Beverage supply device

Abstract

To provide a beverage feeding apparatus configured so that various users can easily perform operation of feeding beverages.SOLUTION: A beverage feeding apparatus 10 comprises: a beverage feeding part 30, provided in a housing 11, which can feed a plurality of kinds of beverages; a placement part 23, provided at a front part of the housing 11, on which a container for receiving beverages fed from the beverage feeding part 30 is placed; and feeding operation parts 62 and 63, provided at a front surface part of the housing 11, which perform operation of making the beverage feeding part 30 feed the beverage selected from the plurality of kinds of beverages. The feeding operation parts 62 and 63 comprise a plurality of contact-type feeding operation parts 62 that operates in contact manner so as to make the beverage feeding part 30 feed one beverage selected from the plurality of kinds of beverages, and a plurality of non-contact type feeding operations parts 63 that operates the beverage feeding part 30 in a non-contact manner to feed one beverage selected from the plurality of kinds of beverages, where the contact-type feeding operation part 62 and the non-contact type feeding operation part 63 which perform operation of feeding the same beverage are arranged in parallel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an invention for a beverage dispenser. This beverage dispenser includes a beverage supply unit provided within a housing and capable of supplying four types of beverages, including cold (hot) water, a mounting unit provided at the front of the housing for placing a container such as a cup to receive the beverage supplied from the beverage supply unit, and a supply operation unit provided at the front of the housing for operating the beverage supply unit to supply one of the four types of beverage. The beverage supply unit is capable of supplying the four types of beverages as hot or cold beverages, and the supply operation unit has eight operation buttons on the front of the housing as the supply operation unit for dispensing the four types of beverages as hot or cold beverages. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-148593 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the beverage dispenser of Patent Document 1, the operation button for dispensing beverages is a push-button type dispensing operation unit, so an unspecified number of users press the operation button. In recent years, users have become more hygienic, and an increasing number of users are reluctant to touch operation buttons that have been touched by other users. Furthermore, the operation button turns on a built-in switch element, and if the operation button is pressed with too much pressure or the operation button is pressed too many times, the built-in switch element of the operation button may break down, which could prevent the beverage from being dispensed.

[0005] For this reason, in this type of beverage dispenser, it has been considered to provide a dispensing operation unit using a non-contact sensor on the front part of the housing. In this case, if a dispensing operation unit using a non-contact sensor is provided instead of a contact-type operation button, users who are accustomed to operating push-button type operation buttons may feel uncomfortable. In contrast, by providing both a push-button type operation button and a dispensing operation unit using a non-contact sensor, it is possible to meet the needs of users who are accustomed to the previous push-button type operation buttons and users who do not want to touch operation buttons that have been touched by other users.

[0006] However, in order to dispense four types of beverages as hot or cold beverages, as in the beverage dispenser described above, eight operation buttons as a contact-type dispensing operation unit and eight non-contact sensors as a non-contact-type dispensing operation unit must be arranged on the front part of the housing. In this case, depending on the arrangement of the eight operation buttons and eight non-contact sensors on the front part of the housing, it may be difficult for a user to find the operation button or non-contact sensor for dispensing the desired beverage. Furthermore, when multiple non-contact sensors are arranged on the front part of the housing, there is a risk that a non-contact sensor intended to dispense an unintended beverage may be mistakenly detected. An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispenser that is easy for a variety of users to operate to dispense beverages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a beverage supply device comprising a beverage supply unit provided within a housing and capable of supplying multiple types of beverages, a placing unit provided at the front of the housing and on which a container is placed to receive the beverage supplied from the beverage supply unit, a supply operation unit provided at the front face of the housing and outputting an operation signal to cause the beverage supply unit to supply one beverage selected from the multiple types, and a control device that controls the beverage supply unit to supply the beverage based on the operation signal output from the supply operation unit, wherein the supply operation unit comprises a plurality of contact-type supply operation units that, when operated by contact, output an operation signal to cause the beverage supply unit to supply one beverage selected from the multiple types, and a plurality of non-contact-type supply operation units that, when operated without contact, output an operation signal to cause the beverage supply unit to supply the beverage selected from the multiple types, and the contact-type supply operation units and non-contact-type supply operation units for supplying the same beverage are arranged side by side. The control device controls the beverage supply unit not to supply a beverage when operation signals are input simultaneously from two or more of the plurality of non-contact type supply operation units. The present invention provides a beverage supply device characterized by the above.

