Beverage refill system and beverage refill method

Abstract

To provide a beverage refilling system capable of refilling a beverage to a small bottle without coming into contact with air, from a bottle stopper opening step to a cap installing step.SOLUTION: A beverage refilling system 1 comprises: a stopper opening device 20 that opens a cork stopper while injecting inactive gas into a bottle; a beverage filling device 30 that stands the bottle with a blocked spout, injects the inactive gas into the bottle, and injects the inactive gas into the small bottle while filling the beverage poured out from the bottle into the small bottle; and a cap installation device 40 that blocks the spout of the small bottle by a gas injection slot, injects the inactive gas into the cap and the spout of the small bottle to exhaust the air remaining inside the cap and the spout of the small bottle, then retreats the gas injection slot from the spout of the small bottle and installs the cap on the spout of the small bottle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage refill system and a beverage refill method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for services that dispense small amounts of bottled beverages, such as wine, into small bottles. The process of dispensing small amounts of bottled wine into small bottles is typically performed by workers, but to achieve efficient operations, there is a need to reduce the amount of manual work required as much as possible and automate the process.

[0003] When transferring wine from a bottle into a small bottle, it is important to prevent the wine from coming into contact with air to prevent deterioration of quality and flavor. A conventional dispensing system has been proposed that, when wine is poured from a bottle, prevents the wine remaining in the bottle from coming into contact with air by injecting an inert gas through a needle pierced into the wine cork, and then using the gas pressure to dispense the wine from the bottle (see Patent Document 1). Another proposed wine server is one that is configured to attach a stopper equipped with an air injection tube and a wine dispensing tube to the bottle neck, inflate the air from the air injection tube, and dispense wine equivalent to the amount of expansion from the wine dispensing tube (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3236558 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-334798 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The steps in the process of transferring wine from a bottle into a small bottle include, for example, uncorking the bottle, filling the small bottle with wine, attaching a cap to the small bottle, fastening the cap, and cleaning. Of these steps, the steps of uncorking the bottle, filling the bottle with wine, and attaching the cap are considered to be steps in which the wine is likely to come into contact with air. The technology described in the above patent document aims to prevent the wine remaining in the bottle from coming into contact with air when pouring the wine from the bottle, but does not take into consideration preventing the wine poured from the bottle from coming into contact with air when transferring wine from the bottle into a small bottle.

[0006] Therefore, even if the technology described in the above patent documents is applied to the process of transferring bottled wine into small bottles, measures will be required to prevent the wine from coming into contact with air during the processes of uncorking the bottle, filling the wine, and attaching the cap, such as having workers spray inert gas into spaces where the wine is likely to come into contact with air, or having workers work carefully and over time to prevent the wine from coming into contact with air.

[0007] As described above, the technology described in the above patent documents is difficult to apply to the task of refilling bottled wine into small bottles, and even if it were applied, there is a problem that the work and effort required by workers is increased in order to prevent the wine from coming into contact with air. Therefore, it has been difficult to achieve more efficient work by minimizing the work required by workers and automating the work in the series of processes from the bottle uncorking process to the capping process.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a beverage refilling system and a beverage refilling method that can refill a small bottle without exposing the beverage to air during the process from uncorking the bottle to installing the cap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The beverage refill system of the present invention comprises a cork removal device which includes an uncork needle having a gas injection port at its tip, and which punctures the cork of a bottle filled with a beverage with the uncork needle, causing the tip of the uncork needle to penetrate into the bottle, and then removes the cork from a spout while injecting inert gas from the uncork needle into the interior of the bottle; an inlet adapter having a first gas injection pipe and a beverage dispensing pipe, and a second gas injection pipe and a beverage dispensing pipe; and after the inlet adapter has closed the spout of the uncorked bottle, the bottle is turned upside down, and inert gas is injected into the bottle from the first gas injection pipe while the second gas injection pipe is inserted into the spout of a small bottle, and the beverage in the bottle is dispensed from the beverage dispensing pipe while injecting inert gas from the second gas injection pipe into the interior of the small bottle. the gas injection unit moves the gas injection slot forward to close the spout of the vial filled with beverage, and the gas injection unit injects inert gas into the cap and the spout of the vial to expel any air remaining inside the cap and the spout of the vial to the outside; and the cap installation device moves the gas injection slot forward to close the spout of the vial filled with beverage, and the gas injection unit injects inert gas into the cap and the spout of the vial from the gas injection unit to expel any air remaining inside the cap and the spout of the vial to the outside.

[0010] The beverage refilling method of the present invention includes a cork removal step in which, in an uncorking device having an uncork needle with a gas injection port at its tip, the uncork needle is used to puncture the cork of a bottle filled with a beverage, penetrating the tip of the uncork needle into the bottle, and removing the cork from a spout while injecting inert gas from the uncork needle into the interior of the bottle; and a beverage filling device having an inlet adapter having a first gas injection pipe and a beverage dispensing pipe, and a second gas injection pipe and a beverage dispensing pipe, the bottle is turned upside down after the inert gas of the uncorked bottle is sealed with the inlet adapter, and injecting inert gas from the first gas injection pipe into the bottle while inserting the second gas injection pipe into the spout of a small bottle, and dispensing the beverage from the bottle from the beverage dispensing pipe while injecting inert gas from the second gas injection pipe into the interior of the small bottle. The method includes a beverage filling step of filling the vial with the dispensed beverage using the beverage injection tube, and a cap installation step of using the cap gripping unit to install the cap on the vial using a gas injection unit that moves a gas injection slot having a gas injection port over the spout of the vial, and a cap gripping unit that grasps a cap and moves it over the spout and gas injection slot of the bottle, the method including using the gas injection unit to advance the gas injection slot to close the spout of the vial filled with the beverage, injecting inert gas from the gas injection port into the inside of the cap and the spout of the vial to expel any air remaining inside the cap and the spout of the vial to the outside, and then using the gas injection unit to retract the gas injection slot from the spout of the vial, and installing the cap on the spout of the vial using the cap gripping unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the beverage refill system and beverage refill method of the present invention, the beverage can be refilled into a small bottle without coming into contact with air during the process from uncorking the bottle to installing the cap. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1]1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a wine refill system 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the main controller 10. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a bottle discrimination mechanism 22. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an external view of the uncorking device 20. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cork detection / discarding unit 205 as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 6] 10(A) to 10(D) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the uncorking device 20 in the uncorking process. [Figure 7] 10(E) to 10(G) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the uncorking device 20 in the uncorking process. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an external view of the wine filling device 30. [Figure 9] 10 is a side view of the wine filling device 30 as seen from the X2 side. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a front view of the filling module 34. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a view of the filling module 34 as seen obliquely from behind. [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inlet adapter 307. [Figure 13] 10(A) to 10(D) are diagrams illustrating a method for filling a specified amount of wine into a small bottle 13 from a wine dispensing unit 37. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an external view of the cap installation device 40. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is an external view of the cap installation device 40. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is an external view of the cap installation device 40. [Figure 17] 10(A) to 10(C) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the cap gripping slot 401. FIG. [Figure 18] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the configuration of the Ar gas injection slot 404. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of injecting Ar gas through the Ar gas injection slot 404. FIG. [Figure 20] 10(A) to 10(E) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the cap installing device 40 in the wine filling step and the cap installing step. [Figure 21] 10(F) to 10(J) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the cap installing device 40 in the wine filling step and the cap installing step. [Figure 22] 10(A) to 10(C) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the wine filling device 30 in the wine filling process. [Figure 23] 10(D) to 10(F) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the wine filling device 30 in the wine filling process. [Figure 24] 10(A) to 10(C) are diagrams illustrating a series of operations in the cap installation process performed by the cap installation device 40. FIG. [Figure 25] 10(D) to 10(F) are diagrams illustrating a series of operations in the cap installation process performed by the cap installation device 40. FIG. [Figure 26] 1(A) to 1(C) are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the cap fastening device 50 and the cap fastening process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of a beverage refill system and a beverage refill method according to the present invention will be described. The drawings attached to this specification are conceptual or schematic diagrams, and the shapes, scales, and aspect ratios of each part have been modified or exaggerated from the actual products for ease of understanding. Furthermore, hatching indicating cross sections of components and dashed lines indicating hidden internal lines have been omitted as appropriate.

[0014] In each figure, mutually orthogonal coordinate axes X, Y, and Z are appropriately depicted. In these coordinate axes, the width / left-right direction when each device described below is viewed from the front is defined as the X (X1-X2) direction. The height / up-down direction when each device is viewed from the front is defined as the Y (Y1-Y2) direction. Furthermore, the depth / front-rear direction orthogonal to the X and Y directions is defined as the Z (Z1-Z2) direction. Note that in this specification, "direction" may also be referred to as "side" as appropriate.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a wine refilling system 1 according to an embodiment. The wine refilling system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a system for refilling wine as a beverage into small bottles. In the wine refilling system 1 according to the embodiment, Ar (argon) gas is used as an inert gas to prevent the wine from coming into contact with air. The wine refilling method according to the embodiment also includes an uncorking process, a wine filling process, a capping process, and a cap fastening process (all of which are described below) as processes executed by each device (described below) of the wine refilling system 1.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the wine refilling system 1 of the embodiment includes a main controller 10, a corking device 20, a wine filling device 30, a cap setting device 40, and a cap fastening device 50. The wine refilling system 1 of the embodiment also includes controllers 21, 31, 41, and 51 that control each device. Each device is provided with a motor, valve, and mechanism controlled by the respective controller, as well as sensors and circuits that output detection signals to the controller. The functions of each part will be described later.

