Beverage manufacturing equipment

Abstract

To provide a beverage production device that can flexibly meet the needs required for producing beverage ingredients in a cup. [Solution] The beverage production device (1) comprises a holder (3, 37) for holding a cup (8) into which beverage ingredients (M) are placed, a rotary blade (4) attached to the lower end of a drive shaft (20) and placed in the cup (8) held by the holder (3, 37), a rotary drive source (21) for rotating the rotary blade (4) about the central axis of the drive shaft (20), an elevation drive source for raising and lowering the rotary blade (4) in the axial direction (L) of the drive shaft (20), and a control unit for controlling the operation of the rotary drive source (21) and the elevation drive source. The control unit is configured to reduce the rotation speed of the rotary blade (4) caused by the rotary drive source (21) when the elevation drive source causes the lower end (40) of the rotary blade (4) to pass downward over an assumed interface position (X1) of the beverage ingredients (M) in the cup (8) to be lower than the rotation speed when the rotary blade (4) is stirring the beverage ingredients (M) in the cup (8).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage production machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Beverage production devices, known as smoothie machines, cup blenders, etc., produce beverages by mixing beverage ingredients, including solids such as ice, vegetables, and fruits, and liquids such as water, juice, dairy products, and liquid sugar, in a cup. In the beverage production device of Patent Document 1, the control unit controls the rotation speed of the rotating blade to decrease when moving the rotating blade from a lower position to an upper position of the container, and to increase the rotation speed when moving the rotating blade from the upper position to a lower position. This increases the speed at which the rotating blade collides with the beverage ingredients and the frequency of collisions between the rotating blade and the beverage ingredients, improving the efficiency with which the rotating blade crushes the beverage ingredients and preventing an increase in the beverage production time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7524794 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In beverage production devices, beverages are repeatedly produced by alternately stirring beverage ingredients with a rotating blade and cleaning the rotating blade. It has been discovered that, in order to prevent damage to cups, splashing of beverage, and the like, and to produce the desired beverage without any problems, it is better to more flexibly control the rotation speed of the rotating blade before stirring the beverage ingredients begins or after stirring of the beverage ingredients is completed. The beverage production devices disclosed in Patent Document 1 and elsewhere focus on changing the rotation speed of the rotating blade when stirring the beverage ingredients in the cup, but do not flexibly control the rotation speed of the rotating blade in situations other than stirring.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a beverage production device that can flexibly respond to the needs required for producing beverage ingredients in a cup. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a holder (3, 37) for holding a cup (8) into which a beverage ingredient (M) is placed; a rotary blade (4) provided at the lower end of a drive shaft (20) and disposed in the cup held by the holding portion; a rotary drive source (21) that rotates the rotary blade around the central axis of the drive shaft; an elevation drive source (25) for raising and lowering the rotary blade in the axial direction (L) of the drive shaft; a control unit (5) that controls the operation of the rotation drive source and the lift drive source, The control unit is configured to, before stirring the beverage ingredients in the cup, when the rotary cutter is lowered by the lifting drive source from above the beverage ingredients into the beverage ingredients and then raised again, stop transmitting a rotation signal to the rotary drive source after the lower end (40) of the rotary cutter reaches a lowered set position (X2) located below an assumed interface position (X1) and until the rotary cutter reaches above the assumed interface position, and transmit a rotation signal to the rotary drive source after the lower end of the rotary cutter reaches above the assumed interface position. , in beverage production equipment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the beverage preparation device of the above aspect, the position of the upper surface (liquid surface or semi-solid surface) of the beverage ingredient that is expected when the beverage ingredient is poured into the cup is set as the expected interface position. Before stirring the beverage ingredients in the cup, when the rotary blade is lowered by the lifting drive source from above the beverage ingredients into the beverage ingredients and then raised again, after the lower end of the rotary blade reaches a set lowering position below the assumed interface position, transmission of a rotation signal to the rotary drive source is stopped until the rotary blade reaches above the assumed interface position, and after the lower end of the rotary blade reaches above the assumed interface position, a rotation signal is transmitted to the rotary drive source. This configuration prevents the cup from being easily damaged by the collision of solid objects before the beverage ingredients start to be stirred. situation etc. Therefore, the beverage production device of the above aspect can flexibly respond to the needs for producing beverage ingredients in a cup.