[0008] In the beverage supply device configured as described above, the supply operation unit includes a plurality of contact-type supply operation units that output an operation signal to cause the beverage supply unit to supply one beverage selected from a plurality of types when operated by contact, and a plurality of non-contact-type supply operation units that output an operation signal to cause the beverage supply unit to supply a beverage selected from a plurality of types when operated without contact, and the contact-type supply operation units and the non-contact-type supply operation units for supplying the same beverage are arranged side by side. The control device controls the beverage supply unit not to supply a beverage when operation signals are input simultaneously from two or more of the plurality of non-contact type supply operation units. When a user selects a desired beverage, a contact type supply operation unit and a non-contact type supply operation unit for supplying the same beverage are arranged side by side, making it easy for the user to find the contact type or non-contact type supply operation unit corresponding to the desired beverage and to easily operate the supply of the beverage using the contact type or non-contact type supply operation unit. In addition, the control device controls the beverage supply unit so that it does not supply a beverage when operation signals are input simultaneously from two or more of the multiple non-contact supply operation units.Therefore, when operating one of the multiple non-contact supply operation units, if an operation input is mistakenly made to another of the multiple non-contact supply operation units, no beverage will be supplied from the beverage supply unit, thereby preventing unintended supply of a beverage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a beverage supply device according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the state in which the front panel of FIG. 1 is removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line AA. [Figure 5] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a hot water supply section and a cold water supply section are connected to a raw water supply port formed in the base. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hot water supply section and a cold water supply section. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear side of the front panel. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged exploded perspective view of the non-contact supply operation unit and the bracket removed from the front panel in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are time charts showing when a beverage is dispensed in response to a detection signal from a non-contact dispensing operation unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of a beverage dispenser of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The beverage dispenser 10 of the present invention is also called a beverage dispenser, and is capable of dispensing five types of hot beverages, such as tea, including hot water, and five types of cold beverages, such as tea, including cold water, into a container such as a cup. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the beverage dispenser 10 includes a beverage preparation chamber 20 in the front part of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 11, which prepares the beverage by mixing powdered ingredients, such as tea, with hot water and / or cold water, and a machine chamber 21 in the rear part of the housing 11, with the interior of the housing 11 separated into the beverage preparation chamber 20 and the machine chamber 21 by a partition plate 22.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the housing 11 includes a housing main body 12 that is open at the front side, and a front panel 13 that closes the front opening of the housing main body 12. The front panel 13 is supported on the right side of the housing main body 12 so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an opening 13a is formed in the center of the lower part of the front panel 13 in the left-right direction, and a placing portion 23 on which a container such as a cup is placed is provided in the lower part of the beverage preparation chamber 20 at the position where the opening 13a is formed. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the placing portion 23 includes a receiving portion 24 on which a container such as a cup is placed, and a cover portion 25 that covers the upper side of the receiving portion 24. The receiving portion 24 is shaped like a drainboard so that beverage spilling from a container such as a cup can flow downward. A circular recess 24a is formed on the upper surface of the receiving base 24 as a marker for placing a container such as a cup, and this circular recess 24a is located directly below the beverage dispensing section 35a from which the beverage produced in the beverage supply section 30 is poured.

[0013] As shown in Figure 3, the beverage preparation chamber 20 is provided with a beverage supply unit 30 that supplies beverages into containers placed on the placement unit 23. In this embodiment, the beverage preparation chamber 20 is provided with four beverage supply units 30 for supplying hot or cold water and powdered ingredients for four types of hot or cold beverages other than hot or cold water. Since the four beverage supply units 30 other than the hot or cold water supply units 30 have substantially the same configuration, the following explanation will mainly be made using one beverage supply unit 30.

[0014] 3 and 4, the beverage supply unit 30 supplies a beverage to a container placed on the placing unit 23, and includes a beverage production unit 31 that produces a beverage from raw water consisting of hot and / or cold water (cold water) and powdered ingredients for the beverage, and a beverage guide 35 that guides the beverage produced in the beverage production unit 31 to the container on the placing unit 23. The beverage production unit 31 includes a powdered ingredient container 32 that stores the powdered ingredients for the beverage, a mixing container 33 that mixes the powdered ingredients for the beverage with the raw water, and an agitator 34 that agitates and mixes the powdered ingredients and the raw water in the mixing container 33.

