a container (e.g., bowl 8) in which the food and drink is accommodated, a liquid sending unit (e.g., liquid sending unit 2) for sending the seasoning liquid from a storage tank (e.g., medium barrel 7) in which the seasoning liquid is stored to the container, a flow rate sensor (e.g., flow rate sensor 3) for measuring the flow rate of the seasoning sent from the storage tank to the container, a supply control unit (e.g., supply control unit 4) for controlling the supply of the seasoning liquid from the storage tank to the container based on the flow rate measured by the flow rate sensor, a heating device (e.g., heating device 6) for heating the seasoning liquid stored in the storage tank, a temperature measuring device (e.g., device 1) for measuring the temperature of the seasoning liquid stored in the storage tank, and comprises wherein the temperature measuring device is a temperature measuring device for the seasoning liquid according to the present invention, which is characterized in that.

[0101] In the seasoning liquid supply device according to the present invention, the heating device comprises a heating unit (e.g., heating unit 61) for heating the seasoning liquid stored in the storage tank, and a heating control unit (e.g., heating control unit 62) for controlling the heating output of the heating unit, and the heating control unit may control the heating output based on the change in the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device.

[0102] In the seasoning liquid supply device according to the present invention, the heating device A storage unit (for example, storage unit 63) that stores the target temperature (for example, 95°C) of the seasoning liquid stored in the storage tank. comprising The target temperature is lower than the boiling point of the seasoning liquid. The heating control unit may control the heating output so that the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device converges to the target temperature.

[0103] In the seasoning liquid supply device according to the present invention, The heating unit heats the outside of the bottom of the storage tank (for example, the bottom surface 7B of the middle cylinder 7). The height position of the temperature measuring part of the temperature sensor inside the storage tank may be near the inside of the bottom of the storage tank.

[0104] In the seasoning liquid supply device according to the present invention, A pipe (for example, pipe 5) through which the seasoning liquid stored in the storage tank passes. comprising One end of the pipe is disposed inside the storage tank. The height position of the one end inside may be substantially equal to the height position of the temperature sensor inside.

[0105] In the seasoning liquid supply device according to the present invention, The pipe An inhalation pipe (for example, inhalation pipe 51) disposed on the storage tank side, A discharge pipe (for example, discharge pipe 52) disposed on the container side, A valve (for example, valve 54) disposed between the inhalation pipe and the discharge pipe, comprising The supply control unit may control the supply of the seasoning liquid from the storage tank to the container by controlling the opening and closing of the valve.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0106] 1 Temperature measuring device for seasoning liquid 11 Temperature sensor 12 Holding part 13 Housing 14 Shielding plate 15 Position adjustment part 16 Rail part 17 Position fixing part 18 Stopper 2 Liquid supply part 3 Flow sensor 4 Supply control part 5 Pipe 51 Suction pipe 52 Discharge pipe 53 Return pipe 54 Valve 6 Heating device 61 Heating part 62 Heating control part 63 Memory part 64 Operation part 7 Storage tank 8 Container 100 Seasoning liquid supply device 200 Seasoning liquid supply device

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring the temperature of a seasoning liquid stored and heated in a storage tank, comprising: a temperature sensor disposed inside the storage tank for measuring the temperature of the seasoning liquid stored in the storage tank; a holding part for holding the temperature sensor; a position adjusting part for making it possible to adjust the position of the temperature sensor with respect to the storage tank; a shielding plate disposed above the storage tank; wherein when the temperature sensor is disposed inside the storage tank, the shielding plate is disposed obliquely with respect to the horizontal; a temperature measuring apparatus for a seasoning liquid, characterized in that.

2. The position adjusting part includes: a rail part for moving the holding part so that the temperature sensor can move forward and backward between the inside and the outside of the storage tank; a position fixing part for fixing the position of the holding part with respect to the rail part; and is provided with the temperature measuring apparatus for a seasoning liquid according to Claim 1.

3. The rail part includes: a stopper for positioning the position of the temperature sensor with respect to the storage tank; and is provided with the temperature measuring apparatus for a seasoning liquid according to Claim 2.

4. a housing to which the rail part is attached; wherein the housing is provided with an attachment location to which the rail part is attached, and the attachment location includes: a first attachment location; a second attachment location; and includes the temperature measuring apparatus for a seasoning liquid according to Claim 3.

5. the housing houses a heating device for heating the seasoning liquid inside the storage tank, and the first attachment location and the second attachment location are disposed at positions facing each other via the arrangement position of the heating device in a plan view of the housing; the temperature measuring apparatus for a seasoning liquid according to Claim 4.

6. the arrangement position of the heating device in the housing is on a virtual line connecting the first attachment location and the second attachment location; the temperature measuring apparatus for a seasoning liquid according to Claim 5.

7. when the temperature sensor is disposed inside the storage tank, the holding part is disposed above the shielding plate, and the temperature sensor is disposed below the shielding plate; the temperature measuring apparatus for a seasoning liquid according to Claim 1.

8. the shielding plate includes: a hole through which a funnel through which a replenishing liquid replenished to the storage tank passes is disposed; and is provided with the temperature measuring apparatus for a seasoning liquid according to Claim 7.

9. An apparatus for supplying a seasoning liquid contained in food or drink to a container in which the food or drink is contained, comprising: a liquid sending part for sending the seasoning liquid from a storage tank in which the seasoning liquid is stored to the container; a flow rate sensor for measuring the flow rate of the seasoning liquid sent from the storage tank to the container; A supply control unit that controls the supply of the seasoning liquid from the storage tank to the container based on the flow rate measured by the flow sensor; A heating device that heats the seasoning liquid stored in the storage tank; A temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the seasoning liquid stored in the storage tank; It is characterized by having; The temperature measuring device is the temperature measuring device for the seasoning liquid according to claim 1. A seasoning liquid supply device characterized by this.

10. The heating device is; A heating unit that heats the seasoning liquid stored in the storage tank; A heating control unit that controls the heating output of the heating unit; It is provided with; The heating control unit controls the heating output based on the change in the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device. The seasoning liquid supply device according to claim 9.

11. The heating device is; A storage unit that stores the target temperature of the seasoning liquid stored in the storage tank; It is provided with; The target temperature is lower than the boiling point of the seasoning liquid. The heating control unit controls the heating output so that the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device converges to the target temperature. The seasoning liquid supply device according to claim 10.

12. The heating unit heats the outside of the bottom of the storage tank. The height position inside the storage tank of the temperature measuring part of the temperature sensor is near the inside of the bottom of the storage tank. The seasoning liquid supply device according to claim 10.

13. A pipe through which the seasoning liquid stored in the storage tank passes; It is characterized by having; One end of the pipe is arranged inside the storage tank. The height position inside the one end is substantially equal to the height position inside the temperature sensor. The seasoning liquid supply device according to claim 12.

14. The pipe is; A suction pipe arranged on the storage tank side; A discharge pipe arranged on the container side; A valve arranged between the suction pipe and the discharge pipe; It is provided with; The supply control unit controls the supply of the seasoning liquid from the storage tank to the container by controlling the opening and closing of the valve. The seasoning liquid supply device according to claim 13.

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