[0017] The wine refilling system 1 of this embodiment is configured to fill 100 ml of wine from two 750 ml wine bottles (hereinafter also referred to as "bottles") into dedicated small bottles. When one 750 ml wine bottle is filled into the small bottles, 50 ml of wine remains in the bottle after filling seven small bottles. If this remaining wine is filled into the small bottles and then a new bottle is uncorked and filled with wine, the wine is likely to come into contact with air. Furthermore, loading bottles into each device requires time and effort. Therefore, this embodiment employs a system in which two 750 ml bottles are used as the basic unit, and a total of 1500 ml of wine is filled into 15 small bottles. Note that in each figure, the bottles and small bottles are depicted as colorless and transparent to clearly show the presence of filling tubes and other components inserted into the bottles and small bottles.

[0018] (Main Controller 10) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the main controller 10. The main controller 10 is an information processing device that manages the entire system. The main controller 10 and each of the above-mentioned units are connected by a communication line 2 (see FIG. 1), and various processes described below are executed by communicating with each other. Although not shown, each of the above-mentioned units is provided with sensors, motors, pumps, valves, etc. The operation of each of these units is controlled by a controller (described below) provided in each unit or the main controller 10.

[0019] The main controller 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a bus 104, an input / output interface 105, an input unit 106, an output unit 107, a memory unit 108, a communication unit 109, and a drive 110.

[0020] The CPU 101 executes various processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 102 or a program loaded from the storage unit 108 into the RAM 103 . The RAM 103 also stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 101 to execute various processes.

[0021] The CPU 101, ROM 102, and RAM 103 are connected to one another via a bus 104. An input / output interface 105 is also connected to the bus 104. An input unit 106, an output unit 107, a storage unit 108, a communication unit 109, and a drive 110 are connected to the input / output interface 105.

[0022] The input unit 106 is configured with, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, etc., and is used to input various types of information. The output unit 107 is configured with a display, a printer, a speaker, etc., and outputs various information as images, printed matter, sounds, etc.

[0023] The storage unit 108 is configured with a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and stores various data. The communication unit 109 communicates with other devices via a network (not shown) including the Internet.

[0024] Removable media 111, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, is appropriately attached to the drive 110. Programs read from the removable media 111 by the drive 110 are installed in the storage unit 108 as needed. The removable media 111 can also store various data stored in the storage unit 108 in the same way as the storage unit 108.

[0025] Although not shown, the controllers 21, 31, 41, and 51 (described later) of each device shown in Fig. 1 also have basically the same hardware configuration as that shown in Fig. 2. Therefore, a description of the hardware configuration of the controllers of each device will be omitted.

[0026] (Uncorking device / bottle identification mechanism) The uncorking device 20 is a device that distinguishes bottles and removes corks. The uncorking device 20 is equipped with two uncorking modules 200 (described later) of the same configuration. The uncorking device 20 uses the two uncorking modules 200 to operate simultaneously in parallel, with two bottles as a basic unit, but it is also possible to operate either one of the uncorking modules 200 independently, or to make the operation of one uncorking module 200 subordinate to the operation of the other uncorking module 200.

[0027] The uncorking device 20 is electrically connected to a controller 21 (see FIG. 1). The controller 21 is an information processing device that controls the operations of the uncorking device 20 and a bottle discrimination mechanism 22 (described later). In this embodiment, an example in which the uncorking device 20 is controlled by the controller 21 will be described, but the uncorking device 20 may also be configured to be controlled by the main controller 10.

[0028] First, the configuration of the bottle discrimination mechanism 22 provided in the uncorking device 20 will be described. Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the bottle discrimination mechanism 22. The bottle discrimination mechanism 22 is a mechanism that discriminates the sealing type of a bottle filled with wine. The bottle sealing type refers to the structure that closes the bottle's spout. Common bottle sealing types include, for example, cork stoppers and screw caps.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, the bottle discrimination mechanism 22 includes a ZVS circuit 23, a current sensor 24, and a proximity sensor 25. Note that in Fig. 3, the current sensor 24 and the proximity sensor 25 are conceptually shown as a single housing, but in reality, they are provided in separate locations.

[0030] ZVS circuit 23 is a circuit that detects whether an object contains metal by utilizing the phenomenon that an induced current flows through metal in a magnetic field generated by electromagnetic induction. By placing the spout of bottle 11 near current sensor 24 and measuring whether an induced current flows through the spout of bottle 11 via current sensor 24, controller 21 can determine whether metal is present at the spout of bottle 11.

[0031] Because the induced current flowing through metal varies depending on the thickness of the metal, the induced current of a typical metal cap can be measured in advance and the data registered in the memory of the controller 21, thereby making it possible to determine the type of metal (enclosure type) according to the magnitude of the induced current. For example, in the case of a cork stopper, the induced current flowing through a tin cap seal can be measured and compared with the data registered in the memory, thereby determining that the bottle is enclosed in a cork stopper. In the case of an aluminum screw cap, the induced current flowing through the aluminum can be measured and compared with the data registered in the memory, thereby determining that the bottle is enclosed in an aluminum screw cap. If the bottle is enclosed in a cork stopper, the cap seal is removed by an automatic peeler (not shown). The cork is then automatically removed by the cork removal device 20, which will be described below.

[0032] On the other hand, if the bottle spout has already been opened or has a plastic cap seal, the bottle sealing type cannot be determined by electromagnetic induction. Therefore, if metal cannot be detected by current sensor 24, proximity sensor 25 is used to determine the bottle sealing type. Specifically, proximity sensor 25 measures the distance to the bottle spout and compares it with bottle shape information registered in advance in the memory unit of controller 21 to determine the bottle sealing type. If the bottle is not sealed with a cork, for example, the bottle is opened by an operator.

[0033] Next, the configuration of the uncork removal device 20 will be described. Fig. 4 is an external view of the uncork removal device 20. Fig. 5 is a view of the cork detection / disposal unit 205 viewed diagonally from below. As mentioned above, the two uncork removal modules 200 have the same configuration, so the configuration of the uncork removal module 200 on the X2 side will be described, but components hidden in the depth direction (Z direction) will be described using the uncork removal module 200 on the X1 side as appropriate. As shown in Fig. 4, the uncork removal module 200 includes a module base 201, a cork operation unit 203, an Ar gas injection / uncork removal unit 204, and a cork detection / disposal unit 205.

[0034] The module base 201 is a base that supports a cork operation unit 203, an Ar gas injection / removal unit 204, a cork detection / disposal unit 205, etc. The module base 201 is supported so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the height direction Y. The module base 201 is equipped with a cork operation motor 202.

[0035] The cork operation motor 202 is a power source for driving the cork operation unit 203. The operation of the cork operation motor 202 is controlled by the controller 21. The controller 21 measures the number of rotations of the cork operation motor 202 and detects the position of the cork operation unit 203 in the height direction Y, thereby moving the cork operation unit 203 to a predetermined position in the height direction Y. Furthermore, the controller 21 controls the rotation speed of the cork operation motor 202, thereby moving the cork operation unit 203 at a predetermined speed.

[0036] The cork operation unit 203 is a structure that supports the Ar gas injection / removal unit 204 and the cork detection / disposal unit 205 so that they can move freely along the height direction Y. The cork operation unit 203 itself is supported by the module base 201 so that it can move freely along the height direction Y. The Ar gas injection / removal unit 204 is a unit that injects Ar gas into the bottle and removes the cork.

[0037] The cork detection / discarding unit 205 detects the cork in the bottle and discards the cork after it is removed. The cork detection / discarding unit 205 is configured to be approximately L-shaped when viewed from the side in the width direction X. The cork detection / discarding unit 205 includes a ZVS circuit 210 (see FIG. 1) and a proximity sensor 211. The functions of the ZVS circuit 210 and the proximity sensor 211 are the same as those of the ZVS circuit 23 and the proximity sensor 25 (see FIG. 2) of the bottle discrimination mechanism 22. The ZVS circuit 210 and the proximity sensor 211 of the uncorking device 20 are used to detect whether or not something other than the cork is present in the spout of the bottle. As shown in FIG. 5, the proximity sensor 211 is provided on the back side (Y2 side) of the cork detection / discarding unit 205.

