Beverage supply device

Abstract

To enhance a washing function of a mixing container for mixing raw material water and a powder raw material and a path where a beverage passes such as a guide member for guiding the beverage prepared in the mixing container while preventing a user from touching hot water of a high temperature.SOLUTION: In a beverage supply device 10, washing means of a control unit 80 includes: first washing means for washing the inside of a mixing container 33 and a guide member 40 by using hot water supplied from a hot water supply part 50 as raw material water for washing; and second washing means for washing the inside of the mixing container 33 and the guide member 40 by using hot water of a temperature lower than the hot water supplied from the hot water supply part 50 by mixing the hot water supplied from the hot water supply part 50 as the raw material water for washing and water supplied from a water supply part 60. The control unit 80 controls to carry out the first washing means when an operation signal for carrying out the washing means is input from an operation part 76, and controls to carry out the second washing means in reaching preset set time or the preset number of supply times of the beverage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage produced by mixing raw material water and a powder raw material by stirring them in a mixing container, and to a beverage supply device provided with a mixing container for mixing the raw material water and the powder raw material and a cleaning means for cleaning a guiding member that guides the beverage from the mixing container to a drinking container.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of a beverage dispenser (beverage supply device) that supplies a beverage produced by mixing raw material water and a powder raw material by stirring them with a mixing unit. When supplying a beverage with this beverage dispenser, the powder raw material of the beverage in the canister and water or hot water are supplied into a mixing case (mixing container) constituting the mixing unit, and the powder raw material of the beverage and water or hot water are stirred in the mixing case to produce a beverage. The produced beverage is guided to a cup stage (placement part) by a pouring guide (guiding member) and poured into a cup (drinking container).

[0003] This beverage dispenser has a cleaning function for cleaning the mixing unit. The cleaning function of the mixing unit is set to be automatically executed according to a preset time or the number of times of pouring the beverage, or is set to be executed according to the operation of the user. When cleaning the mixing unit, hot water is supplied into the mixing case constituting the mixing unit, and the hot water in the mixing case is stirred by an impeller that rotates by a stirring motor. The hot water in the mixing case stays in a state where centrifugal force is applied by the rotating impeller, and the inside of the mixing case is cleaned by the staying hot water by stirring. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of rotation of the impeller, water is supplied into the mixing case, and the hot water in the mixing case is mixed with the supplied water and the temperature drops. Thereafter, the rotation of the impeller is stopped, and the hot water with a lowered temperature in the mixing case is discharged to the pouring guide, and the discharged hot water cleans the pouring guide and is discharged to the cup stage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In this type of beverage dispenser, generally, hot water heated to generate warm beverages is used for cleaning the mixing unit, and the mixing unit is cleaned by the high cleaning power of the hot water. On the other hand, when cleaning the mixing unit of the beverage dispenser of Patent Document 1, the water supplied into the mixing case is cooled by adding water and then discharged to the cup stage. In the beverage dispenser of Patent Document 1, since hot water with a high temperature is not discharged to the cup stage, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally touching the hot water even if the user puts a hand on the upper side of the cup stage. However, when the mixing unit is always cleaned with cold water, the dirt on the mixing unit cannot be sufficiently cleaned, and the dirt tends to remain on the mixing unit. In particular, only cold water flows through the pouring guide that guides the beverage from the mixing case to the cup stage, and the dirt tends to remain on the pouring guide. The present invention aims to clean the path through which beverages pass, such as the mixing container for mixing raw water and powder raw materials with the high cleaning power of hot water and the guiding member for guiding the beverage generated in the mixing container, while preventing the user from touching the hot water.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a raw water supply unit for supplying raw water for beverages, a powder raw material supply unit for supplying powdered raw materials for beverages, a mixing container for mixing the raw water supplied from the raw water supply unit and the powdered raw materials supplied from the powder raw material supply unit, a stirring device for stirring and mixing the raw water and the powdered raw materials in the mixing container, a placement unit for placing a drinking container for receiving the beverage generated in the mixing container, a guiding member for guiding the beverage generated in the mixing container to the placement unit, a beverage supply means for supplying the raw water from the raw water supply unit and the powdered raw materials from the powder raw material supply unit into the mixing container, stirring the raw water and the powdered raw materials in the mixing container by the stirring device, and guiding the generated beverage to the drinking container on the placement unit by the guiding member, a cleaning means for supplying the raw water from the raw water supply unit into the mixing container, stirring the raw water in the mixing container by the stirring device to clean the inside of the mixing container, and discharging the raw water used for this cleaning to the placement unit through the guiding member to clean the mixing container and the guiding member, and a control device including an operation unit for outputting an operation signal for causing the beverage supply means and the cleaning means to execute. The raw water supply unit includes a hot water supply unit for supplying hot water as the raw water for beverages and a water supply unit for supplying water as the raw water for beverages. The cleaning means includes a first cleaning means for cleaning the inside of the mixing container and the guiding member using the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit as the raw water used for cleaning, and a second cleaning means for mixing the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit and the water supplied from the water supply unit as the raw water used for cleaning and using hot water having a lower temperature than the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit to clean the inside of the mixing container and the guiding member. The control device is configured to control to execute the first cleaning means when an operation signal for causing the cleaning means to execute is input from the operation unit, and to control to execute the second cleaning means when a preset set time or a preset set number of beverage supply times is reached. The present invention provides a beverage supply device characterized by the above.

