Beverage supply device

Abstract

To facilitate replacement of a display label displaying a type of a supplied beverage, and to improve an appearance of a front face of a housing.SOLUTION: A beverage supply device 10 comprises: a beverage supply part 30 that allows a plurality of types of beverages to be supplied in a housing 11; a placing part 23 on which a container is placed for receiving the beverage supplied from the beverage supply part 30 at a front face part of the housing 11; and supply operation parts 62, 63 that output an operation signal for making one beverage selected from among a plurality of types to be supplied from the beverage supply part 30 to the container placed on the placing part, at the front face part of the housing 11. A display panel 61 having translucency for holding a display label L displaying the supplied beverage on a back face is attachably / detachably provided in a position adjacent to the supply operation parts 62, 63 of the front face part of the housing 11. A rib 61a is formed on the back face of the display panel 61 so as to protrude backwards. An insert and holding part 61e into which an end part of the display label L is inserted for holding the display label L is provided in the rib 61a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

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 an operation input 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, four operation buttons for dispensing cold beverages are arranged vertically on the left side of the center on the front of the housing, and four operation buttons for dispensing hot beverages are arranged vertically on the right side of the center. The operation buttons for dispensing cold and hot beverages arranged on the left and right are positioned at the same height so that the same type of beverage is dispensed.

[0005] In this type of beverage dispenser, a display label indicating the type of beverage dispensed by each of the left and right operation buttons is attached to the center of the front of the housing in the horizontal direction. When changing the type of beverage dispensed in the beverage dispenser, the display label must be peeled off from the front of the housing and a new display label must be attached. In this case, the work of peeling off the display label is cumbersome, and there is a risk that adhesive from the display label will remain on the front of the housing, causing stains. The present invention aims to make it easier to replace the display label indicating the type of beverage dispensed in a beverage dispenser and to improve the appearance of the front of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] 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 mounting unit provided at the front of the housing for placing a container that receives the beverage supplied from the beverage supply unit, and a supply operation unit provided at the front of the housing for outputting an operation signal to cause the beverage supply unit to supply one beverage selected from the multiple types to the container placed on the mounting unit, wherein a translucent display panel is detachably provided at a position adjacent to the supply operation unit at the front of the housing for holding on its back surface a display label that indicates the beverage to be supplied, and ribs extending longitudinally and protruding rearward are formed on both ends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction on the back surface of the display panel, and the ribs are provided on the The display panel includes a locking projection that projects inward, and a hole formed in the display panel at a position opposite the locking projection. An insert holding portion is provided for inserting the end of the display label and holding the display label. The insertion holding portions are provided at positions facing the upper and lower portions of the display label and spaced apart from each other. The present invention provides a beverage supply device characterized by the above.

[0007] In the beverage dispenser configured as described above, a translucent display panel is detachably provided at a position adjacent to the dispensing operation unit on the front part of the housing for holding a display label on the back surface thereof that displays the beverage to be dispensed, and ribs extending in the longitudinal direction are formed on the back surface of the display panel at both ends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction so as to protrude rearward, and the ribs The display panel includes a locking projection that projects inward, and a hole formed in the display panel at a position opposite the locking projection. An insert holding portion into which the end of the display label is inserted to hold the display label The insertion holding portions are provided at positions facing the upper and lower portions of the display label and spaced apart from each other. The rear surface of the display panel has ribs that extend in the longitudinal direction and protrude rearward from both ends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, which prevents the display panel from warping in the longitudinal direction. This makes it less likely that the appearance of the front surface of the housing will be impaired by deformation of the display panel.

[0008] Furthermore, when replacing the display label to change the type of beverage, the display panel is removed from the front of the housing, the old label is removed from the display panel, and the edges of the new label are held in the insertion and holding portions provided on the ribs at both ends of the back surface of the display panel in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the display panel is then attached to the front of the housing. In this way, simply inserting and holding both ends of the display label into the insertion and holding portions of the display panel makes replacing the display label hassle-free. Furthermore, because the display label is sandwiched between the display panel and the front of the housing, it is less likely to slip off the back side of the display panel.