[0038] As mentioned above, a screw cap, cap seal, or the like is removed from the spout of a bottle when the bottle is uncorked. However, it is possible that the cap seal is not removed or is incompletely removed. In such cases, for example, if the cap seal is made of metal, it can be detected by the ZVS circuit 210. Also, if the cap seal is made of plastic, the bottle sealing type can be determined by comparing the distance to the spout of the bottle measured by the proximity sensor 211 with the bottle's outer shape information registered in advance in the memory unit 108 of the main controller 10. The controller 21 (see FIG. 1) determines whether the spout of the bottle is in a state where the cork can be removed based on the detection results of the ZVS circuit 210 and the proximity sensor 211.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the cork operation unit 203 includes an Ar gas injection / uncork motor 206, a cork disposal motor 207, an Ar gas pipe 208, and an uncork needle 209. The Ar gas injection / uncork motor 206 is a power source for driving an Ar gas injection / uncork unit 204 (described later). The operation of the Ar gas injection / uncork motor 206 is controlled by a controller 21. The controller 21 measures the rotation speed of the Ar gas injection / uncork motor 206 and detects the position of the Ar gas injection / uncork unit 204 in the height direction Y, thereby moving the Ar gas injection / uncork unit 204 to a predetermined position in the height direction Y. The controller 21 also controls the rotation speed of the Ar gas injection / uncork motor 206, thereby moving the Ar gas injection / uncork unit 204 at a predetermined speed.

[0040] The cork discarding motor 207 is a power source for driving the cork detection / discarding unit 205. The operation of the cork discarding motor 207 is controlled by the controller 21. The controller 21 measures the number of rotations of the cork discarding motor 207 and detects the position of the cork detection / discarding unit 205 in the height direction Y, thereby moving the cork detection / discarding unit 205 to a predetermined position in the height direction Y. Furthermore, the controller 21 controls the rotation speed of the cork discarding motor 207, thereby moving the cork detection / discarding unit 205 at a predetermined speed.

[0041] The Ar gas pipe 208 supplies Ar gas to the Ar gas injection / uncork unit 204. The Ar gas pipe 208 is connected to an Ar gas supply source (not shown). The controller 21 controls the Ar gas supply source to supply or stop the supply of Ar gas from the Ar gas pipe 208. The uncork needle 209 is a puncture needle having a gas injection port 209a (see FIG. 6(A)) at its tip. In a gas injection sub-process, which will be described later, the Ar gas injection / uncork unit 204 moves up and down in the height direction Y relative to the cork operation unit 203. During this movement, Ar gas is discharged from the gas injection port 209a of the uncork needle 209. The uncork needle 209 has a length sufficient to penetrate the cork in the direction of insertion into the cork.

[0042] Next, we will explain the uncorking process carried out by the uncorking device 20. Figures 6(A) to (D) and 7(E) to (G) are diagrams explaining the operation of the uncorking device 20 in the uncorking process. Note that in Figures 6(A) to (D) and 7(E) to (G), only parts necessary for explanation are labeled with reference numerals.

[0043] In each sub-process of the uncorking process described below (preparation, detection, insertion, gas injection, uncorking, completion, disposal), each operation of the uncorking module 200 is controlled by the controller 21 (see Figure 1), but each operation of the uncorking module 200 may also be controlled by the main controller 10.

[0044] 1. Preparation As shown in Figure 6(A), the controller 21 moves the uncork module 200 to the upper end on the Y1 side in the height direction. After the uncork module 200 has moved to the upper end, the bottle 11 is loaded below the uncork module 200. Note that the height of the uncork module 200 and the position of the module base 201 from the device installation surface are desirably designed to match the largest anticipated bottle size so that it can accommodate bottles of various sizes.

[0045] 2. Detection As shown in Figure 6(B), controller 21 moves cork detection / discarding unit 205 to the Y2 side in the height direction, and positions cork detection / discarding unit 205 near the spout of bottle 11. Controller 21 then determines whether the spout of the bottle is in a state where the cork can be removed. If controller 21 determines that the cork can be removed, the process proceeds to the next sub-process (insertion).

[0046] 3. Insertion As shown in Figure 6(C), the controller 21 moves the cork operation unit 203 to the Y2 side in the height direction, and causes the uncorking needle 209 to pierce the cork (not shown) of the bottle 11, penetrating the tip of the uncorking needle 209 into the bottle 11. While the uncorking needle 209 is piercing the cork, the controller 21 monitors the load current of the cork operation motor 202 (see Figure 4) using a load detection function. If an overload is applied to the cork operation motor 202 while the uncorking needle 209 is piercing the cork, the controller 21 brings the operation of the uncorking module 200 to an emergency stop.

[0047] 4. Gas injection As shown in FIG. 6(D), controller 21 injects Ar gas into bottle 11 while moving Ar gas injection / uncorking unit 204 up and down (Y direction). This gradually increases the internal pressure of bottle 11. While injecting Ar gas into bottle 11, controller 21 monitors the load current of Ar gas injection / uncorking motor 206 (see FIG. 4) using a load detection function. Because the motor's load current and the internal pressure of bottle 11 are approximately proportional, the internal pressure of bottle 11 can be indirectly detected by monitoring the motor's load current. In other words, the load detection function of controller 21 corresponds to an internal pressure detection function that detects the internal pressure of bottle 11.

[0048] When the load current of the motor falls below a predetermined value, the controller 21 determines that a malfunction such as a cracked cork or air leak has occurred, and brings the operation of the uncorking module 200 to an emergency stop. When the controller 21 determines that the internal pressure of the bottle 11 has reached a certain internal pressure (predetermined value) due to the load current of the motor, it stops the injection of Ar gas into the bottle 11 and moves to the next sub-process (uncorking).

[0049] 5. Uncork 7(E), controller 21 moves cork operation unit 203 and cork detection / discarding unit 205 vertically at a slow speed toward Y1 while moving Ar gas injection / removal unit 204 vertically. As a result, cork stopper 12 is gradually pulled out from the spout of bottle 11.

[0050] 6. Complete As shown in Figure 7(F), when the cork operation unit 203 reaches a predetermined position in the height direction Y, the cork 12 is completely pulled out from the spout of the bottle 11, completing the uncorking process. The controller 21 can detect that the cork operation unit 203 has reached a predetermined position in the height direction Y by measuring the number of rotations of the cork operation motor 202. After uncorking is complete, the bottle 11 is attached to a wine filling device 30 (described below). The uncorking device 20 then proceeds to the next sub-process (disposal).

[0051] 7. Destruction In the disposal sub-step, the uncorking device 20 (uncorking module 200) moves toward the dust box (not shown). Then, as shown in Figure 7(G), the controller 21 moves the cork detection / disposal unit 205 toward the Y2 side in the height direction. As a result, the cork 12 is released from the uncorking needle 209 and disposed of in the dust box.

[0052] The uncorking process is completed by performing each of the sub-processes described above (preparation, detection, insertion, gas injection, uncorking, completion, and disposal). At the point when the uncorking process is completed, the spout of the bottle 11 is filled with Ar gas. Therefore, the wine in the bottle 11 does not come into contact with air.

[0053] (Wine filling machine) The wine filling device (beverage filling device) 30 is a device that fills wine poured from a bottle 11 into a small bottle 13. The wine filling device 30 is electrically connected to a controller 31 (see FIG. 1). The controller 31 is an information processing device that controls the operation of the wine filling device 30. In this embodiment, an example in which the wine filling device 30 is controlled by the controller 31 will be described, but the wine filling device 30 may also be configured to be controlled by a main controller 10.

[0054] Fig. 8 is an external view of the wine filling device 30. Fig. 9 is a side view of the wine filling device 30 when viewed from the X2 side. Fig. 10 is a front view of the filling module 34. Fig. 11 is a view of the filling module 34 when viewed obliquely from the rear. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the filler port adapter.

[0055] 8, the wine filling device 30 includes a module base 32, a lifting unit 33, and a filling module 34. In addition, in the wine filling device 30, a cap setting device 40 (described later) is provided on the Y2 side of the lifting unit 33.

[0056] The module base 32 is a base that supports the lifting unit 33 and the filling module 34. The module base 32 is provided with rails 301 that extend in the front-to-rear direction (Z direction). In the module base 32, the lifting unit 33 is configured to be movable in the front-to-rear direction (Z direction) along the rails 301. The lifting unit 33 may be moved in the front-to-rear direction via a drive motor and gear mechanism (not shown), or may be moved manually by an administrator.

[0057] The lifting unit 33 is a device that supports the filling module 34 so that it can move freely along the height direction Y. As shown in FIG. 9 , the lifting unit 33 includes a rail 302 and a lifting motor 303. The rail 302 is a support member that extends along the height direction Y. The lifting motor 303 is a power source that moves the filling module 34 up and down along the rail 302.

[0058] The controller 31 (see FIG. 1) measures the rotation speed of the lifting motor 303 and detects the position of the filling module 34 in the height direction Y, thereby moving the filling module 34 to a predetermined position in the height direction Y. The controller 31 also controls the rotation speed of the lifting motor 303, thereby moving the filling module 34 at a predetermined speed. The movement of the cap installation device 40 in the height direction Y is performed by a lifting unit 44 (described later) of the cap installation device 40.