[0007] In the beverage supply device configured as described above, the raw water supply unit includes a hot water supply unit that supplies hot water as the raw water for the beverage and a water supply unit that supplies water as the raw water for the beverage. The cleaning means includes a first cleaning means for cleaning the inside of the mixing container and the guide member using the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit as the raw water for cleaning, and a second cleaning means for mixing the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit and the water supplied from the water supply unit as the raw water for cleaning and using the hot water having a lower temperature than the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit to clean the inside of the mixing container and the guide member. The control device controls to execute the first cleaning means when an operation signal for executing the cleaning means is input from the operation unit, and controls to execute the second cleaning means when a preset set time or a preset number of set supply times of the beverage is reached.

[0008] When the control device executes the first cleaning means based on the operation of the operation unit by the user, the user will know in advance that the hot water used for cleaning is discharged to the placement portion by his own operation. Therefore, even if the hot water at a high temperature supplied from the hot water supply unit by the first cleaning means is discharged to the placement portion after cleaning the inside of the mixing container and the guide member, there is little possibility that the user will touch the hot water discharged to the placement portion with his hand or the like.

[0009] On the other hand, when the control device executes the second cleaning means when a preset setting time or a preset number of set supply times of the beverage is reached without any user operation, the user does not know in advance that the hot water used for cleaning is discharged to the placement part, and there is a risk that the user may touch the hot water discharged to the placement part. When the control device automatically executes the second cleaning means when the preset time or the preset number of set supply times of the beverage is reached, after supplying hot water from the hot water supply part into the mixing container, water is supplied from the water supply part, and the mixing container and the guide member are cleaned with hot water having a lower temperature than the hot water supplied from the hot water supply part, and the low-temperature hot water used for cleaning is discharged to the placement part. As a result, even if the user touches the hot water discharged to the placement part after cleaning the mixing container and the guide member, the hot water discharged to the placement part is low-temperature hot water to which the water supplied from the water supply part is added, so it is highly safe, and the user can be prevented from touching the high-temperature hot water from the hot water supply part as in the case when the first cleaning means is executed. In this way, when cleaning by the user's operation, the mixing container and the guide member are cleaned with high-temperature hot water, and when cleaning when the preset time or the preset number of set supply times of the preset beverage is reached without the user's operation, the mixing container and the guide member are cleaned with low-temperature hot water. Therefore, while cleaning the mixing container and the guide member with the high cleaning power of high-temperature hot water, the user can be prevented from touching the high-temperature hot water.