[0015] The powdered raw material container 32 stores powdered raw materials for a powdered beverage such as tea, and is detachably attached to a base 14 provided in the beverage preparation chamber 20. A powdered raw material outlet 32a is provided at the bottom of the powdered raw material container 32, and the powdered raw materials are discharged from the outlet 32a into the mixing container 33. A screw 32b is provided at the bottom of the powdered raw material container 32, and the drive of a motor 32d is transmitted to the screw 32b via a coupling member 32c. When the screw 32b is rotated by the rotation of the motor 32d, the powdered raw materials in the powdered raw material container 32 are discharged from the outlet 32a into the mixing container 33.

[0016] As shown in Figure 4, the mixing container 33 stirs and mixes the powdered ingredients with raw water consisting of hot and / or cold water, and is detachably supported on a base 14 provided in the beverage preparation chamber 20. The mixing container 33 is open at the bottom of the powdered ingredient container 32, and the powdered ingredients discharged from the discharge outlet 32a of the powdered ingredient container 32 are carried into the mixing container 33. A discharge outlet 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 outlet 33a into a beverage guide 35 provided below.

[0017] 5, base 14 is provided with raw water supply port 14a for supplying raw water consisting of hot and / or cold water (cold water) into mixing container 33. Hot water supply unit 40 and cold water supply unit 50, which will be described later, are connected to raw water supply port 14a, and hot and / or cold water as raw water sent from hot water supply unit 40 and / or cold water supply unit 50 is supplied to mixing container 33 through raw water supply port 14a.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, the mixing vessel 33 is provided with an agitator 34. The agitator 34 includes an agitator motor 34a mounted on the base 14 at the rear of the mixing vessel 33, a rotating shaft 34d rotated by the agitator motor 34a, and a disk 34e attached to the tip of the rotating shaft 34d. A coupling magnet 34b is attached to the output shaft of the agitator motor 34a, and a coupling magnet 34c is attached to the base end of the rotating shaft 34d that faces the agitator motor 34a. The rotating shaft 34d is detachably coupled to the agitator motor 34a via the coupling magnets 34b and 34c, and the agitator 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 vessel 33, and a disk 34e is attached to the tip of the rotating shaft 34d above the discharge port 33a. A stirring blade 34f is provided on the underside of a disk portion 34e at the tip of the rotating shaft 34d, and the powdered ingredients and raw material water in the mixing container 33 are stirred and mixed by the rotation of the disk portion 34e to produce a beverage.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the beverage guide 35 guides the beverage produced in the beverage production unit 31 to a container placed on the mounting unit 23. The beverage guide 35 has a shallow box shape extending from below the discharge port 33a of the mixing container 33 to the center in the left-right direction at the front of the mounting unit 23, and is supported on the upper side of the cover part 25 of the mounting unit 23. The beverage guide 35 is provided with a cylindrical beverage extraction part 35a that extends downward above the center in the left-right direction at the front of the mounting unit 23, and the beverage discharged from the mixing container 33 to the beverage guide 35 is poured from the beverage extraction part 35a into the container on the mounting unit 23.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 6, hot water supply unit 40 supplies hot water as a raw material for a beverage to be received in a container such as a cup on mounting unit 23. Hot water supply unit 40 is provided with a hot water storage tank 41 that stores hot water as a raw material for a beverage, and a first water supply pipe 42 that is led out from a water supply source such as a tap is connected to hot water storage tank 41. First and second water supply valves 42a, 42b are installed in first water supply pipe 42, and water from the water supply source is supplied to hot water storage tank 41 by opening first and second water supply valves 42a, 42b.

[0021] The hot water storage tank 41 is provided with a heater 43 and a temperature sensor 44. The heater 43 heats the water (hot water) in the hot water storage tank 41 to generate hot water. The temperature sensor 44 detects the temperature of the water (hot water) in the hot water storage tank 41. The heater 43 is controlled to operate based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 44, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 is heated (kept warm) by the heater 43 to a temperature suitable for drinking. In addition, a water level sensor 45 is provided in the hot water storage tank 41, and the water level sensor 45 detects the water level in the hot water storage tank 41. The first and second water supply valves 42a, 42b are controlled to open and close based on the water level detected by the water level sensor 45, and the water (hot water) in the hot water storage tank 41 is maintained within a predetermined water level range.