[0059] The filling module 34 is a device that holds two bottles 11 and fills wine from the two bottles 11 into small bottles 13. As shown in FIG. 10 , the filling module 34 includes a bottle holding unit 35, a rotation unit 36, and a wine dispensing unit 37. The bottle holding unit 35 is a device that holds two bottles 11. The bottle 11 can be loaded into the filling module 34 by holding the bottle 11 between holding members 304 and 305 arranged above and below the bottle holding unit 35.

[0060] In Figure 8 and other figures, the bottle gripping unit 35 (described later) is positioned on the upper side Y1, and the two bottles 11 are shown upside down. However, as will be described later, the two bottles 11 are loaded into the bottle gripping unit 35 with the filling module 34 positioned on the Y2 side. When filling wine into a small bottle, as shown in Figure 8 and other figures, the filling module 34 is rotated 180 degrees so that the bottle 11 is upside down. This allows the concentration of wine in the bottle to be uniform. Furthermore, the wine in the bottle 11 can flow into the wine extraction pipe 309 by gravity.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 11, the bottle gripping unit 35 includes an inlet adapter 307. The inlet adapter 307 is a component that comes into close contact with the spout of the bottle 11 when filling the bottle with wine. As shown in FIG. 12, the inlet adapter 307 supports an Ar gas injection tube (first gas injection tube) 308 and a wine extraction tube (beverage extraction tube) 309. The inlet adapter 307 is formed of, for example, silicone rubber. The Ar gas injection tube 308 is a metal tube for injecting Ar gas into the bottle 11. The Ar gas injection tube 308 is connected to one end of an Ar gas supply tube 310 (described below).

[0062] The wine extraction pipe 309 is a metal pipe for extracting wine from the bottle 11. The wine extraction pipe 309 is connected to a wine delivery pipe 311 (described later). The inlet adapter 307 is provided on the gripping member 304 of the bottle gripping unit 35. As shown in FIG. 11, the inlet adapter 307 fits tightly against the spout of the bottle 11, so that wine does not leak out from the spout of the inverted bottle 11 and the wine inside the bottle 11 does not come into contact with air. Note that in FIG. 11, some of the components that make up the gripping member 304 have been omitted to make the position of the inlet adapter 307 easier to understand.

[0063] The rotation unit 36 ​​is a device that rotates the bottle gripping unit 35 and the wine dispensing unit 37. As shown in Fig. 9, the rotation unit 36 ​​is provided with a unit drive motor 306. The rotation of the unit drive motor 306 is controlled by the controller 31 (see Fig. 1).

[0064] The wine dispensing unit 37 is a device that dispenses wine from the bottles 11. As shown in FIG. 10, the wine dispensing unit 37 includes a pair of wine control valves 312 and a Y-shaped hose connector 313. The wine control valves 312 are electromagnetically controlled valves that control the dispensing and stopping of wine from the bottles 11. The wine control valves 312 are provided at the positions of the respective bottles 11.

[0065] The opening and closing operation of the wine control valve 312 is controlled by a controller 31 (see FIG. 1). When filling a small bottle with wine, the controller 31 opens the wine control valve 312 to supply the wine to a wine filling nozzle 314. When the controller 31 detects that the small bottle has been filled with wine by a detection signal transmitted from a detection circuit 318 (described later), the controller 31 closes the wine control valve 312 to stop the supply of wine.

[0066] The other end of the wine delivery pipe 311, which is connected to the wine delivery pipe 309 (see FIG. 11) of the inlet adapter 307, is connected to a hose connector 313 via a wine control valve 312. The hose connector 313 is a component that joins the wine flowing from the left and right wine delivery pipes 311, and a wine filling nozzle 314 (see FIG. 8) is connected to the outlet side. The wine filling nozzle (beverage injection pipe) 314 is a metal nozzle for filling wine into a small bottle. The wine filling nozzle 314 functions as a capacitance sensor (ground electrode) for detecting the amount of wine filled, and is electrically connected to the controller 31 (see FIG. 1).

[0067] The other end of the Ar gas supply pipe 310, which is connected to the Ar gas injection pipe 308 (see FIG. 11) of the inlet adapter 307, is connected to a cross-shaped hose connector 315, as shown in FIG. 10. The hose connector 315 is a component for supplying Ar gas to the left and right Ar gas supply pipes 310 and the Ar gas injection pipe 317 (see FIG. 9), and is connected to an Ar gas pipe 316. The Ar gas pipe 316 is an Ar gas supply pipe connected to an Ar gas control valve 406 (described later) of the cap installation device 40. The Ar gas injection pipe (second gas injection pipe) 317 is a metal pipe for injecting Ar gas into the small bottle when filling it with wine. The Ar gas injection pipe 317 functions as a capacitance sensor (detection electrode) for detecting the amount of wine filled and is electrically connected to the controller 31. As shown in FIG. 9, the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection pipe 317 are supported by the wine dispensing unit 37 via a pipe holder 319.

[0068] The controller 31 is electrically connected to a detection circuit 318 (see FIG. 1 ) that detects changes in the resistance between the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection tube 317. When wine is filled into a small bottle, the resistance is infinite when the wine filling nozzle 314 is in contact with the wine and the Ar gas injection tube 317 is not in contact with the wine. On the other hand, when both the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection tube 317 are in contact with the wine, the resistance decreases (changes), and a detection signal is sent from the detection circuit 318 to the controller 31. By receiving the detection signal from the detection circuit 318, the controller 31 can detect that a specified amount of wine has been filled into the small bottle. Note that when the detection signal is acquired, the current flowing through the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection tube 317 is so weak that it does not affect the object being measured, making it possible to detect filling without compromising the quality of the wine.

[0069] Next, an example of a method for filling a specified amount of wine into the small bottle 13 from the wine dispensing unit 37 will be described. Figures 13(A) to 13(D) are diagrams illustrating a method for filling a specified amount of wine into the small bottle 13 from the wine dispensing unit 37. Figures 13(A) to 13(D) schematically illustrate the wine filling nozzle 314, the Ar gas injection pipe 317, and the small bottle 13. The procedure for filling a specified amount of wine into the small bottle 13, which will be described below, is performed as part of the wine filling process.

[0070] 13(A), with wine filling nozzle 314 and Ar gas injection tube 317 inserted inside small bottle 13, end 317a of Ar gas injection tube 317 is positioned in height direction Y so as to be above end 314a of wine filling nozzle 314 (Y1). While wine is being filled into small bottle 13, wine filling nozzle 314 and Ar gas injection tube 317 are raised simultaneously at the same speed by lifting unit 33 (see FIG. 8). Therefore, while wine is being filled into small bottle 13, the relative positions of end 314a of wine filling nozzle 314 and end 317a of Ar gas injection tube 317 do not change.

[0071] When filling wine into the small bottle 13, the controller 31 controls the lifting unit 33 (lifting motor 303) so that the filling module 34 moves to a filling start position p1. Here, the filling start position p1 and the filling stop position p2 (described later) are explained based on the position (hereinafter also referred to as the "reference position") of a pipe holder 319 (see FIG. 9) that supports the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection tube 317. The controller 31 can move the pipe holder 319 (wine pouring unit 37 / filling module 34) to the filling start position p1 and the filling stop position p2 by measuring the number of rotations of the lifting motor 303.

[0072] 13(A), at the filling start position p1 where wine filling nozzle 314 and Ar gas injection tube 317 are inserted inside small bottle 13, end 314a of wine filling nozzle 314 is set to be several millimeters away from the bottom of small bottle 13. This is to minimize the impact on the wine when it is filled into small bottle 13.

[0073] Next, controller 31 cooperates with controller 41 of cap placing device 40 to inject Ar gas ag from Ar gas injection pipe 317 into vial 13. Ar gas ag is supplied from Ar gas control valve 406 (described below) of cap placing device 40. The opening and closing of Ar gas control valve 406 is controlled by controller 41 of cap placing device 40, and controller 31 of wine filling device 30 controls Ar gas control valve 406 via controller 41 of cap placing device 40 so that Ar gas ag is injected from Ar gas injection pipe 317 into vial 13.

[0074] The Ar gas ag injected into the small bottle 13 from the Ar gas injection pipe 317 has a specific gravity heavier than air, and therefore accumulates at the bottom of the small bottle 13. The controller 31 opens the wine control valve 312 (see FIG. 10) when the accumulated Ar gas ag reaches above the end 314a of the wine filling nozzle 314, causing the wine to be dispensed from the wine filling nozzle 314. Because the wine dispensed from the wine filling nozzle 314 accumulates below the Ar gas ag accumulation layer, the wine can be filled into the small bottle 13 without coming into contact with air. The timing of dispensing the wine can be set, for example, by measuring in advance the relationship between the elapsed time after the start of injection of the Ar gas ag and the height at which the Ar gas ag accumulates.