[0010] In the beverage supply device configured as described above, the control device can be set to an operating mode in which the beverage supply means can be executed and a non-operating mode in which the beverage supply means cannot be executed. It is preferable to control the first cleaning means to be executed at least at one of the timings before and after the start of execution of the operating mode and the timings before and after the end of execution. The timings before and after the start of execution of the operating mode and the timings before and after the end of execution are timings that are less likely to be used by the user. By executing the first cleaning means of the cleaning means, even if the hot water that has been supplied from the hot water supply unit to the placement unit and has washed the mixing container and the guide member is discharged, the possibility that the user touches the hot water discharged to the placement unit is low. Thereby, while cleaning the mixing container and the guide member with a high cleaning power by hot water at a high temperature, it is possible to prevent the user from touching the hot water at a high temperature.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] An embodiment of the beverage supply device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The beverage supply device 10 of the present invention, also called a beverage dispenser, can supply four types of warm beverages such as warm tea containing hot water in a drinking container such as a cup, and four types of cold beverages such as cold tea containing cold water (water). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the beverage supply device 10 includes a beverage generation chamber 20 that generates a beverage by mixing a powder raw material such as tea for generating a beverage such as tea, hot water, and / or cold water (water) in the front part of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 11, and a machine room 21 in the rear part of the housing 11. The inside of the housing 11 is partitioned into the beverage generation chamber 20 and the machine room 21 by a partition plate 22.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the housing 11 includes a housing body 12 with an open front side and a front panel 13 that closes the front opening of the housing body 12. The front panel 13 is pivotally supported around a vertical axis on the right side of the housing body 12. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an opening / closing detector 14 composed of a reed switch for detecting the opening and closing of the front panel 13 is provided at the upper left part of the front panel 13, and a magnet 15 for detecting the state where the front panel 13 is closed is provided at a position facing the opening / closing detector 14 at the front part of the housing body 12. When the front panel 13 is closed, the opening / closing detector 14 approaches the magnet 15, and the opening / closing detector 14 detects the closed state of the front panel 13. When the front panel 13 is open, the opening / closing detector 14 is separated from the magnet 15, and the opening / closing detector 14 detects the open state of the front panel 13. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an opening 13a is formed in the lower part of the front panel 13 at the center in the left-right direction, and a placement part 23 for placing a drinking container such as a cup is provided at a position where the opening 13a is formed in the lower part of the beverage generation chamber 20.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the placement part 23 includes a pedestal part 24 for placing a drinking container such as a cup, and a cover part 25 that covers the rear side, both left and right sides, and the upper side of the pedestal part 24. The pedestal part 24 is formed in a basket shape so that beverages that overflow from a drinking container such as a cup and hot water discharged by performing cleaning means described later can flow downward. A circular recess 24a serving as a mark for placing a drinking container such as a cup is formed on the upper surface of the pedestal part 24, and this circular recess 24a is disposed directly below the beverage pouring part 42 of the beverage guide 40 into which the beverage generated by the beverage supply part 30 is poured. Also, a drain pipe (not shown) for drainage disposed below the housing 11 is connected to the lower part of the pedestal part 24, and the beverages that overflow in the pedestal part 24 and the hot water discharged by performing cleaning means described later are discharged to the outside of the housing 11 through the drain pipe.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, a beverage supply part 30 for supplying a beverage into a drinking container placed on the placement part 23 is provided in the beverage generation chamber 20. In this embodiment, three beverage supply parts 30 are provided in the beverage generation chamber 20 to supply hot or cold water and three types of powder raw materials for beverages other than hot or cold water. Since the three beverage supply parts 30 other than hot or cold water have substantially the same configuration, one beverage supply part 30 will be mainly used for the following description.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the beverage supply part 30 supplies a beverage to a drinking container placed on the placement part 23, and includes a beverage generation part 31 that generates a beverage from raw material water composed of hot water and / or cold water (water) and a powder raw material for the beverage, and a beverage guide (guide member) 40 that guides the beverage generated by the beverage generation part 31 to the drinking container on the placement part 23. The beverage generation part 31 includes a powder raw material container 32 that stores the powder raw material for the beverage, a mixing container 33 for mixing the powder raw material for the beverage and the raw material water, and a stirring device 34 that stirs and mixes the powder raw material and the raw material water in the mixing container 33.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the powder raw material container 32 stores the powder raw material of beverages made of powder such as tea, and is detachably attached to the base 16 provided in the beverage generation chamber 20. A discharge port 32a for the powder raw material is provided at the bottom of the powder raw material container 32, and the powder raw material is discharged from the discharge port 32a into the mixing container 33. A screw 32b is provided at the lower part of the powder raw material container 32, and the drive of the motor 32d is transmitted to the screw 32b via the coupling member 32c. When the screw 32b rotates due to the rotation of the motor 32d, the powder raw material in the powder raw material container 32 is discharged from the discharge port 32a into the mixing container 33.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mixing container 33 stirs and mixes the powder raw material with raw material water composed of hot water and / or cold water (water), and is detachably supported by the base 16 provided in the beverage generation chamber 20. The mixing container 33 is open below the powder raw material container 32, and the powder raw material discharged from the discharge port 32a of the powder raw material container 32 is carried into the mixing container 33. A discharge port 33a is formed at the bottom of the mixing container 33, and the beverage stirred and mixed in the mixing container 33 is discharged from the discharge port 33a to the beverage guide 40 provided below.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 5, a raw material water supply port 16a for supplying raw material water composed of hot water and / or cold water (water) into the mixing container 33 is provided on the base 16. A hot water supply unit 50 and a water supply unit 60 described later are connected to the raw material water supply port 16a, and hot water and / or cold water as raw material water sent from the hot water supply unit 50 and / or the water supply unit 60 is supplied to the mixing container 33 through the raw material water supply port 16a.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, a stirring device 34 is provided in the mixing container 33. The stirring device 34 includes a stirring motor 34a provided on the base 16 at the rear side of the mixing container 33, a rotating shaft 34d rotated by the stirring motor 34a, and a disk portion 34e provided at the tip of the rotating shaft 34d. A coupling magnet 34b is provided on the output shaft of the stirring motor 34a, and a coupling magnet 34c is provided at the base end of the rotating shaft 34d on the side of the stirring motor 34a. The rotating shaft 34d is detachably connected to the stirring motor 34a by the coupling magnets 34b and 34c, and the stirring motor 34a rotates the rotating shaft 34d via the coupling magnets 34b and 34c. The rotating shaft 34d extends above the discharge port 33a at the bottom of the mixing container 33, and a disk portion 34e is provided above the discharge port 33a at the tip of the rotating shaft 34d. Stirring blades 34f are provided on the lower surface of the disk portion 34e at the tip of the rotating shaft 34d, and the powder raw material and the raw material water in the mixing container 33 are stirred and mixed by the rotation of the disk portion 34e to become a beverage.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the beverage guide 40 guides the beverage generated in the beverage generation unit 31 to a drinking container placed on the placement unit 23, and is supported above the cover portion 25 of the placement unit 23. The beverage guide 40 includes a guide portion 41 having a shallow box shape extending from below the discharge port 33a of the mixing container 33 to the central portion in the left - right direction at the front portion of the placement unit 23, and a beverage pouring portion 42 for pouring out the beverage, and the guide portion 41 and the beverage pouring portion 42 are integrally formed.

[0022] The guide portion 41 includes a passage for the beverage extending to the central portion in the left - right direction at the front portion of the placement unit 23. This passage for the beverage is inclined downward such that the central portion in the left - right direction is on the lower side at the front portion of the placement unit 23. The beverage generated in each beverage generation unit 31 is guided by the guide portion 41 to the central portion in the left - right direction at the front portion of the placement unit 23. A beverage pouring portion 42 is provided at the downstream position of the passage for the beverage in the guide portion 41.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 6, the hot water supply unit 50 supplies hot water which is the raw water for beverages received in a drinking container such as a cup on the placement unit 23. The hot water supply unit 50 includes a hot water storage tank 51 for storing hot water which is the raw water for beverages, and a first water supply pipe 52 led out from a water supply source such as a water supply is connected to the hot water storage tank 51. First and second water supply valves 52a and 52b are installed in the first water supply pipe 52, and the water from the water supply source is supplied to the hot water storage tank 51 by opening the first and second water supply valves 52a and 52b.

[0024] A heater 53 and a temperature sensor 54 are provided in the hot water storage tank 51. The heater 53 heats the water (hot water) in the hot water storage tank 51 to generate hot water. The temperature sensor 54 detects the temperature of the water (hot water) in the hot water storage tank 51. The heater 53 is controlled to operate based on the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 54, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 is heated (kept warm) to a temperature suitable for drinking mainly by the heater 53. In this embodiment, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 is set to be 90°C. Further, a water level sensor 55 is provided in the hot water storage tank 51, and the water level sensor 55 detects the water level in the hot water storage tank 51. The first and second water supply valves 52a and 52b are controlled to be opened and closed according to the detected water level of the water level sensor 55, and the water (hot water) in the hot water storage tank 51 is maintained within a predetermined water level range.