[0009] In the beverage dispenser configured as described above, it is preferable that the front surface of the housing has a fitting recess into which the display panel is fitted, an engagement protrusion is formed at one longitudinal end of the display panel, an engagement recess into which the engagement protrusion is engaged is formed at one longitudinal end of the fitting recess, and a fixing member is provided on the front surface of the housing for fixing the other longitudinal end of the display panel. In this configuration, the display panel can be attached to the front surface of the housing by engaging the engagement protrusion at one longitudinal end of the display panel with the engagement recess of the fitting recess of the housing and fixing the other longitudinal end of the display panel to the front surface of the housing with the fixing member. Furthermore, the display panel can be removed from the front surface of the housing by removing the other longitudinal end of the display panel from its fixed state with the fixing member and disengaging the engagement protrusion of the display panel from the engagement recess of the fitting recess. This facilitates the removal and installation of the display panel when replacing the display label. [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 partially enlarged exploded perspective view showing a display panel and a fixing member removed from the front panel. [Figure 8] 1A is a perspective view of the display panel as seen from the front side, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the display panel as seen from the rear side. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line CC. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device. 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. In addition, contact-type supply operation units 62A to 62E (non-contact-type supply operation units 63A to 63E) and contact-type supply operation units 62F to 62J (non-contact-type supply operation units 63F to 63J) for supplying the same beverage at different temperatures (cold and hot) are arranged side by side at the same height.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 7, a generally rectangular fitting recess 60a extending vertically is formed in the center of the left-right direction of the operation panel unit 60, and a display panel 61 is removably attached to the fitting recess 60a. The display panel 61 is made of a translucent polycarbonate resin plate so that the beverage display labels L (L1 to L5) provided on the back side can be displayed, and extends vertically like the fitting recess 60a. The front surface of the display panel 61 attached within the fitting recess 60a is flush with the front surface of the operation panel unit 60.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 8, ribs 61a extending in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) are formed on the back surface of the display panel 61 at both left and right ends (both ends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) and protrude rearward. The ribs 61a function to prevent the display panel 61 from warping forward and backward. Five display label recesses 61b for arranging display labels L are formed between the left and right ribs 61a on the back surface of the display panel 61, and the five display label recesses 61b are arranged vertically at heights corresponding to the contact-type operation input units 62A to 62E, 62F to 62J and non-contact-type operation input units 63A to 63E, 63F to 63J. Display labels L (L1 to L5) for indicating the type of beverage can be attached to the five display label recesses 61b. The display labels L1, L2,...L5 arranged vertically in the five display label recesses 61b indicate the type of beverage to be dispensed when the contact type operation input units 62A, 62B,...62E, 62F, 62G,...62J and the non-contact type operation input units 63A, 63B,...63E, 63F, 63G,...63J are operated. The display labels L are made of flexible laminated paper, thin resin sheets, etc.

[0031] 8 and 9, the ribs 61a on both the left and right sides have locking protrusions 61c formed at the top and bottom of the display label recesses 61b, which protrude inward. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the display panel 61 has holes 61d formed in positions facing the locking protrusions 61c, and the ribs 61a have insertion holding portions 61e formed between the locking protrusions 61c and the holes 61d, into which the left and right upper and lower end portions of the display label L are inserted to hold the display label L. The left and right upper and lower end portions of the display label L placed in the display label recesses 61b are inserted into these insertion holding portions 61e and held by the display panel 61.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, an engagement protrusion 61f protruding obliquely upward and rearward is formed at the upper end (one longitudinal end) of the display panel 61, and an engagement recess 60b into which the engagement protrusion 61f engages is formed at the upper end (one longitudinal end) of the fitting recess 60a. The engagement protrusion 61f engages with the engagement recess 60b of the fitting recess 60a, thereby restricting the upper portion of the display panel 61 from moving forward, and the display panel 61 is attached to the fitting recess 60a. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a tongue 61g protruding downward is formed at the lower end (the other longitudinal end) of the display panel 61. A rearward-protruding engagement protrusion 61h is formed at the base end of the back surface of the tongue 61g, and an engagement recess 60c is formed at the lower portion of the fitting recess 60a, which engages with the engagement protrusion 61h. The engagement protrusion 61h engages with the engagement recess 60c, restricting the up-and-down movement of the display panel 61.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 , the front panel 13 is provided with a mounting recess 13b recessed rearward below the tongue 61g on the underside of the operation panel 60. The mounting recess 13b is provided with a fixing member 64 for fixing the lower portion of the display panel 61 to the operation panel 60. The mounting recess 13b is provided with an insertion hole 13c through which a screw is inserted, and a protrusion 13d protruding forward is formed below the insertion hole 13c. The fixing member 64 includes a cover 64a that covers the front side of the mounting recess 13b, and a block-shaped mounting portion 64b that protrudes rearward from the center of the cover 64a toward the mounting recess 13b. The rear surface of the mounting portion 64b is provided with a threaded portion 64c with an internal thread, and an engagement hole 64d below the threaded portion 64c into which the protrusion 13d engages.

[0034] With the mounting portion 64b of the fixing member 64 inserted into the mounting recess 13b, the protrusion 13d in the mounting recess 13b engages with the engagement hole 64d of the mounting portion 64b, and a mounting screw 64e inserted through the insertion hole 13c from the rear side of the front panel 13 is screwed into the threaded portion 64c, thereby fixing the fixing member 64 to the front panel 13. With the fixing member 64 fixed to the front panel 13, the cover portion 64a of the fixing member 64 is positioned in front of the tongue portion 61g of the display panel 61 to restrict forward and downward movement of the display panel 61. The fixing member 64 is positioned above the mounting portion 23 and has a different color scheme from the front panel 13 including the operation panel portion 60, so that it also functions as a marker to guide the mounting portion 23 to which the beverage is to be dispensed.