[0075] 13(B), the controller 31 controls the lifting unit 33 to move the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection pipe 317 (filling module 34) in the upward direction Y1 at the timing when the level wL of the wine w poured from the wine filling nozzle 314 exceeds the end 314a of the wine filling nozzle 314. The timing to move the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection pipe 317 in the upward direction Y1 can be set, for example, by measuring in advance the relationship between the elapsed time after the start of wine pouring and the level wL of the wine w.

[0076] The speed at which the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection tube 317 are moved upward Y1 is set so that the level w1 of the wine poured from the wine filling nozzle 314 is located between the end 314a of the wine filling nozzle 314 and the end 317a of the Ar gas injection tube 317, as shown in Figure 13(B). Wine is poured from the wine filling nozzle 314 and Ar gas is injected from the Ar gas injection tube 317 until the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection tube 317 reach a filling stop position p2 (described below). While the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection tube 317 are being moved upward Y1, the Ar gas ag remains on the surface of the wine w, so the wine w does not come into contact with air.

[0077] 13(C), the controller 31 controls the lifting unit 33 to stop the movement of the filling module 34 in the upward direction Y1 when the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection tube 317 reach a filling stop position p2. The filling stop position p2 is preset with respect to the filling start position p1. When the Ar gas injection tube 317 stops at the filling stop position p2 (reference position), the position at which the water level wL of the wine w reaches the end 317a of the Ar gas injection tube 317 is the position at which 100 ml of wine is filled into the small bottle 13.

[0078] After the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection tube 317 are stopped at the filling stop position p2, the water level wL of the wine w gradually rises, and when the wine w comes into contact with the end 317a of the Ar gas injection tube 317, as shown in Figure 13 (D), both the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection tube 317 are in contact with the wine w at the same time, and a detection signal is sent from the detection circuit 318 (see Figure 1) to the controller 31.

[0079] When the controller 31 receives a detection signal from the detection circuit 318, it closes the wine control valve 312 to stop the supply of wine from the wine filling nozzle 314. The controller 31 also controls the controller 41 of the cap installation device 40 to stop the injection of Ar gas from the Ar gas injection pipe 317 into the small bottle 13. As shown in FIG. 13(D), when the injection of wine and Ar gas into the small bottle 13 is complete, the Ar gas ag remains at the spout of the small bottle 13 (on the surface of the wine w), so the wine w does not come into contact with air. That is, during the wine filling process, the wine w does not come into contact with air from the start to the end of the operation of pouring the wine w into the small bottle 13.

[0080] After this, the controller 31 drives the lifting unit 33 (lifting motor 303) to move the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection pipe 317 (filling module 34) upward Y1. Through the above operations, filling of wine from the wine dispensing unit 37 into the small bottle 13 is completed.

[0081] (Cap installation device) Cap installation device 40 is a device that installs cap 14 on the spout of small bottle 13 while sealing in Ar gas. Cap installation device 40 is electrically connected to controller 41 (see FIG. 1 ). Controller 41 is an information processing device that controls the operations of cap gripping unit 42, Ar gas injection unit 43, and lifting unit 44. In the embodiment, an example in which cap installation device 40 is controlled by controller 41 will be described, but cap installation device 40 may also be configured to be controlled by main controller 10.

[0082] 14 to 16 are external views of the cap installation device 40. FIGS. 14 to 16 are views of the cap installation device 40 extracted from the wine filling device 30 shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, other mechanisms provided in the wine filling device 30 are not shown. FIGS. 17(A) to 17(C) are views explaining the operation of the cap gripping slot 401. FIGS. 18(A) and 18(B) are views showing the configuration of the Ar gas injection slot 404. FIG. 18(A) is a perspective view of the Ar gas injection slot 404. FIG. 18(A) is a cross-sectional view of the Ar gas injection slot 404 cut at the middle in the thickness direction. FIG. 19 is a view explaining the operation of Ar gas injection by the Ar gas injection slot 404.

[0083] 14, cap installation device 40 includes cap gripping unit 42, Ar gas injection unit 43, and lifting unit 44. Of these, cap gripping unit 42 and Ar gas injection unit 43 are housed together in the same housing 400. Lifting unit 44 is also provided in housing 400. Vial 13 is placed on support stand 15 provided on module base 32 (see FIG. 1).

[0084] The cap gripping unit 42 is a device that grips and moves the cap 14. The cap gripping unit 42 includes a cap gripping slot 401 and a slot moving mechanism 402 (see FIG. 15). The cap gripping slot 401 is a component that grips the cap. The slot moving mechanism 402 is a mechanism that moves the cap gripping slot 401 in the left-right direction X, and is configured by an electric actuator (not shown). The operation of the slot moving mechanism 402 is controlled by a controller 41 (see FIG. 1).

[0085] Here, the configuration of the cap gripping slot 401 will be described. As shown in Fig. 17(A), the cap gripping slot 401 has a generally U-shaped gripping portion 403 at its tip end for gripping the cap 14. This gripping portion 403 is provided with a protrusion 403a. The protrusion 403a is a portion that can engage with a recess 14a provided at the upper end of the cap 14, and is provided along the inner circumferential surface of the gripping portion 403.

[0086] 17(A) to the X2 side, the convex portion 403a of the gripping portion 403 can be engaged with the concave portion 14a of the cap 14, as shown in Fig. 17(B). By controlling the operation of the slot moving mechanism 402 and the lifting unit 44 in the controller 41, the cap gripping slot 401 can be moved in the left-right direction X (the front-back direction as viewed from the cap gripping unit 42) and the up-down direction Y while gripping the cap 14.

[0087] In the cap installation process described below, as shown in Figure 17(C), Ar gas is injected while the cap gripping slot 401 grips the upper end of the cap 14 above the spout of a small bottle (not shown) and the Ar gas injection slot 404 (described below) supports the lower end of the cap 14.

[0088] Returning to Figure 14, Ar gas injection unit 43 is a device that injects Ar gas into vial 13 and cap 14. Ar gas injection unit 43 includes Ar gas injection slot 404, slot movement mechanism 405 (see Figure 15), and Ar gas control valve 406 (see Figure 16).

[0089] Ar gas injection slot 404 is a component that has the function of closing the spout of vial 13 to inject Ar gas into the interior and also venting air remaining inside vial 13 to the outside. Ar gas injection slot 404 also has the function of injecting Ar gas into cap 14 and venting air remaining inside cap 14 to the outside. In this embodiment, Ar gas injection slot 404 is described as an integrated component, but in reality it can be configured, for example, from two plate members stacked in the thickness direction.

[0090] Here, the configuration of Ar gas injection slot 404 will be described. As shown in Fig. 18(A), Ar gas injection slot 404 has gas injection section 407 in approximately the center. Gas injection section 407 is a hole for injecting Ar gas into vial 13 and cap 14, and passes through Ar gas injection slot 404. As shown in Fig. 18(B), two gas passage sections 408 are formed inside Ar gas injection slot 404. Gas passage section 408 is a passage through which Ar gas injected from Ar gas pipe 409 flows.

[0091] Openings 408a on the X2 side of the two gas passages 408 are both connected to the gas injection section 407. On the other hand, openings 408b on the X1 side of the two gas passages 408 are each connected to one end of an Ar gas pipe 409. The Ar gas pipes 409 are Ar gas supply pipes, and two of them are arranged for the Ar gas injection slot 404. The other end of the Ar gas pipe 409 is connected to an Ar gas control valve 406 (see FIG. 16).

[0092] 18(A), on the front side Y1 of the Ar gas injection slot 404, a cap installation portion 410 is formed around the gas injection portion 407. The cap installation portion 410 is a recess in which the cap 14 is installed, and is in communication with the gas injection portion 407. In addition, an air exhaust portion 411 is formed on the X2 side of the front side Y1 of the Ar gas injection slot 404. The air exhaust portion 411 is a recess for exhausting air from the cap 14.

[0093] 19, on back side Y2 of Ar gas injection slot 404, vial abutment portion 412 is formed around gas injection portion 407. Vial abutment portion 412 is a recess with which spout 13a of vial 13 abuts, and is in communication with gas injection portion 407. In addition, air exhaust portion 413 is formed on the X2 side of back side Y2 of Ar gas injection slot 404. Air exhaust portion 411 is a recess for exhausting air from vial 13.

[0094] The external shapes of the vial abutment portion 412 and air exhaust portion 413 formed on the back side Y2 of the Ar gas injection slot 404 are almost the same as the external shapes of the cap installation portion 410 and air exhaust portion 411 formed on the front side Y1 of the Ar gas injection slot 404 (see Figure 18(A)), so they are omitted from the illustration.

[0095] 19, when cap 14 is placed on cap placement portion 410 of Ar gas injection slot 404 and spout 13a of vial 13 is placed in contact with vial contact portion 412 of Ar gas injection slot 404, gap g1 is formed between cap 14 and air outlet portion 411 on front side Y1. Meanwhile, gap g2 is formed between the spout of vial 13 and vial contact portion 412 on back side Y2.