[0025] A hot water supply pipe 56 is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 51, and a hot water supply pump 57 is installed in the hot water supply pipe 56. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 is sent to the hot water supply pipe 56 by the hot water supply pump 57. Further, first to fourth hot water delivery valves 58a to 58d each formed of a three-way valve are installed in the hot water supply pipe 56, and first to fourth hot water delivery pipes 59a to 59d are connected to the first to fourth hot water delivery valves 58a to 58d. The leading end of the first hot water delivery pipe 59a is connected to the raw water supply port 16a of the left beverage supply unit 30, the leading end of the second hot water delivery pipe 59b is connected to the raw water supply port 16a of the central beverage supply unit 30 in the left - right direction, and the leading end of the third hot water delivery pipe 59c is connected to the raw water supply port 16a of the right beverage supply unit 30. The leading end of the fourth hot water delivery pipe 59d is connected to the beverage pouring part 42 for hot water or water of the beverage guide 40.

[0026] By operating the hot water supply pump 57 and opening any one of the first to third hot water supply valves 58a to 58c, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 is supplied into the mixing container 33 through the hot water supply pipe 56 and the first to third hot water supply pipes 59a to 59c corresponding to the opened first to third hot water supply valves 58a to 58c. Also, by operating the hot water supply pump 57 and opening the fourth hot water supply valve 58d, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 is supplied through the hot water supply pipe 56 and the fourth hot water supply pipe 59d to a drinking container such as a cup placed on the placement portion 23.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, the water supply unit 60 supplies cold water (water) that is the raw material water for the beverage received in a drinking container such as a cup on the placement portion 23. The water supply unit 60 includes a cooling tank 61 for generating cold water that is the raw material water for the beverage, and the cooling tank 61 stores cooling water. Further, an evaporation pipe 62 of a refrigeration device is provided in the cooling tank 61, and the cooling water in the cooling tank 61 is cooled so as to form an ice layer around the evaporation pipe 62 by the latent heat of vaporization when the circulating refrigerant vaporizes. A water cooling pipe 63 for cooling the water that becomes the raw material water is provided in the cooling tank 61, and the raw material water is cooled by the cooling water when passing through the water cooling pipe 63.

[0028] A second water supply pipe 64 led out from the immediately downstream side (between the first water supply valve 52a and the second water supply valve 52b) of the first water supply valve 52a of the first water supply pipe 52 is connected to the water introduction end of the water cooling pipe 63, and the water from a water supply source such as a water supply passes through a part of the first water supply pipe 52 and the second water supply pipe 64 and is sent to the water cooling pipe 63 in the cooling tank 61. A water supply pipe 65 is connected to the water discharge end of the water cooling pipe 63, and the cold water cooled by the water cooling pipe 63 is sent to the water supply pipe 65. Three branch portions 65a to 65c are provided in the water supply pipe 65, and first to fourth cold water supply valves 66a to 66d are interposed in the pipe portions led out from the branch portions 65a to 65c and the tip end portion 65d of the water supply pipe 65. First to fourth cold water supply pipes 67a to 67d are connected to the first to fourth cold water supply valves 66a to 66d, and the leading ends of the first to fourth cold water supply pipes 67a to 67d are connected to the middle portions of the first to fourth hot water supply pipes 59a to 59d.

[0029] By opening any one of the first water supply valve 52a and the first to third cold water supply valves 66a to 66c, the water from the water supply source is sent through a part of the first water supply pipe 52 and the second water supply pipe 64 to the water cooling pipe 63 of the cooling tank 61 and cooled to become cold water. The cold water cooled by the water cooling pipe 63 in the cooling tank 61 passes through the water supply pipe 65, the first to third cold water supply pipes 67a to 67c corresponding to the opened first to third cold water supply valves 66a to 66c, and the first to third hot water supply pipes 59a to 59c connected corresponding to the first to third cold water supply pipes 67a to 67c and is supplied into the mixing container 33. Also, by opening the first water supply valve 52a and the fourth cold water supply valve 66d, the water from the water supply source is sent through a part of the first water supply pipe 52 and the second water supply pipe 64 to the water cooling pipe 63 of the cooling tank 61 and cooled to become cold water, and the cold water cooled by the water cooling pipe 63 in the cooling tank 61 passes through the water supply pipe 65, the fourth cold water supply pipe 67d, and the fourth hot water supply pipe 59d and is supplied to a drinking container such as a cup placed on the placement portion 23.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the front surface of the front panel 13, a first operation panel (operation unit) 70 for supplying a beverage from the beverage supply unit 30 is provided above the opening 13a. A display panel 71 for displaying the type of beverage is provided at the center in the left - right direction of the first operation panel 70, and contact - type supply operation units 72, 74 and non - contact - type supply operation units 73, 75 are provided at adjacent positions on both the left and right sides of the display panel 71 of the second operation panel 70 as supply operation units for performing an operation to supply a beverage from the beverage supply unit 30.

[0031] In this embodiment, four contact - type supply operation units 72 for supplying four types of cold beverages are arranged vertically side by side on the left side of the display panel 71, and four non - contact - type supply operation units 73 for supplying the same beverages as the contact - type supply operation units 72 are arranged on the left side of the contact - type supply operation units 72. Also, four contact - type supply operation units 74 for supplying four types of warm beverages are arranged vertically side by side on the right side of the display panel 71, and four non - contact - type supply operation units 75 for supplying the same beverages as the contact - type supply operation units 74 are arranged on the right side of the contact - type supply operation units 74.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, a second operation panel (operation unit) 76 for cleaning various setting operations, the mixing container 33, and the beverage guide 40 is provided on the back surface of the front panel 13. A cleaning button 77 for cleaning the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 is provided on the second operation panel 76. When the cleaning button 77 is pressed, the first cleaning means described later is executed.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 8, the beverage supply device 10 includes a control device 80 that controls the supply of beverage to a drinking container placed on the placement unit 23. The control device 80 is connected to the opening / closing detector 14, the beverage raw material unloading motor 32d, the stirring motor 34a, the first and second water supply valves 52a, 52b, the heater 53, the temperature sensor 54, the water level sensor 55, the hot water pump 57, the first to fourth hot water delivery valves 58a to 58d, the first to fourth cold water delivery valves 66a to 66d, the first operation panel 70, and the second operation panel 76.