[0022] A hot water supply pipe 46 is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 41, and a hot water supply pump 47 is installed in the hot water supply pipe 46. Hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 is sent to the hot water supply pipe 46 by the hot water supply pump 47. In addition, first to fifth hot water delivery valves 48a to 48e, each consisting of a three-way valve, are installed in the hot water supply pipe 46, and first to fifth hot water delivery pipes 49a to 49e are connected to the first to fifth hot water delivery valves 48a to 48e. The outlet end of the first hot water delivery pipe 49a is connected to the raw water supply port 14a of the left beverage supply unit 30, the outlet end of the second hot water delivery pipe 49b is connected to the raw water supply port 14a of the second beverage supply unit 30 from the left, the outlet end of the third hot water delivery pipe 49c is connected to the raw water supply port 14a of the third beverage supply unit 30 from the left (second from the right), and the outlet end of the fourth hot water delivery pipe 49d is connected to the raw water supply port 14a of the right beverage supply unit 30. The outlet end of the fifth hot water delivery pipe 49e is connected to the beverage pouring unit (not shown) of the beverage guide 35.

[0023] By operating the hot water supply pump 47 and opening any one of the first to fourth hot water delivery valves 48a to 48d, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 passes through the hot water delivery pipe 46 and the first to fourth hot water delivery pipes 49a to 49d corresponding to the opened first to fourth hot water delivery valves 48a to 48d, and is supplied into the mixing vessel 33. In addition, by operating the hot water supply pump 47 and opening the fifth hot water delivery valve 48e, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 passes through the hot water delivery pipe 46 and the fifth hot water delivery pipe 49e and is supplied to a container such as a cup placed on the placement portion 23.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 6, water supply unit 50 supplies cold water (water) that will be used as raw water for the beverage received in a container such as a cup on mounting unit 23. Water supply unit 50 is provided with cooling tank 51 for generating cold water that will be used as raw water for the beverage, and cooling tank 51 stores cooled water. Also, cooling tank 51 is provided with evaporator pipe 52 of a refrigeration device, and the cooled water in cooling tank 51 is cooled by the heat of vaporization of a refrigerant circulating through evaporator pipe 52 of the refrigeration device. Cooling tank 51 is provided with water cooling pipe 53 for cooling the water that will be used as raw water.

[0025] A second water supply pipe 54 extending from the first water supply pipe 42 immediately downstream of the first water supply valve 42a (between the first water supply valve 42a and the second water supply valve 42b) is connected to the water inlet end of the water cooling pipe 53, and water from a water supply source such as a city water supply is delivered to the water cooling pipe 53 in the cooling tank 51 through a part of the first water supply pipe 42 and the second water supply pipe 54. A water supply pipe 55 is connected to the water outlet end of the water cooling pipe 53, and cold water cooled by the water cooling pipe 53 is delivered to the water supply pipe 55. Four branch portions 55a to 55d are provided on the water supply pipe 55, and first to fifth cold water delivery valves 56a to 56e are installed in the pipe portions extending from the branch portions 55a to 55d and in the tip 55e of the water supply pipe 55. The first to fifth cold water delivery valves 56a to 56e are connected to the first to fifth cold water delivery pipes 57a to 57e, and the outlet ends of the first to fifth cold water delivery pipes 57a to 57e are connected to the middle parts of the first to fifth hot water delivery pipes 49a to 49e.

[0026] By opening the first water supply valve 42a and any one of the first to fourth cold water delivery valves 56a to 56d, water from the water supply source is sent through a part of the first water supply pipe 42 and the second water supply pipe 54 to the water cooling pipe 53 of the cooling tank 51, where it is cooled and becomes cold water. The cold water cooled in the water cooling pipe 53 in the cooling tank 51 is supplied into the mixing vessel 33 through the water delivery pipe 55, the first to fourth cold water delivery pipes 57a to 57d corresponding to the opened first to fourth cold water delivery valves 56a to 56d, and the first to fourth hot water delivery pipes 49a to 49d connected to correspond to the first to fourth cold water delivery pipes 57a to 57d. In addition, by opening the first water supply valve 42a and the fifth cold water delivery valve 56e, water from the water supply source is sent through part of the first water supply pipe 42 and the second water supply pipe 54 to the water cooling pipe 53 of the cooling tank 51, where it is cooled and becomes cold water, and the cold water cooled in the water cooling pipe 53 in the cooling tank 51 is supplied to a container such as a cup placed on the placement portion 23 through the water supply pipe 55, the fifth cold water delivery pipe 57e, and the fifth hot water delivery pipe 49e.

[0027] 1 and 2, an operation panel unit 60 for dispensing a beverage from the beverage supply unit 30 is provided above the opening 13a on the front surface of the front panel 13. A display panel 61 for displaying the type of beverage is provided in the center of the left-right direction of the operation panel unit 60, and a contact-type supply operation unit 62 and a non-contact-type supply operation unit 63 are provided adjacent to both the left and right sides of the display panel 61 of the operation panel unit 60 as supply operation units for operating to dispense a beverage from the beverage supply unit 30.