[0096] In this state, when Ar gas is injected into the Ar gas injection slot 404, some of the Ar gas is injected from the gas injection portion 407 through the cap installation portion 410 on the front side Y1 into the inside of the cap 14. As a result, the air ar remaining inside the cap 14 is discharged from the gap g1 between the cap 14 and the air discharge portion 411, and the inside of the cap 14 is filled with Ar gas ag.

[0097] Meanwhile, the remainder of the Ar gas injected into Ar gas injection slot 404 is injected from gas injection part 407 through vial abutment part 412 on back side Y2 into the inside of spout 13a of vial 13. As a result, air ar present near spout 13a of vial 13 is discharged from gap g2 between spout 13a of vial 13 and air discharge part 413, and the inside of spout 13a of vial 13 is filled with Ar gas ag.

[0098] During the cap installation process, the small bottle 13 is filled with wine w, and Ar gas is already accumulating in the spout 13a (see FIG. 13(D)). That is, when Ar gas is injected, the only air accumulating in the spout 13a of the small bottle 13 is the air remaining on the surface of the Ar gas. Therefore, before the cap is installed, the wine w filled in the small bottle 13 does not come into contact with air. Furthermore, when Ar gas is injected into the inside of the spout 13a of the small bottle 13 from the small bottle contact portion 412, the newly injected Ar gas ag expels the air ar accumulating in the spout 13a of the small bottle 13 to the outside, and the spout 13a of the small bottle 13 is filled with the newly injected Ar gas ag.

[0099] Therefore, as shown in Figure 19, when cap 14 is installed in cap installation portion 410 of Ar gas injection slot 404 and spout 13a of vial 13 is abutted against vial abutment portion 412 of Ar gas injection slot 404, when Ar gas ag is injected into Ar gas injection slot 404, both the inside of cap 14 and spout 13a of vial 13 will be filled with Ar gas ag.

[0100] 15, slot moving mechanism 405 (Ar gas injection unit 43) is a mechanism for moving Ar gas injection slot 404 in left-right direction X, and is configured by an electric actuator (not shown). The operation of slot moving mechanism 405 is controlled by controller 41 (see FIG. 1).

[0101] The Ar gas control valve 406 (Ar gas injection unit 43) is an electromagnetically controlled valve that controls the supply destination of Ar gas. As shown in FIG. 16, the Ar gas control valve 406 is provided in a housing 400 that is shared with the cap gripping unit 42. The Ar gas control valve 406 has an input port 406a and output ports 406b, 406c, and 406d. The input port 406a is connected to an Ar gas pipe 414. The Ar gas pipe 414 is connected to an Ar gas supply source (not shown). The output port 406b is connected to an Ar gas pipe 316. The Ar gas pipe 316 is connected to a hose connector 315 (see FIG. 10) of the wine dispensing unit 37. The other end of the Ar gas pipe 409 is connected to the output ports 406c and 406d.

[0102] In the wine filling step, controller 41 opens output port 406b (and closes output ports 406c and 406d) to supply Ar gas to Ar gas injection pipes 308 and 317 (see FIG. 9). As a result, Ar gas is filled into bottle 11 and small bottle 13, respectively. In the cap setting step, controller 41 opens output ports 406c and 406d (and closes output port 406b) to supply Ar gas to two Ar gas pipes 409. As a result, Ar gas is injected into cap 14 and the spout of small bottle 13, respectively.

[0103] The lifting unit 44 is a device that supports the cap gripping unit 42 and the Ar gas injection unit 43 so that they can move freely along the height direction Y. The lifting unit 44 includes a rail 415, a slider 416, and a lifting motor 417. The rail 415 is a supporting member that extends along the height direction Y. The rail 415 is provided alongside the rail 302 of the lifting unit 33 (module base 32) (see FIG. 8).

[0104] The slider 416 is a structure configured to be movable in the height direction Y along a rail 415. The slider 416 is engaged with the rail 415 by four rotating rollers 416a. A part of the housing 400 of the cap installation device 40 is connected to the slider 416. Therefore, the cap gripping unit 42 and the Ar gas injection unit 43 move up and down together with the slider 416. In addition, a rod 418 of an elevation motor 417 is connected to the slider 416.

[0105] Elevator motor 417 is a power source for moving slider 416. Elevator motor 417 moves slider 416 along the height direction Y by changing the protrusion amount of rod 418 connected to slider 416. Controller 41 measures the rotation speed of elevator motor 417 and detects the positions of cap gripping unit 42 and Ar gas injection unit 43 in the height direction Y, thereby moving cap gripping unit 42 and Ar gas injection unit 43 to predetermined positions in the height direction Y. Controller 41 also controls the rotation speed of elevator motor 417 to move cap gripping unit 42 and Ar gas injection unit 43 at a predetermined speed.

[0106] Next, the operation of the cap installation device 40 will be described. Figures 20(A) to (E) and Figures 21(F) to (J) are diagrams explaining the operation of the cap installation device 40 in the wine filling step and the cap installation step. Figures 20(A) to (E) show the cap retraction operation performed before the wine filling step. Figures 21(F) to (J) show the cap installation operation performed after the wine filling step. Note that the above figures show the shape and structure of each part schematically.

[0107] (Initial state) As shown in Figure 20(A), at the start position, which is the initial state of cap installation device 40, an untightened cap 14 is placed on the spout of vial 13. In the initial state of cap installation, air is present inside cap 14 and vial 13. Also, in the initial state, cap gripping unit 42 is stopped in a position in height direction Y where cap gripping slot 401 can grip cap 14.

[0108] (Cap grip) As shown in FIG. 20(B), the controller 41 moves the cap gripping slot 401 of the cap gripping unit 42 to the X2 side to grip the upper end of the cap 14.

[0109] (Lift the cap) As shown in FIG. 20(C), controller 41 moves cap gripping unit 42 and Ar gas injection unit 43 to a predetermined position in the upward direction Y1, and lifts cap 14 from the spout of small bottle 13.

[0110] (Cap storage) 20(D), the controller 41 moves the cap gripping slot 401 toward the X1 side and places the cap 14 on the Ar gas injection slot 404. Even after the cap 14 is placed on the Ar gas injection slot 404, the cap gripping slot 401 continues to grip the upper end of the cap 14.

[0111] (Unit evacuation) 20(E), the controller 41 moves the cap gripping unit 42 and the Ar gas injection unit 43 downward in the Y2 direction, and retracts the cap gripping slot 401 and the Ar gas injection slot 404 together with the cap 14. After this, as described with reference to FIGS. 13(A) to (D), the wine dispensing unit 37 (see FIG. 10) fills the vial 13 with a specified amount of wine. As shown in FIG. 20(E), when the wine is being filled into the vial 13, the cap gripping slot 401 and the Ar gas injection slot 404 are retracted to positions where they do not interfere with the vial 13 and the spout of the vial 13, and therefore do not interfere with the wine dispensing unit 37's operation of filling the vial 13 with wine.

[0112] (Unit lift) After the wine has been filled into the small bottle 13, the controller 41 moves the cap gripping unit 42 and the Ar gas injection unit 43 upward Y1, as shown in Figure 21(F), and raises the Ar gas injection slot 404 to a predetermined position facing the spout of the small bottle 13. At this time, because Ar gas remains at the spout of the small bottle 13 (see Figure 13(D)), the wine filled in the small bottle 13 does not come into contact with air.

[0113] (Ar gas injection) As shown in Figure 21(G), controller 41 moves cap gripping slot 401 and Ar gas injection slot 404 toward X2, and positions cap gripping slot 401 gripping the upper end of cap 14 and Ar gas injection slot 404 with cap 14 installed above the spout of vial 13. Thereafter, Ar gas is injected into cap 14 and the spout of vial 13, and any remaining air is expelled from cap 14 and the spout of vial 13 (see Figure 19).

[0114] (Ar gas injection slot retracted) 21(H), controller 41 moves Ar gas injection slot 404 toward the X1 side, and moves Ar gas injection slot 404 away from between cap 14 and the spout of vial 13. At this time, cap gripping slot 401 grips cap 14 at a position moved toward the X2 side.

[0115] (Cap installation) 21(I), controller 41 moves cap gripping unit 42 and Ar gas injection unit 43 to lower side Y2, and places cap 14 held in cap gripping slot 401 over the spout of vial 13. In this way, cap 14 is placed over the spout of vial 13. As described above, cap 14 and the spout of vial 13 are filled with Ar gas when cap 14 is placed over the spout of vial 13, so that no air gets in between cap 14 and the spout of vial 13 when cap 14 is placed over the spout of vial 13.

[0116] (return to initial state) 21(J), the controller 41 moves the cap gripping slot 401 toward the X1 side to release the engagement with the cap 14. This causes the cap gripping unit 42 and the Ar gas injection unit 43 to return to the operation start position, which is the initial state for cap installation.