[0034] The control device 80 includes a beverage supply means for supplying the beverage generated by the beverage supply unit 30, and a cleaning means for cleaning the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 of the beverage supply unit 30 as a path through which the beverage is supplied. The beverage supply means includes a cold beverage supply means for supplying a cold beverage using cold water (water) cooled in the cooling tank 61 in an amount corresponding to the capacity of a drinking container such as a cup, a cold water supply means for supplying the cold water cooled in the cooling tank 61 to a drinking container such as a cup, a warm beverage supply means for supplying a warm beverage using the hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 in an amount corresponding to the capacity of a drinking container such as a cup, and a hot water supply means for supplying the hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 to a drinking container such as a cup.

[0035] In addition, the control device 80 can be set to an operation mode in which the beverage supply means can be executed and a non-operation mode in which the beverage supply means cannot be executed. As an example, the operation mode is mainly set during the time period when the user uses (for example, from 7:00 to 21:00 when installed in a workplace such as an office), and the non-operation mode is set during the time period when the user does not use, such as at night including late at night (for example, from 21:00 to 7:00 when installed in a workplace such as an office). During the operation mode, operation signals from the contact supply operation units 72 and 74 or the non-contact supply operation units 73 and 75 can be output to the control device 80, and beverages can be supplied. During the non-operation mode, operation signals from the contact supply operation units 72 and 74 or the non-contact supply operation units 73 and 75 cannot be output to the control device 80, and beverages cannot be supplied. In this embodiment, the operation mode and the non-operation mode can be set for each day of the week in the weekly mode. Even in the non-operation mode, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 is maintained at the set temperature, and the evaporation pipe 62 in the cooling tank 61 may be cooled so that an ice layer is formed around it.

[0036] During the operation mode, when an operation signal is input to the control device 80 when any one of the top three contact supply operation units 72 is pressed, or when a non-contact operation is performed by holding an object such as a finger in front of any one of the top three non-contact supply operation units 73, the control device 80 controls to execute the cold beverage supply means corresponding to the operated contact supply operation unit 72 or non-contact supply operation unit 73 and supply a cold beverage from the beverage supply unit 30. When an operation signal is input to the control device 80 when the bottom contact supply operation unit 72 is pressed, or when a non-contact operation is performed by holding an object such as a finger in front of the bottom non-contact supply operation unit 73, the control device 80 controls to execute the cold water supply means and supply cold water from the beverage supply unit 30.

[0037] When an operation signal is input to the control device 80 when any one of the three contact supply operation units 74 is pressed from above, or when an object such as a finger is held in front of any one of the three non-contact supply operation units 75 and a non-contact operation is performed, the control device 80 controls to execute the warm beverage supply means corresponding to the operated contact supply operation unit 74 or non-contact supply operation unit 75 and supply a warm beverage from the beverage supply unit 30. When an operation signal is input to the control device 80 when the lowermost contact supply operation unit 74 is pressed, or when an object such as a finger is held in front of the lowermost non-contact supply operation unit 75 and a non-contact operation is performed, the control device 80 controls to execute the hot water supply means and supply hot water from the beverage supply unit 30.

[0038] Next, the control of the cold beverage supply means, the cold water supply means, the warm beverage supply means, and the hot water supply means will be described. During the operation mode, when an operation signal by pressing any one of the three contact supply operation units 72 from above, or an operation signal by non-contact operation by holding an object such as a finger in front of any one of the three non-contact supply operation units 73 is input to the control device 80, the control device 80 executes the cold beverage supply means. By executing the cold beverage supply means, the control device 80 operates the beverage raw material unloading motor 32d of the beverage supply unit 30 corresponding to the operated contact supply operation unit 72 or non-contact supply operation unit 73, and opens the first water supply valve 52a and the first to third cold water delivery valves 66a to 66c corresponding to the operated contact supply operation unit 72 or non-contact supply operation unit 73. The powder raw material in the powder raw material container 32 is unloaded into the mixing container 33, and the cold water cooled in the cooling tank 61 is supplied into the mixing container 33. Also, by operating the stirring motor 34a of the stirring device 34, the powder raw material and the cold water of the beverage supplied into the mixing container 33 are stirred and mixed to become a cold beverage, and the generated cold beverage passes through the guide portion 41 and is poured out from the beverage pouring portion 42 into a drinking container such as a cup on the placement portion 23, and the cold beverage is supplied to the user.

[0039] When an operation signal from pressing the lowermost contact supply operation unit 72 or an operation signal from a non-contact operation by holding an object such as a finger in front of the lowermost non-contact supply operation unit 73 is input to the control device 80, the control device 80 executes the cold water supply means. By executing the cold water supply means stage, the control device 80 opens the first water supply valve 52a and the fourth cold water delivery valve 66d for a time corresponding to the drinking container. The cold water cooled in the cooling tank 61 is poured out from the beverage dispensing unit 42 into a drinking container such as a cup on the placement unit 23, and cold water (cold beverage) is supplied to the user.