[0008] Note that the parenthesized symbols of each component shown in one aspect of the present invention indicate a correspondence with the symbols in the drawings in the embodiment, but do not limit each component to only the contents of the embodiment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a beverage preparation device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a beverage preparation apparatus according to a first embodiment in a state in which beverage ingredients are stirred. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the beverage preparation apparatus according to the first embodiment in a state in which a rotary cutter is being cleaned. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the electrical configuration of a beverage preparation device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a cup into which beverage ingredients have been poured according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a rotary cutter is placed inside a beverage ingredient in a cup according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a rotary blade according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing another cup according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is a graph showing an example of the operation of a stirring program set in the beverage preparation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a graph showing an example of the operation of a cleaning program set in the beverage preparation apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a graph showing an example of the operation of a stirring program set in the beverage preparation device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the beverage production apparatus described above will be described with reference to the drawings. <Embodiment 1> 1 to 4, the beverage production apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a holder 3, 37 for holding a cup 8 into which beverage ingredients M are poured, a rotary blade 4 provided at the lower end of a drive shaft 20 and placed in the cup 8 held by the holder 3, 37, a rotational drive source 21 for rotating the rotary blade 4 about the central axis of the drive shaft 20, a lifting drive source 25 for raising and lowering the rotary blade 4 in the axial direction L of the drive shaft 20, and a control unit 5 for controlling the operation of the rotational drive source 21 and the lifting drive source 25. Here, FIG. 4 shows the main electrical configuration of the beverage production apparatus 1. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the control unit 5 is configured to reduce the rotational speed of the rotary blade 4 caused by the rotational drive source 21 when the lifting drive source 25 causes the lower end 40 of the rotary blade 4 to pass downward through an assumed interface position X1 of the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8, compared to the rotational speed when the rotary blade 4 stirs the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8. Here, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the rotary cutter 4 is placed in the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8.

[0011] The beverage preparation device 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail below. (Axial and radial directions) In this embodiment, the axial direction L refers to the direction along the central axis of the drive shaft 20. In this embodiment, the axial direction L is oriented in the vertical direction, with the tip end side L2 of the axial direction L located at the bottom end in the vertical direction and the base end side L1 of the axial direction L located at the top end in the vertical direction. The radial direction refers to the direction radial to the central axis of the drive shaft 20.

[0012] (Configuration of beverage production device 1) As shown in Figures 5 and 6, beverage production device 1, also known as a smoothie machine or cup blender, produces a beverage from beverage ingredients M. The beverage ingredients M include solid matter M2 such as ice, vegetables, and fruit, and liquid matter (base drink) M1 such as water, juice, dairy products, and liquid sugar. The vegetables, fruits, etc. may be used in a frozen state. The beverage is also known as a smoothie, and is produced as a sherbet-like drink. In a cup 8 held by holding portions 3, 37, the solid matter M2 is pulverized by a rotary blade 4, and the pulverized solid matter M2 and the liquid matter M1 are stirred or mixed to produce a beverage.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, beverage production apparatus 1 includes a main body frame 11, a drive mechanism 2 attached to main body frame 11, a rotation drive source 21 and an elevation drive source 25 for driving drive mechanism 2, a drive shaft 20 attached to drive mechanism 2, a rotary blade 4 attached to drive shaft 20, an elevation-side holder 3 that moves up and down together with drive shaft 20, a protector base (fixed-side holder) 37 that serves as a holder fixed to main body frame 11, a control board (not shown) that constitutes control unit 5, and a housing 12 that covers components such as main body frame 11. The elevation-side holder 3 is configured to close an opening 800 of cup 8 and press down on cup 8 from above, and can be raised and lowered in the axial direction L together with rotary blade 4 by elevation drive source 25. The protector base 37 is configured to support the bottom of cup 8 from below.

[0014] The drive mechanism 2 includes a lifting base 22 to which a rotary motor serving as a rotary drive source 21 is attached, a rail (not shown) that guides the up and down movement of the lifting base 22, and a lifting screw 23 and a nut 24 for raising and lowering the lifting base 22 by the lifting motor serving as a lifting drive source 25. The nut 24 is attached to the lifting base 22, and when the lifting screw 23 rotates in the forward direction, the nut 24 and the lifting base 22 descend, and when the lifting screw 23 rotates in the reverse direction, the nut 24 and the lifting base 22 ascend.

[0015] The lift-side holder 3 is composed of a rotation guide tube 31, a holding spring 32, a cylindrical spring guide 33, a cylindrical cup pipe 34, a cylindrical cup cover 35 with a bottom, and a cylindrical cleaning cover 36. The rotation guide tube 31 is attached to the lift base 22 and guides the rotation of the drive shaft 20 via a bearing. A base end side L1 of the holding spring 32 in the axial direction L is supported on the outer periphery of the rotation guide tube 31. The spring guide 33 is attached to the outer periphery of a tip end side L2 of the holding spring 32 in the axial direction L. The cup pipe 34 is attached to the tip end side L2 of the spring guide 33 in the axial direction L. The cup cover 35 is attached to the tip end side L2 of the cup pipe 34 in the axial direction L, and covers the rotary cutter 4 from the base end side L1 in the axial direction L and the outer periphery in the radial direction when the beverage production device 1 is in its initial position. The cleaning cover 36 is attached to the tip side L2 of the cup pipe 34 and the cup cover 35 in the axial direction L. The main body frame 11 is formed with a guide part 111 having a guide port that guides the lifting-side holding part 3 as it moves up and down.