[0035] As shown in Figure 11, 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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).

[0041] When an operation signal is input to the control device 70 by pressing one of the contact-type supply operation units 62F-62I, or an operation signal is input 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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 types (plural types) of beverages, a mounting 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 (62A to 62J), 63 (63A to 63J) provided on the front panel (front part) 13 of the housing 11 for outputting an operation signal to cause the beverage supply unit 30 to supply one beverage selected from the five types (plural types) to a container placed on the mounting unit 23.

[0044] A translucent display panel 61 for holding a display label L (L1-L5) indicating the beverage to be dispensed on its back surface is removably attached to a position adjacent to the dispensing operation units 62 (62A-62J), 63 (63A-63J) on the front panel 13 of the housing 11. Ribs 61a extending in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) are formed on the back surface of the display panel 61 at both left and right ends (both ends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, i.e., the vertical direction) and protrude rearward, thereby preventing the display panel 61 from warping in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction). This makes it less likely that the appearance of the front surface of the housing 11 will be impaired by deformation of the display panel 61.

[0045] When replacing the display label L to change the type of beverage dispensed by the beverage dispenser 10, the display panel 61 is removed from the front panel 13 of the housing 11, the old display label L is then removed from the display panel 61, and both left and right ends of the new display label L are inserted and held in the insertion and holding portions 61e provided on the ribs 61a at both ends in the left-right direction (the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) on the back surface of the display panel 61, and the display panel 61 is then attached to the front panel 13 of the housing 11. In this way, since it is only necessary to insert and hold both left and right ends of the display label L in the insertion and holding portions 61e provided on the ribs 61a of the display panel 61, the replacement of the display label L is not troublesome. Furthermore, because the display label L is sandwiched between the display panel 61 and the front panel 13 of the housing 11, the display label L is less likely to slip behind the display panel 61.

[0046] An operation panel section 60 of the front panel 13 is formed with a fitting recess 60a into which a display panel 61 is fitted, an engagement protrusion 61f is formed at the upper end (one longitudinal end) of the display panel 61, and an engagement recess 60b into which the engagement protrusion 61f is engaged is formed at the upper end (one longitudinal end) of the fitting recess 60a. A fixing member 64 for fixing a lower end (the other longitudinal end) of the display panel 61 is provided on the front panel 13. The display panel 61 can be easily attached to the front panel 13 by fixing the lower end of the display panel 61 to the front panel 13 with the fixing member 64 while the engagement protrusion 61f at the upper end of the display panel 61 is engaged with the engagement recess 60b of the fitting recess 60a. Furthermore, by removing the lower end of the display panel 61 from the state where it is fixed by the fixing member 64 and disengaging the engaging protrusion 61f of the display panel 61 from the engaging recess 60b of the fitting recess 60a, the display panel 61 can be removed from the front panel 13 of the housing 11. This makes it easy to remove and attach the display panel 61 when replacing the display label L.

[0047] Although the display panel 61 extends vertically as its longitudinal direction, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display panel 61 may extend so that the longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. In this case, ribs 61a extending in the left-right direction may be formed on the back surface of the display panel 61 at both upper and lower ends as ends perpendicular to the left-right direction, protruding rearward. In this case, an engaging protrusion 61f may be formed at one left-right end of the display panel 61, an engaging recess 60b into which the engaging protrusion 61f engages may be formed at one left-right end of the fitting recess 60a extending in the left-right direction, and a fixing member 64 may be provided at the other left-right end.

[0048] 10...beverage supply device, 11...housing, 23...placement portion, 30...beverage supply portion, 60a...fitting recess, 60b...engagement recess, 61...display panel, 61a...rib, 61e...insertion holding portion, 61f...engagement protrusion, 62...supply operation portion (contact type supply operation portion), 63...supply operation portion (non-contact type supply operation portion), 64...fixing member, L...display label.

Claims

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 to a container placed on the placement unit, a translucent display panel for holding a display label indicating the beverage to be dispensed on its back surface, the display panel being detachably provided at a position adjacent to the dispensing operation unit on the front surface of the housing; ribs extending in the longitudinal direction are formed on the rear surface of the display panel at both ends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and protruding rearward; A beverage supply device characterized in that the rib is composed of a locking protrusion that protrudes inward and a hole formed in a position opposite the locking protrusion on the display panel, and an insertion holding portion is provided into which the end of the display label is inserted to hold the display label, and the insertion holding portion is provided in positions opposite the upper and lower parts of the display label and spaced apart from each other.

2. The beverage supply device according to claim 1, a fitting recess into which the display panel is fitted is formed on a front surface of the housing; an engaging protrusion is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the display panel, and an engaging recess is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the fitting recess, into which the engaging protrusion is engaged; A beverage supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing member provided on the front surface of said housing for fixing the other longitudinal end of said display panel.

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