[0028] In this embodiment, five contact-type supply operation units 62A-62E for supplying five types of cold beverages are arranged vertically on the left side of display panel 61, and five non-contact-type supply operation units 63A-63E for supplying the same beverages as contact-type supply operation units 62A-62E are arranged to the left of contact-type supply operation units 62A-62E. Also, five contact-type supply operation units 62F-62J for supplying five types of hot beverages are arranged vertically on the right side of display panel 61, and five non-contact-type supply operation units 63F-63J for supplying the same beverages as contact-type supply operation units 62F-62J are arranged to the right of contact-type supply operation units 62F-62J.

[0029] The contact-type supply operation unit 62 is operated by pressing (contacting) it to supply a beverage from the beverage supply unit 30, and in this embodiment, a press-type operation button is used. The contact-type supply operation unit 62 includes five contact-type supply operation units 62A-62E for supplying five types of cold beverages, including cold water, and five contact-type supply operation units 62F-62J for supplying five types of hot beverages, including hot water. The contact-type supply operation units 62A-62E are arranged vertically on the left side of the display panel 61, and the contact-type supply operation units 62F-62J are arranged vertically on the right side of the display panel 61.

[0030] Contact-type supply operation units 62A-62E output operation signals for dispensing a corresponding type of cold beverage when pressed, and contact-type supply operation units 62F-62J output operation signals for dispensing a corresponding type of hot beverage when pressed. Each of contact-type supply operation units 62A-62E outputs an operation signal for dispensing the same type of beverage but at a different temperature from contact-type supply operation units 62F-62J located at the same height. In this embodiment, contact-type supply operation units 62A-62D output operation signals for dispensing a cold beverage containing powdered ingredients produced in each of four beverage supply units 30 arranged in order from the left in beverage production chamber 20, and contact-type supply operation unit 62E outputs an operation signal for dispensing cold water in beverage supply unit 30. The contact-type supply operation units 62F to 62I output operation signals to supply hot beverages containing powdered ingredients produced in each of the four beverage supply units 30 arranged in order from the left side in the beverage production chamber 20, and the contact-type supply operation unit 62J outputs an operation signal to supply hot water in the beverage supply unit 30.

[0031] The non-contact type supply operation unit 63 is operated in a non-contact manner to supply a beverage from the beverage supply unit 30, and in this embodiment, a non-contact type sensor is used to detect an object, such as a finger, in front of the unit. The non-contact type supply operation unit 63 uses a photosensor (a limited reflection type sensor, for example) as the non-contact sensor, and is equipped with a light-emitting element that emits light from the front of the casing 63a (shown in Figure 8) and a light-receiving element that receives light. The non-contact type supply operation unit 63 has a light-emitting axis of the light-emitting element and a light-receiving axis of the light-receiving element that intersect at the same angle, and detects an object within the range where the light-emitting axis and the light-receiving axis intersect. Note that the non-contact type supply operation unit 63 is not limited to a photosensor such as a limited reflection type sensor, and may use another sensor that detects an object, such as a finger, in front of the unit without contact.

[0032] Non-contact type dispensing operation unit 63 includes five non-contact type dispensing operation units 63A-63E for dispensing five types of cold beverages, including cold water, and five non-contact type dispensing operation units 63F-63J for dispensing five types of hot beverages, including hot water. Non-contact type dispensing operation units 63A-63F output a detection signal upon detecting an object, such as a finger, held in front of them as an operation signal for dispensing the type of cold beverage corresponding to non-contact type dispensing operation unit 63A-63F. Non-contact type dispensing operation units 63F-63J output a detection signal upon detecting an object, such as a finger, held in front of them as an operation signal for dispensing the type of hot beverage corresponding to non-contact type dispensing operation unit 63F-63J.

[0033] Contact-type supply operation units 62A-62E and non-contact-type supply operation units 63A-63E for supplying the same beverage are arranged side by side. In this embodiment, non-contact-type supply operation units 63A-63E are arranged 25 mm to the left of contact-type supply operation units 62A-62E so as not to erroneously detect an object such as a finger operating contact-type supply operation units 62A-62E.