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, cup 8 is used while being protected from its outer periphery by cup protector 81. Cup protector 81 is placed on protector base 37. The lower part of main body frame 11 is provided with a washing nozzle 15 for washing rotary cutter 4 by spraying washing water W, a funnel 16 for collecting liquid around protector base 37, and a drainage path 17 for draining liquid collected in funnel 16 to the outside of beverage production device 1. A water injection nozzle 18 for injecting drinking water into cup 8 held by protector base 37 via cup protector 81 is provided on the side wall surface of main body frame 11. Washing nozzle 15 is configured to spray washing water W toward rotary cutter 4 and cup cover 35 of the lift-side holder in response to the on / off operation of solenoid valve 26.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lifting screw 23 is rotatably supported on the main body frame 11 via a bearing. The rotation of the lifting drive source 25 is reduced using a pulley and a belt and transmitted to the lifting screw 23. The rotation of the rotary drive source 21 is transmitted directly to the drive shaft 20 via a coupling. The drive shaft 20, which is connected to the output shaft of the rotary drive source 21 via a coupling, is disposed in a state of hanging downward in the drive mechanism 2. The rotary blade 4 is connected to the lower end, which is the tip of the drive shaft 20 in the axial direction L.

[0018] The drive mechanism 2 is configured to rotate the rotary blade 4 simultaneously with the rotary blade 4's downward movement into the cup 8 and its vertical reciprocating movement within the cup 8. The rotary blade 4 descends into the cup 8 as the lift base 22 descends when the lift screw 23 rotates forward in response to the rotation of the lift drive source 25. The rotary blade 4 reciprocates up and down within the cup 8 as the lift base 22 alternately ascends and descends when the lift screw 23 alternately rotates forward and backward in response to the rotation of the lift drive source 25. The drive shaft 20 and rotary blade 4 are rotated in only one direction by the rotary drive source 21. The rotary drive source 21, drive shaft 20, rotary blade 4, lift side holder 3, etc. descend or ascend together with the lift base 22.

[0019] An operation panel 13, an opening / closing door 14, etc. are provided on the front of the housing 12. When the opening / closing door 14 is opened, a cup protector 81 that holds a cup 8 can be placed on the protector stand 37. The rotating rotary blade 4 descends or moves up and down into the cup 8 held between the protector stand 37 and the lift-side holder 3, producing a beverage in the cup 8. An infrared sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of the cup protector 81 is also disposed on the inner wall of the main body frame 11. Use of the infrared sensor makes it possible to quickly start the cleaning operation of the rotary blade 4 after the stirring operation of the beverage ingredients M by the rotary blade 4, which will be described later.

[0020] If the strength of the cup 8 is increased by changing the material, thickness, etc. used for the cup 8, the cup protector 81 does not need to be used. In this case, the configuration of the protector base 37 may be changed appropriately depending on the shape, strength, etc. of the cup 8.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 and 7, the rotary blade 4 is detachably connected to the tip end L2 in the axial direction L of the drive shaft 20 to enable replacement, maintenance, etc. The rotary blade 4 has a shaft portion 41 connected to the drive shaft 20 and a blade portion 42 formed to protrude radially outward from the shaft portion 41. The blade portion 42 of the rotary blade 4 collides with solid matter M2 such as ice and frozen ingredients contained in the beverage ingredients M, thereby crushing these. If the blade portion 42 of the rotary blade 4 is damaged, it can be removed from the drive shaft 20 and replaced as needed.

[0022] (Beverage manufacturing) In beverage production apparatus 1, when producing a beverage from beverage ingredients M, an operator places solid matter M2 such as ice, vegetables, or fruit, and liquid matter M1 such as juice, dairy products, or liquid sugar, into cup 8. In addition, cup 8 is held in cup protector 81, and cup protector 81 is placed on protector stand 37.