[0040] During the operation mode, when an operation signal from pressing any one of the three upper contact supply operation units 74 or an operation signal from a non-contact operation by holding an object such as a finger in front of any one of the three upper non-contact supply operation units 75 is input to the control device 80, the control device 80 executes the warm beverage supply means. By executing the warm beverage supply means, the control device 80 operates the beverage raw material unloading motor 32d of the beverage supply unit 30 corresponding to the operated contact supply operation unit 74 or non-contact supply operation unit 75, operates the hot water pump 57, and opens the first to third hot water delivery valves 58a to 58c corresponding to the operated contact supply operation unit 74 or non-contact supply operation unit 75. The powder raw material in the powder raw material container 32 is unloaded into the mixing container 33, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 is supplied into the mixing container 33. Also, by operating the stirring motor 34a of the stirring device 34, the powder raw material and hot water of the beverage supplied into the mixing container 33 are stirred and mixed into a warm beverage, and the generated warm beverage passes through the guide unit 41 and is poured out from the beverage dispensing unit 42 into a drinking container such as a cup on the placement unit 23, and warm beverage is supplied to the user.

[0041] When an operation signal generated by pressing the lowermost contact supply operation unit 74 or an operation signal generated by a non-contact operation in which an object such as a finger is held in front of the lowermost non-contact supply operation unit 75 is input to the control device 80, the control device 80 executes the hot water supply means. By executing the hot water supply means, the control device 80 operates the hot water pump 57 for a time corresponding to the drinking container and opens the fourth hot water discharge valve 58d. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 is discharged from the beverage dispensing unit 42 into a drinking container such as a cup on the placement unit 23, and hot water (warm beverage) is supplied to the user.

[0042] The cleaning means includes first cleaning means for cleaning the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 using hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50 as the raw water for cleaning, and second cleaning means for mixing hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50 and cold water (water) supplied from the water supply unit 60 as the raw water for cleaning and using hot water having a lower temperature than the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50 to clean the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40.

[0043] The first cleaning means cleans the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 using only the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50, and cleans the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 with the high cleaning power of the high-temperature hot water heated to 90°C in the hot water storage tank 51. Although the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 is controlled to be 90°C, it is not limited thereto, and it may be heated to, for example, 50°C to 95°C, which is a temperature suitable for drinking as a warm beverage.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 9(a), when the control device 80 executes the first cleaning means, if the first hot water supply valve 58a is opened at the timing from a to b and the stirring motor 34a is started at the timing of a, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 is supplied into the mixing container 33, and the hot water supplied into the mixing container 33 is stirred by the stirring device 34. The hot water in the mixing container 33 washes away the powder raw material that adheres to the inner peripheral surface of the mixing container 33 without being discharged from the discharge port 33a due to the centrifugal force applied when being stirred by the stirring device 34. When the operation of the stirring motor 34a is stopped at the timing of e, the hot water in the mixing container 33 is not subjected to the centrifugal force by the stirring of the stirring device 34 and is discharged from the discharge port 33a to the beverage guide 40. The discharged hot water washes away the powder raw material remaining in the guide portion 41 when flowing through the guide portion 41 of the beverage guide 40 and is discharged from the beverage pouring portion 42 to the placement portion 23. The hot water discharged to the placement portion 23 flows downward through the gaps of the basket-shaped receiving portion 24 and is discharged to the outside of the housing 11 from the drain pipe. Note that the first cleaning means is executed in the central and right beverage supply portions 30 in order from the left beverage supply portion 30.

[0045] On the other hand, the second cleaning means adds cold water (water) supplied from the water supply portion 60 to the hot water supplied from the hot water supply portion 50 and uses hot water with a temperature lower than the hot water supplied from the hot water supply portion 50 to clean the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40. In this embodiment, the temperature is set lower than the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply portion 50, and the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 are cleaned with hot water at a temperature of 60 °C or lower, which is safe for the user to touch with hands or the like. In this embodiment, the water supply portion 60 is cold water cooled in the cooling tank 61, but water at room temperature may also be used.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 9(b), when the control device 80 executes the second cleaning means, if the first hot water supply valve 58a is opened at the timing from a to b and the stirring motor 34a is started at the timing of a, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 is supplied into the mixing container 33, and the hot water supplied into the mixing container 33 is stirred by the stirring device 34. The hot water in the mixing container 33 washes away the powder raw material that adheres to the inner peripheral surface of the mixing container 33 and remains without being discharged from the discharge port 33a due to the centrifugal force applied when being stirred by the stirring device 34. After the first hot water supply valve 58a is closed at the timing of b, if the first cold water supply valve 66a is opened at the timing from c to d, the cold water cooled in the cooling tank 61 is supplied into the mixing container 33. The hot water in the mixing container 33 is mixed with the cold water cooled in the cooling tank 61 and the temperature decreases. When the operation of the stirring motor 34a is stopped at the timing of e, the hot water whose temperature has decreased in the mixing container 33 is not subjected to the centrifugal force by the stirring of the stirring device 34 and is discharged from the discharge port 33a to the beverage guide 40. The discharged hot water washes away the powder raw material remaining on the guide portion 41 when flowing through the guide portion 41 of the beverage guide 40 and is discharged from the beverage pouring portion 42 to the placement portion 23. The hot water discharged to the placement portion 23 flows downward through the gap of the basket-shaped receiving portion 24 and is discharged to the outside of the housing 11 from the drain pipe. Note that the second cleaning means is also executed in the central and right beverage supply portions 30 in order from the left beverage supply portion 30, similar to the first cleaning means.