[0117] Next, the operations of the wine filling process by the wine filling device 30 and the cap setting process by the cap setting device 40 will be explained in chronological order. Figures 22(A) to (C) and Figures 23(D) to (F) are diagrams explaining the operations of the wine filling process by the wine filling device 30. Figures 24(A) to (C) and Figures 25(D) to (F) are diagrams explaining the series of operations of the cap setting process by the cap setting device 40.

[0118] (Initial state) As shown in Figure 22(A), in the initial state of the wine filling process, the bottle gripping unit 35 is located on the lower side Y2 and the wine dispensing unit 37 is located on the upper side Y1 of the filling module 34 of the wine filling device 30. By positioning the bottle gripping unit 35 on the lower side Y2 in the initial state shown in Figure 22(A), the bottle 11 can be easily and reliably attached to the bottle gripping unit 35 in the bottle attachment process described below.

[0119] (Bottle attached) As shown in Figure 22(B), bottle 11 is gripped between gripping members 304 and 305 and attached to bottle gripping unit 35. Also, vial 13 is placed on support base 15 of module base 32. When attaching the bottle, cap gripping unit 42 and Ar gas injection unit 43 of cap installation device 40 are maintained in the initial cap installation state (see Figure 20(A)).

[0120] (Bottle upside down) As shown in FIG. 22(C), the filling module 34 is rotated 180 degrees to position the bottle gripping unit 35 on the upper side Y1. The rotation of the filling module 34 is performed by the rotation unit 36 ​​(see FIG. 9). By positioning the bottle gripping unit 35 on the upper side Y1, the bottle 11 is inverted, with the spout facing the lower side Y2. After rotating the bottle gripping unit 35 to the upper side Y1, it may be rotated one more time, or two or more times. By rotating the filling module 34 multiple times, the concentration of the wine in the bottle can be made more uniform.

[0121] (Cap open) As shown in Figure 23(D), cap installation device 40 lifts cap 14 from vial 13, and retracts cap gripping slot 401 and Ar gas injection slot 404 together with cap 14 (see Figure 20(E)). The cap opening operation is as described in Figures 20(A) to (E).

[0122] (Ar gas injection + wine filling) As shown in Figure 23(E), Ar gas is injected into small bottle 13 from Ar gas injection pipe 317, and a specified amount of wine is filled into small bottle 13 from wine filling nozzle 314 of wine dispensing unit 37. The operations of injecting Ar gas and filling wine are as described in Figures 13(A) to (D).

[0123] (Filling module movement) As shown in Figure 23(F), after the injection of Ar gas and the filling of wine are completed, the filling module 34 is moved upward Y1, and the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection tube 317 are pulled out from the small bottle 13. With the above operations, the filling of wine from the wine dispensing unit 37 into the small bottle is completed. Following the wine filling process, the cap installation process is performed by the cap installation device 40.

[0124] (Preparing to install cap) As shown in Figure 24(A), cap gripping unit 42 and Ar gas injection unit 43, which had been retracted near vial 13, are moved upward in direction Y1. Next, as shown in Figure 24(B), cap gripping unit 42 and Ar gas injection unit 43 are moved toward X2. As a result, cap gripping slot 401 holding cap 14 and Ar gas injection slot 404 with cap 14 installed are positioned above the spout of vial 13. The cap installation preparation operation is as described in Figures 21(F) and (G).

[0125] (Ar gas injection) As shown in Figure 24(C), with cap gripping slot 401 gripping cap 14 and Ar gas injection slot 404 with cap 14 installed positioned above the spout of vial 13, Ar gas is injected into cap 14 and the spout of vial 13 to expel any remaining air from cap 14 and the spout of vial 13. The operation of injecting Ar gas is as described in Figure 19.

[0126] (Ar gas injection slot retracted) 25(D), Ar gas injection slot 404 is moved to the X1 side, whereby Ar gas injection slot 404 is retracted from between cap 14 and the spout of small bottle 13.

[0127] (Cap installation) 25(E), cap gripping unit 42 and Ar gas injection unit 43 are moved to lower side Y2. As a result, cap 14 gripped by cap gripping slot 401 is placed over the spout of vial 13. This operation places cap 14 on the spout of vial 13.

[0128] (return to initial state) 25(F), the cap gripping slot 401 is moved toward the X1 side. This disengages the cap gripping slot 401 from the cap 14, and the cap gripping unit 42 and the Ar gas injection unit 43 return to their initial cap installation states. Thereafter, the cap tightening process is performed by the cap tightening device 50.

[0129] (Cap fastening device) 26(A) to 26(C) are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the cap fastening device 50 and the cap fastening process. First, the configuration of the cap fastening device 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 26(A).

[0130] The cap fastening device 50 is a capping machine that fastens the cap 14 to the spout of the vial 13. The cap fastening device 50 is electrically connected to a controller 51 (see FIG. 1). The controller 51 is an information processing device that controls the operations of the lifting unit 53, the fastening mechanism 54, the rack lifting mechanism 55 (see FIG. 1), the automatic transport mechanism 56 (see FIG. 1), etc. In the embodiment, an example in which the cap fastening device 50 is controlled by the controller 51 will be described, but the cap fastening device 50 may also be configured to be controlled by the main controller 10.

[0131] 26(A), the cap fastening device 50 includes a unit base 52, a lifting unit 53, and a fastening mechanism 54. The unit base 52 is a base that supports the lifting unit 53 and the fastening mechanism 54. The unit base 52 is provided with rails (not shown) for transporting a tube rack 16 (described later) along the left-right direction X in the figure.

[0132] Tube rack 16 is a frame for storing a plurality of vials 13. In tube rack 16, a plurality of vials 13 are stored in a row at equal intervals. Tube rack 16 is transported, for example, from side X2 to side X1 in the figure by automatic transport mechanism 56 (see FIG. 1). The vials 13 stored in tube rack 16 are configured to be movable in the vertical direction Y by rack lifting mechanism 55 (see FIG. 1). Note that, although an example using a tube rack 16 capable of storing five vials 13 will be described in the embodiment, the number of vials 13 stored in tube rack 16 may be one, or six or more.

[0133] The lifting unit 53 is a device that supports the fastening mechanism 54 so that it can move freely along the height direction Y. The lifting unit 53 includes a rail 501, a lifting motor 502, etc. The rail 501 is a support member that extends along the height direction Y and is supported by the unit base 52. The lifting motor 502 is a power source for moving the fastening mechanism 54 along the rail 501. The controller 51 (see FIG. 1 ) measures the number of rotations of the lifting motor 502 and detects the position of the fastening mechanism 54 in the height direction Y, thereby being able to move the fastening mechanism 54 to a predetermined position in the height direction Y. The controller 51 also controls the rotation speed of the lifting motor 502, thereby being able to move the fastening mechanism 54 at a predetermined speed.

[0134] Fastening mechanism 54 is a mechanism for crimping cap 14 placed on vial 13 to secure cap 14 to the spout of vial 13. Fastening mechanism 54 applies pressure inward to a portion of the outer surface of cap 14, deforming cap 14 so that it fits tightly against the spout of vial 13, thereby securing cap 14 to the spout of vial 13. The power source for applying pressure to cap 14 can be, for example, an electric motor, a hydraulic mechanism, or the like.

[0135] By fixing cap 14 to the spout of vial 13, the wine filled inside vial 13 is sealed without coming into contact with air. A customer holding vial 13 with cap 14 fastened thereto can release the fastening between cap 14 and vial 13 by rotating cap 14 in the opening direction (for example, counterclockwise). This allows the customer to remove cap 14 from vial 13 and drink the wine filled in vial 13.

[0136] Next, the operation of the cap fastening device 50 in the cap fastening step will be described with reference to FIGS. 26(A) to 26(C).

[0137] (Tube rack supply) 26(A), the controller 51 controls the automatic transport mechanism 56 to transport the tube rack 16 storing a plurality of vials 13 to a predetermined position on the unit base 52. While the tube rack 16 is being transported to the predetermined position on the unit base 52, the fastening mechanism 54 is stopped in the height direction Y at an operation start position where the cap fastening is in an initial state.

[0138] (capping) As shown in FIG. 26(B), controller 51 (see FIG. 1) controls lifting unit 53 to move fastening mechanism 54 from the operation start position to the fastening position. Controller 51 also controls rack lifting mechanism 55 (see FIG. 1) to move vial 13, to which cap 14 is to be fastened, to a predetermined position in the upward direction Y1. As a result, fastening mechanism 54 and vial 13 are positioned in a position in the height direction Y that allows cap 14 to be fastened. Next, controller 51 controls fastening mechanism 54 to fasten cap 14 attached to vial 13. As a result, cap 14 is fixed to the spout of vial 13. When fastening mechanism 54 fastens cap 14, the spout of vial 13 is closed by cap 14, so the wine filled in vial 13 does not come into contact with air.