[0023] Next, when the operator operates the operation panel 13, drinking water is poured into the cup 8 from the water pouring nozzle 18 as needed. As shown in FIG. 2 , the lift screw 23 is rotated by the lift drive source 25, and the rotation of the lift screw 23 causes the lift base 22 to descend. At an appropriate timing when the lift base 22 descends, the drive shaft 20 begins to rotate by the rotation drive source 21. When the cup cover 35 arranged on the lift base 22 abuts against the top of the cup 8, the holding spring 32 is compressed by the pressure of the spring guide 33 and the cup pipe 34. With the cup 8 held between the lift-side holding unit 3 and the protector base 37, the rotating rotary blade 4 descends into the cup 8.

[0024] At this time, the solid material M2 collides with the rotary cutter 4 and is crushed by the blade portion 42 of the rotary cutter 4. The solid material M2 that collides with the tip of the rotary cutter 4 is bounced off radially outward. Next, the rotation directions of the lifting drive source 25 and the lifting screw 23 are appropriately switched, causing the rotary cutter 4 to reciprocate up and down while rotating. In this way, the solid material M2 and the liquid material M1 in the cup 8 are stirred and mixed, and a beverage is produced.

[0025] Next, the rotary cutter 4 rises in response to the rotation of the lifting drive source 25 and the lifting screw 23, and the cup cover 35 of the lifting-side holder 3 separates from the cup 8. Next, the operator opens the opening / closing door 14, removes the cup protector 81 holding the cup 8 from the protector base 37, and removes the cup 8 from the cup protector 81. Next, when the operator closes the opening / closing door 14, the rotary cutter 4 descends again in response to the rotation of the lifting drive source 25 and the lifting screw 23, and the cleaning cover 36 descends and approaches the funnel 16, as shown in FIG. 3. In this state, cleaning water W is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 15 toward the rotary cutter 4, cleaning the rotary cutter 4. The cleaning water W used to clean the rotary cutter 4 is collected in the funnel 16 and drained to the outside of the beverage production apparatus 1 through the drainage path 17. Thereafter, the rotary blade 4, the lift-side holding part 3, etc. are raised to their initial positions by the rotation of the lift drive source 25 and the lift screw 23.

[0026] (Configuration of control unit 5) The control unit 5 of the beverage production device 1 is configured using drive circuits that drive the rotary drive source 21 and the lift drive source 25, respectively, sensors (not shown) that measure the amount of rotation and the like caused by the rotary drive source 21 and the lift drive source 25, a computer that communicates with the drive circuits, sensors, etc. The computer of the control unit 5 stores a program for controlling the operation of the beverage production device 1. This program stores settings such as the lift position, lift speed, operation hold time, and rotation speed of the rotary cutter 4, and operates the rotary cutter 4 in accordance with these settings. The program of the control unit 5 is set and changed as appropriate by an administrator or operator.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the sidewall of the cup 8 is formed with a stepped shape, with the diameter increasing on the side closer to the upper opening 800. The amount of beverage ingredient M to be added to the cup 8 can be set using the stepped portion 80 that forms the stepped portion as a guide. The stepped portions 80 are often formed near the upper and lower sides of the cup 8. The assumed interface position X1, which is used to control the rotation speed of the rotary cutter 4 by the rotation drive source 21, can be the position of the stepped portion 80 that indicates the amount of beverage ingredient M to be added to the cup 8. As shown in FIG. 8 , if there are multiple stepped portions 80 near the upper side of the cup 8, the assumed interface position X1 can be the position of the lowest stepped portion 80 among the multiple stepped portions 80 near the upper side. When the beverage ingredient M is correctly added to the cup 8, the upper surface (liquid surface) M11 of the beverage ingredient M will be located near the assumed interface position X1. Beverage ingredients M can also be semi-solid or semi-frozen beverages such as shakes and sherbets. In this case, the upper surface M11 of the beverage ingredient M may be the upper surface M11 of the outer periphery of the beverage ingredient M that contacts the step portion 80 of the cup 8.

[0028] In this embodiment, before stirring of the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8 begins, the control unit 5 sets the rotation speed of the rotary cutter 4, driven by the rotation drive source 21, to zero when the lower end 40 of the rotary cutter 4 passes downward through the assumed interface position X1 of the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8 using the lift drive source 25. More specifically, before stirring of the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8 begins, when the lift drive source 25 lowers the rotary cutter 4 from above the beverage ingredients M into the beverage ingredients M and then raises it again, the control unit 5 is configured to stop transmitting a rotation signal to the rotation drive source 21 after the lower end 40 of the rotary cutter 4 reaches a lowered set position X2 below the assumed interface position X1 of the beverage ingredients M and until the rotary cutter 4 reaches above the assumed interface position X1, and then transmit a rotation signal to the rotation drive source 21 after the lower end 40 of the rotary cutter 4 reaches above the assumed interface position X1. The rotary cutter 4 rotates when the control unit 5 transmits the rotation signal to the rotation drive source 21, and when the transmission of the rotation signal is stopped, the rotation speed of the rotary cutter 4 becomes zero.