[0047] The first cleaning means uses hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50 to clean the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40. When the cleaning button 77 on the second operation panel 76 is pressed (when the cleaning button 77 on the second operation panel 76 is pressed and the front panel 13 is closed and detected as being in a closed state by the open / close detector 14), it is controlled to be executed at the timing at the start of the operation mode execution and at the start of the non-operation mode after the execution ends. When the user presses the cleaning button 77 on the second operation panel 76, since the first cleaning means is executed based on the user's operation, the user can know in advance that the hot water used for cleaning will be discharged onto the placement unit 23. Also, the timing at the start of the operation mode execution and at the start of the non-operation mode after the execution ends is a timing assumed to be not used by the user, so the user has little chance of touching the hot water discharged onto the placement unit 23 after cleaning. Therefore, by controlling to execute the first cleaning means as the cleaning means when the user presses the cleaning button 77 or at the timing at the start of the operation mode execution and at the start of the non-operation mode after the execution ends, even when the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 are cleaned by the high cleaning power of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50, the possibility that the user touches the hot water discharged onto the placement unit 23 can be reduced.

[0048] The second cleaning means adds water supplied from the water supply unit 60 to the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50 and uses hot water with a lower temperature than the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50 to clean the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40, and is controlled to be automatically executed at a preset set time (set time). When the cleaning means is executed at the preset set time during the operation mode, there is a possibility that the user puts their hand on the upper side of the receiving part 24 of the placement unit 23 without knowing that the cleaning means is being executed. At this time, if the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50 is discharged onto the upper side of the receiving part 24 of the placement unit 23 like the first cleaning means described above, the user may touch the hot water. Therefore, when the cleaning means is executed at the preset set time during the execution of the operation mode, it is controlled to execute the second cleaning means.

[0049] When this beverage supply device 10 is installed in a workplace such as an office where the time when employees are mainly present is from 8:00 to 20:00, it is necessary to be able to supply beverages including one hour before and after the time when employees are present at the workplace. To cope with this, when the administrator (user) sets it to be in the operation mode from 7:00 to 21:00 and in the non-operation mode from 21:00 to 7:00, the control device 80 changes the setting alternately so as to be in the operation mode from 7:00 to 21:00 and in the non-operation mode from 21:00 to 7:00. The control device 80 executes the first cleaning means at the start of the execution of the operation mode and at the start of the non-operation mode after the execution is completed, and cleans the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 using the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50. Since the start of the execution of the operation mode and the start of the non-operation mode after the execution is completed are not timings assuming that users such as employees use the beverage supply device 10, the user has little chance of touching the high-temperature hot water discharged to the placement unit 23 after cleaning.

[0050] Also, at times such as 11:00, 2:00, and 4:00 which are not the break time or meal time of users such as employees, although the frequency of use of the beverage supply device 10 by users such as employees is low, users such as employees do not completely stop using the beverage supply device 10. When the cleaning means is automatically executed at the above times, although the user has little chance of touching the hot water discharged to the placement unit 23 after cleaning, there is a risk of putting a hand on the upper side of the receiving part 24 of the placement unit 23 without knowing that the cleaning means is being executed. For this reason, when automatically executing the cleaning means at a preset setting time, the control device 80 controls to execute the second cleaning means. Although hot water after cleaning is discharged to the placement unit 23 and there is a risk that the user may touch the hot water discharged to the placement unit 23, since the temperature of the hot water discharged to the placement unit 23 has become low, it is safe even if the user touches the hot water discharged to the placement unit 23.

[0051] When the administrator (user) in charge of maintenance performs maintenance such as cleaning the mixing container 33 that serves as the beverage supply path and the beverage guide 40, the front panel 13 is opened, the cleaning button 77 on the second operation panel 76 is pressed, and the front panel 13 is closed. When the control device 80 receives an operation signal input from the cleaning button 77 and a detection signal indicating that it has been closed from the opening / closing detector 14, the control device 80 executes the first cleaning means. At this time, hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50 is discharged to the placement unit 23 after cleaning the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40. However, since the administrator (user) causes the control device 80 to execute the cleaning means by their own operation, the administrator (user) is less likely to touch the hot water discharged to the placement unit 23.

[0052] In the beverage supply device 10 configured as described above, the control device 80 includes cleaning means for cleaning the inside of the mixing container 33 by stirring the raw water in the mixing container 33 with the stirring device 34 and discharging the raw water used for this cleaning to the placement unit 23 through the beverage guide 40, thereby cleaning the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40. The cleaning means includes first cleaning means for cleaning the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 using hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50 as the raw water for cleaning, and second cleaning means for cleaning the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 using hot water having a lower temperature than the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50 by mixing the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 50 and the water supplied from the water supply unit 60 as the raw water for cleaning.

[0053] In this beverage supply device 10, when an operation signal for executing the cleaning means is input from the cleaning button 77 of the second operation panel 76, the control device 80 controls to execute the first cleaning means, and when a preset set time (set time) in the operation mode is reached, it controls to execute the second cleaning means. When the control device 80 executes the first cleaning means based on the pressing operation of the cleaning button 77 of the second operation panel 76 by the user, the user will know in advance that the hot water used for cleaning will be discharged to the placement part 23 by his own operation. Therefore, even if the hot water at a high temperature supplied from the hot water supply part 50 washes the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 by the first cleaning means and then is discharged to the placement part 23, there is little risk that the user will touch the hot water at a high temperature discharged to the placement part 23 with his hand or the like.