[0034] Similarly, contact-type supply operation units 62F-62J and non-contact-type supply operation units 63F-63J for supplying the same beverage are arranged side by side. In this embodiment, non-contact-type supply operation units 63F-63J are arranged 25 mm to the right of contact-type supply operation units 62F-62J so as not to erroneously detect an object such as a finger operating contact-type supply operation units 62F-62J.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 7, non-contact supply operation units 63A to 63E are attached to the back surface of front panel 13 by a single bracket 64. Similarly, non-contact supply operation units 63F to 63J are attached to the back surface of front panel 13 by a single bracket 64. As shown in Fig. 8, mounting holes 63b are formed on both left-right sides of casing 63a of non-contact supply operation unit 63, and mounting protrusions 13c, which protrude rearward on both sides of sensor opening 13b of front panel 13, are inserted into mounting holes 63b.

[0036] 7 and 8, bracket 64 is made of a sheet metal member extending vertically, and the upper and lower parts of bracket 64 are fixed to the rear surface of front panel 13 with screws. As shown in FIG. 8, bracket 64 has openings 64a formed in it, the number of which corresponds to the number of non-contact supply operation units 63A to 63E (63F to 63J), and the rear parts of casings 63a of non-contact supply operation units 63 are inserted into openings 64a. In this way, non-contact supply operation units 63A to 63E (63F to 63J) are fixed to front panel 13 by bracket 64 with mounting protrusions 13c of front panel 13 inserted into left and right mounting holes 63b of casing 63a. Therefore, five non-contact supply operation units 63A to 63E (63F to 63J) are fixed to front panel 13 by one bracket 64.

[0037] As shown in Figure 9, the beverage supply device 10 is equipped with a control device 70 that controls the supply of beverages to containers placed on the placement section 23, and the control device 70 is connected to the beverage ingredient delivery motor 32d, the stirring motor 34a, the first and second water supply valves 42a, 42b, the heater 43, the temperature sensor 44, the water level sensor 45, the hot water pump 47, the first to fifth hot water delivery valves 48a to 48e, the first to fifth cold water delivery valves 56a to 56e, and the operation panel section 60.

[0038] The control device 70 is equipped with beverage supply means for supplying beverages produced in the beverage supply unit 30, including a cold beverage supply means for supplying a cold beverage using cold water (cold water) cooled in the cooling tank 51 in an amount corresponding to the capacity of a container such as a cup, a cold water supply means for supplying cold water cooled in the cooling tank 51 to a container such as a cup, a hot beverage supply means for supplying a hot beverage using hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 in an amount corresponding to the capacity of a container such as a cup, and a hot water supply means for supplying hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 to a container such as a cup.

[0039] When an operation signal is input to control device 70 when one of contact supply operation units 62A-62D is pressed down, or when an operation signal is input to control device 70 when one of non-contact supply operation units 63A-63D is pressed down with an object such as a finger, the control device 70 executes cold beverage supply means corresponding to contact supply operation unit 62A-62D or non-contact supply operation unit 63A-63D to supply a cold beverage from beverage supply unit 30. When an operation signal is input to control device 70 when contact supply operation unit 62E is pressed down, or when an operation signal is input to control device 70 when non-contact operation is performed by holding an object such as a finger, the control device 70 executes cold water supply means to supply cold water from beverage supply unit 30.

[0040] When an operation signal is input to control device 70 when one of contact supply operation units 62F-62I is pressed down, or when an operation signal is input when one of non-contact supply operation units 63F-63I is pressed down with an object such as a finger, the control device 70 executes hot beverage supply means corresponding to contact supply operation unit 62F-62I or non-contact supply operation unit 63F-63I to supply a hot beverage from beverage supply unit 30. When an operation signal is input to control device 70 when contact supply operation unit 62J is pressed down, or when an operation signal is input to control device 70 when non-contact operation is performed by holding an object such as a finger, the control device 70 executes hot water supply means to supply hot water from beverage supply unit 30.

[0041] Non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J detect an object such as a finger held in front of them and output a detection signal to control device 70 as an operation signal for dispensing a beverage. A detection signal detecting an object such as a finger not intended to operate a beverage in front of non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J is input to control device 70 as an operation signal for dispensing a beverage, which may result in control device 70 unintentionally dispensing a beverage from beverage dispenser 30. For this reason, as shown in Figure 10(a), control device 70 controls beverage dispenser 30 to dispense a beverage when an operation signal as a detection signal is input continuously for two seconds or more from non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J.