[0029] By controlling the rotation speed of the rotary cutter 4, when the rotary cutter 4 is lowered into the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8 while barely rotating, it is possible to push the solid material M2, such as ice or frozen ingredients, placed in the cup 8 into the semi-solid or semi-frozen material, such as shake or sherbet. In addition, it is possible to prevent the solid material M2 placed in the cup 8 from being repelled by the rotary cutter 4 and colliding with the inner wall surface of the cup 8.

[0030] The lowered set position X2 may be set as a position where at least half of the blade portion 42 of the rotary blade 4 is submerged in the beverage ingredients M. The lowered set position X2 may be set, for example, as a position lower than the assumed interface position X1 by 0.8 to 1.5 times the height of the blade portion 42 of the rotary blade 4. The height of the blade portion 42 may be set within the range of the length in the axial direction L that the entire blade portion 42 inclined in the axial direction L occupies.

[0031] When the lower end 40 of the rotary cutter 4 descends to the lowered position X2, solid materials M2 such as ice and frozen ingredients have accumulated below and around the blade portion 42 of the rotary cutter 4. Therefore, if the rotary cutter 4 immediately starts stirring the beverage ingredients M at the same position in this state, or starts stirring the beverage ingredients M while descending, the solid materials M2 may be bounced off the beverage ingredients M toward the inner wall of the cup 8. Therefore, after the lower end 40 of the rotary cutter 4 descends to the lowered position X2 and pushes the solid materials M2 into the beverage ingredients M, the rotary cutter 4 temporarily ascends, allowing the blade portion 42 of the rotary cutter 4 to separate from the solid materials M2. Then, when the rotary cutter 4 descends again into the beverage ingredients M while rotating, the solid materials M2 contained in the semi-solid or semi-frozen liquid material M1 can be appropriately crushed and stirred.

[0032] (Another configuration of the control unit 5) Before starting to stir the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8, when the lifting drive source 25 lowers the rotary cutter 4 from above the beverage ingredients M into the beverage ingredients M, the control unit 5 may be configured to stop sending a rotation signal to the rotation drive source 21 until the lower end 40 of the rotary cutter 4 reaches a set lowering position X2 that is located below the assumed interface position X1 of the beverage ingredients M, and then send a rotation signal to the rotation drive source 21 after the lower end 40 reaches the set lowering position X2. In this case, too, the control unit 5 may start sending a rotation signal to the rotation drive source 21 after the lower end 40 of the rotary cutter 4 reaches the set lowering position X2, and then raise the lower end 40 of the rotary cutter 4 above the assumed interface position X1 and then lower it below the assumed interface position X1 again.

[0033] Furthermore, the control unit 5 of this embodiment is configured to, after stirring of the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8 has been completed, when the lower end 40 of the rotary blade 4 is caused by the lifting drive source 25 to pass upward over the assumed interface position X1, make the rotation speed of the rotary blade 4 caused by the rotational drive source 21 slower than the rotation speed of the rotary blade 4 when stirring the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8. In other words, after stirring of the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8 has been completed, when the lower end 40 of the rotary blade 4 is caused by the lifting drive source 25 to pass upward over the assumed interface position X1, the control unit 5 sets the rotation speed of the rotary blade 4 caused by the rotational drive source 21 to zero. More specifically, after stirring of the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8 has been completed, the control unit 5 is configured to stop sending a rotation signal to the rotational drive source 21 and then cause the lifting drive source 25 to lift the rotary blade 4 from within the beverage ingredients M to above the beverage ingredients M.

[0034] After the beverage has been produced in the cup 8, it is preferable to gently remove the rotary cutter 4 from the beverage in the cup 8 in order to retain the beverage in the cup 8. By controlling the rotation speed of the rotary cutter 4, it is possible to prevent the beverage from splashing onto the inner wall surface of the cup 8 and the cup cover 35 when the rotary cutter 4 is removed from the beverage in the cup 8.

[0035] The control unit 5 is configured to perform a set of a stirring operation for stirring the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8 and a cleaning operation for cleaning the rotary cutter 4. In other words, the program of the control unit 5 is set to perform a cleaning operation immediately after performing the stirring operation. In the stirring operation, the control unit 5 is configured to rotate the rotary cutter 4 using the rotation drive source 21 and raise and lower the rotary cutter 4 using the elevation drive source 25, thereby stirring the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8 held by the elevation-side holder 3 and the protector base 37. In the cleaning operation, the control unit 5 is configured to clean the rotary cutter 4 and the inside of the cup cover 35 of the elevation-side holder 3 with cleaning water W sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 15.