[0139] Next, controller 51 controls rack lifting mechanism 55 (see FIG. 1) so that vials 13 with caps 14 are stored in their original positions in tube rack 16. Subsequently, controller 51 controls automatic transport mechanism 56 (see FIG. 1) to move tube rack 16 to the X1 side, and so that vials 13 with unfastened caps 14 are positioned directly below fastening mechanism 54. Controller 51 repeatedly performs the above-described capping operation on vials 13 with unfastened caps 14 stored in tube rack 16.

[0140] (Tube rack feed) When all of the vials 13 stored in the tube rack 16 have been capped, the controller 51 controls the automatic transport mechanism 56 to move the tube rack 16 for which capping has been completed to the X1 side, as shown in Figure 26(C), and to transport the next tube rack 16 (not shown) to a predetermined position on the unit base 52. By repeating the above-described tube rack supply, capping, and tube rack advance operations, the caps 14 can be successively fastened to the vials 13 stored in the tube rack 16.

[0141] As described above, the wine refilling system 1 and wine refilling method of the embodiment allow the wine to be refilled into a small bottle without exposing it to air, at least in each process from the uncorking process to the wine filling process and the capping process. This eliminates the need for workers to spray Ar gas into spaces where the wine is likely to come into contact with air, or to work carefully and over time to prevent the wine from coming into contact with air. Therefore, the wine refilling system 1 and wine refilling method of the embodiment minimize the amount of work required by workers in the series of processes from the bottle uncorking process to the capping process, automating the work and achieving more hygienic and efficient operations.

[0142] In the wine refilling system 1 of the embodiment, the uncorking device 20 is equipped with a bottle discrimination mechanism 22 (see FIG. 3) that discriminates the sealing type of the bottle. This reduces the time and effort required for an operator to visually discriminate the sealing type of the bottle, and also reduces the chance of mistakes in discriminating the sealing type, making the uncorking process using the uncorking device 20 more efficient.

[0143] The wine refilling system 1 of the embodiment includes a cap fastening device 50 (see FIG. 26) in addition to the corking device 20, wine filling device 30, and cap setting device 40. Therefore, the wine refilling system 1 of the embodiment can automate tasks, including the task of fastening the cap 14 to the spout of the small bottle 13.

[0144] In the wine refilling system 1 of the embodiment, the wine filling device 30 detects the amount of wine poured from the bottle 11 into the small bottle 13 using the wine filling nozzle 314 and Ar gas injection pipe 317 as capacitance sensors, and fills a specified amount of wine into the small bottle 13 based on this detection result. Therefore, the wine refilling system 1 of the embodiment can more accurately detect the amount of wine poured into the small bottle 13. Furthermore, because the wine filling nozzle 314 and the Ar gas injection pipe 317 also function as capacitance sensors, there is no need to reserve space for a dedicated capacitance sensor for detecting the amount of wine filled, which also reduces costs.

[0145] In the wine refilling system 1 of the embodiment, the controller 31 of the wine filling device 30 has an internal pressure detection function (load detection function) that detects the internal pressure of the bottle 11. While injecting Ar gas into the bottle 11 from the uncorking needle 209, the controller 31 detects the internal pressure of the bottle 11 (Ar gas injection / load current of the uncorking motor 206) using an internal pressure detection mechanism, and when the internal pressure reaches a predetermined value, controls to stop the injection of Ar gas into the bottle 11 from the uncorking needle 209. Therefore, according to the wine refilling system 1 of the embodiment, the wine filling device 30 can detect the internal pressure of the bottle 11 without touching the wine inside the bottle 11.

[0146] (Variations) In the embodiments, wine has been described as an example of a beverage, but the deterioration of quality and flavor caused by exposure to air is not limited to wine. Therefore, the wine refilling system and wine refilling method according to the present invention can also be applied to bottled sake, shochu, whiskey, and the like. Furthermore, the beverage is not limited to alcoholic beverages, and may also be non-alcoholic. Even for beverages whose quality and flavor are not affected by lack of air exposure, it may be desirable to prevent the beverage from coming into contact with air from a hygienic perspective. Therefore, the beverage refilling system and beverage refilling method according to the present invention are effective in such usage scenarios when refilling beverages into small bottles without exposing them to air.

[0147] In the embodiment, an example in which two bottles are used as a basic unit to fill a plurality of vials has been described, but this is not limiting. A single bottle may be used as a basic unit to fill a plurality of vials, or three or more bottles may be used as a basic unit to fill a plurality of vials. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 1: Wine refill system 10: Main controller 20: Uncorking device 21, 31, 41, 51: Controller 22: Bottle discrimination mechanism 30: Wine filling machine (beverage filling machine) 40: Cap installation device 42: Cap gripping unit 43: Ar gas injection unit 50: Cap fastening device 209: Uncorking needle 209a: Gas inlet 307: Inlet adapter 308: Ar gas injection tube (first gas injection tube) 309: Wine dispensing pipe (beverage dispensing pipe) 314: Wine filling nozzle (beverage injection pipe) 317: Ar gas injection tube (second gas injection tube) 401: Cap gripping slot 404: Ar gas injection slot 407: Gas injection section

Claims

1. an uncorking device that includes an uncorking needle having a gas injection port at its tip, piercing a cork of a bottle filled with a beverage with the uncorking needle, causing the tip of the uncorking needle to penetrate into the bottle, and removing the cork from the spout while injecting inert gas into the bottle from the uncorking needle; a beverage filling device comprising a filler port adapter having a first gas injection pipe and a beverage dispensing pipe, and a second gas injection pipe and a beverage dispensing pipe, wherein the beverage filling device closes the spout of the uncorked bottle with the filler port adapter, then turns the bottle upside down, injects inert gas from the first gas injection pipe into the bottle, and inserts the second gas injection pipe into the spout of a small bottle, dispenses the beverage from the bottle through the beverage dispensing pipe while injecting the inert gas from the second gas injection pipe into the small bottle, and fills the dispensed beverage into the small bottle through the beverage injection pipe; a cap installation device including a gas injection unit that moves a gas injection slot having a gas injection part over the spout of the small bottle, and a cap gripping unit that grips a cap and moves it over the spout and the gas injection slot of the bottle, wherein the gas injection unit moves the gas injection slot forward to close the spout of the small bottle filled with a beverage, injects inert gas from the gas injection part into the inside of the cap and the spout of the small bottle to expel any air remaining inside the cap and the spout of the small bottle to the outside, and then the gas injection unit moves the gas injection slot back from the spout of the small bottle, and the cap gripping unit installs the cap on the spout of the small bottle; A beverage refill system comprising:

2. The uncorking device further includes a bottle identification mechanism that identifies the sealing type of a bottle filled with a beverage and detects a bottle whose spout is sealed with the cork. The beverage refill system of claim 1 .

3. a cap fastening device that fastens the cap placed on the spout of the vial to the spout of the vial; The beverage refill system of claim 1 .

4. The beverage filling device detects the amount of beverage poured from the bottle into the small bottle using a capacitance sensor, and fills a specified amount of beverage into the small bottle based on the detection result of the capacitance sensor. The beverage refill system of claim 1 .

5. The beverage filling device has an internal pressure detection function for detecting the internal pressure of the bottle, and while injecting inert gas into the inside of the bottle from the uncorking needle, the internal pressure of the bottle is detected by the internal pressure detection function, and when the internal pressure reaches a predetermined value, the injection of inert gas into the inside of the bottle from the uncorking needle is stopped. The beverage refill system of claim 1 .

6. an uncorking step in which, in an uncorking device equipped with an uncorking needle having a gas injection port at its tip, a cork of a bottle filled with a beverage is pierced with the uncorking needle, the tip of the uncorking needle penetrates into the bottle, and the cork is removed from a spout while injecting inert gas into the bottle from the uncorking needle; a beverage filling process in which, in a beverage filling device equipped with a filler port adapter having a first gas injection pipe and a beverage dispensing pipe, and a second gas injection pipe and a beverage dispensing pipe, the pouring spout of an uncorked bottle is blocked with the filler port adapter, the bottle is then turned upside down, inert gas is injected into the bottle from the first gas injection pipe, and the second gas injection pipe is inserted into the pouring spout of a small bottle, the beverage in the bottle is dispensed from the beverage dispensing pipe while injecting inert gas into the small bottle from the second gas injection pipe, and the dispensed beverage is filled into the small bottle through the beverage injection pipe; a cap installation device including a gas injection unit that moves a gas injection slot having a gas injection port over the spout of the vial, and a cap gripping unit that grips a cap and moves it over the spout and gas injection slot of the bottle, the cap installation step including: using the gas injection unit to advance the gas injection slot to close the spout of the vial filled with a beverage; injecting an inert gas from the gas injection port into the inside of the cap and the spout of the vial to expel any air remaining inside the cap and the spout of the vial to the outside; and then using the gas injection unit to retract the gas injection slot from the spout of the vial, and installing the cap on the spout of the vial using the cap gripping unit; A beverage refill method comprising:

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