[0042] Furthermore, after an operation signal to dispense a beverage is input to control device 70 from non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J, there is a risk that an operation signal to dispense a beverage may be mistakenly input from non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J to control device 70 within an extremely short period of time after the non-contact operation, due to a finger or the like moving in front of operation panel unit 60 after the non-contact operation. For this reason, control device 70 controls beverage dispenser 30 not to dispense a beverage even if an operation signal is input from non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J within less than two seconds after operation signals are input from non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J consecutively for two seconds or more. Note that, as shown in FIG. 10(b), when an operation signal is input to control device 70 from non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J after two seconds or more have elapsed, control device 70 controls beverage dispenser 30 to dispense a beverage.

[0043] Furthermore, while an operation signal is being input to the control device 70 from one of the non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J within the above-mentioned two seconds, an operation signal may be input to the control device 70 from another one of the non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J. In this case, even if a beverage corresponding to one or another of the non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J is dispensed, an unintended beverage may be dispensed, and even if a beverage corresponding to another one of the non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J is dispensed, an unintended beverage may be dispensed. For this reason, as shown in Figure 10(c), when operation signals are input to the control device 70 simultaneously from two (or more) non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J, the control device 70 controls so that no beverage is dispensed from any of the beverage dispensers 30.

[0044] Next, the control of the cold beverage supply means, cold water supply means, hot beverage supply means, and hot water supply means will be described. When an operation signal is input to the control device 70 by pressing one of the contact supply operation units 62A-62D, or an operation signal is input by non-contact operation by holding an object such as a finger over the front of one of the non-contact supply operation units 63A-63D, the control device 70 executes the cold beverage supply means. By executing the cold beverage supply means, the control device 70 activates the beverage ingredient delivery motor 32d of the beverage supply unit 30 corresponding to the contact supply operation unit 62A-62D or non-contact supply operation unit 63A-63D, and opens the first water supply valve 42a and the first to fourth cold water delivery valves 56a-56d corresponding to the contact supply operation units 62A-62D or non-contact supply operation units 63A-63D. The powdered ingredients in the powdered ingredient container 32 are transferred into the mixing container 33, and the cold water cooled in the cooling tank 51 is supplied into the mixing container 33. In addition, by operating the stirring motor 34a of the stirring device 34, the powdered ingredients of the beverage and the cold water supplied into the mixing container 33 are stirred and mixed to become a cold beverage, and the produced cold beverage is poured through the beverage guide 35 into a container such as a cup on the mounting part 23, and the cold beverage is supplied to the user.

[0045] When an operation signal is input to the control device 70 by pressing the contact-type supply operation unit 62E or by holding an object such as a finger over the front of the non-contact-type supply operation unit 63E, the control device 70 executes the cold water supply means. By executing the cold water supply means step, the control device 70 opens the first water supply valve 42a and the fifth cold water delivery valve 56e for a time period corresponding to the container. The cold water cooled in the cooling tank 51 is poured into a container such as a cup on the mounting unit 23, and the user is provided with cold water (cold drink).

[0046] When an operation signal is input to the control device 70 by pressing one of the contact-type supply operation units 62F-62I, or by non-contact operation by holding an object such as a finger over the front side of one of the non-contact-type supply operation units 63F-63I, the control device 70 executes the hot beverage supply means. By executing the hot beverage supply means, the control device 70 activates the beverage ingredient delivery motor 32d of the beverage supply unit 30 corresponding to the contact-type supply operation unit 62F-62I or the non-contact-type supply operation unit 63F-63I, operates the hot water pump 47, and opens the first to fourth hot water delivery valves 48a-48d corresponding to the contact-type supply operation unit 62F-62I or the non-contact-type supply operation unit 63F-63I. The powdered ingredients in the powdered ingredient container 32 are delivered to the mixing container 33, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 is supplied to the mixing container 33. In addition, by operating the stirring motor 34a of the stirring device 34, the powdered ingredients of the beverage and the hot water supplied into the mixing container 33 are stirred and mixed to become a hot beverage, and the resulting hot beverage is poured through the beverage guide 35 into a container such as a cup on the placing section 23, and the hot beverage is supplied to the user.

[0047] When an operation signal is input to the control device 70 by pressing the contact supply operation unit 62J or by a non-contact operation by holding an object such as a finger over the front side of the non-contact supply operation unit 63J, the control device 70 executes the hot water supply means. By executing the hot water supply means, the control device 70 operates the hot water pump 47 for a time period according to the container and opens the fifth hot water delivery valve 48e. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 41 is poured into a container such as a cup on the placement unit 23, and the hot water (hot drink) is supplied to the user.