[0036] Furthermore, in the cleaning operation, the control unit 5 is configured to stop sending a rotation signal to the rotary drive source 21, start spraying cleaning water W from the cleaning nozzle 15 onto the rotary cutter 4, and then send a rotation signal to the rotary drive source 21. In other words, the cleaning water W sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 15 collides with and cleans the inside of the cup cover 35 and the rotary cutter 4 while the rotation of the rotary cutter 4 is stopped, and then collides with and cleans the inside of the cup cover 35 and the rotary cutter 4 while the rotary cutter 4 is rotating. With this configuration, residual liquid from the beverage adhering to the inside of the cup cover 35 and the rotary cutter 4 can be effectively cleaned after the beverage has been produced.

[0037] Furthermore, the control unit 5 is configured to stop the spraying of cleaning water W from the cleaning nozzle 15 onto the rotary blade 4 while continuing to send a rotation signal to the rotary drive source 21. In other words, the control unit 5 is configured to stop the spraying of cleaning water W from the cleaning nozzle 15 onto the rotary blade 4 while maintaining the rotary blade 4 in a rotating state. With this configuration, when the cleaning of the rotary blade 4 is completed, the droplets of cleaning water W adhering to the rotary blade 4 can be shaken off, and the rotary blade 4 can be dried.

[0038] Furthermore, the control unit 5 of this embodiment increases the descent speed of the lower end 40 of the rotary cutter 4 when it passes the assumed interface position X1 downward, in other words, the speed at which the lower end 40 of the rotary cutter 4 moves from above the beverage ingredients M into the beverage ingredients M, compared to the speed at which the rotary cutter 4 moves up and down when stirring the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8. This configuration allows the rotary cutter 4 to move quickly into the beverage ingredients M, shortening the time required to prepare a beverage. Furthermore, the control unit 5 increases the ascent speed of the lower end 40 of the rotary cutter 4 when it passes the assumed interface position X1 upward, in other words, the speed at which the lower end 40 of the rotary cutter 4 moves up from within the beverage ingredients M to the outside, compared to the speed at which the rotary cutter 4 moves up and down when stirring the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8. This configuration also reduces the time required to prepare a beverage.

[0039] (Lifting and Rotation Control of Rotary Blade 4 by Control Unit 5) FIG. 9 shows an example of the operation of a stirring program set in the beverage production apparatus 1, with the elevation position of the rotary blade 4 and the rotational speed of the rotary blade 4 corresponding to each other over time. The elevation position of the rotary blade 4 is shown as a position where the rotary blade 4 has descended from its initial position to an appropriate position within the cup 8, with its highest position being the initial position. In this embodiment, the elevation position of the rotary blade 4 is treated as the elevation position of the lower end 40 of the rotary blade 4. The production of beverages by the beverage production apparatus 1 is executed based on a program stored in the control unit 5. Execution of the program is started when an operator operates the start button. The initial position may be the highest position of the rotary blade 4 or an appropriate position where the cup cover 35 of the elevation side holding unit 3 is separated from the cup 8.

[0040] When beverage ingredients M are placed in cup 8 and the start button of beverage production device 1 is pressed, program execution begins and the stirring operation is initiated. Then, control unit 5 sends a rotation signal to lifting drive source 25, and lifting screw 23 is rotated by lifting drive source 25, causing lifting base 22 and rotary blade 4 to descend. At this time, control unit 5 is not sending a rotation signal to rotation drive source 21, and rotation of rotary blade 4 is stopped; in other words, the rotation speed of rotary blade 4 is zero.

[0041] When the lower end 40 of the rotary blade 4 descends to the lowered set position X2, solid matter M2, such as ice or frozen ingredients, positioned near the interface of the semi-solid or semi-frozen liquid matter M1 of the beverage ingredients M placed in the cup 8 is pushed into the liquid matter M1 by the rotary blade 4. Next, when the lower end 40 of the rotary blade 4 descends to the lowered set position X2, in other words, when the elevation position of the rotary blade 4 reaches the lowered set position X2, the control unit 5 temporarily stops the elevation operation of the rotary blade 4 by the elevation drive source 25 and then causes the elevation drive source 25 to elevate the lower end 40 of the rotary blade 4 above the assumed interface position X1. When the lower end 40 of the rotary blade 4 ascends above the assumed interface position X1, the control unit 5 sends a rotation signal to the rotary drive source 21, and the rotation of the drive shaft 20 by the rotary drive source 21 is received, and the rotation of the rotary blade 4 begins.