[0054] On the other hand, when the control device 80 automatically executes the second cleaning means when the preset set time is reached without the user's operation, the user will not know in advance that the hot water used for cleaning will be discharged to the placement part 23, and there is a risk that the user will touch the hot water discharged to the placement part 23. When the control device 80 automatically executes the second cleaning means when the set time is reached, after supplying hot water from the hot water supply part 50 into the mixing container 33, water is supplied from the water supply part 60, and the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 are washed with hot water at a lower temperature than the hot water supplied from the hot water supply part 50. Thereby, even if the user touches the hot water discharged to the placement part 23 after washing the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40, the hot water discharged to the placement part 23 is hot water at a low temperature to which the cold water supplied from the water supply part 60 is added, so the safety is high, and the user can be prevented from touching the hot water at a high temperature supplied from the hot water supply part 50 as when the first cleaning means is executed. In this way, when cleaning by the user's operation, the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 are washed with hot water at a high temperature, and when automatically cleaning at the set time without the user's operation, the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 are washed with hot water at a low temperature. Therefore, while preventing the user from touching the hot water at a high temperature, the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 can be washed with a high cleaning power by the hot water at a high temperature.

[0055] Further, in this beverage supply device 10, the control device 80 can be set to an operation mode in which the beverage supply means can be executed and a non-operation mode in which the beverage supply means cannot be executed. The control device 80 controls the first cleaning means to be executed at the timing before and after the start of the execution of the operation mode, i.e., at the start of the execution of the operation mode, and at the timing before and after the end of the execution of the operation mode, i.e., at the start of the non-operation mode after the end of the execution. The timings before and after the start of the execution of the operation mode and before and after the end of the execution are timings that are less likely to be used by the user. By automatically executing the first cleaning means of the cleaning means by the control device 80, even if hot water is supplied from the hot water supply unit 50 into the mixing container 33 to clean the inside of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 with the hot water, the possibility that the user touches the hot water discharged to the placement unit 23 is low. Thereby, while preventing the user from touching the hot water at a high temperature, the cleaning function of the mixing container 33 and the beverage guide 40 can be enhanced.

[0056] In the beverage supply device 10 of this embodiment, the control is made to execute the second cleaning means when a preset set time is reached. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control may be made to execute the second cleaning means when a preset set number of times of beverage supply is reached. Even in this case, the user does not know in advance that the hot water used for cleaning is discharged to the placement unit 23, and there is a risk that the user may touch the hot water discharged to the placement unit 23. However, since the hot water discharged to the placement unit 23 is hot water at a low temperature to which water supplied from the water supply unit 60 is added, the safety is high, and it is possible to prevent the user from touching the hot water at a high temperature from the hot water supply unit 50 as in the case where the user executes the first cleaning means.

[0057] In the beverage supply device 10 of this embodiment, the first cleaning means is controlled to be executed at the timing before and after the start of the operation mode execution, at the timing before and after the end of the execution, and at the start of the non-operation mode after the end. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first cleaning means may be executed at the timing before and after the start of the operation mode execution or at the timing before and after the end of the execution. Further, as the timing before and after the start of the operation mode execution, the first cleaning means may be executed within a short time after the start of the operation mode (for example, within 5 to 10 minutes), or within a short time before the end including the end or immediately before the end of the non-operation mode before the start of the operation mode (for example, within 5 to 10 minutes). Similarly, as the timing before and after the end of the operation mode execution, the first cleaning means may be executed within a short time before the end of the operation mode (for example, within 5 to 10 minutes), or within a short time after the start including immediately after the start of the non-operation mode after the end of the operation mode (for example, within 5 to 10 minutes).

[0058] 10... Beverage supply device, 23... Mounting part, 33... Mixing container, 34... Stirring device, 40... Guide member (beverage guide), 50... Hot water supply part, raw water supply part, 60... Water supply part, raw water supply part, 77... Operation part (second operation panel), 80... Control device.

Claims

1. A raw water supply unit for supplying raw water for beverages, A powder raw material supply unit for supplying powder raw materials for beverages, A mixing container for mixing the raw water supplied from the raw water supply unit and the powder raw materials supplied from the powder raw material supply unit, A stirring device for stirring and mixing the raw water and the powder raw materials in the mixing container, A placement unit for placing a drinking container for receiving the beverage generated in the mixing container, A guiding member for guiding the beverage generated in the mixing container to the placement unit, A beverage supply means for supplying raw water from the raw water supply unit and powder raw materials from the powder raw material supply unit into the mixing container, stirring and mixing the raw water and the powder raw materials in the mixing container by the stirring device, and guiding and supplying the generated beverage to the drinking container on the placement unit by the guiding member; and a cleaning means for supplying raw water from the raw water supply unit into the mixing container, stirring the raw water in the mixing container by the stirring device to clean the inside of the mixing container, and discharging the raw water used for this cleaning to the placement unit through the guiding member to clean the mixing container and the guiding member, and a control device comprising: A beverage supply device comprising an operation unit for outputting an operation signal for causing the control device to execute the beverage supply means and the cleaning means, The raw water supply unit includes a hot water supply unit for supplying hot water as raw water for beverages and a water supply unit for supplying water as raw water for beverages, The cleaning means includes a first cleaning means for cleaning the inside of the mixing container and the guiding member using hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit as the raw water used for cleaning, and a second cleaning means for mixing hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit and water supplied from the water supply unit as the raw water used for cleaning and using hot water having a lower temperature than the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit to clean the inside of the mixing container and the guiding member, The control device is characterized in that when an operation signal for causing the cleaning means to execute is input from the operation unit, it controls to execute the first cleaning means, and when a preset setting time or a preset number of set supply times of beverages is reached, it controls to execute the second cleaning means.

2. In the beverage supply device according to Claim 1, The control device can be set to an operating mode in which the beverage supply means can be executed and a non-operating mode in which the beverage supply means cannot be executed. A beverage supply device characterized in that control is performed so as to execute the first cleaning means at at least one of the timings before and after the start of execution of the operation mode and the timings before and after the end of execution.

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