[0048] The beverage supply device 10 configured as described above comprises a beverage supply unit 30 provided within the housing 11 and capable of supplying five (multiple) types of beverages, a placing unit 23 provided at the front of the housing 11 for placing a container to receive the beverage supplied from the beverage supply unit 30, and supply operation units 62, 63 for operating an operation panel unit 60 provided at the front of the housing 11 to cause the beverage supply unit 30 to supply a hot or cold beverage selected from five (multiple) types.

[0049] The supply operation units 62, 63 include five (plural) contact-type supply operation units 62A-62E that are operated by contact to select one cold beverage from five (plural) types of cold beverages and supply it from the beverage supply unit 30, and five (plural) non-contact-type supply operation units 63A-63E that are operated without contact to select one cold beverage from five (plural) types of cold beverages and supply it from the beverage supply unit 30. Similarly, the supply operation units 62, 63 include five (plural) contact-type supply operation units 62F-62J that are operated by contact to select one hot beverage from five (plural) types of hot beverages and supply it from the beverage supply unit 30, and five (plural) non-contact-type supply operation units 63F-63J that are operated without contact to select one hot beverage from five (plural) types of hot beverages and supply it from the beverage supply unit.

[0050] In this beverage dispenser 10, contact-type supply operation units 62A-62E and non-contact-type supply operation units 63A-63E for dispensing the same cold beverage are arranged side by side. Similarly, contact-type supply operation units 62F-62J and non-contact-type supply operation units 63F-63J for dispensing the same hot beverage are arranged side by side. When a user selects and dispenses a desired beverage, they select one of contact-type supply operation units 62A-62J and non-contact-type supply operation units 63A-63J arranged side by side, making it easy to find the contact-type supply operation unit 62A-62J or non-contact-type supply operation unit 63A-63J for the selected beverage. Furthermore, since a beverage is supplied by operating one of contact-type supply operation units 62A-62J and non-contact-type supply operation units 63A-63J during a supply operation, even if a malfunction occurs in one of contact-type supply operation units 62A-62J and non-contact-type supply operation units 63A-63J, the other can be used to perform the supply operation, making it unlikely that a malfunction in a supply operation unit will prevent the beverage from being supplied. Furthermore, operating non-contact-type supply operation units 63A-63J in a non-contact manner reduces the number of pressing operations (contact operations) of contact-type supply operation units 62A-62J, thereby extending the lifespan of contact-type supply operation units 62A-62J as components.

[0051] Furthermore, when operation signals are input simultaneously from two or more of the non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J, the control device 70 controls so that a beverage is not supplied from the beverage supply unit 30. As a result, even if an operation signal from another of the non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J is mistakenly input to the control device 70 when a supply operation is performed from one of the non-contact type supply operation units 63A-63J, no beverage is supplied from the beverage supply unit 30, thereby preventing unintended supply of a beverage.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the contact-type supply operation units 62A to 62J and the non-contact-type supply operation units 63A to 63J for supplying the same beverage are arranged side by side on the left and right, but this is not limited to this, and the contact-type supply operation units 62A to 62J and the non-contact-type supply operation units 63A to 63J for supplying the same beverage may be arranged side by side on the top and bottom.

[0053] 10...beverage supply device, 11...housing, 23...placement portion, 30...beverage supply portion, 62 (62A to 62J)...contact type supply operation portion, 63 (63A to 63J)...non-contact type supply operation portion, 70...control device.

Claims

[Claim 1] a beverage supply unit provided in the housing and capable of supplying a plurality of types of beverages; a placing portion provided at a front portion of the housing for placing a container for receiving a beverage supplied from the beverage supply portion; a supply operation unit provided on a front surface of the housing and configured to output an operation signal for causing the beverage supply unit to supply one beverage selected from the plurality of types; a control device that controls the beverage supply unit to supply a beverage based on an operation signal output from the supply operation unit, The supply operation unit includes a plurality of contact-type supply operation units that, when operated by contact, output an operation signal to cause the beverage supply unit to supply one beverage selected from the plurality of types, and a plurality of non-contact-type supply operation units that, when operated without contact, output an operation signal to cause the beverage supply unit to supply one beverage selected from the plurality of types, The contact-type supply operation unit and the non-contact-type supply operation unit for supplying the same beverage are arranged side by side, A beverage supply device characterized in that the control device controls the beverage supply unit not to supply a beverage when the operation signal is input simultaneously from two or more of the multiple non-contact supply operation units.

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