[0042] Next, the control unit 5 temporarily stops the lifting and lowering operation of the rotary cutter 4 by the lifting drive source 25, and then causes the rotary cutter 4 to gradually lower by the lifting drive source 25. At this time, the solid material M2 pushed into the liquid material M1 collides with the blade portion 42 of the rotary cutter 4 and is crushed, and the liquid material M1 and the solid material M2 are mixed to produce a beverage. In addition, the solid material M2 that collides with the blade portion 42 of the rotary cutter 4 and is repelled moves within the liquid material M1. This weakens the force with which the solid material M2 collides with the inner wall surface of the cup 8.

[0043] Next, the control unit 5 maintains the rotary cutter 4 at a predetermined lowered position within the cup 8, and then controls the elevation drive source 25 to gradually raise the elevation position of the rotary cutter 4. At this time, the control unit 5 controls the rotation drive source 21 to gradually reduce the rotation speed of the rotary cutter 4. The rotation speed of the rotary cutter 4 is then set to zero while the lower end 40 of the rotary cutter 4 is elevated to the assumed interface position X1. When the rotation signal from the control unit 5 to the rotation drive source 21 is stopped, the rotation speed of the rotary cutter 4 is further reduced due to the viscosity of the liquid M1 in the cup 8. Since the rotary cutter 4 is barely rotating when it is removed from the beverage in the cup 8, the beverage in the cup 8 is prevented from splashing upward.

[0044] Next, after the stirring operation by the control unit 5 is completed, the operator opens the door 14, removes the cup 8 containing the brewed beverage and the cup protector 81 from the beverage production device 1, and closes the door 14 again, starting the cleaning operation. Figure 10 shows an example of the operation of a cleaning program set in the beverage production device 1, illustrating the on / off state of the solenoid valve 26 of the cleaning nozzle 15 and the corresponding change over time in the rotation speed of the rotary blade 4. When the cleaning operation starts, the lifting drive source 25 moves the rotary blade 4 to a predetermined cleaning position. The control unit 5 then turns on the solenoid valve 26 of the cleaning nozzle 15. At this time, no rotation signal is sent from the control unit 5 to the rotation drive source 21, and the rotation speed of the rotary blade 4 driven by the rotation drive source 21 is zero. The cleaning water W then hits the stopped rotary blade 4 and the inside of the cup cover 35 of the lifting-side holder 3, appropriately washing away any remaining liquid from the beverage adhering to these.

[0045] Next, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 5 sends a rotation signal to the rotation drive source 21, causing the rotary blade 4 to start rotating. At this time, the cleaning water W hits the rotating rotary blade 4, washing away any beverage remaining on the rotary blade 4 and the inside of the cup cover 35 of the lift-side holder 3. Next, while the rotary blade 4 is rotating, the control unit 5 turns off the solenoid valve 26. At this time, the spray of cleaning water W from the cleaning nozzle 15 onto the rotary blade 4 is stopped. Then, as the rotary blade 4 continues to rotate, droplets of cleaning water W adhering to the rotary blade 4 are shaken off. Thereafter, the control unit 5 stops sending the rotation signal to the rotation drive source 21, causing the rotation of the rotary blade 4 to stop. In this way, the rotary blade 4 and the cup cover 35 are cleaned, and the beverage production device 1 is ready to produce the next beverage.

[0046] In the beverage production apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the position of the upper surface (liquid surface or semi-solid surface) M11 of the beverage ingredients M when the beverage ingredients M are poured into the cup 8 is set as the assumed interface position X1. Then, before starting to stir the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8, the control unit 5 sets the rotation speed of the rotary blade 4 to zero until the lower end 40 of the rotary blade 4 reaches a set lowering position X2 below the assumed interface position X1 of the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8. This configuration prevents the solid matter M2, such as ice or frozen ingredients, from bouncing off the rotary blade 4 and colliding with the inner wall surface of the cup 8, particularly in cases where a semi-solid or semi-frozen liquid matter M1, such as a shake, is present on top of the beverage ingredients M, before starting to stir the beverage ingredients M. This prevents the solid matter M2 from damaging the inner wall surface of the cup 8 or from cracking or breaking the inner wall surface of the cup 8.

[0047] Furthermore, after stirring of the beverage ingredients M in the cup 8 is completed, the control unit 5 sets the rotation speed of the rotary blade 4, driven by the rotation drive source 21, to zero when the lower end 40 of the rotary blade 4 passes upward through the assumed interface position X1 by the lifting drive source 25. With this configuration, when the rotary blade 4 is removed from the prepared beverage in the cup 8, the beverage is prevented from splashing toward the cup cover 35 of the lifting-side holding unit 3. This reduces the loss of the prepared beverage and also reduces the burden of cleaning the inside of the cup cover 35.

[0048] In this way, the beverage preparation device 1 of this embodiment can flexibly respond to the needs required for preparation of beverage ingredients M in the cup 8.

[0049] <Embodiment 2> This embodiment shows a program different from the program shown in Embodiment 1. Fig. 11 shows an example of the operation of a stirring program set in beverage production device 1 of this embodiment, with the elevation position of rotary blade 4 and the rotation speed of rotary blade 4 changing over time in correspondence with each other.

[0050] When beverage ingredients M are placed in cup 8 and the start button of beverage production device 1 is pressed, a program is executed and the stirring operation is initiated. In this embodiment, when control unit 5 causes lifting drive source 25 to gradually lower rotary cutter 4, control unit 5 also gradually increases the rotation speed of rotary cutter 4 caused by rotation drive source 21. Next, with the entire rotary cutter 4 positioned below assumed interface position X1, control unit 5 causes lifting drive source 25 to reciprocate the lifting position of rotary cutter 4 up and down, thereby stirring beverage ingredients M in cup 8.

[0051] Next, when the rotary blade 4 has reciprocated a predetermined number of times, the control unit 5 changes the rotation signal sent to the rotation drive source 21 to reduce the rotation speed of the rotary blade 4. Then, after the predetermined operation, the control unit 5 stops the rotation signal sent to the rotation drive source 21 to set the rotation speed of the rotary blade 4 to zero. Next, the control unit 5 causes the elevation drive source 25 to raise the elevation position of the rotary blade 4 to the initial position, with the rotation speed of the rotary blade 4 set to zero when the lower end 40 of the rotary blade 4 passes upward through the assumed interface position X1.

[0052] In this embodiment, when the rotary blade 4 is removed from the beverage in the cup 8, the rotary blade 4 is hardly rotating, which prevents the beverage in the cup 8 from splashing upward. This makes it possible to maintain a state in which the beverage is not splashed onto the upper part of the inner wall surface of the cup 8 after the beverage is produced. In addition, it is possible to make it difficult for the beverage to remain inside the cup cover 35 of the lift-side holding part 3, which makes it easier to clean the inside of the cup cover 35. In this embodiment, the other configurations and effects are the same as in embodiment 1.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the respective embodiments, and further different embodiments can be configured without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention also includes various modifications, modifications within the scope of equivalents, etc. Furthermore, various combinations of components, forms, etc. envisioned from the present invention are also included in the technical spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Beverage production equipment 11 Main frame 111 Information Department 12. Case 13 Operation panel 14 Opening and Closing Doors 15 Cleaning nozzle 16 Funnel 17 Drainage route 18 Water injection nozzle 2. Drive mechanism 20 Drive shaft 21 Rotational drive source 22 Lifting base 23 Lifting screw 24 Nut 25 Lifting drive source 26 Solenoid valve 3 Lifting side holding part (holding part) 31 Rotating guide tube 32 Retaining spring 33 Spring guide 34 Cup Pipe 35 Cup Cover 36 Cleaning cover 37 Protector stand (holding part) 4 Rotary blades 40 Bottom end 41 Shaft part 42 Blade part 5. Control section 8 cups 80 Step 81 Cup Protector X1 Estimated interface position X2 Lower setting position M Beverage ingredients M1 Liquid M11 Top surface (liquid surface, semi-solid surface) M2 solids W Cleaning water L axis direction L1 base end L2 Tip side

Claims

1. a holder (3, 37) for holding a cup (8) into which a beverage ingredient (M) is placed; a rotary blade (4) provided at the lower end of a drive shaft (20) and disposed in the cup held by the holding portion; a rotary drive source (21) that rotates the rotary blade around the central axis of the drive shaft; an elevation drive source (25) for raising and lowering the rotary blade in the axial direction (L) of the drive shaft; a control unit (5) that controls the operation of the rotation drive source and the lift drive source, The beverage manufacturing device is configured such that, when the rotary blade is lowered from above the beverage ingredients into the beverage ingredients by the lifting drive source and then raised again before the beverage ingredients in the cup are stirred, after the lower end (40) of the rotary blade reaches a lowered set position (X2) located below the assumed interface position (X1), the control unit stops sending a rotation signal to the rotary drive source until the rotary blade reaches above the assumed interface position, and sends a rotation signal to the rotary drive source after the lower end of the rotary blade reaches above the assumed interface position.

2. The beverage production device described in claim 1, wherein the control unit makes the descending speed when the lower end of the rotating blade first passes downward through the assumed interface position greater than the moving speed at which the rotating blade moves up and down when stirring the beverage ingredients in the cup.

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